Creative Writing 101 – What is Creative Writing?

Since I was old enough to put pen to paper, I loved narratives. I would create comics, pencil poems and style stories from my mind. Creative writing especially is how I would entertain myself, process difficulties and sometimes even cope.

Unsurprising then, at school; English was my subject! In primary (elementary) I wrote a story about an interdimensional war with creatures from mythology (another childhood obsession). I was ten years old and this was a fable about a boy unable to fit in and only finding his place and purpose in this fantastical situation. The story ended with the child closing the gate between worlds and choosing to stay in one of the realms; a world of minotaur and tree people. My teacher at the time thought it was an unhappy ending, I did not. She appreciated the story but didn’t really get it, but that’s OK.

That’s my first experience of writing with an audience.

A Loose Term

Whether or not you have an audience of course, is irrelevant. I write for me first but what is even meant when we say creative writing? Although a loosely defined term; I’ve always seen it as expressive and creative output but in written form. Different to something instructional, journalistic or academic in nature.

Some examples that come to mind are:

• Fiction (short stories, flash fiction, novels)
• Poetry
• Lyrics
• Playwriting
• Screenwriting

Naturally, these aren’t the only ones. Just some of my favourites; poetry and fiction especially.

Features of Creative Writing

Some techniques used in are:

• Plot
• Dialogue
• Setting
• Character development
• POV (Third, first person, etc)
• Thematic elements
• Metaphoric imagery
• Presentation

Conclusion

So, what it all comes down to is emotionally, metaphorically and evocatively charged writing as opposed to factual or informational. That isn’t to say that creative writing techniques cannot and are not used in non-fiction writing though. For me, it is many things, but what does creative writing mean to you?