Creative writing is a skill that can only be developed through constant hard work, undying commitment, and innate interest. Here's my take on how a person can write more creatively.
1. Read.
That's write — pun intended. Statistically, not many people read. They give preference to sports and hanging out. Reading another's work won't only help you with your vocabulary and your grammar, but will also sparkle up the needed interest. There are book nerds out there who binge-read; dedicating night after night to a book they can't get over! This is followed by another book they can't get over, and so on. It isn't that hard. What readers do reading is quite similar to watching movies; they imagine what the author has written, using the descriptions to vividly create scenarios in their heads and forming the characters and picturing them as if they actually exist — it's like a movie is playing in your head! Pick up a genre that suits you and start reading. You won't regret it. Also read classical poetry; not modern poetry.
2. Become a weather reporter!
Not literally. This is what I resort to whenever I need inspiration or can't generate good ideas for a poem or a story while staring at a computer screen. I get out, walk all the way up to the fifth floor of my apartment building, and spend an hour or even more watching the sun set. I then describe it, typing frantically into my phone, with a smile on my face. The colors that are made by the sunlight, the clouds that seem to morph by the wind blowing and the light of the sun illuminating them. It is a different picture every day! If feels like all the great painters in the world have teamed up and have set a painting in motion. You can also experiment describing a starry night sky, a whole moon, and the view of a beach; the water wiping away at your feet and the wind blowing your hair, in particular.
You'll be surprised at how amazing your descriptions are.
3. Keep a journal.
Another thing shunned upon by many. Those who keep journals, writing about themselves or the events that take place around them, are considered anti-socials and introverts. This is another stereotype that needs to be dealt with. Psychologists say that writing about yourself is healthy and that everyone should do it. It helps in alleviating stress and enforces you to think. Many don't write because of the fear of people opening up their journals and reading everything written. You can invest your money in those diaries that come with dainty locks and a key. Or, you can write in online diaries. There are plenty of those out there. I prefer the app Diaro. It is available on Google's app market and has a 4.4 rating. I also have another journal, and a decoy diary.
4. Watch animated movies and paintings.
Seriously! I recommend Japanese movies, like Howl's Moving Castle, The Secret World Of Arriety, and other Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki films. Also, Hollywood's animated features. Or, you can watch paintings online. Look at them, and jolt down what you understand from the work in front. Write a line for every new color you detect. Give the painting a title of your own. When you're done with one, repeat with another!
5. Learn as many idioms as you can.
This one is totally legit. You can access lists of idioms online. Memorize as many as you can and use them in sentences of your own. Many are used in television shows and in articles and newspapers. Keep your eyes and ears open and note any down you find, no matter how peculiar. You can even make some of your own. It'll help.
