Creative writing. I’ve taken countless classes on the topic. Heck, I even have a master’s degree in it.
But, what exactly is creative writing? Do you have to take numerous workshops on the subject to figure it out?
At its core, creative writing is all about putting whatever is rolling around in your imagination onto a page. It’s expressing yourself artistically but with written words instead of with a paintbrush. Think of it as the opposite of technical or academic writing.
Creative writing encompasses a lot of different forms of writing. Let’s talk about what exactly creative writing is so you can better understand how to tackle it.
What Forms Does Creative Writing Come In?
Creative writing is very innovative and experimental, and it can take a variety of various forms.
Short Stories
Short stories have increased in popularity over the past hundred years or so when literary magazines entered the scene. The word count of a short story tends to be anything under 7,000.
However, flash and micro fiction show how brief short stories can be. Writers can tell a story in as few words as possible to pack a punch. I’ve had several stories published that are 101 words long, which are super fun to write.
Poetry
Poetry is an incredibly multifaceted form of creative writing. Some of the most common types of poetry include:
- Sonnets
- Haikus
- Villanelles
- Elegies
You have the freedom to experiment with forms that aren’t very rigid, like free verse or prose. Some poets like to write within structured traditions where you have to be strict with rhythm and rhyme.
With poetry, you can break punctuation rules and format it in any way you’d like. The most important rule of poetry is that there are no rules.
I was never really drawn to poetry throughout my writing career. A few weeks ago, I wanted to communicate something but knew that a short story wasn’t the way to do it. I ended up writing a poem in just a few minutes, and it was a cleansing experience.
Novels
Most people associate creative writing with the novel. It’s one of the most popular forms of creative writing. Books follow a narrative arc with prose.
Novels, novellas, and novelettes all vary in size but have the most commercial power out of all the types of creative writing. You don’t have to write a 1,000-page novel to make an impact and draw in readers. John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” was technically a novelette, and think about how popular it still is today.
Creative Nonfiction
Creative writing covers the types of creative writing that aren’t fiction. Let’s check out some common examples:
- Literary Journalism: Stories that report factual events but in a way that makes them feel like a short story or personal essay
- Personal Essay: A true story that’s told with a narrative arc
- Autobiography: A book that you write about your life
- Memoir: A collection of your memories that are put together in a book, usually centered around a particular story
I took a creative nonfiction writing class during graduate school. It was an exciting experience, and I had the opportunity to reflect on things in my past that I wouldn’t have otherwise.
Unfortunately, I didn’t really jive with the professor. Obviously, creative nonfiction is incredibly personal, and you’re talking about events in your past that you might not have shared otherwise. If you want to explore this type of creative writing, find a writing buddy that you have a lot of trust in who can read what you create.
Screenplay and Plays
Scriptwriting consists of stage directions and dialogue. It relies primarily on subtext. Subtext refers to what’s not being said by the characters in the gaps that pop up between bits of dialogue.
This type of writing isn’t typically intended for readers. Other storytellers, like actors or directors, use these creative writing pieces and interpret them in their artistic way.
I was never really interested in screenwriting, but I ended up taking a class on it during graduate school. I’ll admit, it was a ton of fun. I came up with some cool ideas, which, unfortunately, haven’t been made into any movies.
Graphic Novels and Comics
Comics and graphic novels are similar to scriptwriting since they rely heavily on dialogue. The main difference between the two forms is that descriptive narration isn’t off-limits in this category. It also includes a wide variety of narratives and illustration styles.
Start Experimenting With Different Types of Creative Writing
Don’t get hung up on where your writing fits into the creative writing universe. Understanding the basics of the craft is important. Putting pen to paper and getting your ideas out is the most vital part of the process.
Wondering if you’re a writer? Check out one of my other blogs where I talk a bit about that.
