Taster Session No. 1

Bernie Magill started the Taster Sessions in the Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Armagh on a very stormy, windy night in November. Catherine McInernay from LitNI was asked to briefly contribute to the session by explaining the work of her new organisation but due to difficult driving conditions and roads being closed, she was unable to attend. However, this is some information about LitNi that she has provided for the WEA and further details can be found on the LitNI website: www.litnetni.com

LitNet NI is a development initiative set up to provide support for writers and literature professionals working in Northern Ireland.  Based in Co Down, LitNet NI has a strong co-ordinating role, and hosts a literature forum bringing individuals and organisations working in the field of literature together.

Bernie Magill is no stranger to the WEA as she has been involved in delivering courses for some time. Over the years, her writing has gained greater  exposure and is now widely recognised. She began her talk by explaining how reading played a significant role in her childhood as she showed a slide of the mobile library which used to visit her home town in the mid-Ulster area. After graduating from Queens with a degree in English, Bernie kept on writing short stories and scripts for stage.

She has proven that insignificant or minor opportunities need to be taken seriously as even these can grow in importance as they expose your work to an unknown audience. She encouraged the listeners not to underestimate small openings but make the most of every chance to show their work, as there is no way of knowing where the work will end up.

“I know a lot of writers and the only thing that stands in the way of them being published, is that they need to send out their work. One thing for sure, if it’s not sent out, it won’t be seen”.

Earlier this year, Bernie launched her first novel, “The Butterfly Cabinet”. This was a result of some work that she had done under the mentorship of Damien Gorman, as she participated in the “Support for an Independent Artist” scheme organised by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.  Bernie had found an article in an old copy of the Coleraine Chronicle which caught her attention and as she developed the idea, Damien encouraged her to expand the story beyond the familiar. Through lots of work, research, photo analysis and developing her writing style, Bernie come up with a worthy story which she presented to an agent with the hope of getting the work published. One thing lead to another and the book was launched at home this year and will be launched in the US next summer.

Bernie’s gentle approach and sensitivity to her own and other peoples writing was evident through the session and she inspired all present to get going. If writing has been something that intrigues someone, then they should further develop it.  If someone has started, then they have to keep going.

Taster Session No.2

After being postponed due to extremely heavy snow on November and December, Liam McGarry’s Taster Session finally took place just before Christmas. He is one of the dynamic forces behind “Wee Man Studios” and also operates as a business consultant. “Wee Man Studios” design games for iPad and iPhones.

Liam explained the background of his business and showed us a sample of his latest game, currently under development by “Wee Man Studios”: Liam’s business and will be released later this year in the US. This promises to be very successful but because it is a new approach to gaming: the outcome is unpredictable.

£2nb is made in the UK by the games industry. This is bigger than the Film Industry or the Music Industry and more support is needed for training and skills development to help creatives compete in the international forum.“Wee Man Studios” is developing world class games as well as the underlying games technology in areas such as Facebook games, etc and are being recognised for their expertise and creative approaches.

Liam also explained the interaction which is necessary between musicians and other areas of the creative industries for games to be most effective. This is a highly complex area and the limits are still to be achieved.