Top Tips for Enjoyable Creative Writing Practices
Updated: 6 days ago
Creative writing has many benefits, and can be an enjoyable part of our wellbeing and self care practices. Writing can be very rewarding, when pursued as a creative endeavour for it's own sake, rather than for publication or 'clout'.
Whether you are a seasoned writer, just exploring creative writing for the first time, or rediscovering a love for writing, finding new ways to make your writing practice enjoyable can significantly enhance your creativity and the pleasure derived from it. Here's some top tips that can help you develop your creative writing experience.
Find a Dedicated Writing Space
A lovely idea. But easier said than done, right? In an ideal world, one of the first steps to enhancing your creative writing practice is to establish a dedicated writing space. Nearly every writer's dream space is the cosy writing nook - comfortable, free from distractions, and filled with gorgeous trinkets and books to inspire and calm busy minds. If you can achieve that for yourself - fantastic! My realistic advice is to experiment, find what works for you and be prepared to compromise on the Instagram version vs. achievable reality. The most important thing is to write! Here are some ideas to consider:
Choose a location that works for you: It could be a spot in your home or a nearby café, art gallery, museum etc - or even your car! Somewhere you can write for a set amount of time without interruptions.
Comfort is key: Invest in a comfortable chair and good lighting, or try to find this elsewhere, to make your writing sessions more enjoyable. This is part of your wellbeing journey after all, it should make you feel nourished.
Cultivate your space: If at home, try surrounding your writing area with items that enhance the space - it could be artwork, your favourite books, affirmation cards or plants. If you're planning on heading to a local café or art gallery, make yourself an on the go writing kit that's comfortable to use - pens or pencils that you like, a quality notebook or a portable laptop/device, plus noise cancelling headphones, if necessary.
Find Space In Your Schedule
Consistency is crucial in developing a writing habit. By setting a regular writing schedule, you reap the rewards, but it's easy to fall out of the habit. You may eventually be able to train your mind to be creative at specific times, but for starters, try to stick to the scheduled writing activities you set. Here are some tips for establishing a writing routine:
Work Out Your Best Time: Identify when you feel most creative and/or have the space to create, it doesn't matter whether it’s early morning or late at night, or in the car before going home from the gym or pool, experiment, and schedule your writing sessions when it works for you.
Start Small: If you’re new to writing regularly, begin with short sessions of 10-20 minutes and gradually increase the duration as you become used to it - you'll be surprised how time flies when you're writing, but you'll also be surprised at how much you can get written in a short time.
Use a Timer: Try using a timer or playing a timed piece of music/playlist to keep yourself focused during your allocated writing session. This can help avoid distractions and stay on track, if you're easily distracted by your phone or device, consider going analogue and writing with a pen or pencil on paper. Just taking a break from 'screens' can also improve our wellbeing.
Find Space In Your Head
Free writing is a common technique that encourages you to start writing without worrying about grammar, structure, or coherence. This can help you overcome writer’s block and unleash your creativity. Here’s how to get started:
Set a Timer: Allocate a specific amount of time, such as 10 minutes, for free writing.
Write Without Stopping: Allow your thoughts to flow freely onto the page without editing or correcting, or censoring yourself.
Review Later: After your free writing session, take a moment to review what you’ve written. You may find hidden gems that can inspire your next piece of work. Underline what resonates and return to it at another session.
Experiment with Different Forms
Exploring different forms can help keep your writing practice fresh and enjoyable. Trying out different styles can help you discover new aspects of your creativity. Here are some options to consider:
Poetry: Experiment with poetry if it's not your usual practice. Or, use structured forms such as haikus or sonnets, to see if it helps to express your thoughts in a condensed format.
Short Stories: Write short stories or flash fiction to practice creative writing in a more manageable way - especially if you are short on time - rather than attempting a whole novel!
Creative Non-Fiction: Explore your personal experiences and observations in a creative way, blending storytelling with factual writing to express yourself and explore your feelings.
Read Widely and Often
Reading is an essential part of the writing process. By exposing yourself to various authors and styles, you can enhance your writing skills and find inspiration. Here are some tips for incorporating reading into your routine:
Diversify: Read books from different genres to broaden your understanding of storytelling techniques. Mixing fiction and non-fiction is a good way to cleanse your palate in between books. Book clubs can expose you to new authors and genres.
Analyse What You Read: Take notes on what you enjoy about certain books, such as character development or dialogue, and apply those techniques to your writing.
Set Reading Goals: Challenge yourself to read a certain number of books each month or join a book club to keep your reading habit alive.
Use Writing Prompts
Writing prompts can be a great way to kick start your creativity and overcome writer’s block. They provide a starting point for your writing and can lead to unexpected ideas. Here are some ways to use prompts effectively:
Daily Prompts: Set a goal to write based on a prompt every day. This can help you develop a consistent writing habit.
Themed Prompts: Choose prompts that align with specific themes or genres you want to explore.
Collaborative Prompts: Share prompts with friends or fellow writers and swap work - to see how each person interprets the same prompt differently.
Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care
Writing can sometimes be mentally taxing, so it’s good to remember if you are doing it as part of your self-care, not to run yourself into the ground. Here are some strategies to help you use it to recharge:
Schedule Breaks: If you're planning on writing for a while, incorporate short breaks into your writing sessions to clear your mind.
Engage in Other Activities: Spending time doing other activities you enjoy, such as spending time in nature, exercising or socialising, can also stimulate your creativity, clear your mind and even give you writing ideas.
Mindfulness: Consider incorporating mindfulness techniques, such as guided meditation or breathing exercises, to help you feel relaxed.
Seek Inspiration from the World Around You
Inspiration can come from various sources, including nature, art, and everyday experiences. Here are some ways to find inspiration in your surroundings:
Nature Walks: Spend time outdoors and observe the beauty of nature. Take notes on what you see, hear, smell, and feel. Nature writing can be rewarding and grounding.
Art and Music: Visit galleries or listen to music that resonates with you. These experiences can evoke emotions, memories and ideas that can be translated into your writing.
Everyday Life: Pay attention to conversations, interactions, and events in your daily life. These moments can serve as inspiration for characters or observations.
Reap the rewards
Finding joy in the act of creative writing for its own sake can be very rewarding, and beneficial to our wellbeing. Finding a creative outlet that speaks to you; provides nourishment and fulfilment is a rare and precious thing that should be nurtured and encouraged for the sake of our mental health. Take a look at our Writing for Wellbeing workshops if you want to kickstart your own writing for wellbeing journey.
Start small, stay consistent, and feel your creativity flourish. Happy writing!
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