Building writers who actually finish what they start
Because understanding structure isn't the same as applying it under pressure
We started Idiriretp after noticing something consistent across workshops, writing groups, and online forums. People understood story theory. They could discuss three-act structure, character arcs, and narrative tension in detail. But when it came time to write, they stalled. Not from lack of knowledge, but from not knowing how to use that knowledge when facing a blank page or a messy draft. We built this platform to address that specific gap between understanding concepts and applying them during the actual writing process.
How we got here
The decisions that shaped our approach to teaching writing
Started with worksheets
Eamon Delaney and Niall Ó Súilleabháin met at a fiction writing conference in Dublin. Both were running in-person workshops and noticed students struggling with the same issues. They created a shared set of exercises focused on scene construction and pacing, which became the foundation for our first structured course material.
Moved everything online
After three years of testing materials in physical workshops across Ireland and the UK, we built the digital platform. The shift allowed us to track how students actually used the exercises, which revealed patterns we hadn't seen in classroom settings. We redesigned the curriculum based on that data, focusing on incremental skill building rather than comprehensive theory.
Added practice frameworks
Students were completing courses but not applying techniques to their own projects. We introduced structured practice sessions with specific constraints and immediate feedback mechanisms. This shifted completion rates and, more importantly, the number of people finishing drafts after taking courses increased measurably.
What we actually do
We teach the mechanical skills that most writing advice assumes you already have
Our courses break down the physical process of drafting and revising. You learn how to generate material when your outline runs out, how to cut scenes without losing narrative coherence, and how to adjust pacing when beta readers report problems. These are procedural skills that improve with repetition and specific feedback, which is what our platform provides through structured exercises and response systems.
We focus on craft techniques that solve concrete problems. If your dialogue feels flat, there are specific structural changes you can make. If your opening chapter loses readers, there are measurable adjustments to information density and scene sequencing. We teach those techniques through practice sessions that simulate real writing conditions, not through theoretical explanations of what good writing looks like.
The platform includes courses on narrative structure, character development, scene construction, dialogue mechanics, and revision strategies. Each course contains 15-20 practical exercises with sample responses and common error patterns. Students submit work for structured feedback focusing on specific technical elements rather than general impressions. This approach works for people writing fiction, memoir, or creative nonfiction who want to improve specific aspects of their craft.
How our courses work
Three components that address different parts of the writing process
Focused skill development
Each module covers one specific technique with examples showing how it functions in published work. You see the principle applied across different genres and styles, which helps you understand the underlying structure rather than copying surface features. Modules include written explanations, annotated examples, and demonstration videos showing the technique in use.
The modules don't teach writing theory in abstract terms. They show you how to execute specific moves. How to vary sentence rhythm to control reading pace. How to structure exposition so it doesn't halt narrative momentum. How to build scenes that advance both plot and character development simultaneously. These are mechanical skills that you can practice and refine through repetition.
- Detailed breakdowns of published examples showing technique application
- Common implementation mistakes with explanations of why they fail
- Variation exercises demonstrating the technique across different contexts
- Self-assessment tools to evaluate your own use of the technique
Deliberate practice under constraints
Practice sessions give you specific writing tasks with defined parameters. Write a scene introducing a character using only dialogue and action. Revise a paragraph to reduce word count by 30% without losing essential information. These constrained exercises force you to make technical decisions consciously rather than relying on intuition or habit.
The constraints are designed to isolate specific skills so you can focus on one aspect of craft at a time. Once you can execute a technique in a controlled exercise, you can apply it to your actual projects. The practice sessions include sample responses showing multiple valid approaches, which helps you understand the range of options available rather than searching for a single correct answer.
- Timed exercises that simulate real drafting conditions and deadlines
- Progressive difficulty levels as you demonstrate competence with basics
- Multiple completion paths so you can focus on your specific weaknesses
- Comparison tools showing your work against sample responses
Structured response to your work
The feedback system evaluates your submitted exercises against specific criteria relevant to the technique being practiced. You receive detailed notes on technical execution, not general reactions or subjective impressions. The feedback identifies patterns in how you apply techniques, which helps you understand your default habits and where you need additional practice.
Feedback focuses on actionable revisions. Instead of noting that dialogue feels awkward, you get specific observations about speech pattern consistency, subtext clarity, or information distribution across exchanges. This gives you concrete revision tasks rather than vague improvement goals. The system tracks which techniques you use effectively and which require more work, creating a personalized practice path.
- Criterion-based evaluation focusing on technical execution metrics
- Pattern recognition across multiple submissions showing recurring strengths and issues
- Revision recommendations with specific examples from your submitted work
- Progress tracking showing skill development across course duration
Who builds these courses
The people designing your curriculum and feedback systems
Eamon Delaney
Curriculum Director
Eamon spent twelve years teaching creative writing at university level before co-founding Idiriretp. He noticed that traditional workshop models focused heavily on critique but rarely taught students how to diagnose and fix problems in their own work. His course design emphasizes self-editing skills and procedural knowledge that writers can apply independently. He holds an MFA from University College Dublin and has published two novels and a collection of short fiction.
Niall Ó Súilleabháin
Technical Lead
Niall builds the systems that deliver course content and track student progress. He previously developed educational software for language learning platforms, which gave him experience in designing practice frameworks that adapt to individual learning patterns. At Idiriretp, he focuses on creating tools that help students identify which techniques they need to practice and track their improvement over time. His background combines software engineering with cognitive science research on skill acquisition.
See what the courses cover
Browse our complete course catalog to find modules that address your specific writing challenges. Each listing includes detailed descriptions of techniques covered, practice exercise types, and expected time commitment. You can preview sample lessons and feedback examples before enrolling.