Be they unpublished 10 year olds or accomplished bestselling authors, every writer needs feedback on their work.

Mattapoisett Library’s young writers group recognize that and say they’ve benefited from sharing their stories with each other.

Guided by Library Director Susan Pizzolato, the writers met once a week during the summer. Some members have attended all four years the group has been in existence.

“At school you have to be within certain boundaries. Here, you kind of get to set your writing free,” said Joseph Sheridan, 12.

Each week, Pizzolato gave the kids writing prompts.

One idea they enjoyed was writing “fractured fairy tales” where they altered a traditional story.

Joseph’s sister, Juila, 10, wrote “Three Big Geckos,” a play on the “Three Little Pigs,” setting the story on a deserted island with a dangerous scarlet macaw instead of a wolf.

Joseph also did a take on the fairy tale called “Three Not So Little Pigs.”

“There wasn’t a wolf. The pigs just made that part up to make people feel sorry for them. It was a traumatic experience, so they lost weight. That’s why they were called the three little pigs,” he explained.

Each session, the members shared their stories and offered up constructive criticism.

“Sometimes hearing other people’s stories influences my own writing,” said one member of the group. “At school I’m not really comfortable with reading out loud, but in this small group, we all know each other.”

Joseph agreed, saying the group has always been an encouraging place to share.

“When they’re giving comments to the other people’s writing, it’s not a ‘no but’. It’s a ‘yes and,’” he said.

Having different writing styles also helps expand each person’s own creativity and gives them confidence to share their own ideas.

“I’m more free flowing, and I write short stories that have a lot of action in them,” said Joseph. “But being around these detailed writers has been helping me throughout my four years of being here.”

The kids also said they simply enjoy hearing the stories their friends write.

Meghan McCullough, 12, said her stories are humorous and have elements of fact and fiction.

“I wrote this story about how [my friends and I] were playing in the hallway at school and all of a sudden tunnels in the floor opened up,” said Meghan. “We had a whole adventure under there.”

The students said the summer sessions also help them stay sharp for school.

“Other people that don’t do this have to take time to get used to writing again,” said 12-year-old Sarah Besancon.

Grayson Lord, 12, echoed Sarah.

“I’ll be more creative than I was last year because I’ve gotten to listen to all of their stories,” she said. “I’ve heard different things from different perspectives, and it makes me think differently.”

The students’ stories will be compiled into a book that will be available to checkout at the library.