Creative writing can be anything from poem writing to short story writing, or even non-fiction writing such as memoirs or biographies. It can be difficult to define exactly what creative writing is, because it is all about the individual writer and their unique voice. However, broadly speaking, creative writing can involve using words to evoke images, feelings, or ideas, and getting the tone of the piece just right so that the reader feels a sense of engagement and excitement rather than confusion or dismissal. It can also involve using various styles, such as lyric poetry, to express yourself creatively. There are several different routes into creative writing, and for those who want to pursue a creative writing career, there are plenty of paths available to do so. The following examples of creative writing are likely to provide some inspiration for those who are seeking to develop their own creative writing practice.
Narrative Journalism
Traditional journalism has given way to a new breed of writers who prefer to focus on the more creative side of reporting. Interested in investigating and reporting on social issues, business concerns, and current events, narrative journalists have become increasingly crucial in today’s media landscape. They might write for online magazines such as BuzzFeed or Capital New York, or for major magazines such as The New York Times or The Washington Post. They might also work for television news channels such as Al Jazeera, or for online news platforms such as The New York Times or The Guardian. The following are just some of the many examples of narrative journalism:
The Personal Essay
Some people confuse personal essays with autobiography, but the two are not identical. True, they both center around the author’s life and experiences, but a good personal essay will usually strive to be more objective and scientific in its approach, using details such as facts and figures to support its arguments rather than relying on the author’s subjective observations. When you read a well-written personal essay, it will feel more like you are watching someone else’s story unfold than experiencing it yourself. Personal essays can also be a great way to probe intriguing topics such as love, loss, or regret, as long as you do not abuse the form.
The Book Report
Like any other form of creative writing, the book report is not restricted to poetry or fiction. In fact, many academic book reports are written in a style that is somewhere between the two; that is, they are a mixture of the two forms. For those who like their books with a literary twist, the book report can be a good option. In a book report, you will summarize what you’ve read and discuss the author’s style, scope, and purpose, among other things. Usually required reading for students, book reports are also a chance for the author to have their work evaluated by their peers. Like any other form of creative writing, the book report is a good place to develop your prose writing skills and to practice structuring your thoughts.
The Review
Like the book report, the review can be classified as a type of creative non-fiction. A review is, in a nutshell, an article that discusses and compares different versions of a product or album, or that evaluates and assesses the merits and demerits of a particular book, album, or movie. While most reviews will fall into the category of arts journalism, it is not necessary that you are a trained journalist to write a review. Indeed, anyone can write a good review as long as they are passionate about the topic and have a sound understanding of the relevant information.
Narrative Non-Fiction
Some people confuse narrative non-fiction with autobiographical writing, but the two are not synonymous. The former usually refers to historical or semi-historical accounts of real events that can be presented in a creative or engaging manner. Narrative non-fiction emphasizes the storytelling aspect of journalism, as opposed to the news report, which focuses on informing the audience about the facts of an event. One popular form of narrative non-fiction is biography, which is, in effect, an account of a person’s life. Biographies can be written about anyone, from a famous person to an unsung hero, and the format tends to be very accessible and entertaining. For those who love a good story but may not be very interested in history, narrative non-fiction offers an alternative. It is a great way to present an interesting topic in a new and engaging manner.
Theatre Review
Theatre reviews are a unique literary form that deserves a spot in this list. For those who are unfamiliar, a theatre review is, in a nutshell, a journalistic narrative or article that discusses aspects of a play or musical, such as the acting, plot, or music, and usually includes one or more references to the author’s subjective opinion, expressed in a manner that is sometimes humorous but always fair.
More and more people are discovering the healing and clarifying effects that drama can have on our lives, and with good reason. Studies have shown that spending time in the company of others, particularly in the presence of a skilled storyteller, can greatly enhance our understanding of the world around us and of ourselves. For those who want to develop their writing skills or perhaps just need an excuse to escape from the world for a while, theatre reviews can be a great choice.
The Creative Non-Fiction Anthology
Apart from the previously mentioned forms of creative non-fiction, there is another route into the world of writing that is just as valid as the above examples, and it has to do with writing creative non-fiction for an anthology. An anthology is a collection of various stories or poems, usually pertaining to a particular theme or topic, that are all by different authors. Anthologies can range from fun and frivolous to serious and thought-provoking, but they are all written by talented and creative writers who have applied their skills to put together a literary masterpiece. The following are just some of the many examples of anthologies:
Non-Fiction Picaresque Novels
If you are an avid reader of fiction, you may already be familiar with the picaresque novel, whose distinguishing feature is that it follows the misadventures of a character whose name is often used as a short form for “Spanish rogue.” The first and best-known example of the picaresque novel is, of course, Don Quixote, by the great Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes. Other famous examples include The Adventures of Gil Braltar, by Miguel de Cervantes, and Parting Gifts, a semi-autobiographical novel by Ben Macintyre. These are all examples of non-fiction, although they can be considered creative non-fiction because of the way the author has integrated fiction and non-fiction elements in the same piece.
Short Story Collections
Short story collections are a great place to practice your prose writing skills and to develop your imaginative talents, because they often require you to create intriguing storylines or to develop interesting characters. In a short story collection, you will find some of the most accomplished short fiction writers in the English language, including William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, and Arthur Conan Doyle. If you want to be included in such a distinguished company, consider submitting your short stories to famous magazines or publishing houses for consideration. You may find it useful to read other writers’ short stories to see how they do it, and to learn more about the craft, so you can improve your own writing style and technique. Some of the best short story collections include:
- The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle
- Dubliners, by James Joyce
- A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
- Tales of London, by Jack London
- A Soldier’s Tale, by Helene Hanff
- The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling
- The Book of Nod, by William Somerset Maugham
Whether you choose to write a review of a play or a collection of short stories, or even a novel, if you follow the above-mentioned examples, you will develop a clearer idea of what creative writing is and how you can become a part of the field.