Vulnerability and visibility – How Noah is sharing his queer experience through storytelling

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Vulnerability and visibility – How Noah is sharing his queer experience through storytelling

Studying creative writing and the encouragement of an inspiring teacher is helping Noah tell his own story.

After a “rough experience” in high school, Noah Moon was pretty sure further study wasn’t in his future. Instead of applying for university, he moved straight into the workforce, spending seven years working in hospitality and marketing.

But then, during a three-month period recovering from gender affirming surgery, he had time to reflect on his long-held passion for storytelling.

“I found queer fiction in my library when I was younger,” Noah explained. “I was aware of my queerness from a very early age, reading books and writing short stories helped me expand upon it.”

After several years away from a classroom, Noah wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep up in an academic setting. But despite his hesitations, he applied for RMIT’s Creative Writing Program and was accepted as a mature age student.

“When I attended my first class, I felt self-conscious, but after two weeks I was completely in love with the course.”

Person from chest up in room smiling with sun on face

Noah Moon is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) in December.

In the first year of his degree, Noah had one of his stories published in The Big Issue.

I didn't expect anything I’d written would get published. I was excited and then I freaked out because the story was so personal.

The piece, What We Didn’t Catch, talks to his relationship with his father. It was selected for inclusion during a studio partnership RMIT’s Creative Writing Program has with The Big Issue. For Noah, being selected meant battling with the concept of making personal experiences publicly available.

“Living as an openly trans person, I don’t always have the option not to be vulnerable, but I wanted to write about my relationship with my father in a way that went beyond the trans experience.”

Magazines and comics on wooden bench outside

Noah’s work in print: 'What We Didn’t Catch in The Big Issue and 'Scrimps', his independently printed comic..

Queer representation in creative practice

Noah credits his teacher, Peta Murray, for uplifting his writing and helping unpack the vulnerability that accompanies visibility.

When you’re from any kind of marginalised community, seeing someone like you in a respected position is inspiring. Peta was incredibly supportive in the way that only another queer person could be.

After working together to publish Noah’s piece in The Big Issue, Noah and Peta co-write an article for higher education publisher, NiTRO: Queering the Pitch: When Student Writers Meet Big Issues.

“Working with Peta on the article was a mini masterclass in learning how to be less precious with my work,” Noah said.

Experimenting with different styles

Noah came into the course expecting his primary focus to be poetry, but after experimenting with different forms of writing in second year, he was drawn to comics and screenwriting.

"It was like poetry and fiction smashed together. You have to be so concise. I enjoy writing prose and dialogue because it’s so different to how people talk in real life, but when you get it right, magic happens.”

During his studies, Noah had the opportunity to intern at Glom Press, an independent comics publisher and risograph press. The internship happened simultaneously while completing a subject about end-to-end comic production, allowing Noah to fully immerse himself in the scene.

I fell in love with the idea of making zines and comics. At Glom Press, I was able to do some editing and learn about printing. They were so generous with their knowledge.

During this time, Noah produced a comic called Scrimps (pictured above) about a space pirate and her pig first-mate navigating the repercussions of a stray spell fired by a jilted, ladle-wielding cook-witch.

“The characters are from bedtime stories my mum used to tell me as a kid, seeing them finally come to life in print was special.”

“A lot of the comic-writing skills have transferred into my other projects, especially screenwriting, and I think I'm a much more versatile artist and writer now.”

Two people at a magazine launch talking

Noah and friend at the launch party of a GLOM Press publication.

Advice for studying writers

Noah firmly believes that asking yourself ‘but what if’ and getting comfortable with rejection are two of the strongest skills writers can hone.

“If I had any advice about uni, it would be to push it as far as you can, ‘What if I send off that short story, or asked that question, or pitched to that magazine?’ These questions have helped me take chances and embrace opportunities.”

--

Noah Moon is a queer, trans non-binary writer and poet from the Northern Rivers, living and working in Bulleke-bek, Naarm.

Find out more about Noah on their LinkedIn, Instagram, or he can be contacted directly at emailnoahmoon@gmail.com.

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