"can Creativity Be Learned?"

With the summer holidays imminent, thoughts will be on rest and relaxation. But, summer is also the best time for students to gain crucial practice with creative writing. With changes in the normal routine, children are more likely to be experiencing different and more exciting things; all of which are potential topics of creative writing. But why is this important? Demand for creative individuals is on the rise constantly, with businesses more likely to thrive when there are creative people at the helm. Children are routinely testing on their creative writing skills; the 11+ examinations, for example, can include the task of writing a short story which accounts for 50% of the overall English score and GCSE English also involves a creative writing element that is assessed. So, is creativity and creative writing a skill that only comes naturally to the lucky few or can you really learn how to be a good creative writer?

Some tips that may help make the creative writing process more manageable:

Consider to yourself what you think makes a "good" story (or screenplay/ article/ play etc). What is it that drives you to keep reading? Perhaps you love reading a villain's story, for example. By knowing what you enjoy in other books, you might be able to gauge what you will enjoy writing. Think (and write) outside of the classroom. New experiences and sensations can spark the imagination, which is why summer is a perfect time to head outside with a pen and a notepad. Write several 'first lines' of different stories on a piece of paper. Leave the paper alone for an hour; when you come back, which of the stories do you most want to finish? Pick a favourite fictional character from any medium (book, film, play etc) and write a monologue from their perspective. Learn to dig deep into a character and try to get to the root of what makes a character tick and what makes them readable. What is the shortest story you can write? Can you write a gripping story in under ten words? Can you rewrite a classic story in a different way? Challenge yourself, and see what you can come up with. Read! Although obvious, reading is absolutely crucial to being an effective writer. You will boost your vocabulary, pick up new ideas, learn what does and does not work, and really kickstart your imagination. Write every day if you can. Yes, every day. Even if you only write a phrase that has popped into your head but has a nice ring to it, writing every day is vital. You will exercise your brain and learn to think creatively, and recognise good creative thoughts.

According to a recent article from the Guardian a group of acclaimed authors believe that the national curriculum is stifling creativity by turning the creative process into yet further conformity to exam-style standards. The authors have noticed a tendency of schools to push students into flowery language, and that testing creative writing ignores the "essence of good writing". However, as with any subject there will be different styles of writing for examination purposes. Creative writing is by no means easy, but it can be enormously enjoyable. Perhaps the key is to learn how to separate "academic" creative writing from "independent" creative writing, and to understand how to confidently write in a way that is appropriate for assessment but also how you like to write. Creativity is broad, endlessly so, and unlocking a different element of creativity - one that is not regimented for assessments - is a difficult skill to learn but, we believe, one that can and should be attempted.

For more information, please visit the websites listed below, and watch this TED talk from 2006 by Ken Robinson on whether schools are failing to nurture creativity.