What is creativity?
Creativity is the ability to generate new ideas. Creative people have a unique approach to solving problems, are open to taking risks and always look for inspiration. It is also important to be able to see new connections and concepts between ideas.
Creative writing is not only about creativity but also about a unique perspective. Creative writing is about exploring your boundaries, your unique experiences and your imagination. Creative writing is a form of expression that has no rules. It can be liberating or intimidating, depending on how you approach it.
Tools and techniques for creative writing success
Losing creative inspiration is a concern that both aspiring writers and experienced authors share. There are a number of strategies that you can use to get over writer’s block. Explore some of the tools that famous authors use to boost their creativity and improve their quality.
1. write
I suppose that I get “blocked” sometimes, but it’s not something I like to refer to as such. This gives it more power than I would like. It might be the most boring, awful stuff. But I do try. Then it’s like the Muse has convinced me that I am serious, and she says “OK”. OK. I’ll come.'” – Maya Angelou
Getting the writing process started is one of the hardest parts of writing. Even Maya Angelou, a renowned poet and author, could not avoid occasional dry spells. In her book Writers Dreaming, she explains that her strategy was simple: Write. You must commit to writing what comes out, no matter how bad or incoherent it is. Trust that inspiration will come. The more you write, the better your chances of success are.
Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way, created a similar method called “morning Pages,” in which you wake up, write three pages by hand, and don’t stop to edit. Morning pages can help you clear your mind, calm your inner critic and process stress. It may seem daunting at first, but it will become less intimidating when you realize that it is not about what you are writing but what you are writing.
Freewriting is the technical term for writing without premeditation. It involves letting your stream of consciousness take over without judging or overthinking what you’re doing. It can be useful to commit to writing five or ten minutes each day at a specific time to kickstart the freewriting process. As you incorporate it into your daily routine, it will become more natural. You may find that your daily writing routine becomes enjoyable.
2. Find your voice and appreciate others.
“…To know yourself is to express yourself. It’s really super simple. It’s easy. You just have to do it. There is no way. You have to be prepared to fool yourself. Don’t read what you think you should, but the book you enjoy. Listen to new music. Listen to new music. Talk to someone you would not normally talk to. You will feel stupid if you try it. It’s all about the joke. “Play the fool.” Play the fool.”
Most writers admire other writers or artists. You may be an aspiring screenwriter who looks up to Quentin Tarantino or Greta Gerwig. It is important to create your writing style so you don’t copy the work of others. Voice and tone are two essential elements in any writing style. Voice is your point of view and personality, while tone describes the mood you want to convey, whether it’s dark, funny, or optimistic.
Ethan Hawke, a screenwriter, says in a quote from a 2020 TED Talk that finding your voice is about doing what you enjoy, being true to yourself and being curious. Other tips that can help you find your voice are:
- Write in a style that reflects who you are as a person and your audience.
- Your life experience can be reflected in your writing
- Use real conversations to inspire dialogue in your writing
Imagine you are struggling to create relatable characters. If you are struggling to create relatable characters, you could choose one based on a close friend, family or coworker whose personality you know well. It will take some time to discover your unique voice, but it is well worth the effort.
3. Start a journaling practice
Journaling sharpens your senses. It’s a writing exercise. You are practising writing, which is important. And thinking in language. Joyce Carol Oates
Journaling can be a great way to improve your mental health. It also helps you refine your observations, develop your voice and inspire story ideas. You can use your journal to record character studies, dialogues, personal insights, motivational quotes or anything else you want. It’s not about perfection. Journaling is a great way to get used to writing daily in an uncensored fashion.
In a recent Masterclass article, National Book Award-winning and Princeton University Creative Writing Professor Joyce Carol Oates offers her advice on the importance of journaling. She suggests that you take your journal with you everywhere: on vacation, in the park, or even on the subway. You should record in great detail the smells, sounds and tastes of your surroundings, as well as any people you encounter. This can improve your descriptive writing and narrative style.
Oates recommends journaling spontaneously at odd times and for a short period. If you are tired, busy, or have a bad temper, Oates encourages you to journal to capture your altered state of mind for future use. She suggests allowing yourself to daydream and think about characters, settings, or dialogue. Oates’s method involves taking a run or a walk to process her ideas and then journaling about them.
4. Discover the benefits of walking meditation
Nothing can clear your mind like a nice walk. Joyce Carol Oates, along with Henry David Thoreau and Ernest Hemingway, are just a few of the many famous authors. Montgomery, J.K. Rowling and Haruka Murakami are just a few of the many famous writers who have used walking to enhance their creative process or to cure writer’s block. Walking has many benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, better sleep and cardiovascular health. But there’s also a strong link between walking and creativity.
Researchers at Stanford University found that walking increased creative output by 60%. The results showed that walking indoors or outside had the same effect on creativity as those who remained sitting during the experiment. It is, therefore, unlikely that the environment was the driving force behind the increase in creativity, but rather the walking itself.
Meditation is another popular tool to improve your writing. In a flow state, you can lose yourself in an activity that you love, such as writing, running or playing music. Regular meditation can help you tap into the flow. Some scientifically-documented benefits of meditation that may help you tap into your creativity include reduced stress and anxiety, enhanced self-awareness, improved attention span, and enhanced sleep.
5. Perfectionism is not necessary
If I waited until I was perfect, I wouldn’t write a single word. – Margaret Atwood.
Perfectionism and creativity do not mix well, whether you like it or dislike it. If you use the techniques above, you’ll be less likely to fall victim to perfectionism in your writing. If you find that you are procrastinating or editing without a purpose, it’s time to refocus. It’s important that you give yourself grace in these situations and don’t overthink the situation.
It is often best to give yourself a few days to let your thoughts process. You can do this by doing other things you enjoy, like exercising, going out for coffee with friends, or watching a movie. Once you stop worrying about your writing, you may discover that you have the answer to those tricky plot points, that missing verse or that perfect ending.
Discover the Creative Writing Certificate Program
The Certificate in Creative Writing from Penn LPS Online is a workshop that allows you to learn new writing techniques, broaden your horizons and develop your creative powers. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of multiple literary genres through a series of Ivy League classes in poetry, fiction and screenwriting. The four-course Creative Writing Certificate will prepare you to:
- Use your creative writing as a way to develop critical thinking.
- Learn how to apply innovation, adaptability and collaboration at work
- Write your original work, then revise and edit it with the help of your classmates and teachers.
The Certificate in Creative Writing is designed to enhance your storytelling skills and provide a structure for your creative process that can be applied to professional roles, including author and journalist, advertising, copywriting, or fundraising/developmental consultant.
Are you ready to unleash your creativity? Apply today at Penn LPS Online to enrol in the Certificate of Creative Writing. You can also view our course catalogue to find out what is currently available.
