Creative writing is the art of expressing thoughts, emotions and stories through words, offering a rich outlet for your imagination.
A beginner's guide to: Creative writing
writing, storytelling, prose, literary expression, written creativity
In a hurry and don't have any questions?
Find a space where you feel comfortable and can write without distraction.
Decide how much time you can spend on this session.
Determine what writing exercise or prompt you are going to use.
Sharpen your pencil and get writing!
Once you are set up, head to our Practice Guides and get started.
Looking for detailed practice guides? Hang tight, they are coming soon!
What is creative writing?
Creative writing is a powerful way to tap into your imagination, express emotions and explore different perspectives. From poetry to short stories and freewriting, this practice opens up endless possibilities for self-expression. Whether you’re diving into it to relax, release stress or let your creative energy flow, you’ll find that writing offers a personal and rewarding experience.
You might feel a sense of catharsis or excitement during the process, and a deep sense of accomplishment afterward. The beauty of creative writing is that it doesn’t require any special skills – just the willingness to explore your thoughts and put them on paper.
Ready to begin your creative journey? Grab a pen or a laptop, open your mind and see where the words take you!
What creative writing looks like
Why creative writing is good for you
You may already know that creative writing is an excellent way to release stress and express emotions, but did you know it can also boost your confidence? Adding creative writing into your life might be just what you need.
Read on for more evidence-based benefits.
Emotional release
Emotional well-being
Mental clarity
Intellectual well-being
Self-awareness
Emotional well-being, Self well-being
Confidence boost
Self well-being
People who love creative writing
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Person
Stephen King
Person
Ronda Rousey
Sports
Dead Poets Society
Movie
Real people's experiences
Starting creative writing? Read this first
You're probably eager to get into creative mode, but there are a few important things to keep in mind first. If you enjoy writing, there is no reason it can’t become a staple in your life. To begin on the right foot, take a moment to read through these helpful tips.
Common styles
There's more than one way to approach creative writing. Take a look at the following styles and see which ones appeal to you.
Freewriting
Poetry
Short stories
Prompt-based writing
What you might experience
🤯
"This looked more fun when I didn’t actually have to do it."
😅
"Why do I keep getting distracted?"
😐
"This is getting a little easier."
😲
"Ok, I wrote that!"
🙂
"It’s great to see the page filled up!"
Getting started guides coming soon...
Are you ready to get writing?
We are busy working on detailed getting started guides and individual practice guides to follow.
What you need to know about creative writing
Wondering whether you should start on your own, in a class or 1:1 with a teacher? Explore the table below and discover everything you need to know to get your practice started, right now.
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Recommendation for first-timer
Availability
Average cost per session
Special equipment required
Potential for socialisation & community
Safety & skill building
Space or privacy required
Ease of scheduling
Setup time
Active practice time
Unexpected advantages
Ancestry, history, facts and other trivia
William Shakespeare is credited with inventing over 1,700 words in the English language, many of which are still used.
"You can make anything by writing.” - C.S. Lewis
The first novel is believed to be "The Tale of Genji," by Japanese noblewoman, Murasaki Shikibu, around the 11th century
"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” - Terry Pratchett
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3 facts
Popular memes
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10 memes
Academic research we rate
Experiences of creative writing as a serious leisure occupation: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Rampley, H., Reynolds, F., & Cordingley, K. (2019). Experiences of creative writing as a serious leisure occupation: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Journal of Occupational Science, 26(4), 511–523. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2019.1623066
Writing to Keep on Living: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Creative Writing Therapy for the Management of Depression and Suicidal Ideation.
Porras-Segovia, A., Escobedo-Aedo, P. J., Carrillo de Albornoz, C. M., Guerrero-Jiménez, M., Lis, L., Molina-Madueño, R., Gutiérrez-Rojas, L., & Alacreu-Crespo, A. (2024). Writing to Keep on Living: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Creative Writing Therapy for the Management of Depression and Suicidal Ideation. Current Psychiatry Reports, 26(7), 359–378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-024-01511-6
Healing the wounds of organizational injustice: examining the benefits of expressive writing.
Barclay, L. J., & Skarlicki, D. P. (2009). Healing the wounds of organizational injustice: Examining the benefits of expressive writing. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(2), 511–523. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013451
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6 research pieces
Introduction guides from around the web
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1 introductions
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