You are a writer by profession, and you’ve always wanted to try your hand at creative writing. You’ve had plenty of opportunities to do this in the past, but somehow, whenever you got that urge to write, you felt paralyzed. You’d start a story, but you wouldn’t be able to stop working on it, and before you knew it, hours had past, and you still hadn’t finished. Frustrated, you’d put your pen down and walk away. Now you’re in a place where you can finally be anonymous and write what you want, without any consequences. This, of course, is the fantasy of most writers. The reality is a little more complicated. You’ll need to put in the work to get good at writing creatively, and there are certain tricks and techniques that can help you get there faster and with less frustration. In this article, we’ll discuss five tips that can help you become a better writer creative writing-style. Let’s get to it.
Tip #1: Get Inspired
This may be the most obvious tip, yet it’s still the most overlooked. When you sit down to write, you must be inspired by something. It may be a short story you’ve heard, a TV show, an album, a play, a poem, a dream, or even another piece of writing. It can be anything that excites you, and allows you to explore a new side of yourself that you never really displayed before. Finding the source of your inspiration will not only allow you to create something new, but it will also give you the drive to keep going. When you finally do find that source of inspiration, you will find that the creative flow just seems to come easily, and the words seem to want to come out on their own accord. This is what being a creative writer is all about.
Tip #2: Read A Lot
Another important tip is to read a lot. This is essential for a writer of any caliber, simply because you never know when or where inspiration may strike you. If you want to get better at creative writing, especially without taking a class, then you must read books on the subject. There are plenty of online resources that can guide you in this regard, and even if you don’t feel like you need any help, at least you’ll know what’s out there. You may also consider joining a writing group or association, as this can also help you get inspired and gain valuable feedback on your work from experienced writers. In any case, reading is key if you want to get better at creative writing. Don’t expect to be a fantastic writer without first spending a considerable amount of time learning from greats like McCloud and Hemingway.
Tip #3: Set A Goal
This is a tricky one, and unless you’re extremely determined, you may end up doing this unintentionally. It’s important to set a goal for yourself when you first sit down to write. The main thing is to make sure that whatever goal you set for yourself, you actually achieve. It may be a good idea to write a short story based on a nightmare you had last night, or set the goal to write a play that’ll be staged next year, or even just write every day for a few months and see how things go. Whatever it may be, make sure that you set down on paper what you intend to achieve, and how you plan on doing it. This will help you stay focused, and even when you’ve gotten distracted by an amazing TV show or fascinating movie, you’ll be able to bring your creative writing back to the page, and remind yourself of why you’re there in the first place. Writing is a very solitary activity, and it can be easy to get distracted by outside sources. Being able to set goals for yourself and then track your progress is an excellent way to keep focused on what you’re writing, and eventually, you may even find that setting goals isn’t necessary at all. Just write, and see where things take you.
Tip #4: Join A Writing Group
Another tip is to join a writing group. It’s always helpful to have people to bounce ideas off of, and with creative writing, it’s doubly important to do this. There are many benefits to having a writing group, and one of the most important ones is that it allows you to get feedback on your work, as well as give you a place to share your work with others. It may not be for everyone, but for those who love to write, and feel that they have something to offer, this is a great outlet. You can also find like-minded people in your local area, through Meetup or similar online resources. As an added bonus, getting feedback from others can help you identify places where you could improve your work, and ultimately, make you a better writer. If you’ve been writing for a while, and feel like you have a decent grasp of the craft, then try joining a writing group, and give this a shot. You may just find that it’s the best way to improve your creative writing, and help you become the author you truly want to be.
Tip #5: Keep A Journal
This is a great tip, and something that can be applied to any form of creative writing. The reason this tip is so valuable is that you can use your journal to record your brainstorming sessions, as well as all the works that you produce. It’s important to have a record of your progress, and this is where a journal comes in handy. You may also want to set down some goals for yourself, as this can also help you keep track of where you’re heading. You can use your journal to jot down all your ideas, as well as works in progress. It may not always be possible to write everything down immediately, but when you do, it can provide you with a valuable record of all your creative ideas. You may choose to keep this private, and only share it with those you trust, or you may decide to share it with the world. It’s entirely up to you.
Every writer, at some point, has felt paralyzed by the fear of wasting precious writing time. If you’re really determined to be a better writer without taking a class, then I’m sure you’ll find a way. Just remember to put in the work, and don’t give up. With a little bit of luck, and maybe a few of these tips, you’ll be able to write the novel you always dreamed about one day writing. Good luck out there.