Tag: creative writing

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Writing of strangers and strange lands

Our latest Island Writers creative writing assignment takes its inspiration from the famous science fiction novel by Robert A Heinlein:

Stranger in a Strange Land.

It seems perfectly fair to borrow his title, considering Heinlein borrowed it in the first place, from the Book of Moses in the Bible.

Heinlein’s theme, an alien experiencing Earth as an alien world, still has plenty of scope for creative writing, as does the Biblical idea of journeying for hundreds of miles to find a new home. However, your assignment doesn’t have to be science fiction, or religious writing, although it can be.

Your ‘stranger’ may be much closer to home: an ordinary person who has come to an unfamiliar setting or lifestyle, perhaps a city slicker lost in the wilderness, someone facing the trials of their first day at college, a club or a new job, or some other social milieu where everyone else seems to know the rules.

The important thing is to allow your writing to express the universal experience of being an outsider. Whether you’re creating a short story, poem, personal memoir or opinion piece, fill it with the emotions which will resonate with every reader. We’ve all been that stranger… but will yours find acceptance or rejection?

If you’re trying to remember all the assignments in case you’ve missed one (or perhaps more than one!) here is a list of the most recent ones:

  • Sloth
  • Spooky Writing for Halloween
  • In the Basket
  • Stars and Stripes
  • Under the Microscope (not about Covid)
  • Sparkling
  • Emergency Situation
  • Stranger in a Strange Land
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Rounded individuals: using ‘Family Circle’ as a writing prompt

I don’t often get inspired to write by packets of biscuits.

OK, OK, those who know me (and you all do) will be aware that that statement is (ahem) a big fat lie. If it weren’t for large supplies of sugar-laden foods, I probably wouldn’t stay at my writing-desk nearly as long. Let me rephrase. Ordinarily, I come to the group with a planned assignment topic. This time, I forgot, so I glanced down at our refreshment biccies and chose, “Family Circle.”

So, how could you use this subject for creative writing?

Well, firstly, you could take it at face value: a story or poem about a pack of Family Circle biscuits. Maybe they’re given as a gift, which causes a problem for some reason, perhaps they could be part of a poisoning mystery, or maybe the stress of choosing is simply too much for your character.

You could use the most common meaning of the phrase, and write about a ‘family circle’ in the sense of a group of family members. How does being part of a family give you or your character particular pleasure or annoyance? Is there one personality trait or an unusual physical characteristic which all the members of the circle share? Who is excluded from the group – and why?

Or you could focus on the word ‘circle’ in a family context – perhaps the circle in question is Grandma’s wedding ring, or a circle of dancing family members at a celebration, or a circular photograph. Your ‘circle’ might be a dartboard, a flower-bed, a car tyre, a running track, or a circular saw. Or your story might include someone drawing a circle – in the sand, as a tattoo, on a blackboard, or in a letter.

Alternatively, you might have a more abstract family circle in mind: death and rebirth, the circle of life; arguments or discussions going around in circles; the astrological calendar; or karma returning retribution for past sins.

Your piece could be a short story, memoir, poem, letter, blog post, playscript or stream-of-consciousness notes on the topic. Or you could reject the topic completely and decide to write a random story about a planet where porcupine quills are the local currency, or a poem about different types of cheese. Or simply make some active progress on the novel you’re already writing. We’re not fussy!

Whatever you decide, as long as you get ’round’ to doing some new writing, it’s all good.

Our next meeting is Tuesday 21st January, 7 – 9.30pm, Ryde Library.

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Wandering beyond Wight… a chance to write beyond the horizon

Burj Khalifa, Dubai – not merely a vast building, but a huge experience.

As writers, no doubt we’re all familiar with the over-quoted saying, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” Whether this was really said by St Augustine or not (and there are those who have doubts), there is a lot of truth in the phrase. The world is filled with adventures completely outside the scope of the Six Wonders of the Isle of Wight.

We’ve all seen photos of Ayers Rock, the Great Pyramid, the Grand Canyon and the Parthenon, but it’s only by visiting them that we can really comprehend what they are like. It isn’t just their size and magnificence, but the whole experience.

Until we’ve heard the thunder of Niagara Falls for ourselves, stumbled through dusty Jerusalem alleyways to the Dome of the Rock or gazed down on the rooftops of Paris from the Eiffel Tower, we can’t hope to write about those places convincingly. But, more than that, inevitably, our creative writing will be enriched by those experiences, even when writing on topics closer to home.

The fourteenth-century Moroccan explorer, Ibn Battuta, had this to say of travelling: “It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai

A few weeks ago, Yvie waved goodbye to Island Writers and flew off to live in Dubai for the next two years. She’ll be sharing her exploits on her new blog, Delving Into Dubai.

Perhaps she could start at the vast Ibn Battuta shopping mall, containing nearly 300 shops, as well as stunning hand-painted ceilings. Now there’s an experience you probably won’t get in Union Street…

For the rest of us, back here on the Island, that doesn’t mean we won’t have any experiences to write about – far from it! Our new group project is a chance to explore the many beauties of our beloved little isle – including, let’s hope, some of the special places which grockles never find.

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I closed my eyes, drew back the curtain…

It’s curtains for you! And you should be delighted.

The latest writing assignment for Island Writers is “Behind the Curtain.” And, like doors, curtains can be a fertile source of ideas for writers.

Curtains can be elaborate and decorative or purely functional. They have several uses: they can conceal what is inside or outside, they can be used to form a temporary divider between two spaces, and they can offer protection from draughts.

So, what is your curtain hiding?

Maybe it’s a net curtain, disguising you (or your character) from people outside. A nosy person peering through the nets to see the neighbours going about their business, or a chance view of something you weren’t meant to see?

Curtains let us hide from others, but they also hide those on the other side. When you close your windows at night, you can’t see who – or what – might be lurking out there in the darkness, which gives an illusion of safety. Perfect for a horror story. Who could forget that shower scene in Psycho?

The main purpose of curtains is to give privacy. Once we’re behind the curtains, we may behave in ways which are very different from our public life. What do your characters get up to once the curtains are shut?

And that privacy may come at a cost. If people can’t see into your home, they can’t see you’re in need of help. An injured person could be lying inside the house, too weak to cry out for help, with passers-by just the other side of the windows…

Your curtain need not be made of cloth. A curtain of rain or fog might lift to reveal an unforgettable spectacle, or a willow tree could provide a secret hiding place behind its leafy curtains. Or it could be an entirely metaphorical curtain, representing emotional detachment, social isolation or the divide between life and death.

Not all curtains are made to cover windows. Your curtain might divide a bedroom for two argumentative children, be part of a four-poster bed, or hide a doorway or alcove. Or perhaps the curtain in a fashion store changing-room or a hospital ward could be the starting point for your creative writing.

You might choose to relive the sense of excitement when waiting for the curtain in a theatre to rise – whether you’re in the audience or on the stage. Or perhaps your story takes place at the end of the performance, after the curtains have closed.

Yes, July has five Tuesdays this year, so you’ve got a bit longer to get your assignment done this time. But don’t forget we’re meeting at Yelfs for drinks and writerly chat on Tuesday 30 July, 7pm.

Just like a nosy neighbour, I’m looking forward to seeing what’s behind your curtain at our next meeting at Ryde Library on Tuesday 6 August, 7pm.

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What makes the perfect creative writing space?

What’s the perfect place for your writing?

Our latest assignment title, The perfect writing space, was chosen as a useful point to ponder for those of us who haven’t been doing any (ahem) much writing lately.

Quite a few of us have been off on our travels or away on visits. In some cases, we returned empty-handed, saying we were too busy to write.

Geoff, on the other hand, returned from his cruise with a couple of new chapters. So, was this brilliant writing progress conclusive proof of just how incredibly boring his holiday was? I’d like to think so – but I’m only jealous! Could it be a token of how devoted he is to his writing, that he could manage to write, even while on holiday? Or perhaps it was due to the inspiring nature of the places he visited? I’m sure this must have helped, if only subconsciously.

Have you felt energised to write in a special place? Or about it, after you got home? How do you feel when you try to write in different places?

Some writers can feel creative anywhere – they just need their laptop or a notebook and pen and they can get started. For others, only their familiar desk will do, and writing will just have to wait until they get home.

My favourite writing space. Maybe I should actually do some?

What’s special about the place where you feel most comfortable doing your writing? Is it the equipment you have available and the way it’s laid out?

Maybe it’s the smell of cinnamon and the sound of a purring cat, or a particular snack or drink, or the view from the window? What elements constitute the perfect creative writing space for you? What do you find motivates or distracts you? Have you found your perfect writing place yet?

If you prefer, feel free to write poetry or fiction on the topic. Perhaps your main character is searching for the perfect writing space, or is that merely an excuse? Or maybe they have found a place which changes their style of writing?

Anyway, you’re all wrong. The perfect writing space is Ryde Library, on Tuesday 18th June, 7-9.30pm. Be there and I’ll prove it.

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Bite-size brilliance: why short writing licks the TL;DR test

In the leisurely days of Victorian novels, long-winded, rambling stories and essays weren’t a problem – they were an advantage, as the evenings weren’t exactly crammed with exciting entertainment.

These days, with the fast-forward button readily at hand to deal with boring TV programmes, readers are more impatient. Come on! We’ve got things to do, places to go, people to see. Cut to the chase! We want the body on page 1, not half-way through the book.

This change in consumer preferences is perhaps the reason that Twitter is so popular.You’ve probably seen the letters TL;DR used on social media, to stand for ‘Too long; didn’t read.’ In the digital age, even a lengthy answer to a question can lose many readers’ interest. Even short stories are getting shorter – we’re not prepared to flounder through pages of waffle just to reach the thrilling part.

But maybe that’s a good thing.

As well as gripping readers’ attention, shorter forms of writing can be more effective. To reach the word count, less important information (a.k.a. ‘the boring bits’) must be omitted, wordy descriptions are truncated and weak phrases such as very frightened or really old are shortened to stronger versions such as terrified and ancient.

Anmarie Bowler is a local writer who says she appreciates the power of short form prose and believes everyone’s a writer at some point in life. She’s launching a new bi-monthly “literary handbill” called Brevity, which will publish short stories & essays (500 words or under) and brief poems by Isle of Wight residents – and she’s looking for contributions from you!

‘Brevity is the soul of wit,’ according to Shakespeare. Let’s see if Brevity can prove that bite-size writing has more teeth.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, 16th April – the assignment topic is True Friendship… but your writing must also include something blue!

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A mystery boxful of creative writing possibilities

At the last Island Writers meeting, I gave you the assignment title, The Mysterious Box. And the only stipulation was that the box should NOT contain the traditional sort of treasure, i.e. gold coins, jewels etc.

Our treasure-themed meeting had already produced several variations on the idea of a box found in the attic after someone had died, so perhaps we can come up with some other ideas.

It doesn’t need to be an ancient wooden chest, of course. It could be a battered old biscuit tin, a plain cardboard box, a pretty gift box, a filigree metal casket or an elegant china trinket box.

Perhaps your box is mysterious simply because it’s an unexpected parcel, or a strangely-wrapped gift.

Or maybe the box itself looks peculiar, hinting at some unusual contents?

How did it come into your (or your character’s) possession?

Did it arrive by postal delivery, or was it given as a present, or was it hidden there, unnoticed, until it was found?

Was it meant for you, or have you accidentally received an item intended for someone else?

Will opening the box bring pleasure or sadness, interesting knowledge, special power, disappointment… or danger? Or will what you find inside start an unexpected chain of events?

So – if it’s not a personal question – what’s inside YOUR box?

We’ll find out at our next meeting on Tues 2nd April.

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Does polished writing lose its authenticity?

When it comes to creative writing, much like dancing, there’s a lot to be said for spontaneity.

We can get started right away, while our minds are filled with entrancing images we’re ready to share.

Like a child dancing in a meadow, just expressing the delight of the moment, sometimes our impulsive, unplanned writing can be the best we’ve ever produced.

And, of course, sometimes it’s a load of old rubbish. But does that negate the value of writing on impulse?

As writers, we hone our craft over the years, learning and practising new skills to improve our stories and poetry. We add all these wonderful, imaginative techniques to the finished product. We change words for more effective ones and rearrange the structure.

Eventually, the parts of each piece all work together like trained dancers in a ballet, creating a thing of stunning power and beauty which could never have arisen spontaneously.

But some of the pieces we’ve laboured over for hours and polished out of all recognition can ultimately prove disappointing, compared with that first free-wheeling leap of joy.

So how do we add the polish, but keep the authenticity?

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Scary stuff: how graphic should creative writing be?

I couldn’t sleep last night.

I’d just read a horrific item on Quora about a girl of 16 who was abducted, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The article gave sickeningly graphic details of exactly how this poor child was tortured for a month, before she finally died in agony.

Please understand, I’m not criticising the writer of the article. He was making a point about the justice system: what legal punishment could possibly be adequate for the perpetrators of these atrocities? His account simply gave the facts, in reasoned and unemotive language. I won’t add a link, because I know you couldn’t resist reading the whole grisly tale, any more than I could. And, trust me, you don’t want those images in your head.

But what if that story had been fiction?

Are we, as writers, justified in creating evil images in our readers’ minds for the sake of entertainment? Is it all okay, as long as the victim escapes and the bad guys get arrested or killed in the last chapter? And, of course, in the horror genre, that often isn’t the case.

Conflict is the basis of every plot. If we don’t create wicked, cruel characters, our heroes have nothing to fight against except natural disasters. And we can’t put tidal waves, forest fires and earthquakes in every novel.

Society these days is difficult to shock, so writers try harder.

At what point – if any – does a graphic description of gratuitous violence go beyond ‘only writing a story’ and become socially irresponsible behaviour?

These scenes may not be always necessary to the plot, but the emotions they inspire in readers are part of the experience of reading that novel. If a character suffers, we need to suffer with them, or we cannot truly understand.

This is why I was particularly pleased to get an email from John today. He hasn’t joined us yet, and he can’t make it to our meeting tonight – but he’s already sent in his first assignment!

In Through the Window, the main character suffers from combat stress, but instead of including nauseatingly graphic descriptions of his physical sufferings, the start focuses on his memory of emotions : Hands clawing, mouths snarling, teeth bared, people shouting, a mass of confusion and terror, the stench of sweat, desert and fear in his nostrils.

When it comes to producing our own creative writing, I feel graphic violence is like swearing – a single occasion generally produces a more powerful effect than a constant repetitive flow of such scenes.

These episodes may not be to our taste, but we cannot censor and castrate every strong piece of writing without expecting the overall standard of fiction produced to fall. Do we really want to read a Disney version of The Silence of the Lambs?

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Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good… write!

A very Happy Christmas to you all from Island Writers!

Here are some sprinkles of Christmassy writing inspiration to keep you all going over the break – because you won’t have anything else to do, right?

These are of course totally optional, but I’m sure some of you would enjoy a few writing prompts to work on. Anything to get out of the washing-up!

  • Make a list of words and phrases including ‘Christmas’.
  • You or your characters are snowed-in unexpectedly on the day before Christmas Eve without some important things – gifts? food? booze? decorations? electricity? your guests? – How does Christmas turn out?
  • A present wrapped in gold.
  • A family has been invited to spend Christmas in Australia. Will they go?
  • Find something on the doorstep on Christmas morning.
  • What’s the significance/history of the items on your Christmas tree?
  • The worst gift turns out to be the best gift. Why?

Have an enjoyable Christmas and we’ll meet up in the New Year.

There’s no meeting on New Year’s Day, so the next Island Writers meeting is on Tuesday 15 Jan 2019, at Ryde Library, 7pm-9pm.

Let’s make 2019 our best writing year ever!