Creative writing can take many forms – from short stories to feature articles – and exist in a variety of genres, including non-fiction, journalism, and drama. While some consider creative writing to be a unique form of literary art, it is actually composed of many different types of writing.
If you’re looking to dive into creative writing, but don’t know where to start, this article is for you. Here we’re going to introduce you to the various types of creative writing as well as give you some ideas for getting started.
1. Short Stories
Short stories are typically between 1,000 and 7,500 words in length. They can be fun to write and easily consumed by readers. Many modern day short story writers use their work to explore an issue or theme in greater depth than they would in a typical “traditional” story. Some well-known short story writers and poets include Anton Chekhov, E. Annie Proulx, and Raymond Carver.
One of the most popular and accessible forms of creative writing, short stories allow for a great deal of freedom. No one is telling you what you should write or how you should write it. You have complete control over the story’s content and you can experiment with different styles and tones. Additionally, many short story competitions and contests are held throughout the year, which give emerging and experienced writers the opportunity to showcase their talents.
2. Flash Fiction
Flash fiction is a variety of short story written in a modern prose style that was originally invented by author Chuck Palahniuk. Inspired by the novellas of 19th century author William Makepeace Thackery, Palahniuk began writing short stories in the tradition of Thackery’s vintage works. Many consider flash fiction to be a hybrid of short story and novella, combining the accessibility of a short story with the added depth of a novella. The name “flash fiction” comes from the fact that these stories are usually presented in an unedited state, similar to a flash of lightening.
The goal of the writer is not to demonstrate sophisticated skills but to write a compelling story that will keep the reader interested. Since flash fiction is meant to be brief, the writer does not have the luxury of embellishments or flowery language. He or she must keep the reader engaged through simple, direct sentences and vivid characters. As a result, flash fiction tends to be very character-driven and dialogue-light. You’ll rarely find a writer in the flash fiction community who cares much about formal English as it is not needed – though the occasional typo is acceptable.
3. Drama
Drama is a broad term that can be used to describe any work that uses theatrical elements to tell a story. It can be a comic book movie, a play, or a television series. One of the primary purposes of drama is to entertain the audience. It typically entertains through the use of dialogue, but can also do so through the use of characters, props, and plots in a narrative style.
The biggest difference between drama and other types of creative writing is that drama usually requires a stage. Theater-going is a widely available luxury in the 21st century, giving dramatists the ability to reach a large audience. If you want to write drama, don’t be afraid to pitch ideas to a theater or film producer. They may not all be willing to take on your cause, but they will definitely be interested in your ideas.
4. Non-Fiction
Non-fiction is a broad category that can encompass everything from in-depth journalism to historical accounts to biographies. It can even include self-help or advice books. As the name suggests, non-fiction writers don’t make things up. They typically use facts, statistics, and analysis to support their arguments. The goal is to provide accurate information for the reader. In non-fiction, you will usually find the use of a more formal style along with an academic tone. The perfect example of a non-fiction writer is a journalist or a sociologist. The advantage of non-fiction is that it’s a very flexible genre. You can write about anything you want, as long as you have the facts to back it up.
5. Letters
Letters are a form of creative non-fiction that involves writing a lengthy, formal composition – usually a letter of a few paragraphs – in which you write about an interesting topic. The difference between letters and other types of non-fiction is that letters are usually written to someone – often a family member, friend, or lover. They are also often written in response to a real-life event. For example, if you’re responding to the death of a family member, you would write a death letter in the form of a letter.
Letters are a fantastic form of creative non-fiction because they allow you to explore a variety of issues. If you’re responding to the death of a relative, for example, you may explore the concept of grief and how to deal with it. Or, you might look at how certain cultural rituals – including funerals – can influence an individual’s worldview.
6. Memoirs
Memoirs are written accounts of an individual’s life that can range from 100 to 500 pages in length. They can be extremely personal and often include extremely detailed descriptions of an author’s life. The goal is to create a sense of connection with the reader by using vivid details to help bring the characters and events of your life to life.
A memoir can be a very effective way to share your life with the world. It can provide an intimate glimpse into your mind and your emotions as you explore important events and personal relationships. The disadvantage of writing a memoir is that it can be incredibly time-consuming. It’s not uncommon for writers to put in several hundred hours of research and writing before they even start putting words on paper. Additionally, memoirs are very personal and, for the most part, contain a lot of very sensitive information. If you want to write a memoir, make sure you’re ready to bare your soul to the world. Be assured that you’re not writing this for money – it will be a labor of love.
7. Interviews
An interview is any discussion between two or more individuals, typically recorded or transcribed, in which information is exchanged. It can be used to expose someone’s opinions or to gather information about a particular topic. Popular interviews range from one-on-one discussions between an interviewer and interviewee to group discussions among friends.
The advantage of an interview is that it’s a very versatile genre. You can interview anyone you want, about anything. You don’t have to have a specific person, place, or thing in mind when you begin writing. Additionally, interviews are often used to investigate or find out more about a particular topic. If you’re not sure what type of content you’d like to write about, interviews can be a great place to start. Just remember: more information is usually better, so make sure you have enough material to last you a while.
8. Articulation
Articulation is the practice of speaking or writing clearly and intelligibly. It involves choosing words that will enable your reader to understand and follow your train of thought. Good articulation is crucial if you want to write clearly and effectively. Practice identifying the correct words and using them correctly. If you want to write articulately, consider researching different kinds of words and how to use them correctly.
If you’re looking for a good word to use instead of the one you’ve been struggling with, look it up in a thesaurus or an online dictionary. Take your time and look up the appropriate definition, as well as its antonyms. You can also consult a grammar guide to make sure you’re using the correct form.
9. Creative Commons
Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that enables people to better understand how to protect and use their creative works while making an additional income from their creations. Much like Wikipedia, Creative Commons allows individuals to write, paint, or compose what they want, but also gives them the means to ensure other people can read, cite, or build upon their work.
Creative Commons offers four different types of licenses – Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International), Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International), Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 3.0 International), and Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 3.0 International).