Creativity is often perceived as a gift, but it is more accurately described as a skill that can be learned and cultivated. When applied to writing, creativity involves breaking away from the traditional constraints of structure, format, and language, and embracing new ways of approaching problems.
The creative process in writing is difficult to define, but it generally involves going through a series of steps that can be identified and followed.
Brainstorming
Before starting to write, the first step in the creative process is to brainstorm. Brainstorming is the activity of generating a large number of ideas or concepts in the hope of generating at least one or two ideas that are useful and/or interesting. It is often necessary to go through this step several times before getting into the ‘flow’ of actual writing. Even then, you may have to go back and do some more brainstorming before you can begin to draft.
The advantage of brainstorming is that it offers the writer the opportunity to become extremely creative, to let their mind go free, and to consider all kinds of ideas that they might otherwise not have been able to think of. The disadvantage is that it can be extremely time-consuming, and it does not always lead to clear and concise results. One of the biggest mistakes that new writers make is to rush this step, and to expect quick results.
The Flow
Getting into the creative flow of writing is arguably the most important step in the process. It is during this stage that the writer produces their best work, and it is usually only during this stage that the writer can get the most out of themselves. To return to the analogy of artistry, when a good artist gets into their ‘flow’, they can produce work that is both original and inspired, and that conveys a sense of divine illumination.
Writing is a difficult skill to master. Creating work that is both original and interesting, and that conveys a sense of divine illumination, takes time. During this stage of the creative process, the writer should be doing everything they can to ensure that their work is as good as it can possibly be, without any excess or embellishment. This stage of the creative process is arguably the most important, as it forms the framework for the rest of the process, dictating both the order in which things should be done, and also the way in which they should be done. The more that you do during this stage, the easier it will be to complete the following steps, and to bring your creative work to fruition.
Drafting
After you have gone through the process of brainstorming, it is time to move into the next stage, which is drafting. Drafting involves taking all of the ideas that you have generated from brainstorming, and putting them into some form of coherent narrative or argument. This step can be extremely difficult for new writers, as they may not have the skillset required to draft a good piece of work. Fortunately, with some practice and the help of experienced peers, this step becomes much easier, and much more enjoyable. Like the previous step, drafting requires a great deal of time, and it is essential that the writer doesn’t rush this step either.
Once you have gone through the process of brainstorming and drafting, it is time to move into the final step of the creative process, which is editing. Editing involves carefully going through the work that you have produced, checking for spelling, grammar, and consistency, as well as considering the overall tone and content of your piece. It is also a good idea, depending on your piece, to consider whether or not you need a literary agent, or whether or not you can successfully complete this project with the limited resources available to you. Editing is difficult, but necessary, and it is often a big part of what makes a good writer. It is important to remember that, even at this stage, the writing process is not finished. Indeed, the editing process often serves to refine and improve the writing that you have produced, in order to make it even more effective and worthy of publication.
Producing
After you have gone through the process of brainstorming, drafting, and editing, it is time to produce your work. This step involves putting all the words that you have written, into the order that you have established, as well as including any notes or other supplementary materials that you have utilized. It is also important, at this stage, to consider what size your final piece should be, as well as how long it should take to read. Like the previous step, producing is difficult, but necessary, and it is often a big part of what makes a good writer. When you have finished producing your work, you have, in a sense, ‘finished’ the creative process. However, the writing process, as we have described it so far, is far from over. Indeed, the entire process begins again, as you send your piece to be published, or otherwise distributed. The more you do during this stage, the easier it will be to complete the following steps, and to bring your creative work to fruition.