Teen writers and artists bring stories to life for graphic novel Mobius

Möbius is the culmination of months of hard work, writes Georgina O’Halloran.

BECOMING a world-famous writer like JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, would be a dream come true for 15-year-old Anthony Trindle.

A third-year pupil at Coláiste Daibhéid on Cork’s Sawmill Street, Anthony has been writing fiction since primary school and reached the milestone of having his first short story published last Christmas.

Now the 15-year-old is one of just 10 budding artists and writers whose work will be published as part of Cork City Library’s annual graphic novel project.

The sixth graphic novel, called Möbius, is the culmination of months of hard work during which the writers and artists separately attended workshops to hone their skills, instructed by children’s author John Sexton and freelance illustrator, Alan Barrett.

“It was my first time taking part in a workshop. It was very interesting and helpful,” said Anthony, from Ballyphehane, who has a short story, “Uncle Clark” and a poem, “Be Warned” published in the book.

“John Sexton had so many ways that were surprising to help us write and to structure stories. I’ve learned a lot from the four weeks,” he said.

Called after the Möbius strip, this year’s graphic novel features illustrated short stories and poems, and is a new departure from previous years, which were all comic books.

“We decided to turn it into an illustrated anthology of poetry and fiction,” said Sexton, who has been involved since the project’s inception in 2009. “I taught them how to come up with ideas and they developed these into finished poems and stories. They absolutely loved it.”

“I was impressed by their talent.”

“We find with a lot of the writers that they have definite interest in writing in the future and are very committed to writing. For some this is their first publication, but many would have written fiction for school magazines.”

Ruby Barrett, 15, from Midleton, Co Cork, a pupil at Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire, said she was “very excited” about having her short story, “The King’s Party,” published.

“Anyone who writes would like to see their work published.”

“It was interesting to get John’s feedback and to meet up with others who like writing. It was a good experience,” said Ruby who said she loves writing.

“I write more than I read . . . mostly short stories. I do it for a couple of hours a week.”

City librarian Liam Roynane said the thinking behind the project was to give teenagers the opportunity to be creative and, “not just consumers.”

“Our experience is that if you give young people a chance they have lots of ideas, but they don’t get as many opportunities as they need,” (to express them), he said.

Graphic novelist Alan Nolan, from Bray, Co Wicklow, who will launch Möbius on April 24 as part of Cork World Book Fest, said that graphic novels are becoming more popular here.

“They are slowly but surely become more part of our culture, especially over the last few years. There has been a lot of influence from the Japanese Manga cartoons. There is also a burgeoning comic industry in Ireland,” said Nolan, who added that Will Sliney from Cork and Declan Shalvey from Clare, who are both now working for Marvel, all started off working for small Irish comic companies.

Meanwhile, Cillian Mitchell, 15, from Ovens, Co Cork, was one of five artists who created illustrations for the stories and poems.

“I sent in a few of my drawings that I have hanging on my bedroom wall and I was picked on the basis of that,” said Cillian, who added that he was “over the moon” to be selected.

“I never entered anything to do with drawing before so that was kind of cool,” said the third year student at Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Bishopstown, who has been drawing since the age of three.

“I love it. That’s all I do. My bedroom wall is covered in my work. It’s cartoon-type drawing, mostly superhero cartoons.”

He said the workshops were “really fun.” “Based on our style Alan Barrett selected which work would suit us most. I did “The King’s Party,” which is about skeletons that come alive at night, in cartoon style.

“It’s the first big thing I’ve done and it’s the first thing I’ve had published,” said Cillian, who wants to work in something to do with animation or graphic novels.

Barrett said he was “very impressed” with the standard of work. “There is a lot of interpretation involved. They decided themselves on what style of illustration and what material to use. My job was to guide them.

“Every year it’s a surprise to see what they come up with. To see them react to the script and making friends is great.”