A writer has to wrestle with many internal obstacles but procrastination is the demon of choice for most of us. I write; I work with writers. The more I do both, the more sympathy I have with procrastination, hesitation, indecision and oh my dear …

I often speak to groups about writing and when I do this overseas, it’s no problem. To Americans and other Anglophones I sound Irish and my comedy Irish name helps to convince them I am the deal. But in Ireland, whenever I speak, I …