What makes a "good" creative writing piece?

First of all, there is no specific framework for a good piece of creative writing! Everybody writes differently, and different styles of writing require different skills. A gossip magazine column is very far from a gothic short story! However, there are some general principles which you can follow1. Be CreativeCreativity is important because it sets you out from the crowd. It doesn't mean being weird - it just means describing, using metaphors, thinking of different ways to make your point. The most important thing is:EVERYONE CAN BE CREATIVE. I put that in capitals because it's very important. If you're reading this and thinking "I'm not creative" - you're wrong! Try this experiment - pick an object in the room/space you're currently in. Now pick five words to describe it - they can be really basic (large, small, red, thin, round, flat, wooden etc.). Now come up with a story as to how it was made. It doesn't have to be the truth, just think. Add your describing words into the story - there we go - you've been creative! It wasn't that painful was it?2. Write what you knowThis doesn't mean necessarily write about your own life - if you know everything about car manufacture, or Chinese culture, or the invention of the paperclip - use it! True stories are often the most exciting and, when told well, can captivate a reader time and again3. Know your audienceOkay, so maybe you and your teacher are quite close, maybe you're quite informal with them. Just remember that, when it comes to the exam, they aren't going to be marking it. Don't swear, don't talk about anything innapropriate, don't be rude to the reader. Also, be aware of what you are meant to be writing about - if you're writing a diary entry don't write in the same way as you would for a holiday brochure!4. Push yourselfJust because there are guidelines to follow doesn't mean you can't push them a little bit. Examiners love a challenging piece, or something thought-provoking. Use common sense to work out if it's appropriate - if in doubt, leave it out. But don't be afraid to talk about things like death, mental health, war, poverty etc. These are all rich and appropriate topics for any creative writing piece5. Write what you likeWrite something that you actually want to read! If you hate tragedy, don't kill off everyone in the story. Equally, if happy endings make you queasy, don't be afraid to throw in a surprise ending. Follow these rules and hopefully you'll do well in your exam, but at the end of the day it is up to you! Writing can be really fun, so just keep practising, you'll get the hang of it!BenjaminStill unsure? Send me a message and we can set up a tutorial!!