This article considers the archive as a source of inspiration for creative writers, specifically focusing on how writing can highlight and expose silences within the archive. This is developed through a case study of a collaborative creative writing project at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), where students developed 'Fictional Biographies' from archive research and resources. The article looks at the history of creative writing in the context of archives; the article then focuses on

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... the case study, drawing in theories of archival silences, after which we conclude by reflecting on outputs and learning outcomes of the project. Creative writing pedagogy Background to authors and authorial contribution This article is co-written by an archivist and creative writing lecturer. The introduction and sections on the case study and silence with archives have largely been developed by the archivist, while sections of the history of creative writing in the context of archives, and reflections and conclusions through the creative writing lecturer. The archivist's perspective includes looking at how archival theory can be applied to creative writing, and the creative writing lecturer's perspective makes an argument for how an archive can be a resource for creative writing students.