Waterlines: Writing Lessons from a Life Afloat

What happens when a writer slows down enough to truly see the world?

In Waterlines, storyteller and writing mentor Richard Beynon draws on life aboard his narrowboat on England's rivers and canals - and on annual writing retreats in Venice - to explore how place, rhythm and experience offer writers fresh ways to deepen their craft, nurture curiosity and stay connected to their creative practice and direction.

These essays reveal how observation becomes description, how daily encounters feed creative insight and how voice is shaped by the landscapes we move through. From the quiet drift of rivers to the shifting light of the Venetian lagoon, Beynon shows how attending to the world with patience and close observation can enrich both the writing and the life that supports it.

Blending lyrical memoir, nature writing and explorations of the writing life, creative process and craft, Waterlines offers gentle guidance for writers who want to stay inspired, build a sustainable writing life and connect with the pleasure of creativity. Each short essay invites the reader to slow down, notice more and rediscover the deep attention at the heart of storytelling.

Perfect for writers, creatives and readers who enjoy meditative essays, Waterlines offers companionship, creative inspiration and a more reflective approach to the writing life.