This summer it's all about writing fiction in the WriteWell Community, guided by author and teacher Helen Shipman.
If you’ve never written fiction before now is your chance. It’s fun, it’s light and it allows you to take a break from your own feelings. Exporting your story of a rough childhood or a horrible boss to a fictional place frees you from your looping thoughts. It may give you closure or peace. And if it stirs up unwanted memories, you are in a safe place to write because you are doing so through another character.
Where to go?
If your life is busy why not place your character on a busy commuter train? Lean into the stress or chaos and highlight the noise and overwhelm of a busy commute. Do you feel like you are overcoming challenges right now? Bring your character on a mountain trail or hike and feel their growth and resilience taking shape. If you’re looking for stability and familiar surroundings, how about a coffee shop? It’s a great location for observing everyday life.
A setting isn’t just a place in a story, it gives your characters somewhere to breathe and expand.
In writing, the setting often mirrors the writer’s emotional state. A rainy day at home used in a story could reflect the writer’s need to slow down, maybe they’re feeling lonely. The setting changes in a story; the character doesn’t stay in one place and neither do our feelings and emotions.
Get going with your story setting
Pick a place from the list below to explore based on how you are feeling right now. Then write a scene with your character in it. Choose two or three senses to work with: sight, sound, smell, touch, taste.
A family kitchen
A hospital waiting room
Beach at sunset
A community event
If you enjoyed this writing exercise and would like to sign up for Fiction 1 and Fiction 2, these 4-week writing for wellbeing courses open in the WriteWell Community this July and August.
