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Failure To Imagine: Why Creative Writing Is Important
By Erin Walk
Books. A friend, a foe, that REALLY boring one your English teacher made you write an essay on. They are all around us, so why don’t we learn about the process of writing them. If fiction books are so important, why doesn’t MCPS curriculum teach creative writing?
In English class essay writing is pushed while creative writing lags behind. Yes, you can take creative writing in the later years of High School, but is that really enough? We need books to write essays about literature, and sometimes we seem to value the essays over the novels. Since creative writing is optional, at least make it available to students earlier in their high school careers.
What is creative writing? “Creative writing is writing that expresses the writers’ thoughts and feelings in an imaginative, often unique and poetic way. Creative writing is guided more by the writer’s need to express feelings and ideas than by restrictive of factual [writing]” (Source 1). In short, creative writing engages the author’s imagination in a way that analytical and expository writing cannot.
Why is creative writing important? When we, as readers, have problems we can dive into a book. Just reading those pages can make the outside world, and all one’s problems seem so surreal. As little kids we learn life lessons from books: just because your friend took your crayon doesn’t mean they never want to see you again; your mom really does love you, she just wished you would clean up your toys before she steps on them….. But we can learn lessons as teenagers too. Yes, our lives seem more complex to us as teenagers as they did when we were kids. But, there are books for us now too. Just because the book doesn’t come out and say “Read this book to learn lessons and valuable SAT vocabulary” doesn’t mean it won’t help you later on. We need to learn to write creatively so that the next generation can have books about THEIR problems (Just because your mom wishes you would move your hover-board doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you) instead of ours. Yes, there are timeless classics but as a new generation emerges, with their risings and failings, we need new books for new times.
But learning to write creatively isn’t only something that will benefit those who read it. We, the authors benefit as well. Through creative writing we explore our own problems. As we craft a resolution for our character, we can write out our struggles as well. Who is to know that our characters problems are really our own? Creative writing is a way to spill out our souls without anyone knowing, a kind of incognito problem management class where we are both the teacher and the learner. A writer writes down their problems, crafts a story around it, and works it out. Fairy-tale resolutions don’t often occur in the real world, but they can give us hope and ideas for our own lives. Creative writing is an outlet for our souls.
Furthermore, creative writing helps us with our essays and persuasive writing, and even all of our other subjects. It teaches us how to engage our audience on a different level. How to make them laugh and cry. How to paint a picture with our words that everyone can see in their own heads- differently and yet the same. It enables us to help our readers stand in someone else’s shoes; to understand what another person’s situation feels like.
A good scientist, mathematician, doctor or engineer is creative. Every day they must think outside the box to solve new problems the world has to offer. In fact, America as a whole needs to be more imaginative. The report for 9/11 states that one of our four major failings was our lack of imagination. “We believe 9/11 attacks revealed four kinds of failures: in imagination…” (356 Source 2). We couldn’t possibly fathom that Al Qaeda would attack us and take us by surprise. We didn’t go beyond the normal and try to think what THEY were thinking. Creative writing can teach us to open our brains to ALL the possibilities, and that is really what’s important. Descriptive and Analytical writing engages our minds, but good creative writing engages our mind, spirit, passion, and imagination. America needs to be more creative and imaginative, and that starts with us.
Source 1: Direct Quote taken from Lingua Links
Source 2: Direct Quote taken from the 9/11 Commission Report
Julia
November 3, 2009 at 7:36 pm
JB already said it. In terms of course selection, taking Creative Writing at B-CC was probably the best decision I’ve made in high school (that, and choosing to take AP Language- both great writing courses, albeit in vastly different ways). Aside from Ms. Mahoney being such a great teacher, the class was engaging, intellectually stimulating, interesting, and fun. I took it second semester of last year (and only because Tech, which I originally signed up for and needed to graduate, had reached its maximum enrollment) and it left such a great impression on me that I still talk about it with former classmates, as well as other students who have yet to take it and are in need of electives. If anything, Creative Writing should be an MCPS graduation requirement…but anyhow…
Many classes involved explorations of different styles, text readings, personal and group assignments, and writing exercises, but my favorite were those which were workshop-styled, as they served as a great opportunity for other students to share, review, and improve their work. This promotes enthusiastic revision and encourages hands-on, interactive learning, resulting in nearly universal class participation. As a student, I found this especially refreshing. I’d assume I wasn’t the only one, either- as I recall, it inspired a lot of students to do their own personal writing outside of class.
In a large public school like B-CC, but especially in smaller schools with fewer resources, it’s important for electives like Creative Writing, which foster creative skills IN ADDITION to focusing on others that are crucial to academic success (critical reading, analysis, writing, etc.) to exist. Core classes (math, science, English, history) are by all means valuable, but arts-focused electives are essential, too, and almost always overlap with such classes in some way.
Creative Writing is my primary academic interest, and almost all of the colleges to which I’m apply offer it as either a major or as a “track” within their English major. Just like Studio Art or Theater or Music, it’s a legitimate area of study. Elementary, middle, and high schools should start treating it like so.
Aaron W.
October 22, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I agree that creative writing is undertaught. But we should continue to teach essays just as much, because they are just as important. We should just teach both. So I guess I don’t disagree with you. And I agree with Reina that the essays shouldnt have such a rigid format. I for one write much better when I do not have to follow a certain format.
Reina Desrouleaux
October 22, 2009 at 7:14 pm
the last time i remember creative writing was in fifth grade when we were asked to write a poem. I agree with this article because the essays feel so scripted. the only time they really aren’t is when they ask you to agree or oppose and prove it. but otherwise essays are basically laid out for you, and you’re expected to sort of guess whats on the person who wrote the question’s mind.
rorvig4
October 22, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I completely agree! Instead of doing so many essays and “common tasks” we should have the opportunity to express ourselves through creative writing. While I realize that creative writing isn’t for everyone, there is no area of school that isn’t disliked by someone.
John Benson
October 21, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Creative Writing was the best 1st period class I have ever had. I loved sitting down to a full 52 minutes of writing, with that early morning haze still partially clouding my consciousness.
Also, there is another very concrete reason why kids should learn to write creatively: IT WILL GET YOU INTO COLLEGE.
College essays do not follow a standard English-class formula. Admissions counselors are looking for students to express themselves creatively as individuals, which is pretty much the definition of creative writing.
Mary
October 21, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Thank you, Erin!!! finally, SOMEONE, understands my awful dilemma! i practically havent done ANY creative writing in an english class since i first discovered my love of poetry back in 5th grade!!! i need more opportunities to write during the day instead of having to sneak out a piece of paper during class to write down ideas or a poem that pops into my head.