A Cup of Tea with Nelly Bryce
Nelly Bryce is a writer, a poet, a mother of four living in Manchester, UK. In 2016, after spending most of her career working in HR (learning and development), she left her corporate job to launch Guilty Mothers Club, a community for modern feminist mothers. Nelly is a journaling addict, who is never far from a notebook and pen. She is also an optimist and encourager, so if you need a dose of either of those two, you found a home with Nelly.
When did you become a poet? How did you know it was the right medium for your stories?
I’ve written poetry for a long time, but it was only during 2020 when I completed a poetry course with Write like a Girl that I recognized that lots of my writing was actually poetry, started feeling comfortable calling myself a poet (a work in progress) and began sharing my words. The course was full of encouragement and helped me to realize that no-one else gets to decide whether you are worthy of the title.
What inspires you to write?
Social injustice, gender inequality, climate change but then also my children, nature, something I found funny in a coffee shop, anything and everything.
Who are some of your literary or artistic crushes or influences?
I could read Mary Oliver all day, and I’ve recently read a lot of Marge Piercy and Caroline Bird. Kae Tempest is a lyrical genius. Not forgetting Emily Dickinson and Sylvia Plath and the other all-time greats.
What are you currently reading?
Hamnet (Maggie O’Farrell), The Good Immigrant (edited by Nikesh Shukla) and Presence (Amy Cuddy). I keep ending up with three or four books on the go, normally a couple are non-fiction. Plus many, many poetry books. The Republic of Motherhood by Liz Berry, She Wrote her own Eulogy by Shirley May, Let me Tell you This by Nadine Aisha Jassat are a few on my bedside table currently.
What are you working on next/what was your last project?
I’m working on a book of poetry and essays around feminist motherhood.
Tag three of your favourite IG poets we should read:
I’m not sure whether these are strictly Instagram poets (?), but I think Holly McNish @holliepoetry is brilliant and has done a tremendous job of making poetry more accessible. Lisa luxx @luxxy_luxx is an incredible poet and activist. I love how @katebaer has turned social media trolling into poetry, very inspired by her positivity, and she writes brilliantly about parenthood and life.
Do you feel that sharing your poetry is a vulnerable process?
Exceptionally. I think often of the Ernest Hemingway quote, “write hard and clear about what hurts.”
I think doing so can lead to great work, but this level of openness feels so daunting to share.
How many unfinished or unpublished books do you have?
Three. A book of poetry which is nearly finished, and two older children’s books that I have been playing with for longer than I’d like to admit.
Do you take poetry classes or read books on poetry?
Yes! I am an avid learner (happily geeky) so I read or listen to at least two poems every day. I’ve just finished and loved How to Grow Your Own Poem by Kate Clancy. I try to allocate some time each month to improving my technique because I am a real beginner. It doesn’t always happen, but I do love a good workshop.
Do family and "real life" friends read your work?
Hmm, my husband has them read out loud to him whether he likes it or not, occasionally my friends will say they’ve enjoyed something I’ve posted on Instagram, my Mum reads everything and thinks it is all unbelievably brilliant. Which makes me laugh.
What is your revision process like?
I actually like the editing. I tend to write something first in a stream of consciousness type way. Usually in a small notebook or on the notes' page on my phone. Then I’ll go back and decide which ones are worth keeping and evolving. After I’ve done the initial edit I will then leave it for at least two or three weeks, often longer, before going back and revising it again. Sometimes I’ll even film myself on my phone reading it out loud because that allows me to notice different things. My issue is over editing. I have so many poems I’ve never shared because I don’t think they are quite ready, and they were probably better at the beginning – ha.
What is your writing process like?
I write something pretty much every day, even if it is just 15 minutes of free writing / playing with a prompt / journaling. Sometimes these sessions form part of an ongoing project or idea. When I’m working on something specific, though, I will also spend longer periods and be a bit more structured and focused. I can become annoyingly obsessive over a poem until I get it right.
Instagram nellythewriter
Link to your website if you have any: www.guiltymothersclub.co.uk