From Nathan Foley
It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature. Let any obstructing cause, no matter what, be removed in any way, even by death, and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment.
Bram Stoker, ‘Dracula’
As February continues and light is emerging at the end of the tunnel, it is without a doubt we have shown great resilience across 2020 and the beginning of 2021. Encouraged by this thought, this year’s edition of Beyond the Walls explores themes that inspire ‘Resilience through the unknown – stretching the imagination’.
Featuring a collection of fiction, non-fiction and poetry pieces that will tell your unique and inspiring perspectives that will serve as proof of humanity’s energy, unity and of course resilience on a variety of levels.
This is intended as a rough guide on drafting your contribution to the 2021 edition of York St John’s Beyond the Walls drawing on themes encapsulating ‘resilience through the unknown- stretching the imagination’:
1: decide on your key emotion
Find the key emotion; this may be all you need know to find your short story
F. Scott Fitzgerald
‘Resilience through the unknown- stretching the imagination‘ What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you read this edition of Beyond the Wall’s theme? What was your initial emotional response? What mood does the theme evoke?
Take your initial response and run with it, expanding on it. Your submission can be a short story, a piece of non-fiction or a poem, how would you express these emotions in these forms? Before sitting down to write, ask yourself these questions, find your key emotion.
2: A strong opening
Once you have your key emotion start on your submission. You might have an idea of where you want your piece to go, or perhaps you still aren’t sure. The important thing is to make sure your opening is strong, with a finite amount of words available the opening should tell us all we need to know of the piece. A good opening should stay with us and carry us through to the end.
In writing short works writer Neil Gaiman recommends starting in medias res- literally meaning ‘in the midst of things’, that is to say opening as close to the action or central theme as possible.
3: flesh out the body of the piece
A short story must have a single mood and every sentence must build towards it
Edgar Allan Poe
With the key emotion and opening written, continue your story. Whether you are still unsure on the plot or have a well-structured plan, let the story flow. Continue the theme of the key emotion, build upon it.
With a limited amount of words, work out the best way to capture your experience. Make the length work for you, not against you.
4: an impactful ending
Potentially the most important part of any piece of writing is the ending, the part of the piece that the reader is most impacted by. Ask yourself when writing: does this make sense, does this carry the most emotional impact? Does this tie up the plot in the best way? Does it make the most sense?
We have all been disappointed by an ending in our lives, whether that be in a poem, story, movie, novel or joke. The ending is what makes the most impact
5: re-read and re-draft your piece
To write is human, to edit is divine
Stephen King
When reading your piece how does it scan? Does everything make sense? How do those lines sound when read out loud?
When editing be brutal, keep in mind the key mood that you are trying to portray, note any inconsistencies. Take some time away from the piece and come back with fresh eyes. Editing can be the hardest part of the process, but can also be the most important.
6: submit!
Finally you are ready to submit the piece! We are all excited to receive your submissions on the theme of ‘resilience through the unknown- stretching the imagination’, hopefully you found this rough guide helpful!
We are all looking forward to receiving and reading your submissions and can’t wait to hear from you! Please send in your final piece at this email: editorialteambtw@gmail.com