How To Develop and Nurture the Creative Side of Your Writing

If you have the ability to imagine something useful or interesting or generate ideas, then you are creative. Putting all these ideas down on paper is creative writing. 

Creative writing is any form of writing that focuses less on journalistic, academic, technical, or professional forms of literature, but more on expressing ideas, thoughts, and emotions in an imaginative way. It is the bedrock of the world of entertainment and the media.

Unfortunately, most creative thinkers don’t become writers. They either feel they’re too busy, don’t have the opportunity, or have some other factor in their lives that hinders them from writing.

In this post, I’ll show you what to look out for—the obstacles that can get in the way of developing and nurturing your creative writing. 

Hindrances for Creative Writers and How to Overcome Them

Sometimes, creatives find the world of writing too intimidating to embrace, just like a child whose toy has fallen into the river. There in the river lies his toy, something he wants to hold, but is too afraid to retrieve. 

Many aspiring creative writers share this fear. Success is there, right within reach, but they are too afraid to take the plunge. 

Writers always seem to have some sort of hindrance to their writing that stops them from becoming established. Here are some of those reasons, and how you can overcome them.

I Have an Idea but Don’t Think Anyone Would Be Interested

How do you know whether or not your idea is interesting if you haven’t told anyone about it? 

Write it down and allow readers to comment on your writing. Your first readers can even be your closest friends or family members, those whom you trust to tell you the truth. 

When you have written something, pass it on to your test audience and ask them to criticize or commend your work. This way, you will know what to expect from readers outside this limited group. 

In no time, you will notice a remarkable improvement in your writing because you have tapped both your inner and outer resources.

Developing the habit of rewriting based on your feedback makes you a better writer. When you have written a piece, take a break for a day or two before rewriting it. This way, you will be able to generate more ideas and fine-tune what you have written.

Once you’re finished rewriting, consider letting someone more experienced in writing proofread, and edit your work before moving forward with publishing.

I Don’t Know What to Write About

Don’t just sit and wait for inspiration to come. Start writing and keep writing. 

According to E. B. White, author of Charlotte’s Web, “A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word to paper.”

When you run out of ideas, write about not knowing what to write, and continue until ideas start to flow.

Writing on topics you are passionate about helps, too. If you choose topics that pique your interest, you will write better and communicate your ideas more efficiently to your readers.

Warning: Do not allow yourself to become distracted, by daydreams or things happening in the environment. These will make you lose focus on your writing topic and affect the flow of ideas.

Many top writers write at least 2000 words in one sitting and strive for more.

Stephen King, one of today’s most obsessive daily writers, has said, “You can’t be a writer of hundreds of novels unless you write every single day.”

If 2000 words are too intimidating, start with 1000 instead. Practice makes perfect, so don’t give up, and get writing.

I Don’t Have Any Formal Education in Writing

Writers are natural creators of thoughts and ideas, and many great writers never had any formal education in writing. 

Indeed, some writers who receive education before they start writing end up operating in a scope limited by formal methodology. It becomes difficult for them to free their thoughts, thereby limiting their imagination.

Camille Paglia has said, “Imagination cannot and must not be policed.”

Creative writing is a result of imagination, not what is handed over by another source, which might be regulated or limited. 

Ray Bradbury wrote his first stories on butcher paper at the age of 11. He couldn’t afford to go to college, but he believed in the library. So he put his faith in books and became the author that we know today. 

If these writers can be successful without a formal education, so can you!

My Thoughts and Ideas Are Different From What Others Are Writing

Well, that’s good! It separates you from the rest and makes you the kind of writer you are. 

Remember, it’s all about creativity and expressing your thoughts and ideas through imagination.You don’t have to write or sound like everybody else. 

Don’t be afraid to write down your own ideas. Your writing is the voice with which you speak to the world and you can know how good or bad it is after it’s been written. 

If you write it well, whatever you have to say will be appreciated by someone.

Creative Writing Is an Art

It is a good thing to have natural creative ability but another thing to develop your ability. Developing your creative writing ability doesn’t just happen; it is something that requires work and commitment. The above-mentioned points will help you develop your skills.

Creative writing is an art, and you already have everything you need to do it. So what are you waiting for? This is the right time to start writing! 

Pour out all those great ideas, views, and thoughts, through pen and paper or keyboard and screen, and share them with the world.