Fighting Words: graduates have their say

Hannah Gilmartin (20) 

English literature and classical civilisation, TCD

There were days I didn’t want to go and days I played minesweeper for two and a half of the three hours. There were days I pretended to have written a short story that day when I had actually written it two months before, just to have something to show off. More often, there were days I couldn’t wait to get there and days I didn’t want to leave. Write Club taught me that writing was something I could actually do, and I think it’s probably a big part of why I’m still doing it now.

Cassia Gilmartin (20) 

English literature and philosophy, TCD

Before I joined Write Club at Fighting Words, finding the motivation to complete a long-term project seemed impossible. My experiences there gave me the confidence I needed to finish my first novel. Thanks to Fighting Words, writing has stopped being something I just think about and become something that actually happens, as often as I can find the time. More than that, though, our weekly meetings made writing less solitary. Chatting (and usually procrastinating) with writers my own age taught me more than any book on writing I’ve ever read.

Samuel Oyediran (19) 

Advanced technology, University of Twente, Netherlands

Between 3rd and 5th years I attended Fighting Words regularly, especially during the school breaks and holidays. Whenever there was a short course in creative writing, film-making, drama, etc my mum encouraged me to try it out. A particular highlight was the Charlie Chaplin film festival and my group’s video was nominated. Looking back on Fighting Words it was a lot of fun and also taught me to always bring a creative aspect. This is still a trait I use in university, especially when working on a project.

Shannen McGrane (20)

Health Sector Studies, Ballsbridge College of Further Education, plans to study psychiatric nursing

My experience at Fighting Words began as two weeks’ work experience I did in fifth year in November 2012. Fighting Words has and still does have a big influence on me both creatively and academically. I remember being given essays in English in school and I would try to be as creative and imaginative as possible. Fighting Words has taught me a lot about creative writing and how to simply tell a good story. A year or two ago I was very lucky to be chosen by Fighting Words for a series of workshops they were running with The National Print Museum, which resulted in a published book of poetry which as a group we dedicated to the late Séamus Heaney.

Mario Ivanov (21)

Independent film-maker/writer/actor with Mario Unpredictable Productions

In 2010 I wrote a short story in Fighting Words with Roddy Doyle for the book Fighting Tuesdays. The whole experience was unbelievable, as it was an amazing opportunity to write and at the same time get expert advice on how to improve. I have always liked being a creative person and Fighting Words activated my creativity even more, by motivating me to write what is on my mind, and sharing my world with the world. Fighting Words definitely had a big impact on me and nowadays I make short independent films for Mario Unpredictable Productions.

Conor Bulman (20)

Computer Science, Coláiste Dhúlaigh, Coolock

I found Fighting Words a fantastic place. It helped me come out of my shell because beforehand I hadn’t found anyone else who had my love of writing. The friendly, welcoming atmosphere meant even a very nervous 12-year-old like me could feel like he belonged. They helped me at my pace and let me know that my decisions when it came to my writing were the most important, while still helping me with structure and pacing, which I’d struggled with.

Sarah Merriman (20)

International business and Chinese, DCU, currently studying in Beijing

When I first set foot in Fighting Words during my Transition Year work experience, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Fighting Words was only a few months old and, while my expectations were high, I never anticipated the amazing experiences I would have, or that Fighting Words would still be such a big part of my life five years on. At 18, I saw a play I had written at a Fighting Words workshop in the Peacock Theatre, and at 21 I still volunteer regularly at workshops. Thanks to Fighting Words, I have made lifelong friends, and, I like to think, a difference.

Conor Sweeney (20)  

Film production, DFEi

My first experience with Fighting Words was in a film-making summer workshop. I had at that point a few childhood experiences with creative writing, but never thought of myself as going down such a career path. A few months later I received a kind offer to return and do a more intensive scriptwriting workshop. For me, this is where it clicked, and today I’m studying film in college, using writing for screen as the most personally suitable form of self-expression and having the time of my life because of it. For that I owe Fighting Words a great deal.

Eoin Moore (20) 

English, TCD

What I remember most about my time in Fighting Words is the atmosphere of the Wednesday Write Club. Unlike the summer camps, Write Club wasn’t designed around a particular task or learning a style of writing. It was just a quiet space to come in and work on your own projects. It’s where I figured out that behind all of the techniques I’d learned about and the advice I’d received, that’s how real writing happens: putting the hours in, every week.

It’s been a great experience volunteering for Fighting Words, and getting to help other kids in the same way. I’m currently studying English literature and writing for some student publications, and that experience has stuck with me throughout.

Jemma Bayley (19) 

English and history, UCD

I had not originally wanted to join Fighting Words. When my school librarian suggested that I attend Write Club I was reluctant as I feared that I was below their standards. During my first session there, I realised that the focus was on creativity, not criticism, and that my writing had a style rather than a deformity. The volunteers guided me through my novel, and its sequel, while helping me to reflect on what I had written at each session and improve. Without their help, I would have abandoned my dream of writing before anybody had seen the first draft.

Joanna Siewierska (18) 

Hopes to study law and social justice, UCD

Fighting Words made me feel more confident with my writing. It showed me that we all have great ideas, although they often result in messy first drafts. The truth is, all ideas need to be given the right amount of patience and paper, and if we do that we can transform them into something worth sharing with the world (or even just with your mam). Realising this was probably the most important lesson I got out of Fighting Words, and I wouldn’t have learned it if it wasn’t for all the wonderful volunteer writers and my friends who were discovering this with me.

Freya Gillespie (19)

Drama studies and sociology, TCD

I spent six years attending workshops, programmes and summer camps in Fighting Words, doing everything from photography to monologue writing. It was always hard to explain Fighting Words to other people as it is such a distinctly unique place. It allowed me to be my most creative self while at the same time I learnt so much about self-discipline and the creative work ethic.

When choosing CAO courses this time last year my time in Fighting Words definitely had an impact; after thinking about how much I enjoyed all those workshops I ended up choosing Drama and Theatre studies in TCD. The skills I learnt in Fighting Words have never been more useful. Fighting Words also introduced me to one of my best friends and for all my experiences there I am so grateful.

Kevin Bird (20) 

English, TCD

I first stepped through the doors of Fighting Words in September 2010 as a Transition year student and have remained there since. In those years I’ve been given a place to do something I love and get great opportunities from it.

I've got the chance to get short stories published in a book and in The Irish Times, have a play performed in the Peacock Theatre and simply meet people with a similar interest in writing. Since then I've gone on to study English at Trinity College and volunteer for primary school workshops at Fighting Words.

Gerry Dunne (19)

Hopes to study Music performance and technology at Kylemore College, Ballyfermot

I’ve been very lucky because I have done both a film-making course and a song-writing course and also volunteered for a week’s TY work experience with Fighting Words. I loved everything about being at Fighting Words and especially liked using the foam finger to point to the kids who peeked during the secret vote. Thanks to the song-writing mentors, I am still working on composing my own music and have just achieved grade 4 on the guitar. I learned a lot but mostly I had great fun. Thanks to everyone at Fighting Words.