One of the questions I get asked most often is, “How did you start creative writing?” When people ask me this, they are usually looking for ideas. They want to know what worked for me, so they can try it themselves. Perhaps they are even thinking about doing creative writing themselves, and they want to know what methods work best for someone who has no experience. Let’s face it, no matter what your situation is, creative writing can be scary. You’re essentially creating stories and poems out of thin air – there are no rules or guidelines to follow, and it’s natural to be worried about whether or not what you’re writing will actually work. That’s what makes this a great question to ask yourself before you start your creative writing journey. Although there is no right or wrong answer to this question, the following will guide you on the right track to successfully completing your creative writing assignments:
The Scared Writer
This is the writer who is hesitant to try something new, who is worried about what other people will think about his or her writing. This writer is most definitely going to struggle with creativity and will almost certainly experience doubts about the quality of what he or she writes. In most cases, this will prevent this individual from producing anything of value and may even cause them to sabotage their own creative process. This is not the kind of writer you want to be – if you find yourself in this category, you might as well give up now, because you will never amount to much. If you feel like this, you need to have confidence in your work, and in yourself. Creative writing can be a great way to express yourself and your thoughts, as long as you don’t allow the fear of what other people will say about your work to hold you back.
The Reinvented Writer
This is the writer who has tried something new before and seen great results. She may even have had some criticisms about her previous work, but thanks to her efforts she has risen above her previous successes and failures. For this writer, creative writing is an outlet for her ingenuity and allows her to experiment with different styles and tones – it’s a chance to challenge herself and try new things. This writer, if she is to have any chance of success, needs to have complete and utter confidence in what she is writing. She needs to have the courage to pursue her creative whims without fear or favor, because ultimately she is accountable for the work she produces. This is certainly a daunting task, but if you want to succeed, you have to be willing to do what it takes.
The Risk-Taker
This is the writer who takes great pleasure in pushing the limits and seeing what happens. She may not always believe in what she writes, but she is certain that it will work out in the end. For this writer, creativity is an opportunity to try new things and discover new perspectives. Often, she will write what she thinks is going to be popular and will not give a hoot whether or not her work is good. This writer is going to flourish as long as he or she continues to take risks and be fearless – you may very well be this type of writer, and if you are, congratulations! Just make sure that you don’t get sucked into risk-taking just for the sake of excitement – that’s how you end up in trouble.
The Productive Writer
This is the type of writer who starts new projects frequently and never seems to run out of things to write about. She has a large amount of experience, and it shows in the quality of her work. This writer is very knowledgeable about the topic at hand and may even have done extensive research into it. Her notes may even be bursting at the seams with useful information. She is confident enough in her writing to not be afraid to ask questions about the topic, and she is dedicated enough to do plenty of research even if it is not necessary. Ultimately, this writer is just looking for the opportunity to put her skills to use. She does not fear criticism because she is confident that what she is writing will be of benefit. You may be able to relate to this type of writer, whether or not you want to admit it. The important thing is that you know what type of writer you are dealing with, and whether or not you want to be like her. Creative writing can be a great way to improve your skills and gain some experience, so long as you are willing to put in the work.
The Goal-Oriented Writer
This type of writer always has a goal or an idea in mind when she writes. Even if she does not initially have a clear idea of how she is going to go about achieving her goal, she will work hard to figure it out. Sometimes, her idea may not even be fully formed yet, but she will continue to work on it until she is satisfied with what she comes up with. This writer will usually use familiar settings or characters as a way to illustrate her point. She wants to make sure that her audience understands exactly what she is saying, and she works hard to make sure that her writing is easy and enjoyable to read. Ultimately, this type of writer just wants to produce a good work that she is proud of.
Which One Are You?
The answer to this question depends on how you feel when you sit down to write. If you feel creative and confident, you may be the fearless type. If you feel a little nervous but excited about the challenge, you may be the adventurous type. If you feel confused and insecure, you may be the hesitant type. The important thing is that you know the type of writer you are and that you are comfortable with it. Creative writing can be a great way to express yourself and challenge yourself, so long as you are not afraid to be yourself. Fear of judgment is the greatest enemy of the creative writer, so make sure you fight your way through that if you want to be successful.