Why exercises in creative writing?

There are currently 59 exercises in creative writing on this website. But the actual number is more. Many of the exercises have variations. Some of the them can be varied endlessly, for example the exercise where you are given three words.

I have chosen the exercises that I like the most. Some of them I have made up myself, like writing an alternative gratitude journal. Some are classic creative writing exercises, like writing a haiku. Some are modifications of exercises that I have tried and found useful, like continue the text from a specific start sentence.

The exercises are short, most of them take three minutes. The purpose of the exercises is not to write amazing texts, that rarely happens in a few minutes. However, it is possible that you will get ideas and inspiration that will help you in your future writing.

Find the joy in writing

In some situations we write because we have to. At work, in emails and in chats. Or when we are going to give a speech. It can get boring. Writing exercises can help you find new ways to write, making routine writing feel less routine.

In some situations, we write because we feel like it. You might be journaling. Or maybe you have a half-finished novel that you dream of publishing one day. Hobby writing can also get boring sometimes. It can even feel like a job. When fun writing feels boring, it’s a good idea to try a creative writing exercise. They often spark the desire to write more.

If you hate writing, try a creative writing exercise. Maybe you’ll change your mind. Try one or two, but no more if you don’t enjoy them. Life is too short to spend time doing things we don’t enjoy.

Find inspiration

When something is fun, we feel inspired. That is why writing exercises are free of requirements. The text we write when doing the exercise is not supposed to be good. I would actually say the opposite. The more we dare to experiment, the worse the text risks being, but the more we learn and develop.

When something is challenging, but not overwhelming, we feel inspired. That is why the writing exercises are between two and seven minutes long.

When we try things we have not done before, we feel inspired. That is why the writing exercises are specific. If someone says "write whatever you want for three minutes," there is a big chance that we will write something that is similar to what we have written before. That is, roughly the same perspective and the same way writing style. When limitations come, we are forced to think differently.

Discover the world

Writing exercises encourage us to discover the world. Using all our senses. Seeing details we have not thought about before. Describing the world from different perspectives.

When we write about the world in a new way, we also experience the world in a new way. It is great to travel the world, but you can also have new experiences in your old living room.

Change the world

When we write routinely, it is likely that people will read routinely. Readers will probably be less willing to take in the message. They may even be more critical of the message than they were before, because repetition is tiring and annoying.

When we write innovatively, we increase the likelihood that people will read with interest. When we think in a new way, we also make the reader think in a new way.

When we try new ways of writing, we can reach new audiences.

Contact

This website is created by Anna Enbom. I love writing almost as much as I love Arabic. If you have questions or want to support me in any way, send me an email.