I turned my experience of homelessness into my debut fantasy novel. It helped me work through it

A young woman has used her experiences of homelessness to inspire a new fantasy novel that has allowed her to achieve her dream of becoming a published author.

Lucy, 24, was sleeping on the sofa at her family’s overcrowded home for two years before homelessness charity Emmaus Salford offered her a place to stay.

She arrived at the charity’s community with just 26 pages penned but has now completed a manuscript of 50,000 words for her debut novel.

Lucy has now published Beneath the Canopy on Amazon, under her pen name Ally Way, with the fantasy story offering a cathartic look at her own experience of homelessness.

“It was a way to get my thoughts out because there was so much going on for me. It’s just a way for me to put stuff into perspective in my way,” Lucy told Big Issue.

“I put stuff out there as someone else and how they would go through it and help me through it.

“I went for her trying to find out where she belongs as my way of saying: ‘Where do I belong?’ Emmaus has helped a lot with that. I feel like I belong here with these guys.”

Read more:

• Big Issue’s greatest interviews in history published in a collection for the first time
• Shadow Ticket by Thomas Pynchon review – conjuring an unhinged and vaudevillian world
• Top 5 Midlands-based crime dramas, chosen by filmmaker and author Nigel Proctor

Beneath the Canopy follows the journey of Leora, a young woman who must decide whether to return to the life she once knew or embrace the challenges of a new world.

The herbalist gets thrown into the role of guardian of the forest and embarks on a journey to find out her place in the world.

Lucy credits Emmaus with offering a stable place to live and work on her dream of writing a book alongside a job in the Salford charity’s shop.

“It means everything to me [to have the book out there]. I’ve always loved to write but I’ve never been able to complete something,” said Lucy.

“When I moved in I was talking with Emmaus staff about how I have never been able to finish a project I started and they said to me: “Just try to finish one thing – whether it was my crochet or my book”. I chose my book and I managed to finish it in the two months I’ve been here. I’d been working on it for two years before that point.”

She added: “When I came to Emmaus, I finally had the space to focus. I wrote every evening and before I knew it, I had a full story. I can’t believe I’ve finished it – it feels incredible.”

Lucy was inspired to write after discussing her goals with the charity’s dedicated on-site learning and development officer, David, who helps people with future plans, accessibility and training.

She’s already started work on a second book and also takes part in writing classes at nearby Height Library in Salford.

Victoria Carroll, community support director at Emmaus Salford, said: “Lucy’s book is a fantastic achievement. With the right support and environment, people can rediscover their passions and achieve great things.

“Writing has been a huge part of Lucy’s progression and Emmaus is over the moon to have been referenced in her first work. We are very proud of her.”

Beneath the Canopy by Ally Way is now available from Amazon on Kindle and hardback.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

Reader-funded since 1991 – Big Issue brings you trustworthy journalism that drives real change.

Every day, our journalists dig deeper, speaking up for those society overlooks.

Could you help us keep doing this vital work? Support our journalism from £5 a month.