Creative Writing as Escapism
Nothing makes me happier than spending a rainy afternoon curled up on the sofa with a notebook and pen, sipping a cup of tea and imagining a magical new world. The late Sir Terry Pratchett once said: “Writing is the most fun you can have by yourself.” - Sarah Orme
Are you a creative writer? Have you ever wanted to write your own stories or even a book?
Many people want to write but feel stuck and don't know how to start. It can be intimating to think about writing for other people to read! But why not just write for yourself? In her article "Why creative writing can help you to escape into other worlds" Sarah Orme speaks to those who are nervous to write because of what others will think of their work.
But the thing is, it doesn’t matter – when you write, you just need to write for yourself. Don’t panic and think how others would judge the character you’ve created, or your sentence structure –if you write with only yourself in mind, you’ll enjoy the process a lot more, and you’ll likely find that you can be more creative.
Think of it as escapism. Writing can be similar to other hobbies or passions such as painting or photography. It can be rewarding and fun to spend time doing something creative just for yourself. Sometimes it can help to take a writing class or sign up for a group writing session. Then, only if and when you feel ready, you can share your work with a trusted friend or peer. You never know, they might even love your writing!
What are you waiting for?
Here are some great writing resources for you to refer to:
Gotham Writers
Gotham Writers based out of NYC has lots of wonderful classes in person and online. They teach the craft of writing in a way that is clear, practical, and inspiring. Explore their wide variety of courses for adults and teens, as well as our One-on-One options. They even have weekly "Write-Ins" where you can receive a prompt and then write as a group for 2 hours without any pressure or critique.
Nanowrimo
If you want to dive straight in, then National Novel Writing Month – AKA Nanowrimo – is for you. Each year, thousands of people take up the challenge and attempt to write a novel of 50,000 words in November. The rules are that you can plan your book in advance, but you’re not allowed to write a word until 1 November (so no cheating!).
Bath Flash Fiction
Not ready to write a whole novel? Start small with some flash fiction. Entries to this international competition are limited to just 300 words, so you’ll be able to hone your writing skills with some short story writing.
Further reading
Here are a few great books to help kick-start your writing obsession: On Writing by Stephen King – a masterclass in storytelling from this prolific author; 642 Things to Write About by San Francisco Writers – packed with prompts to fire up your imagination; and The Creative Writing Handbook by John Singleton and Mary Luckhurst – a comprehensive guide to style and approach.
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