Creative writing is a term used to distinguish certain imaginative or different types of writing from generic writing. The lack of specificity of the term is partly intentional, designed to make the process of writing accessible to everyone (of all ages) and to ensure that non-traditional, or traditionally low-status writing (for example, writing by marginalized social groups, experimental writing, genre fiction) is not excluded from academic consideration or dismissed as trivial or insignificant. This distinction is helpful in separating the writing from more technical writing, professional writing or journalistic writing.

Thus, creative writing includes but is not limited to:

• fiction;
• drama for stage or screen;
• poetry;
• screenwriting — writing for films;
• self-exploratory writing (e.g. autobiography);
• writing that self-consciously mixes these or other genres.

Taught courses in creative writing are increasingly popular, ranging from one-day workshops to three- or four-year university degrees. The university program has become a common and popular addition to the English field of study alongside such emphases as English education, technical writing, communication and professional writing. While some people still argue that true talent for writing cannot be taught, it is now generally accepted that it is possible to teach techniques which help people access or exploit their creativity, from overcoming writer's block and generating random ideas, to understanding how standard genres of writing achieve their effects and structuring their work. The field has also made a way to teach young minds about the processes of editing and publishing such work. In fact, noted authors such as Michael Chabon, Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan are graduates of university creative writing programs.

From the above attempt at definition, it is also clear that "creative writing" implies the possibility of "creative reading". A literary artifact whose author did not consider it creative may be read, ingenuously or disingenuously, as if it was written in a creative context. The reverse process can also be applied – often a kind of criticism analogous to "my five-year-old could have done that" – so creative writing, its definition and the ways that it is (or even the fact that it is) taught continue to be controversial issues in literary circles.

See also

• Authorship
• Book report
• Creativity
• Expository writing
• Fiction writing
• Literature
• Show, don't tell
• Writer's block
• Writing
• writing circles
• writing style
• New Worlds Project — Community-based creative writing project

External links

• Arcane Artistry : A Creative Writing Community designed to help writers around the world. Feedback exchange, contests, high quality role-playing, daily writing, writing challenges, etc. are all apart of this site. The ideal community for writers who wants to make friends as well as learn something new.
• Writers Radio Station Featuring Interviews With Famous Authors
• International Writers Circle Exchanging Ideas, Techniques, and Creative Writing Tips.
• Author Resources
• National Novel Writing Month
• NY Writers Coalition: A nonprofit organization in NYC offering free creative writing workshops for formerly voiceless members of society.
• The Untitled Forum - Critical fiction and non-fiction discussions for writers
• Writing.Com: Online Creative Writing: A site for exchanging feedback on Creative Writing.
• Screenwriter's Toolkit: A number of creative writing exercises for screenwriters.
• The Writers' Circle : A free creative writing community
• Creative Writing : A creative writing lecture and forum
• MyWritingGroup.Com: Online writing group run by writers. Get private feedback, discuss the writing life.
• ''TheNextBigWriter: An online community for creative writers. Get feedback and start building fan-base.
• Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy: An online guide to creating sf and fantasy, especially for young adult and beginning aspiring authors
• The University of Massachusetts MFA Program for Poets & Writers: A graduate writing program located in New England.
• The University of Houston Creative Writing Program: A Texas MFA program for fiction writers and poets.
• SoulfulSynergy.Com: Online Creative Writing Magazine: A site for reading and sharing creative writing.

Literature | Writing

Creative writing | Kreatives Schreiben