This month, Michelle Gant, Editor of the Engaging Stories books that raise funds for charity, explores the magic of creative writing
Writing is good for us. Well, I would say that wouldn’t I? But it’s true that it can be a boon for our wellbeing. In writing down our reflections, experiences, and ideas, we can find perspective, we can clarify our thoughts and feelings, we can find focus, and we can unburden and process the stuff we are carrying in our head. The cathartic nature of writing has been a key factor in the books that I’ve published so far, not least during the pandemic. One of the very reasons why I started the When The World Paused blog then books was to provide people – and myself – an avenue for expression and connection during a scary time. Indeed, for me, writing has always been a place where I can find succour.
And for me, creative writing – such as fiction or poetry – is a particularly powerful way to support wellbeing. For one thing, it can be such a mindful exercise. When I am writing a story I can get lost in it for hours, and when I’m not at my desk tapping away, I’m thinking about what twists and turns could come next. And it’s so playful. Life can be so serious and stressful but then you can write, and you can make anything up you want. How magical is that?
By its very nature, creative writing helps us to stretch our imagination – a part of us which we often use so well as kids but perhaps less so as adults – and become ever more creative.
This can help us to be innovative in other areas of our life. We can also share our own thoughts and feelings in different voices which can be really freeing. And it is just fun – and couldn’t we all just do with some more of that?
Creative writing has always been an essential part of my wellbeing armoury, and never more so than nine years ago when I became a mother. I was absolutely floored by the tidal wave of emotion I felt, and I was quite scared of getting things wrong. I was also conscious that it was important to take steps to look after myself. So, I started to write.
Inspired by my early experiences of motherhood, I invented a character – Baby Anon – and told the story of the first few months of life through her eyes. Taking my experiences – good, bad, and ridiculous – as inspiration, I created humorous stories told from the mouth of the fictional infant. It allowed me to find new perspective, to process my fears and perceived failings, and to laugh about it. It allowed me to find ease and comfort, and by sharing the stories, it also enabled me to connect with others. Eventually I turned the stories into an e-book that I published – The Secret Life of The Baby – which serves as a memento of a time that was scary and wonderful all at once. I cannot emphasise enough how important creative writing was for me during that period of my life.
Creative writing isn’t something that we should just do as children and at school. It can be such a fantastic practice to engage with. And if you’re looking for some prompts to get started, here are some I’m shared over the years. How about finding a stock pic of a stranger and coming up with a name and personality and back story for them. Or how about taking the first line of any novel and then writing your own version of what happens next. Or what about having a go at a haiku, a Japanese form of poetry of three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. There are loads more prompts online including here: 23 creative writing prompts | BBC Maestro.
Creative writing is such a great way to express ourselves. And hey, who knows what you might end up making with your words.
*Thank you to all the amazing women who have signed up to contribute essays to our next volume of The Things I Wish I’d Known which will raise money for Women’s Aid. Want to take part? There’s still time – the deadline is 31st December 2024. Find out more here: Get Involved: The Things I Wish I’d Known – engaging stories.
Visit engagingstories.uk.
Featured images – supplied
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