Creative Writing

Creative writing

Creative writing varies from individual to individual. There is no set method, but there are ways that can help you become more productive in a creative sense and maximise your creative writing output.

The writing process in its bare form includes:

• Brainstorming.

• Outlining.

• Researching.

• Preparing the first draft.

• Revising.

Idea generation

It’s important to write down any ideas as they happen. An idea journal, or simply a notebook and pen to hand, will help the creative process. These ideas can then be developed further, or even offer a starting point to a short story.

Ideas can come from a variety of sources. Observing those around you and using those closest to you as provisional characters, or real-life situations you read or hear about, can offer writing prompts.

Here are some examples to fire up the imagination:

• A song title.

• A book title.

• A photo.

• A news story.

• Local history.

• A comment from a family or friend.

• The ‘what if’ tool.

The ‘what if’ tool can be used to create a variety of obstacles to overcome, all leading to alternate outcomes. For example, what if this happens? How will the characters react?

If you’re anything like me, and likely to meander off plot and attention seems to flit from one thought to another; it is a good idea to think about outlines at this point.

Outlines

Outlines provide a checklist of all the changes made and if you combine that with a character profile, you will be able to edit any changes as the character develops.

Outlines can be broken down into segments, such as beginning, middle and end. Or even chapter one, two or three etc.

This will give you the basic elements of your plot and a route to head towards.

Making time to write

Finding the time to write can be difficult. With so many distractions, day-to-day activities and responsibilities to contend with, many find it a struggle to even put pen to paper.

Writing needs to be prioritised, much like those family commitments and work.

Finding a quiet space can be challenging if you have a busy family life, but try to find a little corner that inspires creativity:

• Your garden.

• A bedroom.

• Local café.

• A park.