Introduced By Amber Hall

We continue to look at ‘Reflections’ as a theme this month, and I’ve been thinking about how the act of reflecting serves as an integral part of the writer’s process.

To fuel our creativity, we must go out and live. Stories are found in the streets, and I believe good writing is fuelled by authentic connection to the things around us. We build worlds by observing our own, after all.

But to write, we must also embrace periods of isolation and give ourselves the physical and psychological space to focus on our craft. I like to think of these as moments of ‘creative hibernation’, where we digest the stories we’ve collected and reflect on where they might take us.

We need to hunker down when we put pen to paper because the truth is, writing is really difficult. It’s mentally challenging, for sure, but it can also be emotionally fraught. It takes time and all kinds of effort, which is why we need to be gentle with ourselves when we’re doing it. Rest is one thing, but we also need to make sure we’re not beating ourselves up when we’re not writing: when we’re observing instead. It’s part of the process; it enriches our work and our lives, and only good can come of that.

The pieces I’ve chosen for my page this month explore the writer’s journey in more depth, highlighting the necessity of reflection as part of the process.

First, we have a prose piece by Ellie M Blake, who writes about stolen moments of quietude spent in nature, and how this feeds her soul and her writing.

When Sunflowers Smile

Sunflowers smile on my balcony. Their golden faces turn outward, watching the world shift through shades of blue, black, grey and white. Crimson evenings sometimes herald the end of days.

My garden is for recharging: reading, journaling and gazing at the exquisite cloudscape. It’s the time for slowing down, deeper breaths, and to chastise myself for the breaks I vow I’ll take but never do.

Nature wraps her arms around me. I feel the warmth of summer with its delicate tickle of a breeze. The seagulls caw and I’m grateful when butterflies visit. Persistent pigeons contemplated moving in, but I fended them off with spices.

As the pigeons retreated, June’s pace intensified. I clung to the one ritual keeping me grounded: 15 minutes of yoga a day. This small practice was a lifeline, a contrast to the effortless self-care I once enjoyed.

I marvel at how my life used to be: clamouring with evening bubble baths, painted nails and idle weekends at the cinema. Frequent holidays abroad turbo-charged my adventuress spirit. Often, I felt tremendous contentment with hours of laughter and the company of people I loved.

Lately, it’s ten pm dinner, sometimes even two am. All work and no play, as they say. Yet I’m full of gratitude. My dreams edge closer to reality. Writing novels, building a business and making a difference requires sacrifices. Ambition fuels me, but it also steals precious rest.

When four days away arrived, the escape was heavenly. Beloved beach, how I missed you, with your crashing waves and salty water. I tried body boarding. Battered by the sea, I remembered the carefree version of me.

When I facilitated ‘Happiness Habits’ courses with Action For Happiness, a charity teaching the ‘ten keys to happier living,’ I was reminded to ask simple but profound questions:

What do I want? 
What do I need?

One participant reflecting on self-care said: “Our health is the foundation.”  That truth remains with me, as does the peace of wild things growing.

Back home, laundry done, I recline in my deck chair and count nine sunflowers bursting from their buds, with seven more on the way. It’s the farewell hurrah as autumn approaches.

In that moment, I thought, I’m rich! Not in currency, but in wellbeing and in the safety of those I hold dear. My wise Uncle B said this a few years ago, but only now do I fully appreciate it. When did we start measuring wealth only in possessions or financial freedom?

Since I began teaching creative writing to support mental health, I see how stories offer escape, reframing and empowerment. So, my parting words are these: put pen to paper, fingers to the keyboard. Invest in yourself by delving into the treasure chest of worlds you’ve created.

© Ellie M Blake, 2025

Connect with Ellie on Instagram: @mycreativeeveryday.

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Next, Benjamin Doeteh writes about life and its challenges, approaching this with a forward momentum. The creatives’ journey often looks much the same, though we must – and do – persist.

The Upward Climb

Tiny hands reach for the light,
Innocent eyes, so clear and bright.
Each new day, a step to take,
A world to learn, for goodness’ sake.

Scraped knees and lessons learned,
Bridges built, and pages turned.
Friendships bloom, and dreams take flight,
Guiding stars in darkest night.

With every year, a stronger soul,
Reaching for a distant goal.
The upward climb, a winding track,
Never looking, ever back.

© Benjamin Doeteh, 2025

Connect with Benjamin on Instagram: @benjamin.doeteh.

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Finally, we have a poem by MANNY, whose bold call to action serves as a reminder that we all have permission to express ourselves and embrace a rainbow of emotions. Great art is made by tapping into our emotional worlds: as MANNY says in his poem, there’s so much beauty and power in [it].

It’s Okay To Cry

It’s okay to cry
When you’re going
Through a lot
When it gets too
Much on the inside
And the weight
Of the world is so
Heavy on our shoulders

Let it flow,
Let it all go,
Let it pour out,
Just let it flow

Tears that fall
Like gentle rain
When you’re in pain
When the heart aches,
And a river of emotions stream
Down the sides of our face
Let them dance,
So gracefully
As they hit the ground

It’s okay to cry also
When you’re happy,
Celebrating all those
Achievements,
You deserve good things
Yes, you deserve it
Tiny drops of water
Coming from your eyes,
As you smile,
I’m so proud of you!

Let it flow,
Let it all go,
Let it pour out,
Just let it flow

I’ve been told
I shouldn’t share how
I’m feeling
It’ll make you look weak,
Just hide it away,
Don’t cry
You’re not a real man if you do
Just stand up high,
Forget about it
You’ll be just fine
Just lock it up, don’t let it show

But I say to everyone
Show them that you can,
Let go of your storm,
Embrace your
Vulnerable feelings,
There’s so much
Power and beauty in that
If eyes did not shed tears,
The soul
Would never
Notice a glistening rainbow

So when you feel,
Like you can’t bear,
Remember the moments,
You’re not alone there

From joy to sadness,
It’s all part of life,
Each tear tells its own story,
A warrior’s strife.

Let’s lift each other up,
In this grand parade,
Breaking those chains,
Society’s mould,
With every drop,
Watch it shine
Like a sparkling waterfall’s might

Let it flow,
Let it all go,
Let it pour out,
Just let it flow

It’s okay to cry
It’s okay to cry
Let me repeat
That again
It’s okay to cry.

© MANNY, 2025

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Issue 26, featuring Patrick Vernon, OBE, is out on 11 September. You will find it in libraries and other outlets. Alternatively, all current and previous editions can be found on our magazines page here.

You can hear great new ideas, creative work and writing tips on Write On! Audio. Find us on all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Google Podcasts and Spotify. Type Pen to Print into your browser and look for our logo, or find us on Podcasters.Spotify.com.

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