Creative WritingCreative Writing

10 Tips for Writing10 Tips for Writing

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10 Tips for Writing Poetry10 Tips for Writing Poetry1.1. Know your goalKnow your goal2.2. Avoid ClichésAvoid Clichés3.3. Avoid SentimentalityAvoid Sentimentality4.4. Use ImagesUse Images5.5. Use Metaphors and SimilesUse Metaphors and Similes6.6. Use Concrete Words, instead of Abstract Use Concrete Words, instead of Abstract

WordsWords7.7. Communicate ThemeCommunicate Theme8.8. Subvert the OrdinarySubvert the Ordinary9.9. Rhyme with CautionRhyme with Caution10.10. Revise, Revise, ReviseRevise, Revise, Revise

1. Know your Goal1. Know your Goal

If you don’t know where you’re going, how If you don’t know where you’re going, how can you get there?can you get there?

Ask yourself:Ask yourself: What do you want your writing to “do”?What do you want your writing to “do”?

• Describe a life eventDescribe a life event• Protest an injusticeProtest an injustice• Describe nature’s beautyDescribe nature’s beauty

Once you know what you want the writing Once you know what you want the writing to “do”, you can align all elements of the to “do”, you can align all elements of the piece to serve the main purpose. piece to serve the main purpose.

2. Avoid Clichés2. Avoid Clichés

Stephen Minot definesStephen Minot defines a a clichécliché as: as: "A metaphor or simile that has become so "A metaphor or simile that has become so

familiar from overuse that the vehicle … no familiar from overuse that the vehicle … no longer contributes any meaning whatever to longer contributes any meaning whatever to the tenor. It provides neither the vividness of a the tenor. It provides neither the vividness of a fresh metaphor nor the strength of a single fresh metaphor nor the strength of a single unmodified word….The word is also used to unmodified word….The word is also used to describe overused but nonmetaphorical describe overused but nonmetaphorical expressions such as 'tried and true' and 'each expressions such as 'tried and true' and 'each and every'" (and every'" (Three Genres: The Writing of Three Genres: The Writing of Poetry, Fiction and DramaPoetry, Fiction and Drama, 405). , 405).

2. Avoid Clichés (con’t)2. Avoid Clichés (con’t)

Clichés are overused metaphors, similes, and Clichés are overused metaphors, similes, and other non-metaphorical sayings.other non-metaphorical sayings.

Clichés can also be overused literary elements.Clichés can also be overused literary elements. Overused ThemesOverused Themes

• Love, Loss, Flowers, etc.Love, Loss, Flowers, etc. Overused Character TypesOverused Character Types

• Perfect hero, Young lover, etc.Perfect hero, Young lover, etc. Overused PlotsOverused Plots

• Lost love (Break-ups), Walking in Nature, etc.Lost love (Break-ups), Walking in Nature, etc.

2. Avoid Clichés (con’t)2. Avoid Clichés (con’t)

How to Improve a Cliché:How to Improve a Cliché:1.1. Determine what the original cliché is trying Determine what the original cliché is trying

to say.to say.

2.2. Think of an original way to describe what the Think of an original way to describe what the cliché is trying to describe.cliché is trying to describe.

3.3. Create a phrase using the non-cliched way Create a phrase using the non-cliched way of description.of description.

3. Avoid Sentimentality3. Avoid Sentimentality

Sentimentality is:Sentimentality is: Language "dominated by a blunt appeal to the Language "dominated by a blunt appeal to the

emotions of pity and love” (131). emotions of pity and love” (131). ““When readers have the feeling that emotions When readers have the feeling that emotions

like rage or indignation have been pushed like rage or indignation have been pushed artificially for their own sake, they will not take artificially for their own sake, they will not take the poem seriously" (132).the poem seriously" (132).

Common subjects are:Common subjects are:• PuppiesPuppies• RelativesRelatives• Young LoversYoung Lovers

4. Use Images4. Use Images

““Be a Painter in WORDS”Be a Painter in WORDS” SHOW the reader; don’t just tell themSHOW the reader; don’t just tell them Good writing should stimulate six sensesGood writing should stimulate six senses

1.1. SightSight2.2. HearingHearing3.3. SmellSmell4.4. TouchTouch5.5. TasteTaste6.6. Kinesiology (our sense of motion)Kinesiology (our sense of motion)

5. Use Metaphor and Simile5. Use Metaphor and Simile

Brings imagery and concrete images to Brings imagery and concrete images to your writingyour writing

Neither similes nor metaphors are more or Neither similes nor metaphors are more or less powerful than the other.less powerful than the other. It is important to remember that comparison, It is important to remember that comparison,

inference, and suggestion are all important inference, and suggestion are all important tools of writing; similes and metaphors will aid tools of writing; similes and metaphors will aid those areas. those areas.

6. Use Concrete Words Instead of 6. Use Concrete Words Instead of Abstract WordsAbstract Words

Concrete wordsConcrete words: things that people can : things that people can experience with their senses.experience with their senses. Examples:Examples:

• WarmWarm• DogDog• BrownBrown

Abstract wordsAbstract words: refer to concepts or feelings.: refer to concepts or feelings. Examples:Examples:

• LibertyLiberty• HappyHappy• LoveLove

6. Use Concrete Words Instead of 6. Use Concrete Words Instead of Abstract Words (Con’t)Abstract Words (Con’t)

How to change abstract words into How to change abstract words into concrete words and images.concrete words and images. One way is to think of an object or a scene One way is to think of an object or a scene

that evokes the abstract word.that evokes the abstract word.• Example: She felt happy.Example: She felt happy.• Improvement: Improvement:

Her smile spread like red tint on ripening tomatoes.Her smile spread like red tint on ripening tomatoes.

7. Communicate Theme7. Communicate Theme Good writing ALWAYS has a theme.Good writing ALWAYS has a theme.

Theme is not just a topic.Theme is not just a topic. Theme= Idea (Topic) + OpinionTheme= Idea (Topic) + Opinion Examples:Examples:

Topic: The Vietnam WarTopic: The Vietnam War Theme: History shows that despite our claims Theme: History shows that despite our claims

to be peace-loving, unfortunately each person to be peace-loving, unfortunately each person secretly dreams of gaining glory through secretly dreams of gaining glory through conflict. conflict.

8. Subvert the Ordinary8. Subvert the Ordinary

A writer’s strength is the ability to see what A writer’s strength is the ability to see what other people see everyday in a new way.other people see everyday in a new way. You don’t have to create original subjects.You don’t have to create original subjects. Rather a good creative writer takes an Rather a good creative writer takes an

ordinary object, place, person, or idea; and ordinary object, place, person, or idea; and comes up with a new perception of it.comes up with a new perception of it.

8. Subvert the Ordinary (Con’t)8. Subvert the Ordinary (Con’t)

Example: People ride the bus everyday.Example: People ride the bus everyday. Writer’s Interpretation: A writer looks at the Writer’s Interpretation: A writer looks at the

people on the bus and imagines scenes from people on the bus and imagines scenes from their lives. their lives. • A creative writer sees a 60 year old woman and A creative writer sees a 60 year old woman and

imagines a grandmother who runs marathons. imagines a grandmother who runs marathons. • A creative writer sees a 2 year old boy and A creative writer sees a 2 year old boy and

imagines him painting with ruby nail polish on the imagines him painting with ruby nail polish on the walls of his home, and his mother trying not to walls of his home, and his mother trying not to respond in anger.respond in anger.

9. Rhyme with Extreme Caution 9. Rhyme with Extreme Caution and Purposeand Purpose

Rhyme and meter can be dangerous if Rhyme and meter can be dangerous if used the wrong way in poetry.used the wrong way in poetry. Remember any sing-song nursery rhymes?Remember any sing-song nursery rhymes?

• ““The Ants Go Marching”The Ants Go Marching”• ““Humpty Dumpty”Humpty Dumpty”

If you choose a rhyme scheme that makes If you choose a rhyme scheme that makes your poem or other creative writing sound your poem or other creative writing sound sing-song, it will detract from the quality of sing-song, it will detract from the quality of your work. your work.

10. Revise, Revise, Revise10. Revise, Revise, Revise

Put your writing away for a few days, and then Put your writing away for a few days, and then come back to it. come back to it.

When you re-read it, ask yourself:When you re-read it, ask yourself: Does anything seem confusing? Hard to follow? Does anything seem confusing? Hard to follow? Do you see anything that needs improvement that you Do you see anything that needs improvement that you

overlooked the first time? overlooked the first time?

Often, when you are in the act of writing, you Often, when you are in the act of writing, you may leave out important details because you are may leave out important details because you are so familiar with the topic. so familiar with the topic. Re-reading your work helps you to see it from the Re-reading your work helps you to see it from the

"outsider's perspective" of a reader. "outsider's perspective" of a reader.

10. Revise, Revise, Revise (Con’t)10. Revise, Revise, Revise (Con’t)

Show your writing to others and ask for Show your writing to others and ask for criticism. criticism. Don't be content with a response like, "That's Don't be content with a response like, "That's

a nice story." a nice story." • You won't learn anything from that kind of You won't learn anything from that kind of

response. response. • Instead, find people who will tell you specific things Instead, find people who will tell you specific things

you need to improve in your writing. you need to improve in your writing.