Enter the World of Creative Writing

Ever heard of creative writing? What is it? And, how is different from all the other writing genres? This according to me is the meaning of creative writing – the concept of creative writing basically means writing by using your imagination. Let us enter the world of creative writing.
Enter the World of Creative Writing
Creative writing is completely different from research papers, because the writer is given the freedom to use his or her imagination to the fullest when creating a story. Nevertheless, depending on the topic of the story and how much knowledge the writer has regarding the topic, research is also a very important part of creative writing. So, you may ask – what’s so special about creative writing? The best thing when it comes to creative writing is that the reader as well as the writer enjoys it. However, creative writing doesn’t come easily to most people and for some people the task of writing creative essays and stories can be extremely frustrating, boring and very time-consuming. So, here are a couple of ways to start writing that beautifully written creative story that you so want to do.

Like any other form (or rather art) of writing, creative writing must be regarded as a type of a process. Beautiful words do not just fall out of the sky and then suddenly appear on your paper as if by magic. No that only happens in our imaginations and not in reality. So, stop staring at that paper. It’s time to get started and here are just a few pointers to help you along the way:
  • Look for a good place to write – Look for the right place; a place where you are at your creative best. Some people prefer writing when they are alone, while others prefer noisy surroundings to get their thought processes working. So, try experimenting with different places and you’ll find the perfect spot sooner or later.
  • Find your Inspiration – Creative writers generally have some source of inspiration, which has inspired them to write their stories. So, find something that makes your imagination run wild! Some people like writing when listening to music, while others prefer to watch TV. But don’t go and use other people’s ideas. Be original and use your own, and let the beauty of someone else’s work inspire you to come up with your own bestseller.
  • Jot down points – Most writers have a problem with getting started and just end up going blank or staring at the paper for hours and hours waiting for that perfect idea to just spring up out of nowhere. There is no point in waiting; it would do you good to just start writing. Start by taking down points and just go with the flow of your thoughts.
  • Go with your creative, imaginative flow – At any given point of time, write only as much as you think you ca. don’t overdo it. On some days, you’ll be in a better mood and will be able to type away continuously, while on other days you’ll probably not be able to write a word, try as you may. Don’t lose hope. On such days just call it quits and get back to it the next day.
  • Edit your own work – Once you’ve completed your story, it is time to go over your work and to edit parts that you don’t particularly like. Most creative writers go over their work many times. Keep revising till you are absolutely satisfied with your work.
Creative writing does not have what you would call a specific structure. It symbolizes all things that are creative. Being an art that is more or less bent towards creativity, it is absolutely necessary for the writer to have a wild and vivid imagination. Yes, creative writing is indeed a lot of fun to read. There are many different types of creative writing, including: fiction, essays, character sketches, monologues, screenplays and letters to the editor. But, creative writing can also be used in any genre of writing.

When it comes to writing a creative essay, writers too suffer from what all of us call the ‘writer’s block’, which makes it very difficult to be creative. I have found that the best way of getting rid of this writer’s block is to brainstorm. Brainstorming helps writers come up with different types of creative ideas and thoughts. And as well all know, the only way to be creative is to let your thoughts flow freely.

Another step to being a successful creative writer is to come up with different ways to alter, correct and build on each of these creative ideas. Since creative writing revolves around the imagination, even preposterous ideas are more than welcome. For instance, if you are writing on dinosaurs, feel free to use your imagination and write a story based on talking dinosaurs that play chess all day and smoke pipes in pubs.

Once you come up with a concrete idea, you should then learn how to organize your thoughts. If you’re writing a creative essay, then it is advisable to start by making an outline with all the main points that you want to use. Think about the introduction for the essay. Creative essays and stories are required to be creative right from the start. It should be inviting to your audience and it would do you good to start your essay with a good anecdote. Being imaginative is the key to creative success.

A good method to use when writing creative stories is the journalistic six. This method involves asking a few questions like where, what, how, when, who and why. Always remember that is very important to proofread your story once it is completed.

All in all, creative writing will take you to a whole new world, a world where you are allowed to express your thoughts and feelings through a story. So whether these guidelines help you or not, anything that gets your started will be useful. As intimidating as it may seem, creative writing is probably one of the most rewarding and enjoyable genres of writing that exists.

By Natasha Bantwal
Published: 1/24/2008
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