characteristics of good creative writing

Eight Characteristics of Good Writing

by Melissa Donovan | Dec 2, 2021 | Better Writing | 31 comments

What’s the difference between bad and good writing?

How important is it for a writer to be able to discern the difference between good writing and bad writing?

Pretty important, if you ask me.

I know some writers aren’t concerned with quality. In today’s do-it-yourself and get-it-done-fast world, quality plays second fiddle to quantity. Who cares if your books are full of typos, bad grammar, and poor logic as long as you have published lots and made a bunch of money?

The Characteristics of Good Writing

So, what constitutes good writing? Opinions on the matter vary widely. There will be different traits that make good fiction versus good poetry or good nonfiction. However, we can cull together a general list of the characteristics of good writing (in no particular order):

• Clarity and focus: In good writing, everything makes sense and readers don’t get lost or have to reread passages to figure out what’s going on. Focused writing sticks with the plot or core idea without running off on too many tangents.
• Organization: A well organized piece of writing is not only clear, it’s presented in a way that is logical and aesthetically pleasing. You can tell non-linear stories or place your thesis at the end of an essay and get away with it as long as your scenes or ideas are well ordered.
• Ideas and themes: Is the topic of your paper relevant? Does your story come complete with themes? Can the reader visualize your poem? For a piece of writing to be considered well crafted, it has to contain clearly identifiable ideas and themes.
• Voice: This is what sets you apart from all other writers. It’s your unique way of stringing words together, formulating ideas, and relating scenes or images to the reader. In any piece of writing, the voice should be consistent and identifiable.
• Language (word choice): We writers can never underestimate or fail to appreciate our most valuable tools: words. Good writing includes precise and accurate word choices and well crafted sentences.
• Grammar and style: Many writers would wish this one away, but for a piece of writing to be considered good (let alone great), it has to follow the rules of grammar (and break those rules only when there’s a good reason). Style is also important in ensuring that a piece of writing is clear and consistent. Make sure you keep a grammar book and style guide handy.
• Credibility or believability: Nothing says bad writing like getting the facts wrong or misrepresenting oneself. In fiction, the story must be believable (even if it’s impossible), and in nonfiction, accurate research can make or break a writer.
• Thought-provoking or emotionally inspiring: Perhaps the most important quality of good writing is how the reader responds to it. Does she come away with a fresh perspective and new ideas? Does he close the cover with tears in his eyes or a sense of victory? How readers react to your work will fully determine your success as a writer.

I want to add an honorable mention for originality. Everything has been done before, so originality is somewhat arbitrary. However, putting old ideas together in new ways and creating remixes of the best that literature has to offer is a skill worth developing.

Why You Need to Know the Difference Between Good and Bad Writing

To write well, a writer must be able to recognize quality in a piece of writing. How can you assess or improve your own work if you can’t tell the difference between mediocre and better writing in others’ work? This is why it’s so important for writers to be dedicated readers!

Writing is also an art form and therefore subject to personal taste. Can you read a book and dislike it but acknowledge that the writing was good? Have you ever read a book and loved the story but felt that the writing was weak?

A writer should be able to articulate why a piece of writing succeeds or fails, and a writer should also be able to recognize the qualities in a piece of writing even when it doesn’t appeal to their personal taste. These skills are especially necessary when writers are reviewing or critiquing other writers’ work and when revising, editing, and proofreading their own work.

Where do you stand? Do you rate other people’s writing? Do you worry about whether your own writing is any good? Would you add or remove any characteristics of good writing from this list? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment, and keep writing.

31 Comments

I have had work published. I have even won a competition and still I lack the courage to really commit to it. It’s like I heard a character in a ‘soap’ once saying: ” If I dream of doing it I can always hold onto the dream and live on the’ I could have done it if I tried’, whereas if I go ahead and do it I just might not be ‘good’ and then everything will be gone then, dream and all ! ” Everything you say makes sense but it’s courage I now seek to acquire as well as certain’ devil may care attitude . Courage and self belief and wee bit of discipline. 2012 might just be the year ! Michelle

Michelle, I actually think it’s healthy to have dreams that we don’t fully intend on pursuing. It’s good for the imagination! A person might be interested or passionate about dozens of things and cannot possibly make careers out of them all. But courage is something else… and I don’t think anyone can give you courage. You have to find it within yourself. The first step is to decide that you are going to brave the writing career. After that, you muster up the courage. It’s there inside you, and if you really want it, you’ll find it 🙂 Good luck to you!

Good one, Michelle, and needed too.

So many blog posts on how to drum up business or write enticing posts or articles, or even how to avoid embarrassing grammatical errors (not that those are not important).

So little on just plain old good writing. Writing that is unusually good, that delights, that informs with impact,

I love the freedom an informal style of modern English. But sometimes I worry a bit that contemporary readers are being fed to many tiny sentences to appeal to an ever-diminishing attention span.

A good list you have there. Maybe I would add that I value fluency. That adroit facility of the accomplished writer who’s covered miles of (digital) paper and now can write not only accurate and clear words and sentences but also compelling and memorable prose.

Ah, fluency is definitely necessary to good writing, although I think it comes with experience, so it might only apply to older or more advanced writers. Great food for thought, Bill. Thanks!

Loved this blog post. It actually reminded me of a quote by Oscar Wilde, “There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written or badly written.”

That quote could spur a debate, I’m sure! Thanks for sharing it, Michael. I’m going to give Oscar Wilde’s idea some serious consideration.

“A writer should be able to articulate why a piece of writing succeeds or fails, and a writer should also be able to recognize the qualities in a piece of writing even when it doesn’t appeal to personal taste”

I’m reading a book right now with a story line that I don’t particularly care for. Eight chapters into it, I’m not fully invested into the story. BUT, the author’s grasp of human emotion/interaction and her ability to explicate the nuances with clarity is brilliant. That fact alone keeps interested and pulls me forward.

Ah! I’ve been there too!

This is a very well written blog, and the advice is good for teaching people how to get their points across. However, my problem is not that I can’t tell good from bad; apparently I’m quite good at assessing the quality of other authors’ writing and helping them iprove it. My problem is that though I love writing and am proud of my plot lines and characters, I don’t have a way with words and I just can’t write. Does anyone have any advice on how to make things WORK once you have everything planned out, or am I doomed to the life of an author who can’t write? That sounded really dismal.

How do really know your writing is bad? If you’ve got a plot that you love, characters that are filled with layers and truth, set them free! Turn off those negative thoughts and just run with it. Write your story through to the end. If you believe in what you’ve got so far then let it lead you. You will surprise yourself. You proved with your post above that you can convey feeling, let your characters have their voice. Take a deep breath and jump/write!! Best of luck and courageous hugs!

Thanks, Beckie. Well said!

My guess is that your way with words isn’t as bad as you think. I didn’t have any trouble understanding what you wrote. However, if you want to strengthen your skills in vocabulary, word choice, and sentence structure, there are two things you can do: read as much as possible and engage with poetry. Pick up an introductory book on poetry and you’ll learn tons of techniques in this area (which you can apply to fiction and nonfiction). This one can be expensive but it’s worth every penny: Perrine’s Sound and Sense . Good luck to you!

Thank you, both you and Beckie. That’s really good advice. 🙂 I’ll try to be more positive.

Yes! Keep your chin up and stick with it.

In my estimation, for what it’s worth, you write very well. You were clear and concise. I understood the points you were trying to convey. You even allowed a bit of your personality to shine through with self deprecation. Don’t be so hard on yourself, if you wish to be a writer then you should write. I am learning that for one to write compelling characters , one must be well acquainted with the characters they are creating. I am working on fleshing out some characters who are too one dimensional. Life is not black and white. I am trying to write in between the lines in gray. Good luck with your writing.

I’ve been perusing your site all morning. I’ve found some terrific tips, some very well-thought common sense approaches to working through difficulties in writing. And as soon as I push the submit button on this I’ll be subscribing!

Though I’ve been published and produced, I find myself in an almost constant state of questioning even the most basic ability to write. On the one hand, a local critic stated “proves he can write” and “there’s a simplicity in the writing that is quite refreshing.” On the other hand, I face a writer’s group (all women) each week who continually tell me my writing is sorely lacking because there aren’t enough issues (conflicts) in any given piece and therefore the characters do not exhibit enough “emotional levels.” Facing this type of weekly demolition has made me think I need to go back to doing what I used to do (before I became unemployed!): write for my own enjoyment and forget about any further publishing.

Where can one go to determine if there is even the slightest bit of talent worth further pursuit? I don’t mean a full-on critique of a piece, but a simple “I’d give it up if I were you.” or “This [writing] shows promise, keep learning and keep writing.”

Hmmm, Paul, possibly find a few dudes for your critiques? Also, are the women published? Have good reviews themselves? Read widely in your genre? Men and women do sometimes have widely varying ideas of what makes a good story. You may be writing good, solid, plot-driven adventures (I don’t know–maybe you’re into steamy historical romance) that don’t rely on a lot of emotional nuance. I’d look for beta-readers who understand what you are trying to accomplish.

Or take the girls with a big grain of salt and use what seems to deepen your own writing while recognizing that women’s brains are different. We have bizarre and incomprehensible ideas about relationships and whatnot. I read an interesting theory from the creators of the Dramatica Pro story outlining software about how a “masculine” character (or story) is about getting from point A to Point Z while overcoming every obstacle in between whereas a feminine character (or story) is about getting everything into balance and restoring chaos to equilibrium. Both perfectly fine stories. (I prefer the masculine-type storylines myself).

Post those good reviews and read ’em every day. I have some really nice rejections that I savor whenever I’m feeling inadequate.

Thanks, Melissa!

Two of the ladies have been published but have no reviews of their work. All have complimented the basic plot lines. Their big complaint would seem to fall into the theory from Dramatica Pro you mention; they are looking for every female character to make absolute sense to them strictly within their belief structure of how the characters should/must react to a particular situation. Otherwise, they give solid line-edit critiques and they do point out the occassional hole in content.

None of them read within my genre – if I even have one, that is. I’d classify my novels as “budscapades” (you like my mash-up moniker?) – in other words the main characters are male (female characters do show up along the way) and they are definitely plot driven stories. In entering the Amazon Breakout Book Award Contest, I classified the novel as “bromantic comedy” (plenty of action for guys with a hint of romance for women).

Both your suggestions are solid. I’m sticking with the ladies but will weigh their critiques carefully before implementation and I’ll have to find some men who can show the same amount of weekly dedication to the process.

Thanks, Paul! I think that critique groups can be immensely beneficial, but I also think that each writer has to decide which feedback to apply and which to discard. Objectively, there’s good writing and bad writing, but subjectively, we all have our opinions and preferences. I guess you have to decide whether you want to step up the emotional levels in your characters and add more conflict or if you want to keep your work minimalist.

Here’s what matters: once you do publish, unless you are looking for awards and accolades, the trick is really to find your audience. And there is an audience for everything (as popular culture demonstrates). You might also take a hard look at what the others in your writing group are producing and ask whether this group is a good match to your writing style and needs. You can also ask one of the women in the group to work more closely with you to bring those emotional levels up, if you think you’d like to stretch yourself and experiment a little.

Final word of advice: do not give up on writing or publishing. Forge ahead! You might even look for a creative writing class or workshop — you’ll get a broader range of feedback.

And thank you, Melissa (not Melissa-me, Melissa-you) for putting some analysis into the question of what makes good writing. I get so frustrated with the “Good writing is subjective; it’s just what you like or don’t like,” crowd. The more you study writing, the more you begin to see the difference between good vs bad.

The difficulty, I suppose, is because writing is as complex as any other language. It’s too complex to learn by having the rules explained to us by helpful parents, “Now dear, this is a verb. It always goes after the subject. Is it time to make a poo-poo?” We learn the rules of spoken language by hearing it at a time when our brains are primed and programmed to take it in. Many people don’t start learning to read or write until after that language window is closed. Those of us who learned to read at the same time we were learning to talk have an advantage.

Yes, I’d have to agree that the younger we are when we are taught to read and write, the more naturally it comes. There is much about writing that is subjective, but I believe there is plenty that can be assessed critically and objectively: grammar, spelling, and punctuation, for starters.

i tell every mother about my baby can read…they agree and then dont get it for their child..

I have to admit, I share a lot of the insecurities that I have read in the comments here. I’m pretty young and new to the game, and I’m worried that even if I somehow finish this idea that I have (non-fiction) I wont be taken seriously given my lack of a college degree. I have this internal conflict raging in my subconscious, so much so that I’m starting to have dreams about it. Do I go ahead and share my thoughts with others or should I keep them to myself?

It doesn’t help that I have a fear of failure, I suppose. Writing is where I clarify my ideas and feelings, and I’m afraid that my work will be ripped apart by people that dislike it or dismiss my thoughts, mostly because I’ll take it as them dismantling my soul. Does anyone else feel this way?

As I’m writing this I’m slowly realizing that I think that what I need is a little encouragement from people that don’t know me. Man, writing is awesome!

Even if you have a degree, people can still rip your ideas apart. I believe strongly in the value of higher education, but I also know (for a fact) there are plenty of folks with degrees who lack common sense or good hearts. And there are plenty of bright people with good hearts and common sense who do not have degrees. Then again, if you’re that torn up about not having a degree, why not just go get one?

Having said all that, I think you can simply shift your focus. Most of the best writers in the literary canon did not have degrees. Many did not even finish high school. Of your favorite authors, how many have BAs or MAs? Do you know? Do you care? (I don’t.)

As for failure, everyone’s afraid of it. I don’t think we’re meant to eliminate the fear. It’s more a matter of moving forward even though we are afraid. I would say that if you publish a book, some people are not going to like it. That’s just the way it is. So what? Focus your attention and energy on all the people who do like it. If you work hard and write, and put it out there (and do your marketing), you’ll find your audience. Embrace them, and don’t worry so much about everybody else. Good luck to you!

never worry about what anyone says…if someone takes the time for a a scathing review instead of just chucking it in the trash, then you must have struck a chord with that person…all publicity is good publicity…people will want to find out what made this reviewer so angry/….if they are intelligent…

Writing well is the price of admission. But beyond the basics is where it gets squishy. Eudora Welty said something like “You’re only writing when you surprise yourself”. What does that mean? You write until you discover.

I don’t know–I would say you’re only writing when you’re putting words on the page. Surprises and discoveries are bonuses in the writing process for me. Maybe it’s because I write a lot of nonfiction, which isn’t full of discovery or surprise the way fiction is.

Great article. I’m going to link to it on Reddit!

i think another goal of writing is to use the fewest words possible to convey an idea…similies and metaphors fill this bill…but simple truth sticks with people especially when it is a parable for something much more meaningful.

I think that’s a good goal, although it’s not every writer’s goal. I love clear, simple language, but there are exceptions when I come across a poem or story that is dripping with rich language.

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What is Creative Writing? A Key Piece of the Writer’s Toolbox

Not all writing is the same and there’s a type of writing that has the ability to transport, teach, and inspire others like no other.

Creative writing stands out due to its unique approach and focus on imagination. Here’s how to get started and grow as you explore the broad and beautiful world of creative writing!

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is a form of writing that extends beyond the bounds of regular professional, journalistic, academic, or technical forms of literature. It is characterized by its emphasis on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes or poetic techniques to express ideas in an original and imaginative way.

Creative writing can take on various forms such as:

• short stories
• screenplays

It’s a way for writers to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a creative, often symbolic, way . It’s about using the power of words to transport readers into a world created by the writer.

5 Key Characteristics of Creative Writing

Creative writing is marked by several defining characteristics, each working to create a distinct form of expression:

1. Imagination and Creativity: Creative writing is all about harnessing your creativity and imagination to create an engaging and compelling piece of work. It allows writers to explore different scenarios, characters, and worlds that may not exist in reality.

2. Emotional Engagement: Creative writing often evokes strong emotions in the reader. It aims to make the reader feel something — whether it’s happiness, sorrow, excitement, or fear.

3. Originality: Creative writing values originality. It’s about presenting familiar things in new ways or exploring ideas that are less conventional.

4. Use of Literary Devices: Creative writing frequently employs literary devices such as metaphors, similes, personification, and others to enrich the text and convey meanings in a more subtle, layered manner.

5. Focus on Aesthetics: The beauty of language and the way words flow together is important in creative writing. The aim is to create a piece that’s not just interesting to read, but also beautiful to hear when read aloud.

Remember, creative writing is not just about producing a work of art. It’s also a means of self-expression and a way to share your perspective with the world. Whether you’re considering it as a hobby or contemplating a career in it, understanding the nature and characteristics of creative writing can help you hone your skills and create more engaging pieces .

For more insights into creative writing, check out our articles on creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree and is a degree in creative writing worth it .

Styles of Creative Writing

To fully understand creative writing , you must be aware of the various styles involved. Creative writing explores a multitude of genres, each with its own unique characteristics and techniques.

Poetry is a form of creative writing that uses expressive language to evoke emotions and ideas. Poets often employ rhythm, rhyme, and other poetic devices to create pieces that are deeply personal and impactful. Poems can vary greatly in length, style, and subject matter, making this a versatile and dynamic form of creative writing.

Short Stories

Short stories are another common style of creative writing. These are brief narratives that typically revolve around a single event or idea. Despite their length, short stories can provide a powerful punch, using precise language and tight narrative structures to convey a complete story in a limited space.

Novels represent a longer form of narrative creative writing. They usually involve complex plots, multiple characters, and various themes. Writing a novel requires a significant investment of time and effort; however, the result can be a rich and immersive reading experience.

Screenplays

Screenplays are written works intended for the screen, be it television, film, or online platforms. They require a specific format, incorporating dialogue and visual descriptions to guide the production process. Screenwriters must also consider the practical aspects of filmmaking, making this an intricate and specialized form of creative writing.

If you’re interested in this style, understanding creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree can provide useful insights.

Writing for the theater is another specialized form of creative writing. Plays, like screenplays, combine dialogue and action, but they also require an understanding of the unique dynamics of the theatrical stage. Playwrights must think about the live audience and the physical space of the theater when crafting their works.

Each of these styles offers unique opportunities for creativity and expression. Whether you’re drawn to the concise power of poetry, the detailed storytelling of novels, or the visual language of screenplays and plays, there’s a form of creative writing that will suit your artistic voice. The key is to explore, experiment, and find the style that resonates with you.

For those looking to spark their creativity, our article on creative writing prompts offers a wealth of ideas to get you started.

Importance of Creative Writing

Understanding what is creative writing involves recognizing its value and significance. Engaging in creative writing can provide numerous benefits – let’s take a closer look.

Developing Creativity and Imagination

Creative writing serves as a fertile ground for nurturing creativity and imagination. It encourages you to think outside the box, explore different perspectives, and create unique and original content. This leads to improved problem-solving skills and a broader worldview , both of which can be beneficial in various aspects of life.

Through creative writing, one can build entire worlds, create characters, and weave complex narratives, all of which are products of a creative mind and vivid imagination. This can be especially beneficial for those seeking creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Enhancing Communication Skills

Creative writing can also play a crucial role in honing communication skills. It demands clarity, precision, and a strong command of language. This helps to improve your vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, making it easier to express thoughts and ideas effectively .

Moreover, creative writing encourages empathy as you often need to portray a variety of characters from different backgrounds and perspectives. This leads to a better understanding of people and improved interpersonal communication skills.

Exploring Emotions and Ideas

One of the most profound aspects of creative writing is its ability to provide a safe space for exploring emotions and ideas. It serves as an outlet for thoughts and feelings , allowing you to express yourself in ways that might not be possible in everyday conversation.

Writing can be therapeutic, helping you process complex emotions, navigate difficult life events, and gain insight into your own experiences and perceptions. It can also be a means of self-discovery , helping you to understand yourself and the world around you better.

So, whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, the benefits of creative writing are vast and varied. For those interested in developing their creative writing skills, check out our articles on creative writing prompts and how to teach creative writing . If you’re considering a career in this field, you might find our article on is a degree in creative writing worth it helpful.

4 Steps to Start Creative Writing

Creative writing can seem daunting to beginners, but with the right approach, anyone can start their journey into this creative field. Here are some steps to help you start creative writing .

1. Finding Inspiration

The first step in creative writing is finding inspiration . Inspiration can come from anywhere and anything. Observe the world around you, listen to conversations, explore different cultures, and delve into various topics of interest.

Reading widely can also be a significant source of inspiration. Read different types of books, articles, and blogs. Discover what resonates with you and sparks your imagination.

For structured creative prompts, visit our list of creative writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.

Editor’s Note : When something excites or interests you, stop and take note – it could be the inspiration for your next creative writing piece.

2. Planning Your Piece

Once you have an idea, the next step is to plan your piece . Start by outlining:

• the main points

Remember, this can serve as a roadmap to guide your writing process. A plan doesn’t have to be rigid. It’s a flexible guideline that can be adjusted as you delve deeper into your writing. The primary purpose is to provide direction and prevent writer’s block.

3. Writing Your First Draft

After planning your piece, you can start writing your first draft . This is where you give life to your ideas and breathe life into your characters.

Don’t worry about making it perfect in the first go. The first draft is about getting your ideas down on paper . You can always refine and polish your work later. And if you don’t have a great place to write that first draft, consider a journal for writing .

4. Editing and Revising Your Work

The final step in the creative writing process is editing and revising your work . This is where you fine-tune your piece, correct grammatical errors, and improve sentence structure and flow.

Editing is also an opportunity to enhance your storytelling . You can add more descriptive details, develop your characters further, and make sure your plot is engaging and coherent.

Remember, writing is a craft that improves with practice . Don’t be discouraged if your first few pieces don’t meet your expectations. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the creative process.

For more insights on creative writing, check out our articles on how to teach creative writing or creative writing activities for kids.

Tips to Improve Creative Writing Skills

Understanding what is creative writing is the first step. But how can one improve their creative writing skills? Here are some tips that can help.

Read Widely

Reading is a vital part of becoming a better writer. By immersing oneself in a variety of genres, styles, and authors, one can gain a richer understanding of language and storytelling techniques . Different authors have unique voices and methods of telling stories, which can serve as inspiration for your own work. So, read widely and frequently!

Practice Regularly

Like any skill, creative writing improves with practice. Consistently writing — whether it be daily, weekly, or monthly — helps develop your writing style and voice . Using creative writing prompts can be a fun way to stimulate your imagination and get the words flowing.

Attend Writing Workshops and Courses

Formal education such as workshops and courses can offer structured learning and expert guidance. These can provide invaluable insights into the world of creative writing, from understanding plot development to character creation. If you’re wondering is a degree in creative writing worth it, these classes can also give you a taste of what studying creative writing at a higher level might look like .

Joining Writing Groups and Communities

Being part of a writing community can provide motivation, constructive feedback, and a sense of camaraderie. These groups often hold regular meetings where members share their work and give each other feedback. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with others who share your passion for writing.

Seeking Feedback on Your Work

Feedback is a crucial part of improving as a writer. It offers a fresh perspective on your work, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Whether it’s from a writing group, a mentor, or even friends and family, constructive criticism can help refine your writing .

Start Creative Writing Today!

Remember, becoming a proficient writer takes time and patience. So, don’t be discouraged by initial challenges. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process. Who knows, your passion for creative writing might even lead to creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Happy writing!

Brooks Manley

Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024: 

Gratitude Journal Prompts Mindfulness Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Anxiety Reflective Journal Prompts Healing Journal Prompts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Journal Prompts Mental Health Journal Prompts ASMR Journal Prompts Manifestation Journal Prompts Self-Care Journal Prompts Morning Journal Prompts Evening Journal Prompts Self-Improvement Journal Prompts Creative Writing Journal Prompts Dream Journal Prompts Relationship Journal Prompts "What If" Journal Prompts New Year Journal Prompts Shadow Work Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Overcoming Fear Journal Prompts for Dealing with Loss Journal Prompts for Discerning and Decision Making Travel Journal Prompts Fun Journal Prompts

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What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.

I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.

Table of Contents

Let’s expand on that definition a bit.

Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.

It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.

In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.

It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.

Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.

It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.

Some of the most common types:

• Short stories
• Screenplays
• Flash fiction
• Creative Nonfiction

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Short stories are like narrative treasures.

They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.

Short stories are known for their brevity.

They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.

Novels (The Long Journey)

Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.

They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.

The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.

Readers get an immersive experience.

Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.

It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.

Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.

The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.

Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.

This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.

Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.

Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.

They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.

Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.

They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.

Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.

They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.

Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.

It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.

This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.

Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.

This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.

Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.

Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.

It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.

Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.

It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.

Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.

Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.

Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.

They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.

They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.

Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.

It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.

In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.

Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.

It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.

It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.

Creativity is the heart of creative writing.

It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.

Consistency

Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.

It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.

Is Creative Writing Easy?

Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.

Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.

Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.

Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.

The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.

Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.

Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.

They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.

Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.

They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.

Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.

The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.

Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:

• Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
• Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
• Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
• Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
• Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
• Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
• Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
• Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
• Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
• Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
• Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
• Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
• Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
• These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.

Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):

Read This Next:

• What Is a Prompt in Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 200 Examples)
• What Is A Personal Account In Writing? (47 Examples)
• How To Write A Fantasy Short Story (Ultimate Guide + Examples)
• How To Write A Fantasy Romance Novel [21 Tips + Examples)

The Basic Characteristics of Effective Writing

Why Good Grammar Alone Does Not Make a Good Writer

skynesher / Getty Images

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

Experiences in school leave some people with the impression that good writing simply means writing that contains no bad mistakes—that is, no errors of grammar , punctuation  or spelling . However, good writing is much more than just correct writing. Good writing responds to the interests and needs of its intended audience and at the same time, reflects the writer's personality and individuality (the author's voice).

Good writing is often as much the result of practice and hard work as it is talent. You may be encouraged to know that the ability to write well is not necessarily a gift that some people are born with, nor a privilege extended to only a few. If you're willing to put in the effort, you can improve your writing.

Rules for Professional and Academic Writing

When writing term papers or essays for school, or should you go on to a career as a professional writer—be it as a technical writer, journalist, copywriter, or speechwriter—if follow you these established rules for effective writing, you should be able to excel, or at least perform competently for any given assignment:

• Good writing has a clearly defined purpose .
• It makes a definite point .
• It supports that point with specific information.
• The information is clearly connected and arranged .
• The words are appropriate, and the sentences are concise , emphatic , and correct .

Use Good Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation

While having a grasp on proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation won't make you a good writer, these basics are more essential to academic and professional writing than most other genres (although advertising is often a curious hybrid of creative and non-fiction writing).

Your Part in a Conversation

The trick to creating academic or professional writing that someone will actually want to read is to balance the aforementioned essentials with your own voice. Think of your writing, no matter how academic as your part in a conversation . Your job is to explain the information you're trying to convey in a way that's clear and easily understood. (Sometimes, it helps to imagine you're talking rather than writing.)

Creative and Nonfiction Writing

Of course, if there were only one kind of writing, it would be easier to come up with an overarching set of conventions to define what good writing is, however, non-fiction alone encompasses a wide array of genres and formats and what works for one doesn't necessarily fly with another. Now, when you add poetry , fiction (in its myriad genres and subgenres), personal essays , playwriting, blogging, podcasting, and screenwriting (to name but a few) to the mix, it's almost impossible to come up with a one-size-fits-all umbrella that covers what makes writing good—or bad.

Separating Good Writing From Bad

One of the main reasons it's so hard to separate good writing from bad writing when it comes to disciplines such as fiction, poetry, or plays, is that the definition of what's "good" is often subjective, and that subjectivity is a matter of personal taste. People generally know what they like and what they don't like—but that doesn't necessarily mean the writing we don't like is "bad" writing.

Whale of a Tale

Let's just choose one famous piece of literature as an example: Herman Melville's 1851 novel "Moby Dick," a cautionary allegory of obsession and revenge that pits man against nature. While there's no arguing that the novel is considered a classic of American literature and is filled with its fair share of fascinating characters, Melville's narrative clocks in at over 200,000 words and nearly 600 pages (depending on the edition). When you consider that the average novel runs between 60,000 and 90,000 words, in terms of length alone, Melville's tale of the whale is a whopper.

But Not for Everyone

Unfortunately for many reading the book, the experience is much akin to being a sailor during a whaling-era sea voyage in which you went for days on end going through the routine, tedious, mundane, redundant tasks required to keep the ship going, with the exciting parts of the journey few and far between. Unless you're fascinated by page after page relating to all things whaling, reading "Moby Dick" can be a chore. Does that make it a "bad" book? Obviously not, it's just not a good book for everyone.

Famous Writers on Writing

Most professional writers—those gifted people who make writing look easy—will be the first ones to tell you that often it's not easy at all, nor is there a right way or wrong way to go about it:

Ernest Hemingway: "There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly: sometimes it's like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges."

Stephen King: “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”

Paddy Chayefsky: "If I have anything to say to young writers, it's stop thinking of writing as art. Think of it as work. It's hard physical work. You keep saying, 'No, that's wrong, I can do it better.' "

Isaac Bashevis Singer: "One is never happy. If a writer is too happy with his writing, something is wrong with him. A real writer always feels as if he hasn't done enough. This is the reason he has the ambition to rewrite, to publish things, and so on. The bad writers are very happy with what they do. They always seem surprised about how good they are. I would say that a real writer sees that he missed a lot of opportunities."

Sinclair Lewis: "Writing is just work—there's no secret. If you dictate or use a pen or type or write with your toes—it's still just work."

Ray Bradbury: "Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer."

Harlan Ellison: "People on the outside think there’s something magical about writing, that you go up in the attic at midnight and cast the bones and come down in the morning with a story, but it isn’t like that. You sit in back of the typewriter and you work, and that’s all there is to it."

Writing Rarely Comes Easily

As you can see, writing rarely comes easily to anyone—even the most accomplished writers. Don't lose heart. If you want to be a better writer, you're going to have to put in the work. Not everything you write is going to be great or even good, but the more you write the better your skills will become. Learning the basics and continuing to practice will help you gain confidence.

Master the Basics, and Learn to Enjoy It

Eventually, you'll not only be a better writer—you might actually enjoy writing. Just as a musician cannot deliver an inspired performance without first learning the rudiments of the craft and studying technique, once you've mastered the basics of writing, you'll be ready to let inspiration and imagination take you almost anywhere you wish to go.

• Guides for Students and Instructors in English 101
• What Makes Someone a Good Writer?
• 14 Ways to Write Better in High School
• F.L. Lucas Offers Principles for Effective Writing
• Writers on Reading
• Characteristics of a Good Editor
• What Does It Mean to Be a Writer?
• 12 Writers Discuss Writing
• The Writer's Voice in Literature and Rhetoric
• Doris Lessing
• What Literature Can Teach Us
• Explore and Evaluate Your Writing Process
• Best Practices for the Most Effective Use of Paragraphs
• 6 Traits of Writing
• What E.B. White Has to Say About Writing
• Defining Nonfiction Writing

Elements of Creative Writing

J.D. Schraffenberger, University of Northern Iowa

Rachel Morgan, University of Northern Iowa

Grant Tracey, University of Northern Iowa

Copyright Year: 2023

ISBN 13: 9780915996179

Publisher: University of Northern Iowa

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Robert Moreira, Lecturer III, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on 3/21/24

Unlike Starkey's CREATIVE WRITING: FOUR GENRES IN BRIEF, this textbook does not include a section on drama. read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

Unlike Starkey's CREATIVE WRITING: FOUR GENRES IN BRIEF, this textbook does not include a section on drama.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

As far as I can tell, content is accurate, error free and unbiased.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The book is relevant and up-to-date.

Clarity rating: 5

The text is clear and easy to understand.

Consistency rating: 5

I would agree that the text is consistent in terms of terminology and framework.

Modularity rating: 5

Text is modular, yes, but I would like to see the addition of a section on dramatic writing.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Topics are presented in logical, clear fashion.

Interface rating: 5

Navigation is good.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No grammatical issues that I could see.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

I'd like to see more diverse creative writing examples.

As I stated above, textbook is good except that it does not include a section on dramatic writing.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Chapter One: One Great Way to Write a Short Story
• Chapter Two: Plotting
• Chapter Three: Counterpointed Plotting
• Chapter Four: Show and Tell
• Chapter Five: Characterization and Method Writing
• Chapter Six: Character and Dialouge
• Chapter Seven: Setting, Stillness, and Voice
• Chapter Eight: Point of View
• Chapter Nine: Learning the Unwritten Rules
• Chapter One: A Poetry State of Mind
• Chapter Two: The Architecture of a Poem
• Chapter Three: Sound
• Chapter Four: Inspiration and Risk
• Chapter Five: Endings and Beginnings
• Chapter Six: Figurative Language
• Chapter Seven: Forms, Forms, Forms
• Chapter Eight: Go to the Image
• Chapter Nine: The Difficult Simplicity of Short Poems and Killing Darlings

Creative Nonfiction

• Chapter One: Creative Nonfiction and the Essay
• Chapter Two: Truth and Memory, Truth in Memory
• Chapter Three: Research and History
• Chapter Four: Writing Environments
• Chapter Five: Notes on Style
• Chapter Seven: Imagery and the Senses
• Chapter Eight: Writing the Body
• Chapter Nine: Forms

Back Matter

• Contributors
• North American Review Staff

Ancillary Material

• University of Northern Iowa

About the Book

This free and open access textbook introduces new writers to some basic elements of the craft of creative writing in the genres of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The authors—Rachel Morgan, Jeremy Schraffenberger, and Grant Tracey—are editors of the North American Review, the oldest and one of the most well-regarded literary magazines in the United States. They’ve selected nearly all of the readings and examples (more than 60) from writing that has appeared in NAR pages over the years. Because they had a hand in publishing these pieces originally, their perspective as editors permeates this book. As such, they hope that even seasoned writers might gain insight into the aesthetics of the magazine as they analyze and discuss some reasons this work is so remarkable—and therefore teachable. This project was supported by NAR staff and funded via the UNI Textbook Equity Mini-Grant Program.

About the Contributors

J.D. Schraffenberger  is a professor of English at the University of Northern Iowa. He is the author of two books of poems,  Saint Joe's Passion  and  The Waxen Poor , and co-author with Martín Espada and Lauren Schmidt of  The Necessary Poetics of Atheism . His other work has appeared in  Best of Brevity ,  Best Creative Nonfiction ,  Notre Dame Review ,  Poetry East ,  Prairie Schooner , and elsewhere.

Rachel Morgan   is an instructor of English at the University of Northern Iowa. She is the author of the chapbook  Honey & Blood , Blood & Honey . Her work is included in the anthology  Fracture: Essays, Poems, and Stories on Fracking in American  and has appeared in the  Journal of American Medical Association ,  Boulevard ,  Prairie Schooner , and elsewhere.

Grant Tracey   author of three novels in the Hayden Fuller Mysteries ; the chapbook  Winsome  featuring cab driver Eddie Sands; and the story collection  Final Stanzas , is fiction editor of the  North American Review  and an English professor at the University of Northern Iowa, where he teaches film, modern drama, and creative writing. Nominated four times for a Pushcart Prize, he has published nearly fifty short stories and three previous collections. He has acted in over forty community theater productions and has published critical work on Samuel Fuller and James Cagney. He lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

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Last updated on Feb 14, 2023

10 Types of Creative Writing (with Examples You’ll Love)

A lot falls under the term ‘creative writing’: poetry, short fiction, plays, novels, personal essays, and songs, to name just a few. By virtue of the creativity that characterizes it, creative writing is an extremely versatile art. So instead of defining what creative writing is , it may be easier to understand what it does by looking at examples that demonstrate the sheer range of styles and genres under its vast umbrella.

To that end, we’ve collected a non-exhaustive list of works across multiple formats that have inspired the writers here at Reedsy. With 20 different works to explore, we hope they will inspire you, too. 

People have been writing creatively for almost as long as we have been able to hold pens. Just think of long-form epic poems like The Odyssey or, later, the Cantar de Mio Cid — some of the earliest recorded writings of their kind. 

Poetry is also a great place to start if you want to dip your own pen into the inkwell of creative writing. It can be as short or long as you want (you don’t have to write an epic of Homeric proportions), encourages you to build your observation skills, and often speaks from a single point of view . 

Here are a few examples:

“Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.

This classic poem by Romantic poet Percy Shelley (also known as Mary Shelley’s husband) is all about legacy. What do we leave behind? How will we be remembered? The great king Ozymandias built himself a massive statue, proclaiming his might, but the irony is that his statue doesn’t survive the ravages of time. By framing this poem as told to him by a “traveller from an antique land,” Shelley effectively turns this into a story. Along with the careful use of juxtaposition to create irony, this poem accomplishes a lot in just a few lines. 

“Trying to Raise the Dead” by Dorianne Laux

 A direction. An object. My love, it needs a place to rest. Say anything. I’m listening. I’m ready to believe. Even lies, I don’t care.

Poetry is cherished for its ability to evoke strong emotions from the reader using very few words which is exactly what Dorianne Laux does in “ Trying to Raise the Dead .” With vivid imagery that underscores the painful yearning of the narrator, she transports us to a private nighttime scene as the narrator sneaks away from a party to pray to someone they’ve lost. We ache for their loss and how badly they want their lost loved one to acknowledge them in some way. It’s truly a masterclass on how writing can be used to portray emotions. 

If you find yourself inspired to try out some poetry — and maybe even get it published — check out these poetry layouts that can elevate your verse!

Song Lyrics

Poetry’s closely related cousin, song lyrics are another great way to flex your creative writing muscles. You not only have to find the perfect rhyme scheme but also match it to the rhythm of the music. This can be a great challenge for an experienced poet or the musically inclined. 

To see how music can add something extra to your poetry, check out these two examples:

“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

 You say I took the name in vain I don't even know the name But if I did, well, really, what's it to ya? There's a blaze of light in every word It doesn't matter which you heard The holy or the broken Hallelujah 

Metaphors are commonplace in almost every kind of creative writing, but will often take center stage in shorter works like poetry and songs. At the slightest mention, they invite the listener to bring their emotional or cultural experience to the piece, allowing the writer to express more with fewer words while also giving it a deeper meaning. If a whole song is couched in metaphor, you might even be able to find multiple meanings to it, like in Leonard Cohen’s “ Hallelujah .” While Cohen’s Biblical references create a song that, on the surface, seems like it’s about a struggle with religion, the ambiguity of the lyrics has allowed it to be seen as a song about a complicated romantic relationship. 

“I Will Follow You into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie

 ​​If Heaven and Hell decide that they both are satisfied Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks Then I'll follow you into the dark

You can think of song lyrics as poetry set to music. They manage to do many of the same things their literary counterparts do — including tugging on your heartstrings. Death Cab for Cutie’s incredibly popular indie rock ballad is about the singer’s deep devotion to his lover. While some might find the song a bit too dark and macabre, its melancholy tune and poignant lyrics remind us that love can endure beyond death.

Plays and Screenplays

From the short form of poetry, we move into the world of drama — also known as the play. This form is as old as the poem, stretching back to the works of ancient Greek playwrights like Sophocles, who adapted the myths of their day into dramatic form. The stage play (and the more modern screenplay) gives the words on the page a literal human voice, bringing life to a story and its characters entirely through dialogue. 

Interested to see what that looks like? Take a look at these examples:

All My Sons by Arthur Miller

“I know you're no worse than most men but I thought you were better. I never saw you as a man. I saw you as my father.” 

Arthur Miller acts as a bridge between the classic and the new, creating 20th century tragedies that take place in living rooms and backyard instead of royal courts, so we had to include his breakout hit on this list. Set in the backyard of an all-American family in the summer of 1946, this tragedy manages to communicate family tensions in an unimaginable scale, building up to an intense climax reminiscent of classical drama. 

💡 Read more about Arthur Miller and classical influences in our breakdown of Freytag’s pyramid . 

“Everything is Fine” by Michael Schur ( The Good Place )

“Well, then this system sucks. What...one in a million gets to live in paradise and everyone else is tortured for eternity? Come on! I mean, I wasn't freaking Gandhi, but I was okay. I was a medium person. I should get to spend eternity in a medium place! Like Cincinnati. Everyone who wasn't perfect but wasn't terrible should get to spend eternity in Cincinnati.” 

A screenplay, especially a TV pilot, is like a mini-play, but with the extra job of convincing an audience that they want to watch a hundred more episodes of the show. Blending moral philosophy with comedy, The Good Place is a fun hang-out show set in the afterlife that asks some big questions about what it means to be good. 

It follows Eleanor Shellstrop, an incredibly imperfect woman from Arizona who wakes up in ‘The Good Place’ and realizes that there’s been a cosmic mixup. Determined not to lose her place in paradise, she recruits her “soulmate,” a former ethics professor, to teach her philosophy with the hope that she can learn to be a good person and keep up her charade of being an upstanding citizen. The pilot does a superb job of setting up the stakes, the story, and the characters, while smuggling in deep philosophical ideas.

Personal essays

Our first foray into nonfiction on this list is the personal essay. As its name suggests, these stories are in some way autobiographical — concerned with the author’s life and experiences. But don’t be fooled by the realistic component. These essays can take any shape or form, from comics to diary entries to recipes and anything else you can imagine. Typically zeroing in on a single issue, they allow you to explore your life and prove that the personal can be universal.

Here are a couple of fantastic examples:

“On Selling Your First Novel After 11 Years” by Min Jin Lee (Literary Hub)

There was so much to learn and practice, but I began to see the prose in verse and the verse in prose. Patterns surfaced in poems, stories, and plays. There was music in sentences and paragraphs. I could hear the silences in a sentence. All this schooling was like getting x-ray vision and animal-like hearing. 

This deeply honest personal essay by Pachinko author Min Jin Lee is an account of her eleven-year struggle to publish her first novel . Like all good writing, it is intensely focused on personal emotional details. While grounded in the specifics of the author's personal journey, it embodies an experience that is absolutely universal: that of difficulty and adversity met by eventual success. 

“A Cyclist on the English Landscape” by Roff Smith (New York Times)

These images, though, aren’t meant to be about me. They’re meant to represent a cyclist on the landscape, anybody — you, perhaps. 

Roff Smith’s gorgeous photo essay for the NYT is a testament to the power of creatively combining visuals with text. Here, photographs of Smith atop a bike are far from simply ornamental. They’re integral to the ruminative mood of the essay, as essential as the writing. Though Smith places his work at the crosscurrents of various aesthetic influences (such as the painter Edward Hopper), what stands out the most in this taciturn, thoughtful piece of writing is his use of the second person to address the reader directly. Suddenly, the writer steps out of the body of the essay and makes eye contact with the reader. The reader is now part of the story as a second character, finally entering the picture.

Short Fiction

The short story is the happy medium of fiction writing. These bite-sized narratives can be devoured in a single sitting and still leave you reeling. Sometimes viewed as a stepping stone to novel writing, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Short story writing is an art all its own. The limited length means every word counts and there’s no better way to see that than with these two examples:

“An MFA Story” by Paul Dalla Rosa (Electric Literature)

At Starbucks, I remembered a reading Zhen had given, a reading organized by the program’s faculty. I had not wanted to go but did. In the bar, he read, "I wrote this in a Starbucks in Shanghai. On the bank of the Huangpu." It wasn’t an aside or introduction. It was two lines of the poem. I was in a Starbucks and I wasn’t writing any poems. I wasn’t writing anything. 

This short story is a delightfully metafictional tale about the struggles of being a writer in New York. From paying the bills to facing criticism in a writing workshop and envying more productive writers, Paul Dalla Rosa’s story is a clever satire of the tribulations involved in the writing profession, and all the contradictions embodied by systemic creativity (as famously laid out in Mark McGurl’s The Program Era ). What’s more, this story is an excellent example of something that often happens in creative writing: a writer casting light on the private thoughts or moments of doubt we don’t admit to or openly talk about. 

“Flowering Walrus” by Scott Skinner (Reedsy)

I tell him they’d been there a month at least, and he looks concerned. He has my tongue on a tissue paper and is gripping its sides with his pointer and thumb. My tongue has never spent much time outside of my mouth, and I imagine it as a walrus basking in the rays of the dental light. My walrus is not well. 

A winner of Reedsy’s weekly Prompts writing contest, ‘ Flowering Walrus ’ is a story that balances the trivial and the serious well. In the pauses between its excellent, natural dialogue , the story manages to scatter the fear and sadness of bad medical news, as the protagonist hides his worries from his wife and daughter. Rich in subtext, these silences grow and resonate with the readers.

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Perhaps the thing that first comes to mind when talking about creative writing, novels are a form of fiction that many people know and love but writers sometimes find intimidating. The good news is that novels are nothing but one word put after another, like any other piece of writing, but expanded and put into a flowing narrative. Piece of cake, right?

To get an idea of the format’s breadth of scope, take a look at these two (very different) satirical novels: 

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

I wished I was back in the convenience store where I was valued as a working member of staff and things weren’t as complicated as this. Once we donned our uniforms, we were all equals regardless of gender, age, or nationality — all simply store workers. 

Keiko, a thirty-six-year-old convenience store employee, finds comfort and happiness in the strict, uneventful routine of the shop’s daily operations. A funny, satirical, but simultaneously unnerving examination of the social structures we take for granted, Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman is deeply original and lingers with the reader long after they’ve put it down.

Erasure by Percival Everett

The hard, gritty truth of the matter is that I hardly ever think about race. Those times when I did think about it a lot I did so because of my guilt for not thinking about it.  

Erasure is a truly accomplished satire of the publishing industry’s tendency to essentialize African American authors and their writing. Everett’s protagonist is a writer whose work doesn’t fit with what publishers expect from him — work that describes the “African American experience” — so he writes a parody novel about life in the ghetto. The publishers go crazy for it and, to the protagonist’s horror, it becomes the next big thing. This sophisticated novel is both ironic and tender, leaving its readers with much food for thought.

Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction is pretty broad: it applies to anything that does not claim to be fictional (although the rise of autofiction has definitely blurred the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction). It encompasses everything from personal essays and memoirs to humor writing, and they range in length from blog posts to full-length books. The defining characteristic of this massive genre is that it takes the world or the author’s experience and turns it into a narrative that a reader can follow along with.

Here, we want to focus on novel-length works that dig deep into their respective topics. While very different, these two examples truly show the breadth and depth of possibility of creative nonfiction:

Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward

Men’s bodies litter my family history. The pain of the women they left behind pulls them from the beyond, makes them appear as ghosts. In death, they transcend the circumstances of this place that I love and hate all at once and become supernatural. 

Writer Jesmyn Ward recounts the deaths of five men from her rural Mississippi community in as many years. In her award-winning memoir , she delves into the lives of the friends and family she lost and tries to find some sense among the tragedy. Working backwards across five years, she questions why this had to happen over and over again, and slowly unveils the long history of racism and poverty that rules rural Black communities. Moving and emotionally raw, Men We Reaped is an indictment of a cruel system and the story of a woman's grief and rage as she tries to navigate it.

Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker

He believed that wine could reshape someone’s life. That’s why he preferred buying bottles to splurging on sweaters. Sweaters were things. Bottles of wine, said Morgan, “are ways that my humanity will be changed.” 

In this work of immersive journalism , Bianca Bosker leaves behind her life as a tech journalist to explore the world of wine. Becoming a “cork dork” takes her everywhere from New York’s most refined restaurants to science labs while she learns what it takes to be a sommelier and a true wine obsessive. This funny and entertaining trip through the past and present of wine-making and tasting is sure to leave you better informed and wishing you, too, could leave your life behind for one devoted to wine. 

Illustrated Narratives (Comics, graphic novels)

Once relegated to the “funny pages”, the past forty years of comics history have proven it to be a serious medium. Comics have transformed from the early days of Jack Kirby’s superheroes into a medium where almost every genre is represented. Humorous one-shots in the Sunday papers stand alongside illustrated memoirs, horror, fantasy, and just about anything else you can imagine. This type of visual storytelling lets the writer and artist get creative with perspective, tone, and so much more. For two very different, though equally entertaining, examples, check these out:

Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson

"Life is like topography, Hobbes. There are summits of happiness and success, flat stretches of boring routine and valleys of frustration and failure." 

This beloved comic strip follows Calvin, a rambunctious six-year-old boy, and his stuffed tiger/imaginary friend, Hobbes. They get into all kinds of hijinks at school and at home, and muse on the world in the way only a six-year-old and an anthropomorphic tiger can. As laugh-out-loud funny as it is, Calvin & Hobbes ’ popularity persists as much for its whimsy as its use of humor to comment on life, childhood, adulthood, and everything in between. 

From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell 

"I shall tell you where we are. We're in the most extreme and utter region of the human mind. A dim, subconscious underworld. A radiant abyss where men meet themselves. Hell, Netley. We're in Hell." 

Comics aren't just the realm of superheroes and one-joke strips, as Alan Moore proves in this serialized graphic novel released between 1989 and 1998. A meticulously researched alternative history of Victorian London’s Ripper killings, this macabre story pulls no punches. Fact and fiction blend into a world where the Royal Family is involved in a dark conspiracy and Freemasons lurk on the sidelines. It’s a surreal mad-cap adventure that’s unsettling in the best way possible. 

Video Games and RPGs

Probably the least expected entry on this list, we thought that video games and RPGs also deserved a mention — and some well-earned recognition for the intricate storytelling that goes into creating them. 

Essentially gamified adventure stories, without attention to plot, characters, and a narrative arc, these games would lose a lot of their charm, so let’s look at two examples where the creative writing really shines through: 

80 Days by inkle studios

"It was a triumph of invention over nature, and will almost certainly disappear into the dust once more in the next fifty years." 

Named Time Magazine ’s game of the year in 2014, this narrative adventure is based on Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. The player is cast as the novel’s narrator, Passpartout, and tasked with circumnavigating the globe in service of their employer, Phileas Fogg. Set in an alternate steampunk Victorian era, the game uses its globe-trotting to comment on the colonialist fantasies inherent in the original novel and its time period. On a storytelling level, the choose-your-own-adventure style means no two players’ journeys will be the same. This innovative approach to a classic novel shows the potential of video games as a storytelling medium, truly making the player part of the story. 

What Remains of Edith Finch by Giant Sparrow

"If we lived forever, maybe we'd have time to understand things. But as it is, I think the best we can do is try to open our eyes, and appreciate how strange and brief all of this is." 

This video game casts the player as 17-year-old Edith Finch. Returning to her family’s home on an island in the Pacific northwest, Edith explores the vast house and tries to figure out why she’s the only one of her family left alive. The story of each family member is revealed as you make your way through the house, slowly unpacking the tragic fate of the Finches. Eerie and immersive, this first-person exploration game uses the medium to tell a series of truly unique tales. 

Fun and breezy on the surface, humor is often recognized as one of the trickiest forms of creative writing. After all, while you can see the artistic value in a piece of prose that you don’t necessarily enjoy, if a joke isn’t funny, you could say that it’s objectively failed.

With that said, it’s far from an impossible task, and many have succeeded in bringing smiles to their readers’ faces through their writing. Here are two examples:

‘How You Hope Your Extended Family Will React When You Explain Your Job to Them’ by Mike Lacher (McSweeney’s Internet Tendency)

“Is it true you don’t have desks?” your grandmother will ask. You will nod again and crack open a can of Country Time Lemonade. “My stars,” she will say, “it must be so wonderful to not have a traditional office and instead share a bistro-esque coworking space.” 

Satire and parody make up a whole subgenre of creative writing, and websites like McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and The Onion consistently hit the mark with their parodies of magazine publishing and news media. This particular example finds humor in the divide between traditional family expectations and contemporary, ‘trendy’ work cultures. Playing on the inherent silliness of today’s tech-forward middle-class jobs, this witty piece imagines a scenario where the writer’s family fully understands what they do — and are enthralled to hear more. “‘Now is it true,’ your uncle will whisper, ‘that you’ve got a potential investment from one of the founders of I Can Haz Cheezburger?’”

‘Not a Foodie’ by Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell (Electric Literature)

I’m not a foodie, I never have been, and I know, in my heart, I never will be. 

Highlighting what she sees as an unbearable social obsession with food , in this comic Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell takes a hilarious stand against the importance of food. From the writer’s courageous thesis (“I think there are more exciting things to talk about, and focus on in life, than what’s for dinner”) to the amusing appearance of family members and the narrator’s partner, ‘Not a Foodie’ demonstrates that even a seemingly mundane pet peeve can be approached creatively — and even reveal something profound about life.

We hope this list inspires you with your own writing. If there’s one thing you take away from this post, let it be that there is no limit to what you can write about or how you can write about it. 

In the next part of this guide, we'll drill down into the fascinating world of creative nonfiction.

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What is good writing? This is not an easy question to answer. Many very different kinds of writing are considered "good" and for many different reasons. There is no formula or program for writing well. However, there are certain qualities that most examples of good writing share. The following is a brief description of five qualities of good writing: focus, development, unity, coherence, and correctness. The qualities described here are especially important for academic and expository writing.

FIVE QUALITIES OF GOOD WRITING

One additional quality, not part of this list, but nevertheless, very important, is creativity. The best writing carries some of the personality and individuality of its author. Follow the above guidelines, but always work to make your writing uniquely your own.

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The Writer's Depot

Welcome All Writers!

Eight Characteristics of Good Writing

What’s the difference between bad and good writing?

How important is it for a writer to be able to discern the difference between good writing and bad writing?

Pretty important, if you ask me.

I know some writers aren’t concerned with quality. In today’s do-it-yourself and get-it-done-fast world, quality plays second fiddle to quantity. Who cares if your books are full of typos, bad grammar, and poor logic as long as you have published lots and made a bunch of money?

The Characteristics of Good Writing

So, what constitutes good writing? Opinions on the matter vary widely. There will be different traits that make good fiction versus good poetry or good nonfiction. However, we can cull together a general list of the characteristics of good writing (in no particular order):

• Clarity and focus: In good writing, everything makes sense and readers don’t get lost or have to reread passages to figure out what’s going on. Focused writing sticks with the plot or core idea without running off on too many tangents.
• Organization: A well organized piece of writing is not only clear, it’s presented in a way that is logical and aesthetically pleasing. You can tell non-linear stories or place your thesis at the end of an essay and get away with it as long as your scenes or ideas are well ordered.
• Ideas and themes: Is the topic of your paper relevant? Does your story come complete with themes? Can the reader visualize your poem? For a piece of writing to be considered well crafted, it has to contain clearly identifiable ideas and themes.
• Voice: This is what sets you apart from all other writers. It’s your unique way of stringing words together, formulating ideas, and relating scenes or images to the reader. In any piece of writing, the voice should be consistent and identifiable.
• Language (word choice): We writers can never underestimate or fail to appreciate our most valuable tools: words. Good writing includes precise and accurate word choices and well crafted sentences.
• Grammar and style: Many writers would wish this one away, but for a piece of writing to be considered good (let alone great), it has to follow the rules of grammar (and break those rules only when there’s a good reason). Style is also important in ensuring that a piece of writing is clear and consistent. Make sure you keep a grammar book and style guide handy.
• Credibility or believability: Nothing says bad writing like getting the facts wrong or misrepresenting oneself. In fiction, the story must be believable (even if it’s impossible), and in nonfiction, accurate research can make or break a writer.
• Thought-provoking or emotionally inspiring: Perhaps the most important quality of good writing is how the reader responds to it. Does she come away with a fresh perspective and new ideas? Does he close the cover with tears in his eyes or a sense of victory? How readers react to your work will fully determine your success as a writer.

I want to add an honorable mention for originality. Everything has been done before, so originality is somewhat arbitrary. However, putting old ideas together in new ways and creating remixes of the best that literature has to offer is a skill worth developing.

Why You Need to Know the Difference Between Good and Bad Writing

To write well, a writer must be able to recognize quality in a piece of writing. How can you assess or improve your own work if you can’t tell the difference between mediocre and better writing in others’ work? This is why it’s so important for writers to be dedicated readers!

Writing is also an art form and therefore subject to personal taste. Can you read a book and dislike it but acknowledge that the writing was good? Have you ever read a book and loved the story but felt that the writing was weak?

A writer should be able to articulate why a piece of writing succeeds or fails, and a writer should also be able to recognize the qualities in a piece of writing even when it doesn’t appeal to their personal taste. These skills are especially necessary when writers are reviewing or critiquing other writers’ work and when revising, editing, and proofreading their own work.

Where do you stand? Do you rate other people’s writing? Do you worry about whether your own writing is any good? Would you add or remove any characteristics of good writing from this list? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment, and keep writing.

Go to Source Author: Melissa Donovan

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Characteristics of a Creative Writer

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on May 14, 2022

Categories Writing , Creativity , Storytelling

Do you want to be a creative writer? There are certain qualities that all successful creative writers have in common. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most important of these. So, if you want to improve your creative writing skills and become successful as a creative writer, read on!

Creative Writers Are Often Curious

Creative writers are often curious. As creative individuals, they notice the world around them and are always on the lookout for new things.

This curiosity helps them create well-rounded and believable characters. By observing the world around them, creative writers can pick up on small details that others might miss. They can then use these details to bring their characters to life.

• For example, an author might notice the way a stranger speaks or moves and use those mannerisms to create a character.
• Or they might overhear an interesting conversation and use it as a template for a scene in their story.

By paying close attention to the world around them, creative writers can find inspiration for their work.

Observation is Critical

A creative writer is observant. She pays attention to the world around her, taking in details about people’s personalities and relationships, as well as the way their surroundings affect their feelings. She notices everything from the opening of a new restaurant down the street to how a friend is feeling that day or their favorite music.

Creative writers are also curious about things they don’t know. They’re interested in learning from the experiences of others so they can better understand themselves and the world around them.

Creative writers aren’t only curious, they also like to learn new things. They know that the more they know, the better they’ll master their craft.

That’s why they’re always looking for opportunities to learn new skills and expand their knowledge. Whether they take a class or read a how-to book, creative writers are always working to improve their skills.

Because of their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, creative writers are able to create rich and compelling characters that readers will love.

Creative Writers Are Good at Thinking Outside of the Box

Creative writers are often able to see things from a different angle or make connections between otherwise unrelated ideas and concepts.

This ability to think outside the box is one of the most important qualities of creative writers. It’s a hallmark of creativity.

When writing, creative writers use their imaginations and create new worlds, characters, and situations. This ability to use the creative mind to see things from a different perspective allows them to develop new ideas and concepts.

Creative writers not only think outside the box but often have a strong intuition. They trust their instincts and aren’t afraid to take risks. This willingness to experiment and take risks is another important characteristic of a creative writer.

Passion Matters

Creative writers are usually very passionate about their work. They’re very committed to their craft and are always striving to improve. This passion drives them to write their best work. If you’ve ever been blown away by a piece of work, it was likely the result of a creative writer who thought outside the box, followed their intuition, and was passionate about their work.

• Creative writers are imaginative . They invent stories, characters, and situations that aren’t real.
• Creative writers are resourceful – they use many different resources to get their work done (other people, books, magazines, etc.).
• Creative writers are inventive – they’ve new ideas or ways of doing things that have never been done before.

Many creative writers have these qualities because they enjoy solving problems in new ways or coming up with ideas that others haven’t thought of yet!

Creative Writers Are Good Listeners

Creative writers are often good listeners because they need to be able to understand and empathize with their characters.

They understand that listening is an essential writing skill; together with its sibling – patience.

To write believable and compelling characters, creative writers must be able to see the world from their point of view. This can only be done if the writer pays close attention to what the character is saying, both verbally and through their actions.

In addition, creative writers often have a deep understanding of human psychology that allows them to understand the motivations behind why people do what they do. This insight can be invaluable in creating three-dimensional characters that reflect the personal experience of the characters, rather than merely a trope in the writer’s mind.

Being a good listener is one of the most important skills that enable creative writers to create believable characters.

Creative Writers Are Flexible

One of the most important qualities of a creative writer is flexibility. If an idea for a story doesn’t work out as planned, a flexible writer is able to quickly adapt and find a new way to tell it.

This ability to think with your feet is very important because it allows the writer to maintain the flow of the story even when things don’t go according to plan.

If an idea for a story doesn’t work as planned, a creative writer is able to quickly adapt and find a new way to tell it. This can be done by changing the point of view, altering the sequence of events, or adding new characters or subplots. Their flexibility allows creative writers to make the most of their ideas and write stories that are both entertaining and original.

Creative writers mustn’t only be flexible, but also open-minded. A good writer is willing to consider all sorts of ideas and possibilities, even those that seem far-fetched at first glance.

This openness allows the writer to come up with original and innovative ideas that can lead to a truly unique story. It can also heavily influence one’s writing process.

Creative Writers Can Connect Their Personal Experiences With Larger Themes or Ideas

To be a creative writer, you must be able to connect your personal experiences to larger issues or ideas in society.

For example, if you’ve experienced a lot of suffering in your life, you can use that experience to write about the human condition. Or if you were affected by a current event, you can use that event to address larger issues such as justice or inequality.

After all, personal experiences are one of the most powerful tools a writer has for understanding and empathizing with others. By drawing on their own life experiences, creative writers can connect with their readers on a much deeper level, making their stories more believable and relatable.

In addition, personal experiences can also provide a unique perspective on social issues. By telling their own stories, creative writers can help shed light on issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Giving Hope to Others

The themes can include issues in history or politics. In this way, creative writers can write works that feel relevant while being entertaining enough to appeal to audiences from diverse populations (e.g., age groups).

In today’s world, it’s more important than ever for creative writers to find a way to connect their work to the world. With so much turmoil and uncertainty in the world, good writing can help provide understanding and hope.

No matter what experiences you write about, remember that your words have the power to make a difference. By connecting your personal experiences to bigger ideas, you can write stories and poems that are both personal and universal.

They Can Create Vivid Images in Their Readers’ Minds

As any good creative writer knows, one of the challenges of writing is to create vivid images in the reader’s mind. This is especially true when you’re writing about character traits because it can be difficult to convey an accurate picture of a person’s appearance, mannerisms, and behavior without resorting to clichéd adjectives or long-winded descriptions.

However, there are a few tricks creative writers can use to create more realistic and nuanced characters.

One approach is to focus on the senses. When describing a character, try to paint a picture that appeals to all five senses.

• What does the person look like?
• What’s he or she wearing?
• What does she smell like?
• What does she sound like when she speaks?

Answering these questions helps create a three-dimensional image in the reader’s mind. By using descriptive language and vivid imagery, you can help your readers see the characters in your story as if they were standing right in front of them.

Show the Inner World

Another helpful tip to be an effective writer is to show rather than tell. Instead of listing a person’s characteristics, try to illustrate them through their actions and dialog. For example, instead of saying that a person is “lazy,” show them lounging on the couch or taking a nap.

It’s also important to consider a character’s personality and inner life if you want to create a vivid image in your readers’ minds.

• What’re their likes and dislikes?
• What drives them?
• What fears do they’ve?

By delving into a character’s psyche, you can create a three-dimensional person who lives on in the minds of your readers long after they’ve finished reading your story.

Using these techniques, a successful writer can create vivid images of their characters that readers will remember long after the story is over.

They Have a Unique Voice and Aren’t Afraid to Experiment With Their Writing Style

Good writers have a unique voice that sets them apart from other writers. They aren’t afraid to experiment with their writing style, and this allows them to create characters and stories that are truly original.

When you write, are you a minimalist? A word twister? Do you use metaphors and similes as much as possible? Or do you prefer to be straightforward with your writing style?

Creative writers have the opportunity to experiment with their writing style. They aren’t afraid to use techniques that may seem unconventional or even strange to others.

Some creative writers even use humor in their writing because it helps them capture the audience’s attention. Humor can also help lighten the mood when dealing with serious topics that may be difficult for some readers – such as death or depression – and make these topics easier to understand and accept on an emotional level.

Creative writers also relish engaging in wordplay as a way to broaden their word choice in their writing.

They Are Supportive of Other Writers and Are Always Happy to Offer Helpful Feedback

Creative writers support other writers to become good writers and are always willing to provide helpful feedback.

They know that the creative process can be a lonely affair and that writer’s block can occur. When another creative writer is struggling with their work, these writers are happy to offer suggestions, share resources, or simply listen.

Creative writers are good at giving constructive criticism without being overly critical. They know that every writer is different and that everyone has their own style and voice. Therefore, they’re able to offer suggestions and advice that are tailored to each writer.

They also know that the best way to improve as creative people is to get feedback from others, so they always listen to what others have to say. They also know that no two people see the world in exactly the same way, so they’re always willing to consider other perspectives.

Ultimately, creative writers support other writers because they know that every creative person has something valuable to contribute to the discussion.

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Objectives of Creative Writing

Delve into the "Objectives of Creative Writing" and explore the multifaceted aims of this expressive art form. Uncover the diverse purposes, entertainment, education, and social commentary, that creative writing serves. Gain a deeper understanding of how creative writing transcends mere words, providing insight into the human experience.

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In this blog, we delve into the Objectives of Creative Writing and its purposes, shedding light on its significance in our lives. From the art of storytelling to the therapeutic release of emotions, Creative Writing is a dynamic and versatile discipline that has enchanted both writers and readers for generations. 

Table of C ontents  

1)  Objectives of Creative Writing 

    a)  Self-expression 

    b)  Entertainment 

    c)  Education 

    d)  Social commentary 

2)  Purpose of Creative Writing 

3)  Conclusion 

Objectives of Creative Writing  

Creative Writing serves as a versatile and dynamic form of expression, encompassing a range of objectives that go beyond mere storytelling. Here, we delve into the fundamental objectives that drive creative writers to craft their narratives and explore the depths of human creativity:  

Self-expression 

Creative Writing is, at its core, a powerful means of self-expression. It provides writers with a unique canvas upon which they can paint the colours of their innermost thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This objective of Creative Writing is deeply personal and cathartic, as it allows individuals to articulate their inner worlds in ways that spoken language often cannot. 

Through the act of writing, authors can explore the complexities of their own psyche, giving shape and substance to feelings that might otherwise remain elusive. Whether it's capturing the euphoria of love, the depths of sorrow, or the intricacies of human relationships, Creative Writing serves as a conduit for unfiltered self-expression. 

Moreover, Creative Writing grants the freedom to experiment with different writing styles, tones, and literary devices, enabling writers to find their unique voices. In the process, it cultivates self-awareness, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of one's own experiences. For many, the act of putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard is a therapeutic release, a way to make sense of the chaos within, and an avenue for personal growth and reflection. In essence, Creative Writing empowers individuals to share their inner narratives with the world, fostering connection and empathy among fellow readers who may find solace, resonance, or inspiration in the tales of others. 

Entertainment 

One of the primary and most recognisable objectives of Creative Writing is to entertain. Creative writers craft stories, poems, and essays that are designed to captivate readers, transporting them to different worlds, evoking emotions, and engaging their imaginations. 

At its heart, Creative Writing is the art of storytelling, and storytelling has been an integral part of human culture since time immemorial. Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking science fiction narrative, Creative Writing offers an escape from the ordinary into realms of fantasy, intrigue, and wonder. It weaves narratives with vivid imagery, compelling characters, and gripping plots, all working together to hold the reader's attention. 

Through Creative Writing, authors create emotional connections between the reader and the characters, fostering a sense of empathy and identification. As readers immerse themselves in a well-crafted story, they experience a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears, joy to sorrow. It is this emotional journey that makes Creative Writing such a potent form of entertainment, offering readers a pleasurable escape from reality, a chance to explore new perspectives and a memorable experience that lingers long after the last page is turned.  

Education 

Creative Writing is not only a source of entertainment but also a powerful educational tool. It engages writers in a process that goes beyond storytelling; it encourages research, critical thinking, and the development of effective communication skills. 

Writers often embark on extensive research journeys to create authentic settings, characters, and plots. This quest for accuracy and depth enriches their knowledge in various fields, ranging from history and science to culture and psychology. As they delve into their chosen topics, writers gain valuable insights and expand their intellectual horizons. 

Furthermore, Creative Writing teaches readers important life lessons and imparts knowledge. It introduces them to diverse perspectives, cultures, and experiences, fostering empathy and understanding. Reading well-crafted works can be an enlightening experience, challenging preconceptions and encouraging critical thinking. It also enhances vocabulary, language skills, and the ability to express thoughts and emotions effectively. 

In educational settings, Creative Writing nurtures creativity, encourages self-expression, and helps students develop essential communication and analytical skills. This educational objective of Creative Writing underscores its value as a holistic tool for personal and intellectual growth, making it an integral part of both formal and informal learning processes. 

Social commentary 

Creative Writing often serves as a potent medium for social commentary, embodying a powerful objective that transcends mere storytelling. Through the art of narrative, poets, novelists, and essayists alike can engage in meaningful discourse about society's values, issues, and challenges. 

Writers use their creative works to shine a light on important societal concerns, question norms, and provoke thought. They employ allegory, satire, symbolism, and other literary techniques to critique, challenge, or explore various aspects of the human condition and the world we inhabit. Whether addressing issues such as inequality, injustice, environmental crises, or political corruption, Creative Writing can be a catalyst for change. 

By portraying the complexities of real-life situations and characters, writers encourage readers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them. This introspection can lead to increased awareness and, ideally, inspire action to address pressing societal issues. 

In essence, the social commentary objective of Creative Writing underscores its role as a mirror reflecting the world's triumphs and flaws. It empowers writers to be advocates for change, storytellers with a purpose, and champions of social justice, ensuring that Creative Writing continues to be a powerful force for positive transformation in society. 

Tap into your creative potential with our Creative Writing Training – Get started today! 

Purpose of Creative Writing 

Creative Writing serves a multitude of purposes, making it a dynamic and invaluable art form. Beyond its objectives, Creative Writing plays a crucial role in our lives and society, contributing to personal growth, cultural preservation, inspiration, and connection.  

Catharsis 

One of the profound and therapeutic purposes of Creative Writing is catharsis. This aspect of Creative Writing is deeply personal, as it offers writers a means to release pent-up emotions, confront inner turmoil, and find a sense of closure. 

Through the act of writing, individuals can explore their innermost thoughts and feelings in a safe and controlled environment. Whether it's grappling with grief, heartbreak, trauma, or any other emotional burden, Creative Writing provides an outlet to give shape and voice to those complex emotions. It allows writers to dissect their experiences, providing a space for self-reflection and healing. 

The process of transforming raw emotions into words can be both liberating and transformative. It can provide a sense of relief, allowing writers to gain insight into their emotional landscapes. Moreover, sharing these emotions through writing can foster connection and empathy among readers who may have experienced similar feelings or situations, creating a sense of community and understanding. 

Ultimately, catharsis through Creative Writing is a journey of self-discovery and emotional release, offering solace, healing, and a path towards personal growth and resilience. It highlights the profound impact of the written word in helping individuals navigate the complexities of their own inner worlds. 

Cultural preservation 

Creative Writing serves a noble purpose beyond personal expression and entertainment—it plays a vital role in cultural preservation. This objective of Creative Writing involves safeguarding the rich tapestry of human heritage, traditions, and stories for future generations. 

Cultures are defined by their narratives, folklore, and historical accounts. Creative writers, whether chroniclers of oral traditions or authors of historical fiction are the custodians of these invaluable cultural treasures. They document the stories passed down through generations, ensuring they are not lost to time. 

Through Creative Writing, cultures are celebrated, languages are preserved, and unique identities are immortalised. Folktales, myths, and legends are retold, keeping them relevant and alive. These narratives provide insights into the beliefs, values, and wisdom of a society, fostering a deeper understanding of its roots. 

Moreover, Creative Writing bridges cultural divides by sharing stories from diverse backgrounds, fostering empathy and appreciation for the richness of human experience. In this way, Creative Writing becomes a bridge across generations, connecting the past with the present and preserving the collective memory of humanity for a brighter future. 

Inspiration 

One of the transformative purposes of Creative Writing is to inspire others. It is a beacon that shines brightly, guiding aspiring writers and kindling the creative flames within them. Through the power of storytelling and the written word, Creative Writing has the remarkable ability to ignite the spark of imagination and motivation. 

Exceptional works of literature often leave an indelible mark on readers. They can evoke a sense of wonder, curiosity, and passion, motivating individuals to embark on their own creative journeys. Many renowned authors found their calling through the inspiration they drew from the words of others, perpetuating a beautiful cycle of creativity. 

Creative Writing serves as a testament to human potential, showcasing the boundless depths of imagination and the infinite possibilities of language. It encourages individuals to explore their unique perspectives, cultivate their voices, and craft stories that resonate with the human experience. 

For writers and readers alike, Creative Writing is a wellspring of inspiration, a reminder that the world of imagination is boundless and that the written word has the power to shape minds, hearts, and the course of history. Through the act of creation and the sharing of stories, Creative Writing continues to inspire generations to dream, create, and connect with the world in profound ways. 

Connection 

Creative Writing holds a remarkable purpose - it fosters connections. It serves as a bridge between authors and readers, offering a means of understanding, empathy, and human connection that transcends time, space, and cultural boundaries. 

When readers immerse themselves in a well-crafted story, they embark on an emotional journey alongside the characters. This shared experience creates a bond between the author and the reader as both parties navigate the complexities of the human condition together. Readers can see the world through the eyes of characters from diverse backgrounds and cultures, fostering empathy and understanding. 

Furthermore, Creative Writing connects individuals across generations. Literary classics, for example, allow us to connect with the thoughts and emotions of people who lived centuries ago. These timeless works offer insights into the universal aspects of the human experience, reminding us of our shared humanity. 

Creative Writing also has the power to connect people in the present. Through reading and discussion, individuals can form communities, share their interpretations, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Book clubs, literary events, and online forums all provide platforms for people to connect over their love for literature. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Creative Writing is a multifaceted art form with diverse objectives and purposes. From self-expression and entertainment to education, social commentary, catharsis, cultural preservation, inspiration, and connection, it enriches our lives in myriad ways. This timeless craft continues to captivate, inspire, and connect us, shaping our world through the power of words. 

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What Is Creative Writing?

Writen by: CollegeRanker Team

Reviewed by: David Krug , Editor-in-Chief

Updated on: August 30, 2023

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Creative writing is taught in many schools and institutions around the United States. It has the ability to dramatically improve your writing skills as a topic, particularly in the context of essays and other forms of academic writing.

But what is it all about, exactly? And where do you begin if you’re new to the subject?

Creative writing is all about expressing yourself through your imagination and individuality in order to transmit ideas and thoughts in a way that is distinctively yours. Simply put, it is about integrating your own ‘flair’ into your writing, and going beyond the conventional boundaries of academic or another specialist language to create something unique.

With this useful guide and introduction to creative writing, you’ll learn more about what creative writing is, what the different forms are, and how to get started.

As the term suggests, creative writing deviates from the rules of conventional, professional, academic, or technical writing in order to express oneself artistically.

In both fiction and nonfiction writing, a variety of genres and techniques are represented, including storytelling, playwriting, poetry, prose, journalism, and other forms of creative nonfiction writing.

Though the concept of creative writing is somewhat ambiguous, it is typically defined as any sort of writing that is unique and conveys one’s own point of view. In a work of literature, a concentration on narrative craft, focusing on variables such as character development, narrative, and plot, and infusing its framework with originality, imagination, and tale, is often discernible.

Creative writing, according to this definition, is any new, original text that is free of current conventions and incorporates a range of techniques.

In an academic setting, creative writing classes are typically divided into fiction, poetry, and scriptwriting, with an emphasis on writing in a unique style that is not defined by pre-existing structures and genres.

What different styles of creative writing are there?

Creative writing can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and it can encompass a vast range of genres and techniques. There are many different types of fiction and non-fiction creative writing. The following are only a few of the most well-known:

• Biographies
• Novels, novellas, short stories, and other works of fiction
• Spoken word and poetry
• Playwriting/scriptwriting
• Essays on yourself
• Speeches\sstudent-looking-in-university-library

What characteristics distinguish a good work of creative writing?

First and foremost, it is vital to acknowledge that there is no pre-defined criteria of what constitutes a “good” work of creative writing. As the name suggests, creative writing is an original process developed by the individual with all of their quirks and oddities.

Because creative writing does not fit neatly into a particular genre, there will never be a catch-all term to define the “perfect” composition. Consider a Gothic short story and then compare it to the traits of great Romantic poetry – the two are so diverse that assessing them together would be unfair.

However, there are a few general rules you may follow to make your creative writing as strong as possible – by being as honest and genuine to yourself as possible:

Know your audience – All great tales begin with an understanding of the intended audience in mind, because this is precisely what you need to know in order to personalize and connect with your audience. Because of this, any creative writer should begin by choosing who they want to see their work before they begin. As long as you keep this in mind, your writing will naturally take shape and flow in a way that appears acceptable to your intended audience.

Write down what you already know — The most compelling stories are typically those that we can identify with and relate to in some way to our own experiences. Alternatively, they may be stories that appear to be based on the author’s own life and are therefore believed to be true. To be clear, this does not indicate that you have to write about your entire life; rather, you can use the knowledge you have about various elements of our lives to make your story more realistic and credible.

Creativity is essential – Storytelling that is most fascinating is often one in which we can identify with and relate in some way to our own experiences. Another option is for them to look to be based on the author’s actual life, in which case they will be accepted as fact. In order to be clear, this does not imply that you must write about your complete life; rather, you can draw on your knowledge of many aspects of our lives in order to make your story more realistic and trustworthy.

One of the wonderful things about creative writing is that there are no rules or definitions for ‘how’ to write. It’s a lot more personal genre that mainly relies on your own interpretations. As a result, you should stretch your imagination to explore what the eventual result might be. Some of the most intriguing works of literature provoke thought or cause us to question the writing or the world around us – where could your narrative take us?

Make a broad plot arc – Regardless of how open the boundaries of creative writing are, it is still a good idea to design a loose story arc for any piece of literature you write. Story arcs are essential for providing your writing direction and purpose, as well as allowing you to compose the entire article at a fast speed without adding unnecessary stuff or ‘waffle.’ If you stick to your story arc, your writing will have a solid structure, pace, and direction, which will keep your readers engaged. What are some of the creative writing techniques? Writers use a variety of creative writing approaches and literary strategies to make their work stand out, including:

Character development is the process of producing a genuine, well-rounded character with depth, personality, and distinct goals or motivations.

Plot development refers to how your piece of writing develops, unfolds, and progresses through time. A narrative’s point of view is the standpoint through which it is told. It specifies who is telling the story and how the information is communicated to the audience. Writers frequently use the key character’s or protagonist’s point of view to deceive and twist the reader’s perspective.

Dialogue – The talks and dialogues that characters have with one another. Dialogue and a character’s language choices can be crucial in defining their personality.

Metaphors, similes, and alliteration are examples of literary devices that can be used to make creative writing more imaginative and detailed. Writers employ these in a variety of ways to make their work more vivid, intriguing, and engaging.

Is it possible to learn how to write creatively?

Yes, of course! It is possible to teach creative writing, and it is a very popular subject among university students and those who attend our summer courses.

Those interested in learning more about the many genres of writing within the discipline of Creative Writing would often examine a number of works from various eras of time. They’ll get to know some of the industry’s best creative authors from the past to the present, as well as some lesser-known and up-and-coming talent.

It’s not commonplace for Creative Writing students to participate in frequent workshops and scratch sessions, where they bring a piece of writing to class and have it read by other students and the tutor, inspired by what they’ve learned in class. They’ll leave with critical input on how to enhance their writing, as well as suggestions for other works to read in order to gain inspiration.

How do you get started with creative writing?

If you want to get your creative juices flowing and improve your writing skills, check out the following suggestions on how to get started with creative writing:

Read as much as you can – Inspiration for creative writers can come from a variety of places, but the most prevalent source is other writers. All authors should be inspired by some exceptional examples of creative writing throughout history. Read a wide range of genres by a number of authors to acquire a true sense of the style of writing you wish to pursue.

Begin keeping a journal – Keeping a journal can be a great way to tap into your inner creativity. Getting into the habit of writing every day about anything that has been bothering you that day will help you improve your writing skills. The more you journal on a regular basis, the more confident you will become. You never know, you might get your next big idea from something you’ve written in your journal!

Join a Creative Writing Summer School — If you’re just getting started as a creative writer and want to collaborate, share ideas, and workshop your work, a creative writing summer school could be a terrific alternative. Our summer creative writing classes are meant to help you expand your creative writing toolset; you’ll analyze some of the industry’s best writers and workshop some of your own work with your peers.

Practice employing literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, and rhyme, to help you write more vividly and create more descriptive imaginative scenes. If you use them on a regular basis, you’ll notice that your own creative writing will thrive. Do you need some inspiration to get started practicing? Pick a random object from around your house. Then, to discover where your creativity can take you, practice utilizing 5 literary strategies to describe the same object.

Pick up your pen or laptop and start writing! – One of the best pieces of advise we can give on how to start creative writing is to pick up your pen or laptop and start writing. You will only begin your creative writing journey if you have a single conversation starter for a character or a complete narrative arc.

Want to continue learning?

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What qualities make a good creative writer.

Most people can identify good writing fairly easily. Words that compel them to keep reading; that create clear visions of people, places and situations; or simply produce strong emotions or create connections are often mentioned when the discussion turns to great writing. But what is it about people that make them great writers? Although, technically, the characteristics of creative writing and the definition of “good” creative writing are subjective – as evidenced by varying opinions on the same piece of work – there are some qualities that great writers share that can increase your chances of success and of being deemed a good writer yourself.

Desire to Write

The most important quality in a writer is the desire to write. Writing takes time and dedication, and if you are going to put in that level of work, you have to love to write. Writing well isn’t easy for everyone, and if you don’t really want to do it, you aren’t going to enjoy the process or put in the work necessary to develop your craft and constantly work toward becoming a better writer. Being a good creative writer requires discipline and commitment, and if you don’t want to write, that’s going to be next to impossible.

Vivid Imagination

It probably goes without saying, but good creative writers have vivid imaginations – and aren’t afraid to follow their daydreams wherever they may lead. Writers allow themselves to be guided by “What if?” and seek answers to that question. That doesn’t always mean creating mystical, magical worlds of fantasy. With imagination, even a mundane dilemma like, “What if a man took a different route to work one morning?” or “What will drive a customer to buy this product? “can lead to a compelling and creative story. Writers look everywhere for inspiration, and are willing to let their minds wander when they find something interesting. Carry a notebook with you, and jot down things that you see and hear, or sparks of ideas that come to you throughout the day. You might be surprised at where your imagination goes – and how it will help you become a better writer.

A Love of Words

Good writers have a love for words – and the vocabulary to show it. Creative writing is all about using words effectively, whether you are bringing a story to life and transporting readers into another world or trying to convince them to use a different brand of soap. That requires understanding the subtle differences between words and their connotations, and knowing when to use them. Your word choice is a significant contributor to your style and how well you paint a picture for your readers, so it serves you well as a writer to develop your vocabulary and experiment with how you use words.

Self-Discipline

You may have heard several people say, “I would love to be a writer. I have all of these ideas in my head, but I just don’t know how to put them on paper.” Or they make excuses: They don’t have time; they are not good at spelling; their handwriting is awful.

The fact is, as with any craft, creative writing requires ongoing, regular practice if you want to perfect it. This generally means just sitting down and getting to it. Bestselling novels don’t write themselves, after all, and the only way you are ever going to bring your great ideas to life is by actually dedicating the time to writing. Successful writers devote themselves to their craft, and commit to a writing schedule – usually every day. Some opt to produce a certain number of words each day; others aim to write a specific number of pages or for a predetermined length of time.

However, they measure their progress, though, they all carve out time every day to get it done. On some days, it may seem difficult or impossible to reach your goal, while on others you can keep going long after the timer has stopped. In either case, maintaining that discipline and putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard is putting you on the road to becoming a great writer.

A Thick Skin

Creative writing is often a matter of putting your heart and soul onto paper, and you can feel very vulnerable when you allow others to read what you have written. But being a good creative writer requires feedback from others, and that feedback isn’t always going to be great. If you’re planning to write professionally, you need to develop a thick skin and be willing to accept feedback and constructive criticism, and the fact that not everyone is going to love what you’ve written. Sometimes, readers and editors can be harsh, and you need to learn to separate the useful criticisms from those that are simply mean-spirited.

Professional writing also brings with it a fair amount of rejection. Even best-selling authors have had their work turned down by agents and publishers: J.K. Rowling’s pitch for Harry Potter, which included a hand-drawn map of the Hogwarts grounds, was rejected 12 times before it was picked up. Rowling even noted that she received a form letter rejection for the beloved first novel the first time she sent it out for review, and an especially harsh rejection when she tried submitting it under a pen name. A great creative writer needs to be able to overcome that rejection, and keep writing anyway, with an eye toward improving with every draft.

A Love of Reading

Ask writers about what they like to do in their spare time, and most will say, “Read.” Being a voracious reader is a key part of building your writing skills. When you read what others have done, you learn more about the qualities of creative writing, what makes writing compelling and what doesn’t work. You gain insight into how to use words, structure, syntax, tone and style in your own writing. By gaining exposure to many different types of writing, you can better hone your own style, picking and choosing from various techniques to create characters and worlds that are all your own.

A Level of Perfectionism

Rarely, if ever, is any piece of writing perfect on the first draft. There is always something that can be fixed or improved, and a good creative writer recognizes that and is willing to do the work to make her writing better. This might mean cutting entire sections or plot lines, or eliminating characters that aren’t moving the story forward. It might mean adding additional paragraphs, or even entire chapters or sections, to clarify plot points or deepen the story. Great writers are perfectionists, constantly looking for ways to make their work better.

They are also demanding on themselves, and invest time and energy into developing their skills by taking courses, attending workshops and reading about their craft. You are never “done” becoming a writer, but are always working on your skills and becoming the best writer you can be.

Fearlessness

Writers are fearless. Again, sharing your work with the world can make you vulnerable, but you can’t be afraid of what the world will think. Be fearless means not being afraid to write terrible first drafts (in fact, in her best-selling guide to writing, Bird by Bird , writer Anne Lamott actually encourages writers to produce terrible first drafts) and then throw them out and start over. Being fearless means going deep into your characters' psyches, and digging out the really interesting bits that can take your story to the next level. Being fearless with your writing means knowing that some people might be made uncomfortable by your words – especially when you’re working on a memoir – and being willing to share them anyway. And, of course, being fearless means sending your work out, putting in the effort to get published, and sharing your creations with the world without fearing rejection, which is inevitable and something to learn from.

Grammatical Knowledge

When you are writing early drafts, grammar, punctuation and spelling aren’t all that important, especially when you are writing only for yourself. However, if you want to become a professional writer, the nuts and bolts of writing do matter. You don’t need to become the world’s leading expert on commas, but you do need to put in the effort to proof your work and polish it so readers aren’t distracted by misspellings and miss the flow of the story. If you really struggle in this area, enlist the help of a friend who has skills, or hire a professional editor to help you. And remember, the more you practice, the better you will get, so keep learning and working to improve your skills.

Research Skills

Many new writers are advised to “Write what you know” as a way to get started. However, no one knows everything, and even a piece based entirely on your personal experience is likely to require some research. If you are writing creative nonfiction, or any type of nonfiction, you are going to have to fill in gaps with your own research. Knowing how to conduct research and dig out the details you need to round out your writing, is an important skill for great writing. Readers will know when you’re faking it, and even a single misstatement or overlooked detail can destroy your credibility and cause other problems for you and your publisher.

Organizational Skills

Being an organized writer doesn’t mean you need a fancy office with the latest computer and a container full of perfectly sharpened pencils. After all, bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand writes the first drafts of all of her novels in longhand on legal pads while sitting on the beach or by the pool. However, being organized means being careful with your time, scheduling in your daily writing sessions and keeping track of your progress. If you are submitting your work to agents or publishers, you need to keep careful track of your submissions and their status. If your hard work has paid off and you are getting published, you need to keep track of your deadlines and the work that needs to be completed. You must also catalogue your research, interview notes and other important information. All of this requires organization. While you might have an image of a disheveled and disorganized writer tapping away on a keyboard while the world crashes down around her, that isn’t an accurate depiction. Successful writers follow the creative spirit where it takes them, but also take good notes along the way.

You Can Get Better

If you have the desire to write, the good news is that you can get better. While some argue that the qualities of a good creative writer and writing ability are things you either have or you don’t, the fact is that it can be taught. With practice, determination and a willingness to make mistakes and learn from them, it is possible to improve your skills and develop the qualities of a good creative writer. You might never make it to the top of the bestseller list, or even see your name in print, but when you are called upon to write something, you’ll have the confidence of knowing you can string the words together and accomplish what you set out to do. Commit to practicing, developing your craft and learning about writing, and you can be a better writer.

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An adjunct instructor at Central Maine Community College, Kristen Hamlin is also a freelance writer and editor, specializing in careers, business, education, and lifestyle topics. The author of Graduate! Everything You Need to Succeed After College (Capital Books), which covers everything from career and financial advice to furnishing your first apartment, her work has also appeared in Young Money, Lewiston Auburn Magazine, USA Today, and a variety of online outlets. She's also been quoted as a career expert in many newspapers and magazines, including Cosmopolitan and Parade. She has a B.A. in Communication from Stonehill College, and a Master of Liberal Studies in Creative Writing from the University of Denver.

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Characteristics of Creative Writing

Creative writing is the art of expressing thoughts, feelings, and emotions through words in a unique and imaginative way.

It involves the creation of original works of fiction, poetry, drama, or nonfiction, which explore ideas, themes, and characters in a compelling and engaging way.

In creative writing, the author has the freedom to use language in creative and unconventional ways, to evoke emotion, and to transport readers to new worlds or perspectives.

It is a form of self-expression that allows the writer to explore their creativity and imagination, while also connecting with readers on a personal level.

Characteristics

There are several characteristics that are commonly associated with creative writing, including:

• Imagination: Creative writing is characterized by the use of imaginative and inventive language, ideas, and concepts. The writer is not limited by the constraints of reality and is free to create characters, worlds, and situations that are entirely their own.
• Emotion: Creative writing often involves the exploration of emotions and the human experience. The writer may use language to evoke powerful feelings and connect with readers on an emotional level.
• Originality: Creative writing is about creating something new and unique. The writer may draw inspiration from their own experiences or the world around them, but they are always striving to create something that is fresh and original.
• Use of language: Creative writing involves the use of language in a creative and unconventional way. The writer may use metaphor, simile, and other literary devices to create an engaging and vivid narrative.
• Personal expression: Creative writing is often a means of personal expression and self-discovery. The writer may use their work to explore their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and to share those insights with readers.
• Entertainment: Creative writing is often intended to entertain readers. Whether it is through humor, suspense, or drama, the writer aims to engage the reader and hold their attention from beginning to end.

Creative writing can take many forms, including short stories, novels, screenplays, poetry, memoirs, and essays. It is often used as a means of personal growth and self-discovery, as well as a way to entertain and educate others.

6 Personality Traits of the Creative Writer

What lies behind the creative soul of a writer? My guest today, Megan Ray Nichols, is sharing the personality traits that make up a happy, healthy and inspired author. Over to you, Megan!

There’s more to you than a pen and a piece of paper.

Wait, it’s 2016. Let me revise that last phrase—there’s more to you than your Word document.

Although one of those sentences is more technologically advanced than the other, the sentiment remains the same. You are a creative writer. You are special. You see things in a way that others don’t, and your brain ticks just a little differently than your peers.

Your love for creative writing is not an accident. You possess certain personality traits that make you who you are.

As a creative writer, you are organized. Now this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are neat or tidy. Your desk might be cluttered, and papers could be everywhere.

You are organized because you know what works for you. Someone might walk into your office and think that it’s a complete mess. Maybe it is. But everything is exactly where you want it to be.

You are organized because you know what works for you.

You aren’t afraid to let your voice be heard.Your workspace is set up in a way conducive to your creative process. Perhaps there are documents randomly thrown across your floor. This might be because your creative process is messy and chaotic. Let's say your office is tidy with every paper stored in alphabetic order in separate filing cabinets. This could mean that your creative process is structured.

You are organized based on your process.

Creative writers always get their work done. You are self-motivated because you know that whatever you’re writing will have your voice behind it.

Creative writers don’t need someone to tell them that they have to do something. You don’t need a boss over your shoulder micro-analyzing every little thing that you do. You will finish your work and it will be good because writing is your creative outlet.

You can also stick to your schedule and focus when you have to. You recognize the creative process and surrender yourself to it. When you have to work, you tune out the rest of society and only let yourself focus on the task at hand. When you don’t have to work, you can turn off the creative side of your brain.

Efficiency is key in any line of work. Not many people do it better than creative writers.

Fear plays a central role in all of our lives. The fear of failure can paralyze some people and stop them from achieving their dreams. It can also push people to greatness.

For the most part, creative writers are not afraid.

Creative writers aren’t afraid to let their voices be heard.

You aren’t afraid to let your voice be heard. You aren’t afraid to share your opinion with the world despite the possibility of backlash or denial. People might not accept your writing and tell you that it was bad, but this doesn’t bother you because you are satisfied with your work.

You also aren’t afraid to push the social boundaries and toe the conversational line. This might upset some people, but it doesn’t matter to you because you are not afraid.

Where does the inspiration for your writing come from? Why do you feel the need to write? Creative writers are often curious about certain aspects of life.

This curiosity is what fuels them to learn about and formulate an opinion on these topics that they want to write about. The desire to learn creates ideas that would make a great book or article.

Curiosity is the source of creativity. You are always observing your surroundings, which shapes your perception of the world. This is when you are the most creative.

The future can be scary for everyone. No one knows this better than a creative writer. You worry your next article might not get 100 views and your next book might not get published.

Still, you have hope. That book might be the next big thing, so you have to finish it. Instead of worrying about the future, you are optimistic about the great things that it might bring.

You also aren’t worried about money: You are writing because you love to write. If the money never comes, then you won’t worry because you are already doing what you love. You have already won.

Creative writers are proud.

I don’t need to tell you this because you already know. But the best personality trait of a creative writer is that they’re proud. Your writing is your work. It’s your voice. Your opinion. Your art.

Your writing is something that originates from imagination or thoughts that you have. It is essentially an extension of you in the form of words and paper. The fact that you created something that exists, in reality, is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

You are proud to call yourself a creative writer. And you should be.

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How Personality Traits Determine Your Artistic and Scientific Success

How does personality predict success in writing, the visual arts, invention, music, dance and science?

Being open to experience and intelligent are linked to greater creative achievement in life, research finds.

People high on these traits are more likely to have professional (paid) success in writing, the visual arts, invention, music, dance and science.

People who are open to experience are more likely to be imaginative, sensitive to their feelings, intellectually curious and seekers of variety.

Openness to experience also measures how much you like trying out new ideas or activities.

Intelligence and openness, though, bias people towards different domains:

• For scientific creativity, intelligence is linked to greater achievement.
• For artistic creativity, being open to experience is linked to greater achievement.

The link between intelligence and science, as well as openness and the arts, was also seen at the genetic level.

The study’s authors explain:

“While both openness and intelligence were correlated with creative achievement in both domains, the correlation between openness and artistic achievement was twice as strong as that between openness and scientific achievement. At the same time, the correlation between intelligence and scientific achievement was more than twice that between intelligence and artistic achievement.”

The results come from a Swedish study of 9,537 twins.

All were given personality tests, along with being asked about their creative achievements in areas including writing, visual arts, invention, music, dance and science.

Twins were included in the study to test the influence of genetics and the environment on creativity.

The authors explain the genetic results:

“Genes associated with intelligence, however, played a significantly greater role in scientific achievement than in artistic achievement. In fact, the majority of genetic influences on intelligence were also involved in scientific creative achievement.”

The varying importance of intelligence and openness across scientific and artistic domains probably comes down to the different demands, the authors write:

“…artistic and scientific domains will generally place different demands on […] creative problem solving. For example […] scientific creativity, on average, operates under greater constraint and requires greater top-down cognitive control than does artistic creativity, while artistic creativity, in contrast to scientific creativity, depends more on spontaneous associations, emotional involvement and the expression of affect.”

The study was published in the journal Intelligence  ( Manzano & Ullén, 2018 ).

Author: Jeremy Dean

Psychologist, Jeremy Dean, PhD is the founder and author of PsyBlog. He holds a doctorate in psychology from University College London and two other advanced degrees in psychology. He has been writing about scientific research on PsyBlog since 2004. He is also the author of the book "Making Habits, Breaking Habits" (Da Capo, 2013) and several ebooks. View all posts by Jeremy Dean

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3 Types of Creative Blocks, and How to Overcome Them Science can help you understand the walls you're running into, when you struggle to start or finish a project.

By Amber Rae • Apr 24, 2024

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

I had every intention of writing this article yesterday morning. And then again, last night. And then this morning. But my team needed me, I had a couple of fires to put out, and honestly, I just didn't really feel like doing it.

When I finally sat down to write, I realized what was going on: Procrastination was rearing its head. Or, as I like to call it, "Fear in overalls." Procrastination is a type of fear that has good intentions but lacks consistent follow-through, and it's easy to slip into. It's the part of us that says, "It's all good, I can do this later, I'm not really in the mood, I'm waiting for inspiration to strike."

As a bestselling author of three books, and a writing mentor who's supported thousands, I've learned a thing or two about why we don't start or finish projects — why ideas nudge us for years but rarely see the light of day.

Whether I'm supporting a founder with a track record of success, a New York Times bestselling author, or an aspiring writer who's just picking up the pen, creative blocks plague us all. Through my work, I've identified three types of creative blocks and how to overcome them.

Creative Block #1: Procrastination — "I'll do this later after I do that other thing."

Maybe you're reading this right now to avoid something else that you need or want to be doing. If so, you may be dealing with procrastination. But before you get down on yourself, let's look closer at the real cause. Unlike what many of us learned, procrastination is not a sign that we're lazy, weak, or lacking in motivation. Procrastination, from a psychological perspective, is also a survival function.

When we're stressed, overwhelmed, burnt out, or dealing with any perceived threat — which could be, "I really want this to go well but the outcome is uncertain," or "I want to put myself out there but I'm not sure how it'll be received," — our nervous system moves into a fight/flight/freeze response. In other words: we procrastinate.

Understanding the science of this can help us have compassion for ourselves—and others—and also decide what to do about it.

I learned about "micro-yeses" from my friend Britt Frank, a neuropsychotherapist and the author of The Science of Stuck . A micro-yes is the smallest next step you can take—a step so small, it seems almost ridiculous to call it "a step."

So, if you're wanting to write an article but you're stalling — like I was — the next micro-yes is not to schedule an hour to write. That might spook your nervous system and send you into further delays. In my case, my micro-yeses were:

• Get my tush in the chair.
• Write one bad sentence.
• Write another.

And voila, the brain stopped perceiving threats, my nervous system was more regulated, and I cranked out the article. I was on my way, and micro-yeses will help you get going, too.

Creative Block #2: Perfectionism — "This isn't good enough."

If procrastination is "fear is overalls," perfectionism is, as Elizabeth Gilbert put it, "fear in fancy clothes." Of all the blocks out there, perfectionism—and the pressure to be great right away—is one that will stop a project dead in its tracks before it ever has a chance to flourish.

When I landed my first book deal, my publisher asked me if I could write the book in three months. As crazy as that sounded, my book was titled Choose Wonder Over Worry , so instead of worrying about how unrealistic that deadline sounded, I asked myself: I wonder how I can get this done?

I cleared my calendar, flew across the world for a writing retreat, and then, as I sat down to write, I found myself paralyzed by a voice inside my head that chimed in every ten seconds to tell me, "That's a very bad sentence."

After consulting with a mentor (and nearly losing my mind), I was reminded that there is no such thing as a great first draft. In fact, my goal was to be a "bad writer" and write terrible first drafts, so that I'd get to the stage of having so-so second drafts and better third drafts.

That strategy helped me finish my book—and it's one that's helped many others in my signature writing workshop, On The Page . Revision is essential and will strengthen your work—but first you need to get those "pen miles" down.

Creative Block #3: Imposter Syndrome — " Who am I to call myself a writer? Am I going to get found out?"

If procrastination is "fear in overalls" and perfectionism is, "fear in fancy clothes," then imposter syndrome is "fear in hiding."

Whenever you're putting yourself out there, or trying something new, there will be people who will be more experienced, or knowledgable, or renowned than you. It's a simple fact of life. Whether you are just starting out in your career, or have decades' worth of accolades, there is always a fear that people who have achieved more will say: You don't know what you're talking about, or, who are you to think you can do this?

In fact, sometimes the more successful you are, and the more you've accomplished, the more likely you are to feel imposter syndrome. It's like the old saying attributed to Aristotle: "The more you know, the more you know you don't know." Case in point, I have a client who got a significant book deal on a topic that she's a world-renowned expert on. She's been featured in dozens of publications, she has a thriving business in her field, and her book is a vehicle to make her message more accessible to more people. And yet, on one of our calls, she shared with me: "I hope I can one day call myself a writer."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, I'm not a writer like those other writers," she said. "Maybe if the book's a huge success."

That right there is where imposter syndrome thrives: between internal doubt, and the belief that external accolades will prove we are worthy. And the most brutal part of imposter syndrome is that even if we reach our vision of "ultimate success," it's still not enough.

So what to do about it? The solution to imposter syndrome is two-fold:

• Notice the critical voice inside your head that says, I'm not enough, I'm going to be found out, I don't deserve this, I have to work harder to prove myself — and remember that voice is an old and damaging story that you don't need to buy into anymore. Notice it, remember it's not you, and as uncomfortable as it might feel, choose a more empowering narrative, such as: I'm already enough.
• Celebrate the progress you've already made—including the mistakes. Focus on what you're learning, how you're growing, what you value, and what is meaningful to you. Don't get caught up in what you'll need to "someday" achieve so that you'll finally arrive. You've already arrived.

I know encountering blocks can feel unsettling. But once we name what we're experiencing, we can recognize it more easily, and then respond to it differently. Creative blocks are challenges, yes, but they do have science-backed solutions. Sometimes it starts with lowering our really high personal expectations, rolling up our sleeves, and having a little faith in the process.

Author, speaker and writing mentor

Amber Rae is an international bestselling author, speaker, and writing mentor, best known for her acclaimed works Choose Wonder Over Worry, The Answers Are Within You , and The Feelings Journal . Through her work as a writing mentor, Amber guides creatives and entrepreneurs to turn their mission and message into stories worth sharing. Amber's writings and work have been featured in The New York Times, TODAY, Forbes, and New York Magazine , and she has collaborated with companies such as Kate Spade, Meta, Microsoft and TED. Her signature writing program  On The Page  with Amber Rae helps people break through creative blocks and get writing.

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The Essentials: Mindy Kaling spills on running to Beyoncé, her favorite Sharpie and success

In a new series, USA TODAY’s The Essentials , celebrities share what fuels their lives.

Never have I ever been able to spill Mindy Kaling 's secrets for creating and staying sane while doing it — until now.

The actor/screenwriter/author/director/producer is celebrating her 20th year in the biz after launching her career at 24 as the only female writer on " The Office " writing staff in 2004. Since, Kaling has written three books and created/co-created TV comedies like " The Mindy Project ," " Never Have I Ever " and " The Sex Lives of College Girls ." Kaling is also mom to daughter Katherine, 6, and son Spencer, 3.

Here's what the good Dr. Mindy Lahiri has ordered to keep Kaling firing on all cylinders.

Dolly Parton spills on Cowboys cheerleader outfit, her iconic look: 'A lot of maintenance'

Kaling's precise tools required for writing

Being creative each and every day is absolutely crucial for Kaling. "That to me as a comedy writer is so vital," she says.

"Not only does it replenish me creatively, but also it pays the bills," she says with a laugh.

Kaling is particular about the tools she uses to get her job done. She outlines her stories with the help of index cards and Sharpies, which she's used since her days on "The Office," in which she played the witty as she was self-involved Kelly Kapoor. "I'm more of a visual learner than I thought I was because I really need to see a story's beginning, middle and end," says Kaling, a fan of Sharpie's Creative Markers and Paper Mate Inkjoy Gel Bright! Pens .

Why she mastered all aspects of her craft

Kaling acknowledges the challenges of being a writer. "It's hard to make a good living doing it, and I've only had success by creating my own stories, which I know everyone has said," she says.

Kaling benefited from "learning things that I didn't want to learn," like filming and editing. "I didn't want to do that. I just wanted to be a writer, and then I found out that wow, those are other tools for storytelling."

"So I had to edit, direct, act. These were not the things I wanted to do, and I found so much joy from being forced to do them."

Mindy Kaling's workout routine includes 'therapy' of running, jogging

Movement is a must for Kaling , who loves jogging and running.

"I think that really takes the place of — honestly, even therapy," she says with a laugh. "I find it incredibly joyous to do that."

Her jaunts last more than an hour, and she's jamming to tunes to pull her through.

"If I cannot listen to music, I think it's so tedious," she says. "I'm that insane person that will listen to one song nine times in a row 'til it goes from something where I'm like, 'Oh, this is interesting. Do I like it? Do I not?,' to then it's a jam that I have memorized."

She's constantly looking for new music to jazz up her workouts and is currently spinning Beyoncé’s "Texas Hold ‘Em" and English bands like Depeche Mode. She needs tracks that are upbeat "because when it's slow, I become slow. And when it's fast, it makes me want to run or jog faster."

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The beach is her form of meditation

Kaling and her kids frequent Malibu's stunning oceanfront.

"We have a little place on the beach," she says. "I was never someone growing up that was a beach person, but I do think when I go for a walk on the beach it's the closest I get to meditating."

Kaling relishes the sweet sound of silence

With all that Kaling has going on, she finds herself craving moments of quiet.

"I like silence more than I used to as a kid, or even as someone in my 20s," she says. "It used to make me nervous, and now I look forward to it."

At work she collaborates with eight people in her writers' room and 150 on set, she says. And at home she gets to enjoy her kids whom she describes as "wonderful, loud creatures." So retreating to a place where she can find stillness is key. "It helps me with my work," Kaling says.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Levelland HS senior recognized for hard work on the field and in the classroom, local middle school teacher awarded for creative writing

Tell me something good.

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - A Levelland High School senior baseball player was recognized for his hard work on the field and in the classroom and a Hutchison Middle School teacher was awarded for his success in creative writing in today’s KCBD News Channel 11′s Tell Me Something Good.

Congratulations to Levelland High School senior Anson McMahan! He was named to the Texas High School Coach’s Association First Team Academic All-State Team. Which means he’s working hard on the field and in the classroom.

We also want to highlight Hutchinson Middle School’s creative writing teacher Nathan Dahlstrom. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, in Oklahoma City, honored him with the Juvenile Book Award for his book ‘Heartwood Mountain’. It’s the eighth book in the ‘Wilder Good’ series.

For those with good news to share, go to the Community section at KCBD.com and click on Tell Me Something Good to fill out the entry form. Please include photos or video so the station can share the good news.

Copyright 2024 KCBD. All rights reserved.

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