creative writing materials

What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.

I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.

Table of Contents

Let’s expand on that definition a bit.

Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.

It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.

In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.

It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.

Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.

It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.

Some of the most common types:

• Short stories
• Screenplays
• Flash fiction
• Creative Nonfiction

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Short stories are like narrative treasures.

They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.

Short stories are known for their brevity.

They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.

Novels (The Long Journey)

Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.

They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.

The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.

Readers get an immersive experience.

Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.

It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.

Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.

The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.

Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.

This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.

Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.

Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.

They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.

Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.

They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.

Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.

They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.

Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.

It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.

This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.

Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.

This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.

Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.

Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.

It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.

Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.

It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.

Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.

Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.

Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.

They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.

They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.

Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.

It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.

In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.

Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.

It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.

It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.

Creativity is the heart of creative writing.

It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.

Consistency

Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.

It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.

Is Creative Writing Easy?

Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.

Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.

Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.

Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.

The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.

Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.

Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.

They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.

Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.

They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.

Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.

The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.

Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:

• Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
• Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
• Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
• Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
• Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
• Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
• Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
• Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
• Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
• Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
• Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
• Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
• Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
• These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.

Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):

Read This Next:

• What Is a Prompt in Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 200 Examples)
• What Is A Personal Account In Writing? (47 Examples)
• How To Write A Fantasy Short Story (Ultimate Guide + Examples)
• How To Write A Fantasy Romance Novel [21 Tips + Examples)

The Creative Writer’s Toolkit: 7 Tools You Can’t Write Without

by Matt Herron and Joe Bunting | 41 comments

So you want to write fiction or memoir. Where do you begin? And what creative writing tools do you need to accomplish your writing goals?

I’m afraid there’s no right answer to get started as a writer. Each writer comes to fiction in their own way. Whatever it is that draws you to a good story—a gut wrenching plot twist, a heroic protagonist, a likeable villain, a happy ending—is great because it helps keep your passion for storytelling alive.

But when it comes to the actual writing, the composition and craft, all the supposed experts in the field disagree on the right approach.

What a beginner needs is a good schooling in the basics, the foundations of creative writing.

In this series, I’ll go over the common tools experienced writers use to write great books so that you can get moving in the right direction.

7 Creative Writing Tools Every Writer Needs

But before we get to the basic tools you need, we have to know what tools are at a writer’s disposal. For a beginner, this is as good a place to start as any.

1. Books!

If you want to write books, you’ve got to read books . A whole freaking lot of it.

Start by reading any and every short story and novel you can get your hands on. Don’t worry about taking notes or thinking too much into the stories. Just read. Chances are, you’ve already done a lot of it. All writers come to writing through reading first.

Spend as much time as you can spare browsing new book stores, used book stores, and ebook stores. Free ebooks are a great resource that cost very little and they’re all over the place. There are a lot of great free titles out there, especially some of the classics that are in the public domain. Check out Project Gutenberg  if your budget is tight.

Not sure what to read? Here's a list of ten books every writer should read based on genre .

2. Notebooks (or a Notetaking App)

Carry notebooks with you as often as you can. I like the solid dependability of a large Moleskine Classic , but buy whatever kind of notebook pleases you the most. This is your happy place.

And if you're not a notebook person, consider downloading a notetaking app to your phone or mobile device. You can use Evernote or Notion, but personally I just use the native Notes app on my iPhone. Wouldn't it be better to be writing, even if you're just doing it on your phone, rather than playing a phone game or scrolling through social media?

Immediately make a habit out of journaling. Write every day, even if it’s just about the weather or what you had for breakfast.

This is a judgment free zone, so don’t worry if what you write sucks or doesn’t make sense. Just fill the pages, and when you get to the end of that notebook buy another one, and then another, and then another.

When it becomes harder not to write than it is to write, you’ve accomplished your goal. You’ve made writing into a habit.

3. Software

Journaling is all well and good, but it’s not very productive.

Once you start writing stories you’ll want to use a word processor. We’re beyond typewriters, so I don’t mean those. I mean word processing software .

With the rise in ebooks, doing things digitally first makes a lot of sense and saves you extra work anyways. Don’t commit yourself to the pain of writing longhand in the 21st century. Though writing longhand has its own therapeutic benefits, typing on a keyboard is much faster.

We have lots of book writing software we love at The Write Practice, but here are my top three:

• Best Word Processor for Writers: Scrivener.  Scrivener changed my life as a writer. It’s easy to use, easy to keep organized, infinitely flexible, and for those long-term thinkers, you can compile straight to any format, including ebook formats that are ready to publish on Kindle and various other ebook platforms. It has character and setting sketch templates (we’ll go into more detail about character and setting sketches in the next two articles), it autosaves your work, and it rarely ever crashes (unlike the options above). I could go on for days about Scrivener. Instead, I recommend you check out The Write Practice's review of it here .
• Best Editing Tool: Google Docs . Google Docs allows you to quickly share your writing with editors and other writers. I do almost all of my writing and initial rewriters in Scrivener. But when it comes time to share my drafts for feedback, I move over to Google Docs because the real-time editing and suggesting features makes the process so much easier. Check out Google Docs here.
• Favorite Publishing and Book Formatting Tool: Vellum , but it's Mac only (close second: Atticus ). Vellum allows you to take what you've written and create beautiful books quickly and easily. I personally have used it to design several of my books and client books, and I know so many other writers who use it to publish their books too. Check out Vellum here. There's just one problem: it's Mac only! So for the PC users, and if you want to experiment with the new kid in town, there's Atticus, which is a cloud based book formatting tool that has some upcoming features that might just make it better even than Vellum. Check out Atticus here.
• BONUS Best Book Promotion Tool: Bookfunnel. Once your book is published, Bookfunnel allows you to create instant landing pages to deliver your book to readers. They also have a native reading app that allows people to read your book once they have it, saving them from painfully migrating it to their Kindle or other reading app. Bookfunnel is useful for delivering your book to beta readers or your launch team, offering a free book or short story for email subscribers, doing book promotions with other authors, or even selling your book. I've gotten thousands of new readers through Bookfunnel and it's a great tool! Learn more about Bookfunnel here. 

My advice here is the same as with Notebooks, above: use whatever makes you happy. You’ll be spending a lot of time here.

4. An Author Website and Email List

If you're ever going to  publish  your writing one day, you need to have an author website, a place where readers can find your work and sign up for your email list so they can be the first to hear when you publish new books.

Now, I know the idea of setting up a website can feel scary, but we've made it easy for you with this guide,  10 Steps to Building an Author Website . It will walk you through everything you need to do to build a great author website.

Don't forget your email list. It's honestly  more  important than the website alone, because it's the  best  way to stay in touch with your readers and share your work with them. Our favorite email newsletter tool is Convertkit. You can check out Convertkit here.

5. Grammar and Style Guides

Every writer needs a firm schooling in grammar do’s and don’ts as early as possible.

English grammar can take a lifetime to master, which is why there are these handy style guides you can keep around and reference while you’re doing your work.

These guides, plus a dictionary and a thesaurus (I like dictionary.com for those), are a must have for every writer’s toolbox.

I've written in detail about these three essential style guides for writers . But for easy linking, here they are again:

• The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
• The Star Copy Style by The Kansas City Star
• Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark

On top of learning about grammar and style from these books, you can use grammar checking tools like Grammarly and ProWritingAid to make the editing process easier. Personally, we prefer ProWritingAid at The Write Practice. You can check it out here (and get a discount with the code WritePractice20 ).

Need more grammar help?  My favorite tool that helps find grammar problems and even generates reports to help improve my writing is ProWritingAid . Works with Word, Scrivener, Google Docs, and web browsers. Also, be sure to use my coupon code to get 20 percent off:  WritePractice20

6. Study of Craft

Now that you’ve studied grammar, read the kind of fiction you want to write, kept a journal, and found the right software, you should take a step back and study the craft of writing fiction by reading some nonfiction books on the subject.

I’ve read dozens, but these are the ones that have taught me the most:

The best memoir on the subject.

An absolutely indispensable guide to writing. Talk about nuts and bolts, this book has it.

Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell

James Scott Bell is a bestselling author and renowned teacher of writers. This book also introduced me to the LOCK method, which is a really handy tool.

I included this one because, while it’s extremely biased towards indie publishing, it provides an excellent overview of the modern publishing landscape for both fiction and nonfiction.

7. Writing Groups

Writing groups are my favorite tool of all. They’re a great way to meet other writers and put your skills to the test. Being a part of a writing group and workshopping your stories is, in my opinion, the absolute fastest and most surefire way to learn how to write fiction. Hundreds of MFA programs across the country agree.

Writing groups provide:

• Moral support . Other writers understand when you complain that writing is hard.
• Like-minded people . Share your hopes and dreams with like-minded people.
• Feedback . The invaluable critique that comes with workshopping manuscripts. They will give you honest feedback even when you don’t want to hear it.
• Healthy competition . Seeing other people produce work is the best motivation for a writer who is not writing.

I love writing groups and believe that every writer should have one in the early stages. Check Meetup.com  or your local bookstore for one you can join, or join ours.

For years, we've been helping writers connect and get feedback on their work in our community, and we'd love to have you. Learn more about joining our writing group here.

However, one warning: if the writing group you find turns out to be a back-patting session, bail immediately. You’ll never learn anything if no one has the courage the tell you the truth, especially when it hurts.

How about you? What creative writing tools do you find are essential for your writing?  Share in the comments section .

(Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. Thanks!)

Now that you know what’s in the beginner’s toolbox, what do you do to practice? Here are five options.

• Read a novel or short story
• Write in your notebook
• Read a book on craft
• Study a style guide
• Find and attend a writing group

When you’re finished, share in the Pro Practice Workshop here .  Not a member yet? Join us here !

Matt Herron

Matt Herron is the author of Scrivener Superpowers: How to Use Cutting-Edge Software to Energize Your Creative Writing Practice . He has a degree in English Literature, a dog named Elsa, and an adrenaline addiction sated by rock climbing and travel. The best way to get in touch with him is on Twitter @mgherron .

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

41 Comments

1,2, and 3. I do these three anyway, but this is a nice reminder to flap open a book and grab a pen. Thanks for the information.

I have a few of these tools in my kit. Journaling is the main one. I have so many of them that my house might collapse at any minute. For years, I have been in a critique group. We meet weekly. Two of the four of us has published a book or four. One of us got an MFW in the Bennington program. All of us have are members of the Squaw Valley Summer Writing Program. This helps.

I like reading as a tool. I like to read “everything”. Well, not everything — just everything. Of course, there are favorites. (Never begin a sentence with “Of course”. Never use fragments. Break the rules once in awhile).

Grammar is my “Bète noir”. I’ve tried for years to get it write, have looked at small but concise books on grammar. Nothing works. I’m bad at it. I’m good at spelling, or, once was. Our spell checker is a fluke.

Write. Write. Write. And, read.

ps Oh, and I keep notebooks to paste in stuff that pleases the eye.

My essential writing tools are:

1) Word. 2) Spotify 3) Critique Circle 4) The Write Practice 5) The Emotional Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi 6) Ink by R.S. Guthrie

7) Robert’s Rules of Writing by Robert Masello

and most important of all, my Muse, my best friend, and my Ideal Reader: Jennifer.

Five and seven on your list sound interesting. I will have to investigate those!

Ink is another in that vein. Have you read it, yet?

No I haven’t! I will look unit that one too!

Hope you enjoy it, too. If you become fans, tell Angela & Becca, R.w.Foster sent ya, and tell R.S. that Wayne did. 😀

I haven’t heard of 5, 6, or 7—thanks for sharing!

You’re welcome. Hope you get use out of them. 🙂

I looked up Critique Circle and joined. It’s just what I need. Thanks!

You’re welcome. If you get confused, look up Whiplash & Momzilla (they are moderators), or want to know who gives good critiques, looks up Emmylou515, Jenb, Missvato & Tami-verse. They’re good people.

R.w., thank you again, You probably saved me weeks or months of trial and error. Your inside scoop is greatly appreciated.

You’re welcome again. Oh, and keep an eye out for Kholoblici. He’s a shady character, always trying to virtually cook the newbies. 😉

I hope you like it, and welcome. 😀

I have started number five! Any writing club is great! Especially in October when you can do creepy and scary and it fits the season! Horror is a great topic.

I’m one of those people that always has 1-3 books going at any one time. Currently I’m reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon, and My Temporary Life by Martin Crosbie. I regularly write in my journal and work on plot elements for some short stories. My novel needs a major overhaul, and I think I’ll better able to accomplish that when I’ve spent time studying the style and craft of writing. The Write Practice is the only writing group I participate in, and it has been very helpful. I do have a call in to a local writers’ group, to see what they’re all about.

Go check out that writer’s group! And if that doesn’t work out, look on meetup for others nearby 🙂

I love On Writing, so I’m going to give Writing Fiction a go. Thanks for the list of implements for our toolboxes!

Writing Fiction taught me a ton, and it has a bunch of great writing prompts and exercises, plus sample stories. Enjoy that 🙂

I definitely need to start journaling, I’m going to get started today !

Excellent info, Matt. I live in Amarillo, TX and love me some Austin. Hook ’em, Horns!

I’ve completed four novels over the years and lost my literary agent last fall before we got a chance to sell my book. I’m debating whether to continue the traditional route, or go indie.

The life-changing all of everything you listed is my weekly writing group. Writing is such a lonely, solitary process, Wednesday evenings are most favorite. I get together with four other, amazing writers who teach me so much, support me all the way and help me be a better writer.

Just requested Writing Fiction from the library, and I will go find my “morning pages” journal. It’s been rather neglected this week… Thanks for the inspiration!

I’m a content marketer and personally I’m using this writing platform named Wording Lab. I like how the layout is kept simple, without any flashy-distracting advertisements.

They have this tool called the Tone Analyzer, which helps to analyze if your writing sounds too positive or negative. True enough, I copied and pasted a couple of news article to test out the function, and all of them were found to be neutral! (which is what news articles are supposed to be i believed!)​

Anyway, if you guys are interested, the website is:

http://www.wordinglab.com

Great tool. Thanks for the link.

For the ones who are struggling to write, I recommend this Mac app and website http://www.placetowrite.com It’s called “Haven – Creative Writing Tool” and it helps writers overcome writer’s block and stimulate creativity.

Great recommendations Matt! If you’re writing shorter articles or papers, i would recommend steller.com to add some visual aspects and publish where your audience will read it.

I would like to suggest http://www.truenovelist.com . It is similar to Scrivener in that it allows you to organize your scenes, chapters, and notes and rearrange them at will, but it is online only so you can access it anytime and anywhere.

It is also free, so I think it would be a great addition to the toolbox of any writer!

Has anyone any experience with a technical documentation program called Flare by MadCap Software? It is an alternative to FrameMaker and quite powerful, but hard to learn. Useful, I think, for heavy non-fiction.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful article! Four years ago I also left my job as a marketing manager in Sydney to do something I’d always dreamed of: writing and editing romance novels full time. Anyways, here are also my 8 best tips and tricks for those wanting to follow a similar path http://catehogan.com/tools_for_writers/

This list definitely needs some updating! Reedsy’s Book Editor is an essential element to add to any author’s toolkit — write, format, and produce your book into various ebook formats, all from one beautiful, easy to use interface. Best of all, it’s free! They even promise to add more functionalities like collaboration and track-changes in the future. If you’re serious about writing a book, try it out for free: https://reedsy.com/write-a-book

Cool list! The problem with word processors like Microsoft Word is that, though they have hundreds of features, they’re not built for writing books; they’re built for writing anything and everything. So when it comes to formatting or typesetting, it’s a pain. I also recommend taking a look at our Reedsy Book Editor, since it combines a simple, Medium-like writing interface with powerful formatting and typesetting, allowing you to export a flawless ePub and a print-ready PDF for free: https://reedsy.com/write-a-book

much better version of the Kansas City Star style guide:

http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/books/article10632713.ece/BINARY/The%20Star%20Copy%20Style.pdf

Try the Writers’ Reverse Dictionary ( http://writersdictionary.com ). With it, you can find a word with its definition. Pretty neat, huh?

Great guide Matt! I would also check out TheRightMargin (goal driven writing app, great new alternative to word processors) and featured in product hunt today: https://www.producthunt.com/tech/therightmargin

And for writing groups, a new Slack for Writers called Writer Hangout: https://writerhangout.typeform.com/to/gw9HF4

Another software addition:

Typen — a writing app http://typen.co

Check it forbes

I use a voice recorder instead of taking notes.

I get most of my ideas at night – even in dreams – and the damn pens often don’t work, or worse, I think they did but they didn’t.

Just make sure you can feel which button(s) to press. The keys on the little Sony IC unit I had were not laid out intuitively, thus, fumbling.

It’s also best to have a recorder from which you can transfer mp3 voice files directly to a computer. You can even use voice to text software to at least get a draft of what you’ve written. It’s easier than play, type, play, type, rewind, play type…

Have you had a chance to try Power Thesaurus ( http://www.powerthesaurus.org )?

I recently helped launch a new tool for online writing, designed for medium/long-form: https://eddtor.com . Loved this article’s Study of Craft section!

Great post. I’ve been wanting to put more time into writing and this is a very timely blog for me. Thanks!

Some of this I agree with—for sure. But I am a firm believer that with enough practice, one can learn only to write decently, not great. To be a superb writer, you need to have instinct, intrinsic style, and God-given ability.

Interestingly, you only see this type of reinforcement in writing. For example, I’ve never seen so many workshops, and conferences, and articles about how to become a great artist. Writing—like art—I feel you either have ‘it,’ or you do not.

The problem with blogs and articles such as this is making everyone believe that, by practice, one can—and in some cases—should be a writer. To me, this only muddies the waters, as it were; this is why there are a million mediocre and poorly written books on Amazon; everyone thinks they’re a writer.

But I digress, this is just one man’s opinion.

Good article, though. I will be looking into Scrivener. 🙂

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Elements of Creative Writing

J.D. Schraffenberger, University of Northern Iowa

Rachel Morgan, University of Northern Iowa

Grant Tracey, University of Northern Iowa

Copyright Year: 2023

ISBN 13: 9780915996179

Publisher: University of Northern Iowa

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Robert Moreira, Lecturer III, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on 3/21/24

Unlike Starkey's CREATIVE WRITING: FOUR GENRES IN BRIEF, this textbook does not include a section on drama. read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

Unlike Starkey's CREATIVE WRITING: FOUR GENRES IN BRIEF, this textbook does not include a section on drama.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

As far as I can tell, content is accurate, error free and unbiased.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The book is relevant and up-to-date.

Clarity rating: 5

The text is clear and easy to understand.

Consistency rating: 5

I would agree that the text is consistent in terms of terminology and framework.

Modularity rating: 5

Text is modular, yes, but I would like to see the addition of a section on dramatic writing.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Topics are presented in logical, clear fashion.

Interface rating: 5

Navigation is good.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No grammatical issues that I could see.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

I'd like to see more diverse creative writing examples.

As I stated above, textbook is good except that it does not include a section on dramatic writing.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Chapter One: One Great Way to Write a Short Story
• Chapter Two: Plotting
• Chapter Three: Counterpointed Plotting
• Chapter Four: Show and Tell
• Chapter Five: Characterization and Method Writing
• Chapter Six: Character and Dialouge
• Chapter Seven: Setting, Stillness, and Voice
• Chapter Eight: Point of View
• Chapter Nine: Learning the Unwritten Rules
• Chapter One: A Poetry State of Mind
• Chapter Two: The Architecture of a Poem
• Chapter Three: Sound
• Chapter Four: Inspiration and Risk
• Chapter Five: Endings and Beginnings
• Chapter Six: Figurative Language
• Chapter Seven: Forms, Forms, Forms
• Chapter Eight: Go to the Image
• Chapter Nine: The Difficult Simplicity of Short Poems and Killing Darlings

Creative Nonfiction

• Chapter One: Creative Nonfiction and the Essay
• Chapter Two: Truth and Memory, Truth in Memory
• Chapter Three: Research and History
• Chapter Four: Writing Environments
• Chapter Five: Notes on Style
• Chapter Seven: Imagery and the Senses
• Chapter Eight: Writing the Body
• Chapter Nine: Forms

Back Matter

• Contributors
• North American Review Staff

Ancillary Material

• University of Northern Iowa

About the Book

This free and open access textbook introduces new writers to some basic elements of the craft of creative writing in the genres of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The authors—Rachel Morgan, Jeremy Schraffenberger, and Grant Tracey—are editors of the North American Review, the oldest and one of the most well-regarded literary magazines in the United States. They’ve selected nearly all of the readings and examples (more than 60) from writing that has appeared in NAR pages over the years. Because they had a hand in publishing these pieces originally, their perspective as editors permeates this book. As such, they hope that even seasoned writers might gain insight into the aesthetics of the magazine as they analyze and discuss some reasons this work is so remarkable—and therefore teachable. This project was supported by NAR staff and funded via the UNI Textbook Equity Mini-Grant Program.

About the Contributors

J.D. Schraffenberger  is a professor of English at the University of Northern Iowa. He is the author of two books of poems,  Saint Joe's Passion  and  The Waxen Poor , and co-author with Martín Espada and Lauren Schmidt of  The Necessary Poetics of Atheism . His other work has appeared in  Best of Brevity ,  Best Creative Nonfiction ,  Notre Dame Review ,  Poetry East ,  Prairie Schooner , and elsewhere.

Rachel Morgan   is an instructor of English at the University of Northern Iowa. She is the author of the chapbook  Honey & Blood , Blood & Honey . Her work is included in the anthology  Fracture: Essays, Poems, and Stories on Fracking in American  and has appeared in the  Journal of American Medical Association ,  Boulevard ,  Prairie Schooner , and elsewhere.

Grant Tracey   author of three novels in the Hayden Fuller Mysteries ; the chapbook  Winsome  featuring cab driver Eddie Sands; and the story collection  Final Stanzas , is fiction editor of the  North American Review  and an English professor at the University of Northern Iowa, where he teaches film, modern drama, and creative writing. Nominated four times for a Pushcart Prize, he has published nearly fifty short stories and three previous collections. He has acted in over forty community theater productions and has published critical work on Samuel Fuller and James Cagney. He lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

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Blog • Understanding Publishing

Last updated on Jan 18, 2023

Reedsy’s Recommended Writer’s Resources for 2024

Here at Reedsy, we’re fortunate to work with some of the finest talents in the publishing industry — and these experts have shared their experience and knowledge with us in the form of tips, interviews and how-to guides. From developing fascinating characters to motivating yourself and submitting to writing contests, we’ve published articles on so many topics that it’s hard to keep track of them all.

On this page, we’re rounding up some of the best Reedsy articles so far, alongside some of our favorite, most trusted resources from elsewhere on the web. If there’s something specific you need help with, head to the relevant category in the table of contents for easier browsing. 

Finding ideas and inspiration

When you’re just looking for a nudge toward a creative idea, an element of randomness can help you get going. To get you started, the links below comprise our best and most entertaining options, from generators and prompts to our list of ideas for books.

50+ Book Ideas (and 11 Ways to Find Even More!) : A look at some of the ways authors come up with book ideas: from writing prompts to tarot cards and Craigslist ads, the point is to be fearlessly creative.

Title Generator : Give our title generator a whirl, then see if you can come up with a story to accompany the title. Here are just a few examples of the cryptic titles you can get: The Waxed Painting , Clue of the Forgotten Cottage , Ceasefire of the Senses .

Plot Generator : Need a premise for a story in a hurry? Try out this fun, free tool for creating a story out of thin air. You can lock certain variables while continuing to tweak others for maximum fun.

Creative Writing Prompts : Dip into our archive of over 1,100 prompts and, if you like, take part in our weekly short story contest. If you’re after specific genre ideas, you can browse 37 different genre categories.

FREE RESOURCE

Get our Book Development Template

Use this template to go from a vague idea to a solid plan for a first draft.

Tips for writing different genres

If you aren’t fully familiar with the distinctions between each category, head to our blog post outlining the most common book genres . Otherwise, you’ll find our writing tips for each genre below, complete with insights from pros.

🐉 Writing fantasy : Seven of the top fantasy editors in the industry share their expert tips on writing fantastical worlds and characters pursuing noble quests.

🏎 Writing thrillers : In this post, we break down the science of thriller writing into seven heart-stopping steps.

🚌 Writing Young Adult fiction : A guide on writing YA fiction straight from editor Kate Angelella .

🧪 Writing science fiction : Six tips from experienced science fiction editors who have worked at Penguin Random House, Dundurn Press, and Jolly Fish Press.

🔎 Writing mysteries : From hiding clues and establishing the perfect motive to constructing an intriguing sleuth, our tips for mystery writers will help you craft the perfect crime.

💕 Writing romance : Our best tips for breathing life into beloved tropes and helping your characters reach their heartwarming happy ever after.

🎭 Writing literary fiction : For writers keen to experiment, our steps to writing literary fiction help you find the writerly playground you need — as long as you’ve got something to say.

🧒🏾 Writing children's books : A step-by-step guide to writing for children, from figuring out your target age group to taking your readers seriously and polishing up your messy first draft.

👶🏻 Writing picture books : Looking to become the next Julia Donaldson or Doctor Seuss? You could do a lot worse than starting right here.   

🧑🏼‍🎓 Writing nonfiction : Our guide to planning, outlining, writing, and publishing nonfiction.

🧘‍♀️ Writing self-help : Our post covers Identifying the problem you’ll help your readers manage, persuading them to listen to you, and taking the stage to show them how to best help themselves.

🍲 Writing cookbooks : For those with culinary talents worth sharing, this blog post walks you through turning your recipes into a book people will want on their kitchen shelf.

📝 Writing memoirs : Our guide to memoirs examines the many forms a memoir can take, then helps you outline yours and step into your own narrative.

🦸🏿 Writing comic books : A two-part guide to producing and publishing your own series of comic books — superheroes optional.

Which genre (or subgenre) am I writing?

Find out which genre your book belongs to. It only takes a minute!

Starting to write a book

How to Build a Solid Writing Routine : A free Reedsy Learning course that will show you how to regularly find time for your writing.

How to Outline Your Novel : Grab three free outlining templates in this comprehensive guide to laying the groundwork for your first draft.

How to Start a Story : 11 professional editors share their best tips on how to start a story and seize your reader’s attention straight away.

How to Overcome Writer's Block : Vanquish the writer's dreaded foe, writer's block, once and for all! This post has 20+ strategies that you can use to get unstuck.

NaNoWriMo Pep Talks : A nonprofit known best for its annual November writing challenge, this website is also packed full of pep talks from beloved authors like Neil Gaiman, Brandon Sanderson, Meg Cabot, and Maggie Stiefvater. For more on the November challenge, head to our own NaNoWriMo post .

Self-Care for Authors : A blog post from our friends at Self-Publishing Formula, this is a great reminder that while productivity is important in the short term, mental health is even more important in the long term.

The 25+ Best Writing Tools : If you believe that a workman is only as good as his tools, make sure to check out this list of the most efficient writing aids to bolster your work.

The Best Novel Writing Software : The 21st century has given us the gift of technology. These are the best, most affordable pieces of novel writing software that writers shouldn’t miss.

The 16 Best Writing Apps : An impressive range of writing, editing, and productivity-enhancing apps for every kind of writer, from authors to content writers.

ProWritingAid : An editing and proofreading software that’s better suited to fiction writers than its giant competitor Grammarly , ProWritingAid is worth checking out. We’ve also reviewed it here on the Reedsy blog!

FREE OUTLINING APP

The Reedsy Book Editor

Use the Boards feature to plan, organize, or research anything.

Learning about craft elements

There’s a number of craft topics we keep getting questions about because they’re integral to writing a good book, and often complicated to get right. With guidance on topics like writing complex characters and organizing your work’s structure, this is our blog’s educational corner. Time to put your learning hat on! 👩‍🎓

Character Development : A character with a convincing arc is key to a satisfying book. This article will help you develop characters your readers won’t forget.

Dynamic vs Static Characters : A comparison of two important types of characters you’ll have to get to grips with.

The Ultimate Character Profile Template (Free download): Grab a free character profile template to supplement your character development. 

Point of View : A 4-part series on choosing the best point of view for your novel — first, second, third person, or multiple points of view? We also take a look at the differences between third person omniscient and limited POVs.

Mastering Story Structure : An in-depth guide to story structure, plus resources for using some of the most popular structural frameworks in storytelling.

Writing Dialogue : Learn how to write dialogue that doesn’t sound like two planks of wood talking to each other. Check out 150+ Other Words for "Said" To Supercharge Your Writing to download a free supplemental resource.

Diversity Style Guide : If you’re worried about how you’ve represented a particular group in your work and want to ensure you use respectful and sensitive language, this free resource allows you to search up specific terms for use advice compiled by various journalistic bodies.

The Ultimate Worldbuilding Template

130 questions to help create a world readers want to visit again and again.

Revising your work and leveling up your skills

Got a first draft together, and wondering where to go next? Typically, writers run their projects through a few rounds of self-editing first, then enlist the help of professional editors and volunteer beta readers.

How to Edit a Book : Download our free editing checklist that can guide you through the tricky minefield of editing a book.

How to Self-Edit Your Own Writing : Our top tips for refining your own prose, trimming off the excess and keeping only what’s of value.

Guide to Professional Editing : A look at how professional editors can help writers improve their books and grow their skills.

Reedsy’s Editors for Hire : If you didn’t already know, you can hire the industry’s most experienced editors right here on Reedsy. 

Give your book the help it deserves

The best editors, designers, and book marketers are on Reedsy. Sign up for free and meet them.

Learn how Reedsy can help you craft a beautiful book.

An Intro to Beta Readers : For a second opinion on your novel, turn to a writer's best friend: the beta reader.

51 Online Critique Circles to Improve Your Writing : If you’re looking for a source of regular feedback and don’t mind helping others in return, join a writing group. They’re a brilliant source of both insights and camaraderie.

The Ultimate List of Writing Contests : A great way to get your name out there, build up your writing credentials, and pocket some cash, writing contests have helped countless writers rise up from obscurity. Don’t forget Reedsy’s weekly prompts contest, of course!

Best Writing Communities and Best Writing Websites : Take a look at these lists to find tons of support and even more tips on how to succeed as a writer.  

Tell us about your book, and we'll give you a writing playlist

It'll only take a minute!

Publishing your work 

Once you’ve got a polished manuscript in your hands, it’s time to assess your publishing options. Without complicating matters, you will have two avenues to explore: you can look for a publishing deal, or you can self-publish. If you aren’t sure which option is right for you, check out our 1-minute quiz below, or head to our post comparing the two types of publishing .

Is self-publishing or traditional publishing right for you?

Takes one minute!

Traditional publishing

 If you’re serious about going down the traditional publishing route, you will need to think about submitting a query to a literary agent — or perhaps directly to publishers.

How to Publish a Book : A full publishing guide of best practices, whether you want to self-publish or publish traditionally.

The Best Literary Agents Seeking Submissions : Our Reedsy-vetted directory of 600+ literary agents across all genres and categories, with information on how and where to query them.

The Best Book Publishing Companies : A comprehensive directory of the best publishers, vetted by the team at Reedsy. 

How to Write a Query Letter in 7 Steps : A step-by-step guide (including a handy printable checklist) on crafting a killer query letter that will get agents to request your manuscript.

How to Find a Literary Agent for Your Book : Some more guidance on how to find the right literary agent for you.

How to Write a Book Proposal : A step-by-step guide (including a comprehensive template) on crafting a killer book proposal that will get agents to notice your nonfiction book.

Self-publishing

If you choose to take charge and self-publish a book, you’ll soon find yourself with a lot of questions. After all, you’re basically going to do the work of the publisher by yourself. But that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone — with Reedsy, you can now work with the best editors, designers, and marketers in the publishing business.

How to Self-Publish a Book : In which we show you how to self-publish an awesome book in seven simple steps.

The Best Self-Publishing Companies All Authors Should Know : Our picks for the best self-publishing companies in the industry today.

Author Scams and Publishing Companies to Avoid : Unfortunately, there are plenty of self-publishing companies out there that just want your money. Learn which ones to avoid and how to spot them with this guide.

The Complete Guide to Amazon Self-Publishing : The King of eBook retailers is a complicated platform, but a great option for self-publishers. We boil it down to the essentials.

How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book? : Using data from the Reedsy network, we unveil the current costs of hiring pros like developmental editors, proofreaders, designers, and formatters.

How Does Reedsy Choose Its Professionals? : We’re a professional marketplace with a difference, in that we accept only 3% of all the applications we receive from professionals. Find out more about our selection process.

Marketing yourself and your book

Many writers assume that a traditional book deal will mean they have zero marketing duties. The truth is that both indie and traditionally published authors have to invest significant time in promoting their own work, as big publishers spend much of their marketing budget on household names or celebrity authors. Regardless of how you’re publishing, the resources below can help you figure out how to reach people with your book.

How to Build an Author Website : We walk you through seven simple steps for setting up and populating a key marketing tool, your author website.

6 Steps for Building Your Author Mailing List : As Reedsy’s Ricardo Fayet always says, any sale you make when you don’t have a mailing list is a lost opportunity. Find out how to start yours and start building a relationship with your readers.

How to Market a Book: Overperform in a Crowded Market by Ricardo Fayet (book): For a friendly and comprehensive guide answering all your marketing questions, download Reedsy's free ebook. 

Social Media for Writers — The Complete Guide : Everything you need to know about the major platforms and how to use them.

Facebook Advertising for Authors : A must-read two-part series from best-selling author Mark Dawson, covering a platform that allows you to target very specific segments based on things like location, gender, age, and interests.

BookBub Ads Expert by David Gaughran (book): A book walking you through the intricacies of BookBub’s ad platform, from our friend and marketing expert David Gaughran.

70+ Book Marketing Ideas To Rocket-Boost Your Sales : Whether you’re just getting started or are feeling stuck, there’s definitely something to inspire you in this list of 70 ways to market your book.

Keeping current with the publishing industry

The publishing industry never sits still. From reading trends to new technologies to policy changes by Amazon, it’s beneficial for every author to keep up with what publishers and big players in the self-publishing industry are up to. The resources below can help you do just that. 

The Hot Sheet (paid newsletter): Jane Friedman’s newsletter offers in-depth, journalistic coverage of publishing developments in both traditional and indie publishing communities.

Writer Beware : Blog alerting the indie community to reports of scammy behaviors. It’s sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, and has helped countless writers avoid industry pitfalls.

Alliance of Independent Authors : A membership association for self-publishing authors, ALLi champions the rights and interests of indie writers — for example, 2022 saw ALLi successfully campaign against Amazon’s ebook return policy, which was then revised. 

The Creative Penn Podcast : Run by author and entrepreneur Joanna Penn, one of the most trusted voices in publishing, this podcast can help you keep up with industry news as well as technological developments, the latter being a topic Joanna is consistently curious about. 

Catapult’s Don’t Write Alone series : This series of essays published by Catapult aims to bring a sense of solidarity to writers dealing with similar struggles — check it out for essays relating to rejection, motivation, productivity, and craft improvement.

Writer’s Digest : You probably don’t need our recommendation to check out this popular magazine — its many years of website archives are a treasure trove of advice on countless subjects relating to writing and publishing a book.

Nathan Bransford : Author and former literary agent Nathan Bransford runs a blog that shares invaluable insights from the literary trenches. His resources on all things literary agent are great for any author new to the ways of traditional publishing.

Self-Publishing Insiders podcast : Draft2Digital’s podcast tackles a wide range of self-publishing topics, from crafting a better book to marketing it successfully. Our favorite episode? The one featuring Reedsy’s Ricardo Fayet , of course.

Smith Publicity’s podcast : This podcast sees guests share tips on book marketing and publicity — topics have ranged from understanding reader niches to becoming an in-demand public speaker, amplifying marginalized voices, and establishing yourself as a thought leader.

Self-Publishing Show Live : One of our favorite conferences relating to indie publishing, SPS Live takes place annually in London. The largest of its kind across the Atlantic, you’ll no doubt meet hundreds of enthusiastic, energetic indie authors at this conference — and us, of course! Come along to meet the Reedsy gang and get inspiration from your fellow authors.

The path to publication can have its tricky moments, but you’re never on it alone. With all of the resources available on the internet, there’s always someone you can turn to for advice. If you fancy hearing from us when we publish new guides and tips from the world of publishing, sign up to our newsletter here .

3 responses

Angela Ackerman says:

29/12/2016 – 19:47

Good to see this all put together--I get a lot of very broad publishing questions that can't be answered simply in an email or DM, so this article is a good go-to for me to pass on. ;) Angela

↪️ Reedsy replied:

30/12/2016 – 09:52

Glad you like it, Angela! That's also why we decided to compile this list of resources. And thanks for pointing authors to our blog! :)

Natasha says:

21/08/2019 – 03:14

Thank you for sharing!

Comments are currently closed.

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Creative Writing Handbook - Becoming a Complete Writer in all Genres

This book is for and about amazing you. It contains three main parts beyond this section. The next, ‘Creatives’ and ‘Control’ explores each notion separately. Part three examines the all-important G-forces: Grail and Grails. Discussions in this chapter underpin the thematic title and core pursuit of this book – aiding writers to identify and tightly define the core goal or goals that they desire to realize from their textual quests and conquests. Part four explores 17 popular writing genres and provides an original example of each. Four of these illustrations are first-time attempts by this writer to compose a script in a foreign discipline that is outside his comfort zone and areas of interest. May these modest, raw offerings embolden you to likewise experiment at becoming a complete writer. The penultimate chapter, Part five, explores six topics that may aid writers to answer the holy grail writer’s question, as defined by this author. These topics in order are: Spelling, scripts, styles, solo writing, champions (i.e., role models) and circulation. This book does not aim to teach readers how to develop most technical skills required of competent writers. Open-access and commercial literature available on these topics are mature. Engaging these topics are best served by a medley of resources such as handbooks, video presentations, college curricula and years of dedicated writing practice. Part I Publishers’ edition © Jericho 15 The concluding part of most sections and each chapter is titled ‘Further reading’. These parts offer one or two open-access resources that explore material discussed in that section/chapter in further detail. The principal pursuit of this book aims to help you to identify the core goal/s that may motivate you to be the best writer possible in your chosen fields. There is a dearth of literature that unravels this all-important journey. This book is suitable for informal educational settings and structured teaching environments. It may support writers of all skill levels who thrive from learning solo, in groups or a mixture thereof. It may also guide Creative Writing Professors who teach applied education courses at all levels – from certificate to Graduate-level coursework. Creative writing author authors authorship publication publishing self-publishing self-publication writing creativity Creative Writing 101

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Apart from the act of writing original creative works, a poet or writer must also be prepared to submit their work for publication. Finding journals and submitting work for publication can be an intimidating process. Choosing journals that publish work that is stylistically similar to your own will improve your chances of success, but it will also increase your chances if your work is presented in a professional manner.

There are two main genres of writing you’ll need to be familiar with to submit your work to journals: the inquiry letter and the biographical note.

Inquiry Letter

Similar to a cover letter for a job application, an inquiry letter serves to introduce you to the editors of a literary magazine before they read your submission. These letters will only receive a quick glance, so don’t belabor them. Your letter should be brief and contain these key components:

• Your contact information
• A sentence or two telling the editors you read their magazine and think it’s a good fit for your work
• If applicable: mention if you’ve had correspondence with the journal before (an encouraging rejection, asked to re-submit)
• The title(s) of the piece or pieces you’re submitting
• An indication if the work has been submitted elsewhere
• A closing & signature
• Your biographical note (see related page)

Biographical Note

A biographical note serves to inform readers about who you are & where they may be able to find more of your work. Additionally, if you read your poetry in public—either at a scheduled reading or at an open-mic—the person hosting the series will read your biographical note as a form of introduction before you take the stage. As such, a biographical note is usually quite short. It should typically be no more than two or three sentences. It should include:

• Where you live or where you’re from (your choice—which place do you identify with?)
• Your previous publications, starting with the most important (For instance, if you’ve published a chapbook or novel, that should come first. Otherwise, start with the most prestigious magazine you’ve been published in.)

Additionally, depending on where you’re submitting, there may be room for humor here; you could have a funny anecdote or wry description of yourself. But of course, you want to consider your audience—if you’re applying to a famous journal, consider leaving the humor out of your bio.

Creative Writing: Open Educational Resources

• Books & eBooks
• Journal & Reference Articles
• Web Resources
• Open Educational Resources

What Are Open Educational Resources (OER)?

"Open Educational Resources are teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and repurposing by others. OER include full courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, streaming videos, tests, software, and any other tools, materials, or techniques used to support access to knowledge."  ~ William & Flora Hewlett Foundation

Search Tips!

In addition to using the search engines and repositories linked on this guide, you can also use advanced search features when searching Google, YouTube or Flickr, to find and locate OER. You will still need to confirm the individual license of the object you select to assure it meets the appropriate CC license.

Google - Use the Advanced Search. U nder Usage Rights  select to limit your results to resources which are free to use, modify or share. More from Google on Usage Rights .

YouTube - After searching by keyword in YouTube, use the Filters feature to filter your results to videos with a Creative Commons License. Looking for more videos?  View the  Images, Audio & Video tab !

Flickr - After searching by keyword in Flickr, use the Any License filter feature to filter your results to the appropriate usage license which best suits your usage of the work. Looking for more images?   View the  Images, Audio & Video tab !

Open Educational Resources for Creative Writing

Listed below is a sample of several OER  Creative Writing  materials. Additional OER in your subject may be found by searching the resources listed in the primary ACC Libraries Open Educational Resources Guide.

OER Textbooks:

About Writing: A Guide : This writer’s reference condenses and covers everything a beginning writing student needs to successfully compose college-level work, including the basics of composition, grammar, and research. It is broken down into easy-to-tackle sections, while not overloading students with more information than they need. Great for any beginning writing students or as a reference for advanced students! 

Teaching Autoethnography: Personal Writing in the Classroom  is dedicated to the practice of immersive ethnographic and autoethnographic writing that encourages authors to participate in the communities about which they write. This book draws not only on critical qualitative inquiry methods such as interview and observation but also on theories and sensibilities from creative writing and performance studies, which encourage self-reflection and narrative composition. 

B ad Ideas About Writing  counters major myths about writing instruction. Inspired by the provocative science- and social-science-focused book  This Idea Must Die  and written for a general audience, the collection offers opinionated, research-based statements intended to spark debate and to offer a better way of teaching writing. 

Yoga Minds, Writing Bodies: Contemplative Writing Pedagogy:  In this text, Christy Wenger argues for the inclusion of Eastern-influenced contemplative education within writing studies. She observes that, although we have "embodied" writing education in general by discussing the rhetorics of racialized, gendered, and disabled bodies, we have done substantially less to address the particular bodies that occupy our classrooms. She proposes that we turn to contemplative education practices that engage student bodies through fusing a traditional curriculum with contemplative practices including yoga, meditation, and martial arts.

The Rough Writer's Guide: A Handbook for Writing Wel l - The Guide provides students with help navigating academic writing, including all aspects of the writing process, MLA and APA formatting, and grammatical and mechanical issues.

Write or Left: an OER Textbook for Creative Writing Classes -  A textbook for introductory creative writing classes with condensed chapters and expanded genres. The third version - the 2022 edition - was created in the late fall of 2021 to include a gentler/more inclusive approach to writing and more diverse student examples.

Elements of Creative Writing  - This free and open-access textbook introduces new writers to some basic elements of the craft of creative writing. 

The Anti-Textbook of Writing  - The Anti-Textbook of Writing retains some content from the original Anti-Textbook published in 2013 by Sybil Priebe under Copyright, but it’s been remixed with other OER, plus – the best part – diverse student examples have been added! In addition, the genres unit was expanded to include Tweets Texting and Poetry (etc.), an extended array of strategies will only be included in the Expanded Version.

OER Courses:

Writing Science Fiction  This class will focus on the craft of writing genre science fiction. Students write and read science fiction and analyze and discuss stories written for the class. For the first eight weeks, readings in contemporary science fiction accompany lectures and formal writing assignments intended to illuminate various aspects of writing craft as well as the particular problems of writing science fiction. The rest of the term is given to roundtable workshops on student's stories.

OER Supplemental Course Materials: 

Composition Reading Bank  - A repository of links to freely available texts that replaces a traditional reader for Composition courses

"5Rs image" by David Wiley, Lumen Learning is licensed under CC BY 4.0

OER Repositories

OER Commons - filtered for Creative Writing 

LibreTexts - filtered for Creative Writing

OERTX - filtered for Writing 

Oasis - filtered for Creative Writing 

Merlot - filtered for Creative Writing 

LibreTexts - filtered for Creative Writing 

Writing Commons 

Open Washington

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• Last Updated: May 29, 2024 2:55 PM
• URL: https://researchguides.austincc.edu/write

Creative Writing

Related subject guides, a sampling of literature databases.

• Finding Books
• Resources by Genre
• Literary journals
• Organizations and events
• Getting Published
• Citing Sources This link opens in a new window

Contact Ask a Librarian via email , text us at +1-646-265-1342, or schedule an appointment .

Problem with an e-resource? Fill out this form.

Subject Guide

This guide draws together resources for creative writers in all genres. The pages of this guide highlight books and other resources from our collection and suggestions for finding books on creative writing in general. The "Resources by Genre" page lists books from our collection on writing in specific genres (fiction, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, and creative nonfiction). Other pages point to publication venues, local writers' organizations, and more.

The Libraries offer a wide variety of resources for research in many subjects. If you're looking for background information for any kind of writing project, you can use our Research Guides menu to browse by topic or search for a particular keyword.

Here are a few other subject guides that may be of particular interest:

• Comparative Literature by Amanda Watson Last Updated May 17, 2024 1048 views this year
• English and American Literature by Amanda Watson Last Updated May 17, 2024 2676 views this year
• Essays and Essayists by Amanda Watson Last Updated May 2, 2024 581 views this year
• Finding fiction (and other books) to read for fun by Amanda Watson Last Updated May 2, 2024 704 views this year
• National Poetry Month by Gaby Garcia Last Updated Apr 11, 2024 358 views this year
• Plays and Playwrights by Rye Gentleman Last Updated Apr 17, 2024 267 views this year
• Poems and Poets by Amanda Watson Last Updated May 17, 2024 1258 views this year

Many of the literary databases that the NYU Libraries subscribe to include full text of literary works in many genres. If you're looking for examples of fiction, poetry, or drama to read online, the following may be helpful. You can also search the Libraries' catalog for authors and titles of print works. (See the "Finding books" section of this guide for more guidance on locating print materials and ebooks.)

• Alexander Street Literature This link opens in a new window Alexander Street Literature is a cross-searchable package of full-text literature collections, focused on place, race, and gender. The collections include poetry, short fiction, novels, full-text plays, and film scripts.
• Columbia Granger's World of Poetry This link opens in a new window Columbia Granger's World of Poetry contains citations for poems that appear in anthologies and collections, as well as poet biographies, commentaries, a glossary of poetic terms, and full text for some poems. Users can search poems by title, first line, author gender, genre, and more.
• Drama Online This link opens in a new window Drama Online contains full texts and full-length filmed performances of plays ranging from Aeschylus to the present day, with supplementary material including first night program texts, critical analyses, and images from the Victoria and Albert Museum's archive of production photos. Includes the Core Collection, Critical Studies and Performance Practice, Nick Hern Books Modern Plays, National Theatre Collection, RSC Live Collection, and Aurora Metro Books, among others.
• Literature Online (LION) This link opens in a new window Literature Online includes full text of literary works in English from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. It also includes the Annual Bibliography of English Language and Literature, together with biographic and bibliographic reference materials for each author. More information less... A fully searchable library of more than 350,000 works of English and American poetry, drama and prose. LION is the single most extensive and wide-ranging online collection of English and American literature.Resources included in this resource are: Bibliographies Biographies Columbia Companion to the 20th Century American Short Story Columbia Dictionary of Modern European Literature Columbia Dictionary of Modern Literary and Cultural Criticism Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms Encyclopedia of African Literature Encyclopedia of American Poetry: The Nineteenth Century Encyclopedia of Latin American and Caribbean Literature, 1900-2003 Encyclopedia of Linguistics (2 vols.) Encyclopedia of the Novel Handbook of African American Literature New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics Oxford Companion to Irish Literature Penguin Classics Introductions Routledge Encyclopedia of Narrative Theory Routledge Encyclopedia of Post-Colonial Literatures in English (2nd Edition)
• New Play Exchange This link opens in a new window The New Play Exchange is a digital library of scripts by living writers which can be filtered by title, length, age level, genre, subject matter, production history, script availability, cast size and characteristics, playwright, and playwright demographics. The database includes a directory of organizations and one of people, which are faceted by role (dramaturgs and types of writers), gender identity, race/ethnic identity, sexual identity, and location. While the focus is currently North American, the intended scope is international.
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• Last Updated: May 2, 2024 10:52 AM
• URL: https://guides.nyu.edu/creative-writing

• Bodleian Libraries
• Oxford LibGuides
• Creative Writing
• Free Online Resources

Creative Writing: Free Online Resources

Introduction.

In addition to resources the Bodleian Libraries purchases, there are a number of alternative free online resources to support the study of Creative Writing. If you have any suggestions to help us expand this page, please contact [email protected].

Free online resources

• Open Educational Resources (OERs)
• Websites of useful organisations
• Audio resources

OERs are any type of teaching and/or learning materials that are freely available in the public domain, published under open licenses. Those listed below are applicable to the study of philosophy.

• Future Learn A diverse selection of courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world. Includes several courses relating to Creative Writing.
• MERLOT The MERLOT system provides access to curated online learning and support materials and content creation tools, led by an international community of educators, learners and researchers.
• open.conted The gateway to Open Educational Resources and other freely available resources created or selected by tutors of the University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education.
• Open Culture An aggregator of free, downloadable courses from the world's leading universities, including many courses relating to Creative Writing.
• Open Learn Free online courses and resources provided by the Open University. Covers many subjects, including Creative Writing.
• The Oxford Centre for Life-Writing The Centre is committed to outreach, collaboration, and fostering research into life-writing. It promotes a lively, cross-disciplinary dialogue on the full range of life-writing, including biography, memoir and social media forms, through a busy programme of events, including lunch talks, performances, panel discussions, seminars and full-day workshops.
• The Poetry Society Membership organisation providing events, publications, competitions and education to support poets and poetry audiences. The Society supports small local groups around the country called "Stanzas".
• BBC Writers Room Training, advice and opportunities for script writers. Includes the Script Library, where you can read BBC film, TV and radio scripts in full.
• Oxford Playhouse residencies Oxford's local theatre supports playwrights through two residencies: the Playhouse Playmaker programme for playwrights at any stage of their career, and The Plot for later career playwrights.
• Writing Lives: biography and beyond Interviews with leading biographers, writers, and scholars about life writing in all its forms.
• Oxford Writers House Talks A series of talks exploring writing mediums, methods, interests, and approaches, produced by the Faculty of English Language and Literature at Oxford University.
• Writers in Dialogue Peter D. McDonald, Professor of English and Related Literature in the Faculty of English and Fellow of St Hugh's College, talks to contemporary writers about their work.
• BBC Writers Room Podcast Writers of popular BBC shows answer listeners' questions

The Poetry Archive exists to help make poetry accessible, relevant and enjoyable to a wide audience. It came into being as a result of a meeting, in a recording studio, between Andrew Motion, soon after he became U.K. Poet Laureate in 1999, and the recording producer, Richard Carrington. They agreed about how enjoyable and illuminating it is to hear poets reading their work and about how regrettable it was that, even in the recent past, many important poets had not been properly recorded.

The Archive is a not-for-profit organisation with charitable status. It is run by a small staff, supported by a distinguished board of trustees and a panel of specialist advisers. We depend for our existence on funding from public bodies, charitable trusts and generous individuals. The money we earn from sales of Poetry Archive CDs goes towards making more recordings.

• LibriVox Public domain audiobooks, including both fiction and non-fiction.

We accept no responsibility for the content of these external websites, which may have their own terms and conditions.

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• Last Updated: May 16, 2024 3:04 PM
• URL: https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/creative-writing

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