Most people think that to be creative; you have to be intelligent. This is a myth. So why are so few people highly creative? One reason might be there are bad habits people learn as they grow up, which crush the innovative pathways in the brain. However, like all bad habits, they can be broken if you are willing to work. Here are a few writing styles you should try to boost your creativity.
Literal Writing
Also known as descriptive writing, literal writing involves using precise language that sticks closely to the facts to develop an idea or story around those facts. You’ll never hear anyone say that this is a flashy, trendy writing style. It’s kind of the opposite, actually; it’s long and tedious, but there are certain situations where this style is what you need to stay creative while producing something dependable and meaningful. For example, this would be an effective form of creative writing when planning a book report for school or creating a business proposal.
Stream-of-Consciousness Writing
This type of creative writing encourages writers to let the words flow onto the page without any type of filter or censoring. You can write whatever comes into your brain without stopping to correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling mistakes. This style gets its name because it seems like you’re channeling pure thoughts from deep inside your subconscious, hence “stream-of-consciousness,” and writing them down without any editing. This is perfect for boosting creativity because it gives you so much time to think about what you’re writing. It’s a style similar to typing fast on your phone, but with the bonus of creating something that someone else may want to read or use at some point.
Poetic Prose
This is poetry written in prose format, which takes the best parts of both styles to create something truly remarkable. Poetic prose has no set rhyme or meter schemes because it can resemble regular prose until you read it aloud; then you realize it’s poetry! Try using this style yourself if you want your work to be unforgettable. Of course, you will have everyone thinking your work is so clever, but you’ll know all along that every word came straight from your creative genius.
Haiku
A Haiku is a poem consisting of three lines with five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line, and five again in the final line. These poems express feelings or thought on subjects like nature, daily life, and feelings about love. This keeps creativity high because you’re forced to think outside of your usual realm of thinking. It’s also suitable for beginners because it’s easy enough that anyone can try it at least once.
