Is fiction alone creative writing?

It is usual to consider fiction as creative writing.However writing creatively is not confined to fiction (short story, short fiction, novella, novella and the like) alone.

Poetry too is part of creative writing. Good translation is also done something creatively. And some works are not mere translations but ‘trans-creations’, meaning that such works are almost on par with the original or even a shade better than the original.

Most good prose writing includes almost poetic portions of writing. Some of the autobiographies, biographies, memoirs and even essays are very often creatively written in the words used and in the mode of presentation.

In this column earlier published in the Tuesday Feature Pages of the Daily News, we made an attempt to explain the key features of descriptive and narrative writing primarily for the benefit of young students in secondary and high schools.

In fact a Grade eight student, Dilmini de Silva from Hillwood College, Kandy, wants us to explain things further. She is particularly interested to know the following:

1. Is creative writing equal to essay writing?

2. Can we use dialogues in them?

3. Should we start writing with an introduction?

4. Can we express our own ideas in a way we like?

5. What is the secret of success in creative writing?

We are sure that English and literature teachers would have explained these things to students in classes even for Grade 8 students. At the same time Creative Writing is a special aspect of learning in writing.

There are several courses conducted by creative writers. Even in a Course in Journalism, creative writing is also taught. Those interested can follow these courses and follow practical exercises in workshops.

Let’s see whether we can answer Dilmini’s queries.

No, creative writing is not equal to essay writing because they have separate structure or form. But at the same time in public exams, particularly in foreign examinations are given an option to write a narrative story or a personal account in description among other topics of essays.

Most students we have taught in schools outside Lanka opt to write creative form of writing in the Essay component. In terms of Marks both formal essay and creative writing carry the same percentage. In that sense both forms of writing are equal and yet not equal in structure.

One can use dialogue as quotation to substantiate a point in the essay. And creative writing it forms an important part to carry the story forward.

Have you read the Black American writer Richard Wright’s Black Boy which is a combo of both creative writing and an essay? Or Sir Winston Churchill’s boyhood essays, particularly one on his attending his first Latin Class? Good examples of what we are talking about.

If you are narrating something as a creative writing piece an introduction is not necessary at all. In fact such introductions spoil the writing. But an essay could have a brief introduction as a thesis point.

If your writing should sound sincere you should reflect your own ideas and express them as you wish but should be conscious of the fact that your ideas are placed in the appropriate place and subtly expressed. Not in a haphazard manner. Better still your ideas should flow in the logical manner.

The secret of success in creative writing lies in your own discovery, Dilmini. How do discover good writing? The only way to discover is to read good authors recommended by your teachers.

In Grade eight already you must have discovered the pleasure of reading and developed the taste to identify what is good and trash.

Apart from reading you must also write, write and write improving step by step your imaginative capability, conscious of the power of words, an awareness of structure and telling your ideas in an interesting way.

Good reading and writing to all our readers.

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