“Creative writing (noun): 

The art of writing literary works such

as poems, novels, plays, memoirs, or biographies.” –The Free
Dictionary

Have you ever felt curious about creative writing, but been put off by
descriptions like this?

These kinds of definitions seem to be written for all the aspiring

William Shakespeares and Jane Austens out there.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big fan of these authors. I’d love to write
works as well-loved as theirs. But it’s not my main motivation for
writing.

If it was, I might never have started.

When we think of creative writing, we often feel pressured to create an

entire story, play or poem. But the definition is more fluid than that.
Try googling it. You won’t find a consensus.

Instead of trying to define creative writing, why not think

about what it means to be creative?

When we’re being creative, we’re doing more than presenting

information. We’re using our imagination to express our emotions,
create original things or use existing ideas in new ways.
Now that covers a lot more than just poetry and novels.

Let’s take a look at eight reasons why you should consider creative
writing.

1. It has something for everyone

If we’re going with this interpretation, creative writing becomes

limitless in its size and scope.

If you want something highly structured, you could try screenwriting.

If you prefer to let your thoughts wander, freewriting or journaling
might be a better match.

You can choose to keep your writing private or share it with the whole
world.

We’re all capable of creativity. We just need to find the right

outlet.

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve only got a few minutes or a whole

afternoon. You’ll always find something that fits your time, interests
and ambitions.

Creative writing is open to anyone who can write.

Here are some things you could try that go beyond novels and poetry:
Journaling, blogging, haiku, creative non-fiction, flash fiction,
speeches, vignettes, anecdotes, character sketches, lyrics, skits, jokes,
reflections, personal essays, game narratives…

You get the idea.

2. It makes other types of writing less scary

Creative writing can take the pressure off when we’re writing more
functional pieces such as job applications, reports and academic
essays.

If you have to write a job application, try freewriting about your

previous experience. Why would you be a good fit for the position? Set
a timer for 10–15 minutes and write whatever comes into your head.
Avoid trying to structure it like a cover letter and don’t worry about
using formal language. Let it all out. The idea here is to brainstorm and
have fun without being overwhelmed.

You could also experiment with writing dialogue. Imagine you’re in the
interviewing room answering the panel’s questions.

When you’ve finished, read back over your writing. Highlight any parts
you could use when you write your application.

Next time you have to write something for work, try freewriting. You
might be surprised by what you come up with.
Photo by Alejandro Escamilla on Unsplash

3. You can share your experiences

Not every creative writer started out by dreaming of being an author.

Many published authors transitioned into creative writing when they

discovered it was the best medium for telling their stories. Others took
it up as a way to promote their businesses and help others.

Last month I attended a symposium for writers. I met several

presenters who didn’t set out to be authors, but have used creative
writing in the form of books and blog posts to share their passions with
others.
Clare Dea was born with Poland syndrome, which meant her left breast
never developed. She couldn’t bring herself to tell anyone about it for
28 years. Her book The One Breast Goddess was part of the process
that helped her overcome her shame and appreciate her beauty. By
sharing her story, she has encouraged others to express their authentic
selves.

Solène Anglaret started off in the corporate world, but her extensive
travel experiences inspired her to write her memoir Where to
Next? . She has built up a business around promoting multiculturalism
and providing advice on international mobility. You can read more of
her writing on her blog Be Beyond Borders where she shares the
stories of international travellers.

Take a moment to think about your personal history, interests and

knowledge.

Is there anything you would like to share with others?

4. You can capture memories and experiences

Creative writing is how I make sense of the world around me.

My husband does this by taking photos and making videos. This is

great because when we’re visiting a new place, my phone stays in my
bag. But I still come home with visual memories of our trips.
In the meantime, I’m free to observe and absorb what’s going on
around me, so I can capture it later in writing.

Sometimes my writing makes it into a story. But often it’s my own way
of taking photos and preserving special moments.

Keeping a journal doesn’t mean you have to write in-depth

summaries of everything you do each day. You can be as
selective as you want. You may choose to focus on someone new you
met or an activity you tried for the first time.

Alternatively, you might want to record your memories of life-changing

events such as getting married, having children or moving to a new
city.

5. It’s relaxing

One of the great things about creative writing is that it can help us get
away from the stress of everyday life. I actually find it more effective
than meditating because it’s easier for me to stay in the present
moment. My mind is far less likely to wander if I’m absorbed in a
character’s thoughts and problems rather than my own. Creating
stories gives me a chance to escape to another world. After a creative
writing session, I always feel much calmer and happier.

If you’re not into writing fiction, you can achieve the same effect by
sitting in a public place and describing what’s going on around you.
Let’s say you’re lying on the beach. A family next to you are having a
barbecue. What do you notice? Try zooming in on small details —
sights, smells, sounds, tastes and texture.

Dad flips the sausages, revealing a lizard tattoo running down his left
arm.

The scent of charred onions drifts over.

There’s a soft thud of a spade going into the sand as Mum helps the
kids with their sandcastles.

Your mouth tastes salty from the swim you had earlier.

You wriggle your toes, feeling the grittiness of the sand stuck between
them.

6. It can lead to personal growth

Sometimes we may want to confront difficult feelings rather than try to

avoid them.

Diaries are one of the oldest forms of creative writing. They give us the
freedom and privacy to explore our darkest fears, greatest desires and
deepest shame.
Psychologists use similar techniques to help patients work through
problems and heal from trauma.

Creative writing can be a valuable tool for personal development in

other areas of life too.

Get to know your own strengths and weaknesses by doing some

reflective writing after your next performance. By performance, I mean
any situation where you have to demonstrate your skills in front of
others. That might be giving a presentation, attending an interview or
sitting an exam. Make sure you write about both the things you did
well and the areas you need to work on to avoid being too critical.

You can use reflective writing as an opportunity to set learning goals.

Try brainstorming strategies for working on your weaknesses.

7. It can improve your language skills

Because creative writing is so different from other types of writing, it

heightens our awareness of language and challenges us to use it in new
ways.

This is also true for those who are studying English as a Second
Language.

Writing stories, whether personal or imaginary, is a great way to

practise using new vocabulary and sentence structures.
When you’re writing pieces like essays or business emails, you’re
usually working within a more rigid structure. Perhaps you’re slotting
in set phrases you’ve memorised.

But when you write creatively, you’re expressing feelings closer to your
heart. This will help you form a deeper connection with the English
language and develop a unique writing voice.

If you want to keep learning, it’s vital that you get feedback on your
writing. Choose someone who is supportive, but can also give you
constructive criticism.

One option would be to hire a tutor or coach. Or you might prefer a

more informal arrangement such as meeting with a language exchange
partner or sharing stories at a writers’ group.

8. It will challenge you

Photo by Hans-Peter Gauster on Unsplash

Creative writing can be challenging in other ways too.

Some people do crosswords or Sudoku. I write fiction for the same

reason. I love the puzzle of fitting together different parts of a story. I
get to be creative when I’m inventing characters. And working out a
storyline pushes me to think logically and analytically.

Earlier this year, I wrote a historical fiction serial set over two time
periods. I tied myself up in knots trying to map out the plot. But once I
untangled it all, the end result was incredibly satisfying.
It doesn’t have to be stories if that’s not your thing. I know other people
who get the same kick out of writing poetry, creative non-fiction and
stand-up comedy.

The most important thing is to have fun!

Over to you

Creative writing can be anything you want it to be, so why not give it a
go and see if it’s for you?

Are you already a creative writer?

If so, what drives you to write? I’d love to hear from you in the
comments below.
According to the Creative Writing program of the Graduate School
of Arts and Sciences Teaching Center in Columbia University,
writers must keep in mind the following principles to further
enhance their writing skills:

Read before writing.

Writers must be familiar with the fundamental techniques of
fiction and non-fiction writing. This is achieved through extensive
reading and examining published literary materials such as books,
magazines, literary folios, journals, and all the other forms of
literature. By doing so, the writer becomes aware of various
strategies in writing and learns about new writing styles. Reading
models or samples of literary works will guide the young writer to
write creatively. This will also give the writer an idea to employ his
or her own unique writing style.

Learn to make revisions.

Effective writers are always aware and conscious of their writing
craft. They criticize their own work to improve it. As a writer, one
should practice editing or proofreading one’s work. It is also ideal
to ask other readers to evaluate one’s work to ensure a good flow
of words and presentation of ideas.

Know the true nature of creative writing.

Every writer must learn that creative writing is not only about
using one’s imagination, but also presents ideas, themes,
arguments, and questions. It provides valuable insights into the
human mind and the world.