While many may know the literary definition of creative writing, fewer may know that it has a commonly accepted meaning. For those who love words and language, creative writing can be a very rewarding endeavor. For those who find language difficult, it can be a challenging task that may require a significant amount of self-reflection and mental preparation. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of creative writing in a variety of fields, as well as how to go about becoming a great creative writer!
The Many Fields Of Creative Writing
As mentioned, the vast majority of people have some familiarity with the term “creative writing,” however, fewer may understand the scope of the writing process. When asked about creative writing, many would probably think of literature, which is in fact the classical definition of the term. In today’s world, this form of writing can be found in various fields and platforms, including journalism, advertising, and marketing. Creative writing can also take the form of memoirs, biographies, and autobiography as well as drama, fiction, and non-fiction. In the world of computers, programmers can create device drivers, operating systems, and applications for mobile phones and tablets. These types of software and devices employ a variety of languages, including HTML, JavaScript, and Python to name just a few. Writing programs such as Microsoft Word can also create documents that adhere to the creative writing format, as can Google Docs.
Why Is Creative Writing Important?
Despite the fact that creative writing is a commonly accepted term, many may still consider it to be a sub-category of literature. After all, doesn’t every form of writing start with a “creative” phase? While this may be true, the creative phase may not be limited to simply taking random ideas and turning them into something new. When we consider that many literary forms evolved out of traditional Chinese writing systems, we can see that writing creatively can entail a lot more than this. It can involve research, considering various perspectives, and using your unique skills and talent to tell a new story that will evolve as you write. The process can be a highly personal one, which is why creative writing is considered to be important.
The Evolving Definition Of Creative Writing
Looking back at the definition of creative writing, we can see that it hasn’t always existed in its modern form. For example, The Canterbury Tales, a 12th century writing collection by Geoffrey Chaucer, includes the “Reeve’s Tale” which literally translates to “Reeve’s Creative Writing.” The Reeve’s Tale is a parody in which the poet lampoons Reeve, the warden of the city of Canterbury. The satire involves Reeve making up poems and rhyming dialogues about the plights of the city wardens. While some may consider Reeve’s Tale to be primarily comedic, it was written during an epoch in which literature was considered to be a calling, not a career. In those days, writing was primarily done for leisure, and for those who pursued it as a career, it was considered to be more of a hobby.
How Do I Improve My Writing?
If you’re looking to become a great writer, there are several approaches you can take. One approach entails breaking down your writing process into a series of steps, which you can follow to improve your craft and become a better writer. Another approach is to learn from great writers who have previously written on your topic, or within your writing genre. Still, another approach is to just keep writing and tooting your horn, because one writing contribution may not be enough to make a difference. You never know when someone will find your work valuable and use it to further your career. Ultimately, the only way to find out if you’re becoming a great writer is to keep writing.
Creative Writing Is A Vocation, Not A Viable Career
If you’re looking for a career in creative writing, you might want to consider other options. After all, the field is not one that is necessarily secure. As mentioned, this form of writing can be found in a variety of fields, including advertising, journalism, and marketing, all of which are becoming more and more digital every day. In these fields, creative writing is considered to be a hobby for those who enjoy it, and a vocation for those who pursue it as a career. If you want to be a great writer, you should consider alternatives such as law, medicine, or teaching, all of which are more secure options.
Creative Writing Is A Great Way To Process Your Feelings
For those who write creatively, perhaps the most important thing to understand is that it is a means of processing feelings. For those who enjoy it, writing can be a great way to express yourself, and it may even help you cope with your feelings. As mentioned, theory and philosophy of writing can be found in a variety of places, including the Bhagavad Gita, which states: “When I write a poem, it is not that I intend to express myself or to convince others of something. What I do is that I am taking out the garbage that I have inside me, and I want to get rid of it once and for all.”
The above quote is from a chapter titled “Katha” in The Gita Book, a translation of the Bhagavad Gita by William Wordsworth and Jane Wordsworth. It’s a great starting point for anyone who is interested in creative writing, or just wanting to become a better writer.
It’s important to note that not everybody will find writing a great way to process their feelings. Those who are very aloof or introverted may not feel comfortable engaging in this mental activity. It is a personal choice whether or not to write about one’s personal experience in a creative manner. For those who do enjoy it, however, there is no denying that writing can be a great way to process your feelings, and it’s an activity that can be highly rewardsing.