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11 Creative Writing Techniques
Learn how to add pizzazz to any type of writing.
The articles below show you how to use creative writing tools in fiction or non-fiction. Each article features a series of examples so it becomes easier to apply the technique.
List of creative writing techniques
Click the links below to go to a specific section:
Personification
Show don’t tell
Repetition in writing
Contrast in writing
The rule of three in writing
Parallelism
1. Metaphors
![best techniques to use in creative writing creative writing techniques - metaphors](https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/metaphor-examples-thumbnail.jpg)
Learn how to use metaphors and get inspired by these examples …
Learn how to use metaphors >>
Metaphor examples >>
![best techniques to use in creative writing creative writing techniques - simile](https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/simile-examples-thumbnail.jpg)
Get inspired by over 10 simile examples by various authors …
Simile examples >>
3. Analogies
![best techniques to use in creative writing creative writing technique #3](https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/analogy-examples-thumbnail.jpg)
Get inspired by these analogy examples …
Analogy examples >>
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![best techniques to use in creative writing creative writing technique #4](https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/imagery-examples-thumbnail.jpg)
Get inspired by these imagery examples …
Imagery examples >>
5. Personification
![best techniques to use in creative writing creative writing technique #5](https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/personification-examples.jpg)
Learn how to use personification to make your writing sparkle …
Personification examples >>
6. Show don’t tell
![best techniques to use in creative writing creative writing technique #6](https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/showing-instead-of-telling-thumbnail.jpg)
Get inspired by these examples of “show, don’t tell” …
Show don’t tell examples >>
7. Repetition in writing
![best techniques to use in creative writing creative writing technique #7](https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/word-repetition-in-writing-thumbnail.jpg)
Get inspired by these examples of word repetition …
Examples of repetition in writing >>
8. Contrast in writing
![best techniques to use in creative writing creative writing technique #8](https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/how-to-use-contrast-in-writing-thumbnail.jpg)
Discover how to use contrast in your writing …
Examples of contrast in writing >>
9. The rule of 3 in writing
![best techniques to use in creative writing creative writing technique #9](https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/rule-of-three-thumbnail.jpg)
Get inspired by these examples of the rule of 3 …
The rule of 3 in writing >>
10. Parallelism in writing
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Get inspired by these examples of the parallelism …
Parallelism examples >>
11. Switch the point of view (POV)
![best techniques to use in creative writing creative writing technique #10](https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Point-of-View-Examples-thumbnail.jpg)
Discover how to switch the point of view …
Point of view examples >>
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Creative writing examples
Learn how to inject creativity in any writing.
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Creative writing exercises
Try these exercises to add a touch of creativity to your writing.
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I never saw myself as a writer, but in my early forties, I learned how to write and discovered the joy of writing. Now, I’d like to empower you to find your voice, share your ideas and inspire your audience. Learn how I can help you
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12 Creative Writing Techniques for Writers of All Levels
Last Updated on April 30, 2023 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD
Are you itching to unleash your inner storyteller, but can’t seem to find the right words or ideas? Fear not, my fellow writers! Whether you’re a seasoned novelist or just starting on your very first journal entry, we’ve got something for everyone in our bag of tricks.
Say goodbye to that pesky writer’s block and hello to an endless supply of creative inspiration! In this article, we’ll delve into 12 amazing techniques designed specifically with you in mind—yes, YOU—to help ignite that spark of innovation lurking deep within.
From character development and dialogue tips to exploring new literary devices and narrative styles, these tried-and-true methods will have those fantastic stories flowing effortlessly from your fingertips. So grab your favorite pen (or keyboard) and let’s embark on this magical journey together!
Improving Imagery
Let’s start by talking about how we can use sensory language to improve imagery in our writing . This includes adding words that evoke the five senses, like taste, touch, sight, sound, and smell. Next, let’s discuss different perspectives and how they help create deeper, more vivid descriptions. Finally, let’s explore ways to use vivid descriptions to create a more engaging story.
Using Sensory Language
Do you want to create vivid imagery in your writing that will make readers feel like they are part of the story? Then, using sensory language is key!
Sensory language refers to words and phrases that evoke sensory experiences such as sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. By incorporating these elements into your writing, you can bring your characters and settings to life.
For example, instead of saying ‘the flowers were pretty,’ try describing them using sensory language: ‘The vibrant colors of the wildflowers danced in the breeze while their sweet fragrance filled the air.’
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different creative writing techniques when using sensory language – it’s all about finding what works best for you and your style.
Different Perspectives
Let’s take your sensory language skills to the next level by incorporating different perspectives into your writing. This creative writing technique allows you to present a bird’s eye view of the setting or use multiple characters’ points of view, adding depth and nuances to your descriptions. By doing so, you can improve imagery in ways that engage readers who have a subconscious desire for innovation.
For example, instead of merely describing how an apple tastes as ‘sweet,’ imagine experiencing it from two different perspectives: one from someone who has never tasted anything sweet before and another from someone with synesthesia, where they experience taste as color.
The first person might describe the apple as ‘an explosion of flavors on my tongue,’ while the second person may say “the redness enveloped my mouth like velvet.”
Experimenting with different perspectives is just one way to enhance sensory language techniques further. As writers, we should always be exploring new creative writing techniques to keep our work fresh and exciting!
Vivid Descriptions
Now that we’ve delved into the importance of playing with different perspectives in improving imagery, it’s time to focus on another key aspect – vivid descriptions.
As creative writers, we should strive to paint a picture for our readers using descriptive language that appeals to their senses.
This means tapping into not only sight and smell but also taste, touch, and sound.
By doing so, we can transport our readers to new worlds and make them feel as though they are part of the story themselves.
In this next subtopic, we’ll explore how you can use vivid descriptions to enhance your writing even further.
So let’s dive in!
Structure As Per Three Acts
Let’s dive into the three acts structure: Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution. We’ll look at how each action works, and how they can be used to craft a compelling story. Here’s a quick tip: use pronouns and contractions to make your writing flow naturally. You don’t want your story to feel choppy and disjointed, so keep those language tools in mind! Now let’s get started!
Are you ready to take your creative writing techniques to the next level? Then let’s dive into the first act of the three-act structure: Setup.
This is where you establish your characters, setting, and plot. It’s important to hook your readers right from the beginning with a strong opening that sets the tone for the story. Think about using vivid descriptions, sensory details, and dialogue to bring your world to life.
As you continue through this phase, create tension by introducing conflicts or obstacles that will drive the story forward. By the end of the setup, make sure your readers are invested in your characters and curious about what comes next.
So grab your pen and let’s start building a solid foundation for an unforgettable story!
Confrontation
Now that you have successfully set up your story’s foundation through the first act, it’s time to move on to the second act: Confrontation.
This is where the real action begins – conflicts and obstacles are at their peak as your characters face challenges and confrontations head-on.
As an instructor of creative writing , I must emphasize that this is a crucial part of any story because it drives character development and plot progression.
The key elements of creative writing come into play during this phase; make use of dialogue, sensory details, and vivid descriptions to immerse your readers in the scene.
Keep them engaged by creating tension and suspense around every corner.
Remember, confrontation isn’t always physical but can also be emotional or mental.
So get ready to take your audience on an unforgettable journey full of twists and turns!
Now that we’ve explored the second act, it’s time to wrap things up with the final act: Resolution.
This is where loose ends are tied together, questions are answered, and conflicts are resolved.
As a creative writing instructor, I must stress the importance of utilizing all your creative writing techniques during this phase.
Your readers have invested their time and emotions into your story; don’t let them down by rushing through the conclusion or leaving unanswered questions.
Remember to give each character an appropriate resolution that fits their storyline while ensuring everything ties together smoothly.
So get ready to deliver a satisfying resolution that will leave your audience feeling fulfilled and satisfied!
Writing Dialogue
Let’s start by focusing on writing engaging dialogue – this is the lifeblood of any story, so it’s important to get it right! As part of this, we’ll look at how to express character emotions through dialogue – a key element of making dialogue come alive!
Writing Engaging Dialogue
As a writer, you want your readers to be fully invested in your characters and their stories. One way to do this is by writing engaging dialogue that not only moves the plot forward but also reveals the personalities of your characters.
To achieve this, creative writing techniques such as using body language, tone, and word choice can make all the difference. By incorporating these elements into your dialogue, you give your characters depth and nuance, making them more relatable and interesting to read about.
Remember, good dialogue isn’t just about what’s being said; it’s also about how it’s being said. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and voices until you find what works best for each character.
With practice and patience, writing engaging dialogue will become second nature!
Expressing Character Emotions Through Dialogue
Now that we’ve covered the basics of writing engaging dialogue, let’s dive deeper into how to use creative writing techniques to express character emotions through dialogue.
As a writer, it is crucial to make sure your characters’ emotions are conveyed effectively in their conversations with one another. This can be achieved by paying attention to details such as word choice and tone of voice. By using descriptive language and highlighting certain phrases or words, you can create an emotional impact on your readers.
Additionally, incorporating pauses or interruptions in conversation can also convey a sense of hesitation or uncertainty from your characters. Remember that every line of dialogue should serve a purpose and contribute to revealing more about your characters as individuals.
So keep experimenting with different approaches until you find the perfect balance between plot progression and emotional depth!
Crafting Characters
Let’s get started by discussing the importance of developing backstories for the characters in your story. It’s essential to create a history and context for them so they can come alive in your writing. Next, let’s talk about establishing their personality traits. This will help give your character depth and make them more believable. Lastly, we’ll discuss crafting character arcs, which will help you show how your character grows and changes throughout the story.
Developing Backstories
Imagine a world where characters come to life on the page, with unique personalities that jump off the screen and into your imagination. As an aspiring writer, you have the power to create such a world through character development.
One of the key components of crafting believable characters is developing backstories. When creating a backstory for your character, think about their past experiences, relationships, and motivations. Use these details to give depth and complexity to your character.
It’s important to remember that every person has a story, so take time when developing backstories to ensure that each character feels like a fully fleshed-out individual rather than just another name in your cast list. By taking this approach, you’ll be able to craft characters that are both realistic and captivating.
Establishing Personality Traits
Now that we have covered the importance of developing backstories for characters, let’s move on to another key aspect of crafting believable characters – establishing personality traits.
As a writer, it is your responsibility to make each character unique and memorable in their way. One of the creative writing techniques you can use to achieve this is by giving your characters distinct personalities.
This means determining how they think, act, and feel in different situations, as well as how these traits change over time. By doing so, your audience will be able to connect with your characters on a deeper level and become fully immersed in the story.
So let’s dive into the art of establishing personality traits!
Crafting Character Arc
Now that we have covered the importance of developing backstories and establishing personality traits for characters, it’s time to delve into crafting character arcs.
A character arc is a journey a character goes through throughout a story, which can be positive or negative.
As a creative writing instructor, I encourage you to use various techniques to craft compelling character arcs that keep your audience engaged and invested in your story.
By having well-developed character arcs, you allow your readers to witness the growth and development of your characters as they face challenges and overcome obstacles.
So let’s explore how crafting character arcs can elevate your storytelling and captivate your audience!
Keeping The Plot Interesting
Let’s start by talking about unexpected plot twists. Think about how you can surprise your readers by throwing in something unexpected. Next, we’ll discuss foreshadowing. This is a great way to give your readers hints about what’s to come without being too obvious. Finally, let’s focus on character development. Make sure each of your characters is distinct and three-dimensional, as this will help to keep the plot interesting.
Unexpected Plot Twists
Are you struggling to keep your plot interesting and engaging? Don’t worry; we’ve all been there.
One of the best creative writing techniques to use is introducing unexpected plot twists. These can be anything from a sudden change in a character’s personality or an unforeseen obstacle that they must overcome.
By doing this, you’ll keep your readers on their toes and make sure they stay invested in the story until the very end.
So don’t be afraid to throw a curveball now and then – it might just be what your story needs to take it to the next level!
Foreshadowing
Now that we’ve talked about the importance of unexpected plot twists, let’s discuss another essential tool in keeping your story engaging: foreshadowing.
Foreshadowing is a literary device where hints or clues are dropped throughout the story that gives readers an idea of what’s to come.
This technique not only keeps readers engaged but also adds depth and complexity to your writing.
By utilizing foreshadowing effectively, you can create a sense of anticipation and intrigue that will keep your audience hooked until the very end.
So go ahead and sprinkle those little breadcrumbs throughout your story; it might just be the key to taking your writing to the next level!
Character Development
Alright, folks, now that we’ve covered the importance of using creative writing techniques like unexpected plot twists and foreshadowing, let’s dive into another key element in keeping your readers engaged: character development.
Developing your characters is essential for a few reasons. First off, it helps create well-rounded and relatable individuals that your audience can connect with on an emotional level. Secondly, it adds depth to your story by exploring their motivations and inner conflicts. And finally, it allows you to showcase the growth and change over time.
There are many ways you can develop your characters throughout your story. From giving them unique quirks and mannerisms to delving deeper into their past experiences or relationships, there are endless possibilities for creating interesting and dynamic personalities.
So don’t neglect this important aspect of storytelling! By focusing on character development alongside unexpected plot twists and foreshadowing, you’ll be sure to keep your readers hooked from beginning to end.
Using Point Of View
Alright writers, today we’re gonna be talking about point of view – specifically, how to use first person vs third person, the difference between limited & omniscient perspectives, and how to shift your point of view. Let’s get into it!
First Person Vs Third Person
Are you struggling to decide whether to use the first person or third person in your writing? Don’t worry, this is a common challenge for many writers.
First-person can be great for allowing readers to feel more connected and invested in the protagonist’s perspective, while a third person can provide a broader view of the story and characters.
To determine which point of view would work best for your story, try out some creative writing exercises. Write a scene from both perspectives and see which one feels most natural and engaging.
Remember that there’s no right or wrong answer here – it ultimately comes down to what works best for your story and its themes. Keep experimenting with different points of view until you find the perfect match!
Limited Vs Omniscient Perspectives
So, now that we’ve discussed the pros and cons of using first person versus a third person in your creative writing techniques, let’s talk about another important aspect: limited vs omniscient perspectives.
Limited perspective means telling the story from one character’s point of view, while omniscient perspective allows the narrator to know everything happening within the story.
When it comes to choosing between these two options, it ultimately depends on what kind of story you want to tell.
Omniscient perspectives can be useful for providing readers with a more complete understanding of events and characters, while limited perspectives allow readers to experience a deeper emotional connection with one specific character.
It’s also worth noting that some stories may benefit from switching back and forth between limited and omniscient perspectives at different points throughout the narrative.
This can create an interesting dynamic where readers can see both individual experiences and larger plot developments.
So as you continue exploring different approaches to using point of view in your writing, don’t forget about this important decision between limited vs omniscient perspectives!
Keep experimenting until you find the perfect balance for your unique story.
Shifting Points Of View
Alright, now that we’ve talked about limited vs omniscient perspectives in our creative writing techniques, let’s move on to another important aspect of using point of view: shifting points of view.
This technique involves switching between different characters’ perspectives throughout the narrative. Shifting points of view can be a powerful tool for providing readers with a more nuanced understanding of events and characters. It allows us to explore multiple viewpoints and experiences, providing a richer tapestry for our stories.
However, it is important to use this technique judiciously – too much perspective-shifting can leave readers feeling disoriented or confused. So as you continue experimenting with different approaches to point-of-view in your writing, don’t forget about the potential benefits (and challenges) of shifting points of view!
Writing With Emotion
Let’s start by talking about crafting emotional characters. Think about how you can use their backstory, motivations, and physical traits to evoke an emotional response from the reader. Next, consider how to show emotion through dialogue and action. Dialogue can be a great tool for conveying a character’s innermost feelings, while action can help to further underscore those emotions. Finally, let’s explore how to develop emotional arcs. Consider how you can use different techniques to build tension, create suspense, and ultimately help your reader connect with your characters on a deeper level.
Crafting Emotional Characters
As writers, we all want to create characters that are relatable and evoke emotions in our readers. Crafting emotional characters is an essential part of writing with emotion. To do this, you need to employ creative writing techniques that go beyond just listing the emotions your character feels.
You have to show how they express their feelings through actions and dialogue. For instance, instead of having a character say ‘I’m angry,’ show them slamming doors or clenching their fists. Use sensory details like scowling faces, rapid breathing, or tears streaming down cheeks to help your reader understand what’s going on inside your character’s head.
Remember: crafting emotional characters takes practice, but it can make all the difference in creating a story that resonates with your audience.
Showing Emotion Through Dialogue And Action
Now that we’ve covered the importance of creating emotional characters, let’s talk about how to show those emotions through dialogue and action.
As writers, it’s not enough to simply tell readers what our characters are feeling; we need to demonstrate those emotions in a way that feels authentic and engaging.
This is where creative writing techniques come into play. By using descriptive language and sensory details, you can paint a vivid picture of your character’s emotional state without resorting to cliches or generic phrases.
Whether it’s through body language, facial expressions, or verbal cues, showing emotion through dialogue and action is an essential part of crafting a compelling narrative.
So let’s dive in and explore some strategies for bringing your characters’ emotions to life on the page!
Developing Emotional Arcs
Now that we’ve talked about showing emotions through dialogue and action, let’s explore the importance of developing emotional arcs for our characters.
As writers, it’s not enough to simply give a character emotion in one scene; we need to show how those emotions evolve. This requires empathy towards our characters and understanding their motivations for feeling a certain way.
By creating emotional arcs, we can take readers on a journey with our characters, building up to a climax where the emotions reach their peak.
It’s important to remember that emotional arcs don’t just happen once per story – they should be present throughout the narrative, as each event or interaction can affect a character’s feelings.
So let’s dive into some strategies for crafting emotionally charged storylines!
Incorporating Humor
Let’s start with irony and sarcasm–these are great tools for creating humorous situations. They’re both subtle and effective, so it’s important to use them judiciously. Now, let’s move on to satire, a powerful way to make a statement while having a good chuckle.
Irony And Sarcasm
Hey there, writers! Are you ready to add some spice to your writing?
Well, let’s talk about irony and sarcasm. These two techniques can take a piece of writing from ordinary to extraordinary in no time flat.
The irony is when the opposite of what is expected happens or is said. For example, if a vegetarian chef accidentally serves meat at their restaurant and then exclaims ‘well done’ to the cook who made the mistake , that’s ironic because ‘well done’ usually refers to cooking meat perfectly.
Sarcasm, on the other hand, is using language that means the opposite of what you think for humorous effect. It often involves tone and inflection when spoken aloud. For instance, saying ‘Oh yeah, I just love sitting in traffic for hours!’ with an eye roll would be sarcastic because nobody enjoys being stuck in traffic.
So go ahead and experiment with these creative tools – but remember not to overdo it or else your humor might fall flat!
Alright, writers! Now that you’ve got a handle on irony and sarcasm, let’s talk about another key element in incorporating humor into your writing: satire.
Satire is all about using exaggeration and irony to expose the absurdity of a situation or belief. This means employing figures of speech like hyperbole and understatement to create comedic effects.
For example, if you were satirizing the fashion industry, you might write about a designer who creates clothes made entirely out of garbage bags and insists they’re the latest trend.
As with irony and sarcasm, it’s important not to go overboard with your use of satire – too much can come across as mean-spirited rather than humorous. So have fun playing with these creative tools, but always remember to use them wisely!
Creating Conflict
Let’s start with Internal Conflicts – these are the struggles characters face within themselves, and can be the source of great tension in a story. To create an effective internal conflict, think about what motivates your character and what they stand to lose if they don’t overcome it. Next, let’s talk about External Conflicts – these are the struggles characters face with another character or an outside force. Consider how the conflict can be narrated from both sides, to create a compelling and believable story. Lastly, let’s discuss Story’s Purpose – why does the conflict exist? Ask yourself what the protagonist is trying to achieve, and what obstacles they must overcome to reach their goal.
Internal Conflicts
As a creative writing instructor, it is essential to teach writers how to use internal conflicts effectively in their stories.
Internal struggles are important because they add depth and complexity to characters, making them more relatable and intriguing for readers.
Creative writing techniques such as using inner monologues or exploring character flaws can help create powerful internal conflicts that will keep readers engaged.
By tapping into the emotions of your characters and presenting their psychological battles alongside external obstacles, you can build complex storylines that captivate audiences at all levels of experience with creative writing.
External Conflicts
Now that we’ve explored the importance of internal conflicts in creating compelling stories, let’s shift our focus to external conflicts.
As a creative writing instructor, I can tell you that external struggles are just as crucial in driving the plot and keeping readers engaged.
Creative writing techniques such as using vivid imagery or incorporating elements of surprise can help create powerful external conflicts that will keep your audience on their toes.
By pitting your protagonist against outside forces such as nature, society, or even other characters, you can generate tension and excitement throughout your story.
So remember, when it comes to crafting conflict, don’t forget about the power of external struggles!
Story Purpose
Now that we’ve discussed the importance of both internal and external struggles in creating conflict, let’s move on to another crucial element: story purpose.
As a creative writing instructor, I cannot stress enough how essential it is to have a clear goal or set of goals for your protagonist. Without purpose, your story can easily become directionless and lose its impact.
Creative writing techniques such as foreshadowing, symbolism, and plot twists can help you develop a strong sense of purpose throughout your narrative. By giving your character something to strive for and obstacles to overcome along the way, you can keep readers engaged and invested in the outcome.
So remember to always keep the story purpose at the forefront of your mind when crafting conflict – it will make all the difference in creating an innovative and captivating tale.
Writing Description
As writers, we have the power to transport our readers to different worlds through the use of imaginative language and vivid descriptions. Writing description is a crucial element in creative writing techniques as it allows us to create an immersive experience for our audience.
One way to enhance your descriptive writing skills is by using adjectives that paint a clear picture in the reader’s mind. When describing a scene or character, choose adjectives that evoke strong emotions and sensory experiences. For example, instead of saying ‘the sky was blue,’ try ‘the sky was a brilliant shade of cerulean.’ This not only provides more detail but also adds depth and complexity to your writing.
Another technique for writing powerful descriptions is by using figurative languages such as metaphors and similes. These literary devices help convey complex ideas or feelings in a concise yet impactful way. For instance, you could describe someone’s smile as ‘brighter than a shooting star’ or compare their eyes to ‘deep pools of emerald green.’
Incorporating these creative writing techniques into your work can make all the difference when it comes to engaging your readers and bringing your stories alive on the page. Keep practicing with adjective choices and experimenting with various forms of imagery until you find what works best for you.
Remember: good description should never feel forced or out-of-place within your narrative – it should blend seamlessly with the rest of your story like brushstrokes on canvas . By incorporating these tips into your writing , you’ll be well on your way to crafting unforgettable scenes that will leave lasting impressions on anyone who reads them.
Connecting Ideas
Creative writing techniques are essential for any writer, but connecting ideas is particularly important. Good writing involves weaving together different thoughts and concepts to create a cohesive piece that captures the reader’s attention.
One way to connect ideas is by using transitional phrases or words such as ‘however,’ ‘therefore,’ and ‘consequently.’ This helps to guide the reader from one idea to the next.
Another technique for connecting ideas is through the use of examples in creative writing . Providing concrete examples can make abstract concepts more tangible and relatable for readers. For instance, if you’re trying to explain the concept of love, describing specific moments between two people can be much more effective than simply stating its definition.
It’s also important to consider the structure of your writing when connecting ideas. Organizing your thoughts into clear sections or paragraphs can help ensure that each idea flows logically into the next. This allows readers to easily follow along with your thought process and fully engage with your work.
Incorporating these techniques will not only improve the quality of your writing but also showcase your creativity and innovation as a writer . By effectively connecting ideas, you’ll be able to craft compelling narratives that captivate readers from beginning to end.
So, keep practicing these strategies until they become second nature in all aspects of your writing!
Honing The Craft
Did you know that honing your craft is one of the most important aspects of good writing? According to a survey, writers who spend more time refining their skills tend to produce better quality work compared to those who do not.
So how can you hone your craft and become a better writer?
Firstly, it’s important to understand that many creative writing techniques can help you improve your craft. One such technique is practicing regularly. Writing every day, even if it’s just for ten minutes, can help you develop consistency and discipline in your writing.
Another way to hone your craft is by reading extensively. Reading widely exposes you to different styles, genres, and perspectives which can inspire new ideas and approaches in your writing.
Lastly, seeking feedback from others can also be incredibly helpful for improving your craft. Sharing your work with fellow writers or enrolling in a writing workshop or course allows you to receive constructive criticism on areas where you may need improvement.
Remember, honing your craft takes time and effort but incorporating these techniques into your routine can take you one step closer to becoming an exceptional writer.
Keep experimenting, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to take risks in pursuit of creativity!
Mastering these creative writing techniques will undoubtedly elevate your craft and bring life to your stories.
By focusing on imagery, dialogue, characters, plot, conflict, description, and connecting ideas, you’ll find that the worlds you create become more vivid and engaging for both yourself as a writer and for your audience.
Remember to always be open to honing your skills further; even experienced writers can benefit from revisiting these techniques and experimenting with new approaches.
As any dedicated tutor would advise: don’t be afraid of exploring uncharted territory in your writing journey!
By embracing parallelism in our prose while crafting compelling narratives, we are not only allowing ourselves to grow as writers but also creating an enjoyable experience for those who take the time to read our work.
Keep pushing boundaries and never stop learning – after all, isn’t that what being a true creative is all about?
Reference Articles
- “WS05: CREATIVE WRITING” 1
- “The writing technique as a component of the compositional process (on the examples of creative practice of the second half of the 20th – 21st centuries)” 2
- “CATENA AND GLOSSES. Textualization through Spatial Writing and Materiality” 3
- “Evaluating the Quality of “Top Techniques in the Teaching of Writing” Book as the Reference in Writing Course” 4
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- 7 Techniques from Creative Writing You Can Use to Improve Your Essays
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You wouldn’t have thought that essays have much in common with creative writing.
Creative writing, by definition, involves being ‘creative’: making things up, letting your imagination run wild. Essays are about being factual and objective, communicating ideas and arguments in the clearest way possible and attempting to enhance the reader’s knowledge, rather than their imagination. But while the literary devices and colourful tales we associate with creative writing are indeed out of place in an essay, these two very different kinds of writing actually have a few similarities. Above all, they’re both meant to be read by other people, and that means that they need to sustain the reader’s interest. So, are there any writing techniques you can borrow from creative writing to help make your essays more interesting and original? Yes there are, and in this article, we’re going to show you how. Before we start, if you’re interested in attending a summer school to help develop these skills, click the link.
1. Think about your reader
![best techniques to use in creative writing Image shows a stack of paper.](https://www.oxford-royale.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=300,height=201,fit=crop,quality=88,gravity=auto,sharpen=0.85,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Pile-of-paper.jpg)
With creative writing, as with any kind of writing, your reader is your most important consideration. You need to know and understand whom you’re writing for if you’re to do a good job of keeping them interested. Let’s think for a moment about the kind of person you’re writing for when you’re writing an essay and what you need to do to write specifically for them:
- Teachers or university lecturers – they’re going to be marking your essay, so it needs to answer the question effectively.
- They’ve set the question and they probably have a pretty good idea of how you’re going to answer it – so be original and unpredictable; catch them by surprise with an unusual approach or structure.
- They’re going to be reading many other responses to the same question – so they may well be bored by the time they get to yours. Keep them interested!
- They’re probably going to be pressed for time – so they won’t have time to reread badly written passages to try to understand what you’re getting at. Keep your writing easy to read, succinct and to the point.
What all these points boil down to is the importance of keeping your reader interested in what you have to say. Since creative writing is all about holding the reader’s interest, there must be some lessons to be learned from it and techniques that can be applied within the more limited style constraints of the academic essay. We’ll now turn to what these are.
2. Three-act structure
![best techniques to use in creative writing Image shows Hamlet clutching a skull, with his father's ghost in the background.](https://www.oxford-royale.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=300,height=263,fit=crop,quality=88,gravity=auto,sharpen=0.85,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Hamlet1.jpg)
The three-act structure is a writing device used extensively in modern writing, including for film and television dramas. These ‘acts’ aren’t as distinct as acts in a play, as one follows seamlessly on from another and the audience wouldn’t consciously realise that one act had ended and another began. The structure refers to a plotline that looks something like this:
- Set-up – establishes the characters, how they relate to each other, and the world they inhabit. Within this first ‘act’, a dramatic occurrence called an ‘inciting incident’ takes place (typically around 19 minutes into a film) involving the principal character. They try to deal with it, but this results in another dramatic occurrence called a ‘turning point’. This sets the scene for the rest of the story.
- Confrontation – the turning point in the previous ‘act’ becomes the central problem, which the main character attempts to resolve – usually with plenty of adversity thrown their way that hampers their efforts. In a murder mystery, for example, this act would involve the detective trying to solve the murder. The central character – with the help of supporting characters – undergoes a journey and develops their knowledge, skills or character to a sufficient degree to be able to overcome the problem.
- Resolution – the climax of the story, in which the drama reaches a peak, the problem is overcome, and loose ends are tied up.
This structure sounds all very well for made-up stories, but what has it got to do with essay-writing? The key similarities here are:
- The central argument of your essay is the equivalent of the main character.
- The essay equivalent of the set-up and resolution are the introduction and conclusion.
- The inciting incident in an essay encourages you to get to the point early on in the essay.
- The equivalent of character development in the second act is developing your argument.
- The equivalent of the supporting characters is the evidence you refer to in your essay.
So, applying the three-act structure to an essay gives you something like this:
- Set-up – the introduction. This establishes what you’re talking about, setting the scene. The ‘inciting incident’ could be the introduction of evidence that contradicts a common theory, or the highlighting of a central disagreement in how something is interpreted.
- Confrontation – you discuss the different problems surrounding the topic you’re writing about. You develop the argument using various bits of evidence, moving towards an overall conclusion.
- Resolution – the conclusion. You summarise and resolve the argument with your own opinion, by coming down on one side or the other, having weighed up the evidence you’ve discussed. You could perhaps tie up loose ends by offering an alternative explanation for evidence that doesn’t sit with your conclusion.
Using this structure keeps you focused on the central point, and stops you from waffling, because everything you write is working towards resolving your argument. The use of the inciting incident in the first ‘act’ encourages you to get to the point early on in your essay, thereby keeping the reader interested. The principles of good plot-writing are centred around the connection between different events that show cause and effect, and this central tenet of the three-act structure has obvious parallels with the way in which essays work through presenting evidence in support of arguments.
3. An attention-grabbing opening
![best techniques to use in creative writing Image shows a painting of a group of people standing around the body of a murdered woman.](https://www.oxford-royale.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=303,height=190,fit=crop,quality=88,gravity=auto,sharpen=0.85,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Murder.jpg)
An oft-spouted piece of advice in creative writing is to use an attention-grabbing opening. One way of doing this is to start with a ‘flashback’, which could disrupt the chronology of events by transporting the reader directly back to the midst of the action, so that the story begins with maximum excitement. In a murder mystery, for instance, the writer might skip a slow build-up and instead use the murder itself to form the opening of the novel, with the rest of the story charting the efforts of the detective to uncover the perpetrator and perhaps telling the events prior to the murder in a series of flashbacks. The same principle can be applied to essays, though it’s easier to use in some subjects than others. To take an example, let’s say you were writing about how the First World War started. Rather than building up slowly with the various factors, an attention-grabbing opening could (briefly) describe the drama of the Battle of the Somme, perhaps citing some statistics about the number of men involved and killed, and quoting some war poetry about the horrors faced by the soldiers on the Front Line. Then, to introduce the purpose of the essay and launch into your argument about what started the war, a phrase such as, “It seems hard to imagine that all this began with…”. Alternatively, a rhetorical question: “But how did these tens of thousands of soldiers end up in the mud and horror of trench warfare? The story begins several years earlier, with…” It may not be the standard way of writing an essay, but you’ll certainly score points for originality and perhaps ruffle a few feathers.
4. Extended metaphors
![best techniques to use in creative writing Image shows Romeo and Juliet about to touch their palms together.](https://www.oxford-royale.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=300,height=225,fit=crop,quality=88,gravity=auto,sharpen=0.85,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Romeo-and-Juliet.jpg)
Creative writing often makes use of extended metaphors. For example, when Shakespeare wrote the passage in Romeo and Juliet referring to “It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!” he was using an extended metaphor. With this in mind, it’s time to revisit a point we made in a previous article about writing more original essays , in which we argued that, rather than battling on with trying to explain a complex concept in a straightforward way, it might be easier to use an analogy to convey the meaning by drawing comparisons, which people find easier to understand. A metaphor is a kind of analogy, so the similarities with creative writing are strong here. In our previous article we used the example of radioactive decay. An analogy for this is the pressure with which water escapes from a hole in a bucket. It does so exponentially, just as radioactive substances decay exponentially. In both instances, the rate of a consumptive process depends on how much there is left of whatever is being depleted, which results in an exponential rate of decay. This concept is so much easier to explain using the analogy of water flowing from a hole in a bucket, as you give your reader something familiar to visualise in order to explain a concept with which they are unfamiliar.
5. Interesting details about setting and location
![best techniques to use in creative writing Image shows a statue of the Emperor Augustus.](https://www.oxford-royale.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=300,height=238,fit=crop,quality=88,gravity=auto,sharpen=0.85,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Augustus.jpg)
Another way of keeping your reader interested is to bring your essay to life with details about setting and location, just as creative writers do. Essays can become quite dry if you focus solely on the academic problems, but you can make them more interesting by peppering them with details. This may not work quite so well for a scientific essay, but it’s certainly relevant for some humanities subjects, in particular English literature, history and archaeology. For example, an essay about the Roman emperor Augustus could mention that he lived a famously modest lifestyle, quoting details from Roman writers and archaeological evidence that support this: Suetonius mentions his “low bed” (interesting because of what it says about accepted standards of Roman beds!) and coarse bread and cheese diet, and the relatively small and non-lavish remains of his house on the Palatine Hill in Rome back up the idea of his having lived a modest life. Incidental details like these can actually prove to be more significant than you initially realise, and you can use them to build your argument; in the case of Augustus, for example, his modest lifestyle is particularly important when seen in the context of Rome’s troubled history with kings. As he gradually acquired more power and became Rome’s first emperor, he had to avoid coming across as being too ‘regal’, and the little details we know about his way of life are significant in light of this. So, not only have you brought your essay to life, but you’ve raised an interesting point, too.
Few writers get it right first time. Once you’ve written a first draft, read through it and think about whether the order of your points is optimal and whether what you’ve written actually makes sense. It’s easy in the age of computers to chop and change – you can simply copy and paste part of your essay into another part where it might fit better, and then make minor changes to your wording so that it flows. After you’ve finished editing, have a final read through and check that you’re happy with the wording. Don’t forget to proofread to ensure that your spelling and grammar is impeccable!
7. And finally… record your ideas
![best techniques to use in creative writing Image shows someone writing in a notebook.](https://www.oxford-royale.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=300,height=225,fit=crop,quality=88,gravity=auto,sharpen=0.85,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Notebook.jpg)
Creative writers swear by having a notebook with them at all times, ready to jot down any ideas that suddenly spring to mind. You can adopt the same principle for your essay-writing, because you never know when the inspiration might strike. Have a think about your essay topic when you’re out and about; you’d be surprised what occurs to you when you’re away from your normal place of study. As you can see, there are more similarities between two apparently unrelated kinds of writing than you might have realised. It is, of course, possible to go too far with the creative writing idea when you’re essay-writing: literary devices aren’t always appropriate, and your essay still needs to retain objectivity and conform to the more formal conventions of academic writing. But there are certainly techniques to be borrowed from creative writing that will help your essays stand out from the crowd and give your teacher or lecturer a welcome break from the monotony of essay-marking.
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Top 10 Best Creative writing tips for beginners
- by Domestika @domestika
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Starting out in creative writing can be a daunting task, with many writers struggling to know where to begin and how to improve their skills. However, there are plenty of exercises that can help you develop your writing abilities and bring your ideas to life on the page. With practice and persistence, you can turn your thoughts and imagination into beautiful works of art through creative writing.
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These tips will help you to become a much better creative writer:
- Find the Best Environment: Everyone has different writing preferences, whether it's a quiet coffee shop or a busy park. Experiment with different writing environments to find what works best for you.
- Freewriting: Set a timer for a few minutes and write whatever comes to mind without worrying about structure or grammar. This can help you get past writer's block and generate new ideas.
- Know Your Characters: Spend time getting to know your characters before you start writing. Develop their backstories, motivations, and personalities to create fully-formed characters that readers can connect with.
- Don't be Scared of Drafting: Remember that writing a first draft is just the beginning. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or write imperfectly. You can always revise and improve later.
- Keep a Writing Log: Keep a notebook or digital log of your writing ideas, snippets of dialogue, or interesting observations. This can help you capture ideas as they come and have a resource to refer back to when you need inspiration.
- Never Stop Reading: Reading widely is essential for improving your writing skills. Read a variety of genres and styles to see how other writers use language and structure their stories.
- Explore Your Emotions: Writing can be a powerful way to explore your emotions and experiences. Don't be afraid to write honestly and vulnerably, even if it's just for yourself.
- Get Perspective: Take breaks from your writing to get perspective. This can help you see your writing with fresh eyes and come up with new ideas.
- Research!: Research can add depth and authenticity to your writing. Spend time researching your setting, characters, and topics to make your writing more believable.
- Explore Ideas: Don't be afraid to experiment with different ideas and concepts. Even if you don't end up using them in your writing, exploring different ideas can help you find your unique writing voice and style.
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Here are some concrete exercises that can help you improve your creative writing :
Describe a scene: Choose a scene or setting and describe it in detail, using all of your senses. Try to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind, using specific details and descriptive language.
Write from a different perspective: Take a story or event and write it from a different character's perspective. This can help you develop your ability to write in different voices and points of view.
Create a character: Think of a character and write a short story or scene that features that character. Try to give the character a unique personality, backstory, and motivations.
Rewrite a story: Take a classic story or fairy tale and rewrite it in a different style or genre. This can help you develop your ability to write in different genres and experiment with different storytelling techniques.
Use writing prompts: Writing prompts can be a great way to generate ideas and practice your writing skills. Choose a writing prompt or use a writing prompt generator to come up with new ideas for stories or scenes.
Practice writing dialogue: Dialogue is an important part of creative writing. Practice writing dialogue between characters, focusing on making it sound natural and believable.
Write a story in six words: This exercise challenges you to write a complete story using only six words. It can help you develop your ability to write concisely and effectively.
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By practicing these exercises regularly, you can improve your creative writing skills and develop your unique voice as a writer. Remember to be patient with yourself and enjoy the process of learning and growing as a writer.
And last but not least, here are ten quotes from famous writers about creative writing:
"The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself." - Albert Camus
"You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children." - Madeleine L'Engle
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." - Maya Angelou
"One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple." - Jack Kerouac
"The scariest moment is always just before you start." - Stephen King
"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." - Toni Morrison
"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou
"Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words." - Mark Twain
"If there's no passion in your writing, then it's not worth writing at all." - Jules Renard
"A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people." - Thomas Mann
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Enjoy this incredible list of courses which help you to go to the next level in your creative writing:
- Writing a Novel Step by Step - Introduction to Narrative Writing - Creative Writing for Beginners: Bringing Your Story to Life - Narrative Techniques for Children’s Books - Script Writing for Movies and Television
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When You Write
Essential Creative Writing Tips and Techniques
Creative writing has no written formula and no immutable laws, you just need a good imagination and good writing skills.
And you’re good to go!
Creative writing presents us with fewer tethers than other forms of writing. This means that we have more liberty when we want to express our imagination artistically.
With all this freedom, defining and serving creative writing techniques is a bit hard, and some tips are frowned upon as they seem to infringe upon the liberties of some creative writers.
Still, some writers need guidance.
So, I have taken it upon myself to be this guide and dish out much-needed tips and discuss some creative writing techniques.
If you’ve been looking for guidance and insight, here’s a no-frills article full of practical tips on creative writing for you.
What Is Creative Writing?
Creative writing is writing that uses imagination , creativity, and mastery of the art of writing to evoke emotion in a reader.
It could be a fictional story, a nonfiction piece, or movie script, a play, a poem, et cetera. Creative writing oftentimes springs up from experimentation and good, imaginative use of knowledge and ideas.
One of the things that make creative writing different from other forms of writing is the underlying message or theme. Unlike other forms of writing, creative writing sometimes hides a message under the entertaining, saddening, or horrifying part of the written content.
Other archetypal elements of creative writing include creating an emotional connection with the reader (and sometimes evoking a response), having a deliberate point of view, using a narrative structure, and use of imaginative and descriptive language.
What Isn’t Creative Writing?
Whatever lacks the elements I just listed isn’t creative writing. Written pieces such as company reports, statements, and other professional communications aren’t regarded as creative writing.
Similarly, personal documents and communications such as emails, social media content, and personal communications all fit in the non-creative writing category.
In addition to that, research papers and pieces that are in the “Academic Writing” category do not qualify as creative writing.
Most often the type of content that I have listed is devoid of deliberate themes. Often, these types of pieces have goals similar to those prevalent in creative writing, but they’re presented differently.
But—as a reminder to myself or you, the reader—I would like to say that they’re blurred boundaries in some forms of content. For example, we can’t outrightly classify content such as blog posts as creative writing non-creative. Blog content belongs to a broader category that is as flexible as creative writing itself.
Therefore, you would have to analyze the elements of each blog post to see if they fit a particular category.
Forms of Creative Writing
Given the freedom that creative writing gets, it is just right that it takes many forms.
Here are some of the forms of creative writing:
This is one of the most popular forms of creative writing. Novels are also the first thing people think about when it comes to books (apart from academicians who are religiously into textbooks).
Novels are extended fictional works in prose that usually (or always?) come in the form of a story.
Most of them are in the range of 50,000 to 150,000 words, but some are told in less than 50,000 and others extend beyond 150,000.
Pieces that are too short to qualify as novels and too long to qualify as short stories automatically qualify as novellas and novelettes.
Novellas often fall in the range of 10,000-40,000 words, while novelettes generally have a word count of 7,500-19,000 words.
Word count boundaries are usually varied—and they are oftentimes at the discretion of the publisher or competition organizers.
Short Fiction
Short stories as the name suggests are on the other end (the shorter word count end) of the fiction word count spectrum.
Short stories generally fall between 2,500 and 7,500 words but sometimes extend to 10,000 words.
Unlike novels, short stories tell stories with fewer characters, details, and backstories, among other deficiencies.
Then there are other forms of short fiction told in 1,000 words, and they’re called flash fiction and micro-fiction.
The unrestricted and spontaneous nature of poetry embodies the artistic multifariousness of creative writing.
Poetry is as emotional as it is rebellious—and word counts and rhyming rarely matter for poems, i.e., those in the free verse category.
There are different types of poems such as sonnets, haikus, sestinas, limericks, and free verses.
The spontaneous nature of poetry does connote lawlessness. The thing is, the different types of poetry originated from different cultures around the world and many come with rules.
However, for most of these types of poetry, the rules are adaptable. A few types such as haikus have specific rules on the number of lines or structure.
Plus, just because there aren’t many rules governing the structure, content, and length of poetry it doesn’t mean that you can brush aside the use of perfect grammar, the importance of POV, the need for a theme, and the need to evoke the reader’s emotions.
TV scripts, stage play scripts, and screenplays
This category comprises stage plays and scripts for films, television programs, and other types of video content.
A majority of content in this category has a lot in common with novels and short stories. Although different scripts have different formatting requirements, they carry a message or central theme and try to appeal to their audience’s emotions.
In a way, these scripts depart from the highly descriptive nature of novels and short stories. There’s much more dialogue in scripts with a bit of stage or scene directions in stage plays screenplays.
Creative Nonfiction
Creative writing doesn’t always have to be works of fiction, some nonfiction also qualifies as creative writing.
Here are some of the works that can be called creative nonfiction:
- Lyric essays
- Autobiographies
- Humor Writing
- Literary Journalism
Tips and Techniques for Creative Writing
1. read widely and learn from other writers.
You can improve by focusing on looking at your writing only. If you want to be a good creative writer, you have to read.
When you read other people’s work, you discover other writing styles and get inspired in the process.
There are lots of reading resources on creative writing out there. You can find books, essays, blog articles, and video content covering different aspects of creative writing.
Some works will comprise fiction and nonfiction pieces (novels, short stories, poetry, lyrical essays. Et cetera) while others seek to cover interviews and personal essays that talk about the authors’ creative processes.
2. Benefit from Your Imagination
A wild imagination represents superiority for creative writers, especially fiction writers.
This is the only time you’re allowed to play god!
By using a crazy imagination you can conceive an exciting story, build a unique world, and come up with convincing, never-imagined-before characters.
Heck! You can even create your own language!
Be as imaginative as you can be, even going into a trance, and create a creative piece using your own rules!
3. Focus on Understanding and Improving Yourself as a Writer
You cannot improve something you don’t fully understand; therefore, you have to understand your strengths and weaknesses as a writer to become a better writer.
I wrote an article on this, explaining some general strengths and weaknesses that writers have. As a creative writer, you have to identify problem areas such as bad sense of rhythm, dodgy flow, lack of creativity, et cetera.
As a creative writer, there are things you must have in your armory, such as a rich and relevant vocabulary, organized writing, and a unique writing style (which also happens to be the next tip on the list).
4. Develop or Discover a Unique Writing Style
Creative writers are better off seeking inspiration from other creative writers while trying to follow their path.
In short: study other writers, but develop your writing style. Take a look at all the best, and you’ll discover that most of them developed a unique style.
So, have your writing style. And, it should fit the niche you want to specialize in—if it’s horror, a befitting style. You could also focus on developing vibrant writing full of eccentric characters.
Likewise, you could become a writer who always writes in a specific POV.
5. Create Space for Creative Writing and Stick to a routine
Writing routinely and total focus are tremendously important for creative writers. If you’re a spontaneous writer who scarcely writes and only writes whenever they feel like it, you’re bound to fail as a writer!
You need to have a schedule and some working space. The ideas might come spontaneously and anywhere, but it’s hard to write without proper planning and a distraction-free setting.
It’s unproductive trying to squeeze writing into your day.
When you start writing routinely, in a ‘comfortable’ place, creative writing becomes natural. Even when you’re out of ideas experiencing writer’s block, you have to practice the habit of writing stuff daily—just write some fluff if you’re bored.
6. Know your audience
“Why do you write?”
The most popular answer to the question is, “because I love it!”
But if the question was rephrased and we asked “why do you publish your works?” the previous answer would be ‘half true.’
You write because it’s the love of your life and you publish for your audience. So, creative writing isn’t always about you, but your fans too.
You have to know what your readers are like. Even when you haven’t published a single piece, it’s easy to research readers’ interests using web-based analytics resources.
Armed with this knowledge, you can craft a piece that strikes a chord with your target audience, with a high potential of becoming a bestseller.
7. Always Start and End Strong
Our English teacher constantly reminded us that when she was going through our essays, she started with the introduction and summary before moving to the body.
“They’re the most important parts of your essay.” She’d always say.
Later, I found out that this applied to almost every form of writing.
Your readers want your piece to either start with a bang or catch their attention. Once the reader feels underwhelmed, they won’t read all the way through.
Strong endings are just as important, but it doesn’t mean that you always have to end on a happy note. You can close on a sad note or give them a cliffhanger.
As long as you effectively use your imagination and the end doesn’t turn out to be a clichéd one.
The Best Books on Creative Writing
- 1. Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot that Grips Readers from Start to Finish by James Scott Bell
- 2. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
- 3. The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
- 4. On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser
Final Words
Writing—whatever form it takes—isn’t a simple chore, but as hard as it is, it is also fun!
The goal is always to become a better writer and learn different techniques that will make our content impactful.
Every writer should fear stagnation and continue learning. Utilize today’s easy access to resources, read, ask for help, and let your wild imagination run loose.
While there’s no fixed formula in creative writing, tips from experienced writers will help you improve in some areas.
So, always be inquisitive and reach out to other writers.
Crafting an original work of fiction, poetry, or creative non-fiction takes time, practice, and persistence.
Recommended Reading...
Crafting compelling game stories: a guide to video game writing, how to write a murder mystery: figuring out whodunit, good story starters for your next bestseller, 100 fluff prompts that will inspire creativity.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
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Creative Writing Tips for Beginners: 10 Top Tips
![best techniques to use in creative writing Hannah Yang headshot](https://assets.prowritingaid.com/f/145420/512x512/813a592b93/hannah_yang.jpeg/m/)
By Hannah Yang
![best techniques to use in creative writing creative writing tips for beginners](https://marketing.prowritingaid.com/creative-writing-tips-title.png)
Creative writing can be a very fulfilling hobby.
Writing can help you explore deep questions, use your imagination, and express your thoughts and feelings in a healthy way.
If you want to learn creative writing, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn our top ten creative writing tips to help you get started.
How to Write Creatively
10 creative writing tips for beginners, how to get better at creative writing, where to find creative writing help.
Anyone can learn creative writing—all you need is a pen and paper, or your writing software of choice.
Once you’ve got your tools ready, it’s time to think of a story idea. You can draw inspiration from your own life, newspaper headlines, songs you like, or anything else around you.
If you don’t have any story ideas in mind, you can also try starting with a prompt. Here are a few creative writing prompts you can choose from:
- Write about someone with a dangerous secret
- Write a scene set at your favorite restaurant
- Write a story about someone who wakes up with no memories, except for a single name
- Write a story from the perspective of someone who isn’t human
- Complete the sentence: “It was a completely normal Saturday except for…”
Pick up your pen, choose your favorite prompt, and start writing!
If you’re new to creative writing, here are ten fiction writing tips that you can try.
Tip 1: Read Widely
It’s hard to become a great musician without having heard a lot of great music.
The same is true for writing. Reading a lot of books is a great way to get inspired and to learn more about the anatomy of a story.
It’s important to read in whatever genre you want so you can understand the conventions of that genre. If you’re writing a fantasy story, for example, you should familiarize yourself with popular fantasy novels and short stories so you know what readers expect.
On the other hand, it’s just as important to read a diverse variety of books. Exposing yourself to lots of genres and authors can help you learn about different writing styles and techniques.
Tip 2: Experiment With Different Formats and Points of View
Creative writing can involve countless different formats. You can write a story that looks like a diary entry, a song, or a Charles Dickens novel.
Maybe you want to write a story in the form of a series of instructions to the reader, like a cooking recipe or a how-to manual.
Or maybe you want to write a story in the form of a confession from one character to another, in a mix of first-person and second-person POV.
![best techniques to use in creative writing four story formats](https://marketing.prowritingaid.com/4-story-format.png)
Try out different styles, even ones that don’t feel like your usual writing style. Doing this experimentation early on in your creative writing journey can help you find your own voice and figure out what works best for you.
Tip 3: Take Inspiration From Many Sources
No story is written in a vacuum. Every artist takes inspiration from other works of art, and you shouldn’t feel bad about writing a story that’s inspired by your favorite book or movie.
At the same time, though, it’s important not to write a story that actually plagiarizes an existing one. Directly copying the work of other creative writers is both unethical and illegal. Plus, it’s much less fun than writing your own stories.
A good rule of thumb if you’re looking for ideas is to take inspiration from many sources rather than a single one.
For example, maybe you like the sarcastic humor of one book, the sweet romance arc of another book, and the Gothic setting of your favorite TV show. When you merge those three things together, you’ll most likely create a story that feels unique and original, even though you took inspiration from existing stories.
Tip 4: Show, Don’t Tell
The phrase “Show, don’t tell” is a popular piece of writing advice that almost every writer has heard before.
Essentially, “show, don’t tell” means that you should immerse the reader in your story through sensory details and descriptive language instead of simply summarizing the story to them.
![best techniques to use in creative writing show, don't tell definition](https://marketing.prowritingaid.com/show-dont-tell-definition3.png)
For example, you could tell someone, “My sister’s room is messy.” That sentence conveys the facts, but the person you’re talking to probably wouldn’t be able to picture your sister’s room in their head.
On the other hand, you could say, “My sister basically uses the floor of her room as a giant laundry hamper—it’s covered with so many sweaters and scarves that I don’t even remember what color her carpet is.” This sentence gives your listener a much more specific idea of what your sister’s room looks like.
Tip 5: Write With Intention
Many newer writers put down words on the page based on what comes to mind first.
For example, let’s say you’re trying to describe a character. A new writer might note down whatever details they visualize right away, like the color of the character’s hair or the type of clothes they’re wearing.
This is a great way to write when you’re just starting out, but if you want to improve your skills, it’s important to learn how to write with intention.
Try to get in the habit of asking yourself: What details does the reader need to know and why? For example, what aspects of this character’s hair color and outfit could tell the reader something deeper about the character’s personality and motivations?
It’s also important to figure out what you want to convey emotionally. What do you want your reader to feel? Excited? Creeped out? Hopeful?
For example, you might describe a sunset as “blood-red” if you want the reader to feel creeped out, or as “glowing and bright” if you want the reader to feel hopeful.
Tip 6: Learn How to Edit
No first draft is perfect, even if you’re a seasoned writer.
Learning how to edit your work is just as important as learning how to write on a blank page. That’s how you can create a creative work you feel proud of.
One helpful tip is to try reading your work out loud. That can often help you spot places where your prose doesn’t flow.
AI-powered grammar checkers like ProWritingAid can also help you identify weaknesses in your prose and learn how to strengthen them. You can catch your grammatical mistakes, avoid unnecessary repetition, choose more evocative words, and more with our powerful tool.
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6. Show don't tell. To let readers experience your story, show don't tell. Showing means using sensory details and describing actions to direct a mental movie in your reader's mind. Get inspired by these examples of "show, don't tell" …. Show don't tell examples >>. 7. Repetition in writing.
37. Unreliable Narrator: Use a Narrator Whose Credibility Is in Question. When it comes to creative writing, one technique that can be used to add depth and complexity to a story is the use of an unreliable narrator. An unreliable narrator is a character who tells the story but whose credibility is in question.
Take some time to think about what inspires you, and use that as the foundation for your writing. 2. Read Widely. To be a good creative writer, you need to be a good reader. Reading widely exposes you to different styles, genres, and techniques, and it can help you develop your own voice as a writer.
This creative writing technique allows you to present a bird's eye view of the setting or use multiple characters' points of view, adding depth and nuances to your descriptions. By doing so, you can improve imagery in ways that engage readers who have a subconscious desire for innovation.
It involves using language to create an engaging and thought-provoking narrative. Creative writing can take many forms, including fiction, poetry, essays, nonfiction, novels, novellas, short stories, flash fiction, scripts, and graphic novels. Fiction is a form of creative writing that involves creating a story not based on real-life events.
8 Tips for Getting Started With Creative Writing. Outside the world of business writing and hard journalism lies an entire realm of creative writing. Whether you're brand-new to the craft, a nonfiction writer looking to experiment, or a casual creative writer wanting to turn into a published author, honing your creative writing skills is key ...
Creative writing is writing meant to evoke emotion in a reader by communicating a theme. In storytelling (including literature, movies, graphic novels, creative nonfiction, and many video games), the theme is the central meaning the work communicates. Take the movie (and the novel upon which it's based) Jaws, for instance.
The principles of good plot-writing are centred around the connection between different events that show cause and effect, and this central tenet of the three-act structure has obvious parallels with the way in which essays work through presenting evidence in support of arguments. 3. An attention-grabbing opening.
A creative writer strives to tell unique stories in a distinctive voice. Yet with all the fiction writing already out there in the world, it can be hard to feel that your work is legitimately creative compared to the competition. You could be a first-time writer completing in a high school creative writing course, a hobbyist working on your ...
Types of Creative Writing. Examples of creative writing can be found pretty much everywhere. Some forms that you're probably familiar with and already enjoy include: • Fiction (of every genre, from sci-fi to historical dramas to romances) • Film and television scripts. • Songs. • Poetry.
This section'll explore some key elements of creative writing techniques. 1. Story Elements. The story elements are the building blocks of any good story. These include the plot, characters, setting, theme, foreshadowing, and climax. Each element is important in creating a compelling story that engages the reader. 2.
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 ...
Here are some concrete exercises that can help you improve your creative writing:. Describe a scene: Choose a scene or setting and describe it in detail, using all of your senses.Try to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind, using specific details and descriptive language. Write from a different perspective: Take a story or event and write it from a different character's perspective.
Creative writing is writing that uses imagination, creativity, and mastery of the art of writing to evoke emotion in a reader. It could be a fictional story, a nonfiction piece, or movie script, a play, a poem, et cetera. Creative writing oftentimes springs up from experimentation and good, imaginative use of knowledge and ideas.
The individual elements of different narrative techniques can be broken down into six distinct categories: Character. Perspective. Plot. Setting. Style. Theme. Each of these plays an important role in developing a story — taking the writer's message and presenting it to their audience in a deliberate way.
Pick up your pen, choose your favorite prompt, and start writing! 10 Creative Writing Tips for Beginners. If you're new to creative writing, here are ten fiction writing tips that you can try. Tip 1: Read Widely. It's hard to become a great musician without having heard a lot of great music. The same is true for writing.
2. Start journaling your days. Another easy way to get started with creative writing is to keep a journal. We're not talking about an hour-by-hour account of your day, but journaling as a way to express yourself without filters and find your 'voice in writing'. If you're unsure what to journal about, think of any daily experiences that ...
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. (This post may have afilliate links. Please see my full disclosure)
Here are ten tips to improve your creative writing and save you hours of painful re-writing in the future. (1) Don't underestimate your reader. You have a fantastic plot, your characters are realistic, the setting is ideal and you want to make sure that the reader gets every little detail that you have in mind. Great!
Simple - Just create writing goals for yourself. Examples of writing goals might include, to write 100 words every day or to write 600 words by the end of next week. Whatever your goals make sure you can measure them easily. That way you'll know if you met them or not.
Basic Creative Writing Techniques. As with any craft, mastering the basics is essential before diving into more complex techniques. Basic creative writing techniques include structure, grammar, literary devices, point of view, dialogue, storytelling, imagination, character development, foreshadowing, imagery, personification, alliteration, hyperbole, and euphemisms.
5. Use objects to dramatise story action. One of the most powerful creative writing techniques I teach is how to use objects in your fiction. Objects big and small are a great way to bring a story to life, and dramatise the action and conflict between characters. Whether big objects such as houses, cars, sofas or trees, or small objects such as ...
Non-Fiction. Non-fiction is a type of creative writing that involves the creation of works that are based on real events, people, and experiences. It can include memoirs, personal essays, and other forms of creative non-fiction. Non-fiction writers use research, interviews, and other techniques to create a compelling and informative work.
Surprise the Reader: Do start with what looks to be a boring, day-in-the life moment, and then surprise the reader with unusual dialogue or characterization. The Best Day Ever: The character is having a great day.Show the reader what the character is about to lose with the inciting incident, so it makes that moment more emotionally impactful.
10. Cut the repetitive sentences. One practical way to become a better writer is by consciously analyzing your writing to identify repetitive patterns. This is hard to do during the drafting process, especially if you write your first draft quickly, but it's mercifully simple in retrospect.