UNDERSTANDING THE

NATURE OF CREATIVE
WRITERS
Creative Writing 12
 CHARACTERISTICS OF CREATIVE
WRITERS
listed in http://www.acs.edu.au
1. Energy
2. Self-Discipline
3. Intelligence
4. Introversion and Extroversion
5. Imagination
6. Pride
7. Rebelliousness and Conformity
8. Openness
9.Passion
 EXCUSES TO AVOID AND REASONS
FOR WRITING by Rozakis (1997)
1. I don’t have anything to write.
2. I’ll make a fool of myself by failing.
3. I have a writer’s block.
4. I don’t have time to sit down and write.
5. I’m embarrassed about my poor grammar
and spelling.
6. I don’t have the right tools, such as a
word processor or computer
 EXCUSES TO AVOID AND REASONS
FOR WRITING by Rozakis (1997)
7. It’s been too long since I’ve written anything.
8. I’m not creative at all. That’s what you think.
9. No one will buy (or like) my writing anyway,
so what’s the point?
10. Everything good’s been written already.
In conclusion, not one of these holds water.
So what really stops many people from writing?
It is fear, but as Franklin D. Roosevelt claimed,
there is nothing to fear, but fear itself.
To overcome this fear, lessons may be learned from the
usual reasons for writing of many writers listed down by
Rozakis (1997). These may also be used as mantras of
beginning writers, as gentle reminders why they should
not give up on writing:
1. I write to convey a message.
2. I write to tell a story.
3. I write to express my individuality.
4. I write to gain personal satisfaction.
5. I write to express emotions.
6. I write to gain knowledge.
7. I write to fulfill a dream.
8. I write to share information.
9. I write to become famous.
10. I write to earn a living.
 THE WRITER’S BLOCK
What can be done if one gets writer’s block?
Here are some ideas from Rozakis (1997) for
one suffering from writer’s block to get
started:
1. Assume the position
2. Make the mind-body connection
3. Fill the paper
4. Visualize yourself writing
5. Change point of view
 THE WRITER’S BLOCK
6. Switch writing methods
7. Use a brainstorming method
8. Picture a scene
9. Frame your material as a letter
10. Don’t start at the beginning
 GETTING STARTED:
TIPS FOR NEWBIES
tips from http://www.dailywritingtips.com

1. Do some short exercises to stretch writing muscles.

2. Carry a notebook everywhere and write down
observations.
3. Work out time of the day where you are at your
most creative.
4. Do not agonize over getting it right.
5. Have fun!
 QUIZ!!!
Use the Creative Writing
Notebook
Write T if the statement is true. Write F if the
statement is false.
1. All creative writers are introverts.
2. Intelligence is rarely high in creative people.
3. Writers can have pride in their work, but they
may also be humble.
4. Being open to new ideas, to new thoughts and
new ways of thinking is another important trait of
writers.
5. Every one has something to write. In fact,
everyone has a lot to write
Write T if the statement is true. Write F if the
statement is false.
6. Only few of ordinary everyday people are
deeply creative.
7. Ordinary people have ordinary stories to tell.
8. Writing is a legal and accessible way of leaving
footprints in the sands of time.
9. The action of writing while thinking can spark
your brain to churn out some usable material.
10. You have to start writing at the beginning.
ASSIGNMENT
Answer these questions adapted from Rozakis
(1997) to determine what work patterns make it
easier for you to get writing started.
1. At what time of the day do you write best?
2. At what time of day do you get the least
writing done?
3. Where do you get the most writing done?
4. Where do you get the least writing done?
5. What writing tools work best for you?
ASSIGNMENT
6. What writing tools work least for you?
7. How long can you write at one sitting without
tiring or running dry?
8. What music do you play when you get the
most writing done?
9. What light source do you use when you write
the most easily?
10. What do you wear when you write best?