How to improve your critical thinking to improve your creative writing
I think part of our jobs as writers is to have a critical eye. We can’t just read a book and move on to the next. I need to get into the habit of engaging with them a little more. Questioning it and myself after having read it. Even if it’s one I read “for pure entertainment”, I still should ask well why and how did it entertain me? How can I learn from this experience? The same goes with many elements of life. As writers and storytellers, it is our role, perhaps, to go deeper and get to the meat of a thing. Even if it leaves us with more questions than answers, which for me, is the most fascinating of topics. A story poses a question: what if… And then it explores an answer, either reaching a solid conclusion or not. Either works, depending on the topic.
But it’s the questioning that keeps the reader curious and helps the writer to understand themselves and their stance in the world.
Sometimes, we get caught up in the creative side that we forget this important critical side to being a storyteller and writer. It’s what makes us better at what we do, in my opinion. It’s something I’ve been lacking. It was only during university that I engaged critically with what I was reading, or looked at my own work with a critical eye. Why? There’s a reason I was taught to do that, and I think it benefits me to do this in a looser way in every day life.
Maybe “critical” is too logical, too boring a word. It makes it sound like school! Instead, let’s say “reflective”. “Contemplative”. For us to take time to hold an issue, a topic, a piece of art, an idea and to slip it between our fingers asking ourselves what it means for us. What it could mean if unraveled. That’s fun for me. I technically do this when journaling for personal reasons. Maybe there’s something potent in doing this outside of my journal more often. Allowing myself to indulge in the free contemplation of a topic, stream of consciousness style. Focused, artful rumination is profound for figuring out what you think about a piece of this life.
I was listening to a trio of booktubers talk about theme and authorial intent, asking if a subtle or more direct approach to theme is better. Of course, this came down to personal preference. It always depends on this or that. I know I am stronger at contemplation of theme than thrilling, high stakes stories. Maybe I’ve neglected the area in which I excel. I need to find a balance between critical thinking/reflective writing and a good story. I need to read more books in this tone so I can know how to emulate it. When I find this, I can and should dissect the narrative and the beats so I know how to make my own writing just as strong and effective.
So writers, if you aren’t reading enough – read more! If you aren’t questioning what you read and being a little more reflective, try it out. It’s good practice for us and the development of our craft. We can do this with tv shows and films we watch, too. Journal deeply on topics of concern or interest or passions you have. See the holes in our society and write stream of consciousness about them. This helps us to develop a keen eye for voice and opinion. It helps us to develop themes for our work. It helps us to understand effective storytelling in all forms and why it works.
So how do we ensure there’s a critical voice to our work? How do we improve our writing through this reflective process? Practice. Practice. Practice! Don’t see a “random” essay about a “random” topic as pointless. If you have something to get off your chest, do it! If you want to see what you truly think about it something without the high stakes of it being in a manuscript, just open another document and let it out freely there. See where it goes without question or restrain. Let it all out, and see what has unfolded.
Sincerely,
S. xx
