Ways of writing creatively and for wellbeing

Both ways of writing can benefit our wellbeing. Whenever we write we are exploring, consciously or unconsciously, our inner selves. We are bringing to the fore how we feel about certain issues or situations. Our writing can be fictional but despite that a part of us will still reside within it. After all, we take from our life experience as we write. And when writing, we can draw inspiration from what we have read; adapting it, honouring it or analysing it to merge it into our own work.

I think that writing for wellbeing supports a sense of getting closer to knowing one’s inner self and acknowledging who we are. If we’re open and honest when writing from the heart, we are not hiding or putting on a face to the outside world, and we’re working with our five senses. This can be cathartic, but I have discovered, as I am sure many writers do, that fictional writing can be liberating too.

During my adult life, I have written about my understanding of various alternative therapies as well as written case studies within alternative medicine; I have written pieces for home education for my children; and academically for a BA and an MA in Social Anthropology.

Within all of these life experiences I have learnt much about myself along the way, all of these skills arriving at this point in time where they merge and inform my present skills in both fictitious writing and writing for wellbeing. You will also have a wealth of knowledge and life experience to inform your writing.

Creative writing is a wonderful tool in our writing journeys. It is a narrative craft and like any new craft, when beginning to learn it, we need to study the different elements in it. I offer individuals and groups my personal insights into writing a novel, or other fictional work, from the first seed planted or idea held.

My experience encompasses working with writing groups, a postgraduate diploma in Creative Writing and, most recently, a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing, taking the publication route with my novel Is This It?

I can support you with working with ideas, ranging from finding a title, writing from different perspectives (e.g., in the first, second or third person) and structuring your writing.

I am looking to start classes of creative writing, not as a tutor but as a facilitator, learning and sharing together, whether you wish to write short stories, flash fiction or a novel. I will keep these classes for women to a minimum in numbers and hope to hold them on a regular basis. Creative writing is a joyful fun-filled experience when practiced with others.

For info on upcoming workshops and groups, please contact me via my contact form or email at sandie@essenceofwriting.com

Photo courtesy of North York Photography