Re-storying the earth: writing a new meta-narrative through eco-fiction [exegesis]

This research examines how broad cultural stories can be re-shaped to encourage the relationship between humans and the Earth to shift from exploitation to connection and stewardship. It posits that fiction is capable of changing cultural ways of perceiving and hence acting. The Narrative Therapy methodology applies a structured approach to address what is identified as a psychological problem that exists on a cultural scale. The research identifies several useful concepts for creating new cultural stories, including encouraging empathic resonance with the Earth, and finding a balance between creating awareness of issues with showing an Earth-centred way of thinking and living. Practice findings suggest that allowing the merging of the epistemological, ontological and creative through entry into a conceptual Thirdspace leads to new understandings for the writer/researcher.