What is creative writing? It is essentially the use of language in new and imaginative ways to express ideas, stories, and topics. There is no rule when it comes to creative writing, but there are some tried and tested methods that you can follow to write creatively and effectively. Here are ten examples of creative writing put into practice.
The Metamorphosis
Banned or not, J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic The Metamorphosis is included in many English-speaking countries’ curricula because it is a wonderful example of creative writing. The novel tells the story of a little centipede who is transformed into a human being through a series of encounters with various other creatures in a fantasy world. One of the most memorable characters in the story is the goblin who teaches the protagonist to think outside of the box and see the world in a different way. Tolkien’s writing is considered one of the most influential examples of the form because of its innovative plot structure and unique language. His writing has also been praised for its lyricism and vivid imagery, which often makes the story seem almost like a poem.
Ulysses
James Joyce’s Ulysses is one of the most influential novels of the 20th century and also contains some of the most sophisticated and beautiful writing you’ll ever encounter. The story of Ulysses follows its titular character around the city of Dublin as he attempts to review and relive the last day of his life over and over again. One of the greatest things about Ulysses is that it pushes the boundaries of what a novel can be. What starts out as a realistic account of one day in Dublin gradually descends into a stream of consciousness as the day-by-day minutiae of Joyce’s hero’s life is narrated in the first person. Ulysses has been described as Joyce’s response to William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, as he was feeling that his was a story without a neat beginning, middle, and end. It is often considered a modern classic, and many university courses around the world include a reading of Ulysses in their curriculum. It has been translated into more than 40 languages.
Finnegan’s Wake
The last work of the late Irish writer and poet Finnegan’s Wake is a 600-page novel-in-couplets that was first published in 1939. What makes Finnegan’s Wake so innovative and intriguing is that it literally cannot be categorized as anything other than a novel. It is made up of a series of linked short stories that sometimes feature one protagonist, other times two or more; some stories are set in the past, others in the present; and several stories feature characters based on real people or locations. Because it stands as a complete work, it has been hailed as an example of a comic masterpiece that still resonates with audiences more than 70 years later. Though it is often cited as a work of genius, it is perhaps more accurate to describe it as hilarious since it is a challenging read that makes you laugh (or cry) at many of the surreal turns of events that occur. It was inspired by the Irish language poet and playwright William Butler Yeats’s 1927 play Kilmeny, which is about the legendary figure of Lady Gregory, whose wit and wisdom are said to have brightened the Irish language revival that was underway at the time.
The Woman Who Loved Pearls
Pearls are often associated with female sexual attractiveness, and the story of The Woman Who Loved Pearls takes this as a theme and develops it into something more substantial. English author George Eliot is known for her distinctive style of writing which mixes an exquisite language with an intellectual tone. Her 1861 novel, The Woman Who Loved Pearls, is a study of feminine and masculine psychology that shines with its poetic phrasing and unique blend of English and French. It is a challenging read, especially for English-speaking readers who might not be used to dealing with French accents! In The Woman Who Loved Pearls, Eliot explores the ways in which men and women perceive other genders and how this impacts their personal relationships. The story starts out in the present day, but then jumps back in time and follows the main female protagonist, Marianne, through a tumultuous series of love affairs in both the past and present. In one of the most famous scenes in the novel, a narrator describes Marianne’s physical appearance in these terms: ‘The long and slender fingers, slightly browned by the sun, shone like the jewels of which she was fondly dreaming…there was the glimmer of rubies in the dark hair in contrast to the pale yellowish skin, like a mixture of lemons and oranges’. The language is beautiful, but also quite challenging, and it draws you into the text as you try to figure out what is being said!
Watership Down
Angela Warren’s famous novel Watership Down is a parable about a group of rabbits who live in the English countryside and must fight against the predations of a villainous fox. Set in rural England during the Second World War, the rabbits find themselves under threat from the fox and have to band together to save their homes and families. It is considered one of the great classic novels of all time and has been adapted into a film trilogy (1978–1982) and a recent television series by the BBC, featuring Warwick Davis as the fox and Michael Gambon as the leader of the rabbits). It has been cited as an example of a modernist classic that has continued to appeal to audiences across the globe. Many of the characters in the novel, particularly the rabbits, are presented in such a way that they are easy to identify with and the story pulls you in right away. It is a wonderful example of how effective simple characterizations and vivid imagery can be in creating empathy and sympathy for the characters in your story. In describing the opening scene of the novel, John Steinbeck wrote, ‘It is raining. Night has fallen and the world is quiet. But for the rain, which is now falling in a gentle, warm drizzle, you might think it is morning, and not night. The air is heavy with the scent of wet earth and growing things, and the scene is so exactly as though someone had taken a photograph and then painted it in watercolors’. This quote perfectly encapsulates the sensory immersion and evocation of place that is so characteristic of the writing in Watership Down. Not only does the novel feature some of the most memorable characters and scenes in comics history, but it is also a story that will keep you engaged and guessing until the very end.
Bag of Bones
J. K. Rowling’s 2002 book Bag of Bones is the first of the seven Harry Potter novellas, and it is a wonderful example of how subtle characterization can work to great effect. The main character, Gregor ‘Gregory’ Weasley, is a former professional thief who is now a respected member of the wizarding community. Bag of Bones explores the relationships that develop between the characters (mostly male) as they navigate the treacherous waters of human nature and sexuality, all while trying to thwart the plans of Voldemort, a.k.a. the Dark Lord, to resurrect him and rule over all wizards and their families! The magic in Rowling’s writing really shines through as she expertly crafts a vivid and believable world that you can lose yourself in while still keeping you engaged with the plot and characters. Bag of Bones is another example of why Stephen King is considered to be one of the greatest living writers, as he consistently works to advance the boundaries of the genre and keep his audiences coming back for more. As if all of this weren’t enough, at the end of the book, you realize that you have fallen in love with one of the book’s characters, and that is truly one of fiction’s great pleasures.
Carry On
Jack London’s famous 1908 novel, The Call of the Wild, is considered to be one of the seminal works of the ‘pulp’ genre and was later made into a film (1935) starring Spencer Tracy and Gene Kelly. It tells the story of a young man who leaves his civilized life in New York City for the wilds of Alaska where he becomes the leader of a wolf pack. There, he must fight to survive as human beings hunt him for sport. If you’re unfamiliar, pulp is basically comic book and movie lore that was popularized in the early 20th century. It features hard-boiled, cynical anti-heroes who are often in conflict with the authorities. In the 1930s, these thrillers were considered to be ‘meat-and-potatoes’ reading,’ as they were extremely basic and had a much simpler vocabulary than more ‘highbrow’ works of literature. London’s writing is considered among the best ever published, both in literary circles and among avid movie fans. It is the story of how he evolved as a writer, and many of its techniques and conventions now appear in modern novels and stories. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to write creatively.