creative writing school
Module 7: Nature's Symphony
structure
Introduction
Theory
Inspiration
Creative writing exercises
Stay grounded & motivated
Share your text with us
Theory
Inspiration
Creative writing exercises
Stay grounded & motivated
Share your text with us
introduction
Our interior world is an ever-changing, deeply personal terrain that mirrors the complex interplay of memory, emotion, and perception. Much like the outer landscapes we inhabit—mountains that whisper of endurance, rivers that speak of flow and change—our inner world carries its own topography. However, this internal realm is elusive. It cannot be seen or touched, yet it profoundly shapes how we experience the external world.
In this lesson, we aim to explore the concept of the interior landscape—the abstract, fluid, and deeply subjective space that lies within. Using creative writing as a medium, we will give form to these hidden terrains, transforming thoughts, emotions, and sensations into poetic expressions. This exploration will be guided by interdisciplinary perspectives, with insights drawn from psychology, philosophy, and the arts. We will also use inspiration from immersive works of art that bridge the gap between the inner and outer worlds. Finally, through a tactile creative exercise, you will engage directly with your inner landscape, bringing it to life in a way that is both imaginative and grounded.
In this lesson, we aim to explore the concept of the interior landscape—the abstract, fluid, and deeply subjective space that lies within. Using creative writing as a medium, we will give form to these hidden terrains, transforming thoughts, emotions, and sensations into poetic expressions. This exploration will be guided by interdisciplinary perspectives, with insights drawn from psychology, philosophy, and the arts. We will also use inspiration from immersive works of art that bridge the gap between the inner and outer worlds. Finally, through a tactile creative exercise, you will engage directly with your inner landscape, bringing it to life in a way that is both imaginative and grounded.
theory
The notion of interiority is deeply rooted in both psychology and philosophy. Psychologically, it encompasses the entirety of our internal experiences—thoughts, emotions, sensations, and the self-awareness that allows us to perceive them. This awareness is what defines our interior world, distinguishing it from the external. However, this distinction is not rigid; it is fluid, shaped by the interplay between the body and the environment.
Philosophically, interiority raises questions about self and identity. Maurice Merleau-Ponty, in his work on phenomenology, described the body as the site where interiority and exteriority meet. The skin, as the boundary of our physical form, becomes a metaphorical membrane through which the world touches us and we, in turn, touch the world. In this sense, our interior landscapes are not isolated; they are constantly reshaped by our perceptions of the external environment.
Moreover, Carl Jung’s concept of the "collective unconscious" suggests that the interior is not only personal but also deeply archetypal. Within the layers of our inner world lie universal patterns and symbols that connect us to the shared experiences of humanity. This duality—between the personal and the universal, the inner and the outer—offers a fertile ground for creative exploration.
Philosophically, interiority raises questions about self and identity. Maurice Merleau-Ponty, in his work on phenomenology, described the body as the site where interiority and exteriority meet. The skin, as the boundary of our physical form, becomes a metaphorical membrane through which the world touches us and we, in turn, touch the world. In this sense, our interior landscapes are not isolated; they are constantly reshaped by our perceptions of the external environment.
Moreover, Carl Jung’s concept of the "collective unconscious" suggests that the interior is not only personal but also deeply archetypal. Within the layers of our inner world lie universal patterns and symbols that connect us to the shared experiences of humanity. This duality—between the personal and the universal, the inner and the outer—offers a fertile ground for creative exploration.
inspiration
The exhibition Inside, held at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris from October 20, 2014, to January 11, 2015, serves as a compelling exploration of the inner landscapes we all carry. Curated by Jean de Loisy, Daria de Beauvais, and Katell Jaffrès, the exhibition invited visitors to embark on an immersive journey through the depths of human interiority, interpreted by a diverse group of international artists.
Through installations, sculptures, and mixed media, Inside translated the abstract and often ineffable experience of inner life into tangible, physical forms. The curators described the exhibition as a passage, leading participants through spaces that evoke introspection, memory, and transformation. Each piece offered a unique perspective on interiority, challenging visitors to confront their own emotions, thoughts, and perceptions while traversing this curated labyrinth.
A standout piece by NUMEN/For Use, for example, embodied the duality of protection and vulnerability inherent in the interior world. Their cocoon-like installation invited viewers to enter a suspended structure, evoking neural pathways, bodily membranes, or the safety of a womb. This tactile and immersive experience highlighted the liminality of the inner landscape—a space between safety and exposure, stability and change.
Éva Jospin’s works further enriched the exhibition, with her intricate cardboard forest installations symbolizing the layered complexity of memory and self. These pieces acted as metaphors for the stratified nature of interiority, reminding visitors that our inner worlds are built layer by layer, shaped by time, experience, and emotion.
Adding an auditory dimension to the journey, Mikhail Karikis and Uriel Orlow’s Sounds from Beneath used sound to excavate memories and emotions. This piece reminded viewers of the power of the intangible, drawing connections between soundscapes and the unconscious.
Inside succeeded in bridging the abstract nature of human interiority with physical, sensory experiences. The exhibition blurred the boundaries between inner and outer worlds, emphasizing the interconnectedness of self and environment. It offered visitors a space to reflect on their own interior landscapes while engaging deeply with the artists’ interpretations of this elusive, yet profoundly human, terrain.
This exhibition serves as a potent metaphor for the creative process, demonstrating how art can articulate the ineffable and transform the invisible into a shared experience. For our exploration of interior landscapes, Inside provides a framework to consider the ways in which creative writing can similarly bring abstract inner worlds into the tangible realm of language.
Through installations, sculptures, and mixed media, Inside translated the abstract and often ineffable experience of inner life into tangible, physical forms. The curators described the exhibition as a passage, leading participants through spaces that evoke introspection, memory, and transformation. Each piece offered a unique perspective on interiority, challenging visitors to confront their own emotions, thoughts, and perceptions while traversing this curated labyrinth.
A standout piece by NUMEN/For Use, for example, embodied the duality of protection and vulnerability inherent in the interior world. Their cocoon-like installation invited viewers to enter a suspended structure, evoking neural pathways, bodily membranes, or the safety of a womb. This tactile and immersive experience highlighted the liminality of the inner landscape—a space between safety and exposure, stability and change.
Éva Jospin’s works further enriched the exhibition, with her intricate cardboard forest installations symbolizing the layered complexity of memory and self. These pieces acted as metaphors for the stratified nature of interiority, reminding visitors that our inner worlds are built layer by layer, shaped by time, experience, and emotion.
Adding an auditory dimension to the journey, Mikhail Karikis and Uriel Orlow’s Sounds from Beneath used sound to excavate memories and emotions. This piece reminded viewers of the power of the intangible, drawing connections between soundscapes and the unconscious.
Inside succeeded in bridging the abstract nature of human interiority with physical, sensory experiences. The exhibition blurred the boundaries between inner and outer worlds, emphasizing the interconnectedness of self and environment. It offered visitors a space to reflect on their own interior landscapes while engaging deeply with the artists’ interpretations of this elusive, yet profoundly human, terrain.
This exhibition serves as a potent metaphor for the creative process, demonstrating how art can articulate the ineffable and transform the invisible into a shared experience. For our exploration of interior landscapes, Inside provides a framework to consider the ways in which creative writing can similarly bring abstract inner worlds into the tangible realm of language.
creative exercise
This exercise will engage both your imagination and your senses to create a physical and poetic representation of your interior landscape.
- Gather your materials
Collect soft materials such as fabric, textiles, garments, bedsheets, or clothes. Choose items that evoke specific textures or memories for you. - Construct your landscape
Arrange these materials to build a landscape. Let the forms emerge naturally—fold, layer, and shape the fabric into mountains, valleys, lakes, or abstract structures. Focus on their softness and how it contrasts with the sharpness of the external world. Allow your hands to lead, connecting your tactile experience with your inner thoughts and emotions. - Immerse yourself in the landscape
Sit or lie within this constructed space. Observe its textures, colors, and forms. Let it envelop you, and imagine it as an extension of your inner world. Reflect on the emotions and sensations it evokes. - Write a postcard from your landscape
Picture yourself as a traveler in this imagined world. Write a postcard to someone, describing your experience:- What do you see and feel in this landscape?
- What emotions arise as you inhabit this space?
- How does this landscape connect to your inner self?
stay grounded and motivated!
"As you navigate this lesson, remember that creativity thrives in balance. The exploration of your interior landscape can be profound, but it is also essential to remain grounded in the present. Take breaks, breathe deeply, and reconnect with your body as needed.
Consider the words of poet Rainer Maria Rilke:
"You must give birth to your images. They are the future waiting to be born... What is necessary, after all, is only this: solitude, great inner solitude."
Your interior landscape is unique, shaped by your experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Embrace its complexity and fragility. Let this exploration remind you of the richness within, the endless layers waiting to be discovered and expressed. As you write, you are not only uncovering your inner world but also bringing it into dialogue with the outer world, creating bridges between the seen and the unseen.
Go gently, and let your words flow like a river through your landscape."
—Anna Ádám
Founder of the School of Disobedience
Consider the words of poet Rainer Maria Rilke:
"You must give birth to your images. They are the future waiting to be born... What is necessary, after all, is only this: solitude, great inner solitude."
Your interior landscape is unique, shaped by your experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Embrace its complexity and fragility. Let this exploration remind you of the richness within, the endless layers waiting to be discovered and expressed. As you write, you are not only uncovering your inner world but also bringing it into dialogue with the outer world, creating bridges between the seen and the unseen.
Go gently, and let your words flow like a river through your landscape."
—Anna Ádám
Founder of the School of Disobedience
Photo: Anna Adam