This 25-year-old Portadown author rings in a new narrative of Belfast
Good morning. It’s Friday and we’re leading today’s newsletter with an interview Kellie did with 25-year-old debut author, from Portadown, Lucy McMullan.
Famed for its Troubles, the Titanic and the throttle of religious and political segregation Belfast has long been the browbeaten subject of prose and play.
But all that is about to change. There's a disruptive, new narrative in town.
Entitled 'Belles of Belfast' Lucy's 'Daring Tale of Love, Lust and Self-Discovery' has been a literal labour of love for four years.
Set in Belfast, the empowering and steamy tale promises to captivate readers with its blend of humour, romance, and raw authenticity, as it introduces Anna, a freshly single woman navigating the tumultuous post-breakup landscape, armed with nothing but her wit and an unyielding desire to reclaim her self-worth.
And, like Anna, the process itself has been a journey of self-discovery for the blossoming young author.
From the tender age of 12, Lucy has been an avid story teller. What started with video and content creation for her YouTube channel soon transitioned from the visual to the written. For Lucy, they are but strings from the same bow.
Speaking to Armagh I, Lucy said: "It's all about storytelling. I loved telling stories in whatever medium and at that age it really translated into video and social media. I wanted to translate that into film some day and I loved reading so I think it all happened very naturally."
A self-confessed bookworm, she read between the lines of the novels she consumed and as naturally as she progressed from video to page she similarly found her way when it came to penning her own novel.
"I read a lot and I think I know a lot of the elements of story telling from that," explained Lucy. "But also I think I wrote the story in my head before I sat down to paper. I have a lot of apprehension and a lot of imposter syndrome I think.
"I don't know anyone who has written a book - well I didn't at that point. I thought it through a lot in my head before I sat down. I visualised it in my head and then dove in and once I started I couldn't stop."
Perhaps controversially, she abstained from reading while writing Belles. There was, however, a method to her madness. Read the full interview here.
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Armagh I People of the Year Awards
Now in its fourth year, Armagh I’s People of the Year Awards will take place at the Armagh City Hotel on Friday, September 27.
This year, we have 11 award categories where you can nominate that inspirational someone – or group – for one of our coveted awards. You can nominate your hero here – or by clicking the ‘Nominate Now’ graphic below.
Note: Closing date for nominations is Friday, July 12 at 5pm.
Property of the Week
Joyce Clarke present this charming cottage with many beautiful features internally such as bespoke arched windows in the drawing room, and ceiling beams in the living room.
This family home offers three double bedrooms, large open plan kitchen dining, shower room and utility. The two welcoming reception rooms are surprisingly spacious ideal for entertaining family and friends.
Armagh Jobs
We have more new job openings on armaghjobs.com. Check them out below.
🆕 Linwoods require Accounts/Administration Assistant (Maternity leave cover)
🆕 IT Hub require IT Technician for Armagh.
🆕 Redrock Machinery require Junior Administrator.
🆕 Armagh City Hotel require a Receptionist and Chef de Partie.
🆕 Re-Gen Waste require an IT Manager and Accounts Assistant.
✅ Little Orchard require Nursery Assistants.
✅ Mark’s Pharmacy require full-time Supervising Pharmacist for Ardee.
✅ Noel Conn & Company require Receptionist, Cleaner and Accounts Administrator.
✅ Clogher Valley Care require Domiciliary Care Workers based in Armagh.
✅ Creighan Contracts require an Accounts Technician / Assistant Accountant.
✅ Traynors Moy require Car Part Sales Advisor.
✅ Sunnymead Residential Living require Registered Residential Home Manager.
✅ Mount Charles have a number of full time roles across Armagh and beyond.
✅ Armagh City Hotel require part-time Housekeeper and Receptionist.
✅ Mount Charles require Cleaning Operatives and Catering Assistants.
🛎️ If you have a job and want to advertise it to 40,000 daily users on www.armaghjobs.com and www.armaghi.com, as well as more than 9,000 people on this newsletter and our 100,000 social media followers, get in touch.
🤔 Conundrum
Well done to those of you who guessed Friday’s conundrum… A famous Robert Frost Poem…
The answer: The Birches
I’m (Micheal) going to take a little break while on the conundrum as I have been scolded once too often, for repeatedly using the same places. I was on holiday and apparently I have stolen/re-purposed all of Kellie’s – and she’s fuming 😡
Kellie might see it as plagiarism but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…
The conundrum will be back on Tuesday bigger and better than EVER!