English Mini Lesson - Creative Writing

Creative Writing

Apr 21, 2025

Creative Writing

You can listen to today’s Mini Lesson on the A Curious Compass Podcast, or watch here on Substack or on YouTube.

Table of Contents:

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Welcome to our Mini Lesson

Have you ever wondered why the words "Creative Writing" are capitalized? Well, that’s because Creative Writing is not just any writing—it’s a distinct field of study, a branch of English Studies that teaches and fosters the art of writing creatively. But what makes creative writing different from other types of writing? That’s exactly what we’re going to explore today!

What is Creative Writing?

Is all writing creative? Not quite. Think about the last academic essay you wrote or that research paper formatted in MLA or AP style. While those forms of writing have structure and purpose, they’re not necessarily creative. Creative Writing, on the other hand, allows for imagination, storytelling, and personal expression. It includes poetry, fiction, screenplays, and more.

Can Creative Writing Be Taught?

This is a question that has sparked many debates. Can someone be taught to be creative? The answer is both yes and no. While a teacher can guide someone through the process, the writer must bring the story to life. Creative Writing is shaped by experiences, emotions, and, most importantly, life itself.

The Writing Process

Before we dive into what makes writing creative, let’s talk about the fundamental process of writing. There are four key steps:

Prewriting – This is where everything begins. Prewriting includes brainstorming, researching, outlining, and gathering ideas. It’s the stage where the seeds of a great story are planted.
Drafting – This is where the ideas start to take form. Writers put their thoughts into words, crafting sentences and paragraphs without worrying too much about perfection.
Revising – At this stage, writers refine their work, focusing on clarity, coherence, and organization. They ensure that ideas are well-developed and that the story flows logically.
Editing – The final step! This is where grammar, punctuation, and spelling are polished. It’s about making sure the writing is crisp and free of errors before it reaches its audience.

What Makes Writing Creative?

Now, let’s take that structured writing process and infuse it with creativity. What elements make writing truly creative? Two of the most important aspects are Character Development and Plot Development.

Character Development

Characters are the heart of any great story. To create compelling characters, follow these five steps:

Identify Your Characters & Their Roles – Who are they? What purpose do they serve in the story?
Get Inside Your Character’s Head – Understand their thoughts, fears, and motivations.
Research, Research, Research – If your character is a doctor, learn about medicine. If they live in a different era, research that time period.
Write Strong Dialogue – Dialogue should reveal personality and advance the story.
Show, Don’t Tell – Use descriptive language and figurative speech to bring characters to life.

Plot Development

A strong plot keeps readers engaged. Here are ten steps to crafting a compelling story:

Study Effective Plots – Analyze books or films to see what works.
Develop an Intriguing Premise – Start with a “what if?” question.
Create a Timeline – Understand the sequence of events.
Develop Your Characters in Intriguing Ways – Let their experiences shape them.
Make Each of the ‘5 W’s’ Change – Who, what, why, where, and when should evolve.
Outline Scenes to Create a Storyboard – This keeps the structure organized.
Incorporate Subplots – These add depth to the story.
Balance Character-Driven and Action-Driven Elements – Both should propel the story forward.
Ask Important Questions – Why do the characters change? What have they learned?
Get Feedback – Share your work with others for perspective.

Bringing It All Together

Now, here’s the magic: When the structured writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing) merges with creative elements (character and plot development), that’s when storytelling is born!

So, if you have a story inside you, nurture it. Use these tools, trust the process, and, most importantly, write! Your words have the power to inspire, entertain, and change the world.