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Creative Writing
Creative writing refers to a writing style that expresses thoughts and ideas in an imaginative way. It involves creating a work of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, going beyond the technical, professional, journalistic, and academic form of literature.
1,658 Questions
What is the appeal of crime fiction?
"Death seems to provide the minds of the Anglo-Saxon race with a greater fund of innocent enjoyment than any other single subject."
Dorothy L. Sayers wrote that sentence in 1934. Things haven't changed. Among all the forms of death murder is the one with the widest appeal. Murder is usually the defining event in crime fiction the motor that drives the story. It fascinates in fiction as well as in fact and on television and at the cinema as well as in books. TV audience figures and public lending rights data tell the same tale. That crime fiction is one of the best-established forms of entertainment. And that its appeal is unusually broad-based and long-lived.
At first sight it seems not merely strange but almost shameful that the human race has such a taste for sudden death. Isn't there enough of it in real life? Is our penchant for it a symptom that we are hungry for sensation, that we have an unlovely appetite for vicarious violence? Is crime fiction bad for the moral health of its readers or viewers? Why on earth do so many of us like it?
To answer that question we first of all have to find a working definition of what crime fiction is: and this in itself is a mystery which would have baffled Holmes or Poirot. These days the classic whodunnit is only one variant among many. The pure detective story was in many respects an aberration: the modern crime novel. like its nineteenth century predecessor is much closer to mainstream fiction in its concerns and techniques than is often realised.
Most of crime fiction whether on the page or on the screen centres on murder and has a strong narrative. This is nothing new. Crime in one shape or another is one of the basic plot devices of Western literature. Julian Svmons called the Little Red Riding Hood story an interesting case of disguise and attempted murder. Murder, suspense and sudden reversals can be found in the works of The Odyssey and Hamlet as well as in The Big Sleep and Cracker.
H.R.F. Keating has produced a catch-all definition of the genre. "… fiction written primarily for its entertainment value which has as its subject some form of crime." He goes on to say that "'crime writing is fiction that puts the reader first,riot its writer." Useful though this definition is. It shouldn't be taken too seriously. Dickens and Trollope, for example, often used crimes to underpin their plots: and both of them were commercial authors who understood the paramount importance of entertaining their readers. All one can with any certainty is that the label "crime fiction" is an elastic convenience for those who use it, not an exact term.
The genre's elasticity is perhaps one reason for its wide and enduring appeal. Like the Church of England. Crime fiction means different things to different people at different times. We have the howdunnit and the whydunnit as well as the whodunnit. We can snuggle up with a cosy or exercise our mental digestive system with something hard-boiled. There are novels where the hero is the criminal not the detective. There are crime novels set in Roman times and crime novels set in the future. Some are designed to shock and others designed to make us laugh. Some investigate the psychopathology or sociology of crime while others act as dramatisations of the ethical or political views of their creators.
Not only is crime fiction a portmanteau genre, it is also attracting more and more serious writers - people who fifty years ago might well have written mainstream fiction. It is possible that many readers have become disillusioned with the intellectual excesses of the modern literary novel and have turned with a sigh of relief to crime. P.D.James suggests that a good crime novel combines "the old traditions of an exciting story and the satisfying exercise of rational deduction with the psychological subtleties and moral ambiguities of a good novel." It's worth adding that in crime fiction the main characters are usually under great stress. They are placed in situations where they are forced to shed their protective layers of habit and conformity and reveal their naked natures - to other characters. to us, and perhaps to themselves. They are in conflict, often violent with other characters. They suck the reader and the viewer into their fictional lives and force us to care what happens to them. The very best writers of crime fiction make us wonder about ourselves as well as about their characters. Is it any wonder that crime fiction sells?
This goes some way towards explaining part of the genre's appeal. But only part. H.R.F. Keating's remark, that crime fiction "puts its reader first", suggests another piece of the jigsaw. Crime novels are designed to entertain. They are the products of popular culture. As such, they must make a profit, for no one will subsidise them. Crime fiction may have literary aspirations, but its emphasis on entertainment ensures that these do not intimidate potential readers. Crime fiction is literature in its shirtsleeves, stripped of pretensions: and none the worse for that.
Crime fiction, then, is accessible. It has also been suggested that its appeal has a psychological dimension. C.Day Lewis thought the detective story was a twentieth-century folk tale. Nick Elliot, once the head of drama series at the BBC, believes "Crime fiction satisfies in us a secret yearning for justice, the unappeasable appetite for a fair world, which begins in childhood and never leaves us. It satisfies our need for conclusions, both moral and narrative."
Before the war, both the detective story and the thriller reassured the middle classes that all would be well: that in nothing to fear from criminals and lower orders. To some extent, even now much crime fiction functions as a literary comfort blanket. It helps us to come to terms with the increasing violence of the modern world.
The best crime novels do both more and less than this: they do not suggest a remedy for crime or reassure us that all in the end will be well; but they can help us to understand our violent society, and they also allow us to hope that evil will not go unpunished.
Most - though not all - crime novels crime novels share a common structure. First there is the crime, usually a murder; then there is the investigation; and finally the resolution or judgement, often in the shape of the criminal's arrest or death. This tight structure is another reason for the genre's appeal. To object that the structure is artificial is to miss the point: Racine's tragedies observe the Aristotelian unities of time, place and action; Shakespeare voluntarily confined himself to the fourteen lines of the sonnet form: Jane Austen wrote what are, in formal terms, romantic novels of courtship, where marriage offers the ultimate resolution. Most art plays tribute to the fact that the human race hungers for form, if only as a method of providing a temporary container for fiction provides not only the dangerous chaos but something to put it in.
It is commonly said - by the late Julian Symons and H.R.F. Keating among others - that crime fiction can never be great literature because it is so sensational. It is a view worth taking seriously partly because Symons and Keating are first-rate crime novelists and partly because it is admirably unpretentious. But does this mean that those of us who like crime are condemned irrevocably to be purveyors and consumers of second-rate pulp? Are we the sort of people who prefer Sparkling Pomagne to Veuve Clicquot?
Of course not. Much "great literature" is outrageously sensational. There is no intrinsic reason why crime fiction should not aspire to be great (whatever it is still a crime novel if it succeeds is another question). What counts, as ever is not your effects but how you achieve them. We can safely reassure ourselves that the strange appeal of crime fiction is not limited to those of second-class cultural intelligence.
It seems likely that the crime novel is merely the latest vehicle for themes that have been fascinating people for thousands of years. It fascinates so many people partly because it entertains partly because it offers the rewards of any good quality fiction, and partly because it deals with some of the uglier aspects of human nature.
Murder is the ultimate crime and we're naturally fascinated by the strong human emotions that bring it about. It's also worth remembering that the twentieth century has been the most violent on record: does this have something to do with the current popularity of the crime novel?
Finally perhaps the human race is obsessed with death. Remember the enormous crowds that used to gather at public executions. Death is something that will happen to us all. The murder mystery gives us a way of exploring a few of the implications - and of enjoying ourselves while we do it.
What to write in a story about your sister?
In a story about your sister, focus on describing your unique bond, shared memories, and special moments you've experienced together. Make sure to include details that showcase her personality, strengths, and how she has influenced your life in a positive way. Highlight the love and support you have for each other to create a heartfelt and engaging narrative.
What is the words writers use to help evoke an emotional response in a reader?
You don't tell about the emotion - you show action.
Instead of saying "Tommy was angry," or "Anger filled his body," you say "Tommy clenched his fists. His face reddened and his breathing got quick. He gritted his teeth so hard it hurt."
Yes, a novella can be part of a series. Each novella can stand alone as a complete story or be interconnected with other novellas in the series, sharing common characters or storylines. This allows for a more in-depth exploration of the fictional world and characters created by the author.
How do literary or narrative devices contribute to overall meaning of the story?
Literary or narrative devices help create depth and complexity in a story by shaping the structure, style, and tone. They can enhance themes, character development, and evoke emotions in readers, ultimately enriching the overall meaning and impact of the narrative.
What are the criteria for a good title?
A good title should come from what you've written. It's the last thing you do, once you've finished the thing. You can have what's known as a "working title" if you want, but your actual title needs to come out of the story. It also needs to tell a little bit about the story -- what's going on in the story, or who the characters are, or something interesting about the story. Here's a good link to look at.
How do you make a story meaningful?
To make a story meaningful, focus on creating well-developed characters that readers can connect to, explore themes that are relatable and thought-provoking, and ensure the story has a clear message or moral that resonates with the audience. It's also important to evoke emotions, provide insight into the human experience, and offer a fresh perspective on familiar topics to add depth and resonance to the narrative.
What is the most common subject that song writers use?
would the subject matter very on who wrote it and who perform it? It seems that the subject matter is divided within the genres.
Some discribe rap as a poetry told by individuals who have experienced hardships.
Pop sounds like the subject matter of the average teen -- boys, falling in love, crushes, country tells the listeners stories and experiences but more down to earth,
r&b and soul-- romantic love, dance, partying,
rock-- part rebellion, rougher edge then pop
metal -- numeruos subjects but it seems to not follow the paved guidelines of a practical song. but it has its own sound, like individualism.
blues-- morals, truths of diiferent degrees
if i missed any i do apologise.
How many pages in a word processing program would be one page in a book?
The number of pages in a word processing program that would equate to one page in a book can vary widely and depends on the formatting, font size, and spacing used. On average, a single page in a book is roughly equivalent to 1.5 to 2 pages in a word processing program.
Why is the elements of the story important?
When writing a story, you don't always have to think about the specific elements, but you need to have an understanding of the flow from one section into another. You need to understand how to set the scene, build up to a climax, and resolve the story.
What is a good title for hallucination?
Only you can come up with a good name! Titles come from the story, not from some anonymous person on the internet! Titles are not as important as some writers think - your title might change many times between your first write and your final draft!
Think about your story - what is going on and who are the people involved? What is something special about the story that might make a good title? Don't sweat it - just write something down and get on with the story!
Check out the Related Questions for help with your book, too!
^^^^^ Not helping -_- .
How do you write an author's note if you're not an author?
If you're not an author, you can still write an author's note by simply expressing your thoughts or comments on the book or its themes. You can share how the book impacted you personally or what you found intriguing about the author's writing style. Remember, an author's note is about sharing reflections or insights, so feel free to write from your own perspective as a reader.
What is a good title for a realistic fiction story about bipolar disorder?
Only you can come up with a good name! Titles come from the story, not from some anonymous person on the internet! Titles are not as important as some writers think - your title might change many times between your first write and your final draft!
Think about your story - what is going on and who are the people involved? What is something special about the story that might make a good title? Don't sweat it - just write something down and get on with the story!
Check out the Related Questions for help with your book, too!
What are the Features of creative writing?
Creative Writing is a style where you focus on thoughts and emotions instead of just passing along knowledge (that's called non-fiction). Here are some types of creative writing that you might run into:
- Autobiography or Memoir - writing about your own life
- Biography - writing about someone else's life
- Children's Literature - very short works written in simple language
- Creative Nonfiction - essays (either personal or journalistic)
- Derivative Fiction - also called fanfiction - writing about characters and settings to which you do not own the copyright
- Journal - writing about your thoughts and feelings; an online journal is usually called a blog (short for web-log)
- Novellas and Novels - the typical works of fiction. Novellas are between 17,500 and 40,000 words; novels are over 40,000 words.
- Novelisation - converting the story from a movie or television show into a novel
- Playwriting - writing for the stage
- Poetry - rigidly structured writing which may rhyme but always has a specific rhythm or meter
- Screenwriting - writing for movies or television
- Short Stories - works of fiction that are less than 7,500 words
- Travelogue - writing about your travels and adventures
- Young Adult Literature - writing about the concerns of teenagers. YA literature usually deals with coming of age, romance, learning skills needed in adult life, becoming independent, and specific emotions that all teenagers experience
Which specific story element determines if a story is a fairy tale or a tragedy?
The two genera are not mutually exclusive. A fairy Tale can be a tragedy or a comedy.
The determining trait of a fairy tale would be if it involved fantastical creatures of the medieval variety: fairies, elves, dwarves, gnomes, dragons, etc.
What are the good things about being a writer?
Writing is relaxing, for some authors, writing something is a way to express feelings, hopes, dreams, its something that can be ones dream world or dream life. Writing is free from reality, you can create anything. Writing is peaceful, addicting. Authors love writing, creating people, quests, adventures. They can inspire the reader with the subject they're writing about. So probably because they have a love for it and because they want inspire us, the young people, with the knowledge, the imagination, the world. They are sharing their lives, bits of them, and most importantly they are sharing a story woven from their childhood or mind, sharing opinions, reality.....
What are some good fake island names?
Neverland. (Peter Pan's island) or perhaps Nim's Island? (Part of a movie.)
Or the island on which Alex was trapped with the Black Stallion in the book, The Black Stallion? Or Gulliver's Island, but I've never read or seen that :)
Why can't you write it was a dream at the end of the story?
Ending a story with "it was a dream" can be seen as a cliché and may leave readers feeling disappointed or cheated. It can also diminish the impact of the events that occurred in the story by suggesting that they didn't truly happen. It's generally more satisfying for readers to have a clear resolution that doesn't rely on a dream twist.
Does a narrative story have a title?
Yes, a narrative story typically has a title to give readers an idea of what the story is about and to distinguish it from other stories. The title can often give a hint or indication of the main theme or focus of the narrative.
How do you write a story with a twist?
A "plot twist" is something unexpected. First, you need to know where your story is headed.
Make a list of things that happen in your story - this doesn't need to be complete sentences or anything, because it's just to help you think.
Then, think about logic - if these things happened, what would you expect to happen next? A "plot twist" has something else happen.
Your "twist" needs to be something that could actually happen - no flying saucers swooping down to rescue the hero unless you are writing a science fiction story with flying saucers already in it! - and it needs to be something that will solve whatever problems you've created in your story. It also needs to be something the reader does not expect.
Example: you have a character walking her dog. Here's your list:
- get leash, open door
- dog rushes out
- dog trips Tina
now - logic says Tina might fall down, maybe sprain something, maybe bump into somebody.
Here's a twist: Tina, who is a gymnast, does a perfect forward flip, clears all four steps, and sticks the landing on the sidewalk, directly in front of her hot new neighbor
What are some good names for heartwarming books?
Only you can come up with a good name! Titles come from the story, not from some anonymous person on the internet! You're getting this backwards I'm afraid -- you need to write the story first and think of the title last.
Titles are also not as important as some writers think - your title might change many times between your first write and your final draft!
Think about your story - what is going on and who are the people involved? What is something special about the story that might make a good title? Don't sweat it - just write something down and get on with the story!
Click on the link for more information.
You need to do a little research here to help you out -- read about some other myths and see what they're about. Most of them are trying to explain a natural process or an event that happened. You just need to come up with something that needs explaining and use that as your title, such as "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears."
How would you write out a gunshot in a book?
Try to imagine the noise a gunshot makes - most people say "pow," but some say "boom" or "blam" or other words.
What is a good idea for a story in the woods?
Any idea that is interesting enough to you will be a good idea. You cannot write a story or novel based on ideas that someone else invents - you won't be interested enough in the subject to be able to research and write anything that will actually sell. Plus, anonymous people on the internet have no idea how old you are, what your interests are, or how well you can write!
In order to write, you need a personal connection to the subject. Write about whatever you enjoy, or whatever you find interesting, and you will end up with your novel or story.
WikiAnswers is happy to help you learn how to write better. We will not do your writing for you by giving you ideas and paragraphs to copy.
Here are some more suggestions from WikiAnswers contributors:
• Write about what you know. A good idea for a first novel is to write your own personal story. Everyone has at least one novel in them waiting to be written.
• Observe the world around you. Anything interesting can be an idea for a story or novel.
• Research. The more you know, the more ideas you will have.
• Read stories and books that other authors have written in your chosen genre. This way, you can see how other people do things.
A story can be either plot driven, character driven, or both. Most are stories are both but one or the other usually takes precedence. Charles Dickens' novels are primarily character driven Ian Flemings' are plot driven (although all the plots are the same.) If you need a place to start - trying thinking up interesting characters who can be developed and evolved against an interesting plot, or think up a good crisis that characters can be illuminated through.
If you're still stuck, try these websites in the Links below!
Is NaNoWriMo a trustworthy site?
Yes, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is a reputable organization that has been running annual writing challenges since 1999. They provide a platform for writers to set goals, connect with a supportive community, and track their progress throughout the month of November.
