Thinking About Creative & Non-Creative Writing
Getting Started With Creative Writing
Typically, before creative writing comes non-creative writing for most of us. Certainly when we learn and teach a language, listening and speaking takes precedence over reading and writing. And even when we get to writing itself, we tend to begin with formal styles and later focus on academic versions.
Where is the space for creative writing? you might ask. With the world so obsessed with tests and assessments, many believe that it’s difficult to integrate this into your teaching practice. But not impossible. Certainly, I recommend including creative activities with learners as soon and as young as you can. Soon - so that this becomes a natural and expected part of your schedule. And young - as young ones are so impressionable and open, they are likely to welcome your creative experiments with open arms and you may eventually find teaching creative writing a real pleasure!
Creative English Language Teachers
Indeed, I know many teachers already doing great things around storytelling and creative writing. Kate Fisher from Conversations With Kate specialises in telling stories and inspiring her 1:1 clients to do the same. Irina Skibenko’s Smart Story Space includes an original series of short stories for pre-teens to engage them in the reading and writing process. And Trisha Traughber leads an underground club called Vagabond English for adults who want to develop a creative journaling (and doodling!) habit. Whatever your particular interest, trust me that there is a community out there for you!
Blogging For Creativity
So, although I am out here championing creative writing, I don’t want to fight against other types of writing. Blog writing for example, can be a mix of creative and non-creative. I am sure you all read blog posts, and probably follow some blog writers. You might even get tips, advice, even support from the words you read. That tells me that a good way to get started on the road to creativity is to write your own blog or contribute to the blogs of others. Have you thought about that? Or have you started already? There’s real value in researching for and publishing your own posts and articles. And could provide the stepping stone you need to start a regular writing practice and get creative with it!
Share Your Writing
And here at Share Your Story, I have created a space for the stories of English Language Teachers to find different and exciting tales to read on the Your Stories page of the website. Some works are long, some are short. Others are drafts and others, the final product. No matter the status, I want you to know there is a space for you and your writing. And if you are struggling with ideas for things to write about, you could join us in the Creative Writing Club for a creative boost. You never know what might come of it!
OK, so I have touched on a lot of different topics here, and I think each one is probably worthy of it’s own post! Looking forward to digging deeper into each one in the near future.
Any comments or questions from you are warmly welcome.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash