Dear (unfortunate) reader,
For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Méabh and I’ve been the Features and Opinion Editor for this year of Motley. It’s been a big one.
When I first got the role, I was expecting to have to write lots and beg for pieces even more. I was so, so wrong. Every month I was washed away by poetry, fiction, life stories, burning opinions, and even a review of certain UCC facilities…
Features has been a rollercoaster and a half. For every piece that landed in my inbox that I was unsure of, three more came in to blow me away, and some, such as the Christmas Charity Piece, the Daragh Fleming interview, and Ciara Lone’s piece on anxiety, I reckon I’ll still be dwelling on in months to come. People submitted true-life pieces from the darkest of times, opinions surged with passion and some heartfelt poetry, and I grew myself too, as I tried to curate it all – including being in the uncomfortable position of cutting down someone else’s words so that they’d fit on a page. I got the chance to see my photos in print and accompanying online articles, as well as my own writing. I also had to learn to conduct interviews pretty quickly, but it was something I enjoyed, and another skill in my repertoire. The whole experience was definitely a learning curve for me, but something I had the support of the whole team in.
I’m rather sad to think that my Motley experience is coming to an end, but it’s been a good run. To whoever takes up my mantle: best of luck. Features and opinion editor is the best job going, no doubts about it, and if you have an eye for a good story, if you have a creative mind, if you have a collaborative mind and a will to make young writers do your best, this role is for you.
With that in mind, I’d like to wish everyone a good summer. Whether you spend it working, travelling, pursuing your #CareerWoman goals, or taking a well earned break, I hope you have fun, relax, learn new things and get ready for the new fabulous new year of Motley coming your way!
Good luck, best wishes, and mise le meas,
Méabh Lonergan
