What's Creative Writing


by Marjorie J McDonald


Traditionally all writing has been split into 2 clean cut categories non-creative writing and creative writing. Non-creative writing sometimes deals with hard, cold facts. Its purpose is to tell readers and reinforce their awareness of a particular occuring, situation, product, or idea. As an example, a book on history, a news write-up on a event, and a technical article on the newest software are all examples of non-creative writing.

In contrast, creative writing is provoked writing or writing that comes from inside. It might or might not be primarily based on facts. Even if primarily based on facts, the goal of creative writing is to reveal these facts in a new light, as perceived by the author. A creative writer reflects on the people and things surrounding them, meditates on concepts like love and fidelity, and then puts their thoughts and feelings on paper. Books, poems, and short stories are all examples of creative writing.

To comprehend the difference between non-creative and creative writing more obviously, let us think about a road accident. An easy report of what occurred in the road accident-who was wounded, who was driving, etc-is a real instance of non-creative writing. Nevertheless if the same accident is woven into a tale about the wounded man, maybe portraying him as a victim of fate rather than the motor driver, the resulting work would be called creative writing.

As you've possibly guessed, both these fashions of writing need different skill sets. While a non-creative writer must focus on writing with an analytical and systematic approach, a successful creative writer must be imaginative, philosophical, and to a certain amount, visionary.

The good news is that the traditional dividing line between non-creative and creative writing is blurred. It's not uncommon to discover a non-creative work written in a highly creative way so that the work not only informs but also inspires the reader.




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