An incident following the heartbreaking passing of her son Martin in 1996 provided the inspiration for debut South Wicklow author Ita Roche, who has just had her work published for the first time.

Roche (45), from Whiterock, Tinahely, is one of 14 debut authors featured in a book called Do the Write Thing', published by Poolbeg. All 14 were discovered' in a competition run by RTE's Seoige and O'Shea programme.

She said her short story, The Locket', was inspired by an amazing train of events that occured after a locket containing Martin's picture was stolen from her house.

The journey from full-time mum to published author has not been easy for Roche, who has struggled with dyslexia all her life. Ita said she left school at 14, was married her husband, Pat, at 15 and now has three children 30 year-old Patrick, Edel (27), and Nicole (9).

Writing journals and short stories was always a passion for Ita who has been writing for years.

Anyone who thinks you sit on the sofa with a coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other and wait for inspiration is wrong. It is a labour of love..' she said. It is late nights, sometimes all nights, early mornings and sore eyes, a stiff neck, sore shoulders, knotted muscles, back pain, and a stiff and sore ass from constant sitting...but it is worth every minute of it when one sees the finished piece on a bookshelf.'

She was inspired to enter the Seoige and O'Shea competition after attending Inkwell writers' workshops (run by Kilmacanogue author Vanessa O'Loughlin) and following the weekly segments on the TV show.

Roche was in Eason's in Arklow last week signing copies of Do the Write Thing'. She thanked her family, all at Poolbeg and Seoige and O'Shea for their help. All proceeds from book sales go to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.

Roche is now working on her debut full-length novel, which she hopes will be published next year.