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Writers' Treasure

Effective writing advice for aspiring writers

Creative Writing 101

Creative writing is any form of writing which is written with the creativity of mind: fiction writing, poetry writing, creative nonfiction writing and more. The purpose is to express something, whether it be feelings, thoughts, or emotions.

Rather than only giving information or inciting the reader to make an action beneficial to the writer, creative writing is written to entertain or educate someone, to spread awareness about something or someone, or to express one’s thoughts.

There are two kinds of creative writing: good and bad, effective and ineffective. Bad, ineffective creative writing cannot make any impression on the reader. It won’t achieve its purpose.

So whether you’re a novelist, a poet, a short-story writer, an essayist, a biographer or an aspiring beginner, you want to improve your craft. The question is: how?

When you write great fiction, poetry, or nonfiction, amazing things can happen. Readers can’t put it down. The work you wrote becomes a bestseller. It becomes famous. But you have to reach to that level… first .

The best way to increase your proficiency in creative writing is to write, write compulsively, but it doesn’t mean write whatever you want. There are certain things you should know first… it helps to start with the right foot.

To do exactly that, here we have a beginners’ guide from Writers’ Treasure on the subject:

An Introduction to Creative Writing
How to Get Started in Creative Writing in Just Three Steps
Creative Writing vs. Technical Writing
Fiction Writing 101: The Elements of Stories
Poetry Writing: Forms and Terms Galore
Creative Non-Fiction: What is it?
Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Creative Writing
Common Mistakes Made by Creative Writers

For novelists: do you want to write compelling opening chapters?

Are you an aspiring novelist? Will your novel see the light of day? For that, you will need to make the first chapter of your story as compelling as possible. Otherwise, readers won’t even pick up your novel. That chapter can be the make-or-break point that decides whether your novel is published or not. It’s because good editors know how you write from the first three pages… or sometimes even from the opening lines.

To solve this problem, I created a five-part tutorial on Writing Compelling Opening Chapters . It outlines why you need to write a compelling opening chapter, my personal favourite way of beginning it, what should be told and shown in it, general dos and don’ts, and what you need to do after having written it. Check it out for more.

Need more writing tips?

Sometimes you reach that stage when you outgrow the beginner stage of writing but feel that you’re not yet an expert. If I just described you, no worries– Writers’ Treasure’s writing tips are here. Whether you want to make your writing more readable, more irresistible, more professional, we’ve got you covered. So check out our writing tips , and be on your way to fast track your success.

I offer writing, editing and proofreading , as well as website creation services. I’ve been in this field for seven years, and I know the tools of the trade. I’ve seen the directions where the writing industry is going, the changes, the new platforms. Get your work done through me, and get fast and efficient service. Get a quote .

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Creative Writing Tips for Beginners: 10 Top Tips

By Hannah Yang

Creative writing can be a very fulfilling hobby.

Writing can help you explore deep questions, use your imagination, and express your thoughts and feelings in a healthy way.

If you want to learn creative writing, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn our top ten creative writing tips to help you get started.

How to Write Creatively

10 creative writing tips for beginners, how to get better at creative writing, where to find creative writing help.

Anyone can learn creative writing—all you need is a pen and paper, or your writing software of choice.

Once you’ve got your tools ready, it’s time to think of a story idea. You can draw inspiration from your own life, newspaper headlines, songs you like, or anything else around you.

If you don’t have any story ideas in mind, you can also try starting with a prompt. Here are a few creative writing prompts you can choose from:

Write about someone with a dangerous secret
Write a scene set at your favorite restaurant
Write a story about someone who wakes up with no memories, except for a single name
Write a story from the perspective of someone who isn’t human
Complete the sentence: “It was a completely normal Saturday except for…”

Pick up your pen, choose your favorite prompt, and start writing!

If you’re new to creative writing, here are ten fiction writing tips that you can try.

Tip 1: Read Widely

It’s hard to become a great musician without having heard a lot of great music.

The same is true for writing. Reading a lot of books is a great way to get inspired and to learn more about the anatomy of a story.

It’s important to read in whatever genre you want so you can understand the conventions of that genre. If you’re writing a fantasy story, for example, you should familiarize yourself with popular fantasy novels and short stories so you know what readers expect.

On the other hand, it’s just as important to read a diverse variety of books. Exposing yourself to lots of genres and authors can help you learn about different writing styles and techniques.

Tip 2: Experiment With Different Formats and Points of View

Creative writing can involve countless different formats. You can write a story that looks like a diary entry, a song, or a Charles Dickens novel.

Maybe you want to write a story in the form of a series of instructions to the reader, like a cooking recipe or a how-to manual.

Or maybe you want to write a story in the form of a confession from one character to another, in a mix of first-person and second-person POV.

Try out different styles, even ones that don’t feel like your usual writing style. Doing this experimentation early on in your creative writing journey can help you find your own voice and figure out what works best for you.

Tip 3: Take Inspiration From Many Sources

No story is written in a vacuum. Every artist takes inspiration from other works of art, and you shouldn’t feel bad about writing a story that’s inspired by your favorite book or movie.

At the same time, though, it’s important not to write a story that actually plagiarizes an existing one. Directly copying the work of other creative writers is both unethical and illegal. Plus, it’s much less fun than writing your own stories.

A good rule of thumb if you’re looking for ideas is to take inspiration from many sources rather than a single one.

For example, maybe you like the sarcastic humor of one book, the sweet romance arc of another book, and the Gothic setting of your favorite TV show. When you merge those three things together, you’ll most likely create a story that feels unique and original, even though you took inspiration from existing stories.

Tip 4: Show, Don’t Tell

The phrase “Show, don’t tell” is a popular piece of writing advice that almost every writer has heard before.

Essentially, “show, don’t tell” means that you should immerse the reader in your story through sensory details and descriptive language instead of simply summarizing the story to them.

For example, you could tell someone, “My sister’s room is messy.” That sentence conveys the facts, but the person you’re talking to probably wouldn’t be able to picture your sister’s room in their head.

On the other hand, you could say, “My sister basically uses the floor of her room as a giant laundry hamper—it’s covered with so many sweaters and scarves that I don’t even remember what color her carpet is.” This sentence gives your listener a much more specific idea of what your sister’s room looks like.

Tip 5: Write With Intention

Many newer writers put down words on the page based on what comes to mind first.

For example, let’s say you’re trying to describe a character. A new writer might note down whatever details they visualize right away, like the color of the character’s hair or the type of clothes they’re wearing.

This is a great way to write when you’re just starting out, but if you want to improve your skills, it’s important to learn how to write with intention.

Try to get in the habit of asking yourself: What details does the reader need to know and why? For example, what aspects of this character’s hair color and outfit could tell the reader something deeper about the character’s personality and motivations?

It’s also important to figure out what you want to convey emotionally. What do you want your reader to feel? Excited? Creeped out? Hopeful?

For example, you might describe a sunset as “blood-red” if you want the reader to feel creeped out, or as “glowing and bright” if you want the reader to feel hopeful.

Tip 6: Learn How to Edit

No first draft is perfect, even if you’re a seasoned writer.

Learning how to edit your work is just as important as learning how to write on a blank page. That’s how you can create a creative work you feel proud of.

One helpful tip is to try reading your work out loud. That can often help you spot places where your prose doesn’t flow.

AI-powered grammar checkers like ProWritingAid can also help you identify weaknesses in your prose and learn how to strengthen them. You can catch your grammatical mistakes, avoid unnecessary repetition, choose more evocative words, and more with our powerful tool.

Tip 7: Practice Overcoming Writer’s Block

At some point in their writing journey, every writer has reached a point where writing doesn’t feel fun anymore.

There are lots of different causes for writer’s block. You might be unsure what to write, afraid of failing, or simply burned out from writing too much.

It’s important to find ways to overcome creative blocks, so you don’t end up putting down your pen for good.

One useful technique is to change your environment. If you normally write at home, try writing in a coffee shop or in your local library.

Another technique is to try a different activity for a while. Go for a walk, take a shower, do your dishes, or try another hobby. Before long, you’ll find yourself wanting to write again.

Perhaps the most underrated method is to simply take a break from writing. Give yourself permission to stop for a while—it’s always okay to take a step back.

Tip 8: Study Writing Craft

Many new writers falsely believe that writing can’t be taught; you’re either good at it or you’re not.

But the truth is that creative writing is a craft, just like woodworking, oil painting, or ballet. You wouldn’t expect anyone to be naturally good at ballet without years of training, so why is writing any different?

One way to learn new creative writing techniques is by reading craft books . Some great books to start with include On Writing by Stephen King, Story Genius by Lisa Cron, and The Creative Writer’s Handbook by Philip K. Jason.

These books can help you learn the basics of how to write well. For example, you can learn how to construct high-quality sentences, how to avoid passive voice, and how to use poetic devices.

The more you learn, the more powerful your writing will become.

Tip 9: Invent Your Own Process

When you’re just starting out as a writer, it can be tempting to copy someone else’s writing process.

Maybe you heard an interview with a bestselling author who said you have to outline a story before you draft it. Or maybe you found out your favorite author writes 1,000 words every day, and now you think you have to write 1,000 words every day too.

But it’s important to remember that no two writers have the exact same writing process. What works best for someone else might not work for you.

There’s no right or wrong way to be a creative writer. Your job is to find a writing process that makes you feel fulfilled, productive, and inspired—and if your favorite writers don’t write the same way, that’s perfectly okay.

Tip 10: Don’t Aim for Perfection

There’s a good chance your writing is never going to be perfect. Mine definitely isn’t!

Remember that writing is about the process, not the product. Even if the final product is never perfect, the process has helped you grow as a writer—and hopefully, it’s also been a lot of fun.

You should decide what your main goal for writing is. Maybe it’s writing stories you might be able to publish someday. Maybe it’s telling stories about characters you rarely see in existing stories. Maybe it’s simply a fun new hobby.

Whatever your goal is, remember that you’re already on your way to achieving it. You don’t need to aim for perfection in order to succeed.

There’s no secret to getting better at creative writing. The process is very simple—it just takes a lot of hard work.

All you have to do is follow this two-step process:

Step 1: Write consistently
Step 2: Ask for feedback on your writing

The first step is fairly self-explanatory. Whenever you’re learning a new skill, it’s important to practice it. The more you write, the more you’ll learn about how to be a successful creative writer.

The second step is the one that receives more pushback from writers because it requires a lot of courage and vulnerability, but it’s just as important as the first step.

If you don’t get feedback, you could write every day and still never improve. That’s because most people can’t spot the weaknesses in their own stories.

You can ask for feedback from your friends, family, or writing groups. They can help you see your work from a different perspective and identify areas for improvement.

As long as you write consistently and listen to the feedback on the work you’re producing, you’ll be able to create a positive cycle where you create better and better stories over time.

If you want to improve your creative writing skills, there are numerous resources you can use to find help.

One great method is to join a writing community where you can share your work and get feedback from other writers.

You can look for free critique groups online, on websites such as Scribophile and Critique Circle. Or you can start your own group with your friends.

You can also consider joining a local writing class or retreat. Many schools and community centers offer classes and workshops you can join.

Another option is to use creative writing tools. ProWritingAid can give you AI-powered suggestions about how to improve your prose and make your writing shine.

Good luck, and happy writing!

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Hannah Yang

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.

I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.

Bright, colorful creative writer's desk with notebook and typewriter -- What Is Creative Writing

Table of Contents

Let’s expand on that definition a bit.

Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.

It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.

In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.

It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.

Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.

It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.

Some of the most common types:

Short stories
Screenplays
Flash fiction
Creative Nonfiction

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Short stories are like narrative treasures.

They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.

Short stories are known for their brevity.

They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.

Novels (The Long Journey)

Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.

They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.

The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.

Readers get an immersive experience.

Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.

It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.

Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.

The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.

Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.

This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.

Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.

Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.

They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.

Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.

They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.

Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.

They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.

Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.

It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.

This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.

Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.

This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.

Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.

Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.

It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.

Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.

It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.

Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.

Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.

Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.

They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.

They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.

Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.

It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.

In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.

Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.

It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.

It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.

Creativity is the heart of creative writing.

It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.

Consistency

Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.

It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.

Is Creative Writing Easy?

Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.

Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.

Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.

Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.

The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.

Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.

Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.

They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.

Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.

They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.

Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.

The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.

Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:

Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.

Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):

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10 Effective Ways to Improve Your Creative Writing

freelance journalism course at NZ Writers College

Writing a story is a craft that requires constant tweaks, edits and trial and error by the writer. Here are ten tips to improve your creative writing and save you hours of painful re-writing in the future.

(1) Don’t underestimate your reader

You have a fantastic plot, your characters are realistic, the setting is ideal and you want to make sure that the reader gets every little detail that you have in mind. Great!

The only problem is that you may be tempted to bombard your reader with many intimate details so that they see it exactly as you do. In-depth descriptions can be useful and effective, but don’t overdo it. Keep your writing neat and tight; don’t waste space on long, rambling descriptions about things that aren’t necessary to your story.

Wouldn’t it be ideal if editors received submissions and decided to look past the typos and incorrect formatting because they think it might be a little gem of a story? The fact is that if your manuscript is full of errors or doesn’t follow the required guidelines then it’s going in the trash.

Don’t rely on your computer’s spell checker. If you make a typo, the computer will not warn you if you’ve still spelt a valid word. Your gorgeous heroine meets the bog (boy) of her dreams? The wealthy doctor places his golf ball on his tea (tee)?

(3) Give Your Characters Life

Characters are vital to your story so treat them with care and give them that breath of life that you, the writer, have the power to give. Give them unique characteristics; make them believable by making them have a purpose, motivation and conflicts to resolve.

(4) Use Strong Words

You want your writing to sound decisive, so use words that get the point across. Did Bob’s really big headache cause him a lot of pain or did Bob’s migraine cause excruciating pain? But remember not to overdo it: don’t use words that the reader won’t understand, you want to use strong words, not confusing or extravagant ones.

(5) Show Don’t Tell.

Who hasn’t heard that one before? But it’s a valid point and a useful rule for all writers. Fiction is for entertainment, so entertain your reader! Give them an excuse to escape into the reality that you have created. Let them see, hear, feel, smell, laugh, cry, love and hate. Show your reader the world that you’ve created, don’t just tell them about it.

(6) Check your Commas

While commas can be effective many inexperienced writers tend to sprinkle their sentences with them. When placed incorrectly, commas can chop up your sentences and sometimes even alter the meaning. Brush up on your high-school grammar; your work will improve with that alone.

(7) Grab their Attention from the Start

Opening lines are often referred to as ‘the hook’ because that’s exactly what you want them to be. You get the reader’s attention and reel them in for the rest of the story. Try something powerful to kick-start your story. For example: ‘Mark’s back broke with an audible crack’ or ‘Eliza didn’t realize that she was going blind’ or ‘The bullet that pierced Henry’s back and left him paralyzed was meant for a homeless man’. Each of these lines makes the reader ask ‘why?’ and once they ask that question, the reader will keep on reading until they find the answer.

(8) Give Your Reader a Satisfactory Ending

You can leave the reader speculating or wondering why at the end of your story, but try to resolve as much as you can. If your reader finishes the last sentence and is still asking questions about what happened to who and why, then you still need to tie up the loose ends.

(9) Sober up

Think of writing as going out to a bar: you go out, the lighting is dim, it’s noisy, maybe you drink too much but you meet a person who’s attractive, witty, shares the same interests as you and you’re smitten by them. A few days later you meet for coffee: are they as good looking or charming as you remember?

This can happen with writing. You become intoxicated with the feeling of success and think that you have written an award-winning piece. The question is, once you’ve sobered up, is it as good as you thought it was? Put your manuscript away and try not to think about it for a couple days. Then take it out and read it with a clear, open mind. Read it through once from beginning to end, then break it up into sections, then read it sentence by sentence. Is it as good as you remembered? If so, then well done! But the odds are that if you were too excited about finally wrapping it up, then you’ll find some points to revise.

(10) Challenge Yourself

Are you trying too hard to write in a specific genre or style? Do you only write short stories or novels or poems or movie scripts? Give that creative muscle a workout and try something different. It will be a refreshing exercise for your mind and you might be surprised by the result. If you don’t succeed then you have still learnt a valuable lesson.

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Creativity Techniques

26+ Creative Writing Tips for Young Writers

So you want to be a writer? And not just any writer, you want to be a creative writer. The road to being a legendary storyteller won’t be easy, but with our creative writing tips for kids, you’ll be on the right track! Creative writing isn’t just about writing stories. You could write poems, graphic novels, song lyrics and even movie scripts. But there is one thing you’ll need and that is good creative writing skills.

Here are over 26 tips to improve your creative writing skills :

Read a wide range of books

When it comes to creative writing, reading is essential. Reading allows you to explore the styles of other writers and gain inspiration to improve your own writing. But don’t just limit yourself to reading only popular books or your favourites. Read all sorts of books, everything from fairytales to scary stories. Take a look at comics, short stories, novels and poetry. Just fill your heads with the knowledge and wisdom of other writers and soon you’ll be just like them!

Write about real-life events

The hardest thing about creative writing is connecting emotionally with your audience. By focusing your writing on real-life events, you know that in some way or another your readers will be able to relate. And with creative writing you don’t need to use real names or details – There are certain things you can keep private while writing about the rare details. Using real-life events is also a good way to find inspiration for your stories.

Be imaginative

Be as crazy and wild as you like with your imagination. Create your world, your own monsters , or even your own language! The more imaginative your story, the more exciting it will be to read. Remember that there are no rules on what makes a good idea in creative writing. So don’t be afraid to make stuff up!

Find your writing style

Thes best writers have a particular style about them. When you think of Roald Dahl , you know his books are going to have a sense of humour. While with Dr Seuss , you’re prepared to read some funny new words . Alternatively, when you look at R.L.Stine, you know that he is all about the horror. Think about your own writing style. Do you want to be a horror writer? Maybe someone who always writes in the first person? Will always focus your books on your culture or a particular character?

Stick to a routine

Routine is extremely important to writers. If you just write some stuff here and there, it’s likely that you’ll soon give up on writing altogether! A strict routine means that every day at a certain time you will make time to write about something, anything. Even if you’re bored or can’t think of anything, you’ll still pick up that pencil and write. Soon enough you’ll get into the habit of writing good stuff daily and this is definitely important for anyone who wants to be a professional creative writer!

Know your audience

Writing isn’t just about thinking about your own interests, it’s also about thinking about the interests of your audience. If you want to excite fellow classmates, know what they like. Do they like football , monsters or a particular video game? With that knowledge, you can create the most popular book for your target audience. A book that they can’t stop reading and will recommend to others!

Daily Exercises

To keep your creative writing skills up to scratch it is important to keep practising every day. Even if you have no inspiration. At times when your mind is blank, you should try to use tools like writing prompts , video prompts or other ways of coming up with ideas . You could even take a look at these daily writing exercises as an example. We even created a whole list of over 100 creative writing exercises to try out when you need some inspiration or ideas.

Work together with others

Everyone needs a little help now and then. We recommend joining a writing club or finding other classmates who are also interested in writing to improve your own creative writing skills. Together you can share ideas, tips and even write a story together! A good storytelling game to play in a group is the “ finish the story” game .

Get feedback

Without feedback, you’ll never be able to improve your writing. Feedback, whether good or bad is important to all writers. Good feedback gives you the motivation to carry on. While bad feedback just gives you areas to improve and adapt your writing, so you can be the best! After every piece of writing always try to get feedback from it, whether it is from friends, family, teachers or an online writing community .

Enter writing competitions

The best way to improve your creative writing is by entering all sorts of writing competitions . Whether it’s a poetry competition or short story competition, competitions let you compete against other writers and even help you get useful feedback on your writing. Most competitions even have rules to structure your writing, these rules can help you prepare for the real world of writing and getting your work published. And not only that you might even win some cool prizes!

Keep a notebook

Every writer’s best friend is their notebook. Wherever you go make sure you have a notebook handy to jot down any ideas you get on the go. Inspiration can come from anywhere , so the next time you get an idea instead of forgetting about it, write it down. You never know, this idea could become a best-selling novel in the future.

Research your ideas

So, you got a couple of ideas for short stories. The next step is to research these ideas deeper.

Researching your ideas could involve reading books similar to your ideas or going online to learn more about a particular topic. For example, if you wanted to write a book on dragons, you would want to know everything about them in history to come up with a good, relatable storyline for your book.

Create Writing Goals

How do you know if your writing is improving over time? Simple – Just create writing goals for yourself. Examples of writing goals might include, to write 100 words every day or to write 600 words by the end of next week. Whatever your goals make sure you can measure them easily. That way you’ll know if you met them or not. You might want to take a look at these bullet journal layouts for writers to help you track the progress of your writing.

Follow your passions

Writing can be tedious and many people even give up after writing a few words. The only way you can keep that fire burning is by writing about your true passions. Whatever it is you enjoy doing or love, you could just write about those things. These are the types of things you’ll enjoy researching and already know so much about, making writing a whole lot more fun!

Don’t Settle for the first draft

You finally wrote your first story. But the writing process isn’t complete yet! Now it’s time to read your story and make the all-important edits. Editing your story is more than just fixing spelling or grammar mistakes. It’s also about criticising your own work and looking for areas of improvement. For example, is the conflict strong enough? Is your opening line exciting? How can you improve your ending?

Plan before writing

Never just jump into writing your story. Always plan first! Whether this means listing down the key scenes in your story or using a storyboard template to map out these scenes. You should have an outline of your story somewhere, which you can refer to when actually writing your story. This way you won’t make basic mistakes like not having a climax in your story which builds up to your main conflict or missing crucial characters out.

It’s strange the difference it makes to read your writing out aloud compared to reading it in your head. When reading aloud you tend to notice more mistakes in your sentences or discover paragraphs which make no sense at all. You might even want to read your story aloud to your family or a group of friends to get feedback on how your story sounds.

Pace your story

Pacing is important. You don’t want to just start and then quickly jump into the main conflict because this will take all the excitement away from your conflict. And at the same time, you don’t want to give the solution away too early and this will make your conflict too easy for your characters to solve. The key is to gradually build up to your conflict by describing your characters and the many events that lead up to the main conflict. Then you might want to make the conflict more difficult for your characters by including more than one issue in your story to solve.

Think about themes

Every story has a theme or moral. Some stories are about friendship, others are about the dangers of trusting strangers. And a story can even have more than one theme. The point of a theme is to give something valuable to your readers once they have finished reading your book. In other words, to give them a life lesson, they’ll never forget!

Use dialogue carefully

Dialogue is a tricky thing to get right. Your whole story should not be made up of dialogue unless you’re writing a script. Alternatively, it can be strange to include no dialogue at all in your story. The purpose of dialogue should be to move your story forward. It should also help your readers learn more about a particular character’s personality and their relationship with other characters in your book.

One thing to avoid with dialogue is… small talk! There’s no point in writing dialogue, such as “How’s the weather?”, if your story has nothing to do with the weather. This is because it doesn’t move your story along. For more information check out this guide on how to write dialogue in a story .

Write now, edit later

Writing is a magical process. Don’t lose that magic by focusing on editing your sentences while you’re still writing your story up. Not only could this make your story sound fragmented, but you might also forget some key ideas to include in your story or take away the imagination from your writing. When it comes to creative writing, just write and come back to editing your story later.

Ask yourself questions

Always question your writing. Once done, think about any holes in your story. Is there something the reader won’t understand or needs further describing? What if your character finds another solution to solving the conflict? How about adding a new character or removing a character from your story? There are so many questions to ask and keep asking them until you feel confident about your final piece.

Create a dedicated writing space

Some kids like writing on their beds, others at the kitchen table. While this is good for beginners, going pro with your writing might require having a dedicated writing space. Some of the basics you’ll need is a desk and comfy chair, along with writing materials like pens, pencils and notebooks. But to really create an inspiring place, you could also stick some beautiful pictures, some inspiring quotes from writers and anything else that will keep you motivated and prepared.

Beware of flowery words

Vocabulary is good. It’s always exciting when you learn a new word that you have never heard before. But don’t go around plotting in complicated words into your story, unless it’s necessary to show a character’s personality. Most long words are not natural sounding, meaning your audience will have a hard time relating to your story if it’s full of complicated words from the dictionary like Xenophobia or Xylograph .

Create believable characters

Nobody’s perfect. And why should your story characters be any different? To create believable characters, you’ll need to give them some common flaws as well as some really cool strengths. Your character’s flaws can be used as a setback to why they can’t achieve their goals, while their strengths are the things that will help win over adversity. Just think about your own strengths and weaknesses and use them as inspirations for your storybook characters. You can use the Imagine Forest character creator to plan out your story characters.

Show, don’t tell

You can say that someone is nice or you can show them how that person is nice. Take the following as an example, “Katie was a nice girl.” Now compare that sentence to this, “Katie spent her weekends at the retirement home, singing to the seniors and making them laugh.”. The difference between the two sentences is huge. The first one sounds boring and you don’t really know why Katie is nice. While in the second sentence, you get the sense that Katie is nice from her actions without even using the word nice in the sentence!

Make the conflict impossible

Imagine the following scenario, you are a championship boxer who has won many medals over the year and the conflict is…Well, you got a boxing match coming up. Now that doesn’t sound so exciting! In fact, most readers won’t even care about the boxer winning the match or not!

Now imagine this scenario: You’re a poor kid from New Jersey, you barely have enough money to pay the bills. You never did any professional boxing, but you want to enter a boxing competition, so you can win and use the money to pay your bills.

The second scenario has a bigger mountain to climb. In other words, a much harder challenge to face compared to the character in the first scenario. Giving your characters an almost impossible task or conflict is essential in good story-telling.

Write powerful scenes

Scenes help build a picture in your reader’s mind without even including any actual pictures in your story. Creating powerful scenes involves more than describing the appearance of a setting, it’s also about thinking about the smell, the sounds and what your characters are feeling while they are in a particular setting. By being descriptive with your scenes, your audience can imagine themselves being right there with characters through the hard times and good times!

There’s nothing worse than an ending which leaves the reader feeling underwhelmed. You read all the way through and then it just ends in the most typical, obvious way ever! Strong endings don’t always end on a happy ending. They can end with a sad ending or a cliff-hanger. In fact, most stories actually leave the reader with more questions in their head, as they wonder what happens next. This then gives you the opportunity to create even more books to continue the story and keep your readers hooked for life (or at least for a very long time)!

Over 25 creative writing tips later and you should now be ready to master the art of creative writing! The most important tip for all you creative writers out there is to be imaginative! Without a good imagination, you’ll struggle to wow your audience with your writing skills. Do you have any more creative writing tips to share? Let us know in the comments!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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What is Creative Writing? (Definition + Tips for Getting Started)

by Ivy Shelden

on Sep 4, 2024

What is creative writing? And how do your favorite authors write such emotionally moving, beautifully descriptive prose?

This post will give you the answers you’re looking for.

As an avid reader and creative writer, I’ll help you understand creative writing, what it means, all its different forms, and how to get started penning your own creative work.

Ready to get started?

Let’s dig in.

What is Creative Writing? (& What it Isn’t )

At its heart, creative writing is all about storytelling and expression. It’s where imagination meets ink, and the human experience takes center stage.

Through writing fiction, poetry, drama, and even creative non-fiction, writers have the freedom to explore and express thoughts, feelings, and experiences that are uniquely their own.

In creative writing, the sky’s the limit — you could dive into the psyche of a Martian, sketch a dystopian future, or chronicle the life of a pebble.

The main objective?

To engage, to provoke thought, to entertain, and to evoke an emotional response in the reader.

Contrast this with technical writing or academic writing .

These forms of writing have a different purpose and follow a different set of rules.

For example, consider technical writing .

It’s used in fields like engineering or computer science to explain complex systems or processes in clear, straightforward language.

Think user manuals, reports, or scientific articles. They’re about precision, consistency, and clarity rather than evoking emotions or telling stories.

Similarly, academic writing — the kind you’ll find in textbooks or scholarly articles — is typically analytical or persuasive, aiming to build a sound argument based on evidence and reasoning.

Academic writing sticks to strict structures and formats, with the primary goal of informing or persuading rather than entertaining.

If academic and technical writing is about precision, evidence, and clear communication, then creative writing is about exploration, expression, and emotional resonance.

Exploring the Wide World of Creative Writing (Types & Genres)

So what are the different types of creative writing? Well, there are a lot — after all, human creativity is boundless.

But here are the most common genres …

Fiction is all about imagining and crafting narratives that aren’t necessarily rooted in reality.

Consider fiction writing in the form of a short story, novella, or novel.

From the fantastical realms in Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” to the dystopian future of Orwell’s “1984”, fiction lets you construct alternate realities or tweak the real one just a bit to explore the ‘what ifs’.

Poetry is the art of condensing emotions and ideas into the fewest possible words, while still stirring deep feelings in readers.

Whether it’s a Shakespearean sonnet or a free verse poem like Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass”, poetry uses rhythm, rhyme, and imagery to create a visceral experience.

Poetry can be a wonderful way to explore complex emotions, ideas, or to just play with language.

Non-fiction

Creative non-fiction is about spinning engaging tales from the fabric of real life.

Examples of creative non-fiction are Frank McCourt’s “Angela’s Ashes” or thought-provoking essays like Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own”.

Non-fiction allows writers to explore the truth with a creative twist.

It’s all about turning the lens of your unique perspective on the real world and sharing your insights in an engaging, artistic way.

Drama/Playwriting

Ever been moved by a performance on stage?

Playwriting is the craft of creating stories meant to be performed.

Think of the tragic elegance of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” or the modern powerhouse of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton”. Playwriting combines dialogue, action, and stage direction to bring stories to life in a very physical and immediate way.

Screenwriting

This is the art of writing scripts for film or television.

As a screenwriter, you’re responsible for creating the blueprint for visual storytelling.

Picture the mind-bending twists of “Inception” or the heartwarming tale of “Finding Nemo”.

Screenwriting involves crafting dialogue and visual directions that help bring the director’s vision to life.

Songwriting

From Bob Dylan to Taylor Swift, songwriting is a form of creative writing many of us engage with every day.

Songs can tell stories, express emotions, or capture a moment in time, all set to a melody that often enhances the meaning and impact of the words.

Flash Fiction

This is a writing style of fictional literature characterized by its extremely short length.

Flash fiction stories are usually under 1000 words, and they challenge the writer to tell a compelling story with a clear narrative in a very confined space.

Every genre of creative writing offers its unique challenges and rewards, and each one can help you grow and evolve as a writer.

So go ahead, dip your toes into these different pools and see which one feels right for you.

14 Creative Writing Tips to Unleash Your Inner Writer

Man standing on bridge writing in his journal

Ready to let your creativity off the leash? Here are some tips to get you started on your creative writing journey.

1. Carve Out Dedicated Writing Time

A daily writing habit can help keep your creative writing skill sharp and your creative juices flowing.

Even if it’s just a few minutes each day, consistency is key.

This dedicated time can also act as a mental space where you allow yourself to create and explore ideas without the interruptions of everyday life.

2. Embrace Freewriting

Freewriting is like stretching before a workout — it warms up your creative muscles and helps you limber up.

It’s about letting your thoughts flow freely, without judgement or restraint, and can lead to unexpected insights and story seeds.

You may find that this practice also helps to reduce writing anxiety by shifting focus away from perfection and towards the process of creation.

3. Experiment with Different Genres

Trying out various genres of creative writing not only helps you discover your strengths and preferences, but also enhances your versatility as a writer.

It can also lead to unexpected discoveries.

Maybe you’ve always thought of yourself as a novelist, but find that you have a knack for poetry.

Keeping an open mind and being willing to experiment can lead you to exciting new creative territories.

4. Master the Art of Observation

Great writers are great observers.

Paying close attention to the world around provides a rich source of inspiration for your writing.

Write down interesting conversations, striking scenery, or even unusual smells.

These small details can lend authenticity and vibrancy to your stories.

So, the next time you’re on a crowded subway or strolling through a quiet forest, keep your senses alert and your notebook handy!

5. Practice Descriptive Writing

Creative writing is as much about showing as it is about telling.

Practicing descriptive writing brings your characters, settings, and scenes to life.

Try to engage all the reader’s senses — sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

This helps to create an immersive experience for your reader and make your writing more memorable.

6. Experiment with Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are a fantastic way to jumpstart your creativity, especially when you’re feeling stuck.

They can take the form of a phrase, an image, or even a situation.

Try writing a short piece based on a prompt and see where it takes you – it could lead you to a story idea you would never have thought of on your own.

7. Study Story Structure

Close up of paper in typewriter that says "stories matter"

Understanding the structure of a story — setup, confrontation, and resolution — is essential for crafting compelling narratives.

Each part serves a specific function and propels the story forward.

Read up on different narrative structures and consider how they could apply to your own writing.

This foundational knowledge will serve you well no matter what genre you’re working in.

8. Create Complex Characters

Characters are the heart of any story.

To create characters that feel real to your readers, they need to be fully fleshed out with their own desires, flaws, and contradictions.

Invest time in character development, imagining your characters’ backgrounds, motivations, and fears.

Remember, the most engaging characters are often the ones that readers can empathize with, even if they’re flawed.

9. Read Widely

The more you read, the more you’ll understand about different writing styles , narrative structures, and character development strategies .

But don’t just stick to your favorite genres.

Read widely — across different genres, cultures, and time periods. It will help broaden your perspectives, spark fresh ideas, and enrich your own writing.

10. Start a Writing Journal

Close up of woman's hand writing in notebook with coffee cup

A writing journal is the perfect place to store ideas, sketches, character descriptions, or just musings about the world.

Over time, these entries can become a gold mine of inspiration for future writing projects.

It’s also a great tool for tracking your writing progress and reflecting on your journey as a writer.

11. Seek Feedback and Support

Writing doesn’t always have to be a solitary pursuit.

By engaging with writing communities, you can benefit from others’ experiences, receive constructive criticism, and also learn by critiquing others’ work.

This shared camaraderie can be a significant source of motivation and growth.

12. Set Achievable Goals

If you want to get your writing published someday, you need to set tangible, achievable goals .

These could range from small, daily targets like writing a certain number of words, to larger aspirations such as completing a manuscript or getting published.

Celebrating these milestones, no matter how small, will boost your confidence and drive to keep going.

13. Edit and Revise

Your first draft is just the beginning.

Revisiting your work, reworking sections, and fine-tuning language are all part of the writing process.

This is your chance to sharpen your narrative, enhance your characters, and ensure that your story is as compelling as possible.

Remember, every great writer is also a great editor.

14. Embrace Failure and Persevere

Every writer, from Stephen King to J.K. Rowling has faced rejection and failure.

Writing can be a journey of highs and lows, but every stumble is an opportunity to learn and grow.

The most successful writers are those who persevere, who pick themselves up after rejections and setbacks, and who stay committed to refining their craft.

Every word, every sentence, and every story you write is a step forward on your creative journey.

Follow the Ultimate Creative Writing Commandment

Woman sitting on her living room floor writing in a notebook

There’s one tip that is absolutely crucial to your creative writing journey…

The tip: Start writing .

Like, today.

Know that your writing doesn’t have to be perfect — but it does need to exist.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to be creative. Your voice is uniquely yours, and the world needs to hear it.

So go ahead, let your imagination run wild, and let your creative work entertain and inspire.

Happy writing!

This post was originally published on June 7th, 2023 by Ivy Shelden. It has been updated for clarity and comprehensiveness.

Ivy Shelden

Ivy Shelden is Associate Editor at Smart Blogger. She spent 30+ hours researching creative writing to bring you the most comprehensive information about the topic.

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Reap what you sow, center your story around a character’s attempt to escape a bad situation that inadvertently leads them back to the source of their problems..

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Start a story with someone receiving a message from their past self, warning them of the consequences of their actions.

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Write a story set against the backdrop of a storm., there’s been an accident — what happens next, your character overhears something that changes their path., write a story with two characters who meet for the first time — and one of them has a secret., subscribe to our prompts newsletter.

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Write about someone who summons the creative muse through a convoluted ritual or method.

Your protagonist has the perfect day scheduled — but things don’t go according to plan., write from the pov of a character in a story who keeps getting re-written by their second-guessing author., your protagonist discovers that everything they type comes true. what happens next, start your story with someone who wants to give up on their career right before their big break., follow a group of strangers touring a city on some kind of vehicle — a bus, a duck tour boat, a party bike… anything that transports passengers, write about someone who’s traveling away from their hometown for the first time., write about someone’s journey to retrieve an important object that’s been out of their possession for a long time., set your story in an airport where all flights have been canceled and all the passengers and crew members are stranded., write about someone who’s traveling to a place they’ve never been to meet someone they’ve never met., win $250 in our short story competition 🏆.

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

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Creative Writing Prompts

When the idea to start a weekly newsletter with writing inspiration first came to us, we decided that we wanted to do more than provide people with topics to write about. We wanted to try and help authors form a regular writing habit and also give them a place to proudly display their work. So we started the weekly Creative Writing Prompts newsletter. Since then, Prompts has grown to a community of more than 450,000 authors, complete with its own literary magazine, Prompted .

Here's how our contest works: every Friday, we send out a newsletter containing five creative writing prompts. Each week, the story ideas center around a different theme. Authors then have one week — until the following Friday — to submit a short story based on one of our prompts. A winner is picked each week to win $250 and is highlighted on our Reedsy Prompts page.

Interested in participating in our short story contest? Sign up here for more information! Or you can check out our full Terms of Use and our FAQ page .

Why we love creative writing prompts

If you've ever sat in front of a computer or notebook and felt the urge to start creating worlds, characters, and storylines — all the while finding yourself unable to do so — then you've met the author's age-old foe: writer's block. There's nothing more frustrating than finding the time but not the words to be creative. Enter our directory! If you're ready to kick writer's block to the curb and finally get started on your short story or novel, these unique story ideas might just be your ticket.

This list of 1800+ creative writing prompts has been created by the Reedsy team to help you develop a rock-solid writing routine. As all aspiring authors know, this is the #1 challenge — and solution! — for reaching your literary goals. Feel free to filter through different genres, which include...

Dramatic — If you want to make people laugh and cry within the same story, this might be your genre.

Funny — Whether satire or slapstick, this is an opportunity to write with your funny bone.

Romance — One of the most popular commercial genres out there. Check out these story ideas out if you love writing about love.

Fantasy — The beauty of this genre is that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

Dystopian – Explore the shadowy side of human nature and contemporary technology in dark speculative fiction.

Mystery — From whodunnits to cozy mysteries, it's time to bring out your inner detective.

Thriller and Suspense — There's nothing like a page-turner that elicits a gasp of surprise at the end.

High School — Encourage teens to let their imaginations run free.

Want to submit your own story ideas to help inspire fellow writers? Send them to us here.

After you find the perfect story idea

Finding inspiration is just one piece of the puzzle. Next, you need to refine your craft skills — and then display them to the world. We've worked hard to create resources that help you do just that! Check them out:

How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten-day course by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.
Best Literary Magazines of 2023 — a directory of 100+ reputable magazines that accept unsolicited submissions.
Writing Contests in 2023 — the finest contests of 2021 for fiction and non-fiction authors of short stories, poetry, essays, and more.

Beyond creative writing prompts: how to build a writing routine

While writing prompts are a great tactic to spark your creative sessions, a writer generally needs a couple more tools in their toolbelt when it comes to developing a rock-solid writing routine . To that end, here are a few more additional tips for incorporating your craft into your everyday life.

NNWT. Or, as book coach Kevin Johns calls it , “Non-Negotiable Writing Time.” This time should be scheduled into your routine, whether that’s once a day or once a week. Treat it as a serious commitment, and don’t schedule anything else during your NNWT unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Set word count goals. And make them realistic! Don’t start out with lofty goals you’re unlikely to achieve. Give some thought to how many words you think you can write a week, and start there. If you find you’re hitting your weekly or daily goals easily, keep upping the stakes as your craft time becomes more ingrained in your routine.
Talk to friends and family about the project you’re working on. Doing so means that those close to you are likely to check in about the status of your piece — which in turn keeps you more accountable.

Arm yourself against writer’s block. Writer’s block will inevitably come, no matter how much story ideas initially inspire you. So it’s best to be prepared with tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself on track before the block hits. You can find 20 solid tips here — including how to establish a relationship with your inner critic and apps that can help you defeat procrastination or lack of motivation.

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Creative Writing

Creative writing ba .


March 1, 2025	March 7, 2025	Not Available


November 1, 2024	November 8, 2024

Application Requirements

SUNY APP and Purchase Supplemental Application , or Common App
Application fee: $50 for either application
Academic transcripts

Letter of Recommendation

Portfolio and nonrefundable $5 portfolio fee

Portfolio Requirements

Supplemental.

Complete the Purchase College Creative Writing supplemental found in your Applicant Portal.

Creative Writing Samples

Applicants should submit either fiction or poetry as follows:

Fiction: 2-3 short stories or excerpts from pieces of fiction (10-15 pages maximum, full stories preferred)

Poetry: 5-7 poems (10 pages maximum)

Creative Writing applicants are encouraged to submit one letter of recommendation from an individual who is familiar with their writing abilities (teachers, writing instructors, advisors, counselors, etc.).

This letter can be separate from the one used for your initial application. Creative Writing students may submit a total of 2 letters of recommendation to Purchase College.

For additional information about the BA Creative Writing program visit Creative Writing Program.

Students interested in submitting plays or screenplays should consider the Playwriting and Screenwriting major to better support their writing interests at the college level.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should be included in the portfolio.

You can blend genres in your portfolio. Please provide context in your cover letter and clearly label each piece with its genre to demonstrate your intention.

We seek original work that showcases your unique skills and voice, independent of existing stories or characters from other media. Do not submit fanfiction or songwriting as examples.

You may submit several pieces or short works, such as flash fiction. It is preferred to have at least 1 long complete story or majority of a work in progress. Submissions should focus on poetry or fiction only.

How many letters of recommendation can I submit?

One letter of recommendation is required.

Letters from within your academic classes, letters from tutors, coaches, or professionals outside your high school are acceptable but letters from those who can speak to your creative writing ability are preferred. You can email recommendation letters to [email protected] .

Do I need to have taken Creative Writing courses in high school or college to be accepted?

No, prior creative writing classes during high school are not required for enrollment.

What is it like as a Creative Writing student?

Expect extensive reading and writing, requiring strong time-management skills. The workload becomes more manageable as you progress through the program. You will take courses like Editing and Production Workshop, that provide hands-on experience in editing and the publishing process, including business aspects. These courses also focus on Italics Mine , which showcases the literacy voices of Purchase College students that is published on campus every year.

You can choose either the poetry track or fiction track. Introductory courses in Poetic Techniques and Narrative Techniques help finalize your track choice, which every Creative Writing student can take. Additionally, you can pursue a dual track in both poetry and fiction.

You will complete a Senior Project, with the assistance of your program and faculty advisor. For the fiction track, the project comprises 60-80 pages, while the poetry track requires 30-50 pages. The project can be a culmination of your work over four years, focusing on a specific area or expanding on previous writings. Your senior cover essay introduces your project creatively, where you will work with your senior faculty advisor to develop ideas.

Can you double major with Creative Writing or minor in it?

Yes, you can double major, but it depends on your other major. You can work with the Creative Writing and Advising Office to determine the best fit.

Minors in art-related fields (such as music, film, theatre, or art) are recommended over double majors.

There is no minor in Creative Writing. Similar minor programs include Journalism, Communications or English and Global Literatures within the School of Humanities .

Can you be a part-time Creative Writing student or graduate in two years after transferring with an associate degree?

Transfer students with an associate degree typically require more than two years to complete the program. Students are expected to be full-time students with a minimum of 12 credits each semester. Classes are typically held during the day and are not flexible for those who wish to be part-time.

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UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Creative Writing

Finding books at university libraries, examples of books about creative writing at university libraries.

PASCAL and Interlibrary Loan
Finding Articles
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Searching By Subject in the University Libraries Online Catalog

Sometimes you might also want to look for books in the online catalog by subject. Here are links to some subject searches that might be helpful to try:

Poetry--Authorship
Fiction--Authorship
Nonfiction--Authorship
Short Stories
Publishers and Publishing
Authorship Marketing
Creative nonfiction
American Essays
American Short Stories
Periodicals Publishing
Fiction -- Technique
Narration (Rhetoric)

Novelist Plus

Novelist Plus is a database that recommends fiction and nonfiction books. Use novelist to find books you might like to read or to see what books have recently been published in genres that interest you:

Ask the Library

University Libraries has many books and ebooks about creative writing and as well as many novels and books of short stories, poems, creative nonfiction, memoirs, drama, etc.

All of University Libraries' books are now stored off-site and can be requested through the online catalog. When you request a book for pick up, it will be pulled from the offsite storage and delivered to the library's front desk for you to pick up and check out with your CCU ID. Searching the library's online catalog is the best way to figure out what books are available for you to request for pick up. This video will show you how:

General Creative Writing

Next: PASCAL and Interlibrary Loan >>
Last Updated: Aug 15, 2024 3:15 PM
URL: https://libraries.coastal.edu/creativewriting

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Creative Writing: About the MFA

About the MFA

Learn why this program is best suited to the goals and needs of writers.

Genres: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, travel writing, or a dual-genre Residencies: Three 15-day residencies, which each take place in the summer at a different European locale Distance learning: Fall and spring semester learning—between the residencies—takes place in the student’s own home Total credit hours: 48 total credits

Methods of Instruction

During three 15-day summer residencies, students participate in workshops, seminars, field experiences, and face-to-face classroom instruction from faculty. From September through May, students work individually with a faculty member in continual online communication, creating and submitting work and receiving feedback from their faculty mentor.

Primary Program Goals

During this program, you will:

Prepare for individual residencies through research and reading
Complete a variety of creative works and critical essays throughout the year
Attend three residencies, immersing yourself in locale and culture as they relate to writing
Produce a final book-length creative thesis, along with a critical essay on your genre’s craft

What Sets Us Apart

Convenient low-residency requirements. This MFA program provides three residencies, all of which take place in Europe during the first two weeks of July. Throughout the rest of the year, no on-campus coursework is required. You participate in writing mentorships on your own time, in your own home.

The first pan-European program. This Creative Writing MFA program is the first graduate-level writer’s program offered by an American college that includes residencies that take place exclusively in Europe.

Award-winning, internationally acclaimed faculty-writers. Our faculty consists of highly acclaimed and published writers of poetry, nonfiction, fiction, screenplays, radio plays, oratorios, libretti, and collaborative projects. All are dedicated to mentoring students throughout the MFA program, providing valuable insight and instruction.

Local settings, artistic awareness. Like most MFA programs in creative writing, the curriculum of this program will be craft-based, with genre-specific writing workshops and craft seminars comprising the residencies. A unique feature of this program, however, will be its focus on creative writing as it relates to a sense of place. Residencies are specifically designed to inform and inspire writing through a study of the society, history, arts—in short, the culture—of each respective locale.

Our Mission

The Cedar Crest College Low-Residency, Pan-European MFA in Creative Writing combines European cultural studies with master’s level coursework in creative writing of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or travel writing, provided by award-winning faculty-writers. The program enables students to earn their MFA by guiding them toward the completion of a publishable-level work.

The Cedar Crest College MFA in Creative Writing is designed to assist you in the following:

Producing publishable-quality work in one or more genres of writing
Enhancing your creative writing skills to tell stories more dramatically, to craft images more aesthetically
Preparing you for a successful career in a writing-related field
Broadening your global and cultural awareness
Improving your ability to reflect on, evaluate, and refine your work and the work of others, resulting in a finished product of better quality and clarity
Participating in an interdisciplinary learning experience in the liberal arts by combining writing with the study of history, culture, literature, and other arts
Gaining the experience necessary to pursue competitive grants in one or more genres of creative writing

Program Timeframe

For students who start at a summer residency, the MFA program can be completed in a little over two years:

Year One: The program begins with an initial 15-day summer residency in Europe—in Dublin, Barcelona, or Vienna—followed by two consecutive semesters of distance mentorship (Sept.-Dec. and Feb.-May.). The locale of the European residency will rotate each year, allowing each student to experience all three locales during the course of study.

Year Two: Year two also begins with a 15-day summer residency in Europe, followed by two more semesters of distance mentorship. The program ends in the third summer with a 15-day graduating residency and the presentation of both a creative thesis and a critical essay.

For students who begin with a fall or spring semester distance mentorship, the program can be completed within three years:

Year One: The program begins with one or two semesters of distance mentorship (Sept.-Dec. and Feb.-May.) that culminates with a 15-day summer residency in Europe—in Dublin, Barcelona, or Vienna.

Year Two: The second year includes two more semesters of distance learning followed by a 15-day summer residency in Europe. The locale of the European residency will rotate each year, allowing each student to experience all three locales during the course of study.

Year Three: Year three includes work on the creative thesis and critical essay (and, for students who began in a spring term, one semester of distance mentorship) that are then presented at the graduating 15-day summer residency.

Creative Writing

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Creative Writing - Planning a Story (KS2/KS3)

Subject: English

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Other

Last updated

18 September 2024

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Creative Writing - Planning a Story is a literacy resource aimed at students of upper KS2 or KS3 who are in the story writing part of their studies. The resource covers various aspects of planning a story, including:

Plot points
Message or theme The resource does this while considering the modern writing landscape for the students. The resource pack contains 2 Powerpoint presentations and 2 .pdf files. The difference between the 2 Powerpoint presentations is a coloured presentation with a pastel-coloured background, while the other is designated ‘Reduced Colour’, but is in fact entirely in grayscale for the benefit of those who may wish to print in black & white. The .pdf files are the slides ready for easy printout or alternative viewing.

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Writing and Presenting Guide

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Need help writing your papers, essays, and other assignments?

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Thank You Message Ideas: Creative Ways to Show Appreciation

Sep 19th 2024

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Expressing gratitude is a vital part of maintaining and nurturing relationships, whether personal or professional. Knowing how to craft the perfect thank-you message can make a significant difference.

A well-written thank-you note not only shows appreciation but also strengthens the bond between you and the recipient.

Finding the right words can sometimes be challenging. Whether you are thanking a colleague for their hard work, a friend for their kindness, or a family member for their support, the key is sincerity.

With the right ideas and examples, you can easily convey your heartfelt thanks in a way that feels genuine and meaningful.

Personalizing your message can make it even more special. Mention specific actions or moments that made an impact on you. By doing this, your thank-you note will resonate more deeply with the person receiving it.

The Art of Crafting Thank You Messages

Crafting a thoughtful thank you message starts with a warm greeting. Addressing the recipient by name adds a personal touch. For example, "Dear Emma" or "Hello, Mr. Smith."

Express Gratitude Clearly

Be specific about what you are thankful for. Instead of a general thank you, mention the particular action, gift, or favor that made an impact. For instance, "Thank you for the handmade scarf, it’s beautiful and warm."

Add Personal Details

Incorporate personal anecdotes or details that demonstrate how the gesture affected you. This provides context and makes the note feel heartfelt. For example, "Your help during our move made the process so much easier for our family."

Keep It Concise

A thank you note doesn’t need to be long. A few well-chosen sentences can effectively convey your appreciation. Avoid unnecessary details that may dilute the core message.

Use Warm and Positive Language

Choose words that are positive and warm to set the right tone. Phrases like "It meant the world to me" or "I am deeply grateful" can enhance the message.

Example Templates

Simple and Direct:

Dear [Name],

Thank you so much for the lovely gift. It was very thoughtful of you.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Detailed and Personal:

Hello [Name],

I am so grateful for your help with [specific action]. Your support was invaluable, and it made a big difference.

Warmest thanks,

Personal Thank You Messages

Personal thank you messages can strengthen relationships, express genuine appreciation, and leave a lasting positive impression. Tailoring your message to the recipient can make your gratitude feel more sincere.

For Friends and Family

Expressing thanks to friends and family should reflect your close bond. Simple, heartfelt messages can create meaningful connections. Start with specific details about what they did. For instance, “Thank you for the delicious meal last night. It meant a lot to me.”

“You always know how to brighten my day. Thank you for being there for me.”
“I’m grateful for your help moving this weekend. You’re the best friend anyone could have.”

Include specific actions they took and the impact it had on you. This personal touch can make your message more memorable.

For Significant Others

When writing to a significant other, the message should be intimate and affectionate. Highlight the personal and unique ways they support and love you. For example, “Thank you for always knowing how to make me smile when I’m down.”

“Your love and support mean everything to me. Thank you for being my rock.”
“Thank you for the surprise date night. It reminded me why I fell in love with you.”

Be specific about their actions and the feelings it evoked in you. This helps in conveying your deep appreciation and affection.

For Mentor or Teacher

Showing gratitude to a mentor or teacher should emphasize the guidance and knowledge they have provided. Recognize their efforts to help you grow. For example, “Thank you for your invaluable advice on my project. It really helped me improve.”

“Your mentorship has greatly influenced my career. Thank you for your continued support and guidance.”
“Thank you for your engaging lessons. They make difficult topics much easier to understand.”

Acknowledge the positive changes they helped bring about, making sure to mention specific examples when possible. This shows that you value their time and effort in aiding your development.

Professional Thank You Messages

Expressing gratitude in the workplace can strengthen professional relationships and build a positive work culture. The following details outline how to compose thoughtful thank you messages for colleagues, management, clients, and business partners.

For Colleagues

When thanking a colleague, it's important to acknowledge their specific contributions and the impact they have had on your work. This makes the message sincere and genuine.

Example 1 : "Your expertise and collaborative spirit on our latest project were invaluable. Thank you for your dedication."
Example 2 : "I truly appreciate your support and willingness to always lend a hand. Your teamwork has made a significant difference."

Focus on specific actions. This could include staying late to help meet a deadline, offering creative solutions, or maintaining a positive attitude during stressful times.

Be concise but detailed enough to show that their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Personal touches like these help to solidify professional bonds and mutual respect.

For Management

Thanking management should be done with respect and recognition of their leadership. Highlight how their decisions or support have positively impacted your work or the team.

Example 1 : "Your guidance and vision have been crucial to our project's success. Thank you for your continuous support and leadership."
Example 2 : "I am grateful for the opportunities you've provided. Your trust in me has been incredibly motivating."

Address their leadership qualities. Acknowledge any specific support they have provided, such as mentorship, career development opportunities, or resources that have helped you succeed.

Recognizing these elements not only shows appreciation but also reinforces the importance of their role in the organization's achievements.

For Clients or Customers

Clients and customers appreciate recognizing their loyalty and business. Thank them for their support and emphasize the positive aspects of your professional relationship.

Example 1 : "Thank you for your continued trust in our services. Your loyalty means a great deal to us."
Example 2 : "We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and look forward to many more successful collaborations."

Mention specific projects or transactions. This personalizes the message and shows that you value the relationship beyond just a business transaction.

Emphasize your commitment to meeting their needs and maintaining a high standard of service. A little gratitude can go a long way in retaining customer loyalty.

For Business Partners

Thanking business partners is about highlighting the mutual benefits and shared successes. Recognize their contribution and express your anticipation for future collaborations.

Example 1 : "Your partnership has been pivotal to our recent achievements. Thank you for your unwavering support."
Example 2 : "Working together has been a rewarding experience. I appreciate your dedication and look forward to our continued success."

Focus on mutual goals. Mention any joint projects or initiatives that have been particularly successful.

Expressing gratitude for their hard work and commitment helps to strengthen professional bonds and makes future collaborations more likely. Recognizing these achievements can reinforce a sense of teamwork and shared purpose.

Creative Thank You Messages

Creativity in thank you messages can make your gratitude more memorable. Below are a few ways to add flair and a personal touch to your thank you notes.

Using Quotes and Poetry

Quotes or poems can add a meaningful touch to your thank you messages. Try incorporating famous lines linked to gratitude or select a poem that resonates with the emotion you wish to convey.

For example, Shakespeare's line, “I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks,” adds a classic touch. Poetic lines can elevate a simple thank you into something more memorable and heartfelt.

If you’re writing for someone who loves literature, adding a quote from their favorite author can make your message even more special.

Incorporating Humor

Humor can make your thank you messages stand out and bring a smile to the recipient's face. Light-hearted jokes or puns work well for friends and family.

For instance, writing “Thanks a latte!” for someone who loves coffee or “You’re the bee’s knees!” can make your message both fun and memorable.

Humor breaks the monotony of standard thank you notes and adds a personal touch.

Make sure the humor matches the recipient’s sense of humor. An inside joke can add a personal touch and show that you made an effort to make the message special.

Handwritten vs. Digital

Deciding between a handwritten note and a digital message depends on the context and relationship. Handwritten notes are often seen as more personal and sincere. They show you took the time to write and send the message.

Use nice stationery and a good pen for handwritten notes to make them more special. A quick email or a personalized message on social media can be appropriate for casual thank yous.

Digital messages can be more convenient and faster, especially if you need to thank a large group. They also provide opportunities for adding multimedia elements like photos or videos.

Occasion-Specific Thank You Messages

Writing a thank you message tailored to specific events can make your gratitude feel more sincere and meaningful. Below are some ideas for various occasions to help express your appreciation clearly and thoughtfully.

For Birthdays and Special Events

When thanking someone for celebrating a birthday or other special event, be sure to mention the specific event and highlight the person's presence or contribution.

Example 1: "Thank you for coming to my birthday party! Your presence made the day even more special."
Example 2: "Your gift for my graduation was incredibly thoughtful. I appreciate your kindness and support."

Personalize the message with details about the event, such as a memorable activity or a special toast. Adding these specifics helps the recipient feel more connected to your gratitude.

For Weddings and Anniversaries

In messages about weddings and anniversaries, mentioning the specific event and the role the recipient played can make your message more heartfelt.

Example 1: "Thank you for being part of our wedding day. Your presence and kind words made the event memorable."
Example 2: "We truly appreciated your thoughtful gift on our anniversary. It added to the joy of our celebration."

A little personalization can go a long way. Mentioning the travel they made or how their presence enhanced the celebration adds a personal touch.

For Condolences and Support

When expressing gratitude for condolences or support, be sensitive and specific about how their actions helped during a difficult time.

Example 1: "Thank you for your condolences and support during our loss. Your kind words brought us comfort."
Example 2: "We are grateful for the meals and help you provided during our tough times. It made a big difference."

This type of message should convey sincere appreciation and mention specific actions that were particularly helpful or comforting.

For Gifts and Gestures

Thanking someone for a gift or a kind gesture should include specifics about the gift or action and its impact on you.

Example 1: "Thank you for the lovely sweater. It's perfect for the cold weather and I will wear it often."
Example 2: "Your help with my project was invaluable. I couldn't have completed it without your assistance."

Detailing the gift or gesture helps to underline your gratitude and show that you truly value what was given or done.

Tips for Personalizing Thank You Messages

Personalizing thank you messages makes the recipient feel special. One simple way to start is by using the recipient's name .

Including a specific detail about the gift or action they performed makes the note more sincere. For example, "Thank you for the beautiful vase; it matches our living room perfectly."

Express genuine emotions . Phrases like "You made my day" or "Your kindness means a lot to me" show true appreciation.

Sometimes, a little humor can go a long way. A light-hearted message such as "Your banana bread skills should be in a bakery!" can bring a smile to the reader's face.

Including a future plan or wish can add a nice touch. "I hope we can catch up over coffee soon" or "Looking forward to seeing you at the holiday party" keeps the connection going.

Utilize a short signature to close your note warmly. "Best regards," or "With gratitude," followed by your name, creates a heartfelt ending.

For close friends or family, a more relaxed tone might be suitable. For example, "Can't wait to hang out again, you rock!" works well for informal settings.

Referencing shared memories or experiences can make the message even more personal. "I'll never forget the trip we took; your generosity made it unforgettable," adds a unique touch.

Personalized notes convey genuine gratitude and deeper appreciation, making the recipient feel valued and special. These small additions can make a lasting impact.

Dos and Don'ts of Thank You Etiquette

When it comes to thank you notes, certain rules help convey true gratitude. Here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind:

Do: Be Prompt Sending a thank-you note quickly is important. Aim to send it within 24 to 48 hours after receiving a gift or attending an event. This shows appreciation and attention to detail.

Don't: Delay Too Long Avoid waiting weeks or months to send your thank-you note. A late thank you might come off as an afterthought.

Do: Be Specific Mention the gift or act you are thanking the person for. This makes your note more personal and meaningful.

For instance, "Thank you for the beautiful vase. It matches our living room perfectly!"

Don't: Be Generic Generic messages can seem insincere. Avoid phrases like "Thanks for the gift" without mentioning what the gift was.

Do: Handwrite Your Note A handwritten thank you note is more heartfelt than a typed one. It shows the recipient you took the time to write it yourself.

Don't: Rely on Email While emailing a thank you note is quicker, it’s less personal. Reserve email notes for when you know it’s the only way the recipient prefers to be contacted.

Do: Keep It Short You don’t need to write a long letter. A few sentences expressing your gratitude are sufficient.

Don't: Overthink It There’s no need for a lengthy or complicated message. Keep it simple and sincere.

Closing Thoughts on Thankfulness

Expressing thankfulness is a powerful way to show appreciation and strengthen relationships. A heartfelt thank you message can go a long way in making someone feel valued.

When crafting a thank you message, it's important to be sincere. Use specific details to show genuine gratitude. Mention the action or gift you are thankful for and how it impacted you.

Examples of Specific Messages:

Support During Tough Times: "Your unwavering support during this challenging time has meant the world to me."
Kindness Appreciation: "I am truly grateful for your kindness and support during these difficult days."

Tips for Writing Thank You Notes:

Be Personal: Always address the recipient by name.
Include Details: Mention what you are thankful for specifically.
Timeliness: Send your thank you message as soon as possible.

For instance, a thank you message to a distant relative might read: "Dear Uncle Larry, thank you for being part of our special day." This shows personal attention and appreciation for their effort.

Sincerity and clarity make thank you messages more impactful. Simple words can convey deep emotions when used thoughtfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

When crafting thank you messages, different occasions call for unique and heartfelt expressions. This section explores various creative and meaningful ways to show appreciation, whether in support messages, birthday wishes, or professional communication.

What are some creative ways to say thank you in a support message?

Creative thank you messages can make someone feel truly appreciated. For instance, "Your kindness was a light during a dark time," or "Your support was my anchor. Thank you for being there."

How can I express gratitude for birthday wishes uniquely?

Expressing gratitude for birthday wishes can be done uniquely by saying, "Your birthday wishes added magic to my day," or "Thank you for making my birthday unforgettable with your lovely wishes."

What are heartfelt thank you message ideas to send to friends?

To thank friends, try heartfelt messages like, "Your friendship brightens my life every day. Thank you!" or "I’m deeply grateful for your unwavering support and endless encouragement."

What are the best expressions of appreciation in professional messages?

Professional thank you messages should be clear and sincere. Phrases like "Your assistance was invaluable to the project's success" or "Thank you for your thoughtful input during the meeting" are effective.

How can you write a thank you message that is both meaningful and memorable?

Make your thank you message meaningful and memorable by being specific about what you're grateful for. For example, "Your advice during a challenging time made all the difference. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!"

In what ways can you communicate gratitude to friends and family in written form?

To communicate gratitude to friends and family in written form, use heartfelt notes like, "Thank you for always being my rock," or "Your love and support mean the world to me." Personal touches make these notes memorable.

Sending business Thanksgiving cards can set your company apart from others. Thanksgiving cards offer a unique way to reach out to clients before the holiday rush. This makes your message stand out. Th

Expressing gratitude is a simple yet powerful way to show appreciation. Whether it's for a friend, family member, or colleague, knowing what to say can make all the difference.Writing thoughtful appre

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Wga east announces 2024 council election results, jared bush named walt disney animation studios chief creative officer; jennifer lee returns to filmmaking with ‘frozen 3’ & ‘frozen 4’.

By Anthony D'Alessandro

Anthony D'Alessandro

Editorial Director/Box Office Editor

‘Frozen 3’ Concept Art Shown, 2027 Release Eyed; Filmmaker Jennifer Lee Teases That There’s Another Sequel – D23

Here’s Everything We Learned At D23 2024: New Film Announcements And More

Watch on deadline.

Frozen 3 is dated for November 24, 2027.

Said Bush: “I am so deeply grateful to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their faith in me, and thankful to Jennifer for her leadership and for her generous support as she embarks on the next chapters of Frozen . Disney Animation is home to some of the greatest stories and characters of the past century, and I’m so excited to work with all of our filmmakers, artists, and Disney Animation team members as we shape the future of this legendary studio together.”

Said Lee: “I am so grateful to Bob and Alan for supporting my decision to return to filmmaking full time. Every day working with them is a master class in creativity, business, community, and integrity. I’ve always believed in Jared’s incredible talent and can’t wait to see, with his passion and dedication to animation, what he brings to the CCO role. For me, getting to collaborate with this studio of artists, animators, and storytellers is such a privilege, and I look forward to all we will create together.”

Lee is the Oscar-winning screenwriter and director behind the Frozen franchise. She joined Disney in 2011 as co-writer of the Oscar-nominated Wreck-It Ralph , was involved in story building for Zootopia and served as EP on Encanto, Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon and the upcoming Moana 2 . She also oversaw Disney Animation’s first foray into animated series, including Baymax , the first-of-its-kind series Iwájú , and Zootopia+ , for which she received an Emmy Award, and she is the Tony-nominated writer of the book for the Broadway musical Frozen.

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Creative Writing 101

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Creative Writing Tips for Beginners: 10 Top Tips

How to Write Creatively

Tip 1: Read Widely

Tip 2: Experiment With Different Formats and Points of View

Tip 3: Take Inspiration From Many Sources

Tip 4: Show, Don’t Tell

Tip 5: Write With Intention

Tip 6: Learn How to Edit

Tip 7: Practice Overcoming Writer’s Block

Tip 8: Study Writing Craft

Tip 9: Invent Your Own Process

Tip 10: Don’t Aim for Perfection

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What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Types of Creative Writing

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Novels (The Long Journey)

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

Conciseness

Consistency

Is Creative Writing Easy?

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

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Writing a story is a craft that requires constant tweaks, edits and trial and error by the writer. Here are ten tips to improve your creative writing and save you hours of painful re-writing in the future.

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26+ Creative Writing Tips for Young Writers

Read a wide range of books

Write about real-life events

Be imaginative

Find your writing style

Stick to a routine

Know your audience

Daily Exercises

Work together with others

Get feedback

Enter writing competitions

Keep a notebook

Research your ideas

Create Writing Goals

Follow your passions

Don’t Settle for the first draft

Plan before writing

Pace your story

Think about themes

Use dialogue carefully

Write now, edit later

Ask yourself questions

Create a dedicated writing space

Beware of flowery words

Create believable characters

Show, don’t tell

Make the conflict impossible

Write powerful scenes