Caterina Christakos asked:
Is there any better feeling in the world than the look on someones face when they have just read your latest piece of creative writing? For many, it is the fuel that keeps us going. It is like throwing dried apple wood on the creative fire that burns within a writers spirit. The flames grow and expand, and we get catch a whiff of that fragrance and ca not wait to start the whole creative writing process all over again.
The smiles, the praise, the words of encouragement these are some of the best aspects of the craft of writing. Not all writers crave these things, but the mere fact that there are so many books in print shows that there are a lot of people who want their creative writing to reach out and touch others. Whether you invent entire worlds as a novel writer, or you like to throw in a bit of imagery when you do jobs writing travel articles, the flair you add helps tell a unique story in a way that no one else can.
Of course, getting your creative writing into the hands of an eager audience is sometimes easier to imagine than to accomplish. Agonizing over every adjective and punctuation mark is only part of the process of becoming a published writer. Some writers choose to pursue traditional methods for publication, while others take a different path and decide to self publish their work. Both options give you the chance to share your creative writing, although the methods and outcomes can be very different for each.
Choosing your method for publication is an individual decision and should be based on your needs and desires. If you are a childrens book writer whose main goal is to have a professional looking hardback book for under the grandchildrens Christmas tree, then perhaps self publishing is the way to go. If, on the other hand, you dream of being a professional writer who tours the bookstore chains to do personal appearances, then you may need the backing of a large scale publishing company.
There are many tools available that can help get your creative writing published, and it is usually the writers responsibility to learn about and utilize these writing resources. Check out Writers Market or publishers websites for writer guidelines that can help you determine how and where to submit your work. While it is still a lot of effort, many writers choose to hire a literary agent to help with the submission process. This allows you more time for writing fiction and less time for reading writer guidelines and tweaking proposals.
Creative writing skills are very important, whether your focus is writing fiction or simply making your nonfiction writing more engaging. Using words and ideas that make the story unforgettable is what causes great writers to shine. For many of us, the satisfaction comes from seeing this glow reflected in the faces and imaginations of the reader. While desiring the title of professional writer sometimes gets in the way, it is nice to occasionally remember the simple joy that comes when our creative writing is able to transport a reader to a place they have never been.