Maeve Binchy.

Last night Maeve Binchy, one of Ireland’s favorite, novelist, short-story writers and columnist, passed away at the age of 72. She was born in Dublin and she died there. All her writing life, she drew on the love of her birthplace and gave millions of people around the world a wonderful sense of a city and a country.  Maeve Binchy, generous and kind, was a leading voice about Irish life and her people. She explored, romances, friends and family, and above all about love. She shared her love of her country and gave life to others to do the same.

She was known as a friendly woman, always ready for a chat and a cup of tea, with an endless curiosity of people and a wonderful ear for dialogue. She shared her work with a warm smile and tender words. She will be missed deeply.

She wrote 16 novels, two of which, The Lilac Bus and Echoes, were made into TV films. Circle of Friends, Tara Road and How About You were made into feature films. She wrote four collections of short stories, a play Deeply Regretted By and the novella Star Sullivan.

For inspiring writer’s she wrote, The Writer’s Club, made up of twenty letters from Maeve, offering advice, tips and her witty take on life as a writer, with contributions made from a range of successful Irish writers, publishers and editors.

I wanted to give you her tips for the comic writer.

1. Write about what you know – and that includes your family (especially your family.)
2. Ignore the facts.
3. Use your imagination, and don’t let anyone or anything put you off.
4. Break your routine.
5. Enjoy what your write. Because if you do, there’s a really good chance that the reader will, too.
6. Always remember George Bernard Shaw’s famous remark about comedy: ‘Always tell the truth - it’s the funniest joke of all.’

R.I.P Maeve Binchey.

Check out tomorrow’s Irish Times 8 page tribute to read more about her life and love.

Lara Robinson.