A Guide to Creative Writing

By Nick Assaf

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Main Menu

• Quick Tips

• Poetry

• Songwriting

• Short Stories

• Novels

• Conclusion/About the Author

• ReferencesExit

Put Yourself in the Right Place

1. Schedule designated times to write

- Life is busy, you have to give yourself the time to write.• 2. Pinpoint what you want to say in your writing.

– Try to organize your thoughts and ideas by writing them down first.

• 3.Don’t Overdue it– Don’t get too frustrated with writers block, try to find what is causing

it and figure out a solution

• 4.Find resources to help you– Writing isn’t easy, find a support group of your friends or others

writers to consult with!

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Creative Exercises

• Free-writing– Set your timer for about ten minutes and force

yourself to write the entire time. Maybe you can find inspiration from what you thought of !

• Pictures– Look at a picture and see if gets your creative

juices flowing

• Idea Box– Whenever you think of something you like, write it

down and put it in a box for later reference.

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Poetry

• The world of poetry is amazing and limitless. Here are some good things to know, and some good examples to get you started.

Basic GuidelinesSonnetsVillanellesSlam Poetry

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Basic Guidelines

• Poetry really has no boundaries, but here are ways to write a good one!

• Have Rhythm- do the words sound good together? Does the poem flow?

• Meter- make sure that each line has the same amount of syllables

• Rhyming- if your poem rhymes, make sure the pattern is consistent

• Use metaphors and similes- these comparisons will amplify your poem.

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Sonnets

• A Sonnet consists of 14 lines.

• All Sonnets have strict rhyme schemes

• Sonnets are a challenging and great format for poetry.

• Sonnets are one of the most popular forms of poetry throughout history.

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Villanelles

• For a real challenge try writing a villanelle!• Villanelles have 19 total lines

Five stanzas of three lines and one stanza of four lines.

All villanelles have two rhymes and two refrains.

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Slam Poetry

• Slam poetry is a relatively new form of poetry.

• Slam poetry is meant to be performed live.

• Slam poetry has no real rules, but you can use what you’ve learned earlier to help you.

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Video

Songwriting

• If you are fascinated with music, songwriting might be something you like.

• Like slam poetry, songwriting has no defined rules.

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Tips

Short Stories

• Short stories can be many different lengths.

• They tend to be more concise and to the point than longer works such as novels.

• Short stories should be no longer than 20,000 words, but no less than 1,000.

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Novels

• Novels are longer narratives that can cover a large variety of subjects.

• Popular novel styles include– Stream of Conciousness– Modernist– Fantasy– Minimalism

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Novels

Examples of Sonnets

• Here are some links to some good sonnets.

• Sonnet 29- William Shakespeare• Sonnet 79- Edmund Spencer

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Example of a Villanelle

• Here is a link to one of the best villanelles ever written.

• Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night– By: Dylan Thomas

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Example of Slam Poetry

• This is a great video of Slam poetry

• This is an especially inspiring poem for people who want to go into the teaching profession.

• “What Teachers Make”- Taylor Mali

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Songwriting Tips

• Here are two interesting videos about songwriting.

• The first video is about the process.

• The second video is of Bob Dylan (considered one of the best songwriters ever) talking about the process.

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Recommended Novels

• Here is a list of some of my highly recommended Novels

• The Razor’s Edge– By W.Somerset Maugham– Lord of the Flies– By William Golding– Bleachers– By: John Grisham

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William Shakespeare• When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,• I all alone beweep my outcast state,• And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,• And look upon myself and curse my fate,• Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,• Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,• Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,• With what I most enjoy contented least.• Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,• Haply I think on thee, and then my state,• Like to the lark at break of day arising• From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;•  For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings•  That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

• Sonnet 29

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Edmund Spencer

• Men call you fair, and you do credit it,• For that yourself you daily such do see:• But the true fair, that is the gentle wit• And virtuous mind, is much more praised of me.• For all the rest, however fair it be,• Shall turn to naught and lose that glorious hue:• But only that is permanent and free• From frail corruption that doth flesh ensue,• That is true beauty; that doth argue you• To be divine and born of heavenly seed;• Derived from that fair spirit, from whom all true• And perfect beauty did at first proceed:• He only fair, and what he fair hath made:• All other fair, like flowers, untimely fade.

• Sonnet 79

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About the Author

• My name is Nick Assaf and I am currently a student at Grand Valley State University.

• I am an English major and I love writing.

• I hope this slideshow can help any aspiring writers out there!

• This is my email address: • assafn@student.gvsu.edu

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References

• Start Writing!• Basic Elements of Poetry• Sonnets• Sonnet examples• Villanelles• Dylan Thomas• Taylor Mali• Bob Dylan• Songwriting Documentary

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