Creative Writing – What’s It All About

We hear and read the term creative writing all the time, but what is it, and what’s all the fuss about? Are these stories about making money from creative writing true, or are they just scams? Can anyone get involved in creative writing, or is it just for budding Shakespeare’s?
All are valid questions, but let’s get one thing straight before we go on: creative writing is an umbrella term that covers many different forms of writing. It is not just the art of writing stories, but that of drafting articles, writing adverts, reviewing products and more – creative writing is just that: being creative with the written word.
All of us will have read many written works during our lifetime: you may read a newspaper, or enjoy books, or you may subscribe to magazines about a sport or hobby that you enjoy or participate in. One thing is for sure – there will be some writers whose work appeals to you more than others.
This is what resourceful writing is all about: it’s about being you, letting your imagination and style come across in the written piece. While a journalist is limited to writing about the facts, putting the situation across, he or she still has a way with words that is very much their own; while a novelist – of any genre – will write using the same words as any other, it is the way they put the words together, the way they use the sounds and the sentences to draw the picture for you that appeals.
If you want to get into the creative writing lark you need to know where to begin: there are many resourceful writing clubs across the country – indeed the world – and there is likely to be one local to you. If you are interested then join it; you don’t have to be an expert to begin with, for learning from others is something that is absolutely invaluable.
Furthermore, there are many magazines for writers available, too, and numerous courses on the art of resourceful writing at colleges – for those of younger and more mature ages, as well. Creative writing is a way of expressing yourself, and the more you indulge, the more you enjoy.
One exercise that is very useful is this: look out of the nearest window to you right now, and write about what you see. You can choose to write in plain language precisely what is there, or you can choose to imagine that there is more than meets the eye. This is creative writing – being able to bring a picture to life in words.
Making money from resourceful writing is possible – there are many outlets for articles and other forms of writing – but to begin with you have to get involved: join that club, buy that magazine, and enjoy yourself!