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Fantastic Fictions

graphic to promote Fantastic Fiction with a pencil writing on a blank bookFantastic Fictions is a showcase of work from a great partnership with Libraries NI – new writing inspired by books we love with selected primary schools across Northern Ireland. 

Fantastic Fictions invited children from Primaries 5, 6 and 7 to write short stories sparked by their favourite books, with the aim of encouraging teachers and pupils to engage with creative writing and reading. New characters, unexpected plots and surprises are anticipated and local librarians can’t wait to read and share this new writing! 

Derry pupil’s artwork illustrates hope for future in Global Writing Lockdown project

Josh Cullen, a pupil at Hollybush Primary School in Derry sitting on the floor surrounded by books7th September 2020

Eight-year-old Josh Cullen, a pupil at Hollybush Primary School in Derry is the youngest person from the island of Ireland to have his work published in a collection of global lockdown writing.   The 48-page digital book titled ‘Near and Far are all the same these days’ includes short stories, poems and drawings which capture people’s feelings and observations on lockdown and was coordinated in Northern Ireland by children’s writing centre, Fighting Words NI. 

Near and Far Are All the Same These Days

book cover for Near and Far are all the Same These DaysEarlier this year, Fighting Words and Fighting Words NI were invited by Ordskælv, our friends and sister organisation in Denmark, to take part in the Global Writing Lockdown. The project was envisioned as a way of bringing us all closer together even as we were forced to remain apart. It was an opportunity to reach out and share perspectives amidst the uncertainty and worry of the global pandemic.

We invited YOU to send in your writing about the lockdown and the response was fantastic, with submissions from all over the island of Ireland and from all ages. The anthology we present here is a wonderful, heart-warming collection of writings and stands as an emblem of the strength and solidarity to be found in writing and creative expression through this most trying year.

Launch of Young Storykeeper Volume Two!

image to promote young storykeeper volume 2. A young boy and girl in front of a lighthouse.Young Storykeeper - Volume Two: More incredible lighthouse-inspired stories!

In May 2020, Fighting Words and Great Lighthouses of Ireland invited submissions from young writers aged 7-12 - original writing inspired by lighthouses. We received  stories, poems, illustrations, song lyrics and even stop-motion animations for what we call the Young Storykeepers initiative. They are simply fantastic!

Sent to us from every corner of the island of Ireland and beyond, the creativity has shone through and every Young Storykeeper should all be very proud!

Young Storykeepers Volume Two

image to promote young storykeeper volume 2. A young boy and girl in front of a lighthouse.Fighting Words and Great Lighthouses of Ireland invited 7-12 year-olds to become Young Storykeepers.

Your lighthouse-inspired stories are incredible!

1,256 Super Submissions!

In May 2020, Fighting Words and Great Lighthouses of Ireland invited submissions of original writing inspired by lighthouses from young writers aged 7-12. We received stories, poems, illustrations, song lyrics and even stop-motion animations for what we call the Young Storykeepers initiative. They are simply fantastic!

Audio to 'The Race to Banana Land'

a sketch of punkey the monkey, a fictional character in the Race to Banana LandOver ninety Primary 6 students from St Patrick's and Seaview Primary Schools (North Belfast) together with children from Nettlefield and Knocknagoney Primary Schools (East Belfast) and St George's National School in Balbriggan (County Dublin) joined to hear their final composition ‘The Race to Banana Land’.  Each of the schools had contributed their own unique chapter to the adventures of a totally unforgettable character -Punkey the monkey -and his friends. 

We Want Your Stories! Send Your Creative Writing to Fighting Words

A cartoon style graphic of 5 boys and 1girl sitting around a table writing stories and illustrating themDuring this time when we might find ourselves with more time,  it's time for more stories! Fighting Words is inviting children and young people to write and share their writing with us.

Primary School Age Writers (Age 6-12): The Fighting Words Story-Starter

We have invented the Story-Starter, which we hope will spark your imagination and help you get started on a story.  You can change anything you want in the story - you don't have to include all the ideas generated in the Story-Starter.

The Fighting Words Un-School Club!

picture of a classroom with no childrenWelcome To The Fighting Words Un-School Club!

All the work included here has been produced by children aged 6 to 17 from all over Ireland. You will also find online workshops, videos and tips from writers to encourage you!

We will be updating this page regularly during the school closure period, so check back for more cool stuff!

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