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Learn from a Local - Tara Moss
Author Tara Moss credits a local coffee roaster with providing caffeinated inspiration for some of her novels. The Victoria resident is known for her 14 bestselling books of fiction and non-fiction. Her latest, the historical mystery, The Ghosts of Paris, is being heralded as “a thrilling tale of courage and secrets". The UNICEF Australia Goodwill Ambassador is a recipient of the Honorary Citizen Award for the City of Victoria for her work in the arts and on accessibility rights.
Q: What’s your favourite thing about Victoria?
A: It’s home. And how lucky does that make me?
Q: What neighbourhood do you like to hang out in?
Q: Let’s go for a walk. Where are you headed?
A: I use a walking stick, Wolfie, or my wheelchair, Nyx, so I need accessible areas to enjoy. One of my favourites is the waterfront at the Ogden Point Breakwater. Those are some of the most extraordinary views in Canada.
Q: Where’s the best place for a great Victoria photo op?
A: It depends on the season. The golden and red turning leaves. The endless blue skies. The glittering waterfront. Snow surrounding a frozen lake.
Q: What’s the most surprising thing about Victoria?
A: The friendliness of the people of Victoria continues to surprise and impress me, no matter how long I live here, or how far I travel.
Q: If Victoria had a walk of fame, whose star would you add?
A: Well, obviously artist Emily Carr and writer Yasuko Nguyen Thanh, John Gould, Peggy Herring and Sara Cassidy. Musician Nelly Furtado, musicians and producers Neil James Cooke-Dallin and David Foster, actors Nell Shipman and Meghan Ory, producer Rick Rasmussen. There are so many talented people from here and I know I am forgetting many.
Q: Have you ever ridden in a pickle boat? How was the trip?
A: I am not overly fond of pickles and at my height, I’m not sure I’d fit!
Q: What’s your favourite place in Victoria to get away from it all?
A: It may sound dark, but I have a great fondness for the stunning Victorian-era Ross Bay Cemetery. It is a truly picturesque and historically fascinating place of beauty and tranquility.
Q: What’s your top Victoria restaurant?
A: I’m very fond of Il Terrazzo, Nourish, Futaba and Pagliacci’s.
Q: What’s your favourite Victoria craft brewery, distillery, coffee shop or winery to visit?
A: Discovery Coffee has the beans I am obsessed with and they have fuelled a couple of my novels already.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception about Victoria?
A: The biggest misconception is that nothing ever happens here. The art and music scenes are thrilling, with bands like Astrocolor, Art d’Ecco, Ocie Elliott, Righteous Rainbows and more. It is an incredible, creative community and many amazing writers live here as well.