Day two:

Our workshop is going well. I am getting a lot of tips on crime fiction that can be converted into crime reporting. For instance, writing in shorter and punchier sentences is good advice for both reporting and writing crime.

The showcase was an amazing way to show off all of the work we have done this month. The performances all went really well, and we all got complimented after by audience members who genuinely seemed interested in what we had done.

Day three:

The controversy at Ian Knox was interesting. From seeing it first-hand and from talking to others in the group, I have gotten the sense that Ireland struggles with racism and racial ignorance because it is not a very diverse population.

Malachi’s talk was fascinating. He has a very cynical point of view on Northern Ireland politics, but all of his insights are completely valid. I learned so much about N.I’s situation with the union as well as the European union and the politics in Europe in general.

Day four:

In our crime fiction workshop, our teacher had us all write from the same scenario. We all wrote with a character that was about to get married and a character who was a spy running from pursuers, and both characters were traveling to Armagh. I think it was a good scenario to write from because it was a good contrast and gave the chance to write something happy and something a little sinister.

Hewitt:

The John Hewitt summer school has been a really valuable experience. The showcase was a perfect way to present our plays, poems and stories.

We all got the chance to meet people from Northern and Southern Ireland as well as Britain and other parts of Europe. John Hewitt brings people together from a wide variety of places.

The sessions themselves were very informative. There were all types of writers and academics, including playwrights, journalists, poets, politicians and activists. My favorite session was Malachi’s panel because Malachi’s moderation was critical and straight to the point. The panel discussed education, Catholics and Protestants, welfare, the Irish language and much more.

The summer school was a great way to end the Armagh Project.