Find out how to get started with creative writing, plus learn about the benefits of studying creative non-fiction, poetry, novel writing and more.
C.S. Lewis once said that ‘You can make anything by writing’ and it’s true. Just by picking up a pen, a writer can weave a fantasy world of magic wardrobes and talking fauns, create a vision of Kubla Khan’s kingdom, or paint a picture of their first day at school. Creative writing is a paper bridge between you and another person. You can send anything over that bridge, from epic outer space battles to a scene of a snowy forest.
If you want to write a novel, perform poetry, share stories from your life or sharpen your communication skills, taking a course in creative writing is an ideal starting point.
What is creative writing?
Creative writing draws upon imagination and invention to create an original artistic work. It involves shaping an idea or thought into a complete text, whether that’s fiction, creative non-fiction or poetry. Imaginative writing can explore themes, emotions, states of mind or human truths. Sometimes, it involves crafting characters, stories and entirely new worlds. In essence, it’s writing for its own sake.
Creative writing goes beyond the norms and boundaries of technical, academic, or journalistic writing. While all of those can involve creativity, they’re also restricted by certain conventions. For instance, a journalist can’t simply make up a story from scratch, an academic writer can’t just invent a historical character, and a technical writer can’t claim that your printer is actually a time machine. With creative writing, your imagination and artistic expression know no bounds.
Types of creative writing
If you’re itching to fill that blank page but aren’t sure where to start, here are a few avenues that you can take to express yourself.
Writing creative non-fiction
Maybe you’ve got a true story you’re longing to tell, such as a travel memoir or an intriguing piece of family history? Crafting captivating non-fiction is a creative writing practice, as it’s about bringing the art of storytelling into real-life experiences and events.
Creative non-fiction takes an artistic approach to things like memoir, history and investigative journalism, which is why writer Lee Gutkind defined it as “True stories well told”. While creative non-fiction is rooted in reality, authors also aim to shape narratives that contain suspense, character development, and resolution. So while the facts are true, the art lies in making them feel gripping to the reader.
For this reason, creative non-fiction authors use a range of literary devices to either share a personal experience (such as A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway) or explore a true story (such as In Cold Blood by Truman Capote). These devices can include narrative arcs, imagery, metaphor, conflict and lyrical language.
Biography is another strand of creative non-fiction. Writing a biography is a chance to immerse yourself in someone else’s story, including their circumstances, relationships, motivations, pivotal decisions, successes and failures. A good biography goes beyond being a chronological outline of someone’s life and presents a gripping narrative arc containing insights for the reader.
Taking a creative non-fiction course can help you to tell a true story powerfully. This includes learning tools and techniques for evoking emotions, placing the reader into scenes and settings, and bringing real characters to life. As many writers are currently experimenting with blending creative non-fiction with fiction, poetry and visual media, it’s an exciting and evolving form to explore.
Writing novels
A novel is a portal into another world, where both the author and reader get to experience other lives and ways of being. When you write a novel, you enter into the challenges, conflicts, flaws and ethical dilemmas of one or more characters. It’s an opportunity to develop an extended work of creative storytelling, which might include multiple plot threads and in-depth character development.
Writing a novel is also your chance to explore a central theme through the lens of specific characters. For instance, teen alienation (The Catcher in the Rye), racial identity (Passing), gender identity (The Left Hand of Darkness), the dangers of social pressure (Persuasion), the corrupting power of wealth (The Good Earth), the nature of free will (Kafka on the Shore), and the consequences of wrongdoing (Crime and Punishment).
What themes fascinate you? And how could you explore those through the unfolding experiences of a central character? Asking yourself these questions can open the door to the kind of book you want to write. And it doesn’t have to be a solo journey — on a novel writing course, you can get expert feedback and support while meeting like-minded people.
Writing short stories
A short story is usually about creating a single effect — in other words, exploring a particular incident, situation, state of mind, setting, conflict or character within a compact narrative. It’s a way to tell a story without the time commitment a novel might demand.
In many ways, short stories are more relevant than ever, with some even going viral in recent years due to the ethical and social issues they highlight. For instance, ‘The Husband Stitch’ by Carmen Maria Machado opened up conversations about women’s bodily autonomy. Classic dystopian works like Ray Bradbury’s ‘There Will Come Soft Rains’ and Ursula K. Le Guin’s ‘The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas’ are still generating discussion to this day.
If you want to bring attention to an issue or concern, a short story is a powerful vessel. And while short stories are an art form in themselves, doing a course in short story writing can help you to strengthen your skills before tackling a longer work like a novel.
Writing poetry
Poetry is the art of sound, rhythm and imagery — or, as Coleridge put it, ‘The best words in the best order’. It is our most ancient art and even existed before writing. When you study poetry writing, you learn how to use language, structure and symbolism to capture a moment, explore an idea or theme, or evoke an emotion.
It’s a powerful skill to develop, as poetry can change how a person sees both themselves and the world. Think of the inspirational effect of Maya Angelou’s ‘Still I Rise’ and ‘Dreams’ by Langston Hughes. ‘Home’ by Warsan Shire shared a stirring message about the plight of refugees, while ‘The Cry Of The Children’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning highlighted the horrors of Victorian child labour and helped lead to social reform.
Writing poetry can also be a way to celebrate the beauty of the world, process emotions, and invite others into your memories and experiences. It encourages you to pay attention to the power of language and the impact of every word. That’s why doing a poetry writing course can make you a better writer across the board, including with fiction, memoir, academic writing, journalism and copywriting.
Writing drama
From stage to screen, dramatic writing tells a story through action and dialogue. It does this by exploring conflicts between characters, as well as internal conflicts, and how both of these interplay with events.
Think of Hamlet’s tortured dilemma about whether to take revenge for the death of his father, John Proctor’s temptation to make a false confession in The Crucible, or Walter White’s descent into a life of crime in Breaking Bad. Drama explores the consequences of the decisions we make — and the impact our unresolved flaws can have on ourselves and others.
A good dramatic work usually includes a compelling narrative arc, vivid characters and gripping relationships. It will also use dialogue and action to bring ideas, emotions and themes to life. You can hone your skills in these areas through an ongoing creative practice and expert guidance.
If you’re interested in writing for the stage, TV, film, radio or podcasts, taking a course in screenwriting or playwriting is a great first step.
Writing speeches
In 1964, Nelson Mandela made his ‘I Am Prepared to Die’ speech while on trial for conspiracy to overthrow the government. It would later be hailed as one of the most important speeches of the 20th century. Just like a great novel or poem, a great speech echoes through the ages, changing perspectives and inspiring others to action.
Of course, not every speech is political — sometimes, you just want to find the right jokes for the wedding toast. Yet every speech starts as a piece of creative writing, taking listeners on a journey from attention-grabbing opening to memorable ending.
Speech writing involves a variety of skills that you can learn and develop. These include opening with a hook, creating a compelling structure, making persuasive arguments, weaving in storytelling and anecdotes, using emotive language, and tailoring your message to the listener. Classic techniques to master include rhetorical questions, repetition and metaphors.
Whether you want a career as a speech writer or to feel more confident as a public speaker, studying speech writing can boost your ability to entertain, persuade and inspire.
Why is creative writing important?
Studying creative writing has many benefits beyond getting a book deal (although if that’s your goal, check out City Lit’s Comprehensive Guide on How To Get Published). It’s an accessible route to self-expression, as you don’t need anything more than a pen and paper. It also builds your skills in persuasion, description and critical thinking. Creative writing can be a mental health boost too, as it’s an effective way of processing thoughts and emotions.
In a practical sense, taking a creative writing course makes you a better communicator across the board. For instance, it can improve your skills in academic writing, business writing, content writing and more. It’s also fun, rewarding and an opportunity to meet new communities of writers.
Studying creative writing is about more than crafting stories and poems, enriching as that is. It’s also a way to develop as a person.
What makes a good piece of creative writing?
A truly great story, poem or play is timeless, with each generation discovering it anew. For instance, Wuthering Heights is now on something like its 37th screen adaptation, while concepts from 1984, such as “Big Brother”, “Memory Hole” and “Doublethink” have become embedded in our culture. But what makes a piece of writing “great” or even “good?’
Good creative writing is a form of mental travel, as it lets the reader see the world through the eyes of another. It brings characters to life, immerses readers in settings and stories, and explores the human experience. It can be entertaining, moving or persuasive, but it should always be original and compelling.
A well-crafted story, poem or memoir weaves a spell around the reader, whisking them off to a place of imagination and sometimes leaving them changed. And the good news is that creative writing is a skill you can develop with practice and passion (if you’re looking for expert tips, see our Secret Recipe for Great Writing).
What are some creative writing techniques?
Developing your creative writing can mean honing your skills in various literary devices, including:
- Structure and plotting.
- Pacing and suspense.
- Characterisation.
- Dialogue.
- Language.
- Imagery.
- Point of view.
- Voice and tone.
The best way to do this is to read widely and often. By exposing yourself to a variety of writers working across different forms, styles and genres, you can internalise their techniques. Aim to get out of your reading comfort zone by browsing bookshops and picking out authors you might not usually choose.
Aside from reading as much as possible, a few other popular writing tips include:
- Write with the five senses.
- Omit needless words.
- Show don’t tell.
- Write for just one person.
- Give your main character “a want” — even if it’s just a glass of water.
Of course, the above aren’t fixed “rules” — the best writers sometimes break them, but the key is knowing when and how to do that. It’s a good idea to apply these writing principles while you’re starting out, as they’ll most likely strengthen your work. For inspiration, take a look at our guide to writing vivid fiction.
How to get started with creative writing
When you’re taking your first steps into writing, it’s often a good idea to start small, rather than trying to churn out a blockbuster novel straight off the bat. Instead, aim to create a routine where you produce a small amount of words in short bursts. Why not begin with a page a day?
Don’t wait for the inspiration fairy to flutter down from a silver cloud — use writing prompts to get over any fear of the blank page. Also, just as athletes do morning workouts and pianists practise scales, treat writing as a daily exercise by keeping a journal.
Allow yourself to write bad first drafts, as no one ever has to see them, and a writer’s superpower often lies in editing. Don’t seek permission to call yourself a writer. Trust in the value of your voice. And aim to finish whatever you start.
Try not to work in isolation either. Find support and encouragement by joining a writers’ group, and get expert guidance and feedback on a writing course or workshop.
There are also plenty of free online tools and resources for writers, including starter packs from the National Centre for Writing, the Hemingway App for polishing your work, and Submittable or Chill Subs for finding submission opportunities. Plus, you can get regular writing tips from published authors on our City Lit blog.
Creative writing can change your life
Writing is a way to set your imagination free, find your voice and share your unique perspective with others. And while studying creative writing can be the first step towards getting published, there are many other benefits.
For instance, it can sharpen your communication skills in everything from business reports to academic essays, and can boost your mental health and confidence. Creative writing also opens up new connections and communities via groups, workshops and courses.
Doing a creative writing course is an end in itself. It can enhance your life, whether you want to be a bestselling fantasy novelist or just find a fresh way to express yourself.
Take a sneak peek inside a City Lit writing workshop led by author Helen Cox.
Find a creative writing course at City Lit
Ready to give creative writing a go? Join a Beginner Writing Course or Workshop at City Lit, either online or at our Covent Garden campus. Or develop your skills further at a Creative Writing Masterclass.
