Abstract
This chapter explores the question of where the essence of a creative writer’s story comes from. What is the story behind the story? It draws on the author’s own experience in writing three novels, including work submitted as part of postgraduate study. Two key themes emerge in this discussion: inspiration and intertextuality. While inspiration has become less fashionable in the post-Romantic world of literary studies, it remains a useful concept for creative writers. This chapter contributes to the demystification of the term through the metafictional strategy of foregrounding the researcher as writer. Intertextuality connects to literary theory through the idea of deconstruction, but also—in practical terms—examples of influence and connection to literature and art in the author’s own writing are included. While this chapter is primarily a form of critical narrative, reference to relevant research is included in drawing the argument to conclusion. Responding to creative writing is a highly personal, cognitive and experiential process that occurs over time as ideas ‘ferment’ in the mind and emerge on the page.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Responding to Creative Writing |
| Editors | Graeme Harper |
| Place of Publication | U.K. |
| Publisher | Cambridge Scholars Publishing |
| Pages | 73-85 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781527557598 |
| Publication status | Published - 2020 |