This is a question I get asked a lot. And it’s a tricky one to answer because there’s no exact science to it. You’ve got to be mindful of a few key things, though, to ensure that your creative writing sample lives up to the standards of a high-quality university or college.
The Genre
As I mentioned, you’re not going to find any exact science to this question. But, there are some rules of thumb that you can follow to make sure that your creative writing sample is as good as it can be. One of these rules is to make sure that your work is in a genre that is acceptable to the person reading it. For example, if they’re an English department member, they might not want to read your science fiction novel. Or, if they’re a literary agent, they might not want to read your fantasy novel. Make sure that you choose a genre that is suitable for your work.
The Style
Even though there’s no exact science to this question, either, there are some tips and tricks that can help you make your creative writing sample as good as possible. One of these tips is to make sure that your work is written in a style that is suitable for the work. If you’re writing a fantasy novel, make sure that your prose is as descriptive and lush as possible. For example, nothing makes a reader cringe more than a poorly-written, very technical piece of dialogue. So, if you’re writing an historical novel, make sure to ground it in historical fact. If you’re writing a detective story, make sure that your dialogue is as realistic as possible.
The Content
What you put into your writing sample is just as important as how you write it. One of the most common questions I get asked is how much poetry should I include in my creative writing sample? Now, this is something that really bothers me, as a poet. I love writing in my spare time, mostly because it allows me to experiment with different styles and voices. However, I get very nervous when people ask me how much poetry I should include in my sample. Especially since there is no exact science to it. So, here are my suggestions:
If you are an unpublished poet, you might not want to submit your work for consideration. Why? Well, if they’re looking for a polished product that is ready to go, chances are they’ll pass over your work. But, if they like what they see, they might ask you to send more. So, it’s always best to have something ready to send when they ask. It saves you the stress of having to rush off and find a small excerpt.
Don’t Overdo It
This last point is perhaps the most important one. When you’re writing your creative writing sample, don’t worry about including too much. As a general rule, the more you put in it, the more you’ll get out of it. Your work will improve with each revision you make. So, don’t feel compelled to include more than you need to. As an author, if you want to make sure that people take you seriously, you need to show them that you know what you’re doing. And, for some reason, people trust those who know what they’re doing. Just remember that a little goes a long way. You don’t want to overwhelm the reader with too much information. Take care of the details, and make sure to include what is necessary.
If you want to write a successful creative writing sample, take your time. Relax, and enjoy the process. Make sure to have fun with it, and you’ll be on your way to a successful application.