Creative writing workshop with Helena Dahlgren – lesson 3
Welcome back to Helena Dahlgren’s journey through creative writing! The author of the Soul Riders trilogy is back for part three of her writing workshop, helping you unlock a range of secrets, tricks and tips so that you can level up your creative writing skills!
Lesson 3: Sensational Senses! Part two – sight
There’s seeing – and there’s observing. Sherlock Holmes, who’s just about my favorite fictional detective after Nancy Drew and Miss Marple, once told Dr Watson to “Don’t just see, observe.” This is exactly what I want you to do now.
EXERCISE: Picture a room – why not one of the Soul Riders’ bedrooms? The room has at least five different objects in it. Each object says something about who lives here. Describe the five objects, while also making an observation about the person who owns them. No longer than one page (it’s okay to write less, too).
Example: Linda has lots of books in her room, which clearly makes her a reader. But there’s also a poster from Oxford University pinned to her wall. What does that mean? Is it the university of her dreams? Does she just like the picture? Of course, we can’t know, but we can guess and observe. Release your inner Sherlock!
You’re getting more and more creative power with each lesson! Will Linda make it to Oxford in your world, or is she just really into places that look a bit like Hogwarts?
Enjoy your writing exercise, and get ready for another lesson with Helena! Or if you want to refresh your memory, click here to return to lesson 2.