I like creative writing because you can write about anything. For instance, if you have a story about a zombie apocalypse, then you can write the entire book with just that one idea. You can take your pick from a variety of subjects like music, movies, games, and food—the list is endless. You can use your imagination to come up with the most unique stories and characters. Plus, with creative writing, you’re not bound to one genre or style—you can experiment with different writing techniques and see which ones work best for you. Finally, being creative and writing-related activities are very fun and interactive. You get to decide the direction your creative writing takes and the characters in your stories. So, the next time you feel like complaining about not feeling inspired, remember: it’s your fault! You are the one who needs to find the source of your creativity to pull the trigger and start writing. The following will highlight some of the things that I like about creative writing:
No Limits
One of the things I like most about creative writing is that there are no limits. Yes, you read that right. If you happen to have a story idea about zombies, then you can write an entire book incorporating just that one idea. Or, if you’re the adventurous type, you can take your pick of a variety of subjects like music, movies, games, or food and write an entire novel or collection of short stories about your “research”. There are no rules in writing creatively, aside from making sure that your work is good, of course. However, this is what makes writing such a fun and rewarding process. You get to decide on the direction your creative writing takes, and you are free to explore any and all ideas that come to mind. There are no limits to what you can write about or how you can write about it. Just remember: the more you put in, the more you get back. It’s a win-win situation.
Self-expression
Another thing I like about creative writing is that it allows you to express yourself. The freedom to write what you want is a gift that all writers should be thankful to receive. However, many people misconstrue this gift to mean that they can write what they want and not have to submit their work to anyone. Although this may be true for “amateur” writers, those who choose to write creatively professionally have to put their work out there and stake their claim in the marketplace. This is why it is always a good idea to publish your work—it allows you to express your ideas and feelings without restraint, and it shows your work to others that may be interested in purchasing it. Remember: when you write what you want, others will see it and have an opportunity to read it and judge you based on your content, not your intent. The only way to ensure that your work is judged fairly is to put it out there and allow others to read it. You may then garner constructive criticism, but at least you will know that your work was read by someone and deemed valuable by them at that. Ultimately, this is the sign of a writer who has truly “arrived” and can now call themselves a published author—it usually takes a lot of hard work and a lot of luck to get to that point.
Interactivity
Another thing I like about creative writing is that it is very interactive. You can actually interact with the reader as you go along, giving the story or novel a more three-dimensional feel. Take the time to think of questions that the characters in your story might ask or things that they would say. Then, you can actually write the answers into the narrative, letting the reader experience the story through their eyes. For example, if you have written a story about zombies and the human race is on the verge of extinction, the survivors could conceivably ask, “Hey, zombie-lover, what’s the point of all this living if there’s no one around to eat your brains?” This may start a whole new line of thought for your readers and change the entire tone and feel of your story. You can also write an ending that can only be understood by the readers who have been following your story up to that point. It’s amazing how much more immersive and engaging fiction can be when it is written with these little details in mind.
Variety
Creative writing allows for a lot of variety. Not only can you write about any subject you want, but you can do so in any way you please. If you want to write a realistic story about zombies, then you can do so. Alternatively, you can create a fantastical zombie story that is entirely made up and could never really happen. It is within your power to write how you want and make the characters behave in ways that you deem fit. You get to decide what the end result should be like, as there are no limits to what you can write in this regard. Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you did your best to create something unique and interesting. Variety is the spice of life, and it is a great thing to bring to the table when you are pursuing creative writing.
Even though there are no rules in terms of what you can write about, there are certainly guidelines to follow. First, make sure that you have an idea that you can build on. If you are stuck for ideas, then it may be a sign that you need to expand your horizons and do some research into a particular topic. If you already have an idea in mind, then it may be a sign that you need to flesh it out and give it some more detail. Remember: the more you put in, the more you get back. So, remember to keep writing, even if it takes you a while to get back to where you started. With a little bit of effort, you will never be short of story ideas to write about. Just make sure that you have the will to write them down and then do so. Ideas are meaningless if you don’t put them to use, and that is what will make you a successful writer. So, don’t be discouraged if things don’t come easily to you; you are bound to produce something unique and valuable in the end.