How to write from the heart

This month, Michelle Gant, Editor of the Engaging Stories series of collaborative books, explains how to write from the heart – ahead of an online workshop

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” William Wordsworth

The four books that now sit on my bookshelf, and happily on other people’s too, are filled with over 200 different stories. Stories of everyday life during uncertain times, of finding inspiration, of overcoming challenges, of discovering self-belief, and more, much more. Whenever people ask me what’s the criteria for the essays for the books I will tell them the word limit, the deadline, stuff like that. But the most important thing I will say is just write what’s in your heart.

Because when we fill our pages with the ‘breathings of our hearts’, as advocated by William Wordsworth, the result is these amazing, open essays in which people bring their whole selves – and that’s quite a thing. For the reader, of course. I mean, sharing our stories can touch, reach, inspire, move, assure, motivate, and engage other people.

But more than that. They can make a huge difference to the person who is putting down the words on paper or on screen. How freeing it can be to just get the words out of our heads, to express ourselves – what a boon for our wellbeing.

And of course, these words don’t have to be for anyone’s eyes but our own (as the two teenage diaries in my loft will attest. Those particular tomes will never see the light of day).

So often, as adults, our writing ends up being within certain parameters for reports or presentations or such like. How liberating it is then to just write from the heart without judgement or self-editing.

So with this purpose in mind, I thought ‘I know, why don’t we have an engaging stories virtual session for people who just want to have a go at writing from the heart?’ You can sign up for free here, with no pressure to share words at all. What you write could just be yours and yours alone.

Of course, the session could also be helpful for anyone who has quite fancied taking part in a book but not been quite sure that it’s for them. Talking of which…

Roots and Wings: Stories of Parenting

In my last column, I told you about this lovely book that currently only exists in my head but in time I hope will also join the other four on my bookshelf.

Roots and Wings. A collection of parenting stories. Essays, poetry, or prose, whatever feels right for you. Written by anyone who is fulfilling a parenting role.

Why? Because parenting is amazing, wonderful, the best. It is also terrifying, anxiety-inducing, and exhausting. And it can be lonely. So, let’s share our stories to act as beacons of light for others.

And of course, all profits will go to charity. This time, though, the contributors will get to choose which. The only proviso is it has to be a charity that helps families.

Want to take part? You can find out more here, or you can always drop me an email – engagingstories@yahoo.com.

Engaging Stories’ Breathings of your heart online workshop takes place on Thursday December 4, 2025 at 6pm (Eventbrite).

Featured image of Michelle Gant – supplied