Creativity Training for Writers

Creativity Training for Writers Module 1
Working through Writer’s Block

Writer’s block refers to something “contracted” by writers who cannot write a single creative word. If a writer cannot overcome this, they tend to lose confidence in their abilities and give up on writing entirely. This week will review reasons why a writer might get writer’s block and tips for overcoming it. We discuss problems that keep you from creating, such as your own attitude and those of others. In order to fully create, you must unleash your passion for writing. This module discusses how to fully embrace your creative side to get your writing flowing.

• What is Writer’s Block?
• Diaries & Journals as Anti-Writer’s Block Tools
• Other Tips for Breaking Writer’s Block
• Problems That Prevent You from Creating
• How to Give Yourself Permission to Create

Creativity Training for Writers Module 2
Get in Touch with Your Creativity

This week we discuss methods for jumpstarting your creativity, such as practicing writing, finding a comfortable location to write and scheduling a dedicated timeframe for writing. Procrastination is a huge reason why creativity suffers. Avoiding procrastination is one of the best things you can do for yourself as a writer. In this module we also look at different tips for turning the first draft of your personal essay into a good piece of literature.    

• Methods for Jumpstarting Your Creativity
• Avoiding Procrastination
• Creative Focus
• Types of Personal Essays
• General Tips for Writing Essays

Creativity Training for Writers Module 3
Memoirs and Short Stories

Whether you want to write a memoir, autobiography or a short story, this week will provide great insight into the basic features of each and the steps needed to achieve writing them. Whether you choose to write an autobiography or a memoir depends on the scope of what you want to say and the amount of time you want to write about. This module also introduces you to different parts of a short story and how it compares to a novel.

• Memoir vs. Autobiography
• How to Tackle a Memoir
• Ideas for Memoir Topics
• Short Stories vs. Novels
• Steps for Writing a Short Story

Creativity Training for Writers Module 4
Writing a Book and Finding an Audience

Once you’ve experimented with writing short stories, the next natural move for your creative talents is to write an entire novel. This week reviews the parts of a novel, such as the characters, plot and setting. As you wrap up the final touches of your novel or nonfiction book, you need to make some decisions concerning where and how you plan to publish your work. We will cover different periodicals, magazines and journals and we will also explore steps for self-publication.   

• The Parts of a Novel
• The Nonfiction Book
• Finalizing Your Book
• Writer’s Groups
• Magazines, Journals & other Periodicals