Skip to content
Home » Why Is Creative Writing Like the Big Tree?

Why Is Creative Writing Like the Big Tree?

There’s something about creative writing that makes it a bit like Christmas. You know, that thing where you wake up one day and think: “Oh, I don’t have anything to write about. What can I write about? Ah, I know! The writing bug has bitten me!”

Writing is subjective. It’s not like music, where you can play something and someone else will enjoy it. You can’t write something and think: “Oh, this is for someone else, not for me.” Every story is meant to be read by someone, somewhere. So when you sit down to write, you have to ask yourself: “What will appeal to the person reading this?”

Creative writing is like the big tree. Everyone has their favorite writers and stories, those special pieces that speak to them and make them remember the writer, the story, and the moment of reading it. But you can’t blame the tree for not having planted its roots in your yard. You know, the tree was probably the most beautiful thing in someone’s yard, and they probably didn’t have the time to pursue creative writing.

So here’s the dilemma. You want to write, you’ve got this great talent. You write a few stories for your local newspaper, or maybe even write a novel. But then what? You look for an agent, you send off your novel, and—boom—now you’re competing with all the other hopeful writers who want to be represented by a literary agency. Or, you look for a publisher, you send off your manuscript, and—boom—you’re competing with all the other established writers who want to see their work in print.

In both cases, you’ve got to wait. You’ve got to sit, wait, and hope that someone decides to represent you or decide to publish your work. And that’s what makes it a bit like Christmas. Because sometimes it takes a while before you know if what you wrote was successful or not.

Now is not the time to give up. Even if you don’t get a bite until much later, you’ve got to keep writing. Keep submitting your work to agents and keep sending your manuscript to publishers. Because eventually, someone will decide to give you a chance. And when that happens, you’ll be the happiest person in the world.

So what is creative writing, anyway? It’s a bit like music, only it doesn’t have to be. Just like any other art form, writing is subjective. It’s all about the person reading the story or playing the song. But it’s also about the story or song itself, which is why every writer should have a list of short stories, novels, or songs they consider masterpieces. Those are the pieces that speak to them, make them think, and keep them coming back for more. Of course, it’s also about the person who wrote it, but you can’t help but think about the story whenever you read or listen to something that’s particularly good.

Let’s say you’re reading a story by William Shakespeare. You know, the Bard. What do you think about? Well, you think about Shakespeare—the man, the genius, the words he put to paper. You think about what he meant by the work itself. Which parts move you, excite you, and make you laugh or cry? Did the writing style change something about your perception of the story?

There’s a reason why the Bard has lasted centuries. He wrote about all kinds of things, using all kinds of words, in a way that was both entertaining and educational. In a way that’s still relevant today. Because, you know, people aren’t just reading the stories for entertainment. They’re studying the works of William Shakespeare for enlightenment and education. So while writing is subjective, reading is about the ability to connect with the work and with the writer. To feel something, somewhere, when you read something. Maybe even to learn something. Something about life, love, death, or even something as simple as showing up for work on time.

Why Is Creative Writing Like the Big Tree?

There’s something about creative writing that makes it a bit like Christmas. You know, that thing where you wake up one day and think: “Oh, I don’t have anything to write about. What can I write about? Ah, I know! The writing bug has bitten me!”

Writing is subjective. It’s not like music, where you can play something and someone else will enjoy it. You can’t write something and think: “Oh, this is for someone else, not for me.” Every story is meant to be read by someone, somewhere. So when you sit down to write, you have to ask yourself: “What will appeal to the person reading this?”

Creative writing is like the big tree. Everyone has their favorite writers and stories, those special pieces that speak to them and make them remember the writer, the story, and the moment of reading it. But you can’t blame the tree for not having planted its roots in your yard. You know, the tree was probably the most beautiful thing in someone’s yard, and they probably didn’t have the time to pursue creative writing.

So here’s the dilemma. You want to write, you’ve got this great talent. You write a few stories for your local newspaper, or maybe even write a novel. But then what? You look for an agent, you send off your novel, and—boom—now you’re competing with all the other hopeful writers who want to be represented by a literary agency. Or, you look for a publisher, you send off your manuscript, and—boom—you’re competing with all the other established writers who want to see their work in print.

In both cases, you’ve got to wait. You’ve got to sit, wait, and hope that someone decides to represent you or decide to publish your work. And that’s what makes it a bit like Christmas. Because sometimes it takes a while before you know if what you wrote was successful or not.

Now is not the time to give up. Even if you don’t get a bite until much later, you’ve got to keep writing. Keep submitting your work to agents and keep sending your manuscript to publishers. Because eventually, someone will decide to give you a chance. And when that happens, you’ll be the happiest person in the world.

So what is creative writing, anyway? It’s a bit like music, only it doesn’t have to be. Just like any other art form, writing is subjective. It’s all about the person reading the story or playing the song. But it’s also about the story or song itself, which is why every writer should have a list of short stories, novels, or songs they consider masterpieces. Those are the pieces that speak to them, make them think, and keep them coming back for more. Of course, it’s also about the person who wrote it, but you can’t help but think about the story whenever you read or listen to something that’s particularly good.

Let’s say you’re reading a story by William Shakespeare. You know, the Bard. What do you think about? Well, you think about Shakespeare—the man, the genius, the words he put to paper. You think about what he meant by the work itself. Which parts move you, excite you, and make you laugh or cry? Did the writing style change something about your perception of the story?

There’s a reason why the Bard has lasted centuries. He wrote about all kinds of things, using all kinds of words, in a way that was both entertaining and educational. In a way that’s still relevant today. Because, you know, people aren’t just reading the stories for entertainment. They’re studying the works of William Shakespeare for enlightenment and education. So while writing is subjective, reading is about the ability to connect with the work and with the writer. To feel something, somewhere, when you read something. Maybe even to learn something. Something about life, love, death, or even something as simple as showing up for work on time.