Creative Writing: A Beginner’s Guide
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” ~ Stephen King
What comes to your mind after reading the words “creative writing”? Is it poems, articles, short stories, or in general - literature? Those ideas likely occurred to you, but limiting your notion of the concept to the mentioned items means you eradicate the possibility of countless forms of creative writing staring back at you. This is because creative writing is not a talent or a natural ability one excels at; rather, it is a skill that needs to be developed through practice like any other form of art.
Creative writing can be described as “the art of imagining and blending ideas.”
Despite the impression of creative writing as being extremely professional, the majority of us have had some experience with it - whether it be a school assignment or an imaginary scenario in your head to help you sleep. To begin your journey of becoming a writer, you need to open your mind to unfamiliar things and look at the world through a different lens. Stating that creative writing is easy would be deceitful, as it is an intricate skill that demands time and practice. Nevertheless, for an individual with a passionate mind, it is an achievable skill. Here are a few tips that helped me discover my inner creativity and express them in words:
Every writer reads. Through the infinite range stretching from books, poetry, articles, and blogs, the act of reading is the very core from which the skill grows. Thus, starting to read what you like and what is accessible is the first step. Through reading, you learn to interpret, imagine, and find your writing style. It may be something you can learn but it is not something you can force yourself to learn.
Discover and express. You need to discover the styles of writing that appeal to you. Is it poetry? Prose? Articles? Blogs? Informational pieces? Whatever form of craft it may be, it is essential to discover your expressive style and pen down whatever interests you through that source.
Find a source of motivation. For many, this is the brunt of the entire process. Explore and determine what inspires you to write. What is it that induces imaginative ideas in your mind? It could be taking a warm shower, listening to music, chatting with a particular person, or even strolling aimlessly. In my opinion, savoring a glass of delightful coffee while listening to music or having a casual discussion is very inspiring. Some of my ideas also come to me when I am sitting with a pen and notebook. It is up to you to find what gets you going. Everyone’s inspiration is different and somewhat personalized. At the same time, having a common source of inspiration as others doesn’t make it any less stimulating.
Always leave time for reviews. One of the best practices I learned to develop was reviewing my work a day or two later. Your first draft is never going to be perfect, and you will always find something that can be changed. Therefore, remember to start a particular piece as early as possible to ensure an ample number of days are available for you to review it with a fresh mind at least 1 or 2 times.
Welcome constructive criticism. What is constructive criticism? Constructive criticism is a form of positive and specific feedback. You need to welcome it with open arms to truly develop. You cannot improve without recognizing your mistakes and analyzing your writing skills from the points of view of others. The best source of constructive criticism for me has always been from my friends and family. Once you know what people enjoyed and thought you lacked, you can work on refining your techniques.
Be patient. The one undiscussed rule of creative writing is to have patience. “Rome wasn’t built in a day” might be an overused quote but it effectively conveys my message. Writing is a skill that requires innumerable hours to develop. Do not expect to create a masterpiece the first time you write, or even the tenth time you write. Masterpieces take time to be produced and to reach the right audience. Not everyone will like what you write, but that does not mean that no one will enjoy your writing. The key is to wait while you write more.
The art of creative writing has beautiful outcomes, but the process is not as pleasing or easy as people perceive it to be. Akin to a beautiful flower germinating under the soil from a tiny seed, there is so much professionalism and beauty to be discovered in a single paragraph as your pen twirls on the smooth paper. Although you may feel the need to write something perfect that people appreciate, that is not the truth. The result may not be as brilliant as anticipated, but practice will undoubtedly help you achieve your goal in the end.
Hope I could help you get started! Happy writing!
