When I started my MA in Creative Writing and Publishing at Bournemouth University in September 2019, I had no idea how much the experience would shape me—not just as a writer, but as a person. As an international student from the Czech Republic, moving to the UK felt like stepping into a new chapter of my life, filled with possibilities. I spent those first months immersed in writing workshops, late-night brainstorming sessions with my classmates, and discovering the power of storytelling in a way I never had before. More than anything, Bournemouth gave me friendships I will cherish for a lifetime. It was there that I met my best friends, Malvika and Harry, who became my creative sounding boards, partners in crime, and a source of unwavering support.

Then, in March 2020, everything changed. When COVID-19 forced the university to close, I had to leave the UK and return home unexpectedly. Suddenly, the vibrant in-person experience of the MA became a remote one, and like so many others, I had to navigate the uncertainty of a world in lockdown. But despite the challenges, I kept writing. If anything, the upheaval deepened my connection to storytelling—it became an anchor, something constant in a time of chaos.

Now, as I work on my novel, Shadow Lake Chronicles, I see how much those experiences shaped the writer I am today. An upper YA mystery with dark academia elements, the novel follows Georgia Howard as she arrives to the eerie town of Shadow Lake—a place haunted by both its past and its secrets. As Georgia unravels the truth behind a series of murders, she’s forced to confront not only the dangers lurking in the town but also the ghosts of her own history.

I’m still at the very beginning of the process of writing Shadow Lake Chronicles, with only four chapters as of today. Writing isn’t a straight road—it’s more like navigating a foggy coastline, where each draft clears a little more of the path ahead. But that’s part of the thrill.

To aspiring writers, especially those still finding their voice: keep writing, even when it feels like shouting into the void. Keep pushing forward, even when doubt creeps in. If there’s one thing, my time at Bournemouth taught me—both in person and from afar—it’s that every great story begins with the courage to tell it.

You can find me on Instagram at @elisecaverly where I share updates on my writing, books I love, and the occasional writing struggle.