I have a degree in Creative Writing, but for a long time, I had no idea what I was going to do with it. In fact, I initially wanted to be a journalist, inspired by my favourite novelists and storytellers such as Ernest Hemingway and Stephen King. Having worked as a newspaper reporter for a couple of years, I realised that this was probably not a suitable career for me; after all, I didn’t have much of a social life, as I was always too busy working. So, reluctantly, I went back to college to study Business, but continued to write regularly in my spare time.
As my professional writing career progressed, my passion for storytelling didn’t die. In fact, it inspired me to write my first novel, ‘The Artistry of Misha McDonough’, which was published in 2019 by House of Anansi Press. Since then, I have had the opportunity to speak at a variety of events, universities and libraries, sharing my adventures in creative writing and discussing the importance of reading and story-telling in today’s world.
If you’re interested in getting into creative writing as a hobby, where do you start? How can you get inspired? What should you be reading?
There are plenty of ways to engage with the creative writing community, but if you’re looking for inspiration, you could start by taking a look at the work of established writers. By reading their novels and short stories, you will learn a lot about the craft of writing and the type of stories that they typically tell. Perhaps the most influencial writer of the 20th century was Ernest Hemingway, author of ‘The Sun Also Rises’, ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ and many more. If you’re looking for an engaging and entertaining read, I’d recommend either ‘A Farewell to Arms’ or ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’, as they are both phenomenal examples of short story writing and deal with some of the most compelling themes (love, loss, sacrifice, honour, loyalty, etc.) It’s important to note that these are not easy reads; you will undoubtedly learn a lot from them. Additionally, Hemingway’s work is known for its minimalistic style, so if you want to write in a similar fashion, you could draw inspiration from his spare but effective prose.
Attend Events
One of the best ways to get inspired is to attend events, whether they’re literary festivals or art exhibits. If you’re a creative writing undergrad, you might want to consider participating in an MFA program, where you can get some feedback on your work and meet other writers and artists. Going to these kinds of events will give you a chance to meet people who are interested in the same kinds of stories as you, which can open up possibilities for collaboration down the line.
Join Online Communities
If you’re looking for a more contemporary approach, you could join online communities of writers and readers, whose members are typically interested in similar topics and have a lot to say about books, writing and the industry. These are a great place to get motivation and inspiration, as you will regularly be exposed to new ideas and ways of thinking. Additionally, it’s a place where you can find like-minded people, looking for discussion and advice.
Try Something New
If you’re looking for inspiration, you could try something new. If you’re a fan of crime fiction or thrillers, you could investigate the field and see what jobs are available. Additionally, you could look into becoming a crime writer, specialising in thrillers or using your existing degree to transition into a career in law. If you love adventure stories, you could consider becoming a travel writer or an exploration videographer, filming documentaries about your chosen locations.
These are just some of the options available to you if you want to get into creative writing as a hobby. As you can see, there are many ways to become a professional writer. If none of the above seems like a good fit, you could always try your hand at screenwriting or comedy. Who knows? You might even find your specialisation, and at the very least, you’ll have an exciting and adventurous journey to tell your friends about.