Hey there, it's Shane here. And I'm looking for your help.

About 18 months ago I started writing a novel. It started off great and but then sort of ground to a halt. A year ago I was about a quarter of the way through and now, I'm still roughly in the same spot. The idea of not finishing it keeps me awake some nights.

So by way of some hopefully liberating catharsis, I'm preparing a piece for the podcast about novels, particularly unfinished novels. I have a strong suspicion that there are quite a few of us out there who have at least given a stab at writing a novel. Whether we finished them or not is another thing altogether.

I'd really like to hear from anyone out there who has ever attempted a novel. Did you get it finished? If not, what happened? Do you still think about it? If you did finish it, was it what you wanted it to be? Would you ever try it again? What did you overcome to get it over the line. I don't care if your published or a complete hobbyist, I'd really like to hear from you.

So if you have ever given it a go, please tell me about your experience. You can email me at theweeklygm@gmail.com with the subject line 'novels'. Better still, record yourself speaking about it using a voice memo app on your phone and email that to us. We won't use anything - your name, your story, your recording, without OKing it with you.

Thanks guys, hope to hear from you soon.

We're currently working very hard on Series 2 of the Weekly General Meeting podcast. And for the first time myself and Níal will be joined by a dedicated Producer. Ailish Bracken, a TV and Film producer from Dublin, who's credits include Panti's Queen of Ireland documentary, as well as RTE comedies The Savage Eye and Irish Pictorial Weekly. And to be quite frank she couldn't have gotten here sooner.

Níal and I are a disaster when it comes to organisation. Anyone who has ever come to one of our live shows will testify to that. We've had grand plans for the podcast but never had the focus to pull them off. But now, with Ailish's steady hand at the wheel, we can finally turn this into the podcast we've been hoping for.

We still haven't got a release date for the new series but it will be in the next few weeks. As always it will feature performances, presentations and chat from our favourite Irish arty people, but will also boast a butt load of new features. Can't say much more at the moment, but the three of us are very excited. So make sure you're subscribed on whatever podcatching software or app you use, because we'll be back (and better) before you know it.

Shane

We need help for a story. Have you ever tried to write a novel?

Welcome Ailish (and thank f*ck)