Think of your favourite place in the world or a specific location in the world you have created for a story. Visualise it as if this location were to fit on the front of a postcard. In essence, take a snapshot in your mind of the place you would like to describe.
For ten minutes, write down as many descriptions of this place as possible. Tap into your five senses and really bring this place to life for your reader. Keep in mind that smell and taste can help your reader feel like they are stepping into this world, not just looking at it from the outside.
Hold onto this piece for next week, when you will use it to further develop your setting and perhaps get the start of a story or poem!
If you would like to work with Cynthia in person, sign up for our free outreach sessions in Ullapool during November. While you are there, take a look at the sessions with Alan Bissett in Inverness and find out more about our residential course at the end of November.
Would you like more exercises like this? Sign up to our Young Writers’ mailing list to receive a weekly writing exercise each Tuesday until December. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for information about writing competitions, writing and arts activities offered by our many partners and friends, plus much more.