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Creative Writing

Write interesting stories and essays to deadlines with good attention to detail and proofreading skills; translate creative ideas into captivating copy. Find Creative Writing WFH freelancers on January 21, 2025 who work remotely. Read less

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Top Frequently Asked Questions

Creative Writing FAQs

What talents does a creative writer have?

Creative writing encompasses a broad spectrum of techniques and principles aimed at crafting engaging, memorable, and impactful stories. Here are 14 key principles, combined with technical English language concepts, an explanation of story structure, and literary examples:

1. Show, Don't Tell
Explanation: Instead of narrating emotions, actions, or settings, show them through action, dialogue, and sensory details.
Technical Concept: Use of vivid verbs, sensory language, and concrete details over abstract or general descriptions.
Example: In "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway, the struggle between the old man and the marlin is shown through detailed actions rather than telling us it's difficult.

2. Characterization
Explanation: Develop characters that are well-rounded, with clear motivations, flaws, and arcs.
Technical Concept: Use of dialogue, internal monologue, external descriptions, and character actions to reveal personality.
Example: Scout Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee grows from an innocent child to someone who understands the complexities of human nature.

3. Point of View (POV)
Explanation: Choose a narrative perspective that best serves the story.
Technical Concept: First-person, third-person limited, or omniscient narrators; each affects how much the reader knows and how they connect with characters.
Example: The multiple POVs in "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin allow for a comprehensive view of the political landscape.

4. Conflict
Explanation: Drive the narrative with conflict, whether internal, external, or interpersonal.
Technical Concept: Understanding narrative tension, climax, and resolution; using conflict to develop characters and plot.
Example: The central conflict in "Romeo and Juliet" by Shakespeare between the lovers and their feuding families.

5. Theme
Explanation: Embed universal truths or messages within the narrative.
Technical Concept: Thematic development through motifs, symbols, and character arcs.
Example: The theme of power and corruption in "Animal Farm" by George Orwell.

6. Setting
Explanation: Use setting not just as a backdrop but as an active component of the story.
Technical Concept: Descriptive language, sensory details, and how setting influences characters and plot.
Example: The bleak, isolating setting of "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë reflects the tumultuous relationships within.

7. Plot Structure
Explanation: Organize events into a compelling narrative arc.
Technical Concept:
Three-Act Structure: Setup, Confrontation, Resolution.
Freytag's Pyramid: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Denouement.
Example: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen follows the three-act structure with the climax being Elizabeth's rejection of Darcy's first proposal.

8. Pace and Rhythm
Explanation: Control the speed at which your story unfolds to keep readers engaged.
Technical Concept: Variation in sentence length, paragraph structure, and the timing of action or revelation.
Example: The quick pacing of action scenes in "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins contrasts with the slower, reflective moments.

9. Dialogue
Explanation: Use dialogue to reveal character, advance plot, and increase tension.
Technical Concept: Naturalistic speech patterns, subtext, and dialogue tags.
Example: The sharp, witty exchanges in "Much Ado About Nothing" by Shakespeare reveal character dynamics.

10. Voice and Style
Explanation: Develop a unique narrative voice that matches the story's tone and genre.
Technical Concept: Syntax, diction, and narrative perspective.
Example: The distinctive, folksy voice in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain.

11. Imagery and Figurative Language
Explanation: Use metaphors, similes, and vivid descriptions to paint pictures with words.
Technical Concept: Metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole.
Example: The lush, descriptive imagery in "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez.

12. Foreshadowing
Explanation: Hint at future events to create suspense or give clues.
Technical Concept: Subtle narrative hints or symbolic actions.
Example: The repeated motif of birds in "To Kill a Mockingbird" foreshadows key events.

13. Irony
Explanation: Employ irony to add layers of meaning or to create a contrast between expectation and reality.
Technical Concept: Verbal, situational, and dramatic irony.
Example: The dramatic irony in "Oedipus Rex" where the audience knows Oedipus's true identity before he does.

14. Revision and Editing
Explanation: The process of refining the work for clarity, coherence, and impact.
Technical Concept: Attention to grammar, syntax, consistency in character and plot development, and overall narrative flow.
Example: F. Scott Fitzgerald's extensive revisions of "The Great Gatsby" to achieve a more nuanced portrayal of characters and themes.

Story Structure:
Exposition: Introduces characters, setting, and the basic situation.
Inciting Incident: The event that sets the plot in motion.
Rising Action: A series of events that build tension towards the climax.
Climax: The turning point or the moment of highest intensity in the story.
Falling Action: Events that follow the climax, leading towards resolution.
Resolution (Denouement): Where all the plot threads come together, providing closure.

Understanding and applying these principles involves not just knowing the mechanics but also how they interact to create a cohesive and compelling narrative. Each literary example demonstrates how these principles can be woven into a story to enhance its impact and memorability.

What are the top schools for creative writing?

Here are ten renowned schools known for their creative writing and storytelling programs, with an emphasis on what aspects they particularly excel at:

1. University of Iowa - Iowa Writers' Workshop
Strengths:
Fiction and Poetry: Widely recognized as the premier program for fiction and poetry, with a rigorous workshop environment.
Alumni Success: Produces numerous Pulitzer Prize winners and National Book Award recipients.
Focus on Craft: Intensive focus on the craft of writing through small, critique-heavy workshops.

2. Columbia University - School of the Arts
Strengths:
Diverse Genres: Offers programs in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and screenwriting, fostering a wide range of storytelling skills.
Literary Theory: Combines writing workshops with literary theory, providing a deep understanding of narrative structure.
Location: Benefits from being in New York City, offering access to a vibrant literary community and publishing industry.

3. New York University (NYU) - Creative Writing Program
Strengths:
Urban Environment: Leverages NYC's cultural richness for inspiration and networking.
Fellowship Opportunities: Offers prestigious fellowships like the Goldwater Hospital Writing Program.
Cross-Genre Exploration: Encourages students to explore across genres, enhancing versatility in storytelling.

4. Stanford University - Stegner Fellowship
Strengths:
Poetry and Fiction: Known for its prestigious Stegner Fellowship in poetry and fiction, providing mentorship and community.
Individual Attention: Small class sizes allow for personalized feedback on writing.
Interdisciplinary Arts: Encourages interaction with other arts programs, enhancing narrative with multimedia elements.

5. Johns Hopkins University - Writing Seminars
Strengths:
Balance of Theory and Practice: Combines creative writing with literary criticism, offering a comprehensive education.
Fiction Writing: Particularly strong in fiction, with a focus on character development and narrative structure.
Faculty: Features award-winning writers who provide mentorship.

6. University of Michigan - Helen Zell Writers' Program
Strengths:
Support for Emerging Writers: Known for nurturing new voices in literature through fellowships and workshops.
Poetry and Fiction: Specializes in both, with an emphasis on voice and style.
Hopwood Awards: Provides significant financial support through writing contests.

7. Brown University - Literary Arts Program
Strengths:
Experimental Writing: Encourages experimental and interdisciplinary approaches to literature.
Community Engagement: Focuses on how writing interacts with community and culture.
Digital Storytelling: Integrates new media into traditional storytelling methods.

8. Cornell University - English Department
Strengths:
Literary Analysis: Strong grounding in literary theory alongside creative writing, fostering deep narrative understanding.
MFA Creative Writing: Offers a rigorous MFA with a focus on both craft and literary context.
Small Workshops: Emphasizes intimate, peer-led workshops for constructive critique.

9. Emerson College - Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing
Strengths:
Publishing Connection: Unique due to its integration with a publishing program, offering practical experience in the publishing world.
Diverse Writing Formats: Includes screenwriting and playwriting, broadening storytelling skills.
Boston's Literary Scene: Benefits from Boston's literary culture and events.

10. University of Texas at Austin - New Writers Project
Strengths:
Supportive Environment: Known for its supportive and collaborative atmosphere in workshops.
Diverse Voices: Encourages a wide range of perspectives in writing, particularly in fiction.
Michener Center: Offers one of the most generous fellowships through the Michener Center for Writers.

These schools excel in different aspects of creative writing and storytelling:

Craft and Technique: Iowa, Stanford, and Michigan focus heavily on mastering the craft through workshops.
Interdisciplinary Approaches: Brown and NYU encourage blending writing with other arts or media.
Literary Theory and Analysis: Johns Hopkins and Cornell integrate deep literary study with creative practice.
Practical Experience: Emerson provides direct pathways into the publishing and entertainment industries.
Support for Diverse Voices: Many of these programs, notably UT Austin, actively seek to include and amplify diverse voices in literature.

Each program has its unique strengths, often shaped by the faculty, location, and specific initiatives or fellowships available to students. Choosing the right school would depend on a writer's particular interests, career goals, and the kind of writing community they wish to join.
At the grad level, the Iowa Writers' Workshop has an international reputation for developing fiction writers and poets: https://writersworkshop.uiowa.edu/graduate-program.

For online study of creative writing and storytelling, HostJane recommends the Johns Hopkins MA in Writing (https://advanced.jhu.edu/academics/graduate/ma-writing/) because we had the opportunity to work with an outstanding JHU graduate who successfully secured a traditional literary agent for short stories with expertise in form, voice, style and structure of writing that work both in novellas and screenwriting but also personal writing.

We welcome all freelance writers, authors, poets, lyricists and creative writing editors in this category.

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