Our Brittle Peace In The North
A few weeks ago, at a very lively Foyle Women’s Information Network Facebook Q&A session, I was asked, “what’s the most difficult thing you found when writing?” Instinctively and without thinking, I answered, “the naughty bits!” I’ll say no more other than when writing a few sexy scenes, I’d continually blush and panic, thinking, “me, mammy’s going to read this!”
But on a serious note, there really were some moments that I found extremely hard when writing. My research was particularly difficult as I’d sit and watch hours and hours of newsreels and YouTube documentaries about The Troubles. The carnage and atrocities I learned about, I’ll never forget. I’d listen to interviews with victims on both sides of the divide and read book after book – some of which gave me nightmares. I was almost ashamed but astounded at how little I genuinely knew - yet I grew up in the heart of it all. The Troubles affected everyone in the North in so many different ways and at so many different levels.
There were times when I felt anger and frustration too. However, I held back, knowing it was imperative to remain objective when writing Turmoil. In writing Darkness, I’ve found exactly the same issues. There’s no doubt I’ve hardened, albeit some of the scenes in Darkness brought me to tears too.
The CAIN archive (Conflict and Politics in Northern Ireland) proved invaluable as part of my research. The site is a haven of information, including its surreal photographs. If you’ve never taken the time to browse it, do. I highly recommend it and guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Given what I discovered during my research and my emotional journey, it’s made me even more determined to complete the Stones Corner series, publish it and make it a success.
It’s almost ironic, therefore, with what’s happening in our cities at this time, that the sole purpose of writing the Stones Corner series was to educate our youth and others. Some who have read it lived through The Troubles and recognise so much. I’ve tried to write a clear-cut story of what it was like to live through the thirty-year atrocities that were The Troubles. I want them to learn and recognise it must never happen again. However, tragically today, we see 12-year-olds rioting on their very own doorsteps.
In my mindset, I couldn’t imagine a teenager seeking out and reading the numerous political and historical books and papers written and centred around the war in Northern Ireland. As such, I thought I’d write a “factional” thriller that would be both exciting and gripping. A good, solid story with all the necessary ingredients to attract attention and interest.
As a writer, I wanted those who live outside the North of Ireland as well to understand our history and recognise that bitterness still exists here. Of course, it’s not everyone, thank goodness. But still, there are those few who just aren’t prepared to look to the future. Sadly, in our Province, our peace remains extremely brittle. These naïve youngsters are rioting on their own streets, destroying their own communities, and terrorising their own people, and we should see this as a warning. Beware. They’re being led on by criminal gangs that no longer have the control they once had. They’re being led on by politicians who are determined and angry at the British Government over the Protocol - a result of Brexit that some voted for.
For our beautiful country to find real and lasting peace, we must continue to seek ways of wiping out the segregation that exists to this very day. It’s apparent through our education, housing and even up to our language and sport that we must break these barriers down. It breaks my heart. Let’s move on.
Haven’t you had enough?
And on that rather depressing note, I’m away to try and colour my 3” roots myself. Why? “Because I’m worth it!”
Jx
