In today’s business world, it is crucial to develop writing skills. Even if the work involves formal and business writing, honing our creative writing skills is imperative. In order to get the message across effectively and efficiently, there is a need to increase our vocabulary and write concisely.
Creative writing tools help individuals express themselves in a far superior way. At times, the business world also calls for documentation in creative ways. Marketing and sales documents need to be processed in a creative way as opposed to, a matter of fact, dry method.
The following ten rules of creative writing will grant any individual the ability to create documents that will appeal to managers and be engaging for your target audience.
1. Read
To be a good writer, one has to be a good reader first. Good writing material can give individuals ideas about narration, structure, and plot. Reading material by other great writers will give the individual an edge. The best way to increase our personal vocabulary is also through reading.
2. Note down ideas
Ideas can strike anywhere and anytime. We all think we can remember that great idea we had while chatting with friends, but we can’t. Write down any ideas that come to mind. Carrying a small pocket notebook and making short notes will help secure all the great ideas.
3. ‘What if?’
One can take simple ideas, simple situations and add a bizarre element and ask ‘what if?’ A man walks into a deserted hospital—what if he is hurt? What if he is looking for someone? What if there has been a war? Stick with the thought that feels interesting and then write.
4. Write freely
Essentially, writing is a straightforward form of verbal communication like talking. Talk to your reader. There is no need to impress them with fancy words and long, impressive sentences. One should tell an honest tale which they feel invested in. As long as you deeply feel for the story and the characters, your reader will too.
5. Read what you write
One should keep on reading their own stories as if someone else has written them. After every couple of pages or chapters or scenes, revisit them, and look at your sentences more objectively. If it feels good, continue. If it does not, one has the option to rework.
6. Proofread
It is extremely important to proofread the document before one plans to show it to anyone else. Even if the piece is brilliant and incorporates all the basic tools of great writing, it will lose its charm if it has too many typos. One can use softwares such as Grammarly for initial drafts.
7. Create characters
By creating believable and relatable characters, one can move a story/ essay forward. Creating wholesome characters with a valid backstory will give the piece greater depth. Study the people around you, especially when you visit cafes or restaurants. When one notices the psychology of how people interact with themselves and each other, one can start building real life characters on paper.
8. Practice
One should start writing as a practice. Deciding a particular time during the day (or night) one should set aside time for writing as one does for exercise, work or studying. This will prepare the brain to get into the zone at a particular time. During this time, treat writing as an exercise. One can find multiple writing exercises online or even learn to use writing prompts.
9. Discuss
Hold a grapevine communication session with people you like. Ask them what they feel about the draft. Discuss ideas, storylines, and scope for improvement. Feedback is the only way to grow. Avoid harsh criticism and seek constructive criticism.
10. Edit
After the draft is finished, edit it. One needs to be extremely impartial about the piece to edit it efficiently. Remove the fluff, all the unnecessary lines and dialogue. It is always best to ask for help while editing the final draft.
