How I Deal With My Own Bias

A few weeks ago, I was interviewed on BBC Radio Ulster and was asked a fair and interesting question…

“When you’re writing a story like this, how do you tackle your inherent one-sided-ness?”

On air, time was limited so I talked briefly about how I used to mix with those of other faiths through sport.  However, I’ve been thinking about this question ever since and thought I’d go into this a little more.

As a teenager, I was a good swimmer and, as a result, was able to travel all over Ireland and Scotland - albeit I wasn’t good enough to get to England!  My experience of long & tough training weekends in Derry and at the amazing 50-metre pool in Jordanstown Uni, allowed me to meet all sorts of people from varying faiths, classes and politics.  To this day, a number remain true friends.

The other reason, and probably the most important, was my parents.  I was brought up to “never judge a book by its cover.” Forgive the pun, but truly that was how I was raised.  No one knows what goes on behind closed doors or what’s going on in someone else’s head.  We’re all human, not mind readers, and we shouldn’t pre-judge anyone full stop. 

I appreciate I was privileged to have had such experiences so young, and undoubtedly, they prepared me for the ‘real world’ - especially as a 17-year-old Irishwoman moving to London in the middle of The Troubles.  Sport had allowed me to connect and talk to anyone, no matter their background - my first husband ended up as a London Policeman, for goodness sake! 

Although times have moved on and we are beginning to heal in the North, I believe it’s more important than ever that we keep check of our biases and remember to see people for who they are - PEOPLE! :)

Anyway. Rant over! What’s been happening this week?

Once again, being open, I’ve struggled a bit lately with the current lockdown.  The weather has been horrible, and I’m fed up walking up and down the same lane with my poor dog, Ned.  I’m sure he looks at me at times as if to say, “Really?  We’re doing this again!”

You may have seen or read about the cock-up at the ports meaning most printing companies in Ireland are running out of paper! There is such a backlog of goods stuck in containers waiting to be released.

Sadly, we're looking at four weeks until I get my first delivery of Stones Corner, Turmoil.

Fortunately, I can send all your orders directly from an online distributor, so they should get to you by next week!  Frustratingly, I won't be able to sign them or thank you personally for your support :(

The lovely Jenni from Little Acorns Bookstore here in Derry has agreed to stock my book (when it finally arrives!), and I’m absolutely delighted.  I really look forward to working with her – thank you Jenni! 

Kindle sales are going strong, and I’m dying to hear those reviews, so bring it on!  It’s 461 pages long, and I’ve been told already, “…it’s a bloody good read!”  You can pick up the kindle edition here.

Thinking ahead when COVID is finally over, we’re planning a book launch of Stones Corner, Darkness later this year at the Playhouse, Derry, with a very special guest joining us, so watch this space.

The week ahead….

I’ll be interviewing a lady and gentleman who worked in the shirt factories in Derry for many years and hearing their stories.  All are to be shared on this blog, so stay tuned

And remember, never judge a book by its cover!

Jane Buckley

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