Hello, My name is Maria. I was raised in a small fishing village in North Dublin, Ireland. The village is called Rush and I lived overlooking the harbour where I plotted and penned many stories as a child. I have always dreamed of being a full-time writer but life has been busy. I am now at age 57 finding a lot more time as my family are grown. I have written a collection of short stories, several memoirs, essays and some poetry. I belong to a very active creative writers group in Drogheda, County Louth and we perform locally in such places as the Droichead Arts Centre and the local gallery. I am currently ghostwriting a book for an old man who has lived an amazing life. I would love to write a novel and a play/screen play some day. I guess that is the dream. I am inspired by Nature, especially the sea, the very interesting people I have met in my colourful life and also by such things as the meaning of life. My favourite place on earth to write is the 'Beara Peninsula' in West Cork (Ireland). It is my writing paradise.