The basics of creative writing

[TeenHelp]

The basics of creative writing
By Chess ( *~Skittles Martinski~* ) and Dez ( *~Skittlify~* )

Creative writing is an excellent way for you to express thoughts, ideas, and opinions in an interesting and imaginative way. There are many forms of creative writing that you can do depending on your interests, and inspiration can be found in a variety of areas. It is a good way to escape from the formal writing you do at work or in school and instead share your talent! Due to the number of factors to take into account when writing, it can be difficult to know where to start. This article covers some of the basic tips for getting started with creative writing, so that the creative process can become easier and more enjoyable.

The benefits of creative writing

There are many ways you can benefit from creative writing. These can differ from person to person and depend on your specific needs and personality.

• Skills:
  Creative writing helps to improve your vocabulary and writing skills. Many people begin their writing process by making a plan of what they wish to accomplish. This can include features such as setting, characters, plot, and other important aspects to their writing. You will begin to enhance your vocabulary and learn new ways to structure your sentences as you embark upon your creative journey. As you continue to write creatively you will also learn how to add more detail and description to your writing. Once you have completed your piece of writing, you will begin the process of editing. The process of planning, writing, and revising can help you in multiple areas of your life. For instance, you may be asked to create a report or presentation for school or your job. The skills that you have developed through creative writing will aid you in creating a more concise piece of work.
  
  
• Self expression:
  Writing creatively is a brilliant way for you to express your emotions. When you do not have an outlet for your emotions they begin to become pent-up. Creative writing allows you to release some of these pent-up feelings in a safe and healthy manner. It may improve your mood to get what you are experiencing out of your system, and you may begin to think of solutions to your problems as you are writing things out.
  
  
• No restrictions:
  Many people find that as they get older they have fewer opportunities in school or at work to think creatively and imaginatively. Creative writing encourages you to think outside the box and use your imagination to create new pieces of work. You are able to create new people, places, objects, and scenarios. There are no rules in writing and therefore you won’t feel restricted. Once you have completed a piece of writing, you will feel a sense of pride knowing that you worked on your project until completion. Even if you don’t fully complete the project, it will still feel rewarding to have put effort and creativity into it.
  
  
• Constructive criticism:
  When you share your writing with other people, you learn how to better accept constructive criticism. Sometimes it can be difficult to listen to feedback from others, but this will allow you to become better at taking other people’s opinions into consideration. The people who review your work may also be able to teach you new approaches toward writing and editing that you never would have previously considered.

If you make creative writing a regular part of your life, you will begin to feel its benefits.

Different types of writing

‘Creative writing’ is a blanket term that covers a variety of types, some of which will be described below.

• Poetry:
  One of the most common types of creative writing is poetry. This can be anything from a short haiku to epic sagas, and can include a variety of conventions. Many poems have some kind of rhyming scheme, for example ABAB (where the first and third lines rhyme, as do the second and fourth) or AABB (where the first two and last two lines rhyme). However, despite popular opinion, a piece does not have to rhyme for it to be a poem. Another important aspect to consider when writing a poem is the rhythm. This is the way the poem should be read, for example which syllables are stressed/unstressed and where the reader should pause or stop. If you decide to try poetry, don’t be scared to experiment with different styles and conventions.
  
  
• Prose:
  Another common type of creative writing is prose. This is the narrative form, which tells a story. Again, there are certain conventions that are normally followed, but some of the most successful pieces of prose arise from subversion or deliberate alteration of these conventions. Prose can be as short or as long as you want. Definitions vary, but a short story is usually fewer than 10,000 words, a novella is up to 50,000 words, and anything longer than that is usually considered a novel. The best way to get started with prose is to read other works and take note of their styles. What do you like about their writing? What do you think could be done better? Use that as a starting point for your own work. If you struggle with characterization you could start off writing fanfiction, which is where you write your own story based on existing works, for example a television show or a book. This can be a good way to find your footing without worrying about creating everything yourself, and you can use what you learn to create believable characters later on, taking into account such things as how to keep them in character and how different characters react in different situations. As with poetry, experiment with styles, themes, characters, and genres to see what works for you.
  
  
• Scriptwriting:
  Scriptwriting can be similar to prose but follows a different format. There are programs out there that allow for easier scriptwriting, so have a look and see if there’s one that suits you. You can also do it by hand or in a Word document if you prefer. Scripts are typically shorter than general works of prose, but they can be equally as fun. Look for example scripts online to get a feel for the format, and then have a go yourself. Although it may not seem as straightforward as writing a poem or a story, writing a script can still give you all the benefits of other forms of creative writing.
  
  
• Songwriting:
  As with poetry, there are certain conventions to follow when writing songs, but these can be altered to suit your needs. Most lyrical songs have at least a chorus and some verses, but they may also include bridges or altered versions of the chorus (for example changing the last line every time the chorus is sung so that its meaning gradually changes). If you aren’t musically inclined, you can still write a song by just writing out the lyrics and singing it a cappella, or you can get your friends involved and see if they can cover the musical part of the song.

These are just a few of the types of creative writing. You can try as many as you like, and remember that the more you practice the better you will get at it.

Different ways of writing

There isn't one set way to write creatively. There are many different methods to use when writing, and one is not necessarily better than the other. What technique you use depends on your own personal preferences and style. It also may differ based on the piece and what it is for.

• Editing as you go:
  One way of writing is editing as you go. You may opt to correct errors, edit scenes, and rearrange your writing before the piece is fully complete. If you find looking through your work a second time to locate errors daunting, this may be an easier option for you. This allows you to catch much of what you want to change early on, so you have less to correct during your second draft.
  
  
• Editing after completion:
  Alternatively, you may prefer to save all of your editing until you finish writing. Some people feel as if stopping to edit breaks their concentration and distracts them from the writing. If this sounds like you, waiting until the end to make any changes may be beneficial. This way you will be able to write without stopping and your concentration won’t be broken. Once you have finished writing, it may be easier for you to edit and rearrange large amounts of text without losing the writing’s continuity. If you edit after you finish writing, it may be useful for you to read the writing out loud so you are more easily able to catch errors.
  
  
• Structured writing:
  You may decide that you want to plan out what you would like to write and structure it ahead of time. This may give you a clear idea of the plot, themes, motifs, and other points you wish to cover, as well as when you would like to cover them. You will know what important details you would like to include right from the start. If you create an outline, there will be less of a chance of you forgetting to add a certain detail or event because you will be able to smoothly follow your plan from start to finish. You can still create a great finished product without following this plan exactly, so don’t worry if you deviate from it.
  
  
• Free writing:
  There are other occasions where you may wish to free write. When you free write, you write whatever comes to mind and then edit it once you have finished. You do not worry about things such as organization until you have finished writing. Free writing allows you to let your ideas flow and come out as soon as they enter your mind. That way, you do not forget ideas or have a break in your thinking process while you try to edit and organize your writing. In certain circles, writing a piece of fiction without a solid idea of certain aspects (especially plot or characters) is referred to as 'pantsing', and it can be a fun exercise in creativity.
  
  
• Collaborative writing:
  Some writers choose to collaborate with others when writing certain pieces of work. This allows you all to share ideas and suggestions for the writing. All of you will have the opportunity to write scenes, stanzas, or other pieces of writing and participate in its development. There are many ways to write collaboratively depending on the piece and who you are working with. Be sure everyone communicates their needs as they work through the piece. Writing collaboratively also helps with the editing process. There will be multiple sets of eyes looking over the writing which means it is more likely that you will catch any errors and make necessary corrections.
  
  
• Working non-linearly:
  You may favor writing your work out of order instead of linearly. This way you are able to continue writing even if you are currently unsure of how a piece of writing begins or ends. You may also be able to write a single line or scene and work from there. This also may feel less restrictive, so you can write the scenes you want when you want to. At the end, you can put your work in linear order. Alternatively, you can leave it out of order for a different creative piece.
  
  
• Working linearly:
  Instead, you may elect to write linearly. You may feel that this reduces your chance of forgetting to include a specific event. You may find that this also helps you keep the piece of writing continuous since you are immediately moving from one scene or paragraph to the next without jumping around.
  
  
• Writing on paper:
  Sometimes what you use to write can even make a difference. When using paper, you will be able to quickly make edits on the page. You may also find it more satisfying to see everything written out in front of you in your own handwriting. A pen and paper is very portable, so you may enjoy the idea of writing in a variety of locations. This may even allow you to gain inspiration.
  
  
• Writing on a computer:
  If you are the type of person who chooses to be more tidy and organized, you may prefer writing on a computer. When editing on the computer, it is easy to erase, make alterations, or rearrange sentences without having to scribble things out or rewrite sections. This also makes it easier to share your work with other people by posting it online or sending it to friends and editors. Writing on a computer may also give the writing a more professional look, and if you are more comfortable with typing it may be faster to do so. When using a computer, you are also able to save your work to multiple locations to prevent any loss.

It may take a little bit of experimentation to find the methods that work for you. You may use a method all of your own, combine various methods, or change what method of writing you used based on the work. That is okay! Choose whichever methods make the writing process the easiest and most comfortable for you.

Finding inspiration and keeping motivation

There are two main aspects in the creative process: inspiration and motivation. Both are important, but can be separate, so will be dealt with individually here.

First, inspiration. This is the feeling you get when you want to create. It could be as vague as a desire to create something or a specific idea for a song, poem, story, or other piece of work. Sometimes it can be hard to come by, but there are ways to get those creative juices flowing.

• Prompts:
  One way to do this is through the use of prompts. You can find these online, search for them yourself, or have someone else give them to you. Prompts are images, ideas, words, or phrases that you can use to give your creative mind a jump start. For example, a prompt may consist of a group of objects or a specific scenario which you then have to develop into a short story or a poem. You can search for ‘writing prompts’ online, and some sites may even have a mailing list where you can be emailed a writing prompt every day. You can use these prompts for writing stories, poems, songs, or even other forms of art.
  
  
• Appreciation:
  Another way to get inspiration is to tap into pieces of work that you already enjoy. Listen to music, watch movies, read books – anything that could give you that spark of an idea. You could also try going out into the world to see what’s there and how it affects you. Anything from a person or an event to a place or feeling can be used as a prompt for your creativity. It can help to take a notebook with you so you can jot down your ideas as they come to you.
  
  
• Breaks:
  If you feel lacking in inspiration, don’t try to force it. It’s okay to go through phases where you don’t feel creative. Feel free to take some time away from creative pursuits in order to clear your mind. It’s easy to get frustrated when you’re waiting for your next idea, so taking your mind off it sometimes can help. Go for a walk, catch up with friends, play a game, or anything else that takes your fancy. This can help reduce the stress of trying to be creative and allow you to get yourself into a better frame of mind.
  
  
• Openness:
  The best way to find inspiration is to be open to it. You never know what will inspire you, so keep an eye out and be sure to write down every idea you have. Inspiration is out there, and sometimes you just have to find it.

As for motivation, different things will work for different people. Try out a few methods and see what works for you.

• Accountability:
  One of the most popular methods of motivating yourself is to have other people hold you accountable. Tell people about the creative project you’re working on and invite them to talk to you about it. If other people are excited about your work you may find yourself more motivated to finish it.
  
  
• Goals:
  You can also try setting a deadline for yourself, even if you don’t intend on showing anyone the finished product. Be sure to make the deadline reasonable, leaving you enough time to complete the project to your satisfaction. Some projects may take longer than others, so you may like to break it up into smaller goals, for example writing a chapter, verse, or stanza every day. Reward yourself when you achieve your goals, leaving the biggest reward for when you finish the entire project.
  
  
• Editing:
  As well as creating a piece, you will often need to edit it. This could be as small as checking for mistakes or as big as altering entire storylines. Finding motivation for this can be harder than finding motivation to create the work itself, but there are still ways you can do it. Again, setting a deadline and breaking it into manageable goals can help, as well as talking to other people about your work. You can make editing a collaborative process as well, for example by asking people you know to be alpha or beta readers. Their role is to provide feedback on elements of the work such as plot and characters, as well as checking for mistakes.

Overall, remind yourself that you are trying to create the best work you can, and that while it can be hard to find inspiration and motivation, if you are a truly creative person you will find a way and it will definitely be worth it.

From finding inspiration to finding the best way of writing for you, this article gives you the basics you need to be able to start your creative journey. There are many benefits of creative writing, and just as many ways you can do it, so find the way that works for you – but don’t be scared to play around with styles and methods. Your imagination is your only limit, so have fun with it, and maybe you could even think about sharing your work in the Self Expression forum.