Moss Hill Writers' Society
Nessa Shae shares her experience in the Moss Hill Writers' Society
Printed in the Moss Hill Newspaper September 1st, 2019
by Tilly Brier
The Moss Hill Writers society was founded in 1984 by librarian, Nessa Shae. She's a first generation Mossie with many tales of her own to tell, but prefers to create a nurturing atmosphere for budding authors. Under her guidance, the Moss Hill Writer's Society published its first ever poetry anthology one year ago. It has achieved great success among Mossies since its release. Nessa joins us today to share her answers to our questions.
Q: Thanks for joining us today.
A: Thank you for having me.
Q: Can you tell us what inspired you to start the writer's society?
A: I think all writers just want a friendly place to share their work and receive critiques without critics.
Q: Full disclosure, I'm also a member of the society and one of the things I think that makes it unique is the diversity of the group.
A: Oh yes, it has certainly been wonderful having faeries and humans together in one room. I think my favorite session was when Barnaby shared his leprechaun limericks.
Let's see if I can remember one that I can share.
Once a fae and a human were walking
when they found in their path a bear blocking.
The human said "Well,
let's just stay back a spell."
And the fae said, "A spell, now you're talking!"
(laughter)
Q: Barnaby's limericks are always fun. He was the first fae member of the group, isn't that right?
A: True. He was timid about joining at first. The word wasn't really out there with the fae that this was open to them, which is why we've really been working on improving our message that all are welcome - including the fae of Moss Hill and Vale. Since Barnaby added his work to our anthology, I'm happy to say we have an elf, two brownies, and a clurichaun who have joined the group.
Q: What do you think attracts people to the group?
A: No question its a sense of community and acceptance. While we do give feedback on how the writing can be improved, we don't judge the writer or the work. And the unique perspectives of Mossies are missing in the wider world, so, even though we don't share everything about Moss Hill to outsiders, the stories will be there when the world is ready for them.
Q: What would you say to writers out there who want to join the group, but who may be hesitant to do so?
A: If I recall correctly, you were hesitant when you first started writing. What made you join the group?
Q: Well, that's why I'm asking. I was hesitant because I wanted to be a writer so much I could taste it. I didn't want that to become a sour taste and I was worried my writing couldn't cut it.
A: (nodding) That's a fear every writer has when they first start out. Think how much worse the taste is when you never try: bitter. Even sour can be an appealing taste - and it's usually paired with sweetness. There's a hope with sour that the sweet will eventually replace it. Bitter is different. No one likes the bitterness of never having tried to follow their dreams.
Q: And many Mossies have followed their dreams: The Moss Hill Writers society is also supportive of books written by Mossies since the town's founding. Can you tell us about the society's current project?
A: The library has several books in storage that, up to now, have been sealed from Moss Hill's citizens due to their magical content and fae history. Times are changing in Moss Hill, though, and we're putting those books back on the shelves. One of them that we'll be selling to non-missies is a book explaining the faerie realm. It's called The Otherworld and Other Things to Know.
Q: And who knows what that new addition will bring to Moss Hill. Nessa Shae, thanks again for being here today.
A: My pleasure.
Moss Hill Library's new section, including The Otherworld and Other Things to Know will be available in 2020. The Moss Hill Literary Society's poetry anthology called "Tea and Roses" is already available for free to subscribers of AstoriaWright.com.
Thanks for reading!