What Is Creative Writing (from Creative Writing Course

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow." n n *
What Is Creative Writing (from Online Writing Course)?

I believe ALL writing is creative (a nice short sentence to get nthe ball rolling). Jou
alism is a different form of writing in nthat it merely reports the facts of a particular event. n
However, I believe even jou
alism can fall under the banner of ncreative writing; because it still utilizes one's imagination in
HOW you choose to report an event and the style you choose to nwrite in (more on style coming up in a later lesson). Jou
alism nis meant to be completely objective; yet often the biases of nreporters come through in their writing. It is very hard to avoid nthat. n
I would regard (or define) creative writing as "fully using a person's inherant 'creativity' through the amazing power of the creative imagination (subconscious mind) in putting words to paper to tell a tale, or attempting to get a message or moral through to one's readers."nn(I just wrote that in response to a query from someone doing a thesis)n *
To continue after that rather long-winded definition...

To be a published writer is one of the most rewarding occupations nand pastimes - both financially and creatively. I find it a very satisfying nand enjoyable activity. I can't teach you how to nwrite, let alone how to be a writer. I don't have all the nanswers. All I can do is give you some tips and guidelines that
I've learnt over the years (starting from the beginning of my nwriting "career" with writing "stirring" letters to newspapers in
South Africa), which hopefully will make it a lot easier...if nthat is what you really want to do. n
They are all based on what I have learnt by doing it myself - nusually through the long process of trial and error. I hope this ninformation is interesting and helpful to you in your quest to be na writer and getting published. n
Firstly (and most importantly)... n
There are no ABC's in writing - there is no set formula, which nguarantees success. Everyone is a unique individual with their nown gifts: their experiences, perspectives and highly individual nstyle of writing. I believe having the ability to put words down non paper is only the beginning to writing. There is a great deal nmore to be learned on the techniques, which I've developed over nthe years. Hopefully, by the end of this course, you'll be able nto look back and see how much your writing has progressed, which ngives me great gratification - nice long word that, like nmarmalade!). We all have our own particular style of writing. As nyou'll see, I use a particular style in this course; however the nstyle in my novels is completely different. In this course I try nto inform and entertain at the same time, through "light, breezy" nwriting (no wind, please!). n
My main aim in this course is to help develop your unique style nof putting words to paper, as well as giving you some practical ntips that I've learnt (especially from writing for the last six nyears). I believe that writing courses and workshops (such as noffered by the polytechnics here in New Zealand) can improve your nwriting - as long as the basic talent, your gift is there. Online ncourses through the internet can be a great educational tool (at na greatly reduced cost). Well I have to say that, don't I? n
All writing courses can help develop your skills by enhancing nyour creative powers, if you have the DESIRE to learn and grow n(even dwarfs!). Why do you want to be a writer? What is your nbiggest motive you think? Write a few sentences on this to nclarify your thinking and give you something to aim for in your nwriting. n
For example do you want to write for pleasure or for profit...or nperhaps both. I find writing my thoughts down, focuses my nthinking. What are your attitudes to writing and what are your nwriting ambitions? What would you like to achieve in the future?
It's fine for your writing ambitions to change over time. Mine nhave changed drastically, as well as my "styles"; however right nfrom the start I only wanted to write for publication - to "make na living", as well as impacting others - making a differencenthrough sharing my experiences. n
For example, you might just want to "dabble" in a bit of writing nfor your own eyes, for pleasure; then write items for close nfriends or family members. Then a few years down the track, you nmight decide that you want to write articles on your particular nhobby for magazines - for MONEY. Wow! Later perhaps even a book, nas I believe we all have a tale to tell deep within us. n
What kind of writer do you want to be? Do you want to write for npleasure and/or for profit? I believe, if you write for pleasure, nyou'll be happy doing what you like... and it often leads to nprofit naturally. Because when you do something you are good at, nit gives you enjoyment (or when you enjoy some activity you nbecome better at it). This can often lead to financial rewards. n
Many top writers and other artists (yes, it is an art!) earn very ngood money from doing what they love. To end off this piece, here nare two of my favorite quotations, that help keep me inspired ndaily . n
"What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it; boldness has ngenius, power and magic in it." n- Johann von Goethe n
"Do what you love, then you'll never have to do a day's work in nyour life." n
Happy writing...creatively, of course!

Eagle Productionsnhttp://www.craiglockbooks.com n
"Asking a writer what he thinks about critics is like nasking a lamp post how it feels about dogs."n- Christopher Hampton, British writer and dramatist

The "original" online creative writing course. 15 entertaining lessons by a prolific author.
Learn the craft of writing and have fun at the same time.nhttp://www2.webng.com/write
z/creative.html

All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children - MINE!

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