When you are new to creative writing but want to learn as much as possible about it you will see that most websites offer information for writers with some background, or at least a very good general idea about what writing is and how they should go about it.  But since many of our readers are newbies in the world of writing, and because our aim is to support and encourage everyone whose passion is to express themselves through written word, we decided to start a new section on the Colors of My Soul — the Write-O-Pedia, or Creative Writing 101.

Please, share your views, ideas, and comments with us. Also, feel free to submit a topic which you want to be covered in this section.

Creative writing implies expressing emotions, narrations, and imaginations in contrast to just writing the facts. The style of creative writing involves focus on telling stories and conveying thoughts. It’s all derived from what you see, think, feel, and experience. Creative writing can be fiction or non-fiction. The figurative speech is most important thing required in both fiction and non-fiction form of creative writing.

Types of Creative Writing

Involvement of thoughts and emotions in creative writing can take many types. Some of these are listed below:

• Poetry: The very simple form of creative writing is poetry. It is the form through which you can express your feelings with word sounds. For a poem, it is not at that important to be rhythmic at every line. Instead they are playing the role of conveying meaning as well as sound. A simple poem can express various emotions.
• Short stories: They are the very common form of fiction work and creative writing. Generally short story are around 7,000 words and follow a basic structure of introduction, arising to actions, climax, falling to action, and ending.
• Novels: These are longer than short stories and are of more than 70,000 words. Fiction characters are well figurative in novels. They contain the same basic structure as short stories but with more drama and characters.
• Autobiography: This non-fiction work of creative writing includes writing about own life.
• Screenwriting: This involves fiction work of writing in movies and plays.

Characteristics of Creative Writing

For successful creative writer it is very important to include all the characteristics in his writing. Some of these characteristics are described below.

• Focus and Clear writing: Your writing should be clear and crisp to engage your reader. You should have focussed ideas while writing. Your reader must not read back again and again to get clear view of the drama.
• Organized: Your writing should be well organized. You should have a clear flowchart in your mind how your story will flow.
• Sounds: You must have clear words and sounds in your creative writing so that people can imagine the environment in your drama.
• Emotional: Your story should be well crafted with all emotions and thoughts. You should add emotions in your drama wherever needed.

Before starting your work you should have clear idea about your drama. Any type of creative writing is a well written combination of emotional thoughts, inspirational values, and ideas.

Here are a few AMAZING books on the topic which you will find really helpful.

1.  Wannabe a Writer? (Secrets to Success) by Jane Wenham-Jones

2. On Writing by Stephen King

3. How to Write Fiction (and Think about It) by Robert Graham