MACMILLAN Writing Fantasy and the Identity of the Writer: A Psychosocial Writer’s Workbook (Palgrave Studies in Creativity and Culture)

This book presents the innovative pedagogy of Writing Fantasy: a method for exploring and shifting one’s identity as a writer. The book draws on qualitative research with undergraduate creative writing students and fills a gap in the literature exploring creative writing pedagogy and creative writing exercises. Based on the potential to shift writer identity through creative writing exercises and the common ground that these share with the stance of the Lacanian analyst, the author provides a set of guidelines, exercises and case studies to trace writing fantasy, evidenced in one’s creative writing texts and responses about creative writing. This innovative work offers fresh insights for scholars of creativity, Lacan and psychosocial studies, and a valuable new resource for students and teachers of creative writing.  Review “A lovingly assembled book, and the first to link a methodology derived from Lacanian psychoanalytic theory to reflections on the craft of creative writing. Charalambous draws on the most important literature in the area, as well as upon her own extensive experience in creative writing to deliver an accomplished book which works both as an original monograph and as a rather inspiring workbook and reference text.” (Derek Hook, Duquesne University, USA, series editor for the Palgrave Lacan Series) “This remarkable work by Zoe Charalambous is just what the world of Creative Writing needs. Head: an astounding and useful grounding in Lacanian theory to delve into the writerly Self. Heart: the author’s deep and abiding passion for writing and teaching shines through. Hands: practical exercises to get yourself thinking and writing. Whether you are a teacher, a student, a practiced or a beginning writer, you need this book.” (Moira Egan, Poet & Creative Writing Teacher, St. Stephen’s School, Rome) From the Back Cover "A lovingly assembled book, and the first to link a methodology derived from Lacanian psychoanalytic theory to reflections on the craft of creative writing. Charalambous draws on the most important literature in the area, as well as upon her own extensive experience in creative writing to deliver an accomplished book which works both as an original monograph and as a rather inspiring workbook and reference text." - Derek Hook, Duquesne University, USA, series editor for the Palgrave Lacan Series This book presents the innovative pedagogy of Writing Fantasy: a method for exploring and shifting one’s identity as a writer. The book draws on qualitative research with undergraduate creative writing students and fills a gap in the literature exploring creative writing pedagogy and creative writing exercises. Based on the potential to shift writer identity through creative writing exercises and the common ground that these share with the stance of the Lacanian analyst, the author provides a set of guidelines, exercises and case studies to trace writing fantasy, evidenced in one’s creative writing texts and responses about creative writing. This innovative work offers fresh insights for scholars of creativity, Lacan and psychosocial studies, and a valuable new resource for students and teachers of creative writing. Zoe Charalambous is an English teacher, independent researcher and writer. She currently teaches at Anatolia College High School in Thessaloniki, Greece.  She holds a B.A (Hons) in English Literature and Creative Writing from the Warwick Writing Program, an M.A in Classics from University College London (UCL) and a PhD in Psychosocial Studies from the Institute of Education, UCL, UK. About the Author Zoe Charalambous is an English teacher, independent researcher and writer. She currently teaches at Anatolia College High School in Thessaloniki, Greece.  She holds a B.A (Hons) in English Literature and Creative Writing from the Warwick Writing Program, an M.A in Classics from University College London (UCL) and a PhD in Psych