A Favourite Thing: Creative Writing (Creative Writing)

Member Name: MorganaDQ

Product:	Creative Writing
Date:	02/08/02 (126 review reads)
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I've always had a vivid imagination, ever since I was little. I've always had a knack for being able to switch off from the outside world and retreat into myself, and play out some impressive stories. I can have a movie playing in my head whenever I want one, and all I need to do is let it happen. It doesn't have to be at home, either. I could be on a bus, walking down the street, visiting friends even, and my imagination can take over inside seconds.

It wasn't until I was eleven, though, that I realised I could write down what I saw in my head. A privileged group of pupils at school were handpicked to go away for the weekend. They would stay in what I can only recall being a country schoolhouse in some of the most picturesque surroundings I can remember seeing. I don't suppose it takes a genius to figure out that I was one of the privileged few.

Along for the weekend were two writers. They were there to give us talks, to help us with language and form, to critique our writing and help to improve on it, or just to give us ideas. They were lovely people with a fabulous way with kids. I can remember thinking at the time how nice it was not to be talked down to, and maybe that's one of the reasons I threw myself into it so enthusiastically. Whatever the reason, and whatever their talent, I'm sorry to say I've never been able to thank them both for it. Not in person, anyway.

What resulted from the weekend were a handful of poems about scary trees and gravestones. Odd, you may think, for an eleven-year-old, but don't underestimate the dark imagination children can have to go along with the sweetness and light. It's a good, healthy balance, and at least shows a child can have the capacity to realise that not everything in this world is innocent and nice. But I digress.

So, that's what started my interest in creative writing. I'm not saying what I wrote was any good, but I l
iked it, and that was all that mattered. Someone else must have liked it, too, because a booklet was produced with all the best pieces of writing. It was supposed to only have one poem from each student listed (though not all students), but two of mine were there. So, in a rather contrived respect, you could say I've been published.

Most of the kids who'd attended that weekend went on to continue their lives much as they always had. It was an interesting little exercise for them, and they were able to go away overnight without their parents, but other than that nothing really changed for them. I, on the other hand, couldn't stop writing. Looking back, it was mainly poems, and not great ones at that, but still they were mine and I liked them back then. To read them now I'll sit here and blush may way through every line. But they show just who I was, and there are very distinctive stages I went through as I grew older.

So what now? Well, I do still drift off into my own little dream world, and sometimes what I see will be written down. But more often than not I'll sit at my computer, open up Notepad (Word just throws up too many distractions) and just write. Sometimes what appears is one big mess of words that would only ever make sense to me. Sometimes the result in front of me is nothing short of contrived rhymes and forced rhythms. But sometimes when I've finished I sit back and I smile inside and out, because it all just fit. Whether it's a story or a poem makes no odds, sometimes it simply flows perfectly and carries you along without a second thought. And it's those moments that you cling onto and cherish, because it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. With that one piece of writing you can be proud of yourself over and over again. If you ever doubt yourself, you always know that there will be a handful (or more) of poems or stories, or even song lyrics, that you can read over and restore
your own self-belief. And it's a wonderful feeling.

The description for this category says it's a hobby. In fact, it's listed under 'Hobbies and Collecting'. For most people this may be so. For most people writing is just something else they do to pass the time. But writing, for me, is a way of life. Hardly a day goes by that I don't produce something on Notepad or in the little purple notebook I carry around with me. Because it isn't just something to pass the time, it's also a coping mechanism and a problem solver. It helps to iron out those little doubts I sometimes get over things.

Have you ever felt so angry that you could scream, but there's no way to let it all out without hurting someone else? Have you ever wondered if you're doing the right thing at any one particular time, but never been able to figure it out? Have you ever felt so lonely that the world seems to be closing in on you? Have you ever simply been depressed and don't know why? Write it down. Let yourself write just a stream of consciousness without thinking about it. Take up a pen and pretend you're writing to the person you're angry with, or the person who's no longer there to hug you. Switch on your computer and type up the pros and cons of a situation you're facing if you can't make up your mind - seeing it there in front of you in black and white can help more than you may realise.

And this is what I do. Sometimes it will be in the form of a letter, or in third person and turned into a story, or occasionally it will result in a poem. But whichever form it takes, it always, without exception, helps me through a problem, or indeed through a day.

But what if I want to write simply for pleasure's sake? And what if I don't have my imagination to draw from? There are a few things I've been known to do. I carry a notebook around with me so that if I come across somet
hing that captures my imagination and I'm unable at that time to do something about it, I'll make a note of it. That way I can always have it there for reference should I need it, or just want it. I've been known to take trips out on my own with a flask of coffee or a bottle of water, somewhere pretty, somewhere that reaches inside me and makes me never want to leave, and I'll watch for a while. I'll take it all in as I watch the people, the wildlife, or even just the way the wind is blowing the leaves around the pavement or on the trees. I'll breathe in deeply and take in the scents of a spring day or a winter's night, the spray of the sea or the perfume of the wild lavender. I'll focus on the variety and depth of colour in one solitary butterfly as it flutters nearby. I'll take in everything I possibly can, and then I'll just let the words flow from my pen.

Reading other people's writing can also help. There are countless websites out there just filled with some beautiful work waiting to be read. Sometimes you may find yourself wondering why you bother writing because their standard is so much better, but if you write because you enjoy it, then you're only writing for yourself anyway, so what does it really matter what anyone else thinks? It's true that it's nice to receive praise for something you put your heart and soul into, I can't deny that, but it's not why most of us do it.

There are also some great writers' resources out there. Some websites will give you first lines for stories, or a random writing exercise that may only be meant to take you ten minutes, but that turns into something much more detailed because you've lost yourself in it. Some will have articles on writer's block, helping you through those frustrating moments when nothing will come. Some will simply encourage you to let yourself be creative. One website in particular that I found, and
that helped me open up more, focused a lot on beating down your inner critic and letting yourself write freely.

But there are other things you can look to for inspiration, too. A friend suggested that I keep hold of postcards when I get them, and take in the detail that's there. But then, instead of writing about what you see, write about what you don't see. What's just outside the frame? Who lives there? What do they do? Why do they do it? Let the postcard give you the basis for a story, and then let your imagination run riot with it.

I've heard over and over again that you should write what you know. I can't help but think that you also need to write about what you don't have first hand experience of. Venture into the unknown; draw on films or books, or songs, for inspiration. Research a new topic before writing about it if you want to go into any great detail, but don't ever just focus on what you know.

There is one thing that I can't help but think you absolutely need to do in order to improve your writing. You have to read. It doesn't matter what you read, whether it's romance novels, horror, biographies, historical reference, true crime, humour, or thrillers, just the very act of reading helps you to find form. It may well be a subconscious thing, but since I started reading more novels, especially, I find that the words flow easier and more naturally, at least with stories. You can also get ideas from what you read, be it scenarios, characters, or a particular period. Don't underestimate the power of reading if you're a writer yourself - it can do wonders for your own style and talent (not that I'm saying I have great style or talent, just that I know I've improved the more I've read).

Ultimately, the one thing you should always do when you're writing is to have fun. All the advice in the world won't make you enjoy it unless your heart is i
n it. And yes, you can even enjoy those moments of purging, when you sit back and realise just how much calmer and happier and more decisive you feel. Don't write for anyone but yourself and you'll never be disappointed. That's the one golden rule, as far as I'm concerned.

I could hardly write a whole opinion about creative writing and then not give you a little taster of something of my own, now can I? Well, I could but that wouldn't be fair. I wrote this with children in mind as the audience, but I think it's a great one for adults to read too. It reminds you to enjoy the simple things in life sometimes, and if you don't like it, tough, because I do and that's all that matters ;)


Imagine
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Castles with their turrets high,
Birds amid their song,
Fairy tales and animals -
So much to look upon!

Kittens wild and playful,
Flowers opened wide,
Ice cream cones to tempt you
As you watch a fairground ride.

Double-decker buses,
Blossom on the trees,
Bicycles that ride on by
The busy little bees.

Lollipops you almost taste,
A frying pan with eggs,
A sheep that's grazing in a field,
A horse with seven legs.

Hats all big and floppy,
A house without a roof,
Humpty Dumpty walking past,
A newly wobbly tooth.

Fingers tickling grandma,
Knitting in a pile,
Shoes that walk by on their own,
A caterpillar's smile.

All these things and more, you'll see,
Will float on past your eyes.
All you need to do is look,
They're up there in the skies.

Find a spot that's comfy,
Then lay down on the ground.
Watch in all the clouds that pass,
Delights that can be found.

Take your dad, or mum, or friend,
And make up stories tall.
Imagination's all you need,
That, and clouds, is all.


Copyright, K Wakeman



A few useful, or just entertaining, links:

- http://www.emilyhanlon.com/directory.htm
- http://www.burryman.com/
- http://www.eclectics.com/
- http://www.geocities.com/Kimber_369/ (from our own Shadowtwinchaos)
- http://freakwrite.i8.com (my own site, but more than my own writing)
- http://www.postpoems.com/


Jill Murphy asked me to write about one of my favourite things to help her celebrate her fourth anniversary of cancer-free living and to remind ourselves of all the nice things in the world. It takes more muscles to make a frown than a smile you know. If you'd like to join in, whether you've only just joined dooyoo, or you've been here ages, you're more than welcome. Just write about one of YOUR favourite things, make your title "A Favourite Thing: [your choice]" and include this paragraph at the foot of your opinion. And post before Friday, 9th August.

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