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What is Creative writing, and how can you ace an interview ?

There are many forms of writing, content writing, medical writing, publishing and technical writing. Creative writing, as the term itself says, it’s about writing skills paired with imagination. Writing a book, ghost writing, copy writing… these are a few of the forms of creative writing. Using your felt senses is a key component of creative writing. In a creative writing course you learn the usage of sentences in their short and long constructions. Which allows the story to unfold as if being told.

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I am going to try and approach this holistically. Let’s say, hypothetically you have applied for a creative writing job. The job is to write a biography. Let’s look at what are the possible questions you could be posed with.

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Here are Top 25 creative writing interview questions and answers .

Before we dive into the questions, let’s talk a little about how to prepare yourself for the interview. Approaching an interview with integrity and truth is essential. Being honest as opposed to giving BS, of stuff you do not know about will not work in the long run. Enthusiasm is your dress code for an interview.

It is important as a Creative writer that you are passionate about what you do. This needs to show in whatever your response is. Having some understanding of the current market regarding your topic or job title is a must-have. Research on the company that’s interviewing you is crucial. And of course presentation, presentation!!!!

how to answer creative writing questions

Storytelling is an ancient art. A creative writing interview is a story. A story about you and your love for writing is what your interviewer is going to explore.

Essential Writing Interview Questions

1 How do you prioritize your book vs other creative projects that you had committed to?

2 Do you think you could co-author your projects or books ?

3 Where do you think you will be in your writing career 5 years from now ?

4 Did you take well to your critics or is feedback difficult as a writer?

5 How will you capture the narrative in the book?

6 What’s your experience with content writing and Creative writing?

7 Tell me about a time when you experienced a difference in of opinion and how you resolved it.

8 What communication style do you prefer?

9 Tell us about the last book or biography that you read?

10 What is your experience with social media and content writing?

11. How do you comment on your originality in your content?

12. What is you go to help when you have a writer’s block? Is there any such incidents that we should know?

13. Why did you choose to apply for this post of a ghostwriter. And what makes you think you qualify for the post?

14. What is your go to for proof reading your material?

15. How will you handle the sensitive information that the biographer has narrated to you?

16. what will you miss about your current project, 17. have you worked directly with clients.

18.2020 has been a pressure cooker, how did you deal with this?

19. What if people don’t like something you wrote?

20. What is your method to keep up with the trends?

21. what do you think of our company, and how do u think you fit in.

22. How will you add value to our culture and company ?

23. If we were to hire you, can you join us next week ?

24. One last question, how do you define success?

25. What is your monetary expectation ?

Now the Answers

1. how do you prioritize projects.

Here is what you need to keep in mind. Unless you’re writing your novel, every writer needs to know how to balance or multitask projects. Your answer should showcase your organizational and time management skills, your ability to meet deadlines and deliverables, and your ability to manage work pressure. Categorically explain how you keep track of your projects and how you execute the deadlines. It will be helpful to tie your response to a specific work experience. Extra points for mentioning that you re-assess priorities and needs regularly

Ans: “I use technology to my advantage. Using Asana to track project deadlines and I work my way through multiple projects accordingly. Asana sends me a reminder every morning with all the projects due for the week, so I know if I’m falling behind and this gives me ample time to re-prioritize and get back on track.

I like to use a separate project folder for larger tasks, breaking them into bite-size and into more manageable pieces so that I can track my progress constantly. If I have two urgent tasks at once I try to keep my communication with the project head absolutely transparent and state the obvious. This I think is key for my work ethic, and I can push myself to finish both in a considerable amount of time”

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2. Do you think you could co-author your projects or books ?

It’s important for your interviewer to get an understanding of you as a team player. Every job will require you to play well with others, and as a writer, you’ll be spending a lot of time working independently , followed by a lot of time co working with other writers, editors, illustrators, and stakeholders of the company. Your interviewer will want to ensure that you’re focused but versatile, so the best response should incorporate an honest and deliberate style of working in both formats.

Ans: “As a writer inevitably, I spend a lot of time in my head, so I love working independently. This way I can control the timeline am working on and I can focus, and I can be sure the work is well done. But I also enjoy working in groups because many brains are better than one. We can bounce ideas off each other about schematics, and bring about creating even better ideas.”

3. Where do you think you will be in your writing career 5 years from now?

This is one of the classic interview questions. This is your interviewer’s way of ensuring you’re there for all the right reasons and for the long haul. Make it known that you are without compunctions and emphasize what drew you to writing and to this specific company. You don’t have to give a detailed five-year plan, but ensure your career goals and ambitions follow a natural progression from this internship to more senior roles in the industry.

Ans: “With this employment scope of professional development opportunities, I’m hoping to move on to a role as a copy editor. From there on I’d like to take on more senior roles and work my way up to a position in which I can mentor and manage other writers, more in the lines of a managing editor or creative director at an agency.”

4. Did you take well to your critics or is feedback difficult as a writer?

Putting this another way, this question is asking how you handle criticism. Not everyone can write but sure everyone has an opinion. As a writer, you’ll have to learn how to handle constructive criticism, as well as less constructive feedback. While answering this question, emphasize that you understand that revision is a critical part of the writing process. Your interviewer wants to know that you are open to edit and that a significant amount of rewrites won’t offend you.

And: “No one knows everything and I for sure am one of them, and I welcome the opportunity to learn and grow from others and improve my writing. I’m a firm believer in always having more than a second—or a third—set of eyes on a piece of work before it goes out into the world.

While I’ll stand content with the choices that I believe in, I’m very receptive to feedback that can improve my piece of work. In fact, I always have a colleague copy edit my essays before I turn them in.”

5. How will you capture the narrative in the book?

Each writer has his or her own unique voice, but a writer working for a company, especially ghostwriting, needs to put that aside and capture the voice of the one who is narrating his or her autobiography. Your response to this should be empathetic, to feel and use the tone as the one narrating the story.

Ans: “Before writing an autobiography for a client, I would review their existing materials to get a sense of their voice. Spend time with the client doing multiple interviews. For example, before coming to this interview, I read your website and your blog. Your tone of voice is authentic, warm, and your subjects deep and I’d bring that to anything I wrote for you.”

6. What’s your experience with content writing and creative writing?

Your interviewer just wants to ensure you can produce great content either ways, but they also may want you to get the content out into the world. Post the autobiography there would be other marketing tools that will need content. Depending on the specifics of your profile, they might want you to do some aspect of design work, knowing the basics of WordPress, or understand e-marketing. Be honest about your experience here, and if you don’t know how to respond to this , highlight your ability to keep up with technology and learning new tools quickly:

Ans : “I used InDesign in my Introduction to Marketing class last semester. I know the basics, but I really enjoyed experimenting with it, and it impressed my instructor by how quickly I had picked it up. I have a keen eye for learning new programs and love to stretch myself, so I’m confident that I can learn any new programs and tools you need me to know.”

7. Tell me about a time when you experienced a difference of opinion and how you resolved it.

In internship, you’ll be working with a lot of unique set of people, and your interviewer wants to ensure that you can play along with others and stay cool under pressure. Typically, when writing someone else’s story, you step on toes a few times. While telling your story, briefly describe the negative part, and then focus on the solution and positive outcome.

Ans : “During our last semester, my classmate and I had very different ideas about how to move forward on a group paper. We sat down and discussed each of our ideas, taking turns and keeping our aim and result, and soon realized they both had merit. So, we combined and presented it with a unified, stronger front to the professor. By practicing the art of listening and understanding my classmate’s perspective, we wrote a great paper.”

8. What communication style do you prefer?

Your interviewer wants to ensure that you can communicate effectively in any situation—not just fluent long-form articles or blogs! Share the actual ways in which you communicate whether in person or by email, etc, and then describe your personal communication preference, whether it’s straightforward, diplomatic, or more of a listener. As a creative writer, it’s important to establish objectivity in all your communication. And, as always, let them know that you’re adaptable in linking specific ways of communicating to specific situations. Your answer could look like this:

Ans: “For a quick resolve, I use Skype or a text—it works great for a ‘yes’ or ‘no answer.’ If I need to have an actual conversation, then I pick up the phone. And I’ll schedule a one-on-one for any new project or more in-depth conversation; I like to make sure everyone’s on page for a more involved discussion. I’m a big believer in being to the point, so I try to be very straightforward and leave no room for confusion in my communications.”

9. What’s the last book/autobiography you read?

Good writers always read. Your interviewer is trying to learn more about you and as a writer. You don’t need to talk about the last book you read but focus on the one you read or liked, and remember, and use it as a way to share something new about you. A good, creative answer might look like this:

Ans : “I recently read Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt. As a creative writer, I’m always thrilled to read an excellent book where I’m inspired by both the writing and the content written. This book was so original, and his voice is so clever. When I read, I like to try many genres and authors it keeps my writing fresh, and it moves me out of my comfort zone.”

10. What is your experience with social media and content writing?

Content writing is a form of communicating, and I expect many writers to know the major social media platforms. This way they can get their work out into the world and make it accessible to different demographic audiences. Highlighting all the platforms you know whether big or small and if you have any particular insights to share on them go for it.

Ans: “I know all the basic social handles: Instagram, Facebook | Twitter | and LinkedIn. I’m well versed in writing for specific platforms more, ensuring Instagram posts are image-centric, Twitter posts are succinct, and LinkedIn posts are professional. At my last internship, I used Hootsuite to reschedule my posts to ensure quality and consistency.”

11. How do you comment on originality in your content?

At this point, the interviewer is keen on understanding your process. How You rephrase the narrative gone to you by your client is the key area to focus on. You need to reassure your client on how you are going to bring the freshness without losing perspective.

Ans: “I respect the concept of my task and my ability to direct the information in a voice that is narratable and. I believe as a writer I have a unique voice. My content is specific to that tone and I can preserve the authenticity by being able to channel my creativity.”

12. What is your go-to help when you have writer’s block? Are there any such incidents that we should be aware of?

This is very specifically trying to see if you make excuses for delay in your submission of work. An autobiography is a very thorough thought process and there is always a launch date and marketing plan in place. And the means you as a creative writer need to see your timeline. It’s important o share what your coping mechanism is.

Ans: “ As a creative writer it is possible to get to a place when you feel blank. I have found that keeping my mind and body healthy keeps me going. I make sure I take breaks to go for a run or a walk in nature. As a creative writer, I love the stimulus nature gives me. Making excuses is not my style of working .”

13. Why did you choose to apply for this post of ghostwriter. And what makes you think you qualify for the post?

It’s good to give your interviewer a clear and honest answer. You could talk about how you enjoy storytelling.

Ans: “ Most of the autobiography are written by ghostwriters and I love that I can use the first-person narrative and tell someone’s story. In most of my writing, I would like to use the first-person narrative. In my creative writing exploration, I have been very well received as a strop teller and my ability to own the story.”

14. What is your go-to for proofreading your material?

Ans: “ There are several tools available and my most favorite ones are Grammarly and Prowriting aid. As a writer, I am obsessed with straightening out my sentences and bringing order with my punctuation. These are some formidable tools I have found myself in.

At this point, the interviewer wants to understand how u handle confidential matters. And what is your approach to delivering the message across to an audience? They would like to see your sensitivity and sensibility about this.

And: “As a Creative writer, it is my responsibility to gain utmost confidence of the biographer and translate the sensitive matter into a truth that the world needs to hear. It is my priority, in any of my projects, to make sure I use my sensibility and sensitivity to bring about the best in the piece I am writing”

Once you are hunting for a new job, it’s usually easy to conjure up everything you hate about your current one. Instead of going down Bad Memory Lane, talk about what you like about your current project. Every hirer wants to know the integrity of the candidate. Your answer can be something like this.

Ans: “Every project that I have taken up has its upsides and downsides. The ones that have their ups I ace in them. The ones that have the downsides are truly my lessons and area of growth, as a writer”

Being outstanding behind a screen is one thing, but being outstanding in front of live humans is a whole unique thing. Creatives writers especially like the job you’re getting hired for. Requires you to sometimes be in the client’s comfort zone. The interviewer is looking for your interpersonal skills. Talk about your soft skills presenting, listening, and observation skills.

Ans : “Over the years I have cultivated my skills as a creative writer, but I draw experience from what is going on around me. This has been a muse for most of my writing. Observing and listening I believe have been my key areas of focus”.

18. 2020 has been a pressure cooker, how did you deal with this?

Nothing about this year is worth being said as typical. Here the interviewer is keen to find out how you cope when things get tough. Talk about how this has affected you as a writer and how you vision the future.

Ans: “2020, has been difficult at multiple levels. I had a rather huge workload. The world just got smaller during this pandemic is what I felt. Businesses made a huge detour into the digital space. I believe investing in education vs digital platforms is no more a debate. Content writing courses , Creative writing courses , and e-commerce seem to be the way to go about it. I felt for what is going on in the world. The pandemic moved to write a dystopian novel. I like to channel my emotions into my writing”.

19 What if people don’t like something you wrote?

Pride in what you do is good. Passion is good indeed. At this point the interviewer wants to know how you deal with being critiqued Being defensive and not recognizing client needs is a definite deal-breaker. So talk about how you handled this in the past and you could turn the situation.

Ans: “Like most creative writers, I am not exempt from feeling bad about being far from what my client wants. As I had mentioned earlier, I thrive on growing, and these I consider as my growing pains. The better i deal with this the better I get as a writer. The more I am open, the more the clients trust me. Recently I had a brief which I so totally got wrong. I approached my client along with my team to sit down discussion and burned an all nighter to have the content submitted the next day”.

At this point the interviewer has you on a shortlist. As a team that runs a creative outfit, there is always something new happening. And the employer wants to know if you are learning and growing. What are your other stimulus? You can talk about your love for language and your interest in AI or coding, etc. These may not be unfolding in your career path. But this shows you are curious. And a go-getter.

Ans: “I enjoy dabbling in languages and learning about the culture. I make it a point to travel even if it is within the country. The perspective of a new place is refreshing. I recently did my intermediate exam in Spanish. I Like indulging in foreign language, and try to read material written in it. Each language has a tone and that voice sometimes fuels one’s writing.

This is a tough spot, you can’t be overenthusiastic nor can you be dismissive about this question. You need to know by now they are serious about you. And want to know your vision. Here is where your research on the company would come in handy.

Ans: “In the past, I have followed your social media handles and read many of the blogs. I came across one of your employees to write about the company culture and how there is freedom in work and respect for each other. These are some things that really got me to apply for this post. I believe I am a Creative writer who needs freedom. I fit right into your work culture”.

22. How will you add value to our culture and company?

This question is also one that needs to be handled delicately. They probably want to know what else you bring to the table other than your writing. What else can you double up for?

Ans : “Besides my creative writing skills, I have also experienced in content writing and designing. One of my first jobs was with a company that builds brands. I would be happy to invest time with the team to support their brand-building projects. I have also freelanced a social media manager for a fashion house. I believe I can contribute to this pool within the company”.

23. If we were to hire you, can you join us next week?

This question should be answered carefully. You can’t be in a hurry to leave your job, this shows poor ethics ad no value for protocols. Neither can you make them wait endlessly.

Ans: “I have a two weeks notice period at this point and I would like to leave my company on a friendly note. However, I can begin some research work on the biographer and be ready to start work in two weeks”.

This is them trying to determine if you are a right fit for them. Your answer is a determine a factor for getting your job.

Ans: “I believe that when you love what you do and do what you love, we can term this as a success for me”.

25. What is your monetary expectation?

Clarity in what you are expecting is also very important. This also shows how much you value your skill.

Ans: “I am looking at a reasonable market driven increment on my current take home”.

I agree this was extensive and I hope that this prepares you for a stellar interview. Like mentioned before. Be calm, collected, and honest above all.

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25 Creative Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Creativity

Creative writing is a vast and dynamic field that offers a platform for individuals to express their ideas, emotions, and stories in an imaginative and original way.

It plays a crucial role in enhancing communication skills, fostering empathy, and also promoting a deep understanding of the human experience. If you’re not sure how to get started, consider these helpful writing prompts – let’s get creative!

The Importance of Creative Writing

In the realm of literature and beyond, creative writing holds a pivotal role. It not only allows for personal expression but also:

fosters critical thinking
enhances vocabulary
improves writing skills
conveys complex ideas and emotions
serves as a therapeutic medium
enhances empathy

From short stories and poetry to novels and screenplays, creative writing spans a wide array of genres and styles, and offers endless opportunities for exploration and expression.

In the professional realm, creative writing skills are highly valued. They can lead to various creative writing jobs in fields like publishing, advertising, journalism, and content creation. For those interested in pursuing higher education in this field, you might want to explore whether a degree in creative writing is worth it .

Understanding Creative Writing Prompts

When it comes to igniting creativity and fostering unique ideas, creative writing prompts play an invaluable role. They provide a starting point, a spark that can lead to a flame of inspiration for writers.

How Prompts Can Ignite Creativity

While creative writing is an exciting field, it can sometimes be challenging to kickstart the creative process. This is where creative writing prompts come into play. These prompts are designed to ignite the imagination and inspire writers to create original and compelling pieces.

They help to overcome writer’s block , encourage experimentation with different styles and genres. So, whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner, creative writing prompts can be an invaluable tool to spark creativity and enhance your writing skills.

What are Creative Writing Prompts?

Creative writing prompts are essentially ideas, questions, or topics that are designed to inspire and stimulate the creative writing process. They serve as a catalyst, helping to ignite the writer’s imagination and encourage them to explore new themes, concepts, or perspectives.

These prompts can take a myriad of forms. They might be a single word, a phrase, a sentence, or even an image. Remember, regardless of the format, the goal of a creative writing prompt is to trigger thought and also encourage writers to delve deeper into their creative psyche, producing unique and compelling pieces of writing.

For more understanding of what creative writing entails, read our article on what is creative writing .

Types of Creative Writing Prompts

There are various types of creative writing prompts, each tailored to stimulate different forms of writing, cater to various genres, or inspire certain ideas. For example, you might encounter:

Fiction Writing Prompts : These prompts are designed to inspire stories. They might provide a setting, a character, a conflict, or a plot point to kick-start the writer’s imagination.
Non-Fiction Writing Prompts : These prompts are geared towards non-fiction writing, such as essays, memoirs, or journalistic pieces. They might pose a question, present a topic, or propose a perspective for the writer to explore.
Poetry Writing Prompts : These prompts are tailored for writing poetry. They could suggest a theme, a form, a line, or a poetic device to be used in the poem.
Dialogue Writing Prompts : These prompts focus on conversations and are designed to inspire dialogue-driven pieces. They generally provide a line or a snippet of conversation to act as a starting point.
Story Starter Writing Prompts : These prompts serve as the opening line or the first paragraph of a story. The writer’s task is to continue the narrative from there.

Understanding the different types of creative writing prompts is essential to making the most of them. For example, when you choose the right type of prompt, you target specific writing skills , push boundaries of creativity, and provide the necessary spark to bring your ideas to life.

25 Creative Writing Prompts

Using creative writing prompts is a great way to jumpstart your creativity and get the ideas flowing. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner, these prompts can help inspire your next piece. Here, we’ve broken down 25 prompts into five categories: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, dialogue, and story starters.

Fiction Writing Prompts

Fiction allows writers to flex their imaginative muscles. The following prompts can help to stir up new ideas for a unique storyline:

Write a story where the main character finds an old, mysterious letter in the attic.
Imagine a world where animals can talk.
Create a tale where a character discovers they have a superpower.
Write about a character who wakes up in a different era.
Write a story set in a world where money doesn’t exist.

Non-Fiction Writing Prompts

Non-fiction writing can help you explore real-life experiences and lessons. Here are some prompts to get you started:

Write about a time when you faced a significant challenge and how you overcame it.
Describe the most influential person in your life.
Share a moment when you learned a valuable lesson.
Write about an unforgettable trip.
Discuss a current event that has impacted you personally.

Poetry Writing Prompts

Poetry allows for artistic expression through words. These prompts can inspire new verses:

Write a poem about a dream you can’t forget.
Create a sonnet about the changing seasons.
Write about an emotion without naming it directly.
Craft a poem inspired by a piece of art.
Pen a haiku about nature’s power.

Dialogue Writing Prompts

Dialogue writing can help you improve your dialogue creation skills. Try these prompts:

Write a conversation between two people stuck in an elevator.
Describe a heated argument between a character and their best friend.
Create a dialogue where a character reveals a deep secret.
Write an exchange between a detective and a suspect.
Craft a conversation between two people who speak different languages.

Story Starter Writing Prompts

Story starters are great for sparking an idea for a story. Here are some to try:

“When she opened the door, she couldn’t believe her eyes…”
“He’d waited his whole life for this moment, and now…”
“It was a town like no other, because…”
“She was the last person on earth, or so she thought…”
“The letter arrived, marked with a seal she didn’t recognize…”

These creative writing prompts are designed to challenge you and spark your creativity. Remember, the goal is not to create a perfect piece of writing but to ignite your imagination and hone your writing skills. Also, don’t forget, you can always revise and refine your work later .

For more on the art of writing, check out our article on what is creative writing .

Making the Most of Your Creative Writing Prompts

Now that you have a list of creative writing prompts at your disposal, it’s important to understand how to utilize them effectively. The value of a prompt lies not just in the initial idea it provides, but also in how it can be expanded and developed into a full-blown piece of writing.

How to Use Creative Writing Prompts Effectively

Using creative writing prompts effectively requires an open mind and a willingness to explore. Here are some strategies to make the most of your prompts:

Brainstorming: Allow yourself to brainstorm ideas after reading the prompt. Jot down whatever comes to mind without self-judgment or censorship.
Freedom: Give yourself the freedom to interpret the prompt in your own way. Remember, prompts are starting points, not rigid guidelines.
Experimentation: Experiment with different genres, perspectives, and writing styles. A prompt can be turned into a poem, a short story, or even a script for a play.
Consistency: Try to write regularly. Whether you choose to do this daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, consistency can help develop your writing skills.
Reflection: Finally, reflect on the prompt and your writing. Consider what worked, what didn’t, and also what you would like to improve in your next piece.

In addition to this, check out our article on what is creative writing .

Tips to Expand on a Prompt

Expanding on a prompt involves transforming a simple idea into a fully developed narrative. Here are a few tips:

Character Development: Flesh out your characters. Give them backgrounds, motivations, and flaws to make them more relatable and interesting.
Plot Building: Develop a coherent plot. Consider the key events, conflicts, and resolutions that will drive your story forward.
Show, Don’t Tell: Show the reader what’s happening through vivid descriptions and actions rather than simply telling them.
Dialogue: Use dialogue to reveal character traits and advance the plot. Make sure it’s natural and adds value to your story.
Editing: Finally review and revise your work. Look for areas where you can improve clarity, tighten your prose, and also eliminate any inconsistencies or errors.

Editor’s Note : Don’t get rid of old ideas or unfinished works – you never know when looking back over these might spark inspiration or two ideas might mesh to form something cohesive and new!

The Right Prompts Grow Your Skills

By using these strategies, you can take full advantage of creative writing prompts and improve your writing skills. So, whether you’re pursuing a career in creative writing or just looking for a new hobby, these tips can help you unlock your full creative potential.

For more insights on creative writing, check out our articles on creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree and how to teach creative writing .

Also, don’t miss our master list of more than 250 journal prompts .

Brooks Manley

Creative Primer is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024:

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General Education

The most common advice out there for being a writer is, "if you want to write, write." While this is true (and good advice), it's not always that easy, particularly if you're not writing regularly.

Whether you're looking for help getting started on your next project, or just want to spend 20 minutes being creative, writing prompts are great ways to rev up your imagination. Read on for our list of over 100 creative writing prompts!

feature image credit: r. nial bradshaw /Flickr

10 Short Writing Prompts

If you're looking for a quick boost to get yourself going, these 10 short writing prompts will do the trick.

#1 : Write a scene starting with a regular family ritual that goes awry.

#2 : Describe exactly what you see/smell/hear/etc, right now. Include objects, people, and anything else in your immediate environment.

#3 : Suggest eight possible ways to get a ping pong ball out of a vertical pipe.

#4 : A shoe falls out of the sky. Justify why.

#5 : If your brain were a tangible, physical place, what would it be like?

#6 : Begin your writing with the phrase, "The stage was set."

#7 : You have been asked to write a history of "The Summer of [this past year]." Your publisher wants a table of contents. What events will you submit?

#8 : Write a sympathetic story from the point of view of the "bad guy." (Think fractured fairy tales like Wicked or The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! , although the story doesn't have to be a fairy tale.)

#9 : Look at everyday objects in a new way and write about the stories one of these objects contains.

#10 : One person meets a stranger on a mode of transportation. Write the story that ensues.

11 Writing Prompts for Kids

Any of these prompts can be used by writers of any age, but we chose the following 11 prompts as ones that would be particularly fun for kids to write about. (Most of them I used myself as a young writer, so I can vouch for their working!)

#1 : Include something falling in your writing.

#2 : Write a short poem (or story) with the title, "We don't know when it will be fixed."

#3 : Write from the perspective of someone of a different gender than you.

#4 : Write a dumb internet quiz.

#5 : Finish this thought: "A perfect day in my imagination begins like this:"

#6 : Write a character's inner monologue (what they are thinking as they go about their day).

#7 : Think of a character. Write a paragraph each about:

An important childhood experience that character had.
The character's living situation.
Two hobbies or things the character likes to do.
The room where the character sleeps.
An ambition of the character.
Two physical characteristics of the character.
What happens when a second person and this character meet.
Two important defining personal traits of this character.

#8 : Start a story with a quote from a song.

#9 : Begin a story with, "It was the summer of ______ when ______"

#10 : Pretend everyday objects have no names. Think about what you would name them based on what they do, what you can use them for, and what they look like.

#11 : Start a story with the phrases "My grandparents are/were," "My parents are/were," or "My mother/father/parent is/was."

15 Cool Writing Prompts

#1 : List five issues that you're passionate about. Write about them from the opposite point of view (or from the perspective of a character with the opposite point of view).

#2 : Walk around and write down a phrase you hear (or read). Make a story out of it.

#3 : Write using no adjectives or adverbs.

#4 : Write a character's inner dialogue between different aspects of a character's self (rather than an inner monologue).

#5 : Write a true story from your past that involves light or darkness in some way.

#6 : "Saying goodbye awakens us to the true nature of things." Write something in which someone has to say goodbye and has a realization.

#7 : Begin by writing the end of the story.

#8 : Write a recipe for an intangible thing.

#9 : Write a horror story about an ordinary situation (e.g., buying groceries, going to the bank, listening to music).

#10 : Write a story from within a bubble.

#11 : Write down 2-3 short character descriptions and then write the characters in conversation with one another.

#12 : Write a story in second person.

#13 : Write a story that keeps contradicting itself.

#14 : Write about a character with at least three big problems.

#15 : Write something that takes place on a Friday, the 13th (of any month).

15 Funny Writing Prompts

#1 : Write a story which starts with someone eating a pickle and potato sandwich.

#2 : Write a short script where the plot has to do with evil dolls trying to take over something.

#3 : Write about writers' block.

#4 : List five election issues that would be ridiculous to includes as part of your election platform (e.g. outlawing mechanical pencils and clicky pens, mandating every person over the age of 30 must own an emergency last rites kit). Choose one of the ridiculous issues and write a speech in favor of it.

#5 : Write a children's story that is insanely inappropriate but can't use graphic language, curses, or violence.

#6 : List five careers. Write about someone with one of those careers who wants to quit it.

#7 : Write down a list of murder methods. Choose one at random from the list to use in a story.

#8 : Write a romance story in which the hero must have a last name corresponding with a physical characteristic (e.g. Jacques Hairyback or Flora Dimple).

#9 : Come up with 10 different ways to:

order a pizza
congratulate someone on a job well done
return to the store something that's broken

#10 : Search for "random Renaissance painting" (or any other inspirational image search text you can think of) on any online internet image search engine. Picking one image, write half a page each of:

Statements about this image (e.g. "I meant bring me the BREAD of John the Baptist").
Questions about this image (e.g. "How many of those cherubs look like their necks are broken?").
Explanations of this image (e.g. "The painter ran out of blue paint halfway through and had to improvise for the color of the sky").
Commands said by people in this image or about this image (e.g. "Stop telling me to smile!" or "Bring me some gasoline!").

#11 : Write starting with a word that sounds like "chute" (e.g. "chute," "shoot," "shooed").

#12 : Write about a character named X "The [article of clothing]" Y (e.g. Julie "The Yellow Darted Skirt" Whyte) or simply referred to by their clothing (e.g. "the man in the brown suit" or "the woman in black").

#13 : Write down a paragraph each describing two wildly different settings. Write a story involving both settings.

#14 : Think of a fictional holiday based around some natural event (e.g. the Earth being at its farthest point from the sun, in memory of a volcanic eruption, that time a cloud looked like a rabbit riding a bicycle). Write about how this holiday is celebrated.

#15 : Write a "Just-So" type story about a fictional creature (e.g. "how the dragon got its firebreath" or "how the mudkip got its cheek gills").

54 Other Writing Prompt Ideas

#1 : Borrow a character from some other form of media (or create your own). Write from that character's perspective.

#2 : Write for and against a non-consequential controversy (e.g., salt vs. pepper, Mac vs. PC, best kind of door).

#3 : Choose an ancestor or a person from the past to write about or to.

#4 : Write a pirate story with a twist.

#5 : Have a character talk about another character and their feelings about that other character.

#6 : Pick a season and think about an event in your life that occurred in that season. Write a creative nonfiction piece about that event and that season.

#7 : Think of something very complicated and long. Write a page about it using short sentences.

#8 : Write a story as a dream.

#9 : Describe around a food without ever directly naming it.

#10 : Write a monologue (one character, talking to the audience/reader) (*not* an inner monologue).

#11 : Begin a story with the phrase, "It only took five seconds to..."

#12 : List five strong emotions. Choosing one, write about a character experiencing that emotion, but only use the character's actions to convey how they are feeling (no outright statements).

#13 : Write a chapter of the memoir of your life.

#14 : Look through the (physical) things you're currently carrying with you or wearing. Write about the memories or emotions tied with each of them.

#15 : Go be in nature. Write drawing your story from your surroundings (both physical, social, and mental/emotional).

#16 : Write from the perspective of a bubble (or bubble-like creature).

#17 : A person is jogging along an asphalt road. Write a story.

#18 : Title your story (or poem, or play, etc) "Anti-_____". Fill in the blank and write the story.

#19 : Write something that must include an animal, a mineral, and a vegetable.

#20 : Begin your writing with the phrase, "6 weeks later..."

#21 : List 5-10 office jobs. Pick one of them and describe a person working in that job as if you were a commentator on an Olympic sporting event.

#22 : Practice your poetic imagery: overwrite a description of a character's breakfast routine.

#23 : Write about a character (or group of characters) trying to convince another character to try something they're scared of.

#24 : Keep an eye out in your environment for examples of greengrocer's apostrophes and rogue quotation marks. Pick an example and write about what the misplaced punctuation implies (e.g., we have the "best" meat or we have the best "meat" ).

#25 : Fill in the blank with the first word that comes to mind: "_______ Riot!" Write a newspaper-style article describing the events that that took place.

#26 : Write from the point of view of your most-loved possession. What does it think of you?

#27 : Think of five common sayings (e.g., "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"). Write a horror story whose plot is one of those common sayings.

#28 : Write a scene in which two characters are finally hashing out a long-standing misunderstanding or disagreement.

#29 : You start receiving text messages from an unknown number. Tell the story of what happens next.

#30 : Write one character bragging to another about the story behind their new tattoo.

#31 : Superheroes save the world...but they also leave a lot of destruction in their wake. Write about a normal person in a superhero's world.

#32 : Sometimes, family is who we are related to; sometimes, family is a group of people we gather around ourselves. Write a story about (some of) a character's found family and relatives meeting for the first time.

#33 : Write a story that begins in the middle of the plot's action ( en media res ).

#34 : Everyone says you can never have too much of a good thing. Write a story where that isn't true.

#35 : What do ghosts do when they're not creating mischief? Write about the secret lives of ghosts.

#36 : Every year, you dread the last week of April. Write a story about why.

#37 : Write a story about what it would be like to have an animal sidekick in real life.

#38 : Heists don't just have to be black-clad thieves stealing into vaults to steal rare art or money. Write about a group of people (adults or children) who commit a heist for something of seemingly little monetary value.

#39 : "Life is like a chooseable-path adventure, except you don't get to see what would have happened if you chose differently." Think of a choice you've made and write about a world where you made a different choice.

#40 : Write a story about a secret room.

#41 : You find a message in a bottle with very specific directions. Write a story about the adventure you embark upon.

#42 : "You'll always be okay as long as you know where your _______ is." Fill in the blank and write a story (either fictional or from your life) illustrating this statement.

#43 : Forcing people into prolonged proximity can change and deepen relationships. Write about characters on a road trip together.

#44 : In music, sonata form includes three main parts: exposition, development, and recapitulation. Write a short story that follows this format.

#45 : Begin writing with a character saying, "I'm afraid this simply can't wait."

#46 : Write a story with a happy ending (either happily-ever-after or happy-for-now).

#47 : Write about a character before and after a tragedy in that character's life.

#48 : Choose an object or concept you encounter in everyday life (e.g. tables, the feeling of hot or cold, oxygen) and write an infomercial about it.

#49 : "Life is a series of quests, whether important or mundane." Write about a quest you've gone on (or would like to go on, or will have to go on).

#50 : List 10 different ways to learn. Choose one (or more) and write a story where a character learns something using that one (or more) method.

#51 : You've been called to the principal's office for bad behavior. You know what you did. Explain and justify yourself.

#52 : A character discovers their sibling owns a cursed object. Write about what happens next.

#53 : Write a character description by writing a list of items that would be on a scavenger hunt about them.

#54 : The slogan for a product or service you're advertising is, "Kid-tested, _____." Fill in the blank and write the copy for a radio or podcast advertisement for your product.

How to Use Creative Writing Prompts

There's no wrong way to use a creative writing prompt (unless it's to harass and hurt someone)—the point of them is to get you writing and your imagination flowing.

To help you get the most out of these writing prompts, however, we've come up with the six tips below. Try them out!

#1: DON'T Limit Yourself to Prose

Unless you're writing for a particular assignment, there's no reason everything you write in response to a writing prompt has to be prose fiction . Instead of writing your response to a prompt as a story, try writing a poem, nonfiction essay, play, screenplay, or some other format entirely.

#2: DON'T Edit as You Write

The purposes of writing prompts is to get you writing, typos and weird grammar and all. Editing comes later, once you've finished writing and have some space from it to come back to what you wrote.

It's OK to fix things that will make it difficult to read what you've written (e.g., a weird autocorrect that changes the meaning of a sentence), but don't worry too much about typos or perfect grammar when you're writing; those are easy enough to fix in edits . You also can always insert asterisks or a short note as you're writing to remind yourself to go back to fix something (for instance, if as you're writing it seems like you want to move around the order of your paragraphs or insert something earlier).

#3: DO Interpret the Prompt Broadly

The point of using a writing prompt is not to write something that best exemplifies the prompt, but something that sparks your own creativity. Again, unless you're writing in response to an assignment with specific directions, feel free to interpret writing prompts as broadly or as narrowly as you want.

For instance, if your prompt is to write a story that begins with "The stage was set," you could write about anything from someone preparing to put a plan into motion to a literal theatre stage constructed out of pieces of old sets (or something else entirely).

If you're using a writing prompt, it doesn't have to be the first sentence of your story or poem, either; you can also use the prompt as a goal to work towards in your writing.

#4: DO Try Switching Up Your Writing Methods

If it's a possibility for you, see if you write differently in different media. Do you write the same kind of stories by hand as you would typing at a computer? What about if you dictate a story and then transcribe it? Or text it to a friend? Varying the method you use to write can affect the stories you're able to tell.

For example, you may find that it's easier for you to tell stories about your life to a voice recorder than to try to write out a personal essay. Or maybe you have trouble writing poetry, but can easily text yourself or a friend a poem. You might even find you like a writing method you've not tried before better than what you've been doing!

#5: DO Mix and Match Prompt Ideas

If you need more inspiration, feel free to combine multiple prompts (but don't overwhelm yourself with too much to write about).

You can also try switching genres from what might be suggested in the prompt. For instance, try writing a prompt that seems funny in a serious and sad way, or finding the humor in something that otherwise seems humorless. The categories we've organized the prompts into are by no means limiters on what you're allowed to write about.

#6: DO Try to Write Regularly

The more regularly you write, the easier it will be to write (with or without writing prompts).

For some people, this means writing daily; for others, it means setting aside time to write each weekend or each month. Set yourself an achievable goal (write 2x a week, write 1000 words a month) and stick to it. You can always start small and then ramp your wordcount or frequency up.

If you do better when you have something outside yourself prompting to write, you may also want to try something like morning pages , which encourages you to write at least 750 words every day, in any format (story, diary entry, social media postings, etc).

What's Next?

Thinking about attending college or grad school for creative writing? Our articles on whether or not you should major in creative writing and the best creative writing programs are there for you! Plus, if you're a high schooler, you should check out these top writing contests .

Creative writing doesn't necessarily have to be fiction. Check out these three examples of narrative writing and our tips for how to write your own narrative stories and essays .

Just as writing prompts can help give form to amorphous creative energy, using specific writing structures or devices can be great starting points for your next story. Read through our discussion of the top 20 poetic devices to know and see if you can work at least one new one into your next writing session.

Still looking for more writing ideas? Try repurposing our 100+ easy drawing ideas for characters, settings, or plot points in your writing.

Laura graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Music and Psychology, and earned a Master's degree in Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. She scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and GRE and loves advising students on how to excel in high school.

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100 Writing Practice Lessons & Exercises

by Joe Bunting | 50 comments

Want to become a better writer? Perhaps you want to write novels, or maybe you just want to get better grades in your essay writing assignments , or maybe you'd like to start a popular blog .

If you want to write better, you need practice. But what does a writing practice actually look like? In this post, I'm going to give you everything you need to kick off your writing practice and become a better writer faster.

100 Top Writing Practice Lessons and Exercises

What Is Writing Practice?

Writing practice is a method of becoming a better writer that usually involves reading lessons about the writing process, using writing prompts, doing creative writing exercises , or finishing writing pieces, like essays, short stories , novels , or books . The best writing practice is deliberate, timed, and involves feedback.

How Do You Practice Writing?

This was the question I had when I first started The Write Practice in 2011. I knew how to practice a sport and how to practice playing an instrument. But for some reason, even after studying it in college, I wasn't sure how to practice writing.

I set out to create the best writing practice I could. The Write Practice is the result.

I found that the best writing practice has three aspects:

Deliberate . Writing whatever you feel like may be cathartic, but it's not an effective way to become a better writer or build your writing skills. You'll get better faster by practicing a specific technique or aspect of the writing process each time you sit down to write.

This is why we have a new lesson about the writing process each day on The Write Practice, followed by a practice prompt at the end so you can put what you learned to use immediately.

Timed . It's no secret writers struggle with focus. There are just too many interesting distractions—Facebook, email, Kim Kardashian's Instagram feed (just kidding about that last one, sort of)—and writing is just too hard sometimes.

Setting a timer, even for just fifteen minutes, is an easy and effective way to stay focused on what's important.

This is why in our writing practice prompt at the end of each post we have a time limit, usually with a link to an online tool egg timer , so you can focus on deliberate practice without getting distracted.

Feedback . Getting feedback is one of the requirements to deliberately practice writing or any other craft. Feedback can look like listening to the reactions of your readers or asking for constructive criticism from editors and other writers.

This is why we ask you to post your writing practice after each lesson, so that you can get feedback from other writers in The Write Practice community. It's also why we set up The Write Practice Pro community , to provide critique groups for writers to get feedback on each finished piece of writing.

Our 100+ Best Creative Writing Practice Exercises and Lessons

Now that you know how we practice writing at The Write Practice, here are our best writing practice lessons to jumpstart your writing skills with some daily writing exercises, for beginner writers to even the most expert writers:

All-Time, Top 10 Writing Lessons and Exercises

These ten posts are our most viewed articles to boost your writing practice:

1. What is Plot? The 6 Elements of Plot and How to Use Them . Great stories use similar elements in wildly different ways to build page-turning stories. Click here to read what they are and learn how to start using them !

2. Top 100 Short Story Ideas . Here are over a hundred writing prompts in a variety of genres. If you need ideas for your next story, check this out!

3. How To Use Neither, Nor, Or, and Nor Correctly . Even good writers struggle figuring out when to use neither/nor and either/or. In this post, our copy-queen Liz Bureman settles the confusion once and for all. Click to continue to the writing exercise

4. Ten Secrets To Write Better Stories . How does Pixar manage to create such great stories, year after year? And how do you write a good story? In this post, I distill everything I've learned about how to write a good story into ten tips. Click to continue to the writing exercise

5. 35 Questions To Ask Your Characters From Marcel Proust . To get to know my characters better, I use a list of questions known as the Proust Questionnaire, made famous by French author, Marcel Proust. Click to continue to the writing exercise

6. How a Scene List Can Change Your Novel-Writing Life . Creating a scene list changed my novel-writing life, and doing the same will change yours too. Includes examples of the scene lists from famous authors. Click to continue to the writing exercise

7. Why You Need to be Using the Oxford Comma . Most people I've met have no idea what the Oxford comma is, but it's probably something that you have used frequently in your writing. Click to continue to the writing exercise

8. Six Surprising Ways to Write Better Interview Questions. The interview is the most-used tool in a journalist's bag. But that doesn't mean novelists, bloggers, and even students can't and don't interview people. Here's how to conduct a great interview. Click to continue to the writing exercise

9. Why You Should Try Writing in Second Person . You've probably used first person and third person point-of-view already. But what about second person? This post explains three reasons why you should try writing from this point-of-view. Click to continue to the writing exercise

10. The Secret to Show, Don't Tell . You've heard the classic writing rule, “Show. Don't Tell.” Every writing blog ever has talked about it, and for good reason. Showing, for some reason, is really difficult. Click to continue to the writing exercise.

12 Exercises and Lessons To Become a Better Writer

How do you become a better writer? These posts share our best advice:

Want to Be a Better Writer? Cut These 7 Words
What I Mean When I Say I Am A Writer
How to Become a Writer: 3 Simple Steps
72% of Writers Struggle With THIS
7 Lies About Becoming a Writer That You Probably Believe
10 Questions to Find Your Unique Writing Voice
The Best Writing Book I’ve Ever Read
The Best Way to Become a Better Writer
The Creative Writer’s Toolkit: 6 Tools You Can’t Write Without
Should You Write More or Write Better: Quantity vs Quality
How to Become a Better Writer in One, Simple Step
11 Writing Tips That Will Change Your Life

6 Lessons and Exercises from Great Writers

If you want to be a writer, learn from the great writers who have gone before you:

23 Essential Quotes from Ernest Hemingway About Writing
29 Quotes that Explain How to Become a Better Writer
10 Lessons Dr. Seuss Can Teach Writers
10 Writing Tips from Ursula Le Guin
Once Upon a Time: Pixar Prompt
All the Pretty Words: Writing In the Style of Cormac McCarthy

12 Genre and Format Specific Writing Lessons and Exercises

Here are our best writing lessons for specific types of writing, including essays, screenplays, memoir, short stories, children's books, and humor writing:

Writing an Essay? Here Are 10 Effective Tips
How To Write a Screenplay: The 5 Step Process
How to Write a Great Memoir: a Complete Guide
How to Write a Short Story from Start to Finish
How to Write a Thriller Novel
How to Write a Children's Book
How to Write a Love Story
How to Write a Coming of Age Story or Book
How to Write an Adventure Book
5 Key Elements for Successful Short Stories
4 Tips to Write a Novel That Will Be Adapted Into a Movie
Humor Writing for People Who Aren’t Funny

14 Characterization Lessons and Exercises

Good characters are the foundation of good fiction. Here are our best lessons to create better characters:

Character Development: How to Create Characters Audiences Will Love
Writing Villains: 9 Evil Examples of the Villain Archetype
How NOT to Introduce a New Character
The Strongest Form of Characterization
The Most Important Character Archetype
How Do You Build A Strong Character In Your Writing?
75+ Antihero Examples and How to Use Them
How to Explore Your Characters’ Motivations
8 Tips for Naming Characters
The Protagonist: How to Center Your Story
Heroes vs. Anti-Heroes: Which Is Right For Your Story?
The Weakest Form of Characterization
How to Write With an Accent
How To Create a Character Sketch Using Scrivener

15 Grammar Lessons and Exercises

I talk to so many writers, some of whom are published authors, who struggle with grammar. Here are our best writing lessons on grammar:

Is It Okay To End A Sentence With A Preposition?
Contractions List: When To Use and When To Avoid
Good vs. Well
Connotation vs. Denotation
Per Se vs. Per Say
When You SHOULD Use Passive Voice
When Do You Use “Quotation Marks”
Polysyndeton and Asyndeton: Definition and Examples
The Case Against Twilight
Affect Versus Effect
Stop Saying “Literally”
What Is a Comma Splice? And Why Do Editors Hate Them?
Intra vs. Inter: Why No One Plays Intermural Sports
Alright and Alot: Words That Are Not Words
The Poor, Misunderstood Semicolon

4 Journalism Lessons and Exercises

Want to be a journalist? Or even use techniques from journalism to improve your novel, essay, or screenplay? Here are our best writing lessons on journalism:

Six Ways to Ask Better Questions In Interviews
How Should You Interview Someone? Over Email? In Person?
What If They Don’t Want to Talk to You?
Eleven Habits of a Highly Effective Interviewers

16 Plot and Structure Lessons and Exercises

Want to write a good story? Our top plot and structure lessons will help:

The Ten Types of Story and How to Master Them
Points of a Story: 6 Plot Points Every Story Needs
How to Shape a Story: The 6 Arcs
7 Keys To Write the Perfect First Line of a Novel
The Secret to Creating Conflict
4 Tips to Avoid Having Your Short Story Rejected by a Literary Magazine
7 Steps to Creating Suspense
5 Elements of Storytelling
3 Important Rules for Writing Endings
A Writer’s Cheatsheet to Plot and Structure
Overcoming the Monster
How to Satisfy Your Reader With a Great Ending
Pow! Boom! Ka-Pow! 5 Tips to Write Fight Scenes
The Dramatic Question and Suspense in Fiction
How to Write a Memorable Beginning and Ending
How to Write the Perfect First Page

6 Lessons and Exercises to Beat Writer's Block

Writer's block is real, and it can completely derail your writing. Here are six lessons to get writing again:

How To Write Whether You Feel Like it Or Not
This Fun Creative Writing Exercise Will Change Your Life
When You Should Be Writing But Can't…
What to do When Your Word Count is Too Low
7 Tricks to Write More with Less Willpower
When You Don’t Know What to Write, Write About Your Insecurities

7 Literary Technique Lessons and Exercises

These writing and storytelling techniques will teach you a few tricks of the trade you may not have discovered before:

3 Tips to “Show, Don’t Tell” Emotions and Moods
3 Reasons to Write Stream of Consciousness Narrative
16 Observations About Real Dialogue
Intertextuality As A Literary Device
Why You Should Use Symbolism In Your Writing
6 Ways to Evoke Emotion in Poetry and Prose
3 Tips To Write Modern Allegorical Novels
Symbol vs. Motif: What’s the Difference

3 Inspirational Writing Lessons and Exercises

Need some inspiration? Here are three of our most inspiring posts:

Why We Write: Four Reasons
You Must Remember Every Scar
17 Reasons to Write Something NOW

3 Publishing Blogging Lessons and Exercises

If you want to get published, these three lessons will help:

The Secret to Writing On Your Blog Every Day
How to Publish Your Book and Sell Your First 1,000 Copies
How to Get Published in Literary Magazines

11 Writing Prompts

Need inspiration or just a kick in the pants to write. Try one of our top writing prompts :

Grandfathers [writing prompt]
Out of Place [writing prompt]
Sleepless [writing prompt]
Longing [writing prompt]
Write About Yourself [writing prompt]
3 Reasons You Should Write Ghost Stories
Road Trip [writing prompt]
Morning [writing prompt]
The Beach [writing prompt]
Fall [writing prompt]
How to Use Six-Word Stories As Writing Prompts

Is It Time To Begin Your Writing Practice?

It's clear that if you want to become a writer, you need to practice writing. We've created a proven process to practice your writing at The Write Practice, but even if you don't join our community, I hope you'll start practicing in some way today.

Personally, I waited far too long to start practicing and it set my writing back years.

How about you? Do you think practicing writing is important? Let me know in the comments section .

Choose one of the writing practice posts above. Then, read the lesson and participate in the writing exercise, posting your work in the Pro Practice Workshop . And if you post, please give feedback to your fellow writers who also posted their practices.

Have fun and happy practicing!

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.

50 Comments

You have THE BEST content for writing on this blog!!

Thank you, Kristen. This made my morning. 🙂

Thanks Mitch. 🙂

I can’t remember when I started following this website. I have to look in my notebooks because that’s where I did these practices. I didn’t have access to a computer when I did them, so I wrote them out, setting the time limit. But even when I do get to a computer, I have my reservations about putting my practices on the page. even though it’s practice, I want them to be the best, almost perfect. But I know it won’t be. I’ve gotten feedback before that says so. It still gets to me that I didn’t put something together that not everyone liked. I need to get over it. After all, that is what these practices are about: to learn and improve on our craft.

I don’t know either, George, but it’s been several years. Perfectionism is something so many of us face, and it’s made worse when you don’t have a critique community as warm and encouraging as ours is. I hope you and everyone here are always willing to try something new, even if it comes out a little messed up, because you know we’ll support you and try to make you better.

What a great share! Thanks so much!

You’re so welcome, Elizabeth. Thank you for commenting.

when I ran writing classes I wrote. when I am “a member of writing classes” the teacher/leader/facilitator is NOT MY AUDIENCE and so I don’t write as well/as much. I don’t get the feedback I need from fellow students because most of them have never run their own writing projects/workshops. So many people expect you to write their story for them. I’ve actually got quite a few stories of me own. I have finally decided I like owning them. 😉

It sounds like you need a new critique group, Patience! Hope you can find a place where you get the feedback you need.

Wow! Terrific round-up of resources. 🙂

Thanks Stephanie. 🙂

Practice is necessary, period. It doesn’t matter what you want to learn. If you want to improve, practice is vital.

It’s odd. I’ve known and applied that principle for years on a variety of things. Painting. Drawing. Blogging. Gardening. Laundry.

But never writing.

Like you, I had the notion that just writing every day was all it took to improve. Why not the same level of dedication to writing?

Perhaps it’s time to change that!

I can relate, Carrie. It’s easy to confuse the craft of writing with journaling, thinking that you can just write whatever you feel like and you’ll get better, write something worth reading. The truth is that writing interesting things to read is a skill, but the good news is that you can get better at it with practice. Thanks for practicing with us! 🙂

I love these suggestions , and have set Writing Practice as my homepage so the first 15 minutes of my day is spent writing, whether its a practice or exercise here or another that is sprinkled through out this site, Thank you for all you do everyone here at The Write Practice

This is great Debra. I want to write the first 15 minutes of my day too!

I agree with Joe, Do it. Could be your to do list… ( that could lead to something else story wse later)

I love that, Debra. Such a good way to start your day.

Thanks Joe!

The best! Thank you so much for this.

You’re very welcome!

I simply LOVE all the tips and suggestions given on this blog. They are super helpful!

THANK you. We love sharing them with you. 🙂

Hi! You forgot the link to How to Write a Story a Week: A Day-by-Day Guide.

Thanks a lot for your work! This post is amazing.

It’s a great post Thiago. Definitely one of our most shared. Thanks for mentioning it! BTW here’s the link:

https://thewritepractice.com/a-story-a-week/

Wow!! There are so many exercises…. I just love it..! I am gonna really enjoy it..!

Awesome! Thank you for reading and practicing with us. 🙂

I only read halfway , My tootie is jumping all over me, and typing this is a struggle when a 3yr old wants his Toy Story movie on Youtube in this computer. Thank you for this article, will come back later to finish reading.

I know the feeling! Good luck!

Can’t wait to get stuck in with this! 🙂

Very helpful! Thank you!

I’ve just bookmarked this page. Thanks for this wonderful list.

This is awesome! So many helpful tips. I will be coming back to this often. Thanks for posting this!

Wow, so many goodies! Thank you for always providing such amazing content!!

I have enjoyed all these articles. Thank you for the help an inspiration to get my writing on its way. My creativity is boosting with confidence. Tootle loo.

Amazing contents for beginners like me Joe. I am highly inspired by your commitment. Thank you.

Hey, thanks!

Although I have only read half of thisc article, the practice exercises are excellent. Some of them are exactly what a beginning writer like myself needs. I am committing to at least try ALL of them. Thanks Joe!!

very helpful! thank you..

Amazing articles! Thanks so much for sharing!

My god this article made me love this site . You know it’s kinda hard for a beginner writer, who don’t know where to start and fixing goals, even samll ones give us a direction . A place to go , an aim for our creativity so thanks you , this community and this site. Love you all . At your pens ! 😉

Wow. This is great. I find all your posts informative, but this one is the best for me to use as a guide to get my self starting to write….Thank you.

I’m an old lady who wants to publish one more book before I die — have published several, all non-fiction, and done two under contract to a major publisher (reference books). So help me, the BIGGEST problem I have all along, is keeping track of the damned paper work and research that goes into a book!!! Yet I never ever see articles on something as simple as “How to file” — Oh I know, there’s wonderful software these days so probably I will never find a way to get paper organized — everybody will use software and do it on the computer. I’m too old for that — just one look at the learning curve for software, even putting the damned stuff into computer files is even MORE frustrating than paper!! Oh well, somehow I managed in the past to get books published, I may be able to do it one more time.

you enjoy writing more than anything else and you do indeed care to help others write. I love writing but translation from Arabic into English and English into Arabic is taking all of my time from the early hours of the morning till the evening. I will soon get all of your books in order to read them as soon as possible. One thing I am sure of. You know what you are doing very well. Hamzah

Excellent! Many useful tips. Many thanks!

Liz and Joe, I have only looked at a few exercises. Already, I am convinced that your site is one of the best sites out there. Thank your for sharing your wisdom.

Wow, these are the best lessons and exercises for writing. Actually i’m participating in a compitition this wendsday. so, i’m quite nervous and exited. this helped me a lot

Magnificent post ever I have read. This article will help me a lot to write a right way. Thank you.

i need your help to improve to become a better writer please. i think i usually commit moist of these errors and i don;t pay attention to many advices too.

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Secrets Revealed: How to answer a creative writing question.

Posted on January 16, 2022
in Uncategorized

Approaching creative writing questions can feel like trying to shoot an arrow at a target, with your eyes closed, with a wonky arrow, and facing the wrong way. It can be challenging. Not only are creative writing questions open and unspecific. They can feel like an enormous weight. Like Atlas, you could be standing holding the world up without an answer for a very long time. Most creative writing questions read like the below:

Write a story with the title ‘The Dare’.

Could it get any more daunting? Most average people see that and see a sea of problems. What if I pick the wrong topic? Or if I can’t think of an ending? What if the topic I pick is the topic everyone else picks? While this is going on in your head, nothing is going on the paper. So, here at Smart 11+ Tuition, we wanted to let you know two top tips to help you develop a story. In the event that you see a question like the above, panic doesn’t ensue and instead a sense of peace lifts you up and helps you to crack on with your writing!

Firstly, start with a creative writing plan…

Okay so step one. You have probably heard it over a thousand times but it does actually work. When you see this open question that gives you no direction, the first thing you do is pick a road and start driving. Take the below example:

The question is:

Write a story in which you have to do something difficult.

The first thing that pops into your head is that time when you saw your friend cheating at school and you weren’t sure whether to tell the teacher. Great! That’s a fantastic story and it’s easier to write because it is based on true events.

So next step, what happened? Write out a bullet point of a sequence of events:

You saw your friend look at another person’s paper.
Your friend wrote down their answers.
The test finished.
Your friend left and didn’t notice that you saw them cheat.
You told the teacher they cheated.

Okay so now what’s the most dramatic way you could tell this story? Re-write your sequence of events:

You saw your friend look at another person’s paper. They were sweating and looking around nervously.
Your friend wrote down their answers. They caught you watching and smiled cheekily.
Your friend left and didn’t notice that you saw them cheat.
You told the teacher they cheated. You didn’t know what to do so you went up to the teacher and… CLIFFHANGER.

Suddenly, in five minutes you have a beginning, middle and an end. A direction to your story, based on real-life which makes it easier to describe.

What’s next?

Use literary devices…

You mean the teacher was actually right when they said they look for literary skill in writing? Yes, yes they were.

It is absolutely key that you do not just write a descriptive story. Now, most people don’t know what I mean when I say a descriptive story, so here is an example:

“Ann went into the kitchen. It was really cold and the dishwasher was on. Ann decided to make some toast, so she grabbed some bread and stuck it on. When she had made the toast Ann went back to the living room where a giant alien was waiting. Ann offered him some toast and they ate it together.”

Great ideas! Originality and good guidance through the plot but no pizazz. It lacked interest. At the point that Ann was making toast were you interested and wanted to read more? No. It was boring – but still a good idea.

So, let’s have a re-write shall we?

“Ann snuck into the kitchen quietly. The stone floor was bitterly cold beneath her bare feet. She was sticking to the floor like it was made of ice. Suddenly, the loud quake of the dishwasher startled her and she hurried to the bread bin to make some warm food. as she was making her toast she saw a flash of green at the side of her vision. She grabbed her food and headed to the living room, where she was greeted by a gigantic lime-green alien. The alien had blue teeth and ten eyes, black as coal. His head hit the ceiling and left a trail of slime. Ann was so scared that she shakily lifted the plate towards the alien. The alien lifted a tentacle to the plate, grunted like a dog and gobbled the toast greedily.”

The use of literary devices: metaphor, simile, vocabulary, and adjectives lifted the story. It made it interesting and engaging to read. This is the aim of all creative writers.

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What are the Year 6 SATs in the UK?

Back to Basics: How to Approach 11+ Verbal Reasoning Questions

Mastering Mock Exams for the 11+ Exam: Your Complete Guide

Social media, book your free initial assessment, privacy overview, speak to an 11+ expert.

Area Manager – Solihull and Sutton Coldfield Head of Curriculum Development

Amy is a qualified teacher with 15 years experience. She did her PGSE following her BA Hons in Education and more than anything Amy is ardent about curriculum and developing unique resources to support children on their educational journey.

In one of her previous roles, she created and delivered a bespoke curriculum to help children with additional needs reach the national standards in SATs tests.

Here at Smart 11+ Tuition, with a team of 11+ experts, Amy has implemented the creation, design, and release of the Smart 11+ Success ™ Course.

Area Manager – Kings Heath and Harborne

Katie is currently completing her Doctorate in Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama at Kings College London, following from her Masters and Undergraduate from two red brick Universities. Katie is passionate about writing and encouraging others to develop their love of all things English!

Katie loves working in the educational sector. Having qualified as a teaching assistant in 2021, Katie has built up her experience training both adults and children and is eager to support young children in their aspirational career paths.

Emily is in experienced in educational development, having worked for high-end retail chains and then youth education charities. Emily graduated from University of Birmingham with a BSc in Geography.

Her biggest role to date has been becoming a mum to two beautiful children and has really focused Emily’s personal aim to expand on the academic opportunities for young people, whilst providing exceptional support and guidance to parents and carers.

Having worked at Smart 11+ Tuition since its infancy, Emily has been integral to the development, planning, and implementation of the company’s ethos and growth. With care and integrity at the heart of everything Emily does, she has directed the company to change children’s lives through bespoke educational support, resources, and opportunities.

Across all the branches at Smart 11+ Tuition, Emily aims to get best possible outcome for each and every one of our pupils.

Our founder, Sam is a qualified teacher, with over 15 years’ experience in education. He is dedicated to empowering opportunities for children to learn and develop in a friendly and resourceful environment. Sam is focussed on Smart 11+ Tuition and has been working on providing further access to our outstanding resources and development prospects for children across the West Midlands.

Recently, Sam and the curriculum team at Smart 11+ have remodelled the 11+ curriculum at the company and have created The Smart 11+ Success Course™. This labour of love has paid off with more children going to their preferred school as a result.

Sam has 3 children of his own and loves spending time with them. He is a parent governor at his children’s primary school and is thrilled by the challenge of overseeing the educational performance at the school. Sam is also an enthusiastic trustee of a local charity who distribute funds to a wide range of social causes.

Apr 30, 2019

Creative Writing | GCSE English Revision Tips | General Advice

Updated: Aug 5, 2021

How to revise for Creative Writing in GCSE English Language.

With the GCSE language paper coming up, the creative writing element is one that can easily be overlooked. Perhaps you wonder whether you can really learn how to do well in this part of the section or if it is simply down to talent. However, the key to excellent creative writing exam answers is imagination – using your creativity to come up with things to write.

A struggle that students I teach often find with creative questions is that the prompts are typically broad, and image prompts can be sparse with little detail. Sometimes they might spark inspiration, but sometimes you might be looking at them in despair, wondering what on earth you could write about.

Now, one huge advantage of these open-ended questions is that they allow you to have the prerogative to take the answer where you want it to go; there is no way for them to catch you out for not knowing any information. The broad question or image should not be restrictive: for instance, in a description you do not have to stick exactly to describing what you see; using poetic licence to imagine what might be there is strongly encouraged.

General Hints and Tips for Creative Writing at GCSE

A general piece of advice that I give to my students is to plan the structure of your answer. When you hear “creative writing”, you may not think that a plan would be necessary. However, in the mark schemes of all exam boards, the phrase “well controlled paragraphs”, and “well-structured answer” almost always features in the top band. Of course, you do not need to plan out all your similes and metaphors, but setting yourself out a basic structure of what to say in each paragraph will help it to read more clearly.

A key way to make it clear to the examiner that you know what you are doing is through consistency . Ensure that you have the same tone throughout your creative piece, and that your narrative style and tense remains the same. This way, you can show to the examiner that your narrative choices have been deliberate, and based on the purpose and audience of the brief you have been given.

Each GCSE syllabus has a different way of assessing for the creative writing element. Find your exam board below for some tips on how to tackle the specific exam questions you will be presented with.

How to write a description or a short story - AQA exam board

For the AQA creative writing section in particular, you will be asked to write either a description based on an image, or a short story. For the image description, as well as having a good standard of language, your marks will lie within your ability to use a wide range of language techniques: think metaphors, similes, sensory language, imagery, alliteration etc.

A description of this kind requires you to be very imaginative. If you are stuck on where to begin, look at the image and think about what mood you could extract from it. Does it look spooky? Does it look dangerous? Once you have identified this, try to reflect this mood in the tone of your description.

Some advice that was offered in the November 2017 examiners' report was to ensure that your writing is not too formulaic. For instance, try not to write “I can see… I can smell…” just to ensure you are filling in sensory language: this applies to both the short story and the description. This is perhaps the hardest element of the AQA creative language question: fulfilling all the criteria while making it flow and work as a creative piece.

My advice would be to read over your work after you have finished and try to imagine you are just reading this for fun, outside of the exam context. If it works as a piece of creative writing rather than just as an exam answer, you should be on the right track.

How to answer prompt-based questions - Edexcel exam board

The imaginative writing section of Edexcel requires you to take on a broad prompt, such as the 2017 question “write about a secret” with the aid of an image provided.

For this question, the mark scheme is fairly open as to the approaches you can take. It allows writing in the form of a description, an anecdote, a speech, or a narrative. The image is also only there to provide inspiration – you are not required to reference it directly in your answer if you do not wish to.

A good revision strategy for this question would be to pick a couple of forms that you want to focus on, and practice them before the exam. Then you could pick the form most suited to the question you chose in the exam, and you will be an expert in writing for this form: something that will immediately boost your marks.

A large part of fitting in with the mark scheme is “using appropriate techniques for creative writing”. This may include using a wide vocabulary, imagery, alliteration, similes and metaphors in order to describe and explain.

How to write for purpose – OCR exam board

For the OCR specification, the focus is on writing for purpose and audience . This is a large part of what you are being tested on, so you must always ensure that you identify these two things before you start writing.

In 2017, the options were to write a blog post describing how you successfully overcame a challenging situation, and to write a letter to an employer applying for a job you have always wanted. These two tasks clearly have significantly different purposes and audiences. A blog post would be for the general population, and the tone will need to be readable and informal, whereas the letter to the employer will need to be formal and tailored to the individual reader.

The mark scheme for these questions require you to cover the following areas: tone, style, register, and organisation. The first three in this list will need you to adapt for the purpose and audience. While going over past paper questions, if you’re unsure on how you should write, look up examples of that form online. For instance, looking for a letter to an employer online should give you some good examples, as would looking up examples of newsletter entries or blog posts.

My best piece of advice for OCR’s questions is to practise. Ask a parent or friend to come up with some different forms and audiences for you to write in, and practise adapting your tone, style and register for the different audiences.

OCR have also provided some helpful resources for creative writing (GCSE English Language 9-1 syllabus) .

Blog Post Crafted by Genevieve

Genevieve is currently working towards her bachelors in English Literature at the University of Warwick .

Born in Coventry, she now tutors English SATs and GCSE in her free time, as well as working for the university as an outreach ambassador in local schools.

She also enjoys playing piano and flute, and often performs as a backing singer at local gigs.

Whenever she has a moment to spare, you might find her driving to the beach or catching up on her reading!

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30 Creative Writer Interview Questions and Answers

Common Creative Writer interview questions, how to answer them, and example answers from a certified career coach.

Creative writing is a unique field, one that allows your imagination to soar and enables you to speak volumes with the power of words. As an aspiring creative writer aiming to step into this fascinating world professionally, it’s essential to understand that an interview could be as unconventional as the job itself.

To prepare for the unexpected and make a lasting impression on potential employers, we’ve put together a list of common creative writer interview questions. In addition, we provide detailed guidance on how to address these queries effectively, showcasing not only your writing prowess but also your ability to think creatively under pressure.

1. How do you approach the process of developing a new character for a story?

A character is the heart of any story. Their motivations, their flaws, and their growth are what truly make a narrative engaging. Interviewers want to know if you, as a writer, have the ability to create believable, complex characters who can carry a story. Your method of character development can indicate your understanding of human nature, your creativity, and your ability to weave intricate narratives.

Example: “Creating a new character involves a blend of imagination and empathy. I start with their role in the story, which helps shape their personality traits and motivations.

Next, I delve into their backstory, considering how their past experiences would influence their present actions and decisions. This adds depth to the character and makes them more relatable.

I then consider their relationships with other characters. These interactions can reveal different facets of their personality.

Lastly, I ensure that each character has room for growth or change as the story progresses. This keeps readers engaged and invested in their journey.”

2. Can you describe a time when you had to adapt your writing style to suit a specific audience or platform?

Flexibility is an incredibly important skill in the writing world. Whether you’re crafting a children’s book, an academic journal, or a social media post, each requires a unique tone, language, and style. Therefore, employers want to know if you can adapt your writing style to meet the needs of various audiences or platforms. Your ability to switch gears and write for different demographics or mediums demonstrates your versatility and breadth as a writer.

Example: “Absolutely. I once worked on a project that targeted young adults, specifically those interested in urban culture and music. My usual writing style is quite formal, so I had to adapt it to resonate with this audience.

I immersed myself in their language, interests, and communication styles by researching online forums, blogs, and social media platforms they frequented. This helped me craft content that was engaging, relatable, and impactful for them.

The result was a significant increase in engagement rates, proving the effectiveness of tailoring one’s writing style to suit the target audience. It was a valuable lesson in flexibility and understanding reader demographics.”

3. How do you handle writer’s block or other creative slowdowns?

Every creative process involves ups and downs, and writing is no exception. Employers need to ensure that their writers can keep delivering quality content even when they’re not feeling particularly inspired. By asking this question, they’re looking for insight into your problem-solving skills, resilience, and ability to maintain productivity under pressure.

Example: “When I encounter writer’s block, I use a few strategies to overcome it. I often step away from the project for a short period of time, allowing my mind to refresh and gain new perspectives. I also find that physical activity, like taking a walk or doing yoga, helps stimulate creativity.

Reading is another method I employ; it exposes me to different styles and ideas which can spark inspiration. If these techniques don’t work, I resort to free writing exercises to get the creative juices flowing again. It’s all about finding ways to reset and recharge your creative energy.”

4. Can you provide an example of a project where you had to balance creativity with strict guidelines or constraints?

Creativity is a writer’s heart and soul, but it’s also a business. Editors, publishers, clients—they all have specific needs and guidelines. A big part of professional writing is finding a way to fit your unique voice and ideas within those constraints. It’s a delicate balance and the ability to achieve it is a highly sought-after skill. This question helps interviewers gauge your ability to stay true to your creative vision while meeting the demands of the job.

Example: “One project that comes to mind is a children’s book I was commissioned to write. The client wanted the story to be imaginative and engaging, but it also had to adhere to educational standards for a specific age group.

The challenge was creating an exciting narrative while ensuring the language and content were suitable and beneficial for young readers. This required careful word choice and storyline development.

I managed this by integrating learning elements subtly into the plot, making education part of the adventure. It was a successful balance of creativity within constraints and the book received positive feedback from both educators and children.”

5. How do you ensure that your work maintains its originality and avoids clichés?

Originality is the lifeblood of creative writing. If your work isn’t fresh, it won’t captivate readers or stand out in a crowded marketplace. Clichés, on the other hand, can make a piece feel stale and unoriginal. By asking this question, the interviewer wants to gauge your awareness of this issue and your strategies for keeping your work unique and engaging.

Example: “Maintaining originality in my work involves a blend of continuous learning and self-awareness. I read widely to expose myself to diverse perspectives, styles, and ideas, which fuels my creativity. However, I’m careful not to mimic these influences but rather synthesize them into something unique.

To avoid clichés, I strive for authenticity in my writing. This means digging deeper into characters, situations, or themes to find fresh angles that resonate on a human level.

Moreover, I value feedback from peers and editors as it helps me identify any unintentional clichés or unoriginal elements. Their objective viewpoint can spot areas I might overlook due to familiarity with the material.”

6. What strategies do you employ to maintain consistency in your writing, particularly for long-term projects?

As a creative writer, consistency in your work is pivotal to the development of engaging stories and believable characters. For long-term projects, maintaining that consistency becomes even more essential, as inconsistent narratives or characters can break the reader’s immersion. Therefore, hiring managers want to know if you have effective strategies to ensure consistency in your work, contributing to the overall quality of your writing.

Example: “To maintain consistency in my writing, I employ a few key strategies.

I start with a detailed outline that guides the narrative and maintains thematic consistency. This also helps to ensure that the story progresses logically over time.

Regular reviews of previous sections before starting new ones is another strategy I use. It keeps me aligned with the established tone and style.

Lastly, I keep character profiles and plot details handy for reference. This ensures continuity and prevents inconsistencies.

These methods combined help me deliver consistent, high-quality work even on long-term projects.”

7. Can you discuss a piece of your work that required extensive research and how you went about it?

This question is designed to gauge your commitment to authenticity and accuracy in your writing. Even in the most imaginative realms of fiction, grounding your work in well-researched details can lend credibility to your stories, characters, and settings. In non-fiction, of course, thorough and accurate research is indispensable. The hiring team wants to ensure that you possess the tenacity, curiosity, and discipline required to dig deep into a topic and accurately convey complex information.

Example: “One project that required extensive research was a historical fiction novel I wrote. The story was set in the Victorian era, so understanding the period’s nuances was crucial.

I began by reading books and articles about the era to grasp its social, political, and cultural context. This helped me create an authentic backdrop for my story.

Next, I studied primary sources like letters, diaries, and newspapers from that time. These provided insights into people’s everyday lives, their language, and their concerns.

Lastly, I visited museums and galleries showcasing Victorian art and artifacts. This gave me a visual sense of the era, which enhanced my descriptions and settings.

This rigorous research process ensured authenticity and depth in my work, making the narrative more engaging and believable.”

8. How do you handle criticism and feedback on your work?

As a creative writer, your work is subjective and open to interpretation. This means it’s also open to criticism and feedback, which can sometimes be harsh or unexpected. Interviewers want to understand how you handle criticism and use it to improve. They want to see that you’re open-minded, willing to grow, and can maintain a positive attitude even in the face of negative feedback.

Example: “As a Creative Writer, I view criticism and feedback as valuable tools for growth. They provide me with different perspectives on my work which can help improve my craft.

When receiving criticism, I strive to keep an open mind and avoid taking it personally. Instead, I focus on understanding the points being raised and how they could enhance my work.

I believe in continuous learning and improvement, so I actively seek out feedback. It allows me to identify any blind spots in my writing and helps me deliver better results in future projects.

In essence, handling criticism positively is crucial in refining my skills and producing high-quality content.”

9. Can you describe a time when you had to meet a tight deadline for a writing project? How did you manage your time and resources?

This question is all about your time management skills and ability to perform under pressure. Writing can be a time-consuming process, and in a professional setting, you often don’t have the luxury of waiting for inspiration to strike. You need to be able to produce high-quality work within a set timeframe, and interviewers want to see if you can effectively juggle these demands.

Example: “I recall a time when I was assigned to write an entire script for a short film within a week. Knowing the importance of the project and its deadline, I divided my work into manageable sections.

For the first two days, I focused on research and outlining the plot. The next three days were spent fleshing out characters and dialogue. The last two days were reserved for revisions and final touches.

To manage resources, I utilized writing software for organization and sought feedback from colleagues to ensure quality. This systematic approach helped me meet the deadline without compromising creativity or quality.”

10. How do you approach writing for different genres? Can you provide examples?

An individual’s ability to write across multiple genres demonstrates versatility, adaptability, and a deep understanding of different literary styles and structures. This question helps interviewers gauge your creativity, your ability to understand and meet varied audience expectations, and your breadth of experience as a writer. It also allows them to assess whether you have the flexibility to handle various writing projects that may come your way.

Example: “Approaching different genres requires a deep understanding of their unique conventions and audience expectations. For instance, writing a mystery novel involves creating suspenseful twists and turns while a romance story focuses on emotional depth between characters.

In science fiction, I prioritize world-building and technological concepts. An example is crafting an advanced civilization with its own rules and societal norms.

For historical fiction, accuracy and authenticity are key. This might involve extensive research about the era to ensure accurate depiction of events or settings.

Each genre demands a tailored approach, but at the core of all my writing is a compelling narrative that engages readers.”

11. What methods do you use to ensure your writing is engaging and holds the reader’s attention?

Writing isn’t just about putting words on a page; it’s about crafting a narrative that grabs the reader and doesn’t let go. Potential employers want to understand your approach to creating engaging content. They want to see that you have the ability to captivate an audience, hold their interest, and leave them wanting more—all essential skills for a successful creative writer.

Example: “To ensure my writing is engaging, I focus on understanding the target audience’s interests and needs. This allows me to tailor content that resonates with them.

I also use storytelling techniques such as creating suspense or using emotional appeal to keep readers hooked. Including relatable characters and scenarios can help make complex ideas more digestible and interesting.

Moreover, I believe in the power of strong visuals and interactive elements like quizzes or infographics, which can enhance reader engagement.

Lastly, I regularly seek feedback to continuously improve and adapt my writing style.”

12. How would you handle a situation where your creative vision clashes with the expectations of a client or editor?

Creativity isn’t always about unfettered self-expression. In a professional context, you often have to balance your unique vision with the needs and expectations of others. This question is designed to see if you can handle that balance. It gauges your flexibility, your ability to take criticism, and your skills in negotiation and compromise, all of which are essential in a professional writing career.

Example: “In such a scenario, I would first ensure that I fully understand the client’s or editor’s expectations. Open communication is key to resolving any creative differences.

Next, I’d present my vision and reasons behind it, ensuring they align with the project goals. If there are still disagreements, I’d be open to compromise and find a middle ground that satisfies both parties.

It’s crucial to remember that while creativity is important, meeting the client’s needs and maintaining a professional relationship should always take precedence.”

13. How do you ensure that your writing maintains a consistent tone, particularly when working on a series or long-term project?

Your words are your craft. As a creative writer, the ability to maintain a consistent tone throughout a series or long-term project is critical. It’s what keeps readers engaged, maintains the integrity of characters and plotlines, and ultimately, defines your unique style as a writer. Interviewers want to see that you understand this and have strategies in place to ensure consistency in your work.

Example: “To maintain a consistent tone in my writing, I start by clearly defining the voice and style guidelines for each project. This includes understanding the character’s personality or brand’s identity.

During the writing process, I often revisit earlier sections to ensure that the tone remains uniform throughout. Regular editing sessions also help me spot any inconsistencies.

I find reading my work aloud is another effective way to check for tonal consistency. It allows me to hear if something sounds off or doesn’t align with the established voice.

Lastly, feedback from others can be invaluable. Fresh eyes often catch things that I may have overlooked.”

14. Can you share an instance where you successfully incorporated feedback into a piece of your writing?

The power of feedback is a critical tool for any writer. This question allows the hiring manager to gauge your ability to accept and incorporate feedback, which indicates your willingness to grow, improve, and collaborate. It’s not just about creating beautiful prose—being a good writer often means being a good listener and being open to critique and changes. This question allows you to demonstrate that you have these qualities.

Example: “In one of my projects, I was writing a fantasy novella. My editor suggested that the antagonist’s motivations were not clear enough which made him less compelling.

Taking this feedback onboard, I reworked several scenes to provide more context and depth to his character. This included adding backstory elements and internal dialogue.

The result was a more nuanced and engaging villain, contributing to the overall quality of the story. This experience reinforced the value of constructive criticism in refining my work.”

15. How do you incorporate elements of your personal experiences into your writing?

As a writer, your unique perspective and experiences are part of what makes your work special. Hiring managers want to see that you understand how to harness your own life and insights to create more realistic, relatable, and engaging stories. They’re interested in knowing how you weave pieces of yourself into your characters, plots, and overall narrative.

Example: “Incorporating personal experiences into my writing is a delicate process. I aim to extract emotions, perspectives, or lessons from these experiences rather than directly narrating them.

For instance, if I’ve experienced loss, I may not write about the event itself but use the feelings it evoked to shape a character’s response in a similar situation. This approach allows me to create authentic emotional responses and depth within my characters.

Moreover, I often draw on places I’ve visited for setting descriptions, ensuring an immersive experience for readers. However, I always keep in mind that creativity and imagination are key, so personal experiences serve as inspiration, not templates.”

16. How do you approach the editing and revision process for your work?

The heart of this question lies in your ability to self-evaluate and improve. Writing, particularly creative writing, is often a fluid and iterative process. It’s not just about the initial inspiration, but how you refine and polish your work. The interviewer wants to understand your mindset towards self-improvement, your attention to detail, and your persistence in creating the best work possible.

Example: “My approach to editing and revision is iterative and detail-oriented. I begin with a broad review, focusing on structure, coherence, and narrative flow. This allows me to identify any major issues that need addressing.

Following this, I conduct a line-by-line edit for grammar, punctuation, and style. Here, my goal is to ensure clarity and readability without compromising the original voice or tone of the piece.

Finally, I perform a proofread to catch any overlooked errors. Throughout the process, I maintain an open mind, always willing to make necessary changes while preserving the integrity of the work.”

17. Can you discuss a project where you had to collaborate with others, such as illustrators or other writers? What was your role and how did you contribute?

This question is designed to uncover your ability to work as part of a creative team. Writing is often perceived as a solitary endeavor, but in many professional settings, it’s a collaborative process. Whether it’s co-authoring a novel, working with illustrators for a children’s book, or creating content with a team for a website, your ability to effectively communicate and cooperate with others is key to a project’s success.

Example: “Yes, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a collaborative project for an online children’s magazine. My role was as the lead writer, creating engaging stories for our young readers.

I worked closely with illustrators, providing them with storyboards and detailed descriptions of characters and scenes. This ensured that the illustrations accurately reflected the narrative, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.

My contribution went beyond writing; it involved facilitating effective communication within the team, ensuring everyone felt valued and understood the project goals. The result was a beautifully illustrated, captivating series of stories that resonated well with our audience.”

18. How do you maintain motivation for a project that extends over a long period of time?

This question is designed to probe your ability to stay committed and enthused about your work, even when the project stretches out over a lengthy period. In the world of creative writing, it’s not uncommon for projects to take months or even years to complete, and your ability to stay motivated and passionate can be the difference between a completed masterpiece and an abandoned draft.

Example: “Maintaining motivation for a long-term project involves setting clear, achievable goals and celebrating small victories along the way. It’s about keeping the end vision in sight but focusing on the immediate tasks at hand.

I also find it helpful to keep my work environment stimulating and positive. This could be as simple as changing up where I write or finding inspiration from different sources.

Lastly, taking care of my physical health is crucial. Regular exercise, good nutrition, and adequate rest help maintain energy levels and mental clarity. These elements combined ensure sustained motivation throughout lengthy projects.”

19. How do you ensure your work is culturally sensitive and inclusive?

The question is designed to assess your understanding and commitment to diversity and inclusion. It’s important that writers today have a keen awareness of the diverse world we live in. Stories that are sensitive to various cultures, backgrounds, and experiences are more relatable, authentic, and engaging. This question helps recruiters gauge your ability to create work that resonates with a wide audience.

Example: “To ensure my work is culturally sensitive and inclusive, I prioritize research. Understanding the cultural context of characters, settings, or themes is crucial in creating authentic narratives that respect diverse perspectives.

I also seek feedback from individuals belonging to those cultures or communities. This helps me avoid stereotypes and misconceptions while fostering inclusivity.

Moreover, I strive for representation, not tokenism. Characters should have depth and purpose beyond their cultural identity.

Inclusivity goes beyond race or ethnicity; it includes gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc. Therefore, I aim to depict a wide range of experiences and identities in my writing.”

20. Can you describe a time when you had to rewrite or significantly revise a piece of your work?

The essence of writing, as they say, is rewriting. And that’s especially true in a professional context. Hiring managers want to know that you’re not only open to constructive criticism but also that you’re capable of using that feedback to improve your work. This question is designed to gauge your ability to accept criticism, your problem-solving skills, and your dedication to producing the best possible work.

Example: “In a recent project, I was tasked with writing a short story set in the Victorian era. After completing my first draft, feedback from my editor suggested that the dialogue didn’t accurately reflect the period’s language style.

I had to revisit each conversation and revise it extensively while ensuring the narrative flow remained intact. This required significant research into Victorian speech patterns and colloquialisms.

The revision process was challenging but ultimately improved the authenticity of the piece significantly. It also enhanced my understanding of historical contexts for future projects.”

21. How do you approach developing a plot for a story? Can you walk me through your process?

Diving into the mind of a writer, the interviewer wants to understand your creative process and how you shape your ideas into a compelling narrative. The ability to consistently generate and structure creative ideas is essential for a writer. Hence, by asking this question, the interviewer aims to gauge your storytelling skills, creativity, and discipline when it comes to developing a plot for a story.

Example: “Developing a plot for a story starts with an idea or concept. I usually brainstorm and jot down my thoughts, creating a rough sketch of the storyline.

Next, I establish the key elements: characters, setting, conflict, and resolution. This helps me create a narrative arc that guides the flow of the story.

I then expand on this outline, adding details to each element, ensuring they all contribute towards moving the plot forward.

Lastly, I focus on pacing and structure, making sure there’s balance between action, dialogue, and exposition. It’s crucial to keep readers engaged throughout the story.

This process is iterative, involving multiple drafts and revisions until the plot feels compelling and complete.”

22. Can you discuss a time when you had to write outside of your comfort zone or usual genre?

This question is designed to gauge your adaptability as a writer. In the ever-evolving landscape of creative writing, the ability to step outside your comfort zone and tackle new genres or styles is a valuable skill. This shows your versatility, openness to new ideas, and willingness to grow and learn as a writer – all of which are qualities highly sought after in the field.

Example: “Absolutely. I once had to write a series of technical articles for a client, which was quite different from my usual creative and narrative style. It required extensive research and understanding complex concepts.

The challenge was not only learning about the topic but also translating it into layman’s terms. However, this experience expanded my writing skills and taught me how to adapt to different genres and audiences. Now, I can confidently tackle diverse writing tasks with ease.”

23. How do you balance the need for creativity with the practical aspects of writing, such as grammar, punctuation, and formatting?

Writing is a delicate dance between the art of storytelling and the science of language. Anyone can string words together, but it takes a true creative to do so in a way that’s compelling, engaging, and evocative. However, there’s a practical side to writing that cannot be ignored. Grammar, punctuation, and formatting are the tools that bring clarity and order to your creative ideas, and without them, your story may not be understood as you intended. This question is designed to assess your understanding of this balance and your ability to apply it in your work.

Example: “Balancing creativity and practicality in writing is a delicate task. I approach it by allowing my initial draft to be a free-flow of ideas, focusing on the creative aspect. This helps me ensure that the content is engaging and unique.

Once I have the core idea down, I then shift focus to the technicalities – grammar, punctuation, formatting. I use various tools and manual checks to ensure accuracy.

The key is to maintain a harmonious blend where neither the creativity is stifled by overemphasis on rules nor the message gets lost due to lack of structure. It’s about maintaining the artistic integrity while ensuring readability and comprehension for the audience.”

24. Can you provide an example of a project where you had to incorporate specific themes or messages into your writing?

This question probes your ability to weave complex themes into your writing without sacrificing the narrative. It’s a test of your skill as a writer to incorporate different elements, such as themes or messages, into a story or article in a way that is engaging, insightful, and meaningful. It also gives the interviewer an understanding of how you interpret and fulfill a brief or assignment, which is a critical part of being a professional writer.

Example: “One project that stands out is a series of children’s books I wrote. The client wanted to incorporate themes of diversity and inclusivity into the narrative.

I created characters from various backgrounds, each with unique abilities and traits. This allowed me to weave these themes naturally throughout the story.

The challenge was maintaining an engaging storyline while subtly imparting these important messages. But the end result was well-received, achieving both entertainment and educational goals.”

25. How do you approach writing dialogue for your characters?

Writing dialogue is a particularly specific skill within the craft of writing, and one that can make or break a piece of work. Interviewers are keen to understand how you give each character a unique voice, how you use dialogue to drive the plot forward, and how you create engaging, believable conversations. This tells them about your ability to create compelling characters and narratives, essential elements for a successful creative writer.

Example: “When writing dialogue, I focus on three key aspects: character voice, conflict, and subtext.

Character voice is about consistency in speech patterns, vocabulary, and tone that reflect their background and personality. This helps to make characters distinct and believable.

Conflict keeps the dialogue engaging. Even casual conversations can have elements of tension or disagreement which drive the narrative forward.

Subtext involves what’s unsaid but implied, adding depth to interactions. It requires a good understanding of your characters’ motivations and secrets.

This approach ensures dialogue serves both characterization and plot progression.”

26. How do you ensure your writing appeals to a diverse audience?

As a creative writer, your work isn’t just about creating engaging prose, but also about reaching a wide array of readers. Your ability to craft narratives that appeal to a diverse audience can mean the difference between a book that’s universally loved and one that’s only appreciated by a niche group. This question gives you a chance to demonstrate your understanding of different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, and how you incorporate that understanding into your work.

Example: “Understanding the diversity of an audience is crucial in creative writing. I ensure my work appeals to a broad spectrum by incorporating universal themes and emotions that resonate with everyone, regardless of their background.

I also conduct thorough research on different cultures and communities to accurately represent them in my writing without stereotyping or appropriating.

Inclusivity is key; hence, I aim for diverse character representation and avoid alienating language.

Feedback is invaluable, so I often seek it from varied sources to gauge whether my content is relatable and respectful. This approach helps me create content that speaks to a wide range of readers.”

27. Can you discuss a time when a project did not go as planned? How did you handle the situation?

Creativity is not a straight path, and sometimes, the best-laid plans can fall apart. Interviewers want to gauge how you navigate through the uncertainties and challenges that are inherent in the creative process. Your response will demonstrate your problem-solving skills, resilience, and adaptability, all of which are vital qualities for a creative writer.

Example: “In one instance, a commissioned piece was not received well by the client. They felt it didn’t capture their brand’s voice effectively.

I quickly scheduled a meeting to understand their concerns in detail. I realized there had been some miscommunication regarding their expectations.

To rectify this, I revised my approach and asked for more specific feedback. This helped me align better with their vision and produce a satisfactory final draft. The experience taught me the importance of clear communication from the outset.”

28. How do you stay updated with current writing trends, styles, and techniques?

Just as the world evolves, so does language, and the way we use it to tell stories. It’s vital for writers to stay updated with trends, styles, and techniques in the literary world to ensure their work remains relevant, engaging, and marketable. Employers ask this question to gauge your commitment to continuous learning, your adaptability to change, and how proactive you are about your craft.

Example: “I stay updated with current writing trends and techniques through continuous learning. I regularly read industry-specific blogs, participate in online forums, and attend webinars or workshops whenever possible.

Social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn are also great resources for staying informed about the latest developments in the field of creative writing.

Moreover, I’m an active member of several professional writing associations which provide valuable insights and updates on new styles and techniques.

Lastly, reading a diverse range of books helps me understand different writing styles and keeps my own work fresh and innovative.”

29. Can you provide an example of a piece of your work that was particularly challenging to write? How did you overcome the challenges?

This question is designed to gain insight into your problem-solving skills and resilience as a writer. Writing is often a complex and iterative process that requires creativity, adaptability, and tenacity. By asking for a specific example, interviewers aim to understand your approach to overcoming obstacles, your perseverance, and your commitment to producing high-quality work.

Example: “One of the most challenging pieces I had to write was a dystopian novella. The challenge lay in creating an entirely new world with its own rules and societal norms, while keeping it relatable for readers.

To overcome this, I extensively researched various dystopian works and theories on societal structures. This helped me build a believable universe.

I also sought feedback from other writers and beta-readers, making necessary revisions based on their insights. This iterative process greatly improved the final product.”

30. How do you measure the success of your writing?

Success in creative writing can be quite subjective. Is it about the number of books sold, the critical acclaim, or simply the satisfaction of having completed a project? Hiring managers ask this question to gauge your understanding of success and to see if it aligns with the company’s objectives. Your answer could also reveal your motivations—whether you’re driven by commercial success, critical recognition, or personal satisfaction.

Example: “I measure the success of my writing through audience engagement and feedback. If readers are interacting, sharing, or commenting on my work, it indicates that it resonated with them.

However, I also value personal growth as a writer. Am I improving in my craft? Am I pushing creative boundaries?

Success isn’t just about external validation but also internal satisfaction and development.”

30 Maintenance Helper Interview Questions and Answers

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Insider GCSE creative writing tips + 106 prompts from past papers

by Hayley | Mar 9, 2023 | Exams , Writing | 0 comments

Are you feeling a little bit twitchy about your child’s English GCSE writing task?

Sciences and humanities – although sometimes daunting in their content – seem a fair bet as ‘revisable’ topics. But the creative writing element of the English Language GCSE is less knowable and ultimately more of a frightening prospect for a student keen to do well.

Preparing for the GCSE writing task? You don’t need to do it alone.

We run a weekly online writing club which prepares students to write high-scoring content. Our “Higher” level club is designed to transform your writing so that you can ace the GCSE language paper.

What is the GCSE writing element of the GCSE Language Paper?

There are 5 key GCSE exam boards: AQA , OCR , Pearson Edexcel , WJEC Eduqas and CCEA . Each board sets their own papers which may appear much the same at first glance (bizarrely they all have a similar front cover layout and fonts). Certainly there is plenty of overlap between their mark schemes and the comments and tips they share in their Examiner Reports.

However, as with all your child’s other subjects, it is essential to know which exam board they are preparing for. You may be surprised to discover that schools pick and choose boards by subject, perhaps choosing AQA for chemistry and OCR for mathematics. Individual school departments have their own preferences. My brother teaches at a school where their English Literature and English Language exams have been split between two different boards. This is unusual though, not the norm!

What forms (question formats) can the test take?

It varies by board.

The AQA board has a writing task in their Question Paper 1 called Explorations in creative reading and writing . Students are given two prompts to choose between. The AQA board also has a second persuasive writing task in Paper 2 called Writers’ viewpoints and perspectives.

Jump ahead to AQA creative writing and persuasive writing prompts from past GCSE papers

The Pearson/Edexcel international iGCSE favoured by many UK private schools has two prompts to choose between for each section. The student is asked to complete a piece of transactional writing (perhaps a persuasive speech or an advertisement leaflet) and additionally a piece of imaginative writing.

Jump ahead to Pearson/Edexcel transactional writing and imaginative writing prompts from past GCSE papers

Interestingly, the WJEC Eduqas board favours non-fiction writing. Unit 2 Reading and Writing: Description, Narration and Exposition gives two prompts to choose between, for an account and an essay perhaps, and Unit 3: Reading and Writing: Argumentation, Persuasion and Instructional sets up a letter, or similar.

Jump ahead to WJEC Eduqas non-fiction writing prompts from past GCSE papers

The OCR board offers two prompts to choose between. One might be a talk for other students and the other might be a letter on a difficult subject .

Jump ahead to OCR creative writing prompts from past GCSE papers

The CCEA board has a writing task in called “ Writing for Purpose and Audience and Reading to Access Non-fiction and Media Texts” and a second writing task which offers a choice between personal writing and creative writing.

Jump ahead to CCEA persuasive writing, personal writing, and creative prompts from past GCSE papers

How long do students have to craft their piece of writing?

Creative writing tests are timed at either 45 minutes or 1 hour. The last thing your child will need is to prepare to write for an hour, only to find they have just three-quarters of an hour on the day. If in doubt, insist that they check with their teacher.

AQA students are given 45 minutes to produce their writing response. The introduction advises: ‘ You are reminded of the need to plan your answer. You should leave enough time to check your work at the end.’ What this means is that 30–35 minutes max is what’s really allowed there for the writing itself.

Pearson/Edexcel allows 45 minutes for each of the two writing tasks.

OCR students are given an hour to complete this section of their exam. The introduction states: ‘You are advised to plan and check your work carefully,’ so they will expect the writing itself to take 45–50 minutes.

How long should the completed GCSE writing task be?

Interestingly, although the mark schemes all refer to paragraphingthey don’t state how many paragraphs they expect to see.

‘A skilfully controlled overall structure, with paragraphs and grammatical features used to support cohesion and achieve a range of effects’ (OCR)

‘Fluently linked paragraphs with seamlessly integrated discourse markers’ (AQA)

Why? Because management of paragraph and sentence length is a structural technique available to the student as part of their writers’ toolkit. If the number of optimal paragraphs were to be spelled out by the board, it would have a negative impact on the freedom of the writer to use their paragraphs for impact or to manage the pace of the reader.

For a general guide I would expect to see 3 to 5 paragraphs in a creative piece and 5 paragraphs in a persuasive piece. Leaflets have a different structure entirely and need to be set out in a particular form to achieve the top notes of the mark scheme.

What are the examiners looking for when they are marking a student’s creative writing paper?

There are two assessment objectives for the writing itself:

It has to be adapted to the form, tone and register of writing for specific purposes and audiences.
It has to use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, with appropriate paragraphing, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

As a GCSE English nerd, I really enjoy delving deeper into the Examiner Reports that each board brings out once the previous cohort’s papers have been marked. They are a fascinating read and never disappoint…

Within their pages, examiners spell out the differences they have spotted between the stronger and the weaker responses.

For example, a creative task set by the AQA board was to describe a photograph of a town at sunset. The examiners explained that some of the strongest responses imagined changes in the scene as darkness descended. They enjoyed reading responses that included personification of the city, and those that imagined the setting in the past, or the weariness of the city. Weaker candidates simply listed what was in the picture or referred directly to the fact it was an image. This chronological-list approach weakened the structure of their work.

No surprises that some weaker students relied heavily on conversation. (As an exam marker myself, I dreaded reading acres of uninspiring direct speech.)

Pearson/Edexcel explain that weaker persuasive pieces (in this case on the value of television) simply listed pros and cons rather than developed ideas fully to clarify their own opinions. The higher-level responses here were quirky and engaging, entertaining the reader with a range of appropriate techniques and making the argument their own.

What accommodations are possible for students who have specific learning difficulties?

The UK Government’s Guide for Schools and Colleges 2022: GCSE, AS and A Levels includes information about changes to assessments to support ‘disabled students.’ Their definition of disabled includes specific learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ADD, ASD etc).

Exam boards can make a wide range of adjustments to their assessments. Some of the most common adjustments are:

modified papers (for example, large print or braille exam papers)
access to assistive software (for example, voice recognition systems or computer readers)
help with specific tasks (for example, another person might read questions to the student or write their dictated answers)
changes to how the assessment is done (for example, an oral rather than a written assessment, word-processing rather than hand-writing answers)
extra time to complete assessments
exemptions from an assessment

The exam board will expect paperwork to be in place where your child’s specific needs are formally reported by an appropriate professional (Educational Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Consultant). The report needs to be recent, but how recent is difficult to confirm.

If your child is likely to need adjustments to their access arrangements you will need to discuss this with their school in plenty of time before the exam itself.

A close friend of mine realised in the final few weeks before her son’s GCSE exams that his tinnitus would have a negative impact on his performance. She approached the school to ask if he might take his exams in a separate room to minimise noise disturbance. Unfortunately, it was far too late by then to apply, and her son was denied the request.

Your child’s school will explain the process for applying for special arrangements and will be able to advise you on what your expectations should be. Never presume your child will be given what they need – but plenty of requests are successful, so stay positive and make sure your paperwork is in order beforehand.

Tips and strategies for writing a high scoring GCSE creative writing paper:

1. learn the formats.

Know the different formats and conventions of the different GCSE writing tasks. There is a standard layout for a leaflet, for example, where including contact details and a series of bullet points is part of the mark scheme. Not knowing these conventions will knock back a student’s score.

2. Plan ahead

Prepare a planning structure for each of the written forms you might encounter during the exam. It may need to be flexed on the day, but it will banish fear of the blank page and allow you to get started.

3. Prepare sentence-openings

Familiarise yourself with appropriate sentence-openings for each type of GCSE writing task. Fronted adverbials of time and place will improve the quality of a creative piece, whereas access to varied and specific conjunctions might push up the mark of a transactional piece.

4. Check your speaking

Ask your family to check your speech at home. Every now and then try to flip a sentence into formal language, using more interesting synonyms for your usual spoken vocabulary. This will help you to write formally on paper, avoiding colloquialisms.

5. Forget finishing

Finishing is less important than you might imagine. Sloppy, hurried work is your enemy. GCSE examiners will follow your clear planning and mark you accordingly, even if you’ve not managed to complete that final paragraph.

6. Note the details

The question often gives additional information the examiner would like to see included. Note it in your plan to make sure it doesn’t get forgotten.

7. Start strong

Use your best sentence-opener at the start of each paragraph. It will set you up as someone to be taken seriously.

8. Cut back dialogue

Keep dialogue contained in a single paragraph. Focus on description of the speaker and their actions before noting the second character’s reply.

9. Revise

Do this by prepping work as above. Nothing beats it.

Would you like me to transform your child’s writing in my higher writing club?

Each week in my higher writing club , we spend 20 minutes on Zoom together. After the task has been introduced, the students write for 15 minutes. Next, they upload their work for 1:1 video marking.

There is no point prepping essays/creative pieces for the GCSE English Language exam if your child’s writing is poor. First, their scruffy presentation, attention to detail, punctuation, grammar and vocabulary need to be addressed.

After 2 months in the higher writing club your child’s written technique and fluency will be transformed by our 1–2-1 video marking system (consistent messaging is achieved by matching your child with their own teacher).

Each weekly activity is drawn directly from the GCSE English Language Subject Content and Assessment Objectives , published by the English Department of Education.

Here’s an example of a student’s writing, BEFORE they joined our club:

Handwriting and creative writing sample from a GCSE level student - before online writing lessons

It is chaotic, poorly-presented and nonsensical. Letter-sizing is confused and the student is clearly anxious and repeatedly scribbling through small errors.

Below is the same student 2 months later:

Handwriting and creative writing sample from a GCSE level student -after 2 months of weekly online writing lessons with Griffin Teaching

Observe the rich vocabulary, authorial techniques (the jagged rocks are ‘like shards of broken glass’) and general fluency and sophistication.

Real and recent GCSE example questions/prompts from each of the 5 key exam boards

Aqa english language gcse questions, paper 2 writers’ viewpoints and perspectives:.

‘Our addiction to cheap clothes and fast fashion means young people in poorer countries have to work in terrible conditions to make them. We must change our attitude to buying clothes now.’ Write an article for a magazine or website in which you argue your point of view on this statement. ( Source )
‘People have become obsessed with travelling ever further and faster. However, travel is expensive, dangerous, damaging and a foolish waste of time!’ Write an article for a news website in which you argue your point of view on this statement. ( Source )
‘Cars are noisy, dirty, smelly and downright dangerous. They should be banned from all town and city centres, allowing people to walk and cycle in peace.’ Write a letter to the Minister for Transport arguing your point of view on this statement. ( Source )
‘All sport should be fun, fair and open to everyone. These days, sport seems to be more about money, corruption and winning at any cost.’ Write an article for a newspaper in which you explain your point of view on this statement. ( Source )

Paper 1 Explorations in creative reading and writing:

A magazine has asked for contributions for their creative writing section. Either write a description of an old person as suggested by the picture below or write a story about a time when things turned out unexpectedly. ( Source )

Image of a man with a beard, example image to use as a GCSE creative writing prompt

Your school or college is asking students to contribute some creative writing for its website. Either, describe a market place as suggested by the picture below or write a story with the title, ‘Abandoned’. ( Source )

image of a market scene to use as a creative writing prompt

Your local library is running a creative writing competition. The best entries will be published in a booklet of creative writing. Either, write a description of a mysterious place, as suggested by the picture below or write a story about an event that cannot be explained. ( Source )

image of a round entrance to a spooky scene to use as a gcse creative writing prompt

A magazine has asked for contributions for their creative writing section. Either, describe a place at sunset as suggested by the picture below or write a story about a new beginning. ( Source )

OCR English Language GCSE questions

Paper: communicating information and ideas.

Either, Write a post for an online forum for young people about ‘A moment that changed my life’.
Or, You are giving a talk at a parents’ information evening about why all children should study science at school. Explain your views. ( Source )
Either, Write a letter to a friend to describe a challenging and unpleasant task you once had to do.
Or, Write a short guide for new workers about how to deal successfully with difficult customers. ( Source )
Either, “Was it worth it?” Write an article for a magazine to describe a time when you had to do something difficult.
Or, Write a speech for an event to congratulate young people who have achieved something remarkable. ( Source )
Either, Write the words of a talk to advise pet owners how to make life more enjoyable for their pet and themselves.
Or, Write an article for a travel magazine to describe your dramatic encounter with an animal. ( Source )
Either, ‘How I prefer to spend my time.’ Write the words of a talk to young people about your favourite activity
Or, Write a magazine article to persuade parents to allow their teenage children more freedom. You are not required to include any visual or presentational features. ( Source )
Either, Write a talk for other students about a person you either admire strongly or dislike intensely
Or, Write a letter to a friend to explain a difficult decision you had to make. ( Source )

Paper: Exploring effects and impact

Either, Hunger satisfied. Use this as the title for a story.
Or, Write about a time when you were waiting for something. ( Source )
Either, The Taste of Fear Use this as the title for a story.
Or, Write about a time when you were exploring a particular place. ( Source )
Either, Alone. Use this as the title for a story.
Or, Describe a time when you found yourself in a crowd or surrounded by people. ( Source )
Either, Land at Last. Use this as the title for a story.
Or, Imagine you have visited somewhere for the first time and are now reporting back on your experience. ( Source )
Either, The Playground Use this as the title for a story
Or, Write about a memory you have of playing a childhood game. ( Source )
Either, It seemed to me like I had been magically transported. Use this as the title for a story.
Or, Describe a place where you have felt comfortable. ( Source )

Pearson Edexcel English Language iGCSE questions

Paper 1: transactional writing.

Either, ‘In our busy twenty-first century lives, hobbies and interests are more important than ever.’ Write an article for a newspaper expressing your views on this statement.
Or, ‘We are harming the planet we live on and need to do more to improve the situation.’ You have been asked to deliver a speech to your peers in which you explain your views on this statement. ( Source )
‘ Zoos protect endangered species from around the world.’ ‘No wild animal should lose its freedom and be kept in captivity. Write an article for a magazine in which you express your views on zoos.
Write a review of an exciting or interesting event that you have seen. ( Source )
Your local newspaper has published an article with the headline ‘Young people today lack any desire for adventure’. Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper expressing your views on this topic.
‘The key to success in anything is being prepared.’ Write a section for a guide giving advice on the importance of preparation. ( Source )
You and your family have just returned from a holiday that did not turn out as you expected. Write a letter to the travel agent with whom you booked your holiday, explaining what happened.
A magazine is publishing articles with the title ‘Friendship is one of the greatest gifts in life’. Write your article on this topic. ( Source )
‘Important lessons I have learned in my life.’ You have been asked to deliver a speech to your peers on this topic.
Your local/school library wants to encourage young people to read more. Write the text of a leaflet explaining the benefits of reading. ( Source )
‘Most memorable journeys.’ A website is running a competition to reward the best articles on this subject. Write an article for the competition about a memorable journey.
‘Cycling is one form of exercise that can lead to a healthier lifestyle.’ Write a guide for young people on the benefits of exercise. ( Source )
‘Television educates, entertains and helps global understanding.’ ‘Television is to blame for society’s violence and greed and delivers one-sided news.’ You have been asked to deliver a speech in which you express your views and opinions on television.
‘Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions we ever make.’ Write the text of a leaflet that gives advice to young people on how to choose a career. ( Source )
Write the text for a leaflet aimed at school students which offers advice on how to deal with bullying.
A museum is planning to open a new exhibition called ‘Life in the Twenty-First Century’. ( Source )

Paper 2: Imaginative writing

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, enjoyed success
Write a story with the title ‘A Surprise Visitor’.
Look at the two images below. Choose one and write a story that begins ‘I did not have time for this’ ( Source )

two images to choose to use as a story starter for a gcse creative writing prompt that begins with "I did not have time for this"

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, challenged an unfair situation.
Write a story with the title ‘Bitter, Twisted Lies’.
Look at the two images below. Choose one and write a story that begins ‘It was a new day …’ You may wish to base your response on one of these images. ( Source )

two images to use for GCSE creative writing practice. Image 1 is of a woman on top of a mountain at sunset, the second image is of a harbour at sunset with a bridge in the field of view

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, visited a new place.
Write a story with the title ‘The Storm’
Look at the two images below. Choose one and write a story that ends ‘I decided to get on with it.’ ( Source )

Two images to use as GCSE writing prompts. Students are asked to choose one and start their story with the words "I decided to get on with it"

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, saw something surprising.
Write a story with the title ‘The Meeting’.
Look at the two images below. Choose one and write a story that starts ‘Suddenly, without warning, there was a power cut.’ ( Source )

Two images to use as GCSE writing prompts. The first shows two children sitting at a table lit by candles, the second is of a city scene with half of the buildings lit up and the other half shrouded in darkness

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, went on a long journey.
Write a story with the title ‘A New Start’
Look at the two images below. Choose one and write a story that begins ‘I tried to see what he was reading. ( Source )

two example images students can use while revising for the GCSE wri5ting task. Both are on the theme of reading.

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, felt proud.
Write a story with the title ‘The Hidden Book’.
Look at the two images below. Choose one and write a story that begins ‘It was like a dream’ ( Source )

Two images from past GCSE papers to use as a prompt for creative writing.

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, had to be brave
Write a story with the title ‘Everything Had Changed’
Look at the two images below. Choose one and write a story that begins ‘It was an unusual gift’. ( Source )

Two images of presents that students can use to start a story with "it was an unusual gift."

WJEC Eduqas English Language GCSE questions

Unit 2 reading and writing: description, narration and exposition.

Write an account of a time when you enjoyed or hated taking part in an outdoor activity.
“It’s essential that more people are more active, more often.” (Professor Laura McAllister, Chair of Sport Wales) Write an essay to explain how far you agree with this view, giving clear reasons and examples. ( Source )
Describe an occasion when you did something you found rewarding.
Famous chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Mary Berry have spoken of the need for better food and better education about food in schools. Write an essay to explain your views on this subject, giving clear reasons and examples. ( Source )
Write an account of a visit to a dentist or a doctor’s surgery.
NHS staff, such as doctors and nurses, provide excellent service in difficult circumstances. Write an essay to explain your views on this subject, giving clear reasons and examples. ( Source )
Write an article for a travel magazine describing somewhere interesting that you have visited.
You see the following in your local newspaper: ‘Young people are selfish. They should all be made to volunteer to help others.’ Write an essay to explain your views on this subject, giving clear reasons and examples. ( Source )
Describe an occasion when technology made a difference to your life.
Write an account of a time you were unwilling to do something. ( Source )
Describe a time when you faced a challenge
Write an essay explaining why charity is important, giving clear reasons and examples. ( Source )
Write an account of a time when you did something for the first time.
“It’s time for us to start making some changes. Let’s change the way we eat, let’s change the way we live, and let’s change the way we treat each other.” Tupac Shakur Write an essay on the subject of change, giving clear reasons and examples. ( Source )
“School uniform is vitally important in all schools.” Write an essay explaining your views on this, giving clear reasons and examples.
Describe a time when you had to create a good impression. ( Source )

Unit 3: Reading and writing: Argumentation, persuasion and instructional

Your school/college is considering using more Fairtrade items in its canteen. Although this will help to support Fairtrade farmers, it will mean an increase in the price of meals. You feel strongly about this proposal and decide to write a letter to your Headteacher/Principal giving your views. ( Source )
Increasing litter levels suggest we have lost all pride in our beautiful country. Prepare a talk for your classmates in which you give your opinions on this view. ( Source )
Write a guide for other students persuading them to stay safe when using social media and the internet. ( Source )
According to your PE teacher, ‘Swimming is the very best form of exercise.’ You have been asked to prepare a talk for your classmates in which you give your views about swimming. ( Source )
You read the following in a newspaper: ‘Plastic is one of the biggest problems faced by our planet. Why would we use something for a few minutes that has been made from a material that’s going to last forever?’ Write a letter to the newspaper giving your views on the use of plastic. ( Source )
“People today never show enough kindness to one another. We must make more effort to be kind.” Write a talk to give on BBC Wales’ new programme Youth Views persuading young people to be kind to others. ( Source )
‘We have enough problems in the world without worrying about animals.’ Write an article for the school or college magazine giving your views on this statement.
You would like to raise some money for an animal charity. Write a talk for your classmates persuading them to donate to your chosen charity. ( Source )

CCEA English Language GCSE questions

Unit 1: writing for purpose and audience and reading to access non-fiction and media texts.

Write a speech for your classmates persuading them to agree with your views on the following issue: “Young people today are too worried about their body image.” ( Source )
Write an article for your school magazine persuading the readers to agree with your views on the following question: “Should school uniform have a place in 21st century schools?” ( Source )
Write a speech for your classmates persuading them to agree with your views on the following question: “Are celebrities the best role models for teenagers?” ( Source )
Write an article for your school magazine persuading the readers to agree with your views on the following statement: “Advertising is just another source of pressure that teenagers don’t need!” ( Source )

Unit 4: Personal or creative writing and reading literacy and non-fiction texts

Either, Personal writing: Write a personal essay for the examiner about what you consider to be one of the proudest moments in your life.
Or, Creative writing: Write your entry for a creative essay writing competition. The audience is teenagers. You may provide your own title. ( Source )
Write a personal essay for the examiner about an experience that resulted in a positive change in your life.
Write a creative essay for the examiner. The picture below is to be the basis for your writing. You may provide your own title. ( Source )

Picture of a family waiting at an airport.

Personal writing: Write a speech for your classmates about the most interesting person you have ever met.
Creative writing: Write a creative essay for your school magazine. The picture below is to be the basis for your writing. You may provide your own title. ( Source )

picture of two elderly men playing soccer

Personal writing: Write a personal essay for the examiner describing your dream destination.
Creative writing: Write a creative essay for publication in your school magazine. The picture below is to be the basis for your creative writing. You may provide your own title. (Source)

picture of a two people mountain climbing

Get 1:1 support and personalized feedback on your GCSE creative writing practice

For 1–2-1 writing support for your pre-GCSE child, join the Griffin Teaching Higher Writing Club—online weekly writing classes specifically tailored to English GCSE creative writing preparation.

In just 20 minutes per week and their writing will be transformed.

17 Creative Writer Interview Questions and Answers

Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a creative writer, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.

Creative writers are in high demand for content marketing and advertising positions across industries. But before you can land one of these coveted jobs, you’ll need to impress a potential employer with your writing skills and creativity—most likely during a job interview.

While each interview will be unique, there are some common creative writer interview questions you can expect. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working on your own?

What are some of your favorite books, poems, or other pieces of creative writing, how do you keep your creative juices flowing, what is your process for editing your work, provide an example of a time when you had to be flexible when working on a project., if you were given a character and setting, how would you begin to write a story, what would you do if you were given a deadline but were not feeling inspired, how well do you work with others, do you have any experience working with a team of other writers, when reading other people’s work, what is your process for providing constructive feedback, we want to encourage creativity within our company. how would you use a creative freedom day to generate ideas, describe your experience with using technology to create and publish writing., what makes you stand out as a creative writer, which writing genres do you have the most experience with, what do you think is the most important aspect of creative writing, how often do you publish your work, there is a trend in your chosen writing genre that you don’t agree with. how do you address it in your work.

This question can help employers determine whether you are a self-motivated employee. They may also want to know if you have any trouble working independently and how you handle it. In your answer, try to show that you enjoy working on your own but also value teamwork.

Example: “I am comfortable working on my own because I find it easier to focus without distractions. However, I also understand the importance of collaboration in creative writing. When I work with others, I like to offer ideas and feedback when appropriate. I think it’s important to be open to other people’s opinions and perspectives so we can all learn from each other.”

Interviewers may ask this question to get a sense of your writing style and how you interpret other writers’ work. They might also want to know what types of books, poems or other pieces of creative writing you enjoy so they can determine whether your tastes align with the company’s values. When answering this question, try to choose works that are similar in tone or style to those produced by the company.

Example: “I really enjoyed reading ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald when I was in high school. It’s such an interesting story about the American dream and the lengths people will go to achieve it. I also love poetry, especially Emily Dickinson’s work. Her use of imagery is so vivid and beautiful.”

Employers ask this question to learn more about your process for writing. They want to know how you stay motivated and inspired while working on a project. Your answer should include two or three strategies that help you maintain focus and enthusiasm throughout the day.

Example: “I find it helpful to take breaks every few hours when I’m working on a long-term project. This helps me recharge my batteries so I can continue to write with energy and creativity. Another strategy I use is taking time to read other people’s work. Reading other writers’ articles, books or blogs inspires me to create new content of my own. It also gives me ideas for future projects.”

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and the steps you take to ensure quality. Your answer should include a few of the editing processes you use, such as proofreading for grammar and spelling errors and reading for content clarity.

Example: “I always read my work out loud because it helps me catch any awkward phrasing or typos that I might have missed in my initial proofreading. After I’ve read through my work aloud, I’ll go back and make edits based on what I notice while reading. I also like to get feedback from others before submitting my final draft so I can address any concerns they may have about the content.”

Employers ask this question to see how you adapt to changes in your work environment. They want to know that you can still be productive even when things don’t go as planned. In your answer, explain a situation where you had to adjust your schedule or expectations on the fly. Explain what steps you took to make sure you were able to complete your project successfully despite the change.

Example: “I once worked on a marketing campaign for a client who wanted to launch their product at a specific time of year. However, they also wanted to have an online presence before then. I was tasked with creating content that would help promote the brand and products while also building up anticipation for the official launch date. We decided to create a social media strategy that would allow us to start engaging with customers early but also build hype for the actual launch.”

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach writing and the steps you take to complete a project. Use your answer to highlight your creativity, problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.

Example: “When I’m given a character and setting, I first try to get an idea of what kind of story I would write for them. For example, if I were given a character who is a detective, I would start by thinking about what kinds of cases they might investigate. Then, I would think about where that case could happen and what elements I could include in the story to make it more interesting. From there, I would begin to outline the plot and create characters.”

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges in your work. Your answer should show that you are willing to put in extra effort to meet deadlines and complete projects on time.

Example: “If I was given a deadline but wasn’t feeling inspired, I would first take some time to think about what might inspire me. Sometimes it’s just taking a break from writing for a while or doing something else entirely before returning to write again. If inspiration still hasn’t come after a short break, I would ask my manager if we could push back the deadline so I have more time to find inspiration.”

This question can help the interviewer determine how you collaborate with your team. Collaboration is an important skill for creative writers because they often work with other members of a marketing or advertising team to create content that’s effective and engaging. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to communicate effectively with others and ask questions when you need more information about a project.

Example: “I am very comfortable working on my own but also enjoy collaborating with others. I find it helpful to bounce ideas off of others in order to get feedback and ensure that I’m creating the best possible content. I’ve found that by asking questions early on in the process, I can learn what my teammates are looking for in terms of style and tone so I can write accordingly.”

This question can help the interviewer understand how you collaborate with others and your ability to work as part of a team. Your answer should highlight your teamwork skills, communication abilities and willingness to support other writers in your department.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked alongside two other creative writers who were both very talented. We each had our own projects that we worked on independently, but when one writer was busy or needed help with their project, we would offer assistance. This helped us all meet deadlines and complete our assignments more efficiently. When working together, we also discussed ideas for new campaigns and ways to improve our current ones.”

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach the editing process and your ability to provide constructive feedback. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you provided feedback on someone else’s work and what changes you suggested that helped improve the piece.

Example: “When reading other people’s work, I try to read with an open mind and look for ways to make the content more engaging or interesting. If there are grammatical errors, I will note them but focus more on helping the writer find ways to improve their writing style or voice. For instance, at my last job, I was working with a writer who had trouble finding the right tone for her article. After giving some suggestions, she found one that worked well and ended up getting published in a national magazine.

Creative freedom days are a common practice in the advertising industry. They allow employees to use their creativity and develop new ideas for clients or campaigns. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how creative freedom days work and what they’re used for. Use your answer to explain that you know about these types of events and how they can benefit an organization.

Example: “I’ve heard about creative freedom days, and I think they’re a great way to encourage creativity within an organization. During my last job, we had one every quarter where everyone could pitch ideas for our client’s campaign. It was a fun day because it allowed us to get out of our normal routine and try something different. We ended up with some really unique ideas that helped our client.”

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with technology and how you use it in your work. They might also want to know if you have any special skills or certifications that make you a good fit for the role. When preparing your answer, think about what types of technology you’ve used in your previous roles and highlight any specific skills or tools you’re familiar with.

Example: “I’m very comfortable using technology to create and publish my writing. In my last position, I worked on a team of writers who were all responsible for publishing our content through WordPress. I learned how to use the platform to write and edit articles, as well as upload them to the website. I also regularly used Google Docs to collaborate with other writers on ideas and drafts.”

Employers ask this question to learn more about your unique skills and talents. They want to know what makes you a valuable asset to their company. Before your interview, think of two or three things that make you stand out as a creative writer. These can be specific projects you’ve worked on or personal traits that help you succeed in the role.

Example: “I believe my ability to write compelling content is one of my greatest strengths. I also have an eye for detail when it comes to grammar and spelling. This helps me catch mistakes before they become major issues. Another strength of mine is my creativity. I am always thinking of new ideas and ways to improve existing ones.”

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and whether you’re a good fit for their company. If they ask this, it’s likely because they need someone with specific writing skills. Try to answer honestly about what genres you’ve worked in before and how much experience you have with them.

Example: “I’ve had the most experience working as a copywriter. I also have some experience with blogging and social media content creation. However, I’m eager to learn more about other types of writing like web content and SEO.”

This question can help the interviewer determine your priorities as a writer. It also helps them understand what you value in your own work and how you might prioritize projects or assignments. Your answer should reflect your personal writing style, but it can also give insight into your overall goals for the role.

Example: “I think that creativity is the most important aspect of creative writing. I believe that writers need to be able to come up with unique ideas and write about them in an engaging way. If someone isn’t creative, they may struggle to find interesting things to say. They may also have trouble finding ways to make their content more appealing to readers. For me, being creative is essential to my success as a writer.”

This question can help interviewers understand your writing process and how often you publish content. You can answer this question by describing the frequency of your publishing schedule, including any specific details about what you published and when.

Example: “I usually publish one article per week on my blog. I also write for a few different publications that publish my work every month. In addition to these regular publications, I occasionally publish guest articles in other online publications.”

This question can help an interviewer understand your writing style and how you approach trends in the industry. Use this opportunity to show that you are a critical thinker who is willing to challenge popular opinions or practices.

Example: “I don’t agree with the current trend of using emojis in creative writing. I think it takes away from the overall message of the piece, and it makes it difficult for readers to interpret what the writer was trying to say. In my work, I try to avoid using emojis unless they are absolutely necessary. For example, if I am describing a character’s facial expression, then I will use emojis to describe their emotions. Otherwise, I prefer to keep my work free of emojis.”

17 Telecommunications Technician Interview Questions and Answers

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Building, Architecture, Outdoors, City, Aerial View, Urban, Office Building, Cityscape

Education Producer

Madison, Wisconsin
PUBLIC MEDIA/PBS WISCONSIN
Public Broadcasting
Partially Remote
Staff-Full Time
Opening at: May 21 2024 at 14:50 CDT
Closing at: Jun 4 2024 at 23:55 CDT

Job Summary:

PBS Wisconsin Education's Education Producer develops and produces classroom media for upper elementary and middle school science, social studies, local history and culture, and English Language Arts studies. This may include identifying topics, themes, and/or learning goals, conducting research, writing scripts, interviewing guests, or directing hosts. This position primarily produces in video format, but may also produce interactives, animations, and educational text supports. In this hybrid role you will bring your aesthetic and creative skills to select stories and generate ideas for in-classroom learning media, manage logistics for and lead in the production of that media, and oversee and/or participate in post-production tasks all the way through media publishing. We are looking to fill two Education Producer positions. One position will primarily be focusing on producing science education content, while the other position will focus on Arts and Culture content produced for ELA classrooms. Both producers will be expected to assist with the production of media that focuses on other curricular content areas produced by our team. This position works with colleagues across the educational ecosystem to ensure that the content we create is aligned with educational standards in use in Wisconsin and works with advisors to ensure that the content is accurate and inclusive. This position reports to the Executive Producer of Education.

Responsibilities:

25% Researches and develops production strategy for one or more programs across broadcast and digital platforms
35% Produces, develops, and edits content that may include identifying topics, themes, guests, conducting pre-interviews and/or interviews, writing, and/or integrating content for multimedia platforms
10% Performs daily operational activities for live and pre-recorded content, and may direct the editorial and creative process of production activities
15% Collaborates with other content creators in pre- to post-production processes, prepares materials, and handles logistics for broadcast and/or digital publications
5% Maintains familiarity with studio equipment and/or applicable technology for production
5% May schedule and direct operational activities for content production, including live/recorded studio or field productions
5% Collaborate with project partners, educators, and cross-department units to ensure produced media aligns with agreed upon or desired learning goals.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Preferred Bachelor's Degree in media production and/or science education/ELA curricular areas.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience producing video and/or creating educational resources. - Competency in video production; experience with pre-production, production, and/or post-production processes. - Strong written communication skills as needed for the pre-production process. e.g. Script development, curriculum development etc. - Proven ability to translate topics into easily understood material, with an ability to employ engaging, creative approaches. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Technical cinematography skills, including knowledge of DSLR and/or cinema-style cameras, lenses, and lighting. - Technical knowledge of video editing post-production, including familiarity with Adobe Premiere and motion graphics. - Familiarity communicating topics for learning, familiarity with National or Wisconsin state standards - For the Education Science Producer; experience communicating science topics for learning, familiarity with National or Wisconsin state science standards, and familiarity with environmental education and climate science. - For the Education Arts & Culture Producer, familiarity communicating ELA topics for learning, familiarity with National or Wisconsin state ELA standards, and familiarity with ELA education.

Full Time: 100% This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Minimum $56,112 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications We expect to pay in the mid to high 50's to low 60's. Actual pay will depend on qualifications.

Additional Information:

The person in this position will be required to comply with the Ethical Guidelines for All Staff of Wisconsin Public Radio and Television located here: https://www.wpr.org/wpr-ethical-guidelines , in addition to the UW-Madison code of ethics. Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. #PBS

How to Apply:

The following must be received for your application to be complete: 1) Resume 2) A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, including additional information on any of the required or preferred experience bullet points that connect to your experience and background. 3) A portfolio that includes two to four video pieces that you have worked on. We will also accept other media formats, such as animations, interactives, or other educational media. Choose samples where the intent of the piece is to explain or educate on a topic. Include a paragraph explaining your exact role in creating the resource or media, what aspects you were not directly responsible for or involved in, and what you think is successful about the work. 4) Optional (not required to complete application): Samples of lesson plans or curriculum development, or a cinematography reel. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with titles, emails, and phone numbers (including at least one supervisory reference). Note that references will not be contacted without your prior knowledge.

Amanda Vinova [email protected] 608-262-0598 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Multimedia Producer II(PB007)

Department(s):

A46-PUBLIC MEDIA/PBS WISCONSIN

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

The university of wisconsin-madison is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer..

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Thu 6th Jun 2024, 4:00 am - 5:30 am MST (Opens in new tab)
Thu 13th Jun 2024, 7:30 am - 9:00 am MST (Opens in new tab)

Creative Australia's Knowledge Series | June 2024

Event description, knowledge series 2024 | mastering arts fundraising.

Knowledge Series | Mastering arts fundraising is our master course in arts fundraising. Presented by leading Australian and international experts, the webinars cover essential fundraising topics contextualised and relevant to the Australian cultural landscape.

Knowledge Series is beneficial for arts professionals with any level of experience and expertise. The online recordings run 90-minutes each, providing flexibility for you to learn at your own pace and in the comfort of your own space. The series complements the high demands that come with fundraising, by giving you tangible value, immediately applicable tools to use at the workplace, and the flexibility to structure your own learning.

We are excited to announce our first 2 webinars as part of our 2024 season.

The 11 Questions Every Donor Asks & The Answers All Donors Crave with Harvey McKinnon from Canada and

LinkedIn for Fundraisers with Michelle Stein from South Africa.

Participation in the 2024 season comes at no cost but registrations are essential.

The Knowledge Series is ideal for

Fundraising professionals, Executives, Artistic Directors, Board members and CEOs to develop their fundraising knowledge within the Australian arts and cultural sector.

This Knowledge Series session will be delivered online via Zoom and participants will be sent a unique Zoom link the day prior to the event. The series will be recorded and available via a registration process post event.

For accessibility enquiries, please contact us here .

Key program information:

Dates of delivery and presenter:

Thursday 6 June | 11am – 12.30pm AEST

Thursday 13 June | 2.30 – 4pm AEST

Thursday 6 June | 11am – 12.30pm AEST - The 11 Questions Every Donor Asks & The Answers All Donors Crave with Harvey McKinnon

Presenter: Harvey McKinnon | Canada

Company : Harvey McKinnon Associates

Weblink: harveymckinnon .com

Synopsis:

What are your donors thinking? What questions do all donors ask? How can you use an understanding of what donors crave to help you raise more money, now and in the future?

There's never been a more important time to know exactly how your donors think and feel. This webinar is applicable to every fundraising channel. From major gifts to direct mail to special events. Every question you answer in advance, or when you are communicating with a donor, removes a barrier to getting a generous gift.

In this educational session you will learn the critical 11 questions, you'll also learn:

What your donors are thinking.
How you can build an even stronger relationship with them.
The three most important questions every donor asks.
How to get donors to care about your cause.
How you can use this strategy to improve every kind of fundraising you do.

If you're not anticipating your donor's questions you're leaving money on the table. Even worse, you're missing opportunities to strengthen relationships and deepen donor commitment.

Based on Harvey’ McKinnon’s bestselling book, The 11 Questions Every Donor Asks and the Answers All Donors Crave, this webinar will discuss how to use these questions to build stronger donor relationships, and how you can use this strategy to improve every kind of fundraising.

About Harvey:

Harvey McKinnon has been a fundraiser for over 40 years and is recognized as one of North America’s leading fundraising experts. His consultancy raises money for hundreds of non-profits in Canada and the USA. He is a seasoned trainer who has delivered fundraising keynotes at conferences around the world.

Harvey has decades of experience working with Arts organizations, from creating campaigns to sitting on boards. A frequent master-class trainer, he has authored six books – most recently The Healthy Nonprofit (2023) and How to Create Lifelong Donors (2020). His best-selling book, The 11 Questions Every Donor Asks , is a major gift training manual for fundraising departments throughout the US and Canada. He also co-authored the #1 bestseller The Power of Giving , which has been translated into nine languages.

Harvey has produced a wide variety of award-winning documentary films that have been aired on the BBC, CBC, ABC, PBS and many other networks around the world. They include: Side-By-Side: Women Against AIDS in Zimbabwe; The Black Sea in Crisis, and biographies of David Suzuki and William Shatner.

An avid supporter of the arts, Harvey is passionate about live music, theatre, comedy, books, and dancing. He currently sits on the board of the Arts Club – Canada's largest urban theatre. His favourite musical artist is Australia’s brilliant Paul Kelly. He knows 17,659 jokes.

Thursday 13 June | 2.30 – 4pm AEST - LinkedIn for Fundraisers with Michelle Stein

Presenter: Michelle Stein | South Africa

Company: Handmade Fundraising

Weblink: handmadefundraising.com

Synopsis:

We spend so much time as fundraisers figuring out how to get in front of people and yet the most efficient way is free and available to everyone: LinkedIn.

In this practical workshop, we will explore:

Why LinkedIn is the ideal platform for fundraisers (spoiler, there are no gatekeepers!)
How to maximise your profile
How to decide on and find who to follow
How to write posts and comments that engage potential donors

Whether you only log on three times a year or lurk daily without ever posting, you’ll get the tools to position yourself as the key connector for donors looking to make a difference in the arts and cultural space.

About Michelle:

Michelle Stein is a fundraising consultant and trainer specialising in high-value fundraising from major donors, corporates and trusts & foundations. Her experience spans international development, faith and arts & culture organisations in the UK and South Africa including The British Museum, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and WaterAid. She has trained fundraisers across the globe. She loves swimming in tidal pools, runs the South Africa Barefoot Shoes Instagram account and is always looking for good podcast recommendations.

Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix donates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity

Refund policy

Claude by Anthropic 17+

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Harvard Referencing Generator

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Daniel is a qualified librarian, former teacher, and citation expert. He has been contributing to MyBib since 2018.

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Education Producer
Job Summary: PBS Wisconsin Education's Education Producer develops and produces classroom media for upper elementary and middle school science, social studies, local history and culture, and English Language Arts studies. This may include identifying topics, themes, and/or learning goals, conducting research, writing scripts, interviewing guests, or directing hosts. This position primarily ...
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