Ways to Improve Creative Writing
Take Planning

Ways to improve creative writing take knowing where you want to go with it. First, ask yourself: What exactly is creativity? It can be described as using your imagination to paint pictures of feelings through words or artistic work. Everyone uses creativity to some degree and some more than others. The more you use imagination, the more readily available it becomes for your creative endeavors.

Ways to improve creative writing begin with the planning of your goal. What do you want to accomplish? Do you plan to write essays or short stories or novels? Despite your goal(s) there are many areas that you will need to master before you can let your imagination loose in terms of putting together good works.

Having a good grasp of grammar is essential, especially if you have an eye on becoming published. Most people know whether or not they possess a good take on grammar. If you’re a student, what type of feedback does your instructor give you regarding grammar? If you struggle in this area, ask your instructor for recommendations on courses to take or reading material to improve your grammar. (Of course, this is assuming your instructor isn’t teaching you grammar.)

I took a writing class a few years ago, and one of my fellow students did not understand the proper use of commas. His papers were riddled with them. It was as though he’d been caught in a comma storm.

Ways to improve creative writing take into account sentence structure. Your sentences need to vary. Make some short, others longer, and some in between; however, all need to be meaningful.

Example: Jane drove to the store to buy shoes.

Better example: Jane drove her Mercedes sports car to the store to buy a Gucci handbag.

Note that every sentence doesn’t need to give explicit detail. In finding ways to improve creative writing, you’ll be able to find a balance.

In addition to varying sentences to break monotony and structuring sentences to make them more detailed, avoid run-on sentences. These contain two complete sentences without using proper punctuation to separate them.

Incorrect example: I love wading in ocean water at night the moon shining on the water makes it look otherworldly.  

Incorrect example: I love wading in ocean water at night, the moon shining on the water makes it look otherworldly.

Correct example: I love wading in ocean water at night; the moon shining on the water makes it look otherworldly.  

Correct example: I love wading in ocean water at night. The moon shining on the water makes it look otherworldly.

Correct example: I love wading in ocean water at night, and the moon shining on the water makes it look otherworldly.

To avoid run-on sentences, separate two independent clauses by using a semicolon, a period, or by using a comma followed by the word and.  

The above points are a few examples of what you will study when you take a grammar class. There is much, much more to learn.

 Here are More Ways to Improve Creative Writing

If you want to improve your creative writing, you’ll need to read creative material. Follow examples of authors who write about scenes in which you’re interested. This gives you an idea of how high the bar is set.

Robert Louis Stevenson, in his classic Treasure Island, gives us a detailed description of one of his characters: 

Stevenson is a master at creative writing. His words vividly paint a picture of his character, and breathe life into him. It’s as though this seafaring character were standing next to you. In using descriptions, however, it’s not necessary to use so many. Some instructors will ding you if we use this many.

Besides taking classes in learning ways to improve creative writing, join writing groups with the same goals in mind that you have. Get feedback from qualified sources.

When you feel you’re ready, you may want to consider entering writing contests. This is only if this is your goal, or one of them, and you feel you have put in the time and effort where your writings are at a competitive level. You can also search out anthology organizers where you can submit your work. They welcome contributing authors whose stories, essays, and poems can fill their books.

Whatever plans you have for visioning ways to improve creative writing, you must explore and incorporate these suggestions and continue to search for other ways to improve your writing and spark your creative juices. These are only beginning steps. Of course, you must practice writing often. This is a lifelong process. It can be a fun one. Loose your creativity.