Creative Writing

Creative Writing is any creative writing which goes beyond the boundaries of standard professional, scholarly, medical, scientific, or other specialist forms of writing, typically defined by an emphasis on character development, story development, and the employment of poetic or other literary genres or with other established traditions of poetry and prose. Creative Writing can be defined as being any written work that defies easy categorization into singular definitions. It defies the usual rules of grammar and style. It is often characterized by its spontaneous nature, by the author's ability to tell a story without the aid of words, or by the ability to paint a picture in the mind of the reader. It is a form of art. It is a mode of expression, and sometimes a way of venting an angry, suppressed inner turmoil.

 

Creative Writing is not merely writing for the literary profession. It extends far beyond the boundaries of what is considered 'literature' or 'real' writing. The term Creative Writing can be used, in its most inclusive form, to refer to any type of creative writing, short stories especially, as it is generally understood today, including creative non-fiction, books, song lyrics, short stories, poems, even the written word itself. However, by extension Creative Writing can also be used to describe works of fiction, plays, screenplays, comic books, music, paintings, architecture, and other visual or auditory art forms.

 

Some of the most renowned and widely-read writers of our time are George R.R. Martin, John Grisham, Philip Pullman, and Charles Dickens. These and other like-minded writers have all demonstrated a talent for creative writing of some sort. Most are known for their use of creativity within the realm of writing, in regards to creative writing, character development, plot structure, dialogue, characterization, setting, and even visual components. And if you ask these writers about what they think are the best titles to include in their work when it comes to creative writing short stories, most will tell you that their short stories, whether they are novels or short stories, captivate and entice readers on an emotional and psychological level.

 

When it comes to novel writing most writers agree that the novel itself is the most essential component to be written, prior to the introduction of the characters. However, many would agree that it is the introduction of the characters which drives the reader to continue reading, and if it lacks the excitement and intrigue, the reader would most likely stop reading almost immediately. This is where creative writing programs are so beneficial. As previously mentioned, most writers do not enjoy writing the detailed description of the setting and local landmarks, unless of course they have studied the fine arts. These writers can benefit from utilizing creative writing programs which teach them how to write more realistically, instead of relying on a writer's imagination and heavily relying on literary devices.

 

A great way to improve your creativity is to begin using creative writing programs while at school. You can learn to use these programs in your classes, but in addition you will get excellent practice in doing real writing. Students who take creative writing courses generally turn out to be better writers than those who did not take any creative writing courses at all. Most students say that they write more as a result of taking creative writing programs.

 

Students who only read literature and write in a traditional fashion may be challenged by the analytical nature of creative writing programs. These students often excel in their classes because they are able to "think on their feet," when reading works of fiction. For example, when students read Jane Austen's "Oxenham" in class they are forced to analyze each sentence and word, rather than just simply repeating the meaning of the entire piece. Such a task requires fine-tuning the skills associated with the literary language. As a result, students become aware of the literary codes of conduct, and as a result they can generate new plots and characters without being constrained by previous knowledge about how a novel should be written.

 

Those pursuing creative writing programs at colleges and universities will benefit from taking courses in creative expression. Such courses teach the basics of creative writing, including the structure of a good story, characterization, plot, subplots, descriptions of setting, dialogue and other elements of the literary work. Such courses also provide examples of rich and varied self-expression, from literature to theater to film, television and video games.

 

In general, those who are thinking about writing seriously, especially creative writing, must consider their writing habits as well as their talents. A college or university environment that encourages self-expression and personal responsibility will be conducive to good literature and to creative pursuits. At the same time, such an environment may also challenge the writer to expand his or her imagination and talent beyond the traditional realms of traditional literature. The ability to think creatively is very important, but it is equally important for writers to develop the ability to express their thoughts in meaningful and interesting ways. A fine arts degree program in creative writing can help a student to do just that. Those who choose to follow a creative writing course of study at a university or college may benefit academically, while also developing a rewarding personal and professional career.