Creative+Writing

= Creative Writing 101 =


 * **Be specific** (focus on details)
 * **Write what you know** (based on your experiences at the heart of the subject); or research a topical (current) issue (related to community, country, world issues).
 * **Show don't tell** (focus on tangible imagery of the five senses, rather than abstract ideas or emotions).

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 * Advice from acclaimed writing coach Natalie Goldberg's **//Writing Down the Bones//**
 * Click here for an excerpt from the book.
 * be specific (77); Show Don't Tell (75); Writing Practice (11)
 * On the trouble of **Writer's Block**: from Julia Cameron's //The Artist's Way// - search pdf for **"The Censor"**
 * Some basics on creative writing from OWL@Purdue

//Excerpts from OWL@Purdue:// Common Pitfalls for Beginning Fiction Writers  Many of the issues with which beginning poets struggle will also apply to beginning fiction writers. However, students writing fiction will also struggle with some craft issues specific to their genre.  Beginning fiction writers tend to:
 * do more telling than showing (more summary than scene)
 * struggle with the scope of their story
 * fall back on stereotypical characters
 * employ overly dramatic or “action movie” plots

Students who are writing poetry for their first workshop will face some of the following obstacles.
 * Common Pitfalls for Beginning Poets **

Beginning poets tend to:
 * Use abstraction rather than images
 * Fall back on clichés
 * Use sentimental language
 * Have trouble moving beyond their original subject