Writing Fiction to Heal in Real Time
An ongoing case study of using fiction writing to heal
If you’re new to The Rebel MFA Way, welcome! This is an essay in my ongoing “Writing Fiction to Heal in Real Time” series where I deep-dive into my writing fiction to heal method as field work and a case study. To begin, I will be working through my story, The Archive, which you can find more information on here.
Writing Fiction to Heal in Real Time is part case study, part fieldwork, part personal experiment. It’s an ongoing exploration of how writing a story can help us process emotions, work through challenges, and connect to ourselves on a deeper level.
Here’s the heart of it: as I write my current story, The Archive, I’ll be sharing the process in real time. You’ll get an inside look at how the story evolves, how it challenges me, and how it serves as a tool for my own growth and healing.
But this isn’t just about me. This series is also for anyone who has ever wondered: Can I write my way through this? Can I use storytelling as a tool for self-discovery, for healing, for transformation?
Writing fiction to heal isn’t about writing perfect stories. It’s not about publishing a bestseller or even about creating something anyone else will ever read. It’s about letting the story do its work on you, for you.
Fiction gives us the freedom to explore truths we might not be ready to face head-on. Through characters, we can say the things we’ve been too afraid to speak aloud. Through plot, we can create resolution where there was none. Through setting, we can build worlds that reflect the ones we long for—or the ones we fear.
It’s not always easy. Writing fiction to heal can bring up emotions you didn’t know you were carrying. It can make you wrestle with the parts of yourself you’d rather leave hidden. But that’s part of the process. The act of writing becomes a way of holding space for yourself—of asking questions, sitting with the discomfort, and finding meaning in the mess.
What You Can Expect from This Series
This series will be a behind-the-scenes look at the Writing Fiction to Heal process in action. Here’s what you’ll find in these posts:
Reflections on the Process
I’ll share honest reflections on how writing The Archive is unfolding—what’s working, what’s challenging, and what I’m learning about myself along the way.
Insights into the Method
As I go, I’ll explore the tools and techniques I’m using to navigate the process, from journaling to character development to letting go of perfectionism.
I’ll be using some of the exact exercises that I teach my students to use in my workshops and my nonfiction book, Forged in Fire: Writing Fiction to Heal.
Emotional Check-Ins
Writing fiction to heal is as much an emotional journey as it is a creative one. I’ll be sharing what comes up for me emotionally during this process and how the story is helping me work through it.
Practical Tips for Your Own Journey
If you’re curious about using storytelling as a tool for your own healing, I’ll be offering ideas and suggestions you can try. This isn’t a “how-to” guide—it’s more of an invitation to experiment and find what works for you.
An Invitation to Join the Journey
Maybe you’re a writer who’s been toying with the idea of writing a deeply personal story but unsure of where to start. Maybe you’re a reader who loves to peek behind the curtain and see how stories come to life. Or maybe you’re someone who’s never thought about storytelling as a tool for healing but feels a little tug at the idea.
Wherever you’re coming from, you’re welcome here.
This series isn’t about getting it “right.” It’s about embracing the mess, the questions, the moments of doubt, and the breakthroughs. It’s about seeing what happens when we let stories be more than entertainment—when we let them become conversations, mirrors, tools for transformation.
Writing fiction to heal isn’t neat or linear. It’s not about tying everything up in a bow. But it’s powerful, and it’s deeply human.
So, here’s my invitation to you: Follow along. Ask questions. Reflect on your own stories. And maybe, if the moment feels right, write something that scares you.
Final Note
As The Archive unfolds, so will this series. Like the story itself, this process is experimental, intuitive, and open-ended. I don’t have all the answers—but that’s what makes it exciting.
If you’d like to follow along with The Archive you can start by reading:
Want to know more about my trademarked Writing Fiction to Heal method?