Have you ever wondered about what creative writing is and where could it possibly find practice? Why would someone say that writing is beneficial? This post is an introduction to creative writing and we will also summarize some of the benefits of writing.
In my opinion, creative writing can find practice in everything that is related to writing. Ok, maybe not in completing forms that expect specific answers. But that is not something we could think of as a new creation. Right?
Every different type of writing has its own rules but creative writing might be the answer for each one of them. Actually, creative writing could be the starting point for everything we need to create using words.
Literature of course takes advantage of creative writing. But some much different and more alternative forms of writing such as the news and advertisement take advantage of creative writing as well.
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Table of Contents
- Introduction to Creative Writing
- Forms of Creativity Other Than Creative Writing
- Main Characteristics of a Creative Person
- Benefits of Writing
- Final Thoughts on Introduction to Creative Writing and The Benefits of Writing
Introduction to Creative Writing
“Creative writing is not a mystery. Creative writing can be opened and learned, like any craft, like any game of importance.”
David Morley, The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing
There is a really generic explanation we could give about creative writing. This explanation would be to think about it as the ability to control creative thoughts and transform them into writing.
However, creative writing is also a scientific field. It consists of a summarization of educational practices and techniques that aim to help people interested in conquering writing skills. Creative writing uses educational procedures to stimulate creativity and produce writing in a playful and attractive way.
Writing as a process can never be thought of as something separated from reading. The writer is also the reader of the writing he/she produces. The process of writing is of course creative. But, creative writing also includes the process of thinking critically about what you produce. This critical thinking of the outcome might take place before, during, or after the writing process.
Most of the people who decide to write have themselves been readers of the works of others as well. For writers, this process of reading the works of others and their own can be helpful in several ways. They may compare writing styles and techniques, alter and adjust things according to their own voice.
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”
Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Forms of Creativity Other Than Creative Writing
For sciences and technology creativity is more considered as the ability to discover something nobody else did before. To sciences, creativity is also thought of as the ability to invent something new. When it comes to art the construction of any aesthetic form can be thought of as a form of creativity.
Main Characteristics of a Creative Person
In the world of artists, somebody is creative when his/her personality holds specific characteristics. Some of these characteristics are:
- Thought Independence
- Unconventional Tendencies
- Persistency
- Self-sufficiency
- Autonomy and social selectivity
- Ability to handle internal conflicts in a way that proves to be productive and self-rewarding.
Benefits of Writing
1. Creates New Worlds And New Possibilities
The imagination of some of the biggest writers has created worlds so magical and out of the ordinary. Some examples are Tolkien (Lord of the Rings), J. K. Rowling (Happy Potter), and George R. R. Martin (Game of Thrones).
When it comes to new possibilities just think of all the stories of Julius Vern. At his time people thought that his stories were crazy and impossible to happen. Two examples of these ideas were the Submarines (Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea) and the Solar Sails (From the Earth to the Moon). Lots of new scientific discoveries were originally mentioned in science fiction stories.
Related: Words Create Worlds – Why Words are Important?
2. Can Make You Feel More Alive
The writing process is in fact so much absorbing and involving. In order to write something means you must focus and get concentrated. While writing you get a euphoric feeling and consequently, writing makes you feel more alive.
However, there is a common belief among those who share the love of writing. This belief is that the writing process is usually much more rewarding and beneficial than the outcome of it.
3. Can Be Therapeutic
Practicing writing can prove to be therapeutic in so many ways. Researches have shown that writing could work as an effective aid in many cases. Some of these cases could be the treatment of depression and social rehabilitation. As a matter of fact, writing could massively contribute to self-development and self-awareness.
Writing can force your mind to wake up. It can distract you from all those things you usually pay attention. Writing can set your mind free while it works upon your own intelligence. It can help you reveal things that you wouldn’t reveal otherwise. Writing can also guide you towards new perspectives of yourself.
“Writing is rewriting, and the character of the writer is rewritten by the activity of writing and rewriting. If you are interested in the energies of language, rather than ‘being a writer’, then you stand a very good chance of becoming a writer.”
David Morley, The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing
Related: Perception is Reality – 4 Tips to Help You Alter it
Final Thoughts on Introduction to Creative Writing and The Benefits of Writing
Creative writing combines creativity and writing. Writing is an art but so much different than arts such as painting or music. The major difference is the fact that writing utilizes language and its mimic ability to produce an outcome.
Writing is also a craft. You can construct the written work through mastering language, following specific practices and techniques, and sometimes even guidelines.
“You become a good writer just as you become a good carpenter: by planing down your sentences”
Anatole France
At this point, we have analyzed all about creativity, creative writing, and how writing is beneficial.
Would you choose to play the game of writing? The game that can set your imagination and yourself free?
“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.”
Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
This is my first and introductive post in this series of Creative Writing related posts. To read more valuable writing tips and advice I would recommend you also pay a visit to the blog of amazing Jaya Avendel.
Great post! Writing is such a wonderful thing. : )
Thank you! I agree🙂
Very informative! I feel better when I write and when I read other people, I kinda understand the feeling as well.
Thank you for reading and commenting Fransic!
Great post! I love writing and it’s always been one of my passions, and this post was such an interesting insight x
Thank you Eleanor!
Yay!!!!!! So true! I agree with all points! Writing gives you a voice. Thank you for sharing. Good post!
I am glad you agree with me Fadima. Thank you for commenting ❤️
Writing is a form of communication. As we write creative content we are sharing messages. I love to write to bring encouragement and inspiration to others. Great post!
Pastor Natalie
Letstakeamoment.com
Writing is powerful and we can accomplish so many things with it. Thank you for reading and commenting Natalie!
Great post I love writing but sometimes need to really be in the write mood to feel the creativity flow
Glad you liked it Sarah! Thank you for commenting 🙂
Great post! – creative writing really enhances the imagination and mind. This was such an informative read and makes me want to write more creatively.
I am glad you enjoyed this. Thank you for commenting!
Exploring creative writing more is something I’ve been thinking of doing so this was a really encouraging and useful breakdown of it’s benefits. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you found it useful Molly. I hope you enjoy reading my next posts also on this topic. Thank you for commenting!
Great read! I use to creative write ALL the time, I definitely have to get back into it!
Glad you do so! I hope you also like the next posts coming related to it. Thank you for commenting!
Writing is definitely therapeutic, when I’m writing my WIP I actually disconnect from the real world and feel like I am experiencing what I’m writing, which makes the writing good and the process relaxing.
When you get absorbed ehile writing you get into the zone as I say it. It is an amazing process and feels rewarding. I am glad you could relate yourself to this. Thank you for commenting ❤️
Glad you liked it! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Yes! Creative writing has made a big difference to my life. No hobby has been quite so satisfying.
It is really satisfying! Thank you for commenting Jamie🙂
Thank you for reading and commenting!
I personally thing writing is so therapeutic! It really can help us to vent and sort our feelings out. I love creative writing and wish I had more time to do it!
Corinne x
It is therapeutic Corinne! I wish this year you find time for creative writing. Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I love creative writing! I don’t tend to do it so much because of uni & writing other content for my blog but it is so rewarding and I totally feel all the benefits you mentioned x
I am glad to hear you are aware of all the benefits of writing Caroline. Thank you for commenting!
As a writer, I connect with so much of what you say here! The written word is a magical and powerful, transformative and transportive thing. It deepens our knowledge of ourselves. 🙂
I couldn’t agree more with you Jaya. It deepens our knowledge of ourselves and can also alter ourselves. Just like a hero grows stronger and wiser inside a story. Thank you for commenting <3
Loved this! I really do feel as though writing is so therapeutic to me, as it lets me share happy moments from my travels with people. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Right, as Stephen says writing is all about feeling happy and I am glad you feel that way. Thank you for commenting!
I use to absolutely love creative writing, I haven’t done it in a while but after reading your post, i defo think I’m going to get back into it. It really is beneficial to your mental health. Thank you so much for sharing Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
I am glad my post inspired you to start creative writing again! Thank you for commenting Elle 🙂
Love this! Creative writing has so many benefits, it’s always been something I’ve turned to when I’ve been feeling low. I think a lot of people don’t understand the techniques used behind creative writing either, I often get told “anyone can write something down”
Glad you liked it Nicci! Not everyone understands everything and some people don’t even care to understand so why bother with them. Thank you for your comment!
Fabulous post, pet! I love creative writing, and have done since I was a kid. I haven’t much time for it now though, but I really should get back into it.
Glad you liked it! I hope you find the time and energy to get back into it. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I used to be really bad at writing. But now as I write more I do feel like I am getting better at it! Great post! 🙂
Practice makes you better 🙂 thank you for commenting!
Oh yes! 🙌
Yes! I love this post. I also love creative writing and you are right it can be therapeutic and fun.
Glad you liked it Dorothy! Thank you for commenting 🙂
I’ve always really enjoyed creative writing, from being a tiny kid at school, I was always making up stories and writing them down. Being creative is a key part of my personality and my coping mechanisms and I’m so proud that my job/blog reflects that!
Rosie
As a creative person I can totally understand you Rosie. Thank you for commenting!
Completely agree that writing can be therapeutic. Even if you’re writing fiction, you’re letting out some emotion
Every piece of writing has a little bit of ourselves inside it. Even if it is hidden. So, yes, emotions do come out also in fiction. Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Loved this piece. Creative writing can allow you to escape in the pages of your writing, create a new you and give you life. As an actor – the creative field is incredibly important to us because it allows us to express ourselves in ways that we perhaps we never imagined we could. And also the use of words and sentences can be such fun when trying to convey meaning. Thank you for this post x
Exactly, you can be creative in so many different ways and the words chosen each time can make such a big difference. I am glad you liked it. Thank you so much for commenting 🙂
Love this post and we completely agree. It also helps us reduce stress.
It is therapeutic in many ways and stress is definitely one of those that can be “treated” through writing. Thank you for commenting!
I love creative writing. When I was in college, I had to take a creative writing course and for the final we had to write a short story. I loved it. It was my first time creating my own fictional world. Since then I have written many short stories but never published them. As a personal who love reading fictional stories I love writing fictional stories. They are so much fun.
I am glad to read you enjoy creative writing!thank you for reading and commenting!
I have always been interested in writing and it definitely relaxes me and is a great way to express yourself. Very informative and interesting post x
I am glad you found it interesting Gemma. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Brilliant post! Very informative. I often say writing has saved my life. I’ve found it exceptionally therapeutic in helping me work through unresolved emotions. Thanks for such a well researched and written piece.
I am glad you have experienced the benefits if writing and you enjoyed reading this post. Thank you for commenting!
What a great, well-written post. Writing is happiness and being able to express your creativity (which everyone has and may just need to cultivate) is one of the highest accomplishments.
I am glad you agree with me that writing is happiness ❤️ thank you for reading and commenting!
Writing is such good therapy, such great escapism
It is both! Thank you for commenting 🙂
This is sooo helpful. I think I am going to try it myself.
You should! Thank you for commenting!
I absolutely agree that writing is so beneficial! From where I was back when I first started blogging to where I am now, I’ve seen such a difference in my writing and I enjoy it so much more these days.
Thank you for reading and commenting Vourneen!
I love this post so much, writing truly is incredibly beneficial and it’s a feeling unlike anything else. I’m really hoping to start a creative writing degree in September and I can’t to develop even more! Thank you so much for sharing.
I am glad you agree with me! I hope you get your chance and start your degree in creative writing. It is a great experience that I am sure you will enjoy. Taking mine definitely changed my life. Thank you for commenting!
Writing can be so therapeutic and beneficial for your mental health as well. I love writing blog posts and journaling. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
I am glad you enjoybtge benefits of writing Lauren. Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
A very poignant article for me as I’m about to start a creative writing workshop today as part of my writing certification. I couldn’t agree more write the idea of writing as therapeautic. I think it also leads to self-discovery (I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now had I not started writing more during lockdown). That quote from King at the end is spot on: “… In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life…”