How Can Creative Constraints Be Useful For Creative Writing?
We write for freedom, originality, and creativity. But should our writing always be so wild and free? Although there is this wonderful sense of liberation within creative writing, working with creative constraints can also be a useful tool – at times – even leading to more freedom and individuality.
But doesn’t putting boundaries in place prevent our creativity from shining through? Does it hold us back? How can writing within creative constraints encourage more freedom within our writing?
This blog will explore what creative constraints are and how they can help us as creative writers.
What Do Creative Constraints Look Like?
A creative constraint can take many different forms. Simply put it’s a limitation, a boundary, or even a rule that’s in place to influence your writing style or form. It’s all about discovering the kind of boundary that will help you be the most productive or provide you with a different type of challenge or motivation.
A few examples of a creative constraint could be:
A writing prompt – a word, a sentence, an image.
A specific rule, such as writing without a particular letter, or writing within a set genre trope.
Writing in a new form, or a specific form that has rules or conventions (such as a Haiku poem).
Following a pattern.
A set word count.
Derbyshire Writing School’s bespoke prompt box. The box contains unique creative writing prompts to help you get writing.
So, now we’ve explored what a creative constraint is, let’s dive into how they can be useful within your creative writing…
1. Helps Unlock Creativity
In those frustrating moments when we’re feeling stuck with our writing, creative constraints can help us solve the problem as it can force us to ‘think outside of the box’.
Something as simple as setting ourselves a writing prompt or exercise can help unlock our creativity and force momentum.
You can tailor this exercise to whatever element of your writing you might be struggling with, from narrative structure to character description or even setting.
In the same way that practising writing habits can help us show up ready to write, working within creative constraints can help ignite our creativity and it can provide a reliable starting point. Often the best ideas are hiding in the places we don’t expect.
2. Provides A Sense Of Focus
Sometimes, the endless possibilities of creative writing can feel overwhelming. From novels to blog posts, even multiple forms of poetry – there are so many choices to make when we think about what we can write. It can be difficult to narrow down our ideas and find a place to start.
By putting a creative constraint in place, we provide ourselves with a sense of focus. It makes us zone in on something specific.
The important thing is that the creative constraint forces you to write something. Even if you don’t take the writing you produce any further, it can be a good exercise in finding that focus when you’re struggling to get started with your writing. Or if you’re struggling with the dreaded writer’s block.
3. Gives Us A Creative Challenge
Experimenting is a valuable tool for writers and can help us learn new things about ourselves and our writing. By experimenting with creative constraints, we have the chance to try something new and challenge ourselves. We can push our limits and test our craft skill.
Putting creative constraints in place can present us with a new creative challenge and freshen up our writing process.
You never know where the challenge may lead. Placing restrictions on our writing has the potential to lead us down unexpected paths.
The change of approach to your writing can provide a new perspective and lead to new ideas.
As you experiment with ideas to fit within the constraint, you might uncover an idea you wouldn’t have done without those rules in place. But more than that, it can make your writing feel exciting and new again.
Creative Constraints Are A Valuable Tool
Whether a creative constraint helps you overcome that sense of writer’s block or provides you with the focus you need to get started, they can help you move forward with your writing in a number of ways.
Of course, there can be such as thing as too many creative constraints. But when used in balance, they can be a valuable tool for creative writing.
So, how do you feel about working within creative constraints? Are they something you find helpful, or do you prefer embracing the freedom of creative writing? Get in touch and let us know. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Get in touch with us at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com.
