Top 15 Creative Writing Examples

Creative Writing Examples are the beacons of literary artistry. These examples showcase the kaleidoscope of human thought and emotion across genres and styles. From the pages of classic novels to the verses of poignant poetry, the world of Creative Writing Examples offers a tapestry of narratives, each a unique exploration of the human experience. 

Furthermore, Examples of Creative Writing intend to illuminate minds and encourage individuals to reflect on life’s complexities. The most popular Creative Writing Examples out there are Short Stories, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Rap, Plays, Novels and more. 

Table of Contents 

1) A brief understanding of “What is Creative Writing?” 

2) Exploring the top 15 Creative Writing Examples 

    a) “Trying to raise the dead” by Dorianne Laux 

    b) “Ozymandias” by Percy Shelley 

    c) “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen 

    d) “I will follow you into the dark” by Death Cab for Cutie 

    e) “All my sons” by Arthur Miller 

    f) “Everything is fine” by Michael Schur 

    g) “On selling your first novel after 11 years” by Min Jin Lee 

    h) “An MFA story” by Paul Dalla Rosa 

    i) “Convenience store woman” by Sayaka Murata 

    j) “Erasure” by Percival Everett 

3) Conclusion 

A brief understanding of “What is Creative Writing?” 

Creative Writing is the art of generating original ideas and turning them into written works. Unlike academic or journalistic writing, where factual accuracy and structured arguments prevail, Creative Writing emphasises self-expression, originality, and emotional resonance. 

It is a free-spirited form of art, allowing writers to break conventional bounds, explore diverse narratives, and articulate their innermost thoughts, fantasies, and feelings. The horizon of Creative Writing encompasses a multitude of genres, including fiction, poetry, drama, and memoir, among others.  

Moreover, it can transport readers to fantastical worlds, provide insights into the human condition, or simply entertain. Often, it's characterised by vivid imagery, evocative language, and a unique voice. Whether it’s the captivating allure of a novel, the lyrical beauty of a poem, or the raw honesty of a personal essay, creative writing touches the soul, stirs emotions, and sparks imagination.
 

 

Exploring the top 15 Creative Writing Examples 

Creative Writing cultivates learners' imagination, enhancing expressive skills. For instance, crafting stories improves narrative structuring, while poetry hones linguistic precision. By penning personal essays, learners develop introspection, and through fantasy tales, they expand world-building abilities. The practice of Creative Writing fosters critical thinking and emotional articulation.  

Here are the top 15 Creative Writing Examples described as shown below: 

1) “Trying to raise the dead” by Dorianne Laux
 

“A direction. An object. My love, it needs 

a place to rest. Say anything. I’m listening. 

I’m ready to believe. Even lies, I don’t care.” 

Explanation: Dorianne Laux's "Trying to raise the dead" is a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the relentless passage of time. Laux masterfully melds vivid imagery with raw emotion, drawing readers into an intimate space of nostalgia.  

Additionally, her verses touch on the fragile nature of life and the yearning we often feel to reconnect with those who've passed on. The poem serves as a testament to the power of love and remembrance, suggesting that while we may not be able to physically revive the departed, their essence remains alive within our memories, conversations, and the tales we share. 

2) “Ozymandias” by Percy Shelley 

“Nothing beside remains. Round the decay 

Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare 

The lone and level sands stretch far away.” 

Explanation: "Ozymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a timeless reflection on the impermanence of human achievements and the inevitable decay of all things. Through the narrative of a traveller who encounters the ruins of a colossal statue in a vast desert, Shelley underscores the transience of power and pride.  

Furthermore, the inscription proclaims the great Ozymandias as "King of Kings," stands in stark contrast to the surrounding desolation, highlighting the futility of earthly grandeur. Shelley's sonnet serves as a poignant reminder that empires fade, rulers are forgotten, but nature and time remain undefeated. 

3) “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen 

“You say I took the name in vain 

I don't even know the name 

But if I did, well, really, what's it to ya? 

There's a blaze of light in every word 

It doesn't matter which you heard 

The holy or the broken Hallelujah” 

Explanation: "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen is a profound exploration of love, faith, and the human experience, interwoven with biblical allusions. Rich in emotional depth, the poem-song touches upon the complexities of passion, heartbreak, and spiritual connection.  

Additionally, Cohen's hauntingly beautiful refrains of "Hallelujah" vary in meaning, ranging from joy and reverence to pain and disillusionment. With its intricate layers and resonant verses, "Hallelujah" has transcended its origins, becoming a timeless anthem that speaks to the multifaceted nature of the human soul.  

Moreover, Cohen's masterful blend of the sacred and the profane invites introspection and a recognition of life's intertwined moments of despair and exaltation. 

4) “I will follow you into the dark” by Death Cab for Cutie 

“If Heaven and Hell decide that they both are satisfied 

Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs 

If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks 

Then I'll follow you into the dark” 

Explanation: "I will follow you into the dark" by Death Cab for Cutie, penned by frontman Ben Gibbard, is a touching ballad that delves into themes of love, mortality, and the uncertainties of the afterlife.  

The lyrics paint a comforting picture of unwavering devotion, promising to be by a loved one's side even in the face of the unknown. With its gentle acoustics and Gibbard's heartfelt vocals, the song-poem strikes a chord with anyone who's contemplated the impermanence of life and the hope for enduring connections beyond. It's a tender testament to love's power to transcend the confines of existence. 

5) “All my sons” by Arthur Miller
 

“I know you're no worse than most men but I thought you were better. I never saw you as a man. I saw you as my father.” 

Explanation: "All My Sons" by Arthur Miller is not a poem but rather a powerful play that grapples with themes of morality, responsibility, and the far-reaching consequences of one's choices.  

Set in the aftermath of World War II, the narrative revolves around Joe Keller, a businessman who sells faulty aircraft parts to the military, leading to the deaths of 21 pilots. As secrets unravel, the Keller family confronts haunting truths about ambition, integrity, and familial duty. 

Miller's dramatic work examines the American Dream's darker shades and poses poignant questions about individual accountability and the broader community's ethical obligations. 

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6) “Everything is Fine” by Michael Schur 

“Well, then this system sucks. What...one in a million gets to live in paradise and everyone else is tortured for eternity? Come on! I mean, I wasn't freaking Gandhi, but I was okay. I was a medium person. I should get to spend eternity in a medium place! Like Cincinnati. Everyone who wasn't perfect but wasn't terrible should get to spend eternity in Cincinnati.”   

Explanation: "Everything is Fine" is not known as a poem by Michael Schur. Michael Schur is better recognised as a television producer, writer, and actor, known for his work on shows like "The Office," "Parks and Recreation," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," and "The Good Place."  

In "The Good Place," "Everything is Fine" is a recurring phrase, symbolising the show's exploration of morality, ethics, and the afterlife.  

7) “On Selling Your First Novel After 11 Years” by Min Jin Lee 

“There was so much to learn and practice, but I began to see the prose in verse and the verse in prose. Patterns surfaced in poems, stories, and plays. There was music in sentences and paragraphs. I could hear the silences in a sentence. All this schooling was like getting x-ray vision and animal-like hearing.” 

Explanation: Min Jin Lee is an acclaimed novelist best known for works like "Pachinko" and "Free Food for Millionaires." "On Selling Your First Novel After 11 Years" is not recognised as a specific poem authored by her.  

However, the sentiment behind the title mirrors her personal journey. It took her nearly 12 years from the inception of "Free Food for Millionaires" to its publication, a testament to her persistence and dedication.  

8) “An MFA Story” by Paul Dalla Rosa 

“At Starbucks, I remembered a reading Zhen had given, a reading organized by the program’s faculty. I had not wanted to go but did. In the bar, he read, "I wrote this in a Starbucks in Shanghai. On the bank of the Huangpu." It wasn’t an aside or introduction. It was two lines of the poem. I was in a Starbucks and I wasn’t writing any poems. I wasn’t writing anything.“ 

Explanation: "An MFA Story" by Paul Dalla Rosa is a candid exploration of the challenges, sacrifices, and determination required to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing. Rosa's narrative delves into the complexities of balancing creativity with the practicalities of life, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of the writing journey.  

Through poignant prose, she unveils the sacrifices artists make, and the doubts they confront, providing readers a glimpse into the often unglamorous yet deeply rewarding world of creative pursuit. Lee's personal reflections resonate with aspiring writers, validating their struggles and inspiring perseverance. 

9) Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata 

“I wished I was back in the convenience store where I was valued as a working member of staff and things weren’t as complicated as this. Once we donned our uniforms, we were all equals regardless of gender, age, or nationality — all simply store workers.” 

Explanation: "Convenience Store Woman" by Sayaka Murata is a novel rather than a poem. This celebrated work delves into societal norms and individuality. It follows Keiko Furukura, an unconventional woman content with her life working in a convenience store.  

Through Keiko's perspective, Murata offers a sharp commentary on societal pressures and the pursuit of happiness. The novel's exploration of conformity, identity, and the challenges of societal expectations resonates with readers, challenging them to consider what it truly means to live authentically in a world that often demands conformity. 

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10) “Erasure” by Percival Everett
 

“The hard, gritty truth of the matter is that I hardly ever think about race. Those times when I did think about it a lot I did so because of my guilt for not thinking about it.” 

Explanation: "Erasure" by Percival Everett is a thought-provoking novel rather than a poem. The book critiques literary and racial expectations. The story revolves around Monk, a black avant-garde writer, who becomes frustrated with the publishing industry's perception of African American literature.  

In response, he crafts a parody of the stereotypical 'urban' novel. Everett's work skilfully navigates themes of identity, representation, and artistic integrity, inviting readers to confront the complexities of race, art, and cultural bias. Through its satirical lens, "Erasure" challenges preconceptions, questioning what it means to be authentically oneself in the face of societal pressures. 

11) “Men We Reaped” by Jesmyn Ward 

“Men’s bodies litter my family history. The pain of the women they left behind pulls them from the beyond, makes them appear as ghosts. In death, they transcend the circumstances of this place that I love and hate all at once and become supernatural.” 

Explanation:  "Men We Reaped" by Jesmyn Ward is a poignant memoir. Ward reflects on the lives and deaths of five young men, including her brother, in her rural Mississippi community.  

Through these interconnected stories, she explores the systemic racism, poverty, and lack of opportunities that contributed to their deaths. Ward's lyrical prose delves into the complexities of grief, loss, and the enduring impact of social injustices.  

Moreover, "Men We Reaped" is a powerful meditation on the resilience of communities and individuals in the face of adversity, providing a searing commentary on the broader issues affecting marginalised communities in America. 

12) “Cork Dork” by Bianca Bosker 

“He believed that wine could reshape someone’s life. That’s why he preferred buying bottles to splurging on sweaters. Sweaters were things. Bottles of wine, said Morgan, “are ways that my humanity will be changed.”   

Explanation: "Cork Dork" by Bianca Bosker is a non-fiction book that delves into the world of wine and the obsessive pursuit of sommeliers. Bosker, a journalist, immerses herself in this subculture, training to become a sommelier and uncovering the intricate art of wine tasting.  

Through her personal journey, the book offers insights into the dedication, passion, and sensory expertise required in the wine industry. "Cork Dork" sheds light on the confluence of science, history, and sensory experience, painting a vivid portrait of the wine world while exploring the ways in which people cultivate expertise and transform their lives in the process. 

13) “Calvin & Hobbes” by Bill Watterson
 

"Life is like topography, Hobbes. There are summits of happiness and success, flat stretches of boring routine and valleys of frustration and failure."   

Explanation: "Calvin and Hobbes" by Bill Watterson is a beloved comic strip that captures the imaginative adventures of a young boy named Calvin and his stuffed tiger come to life, Hobbes. With wit, humour, and profound insights, Watterson explores the essence of childhood, the power of imagination, and the dynamics of friendship.  

Through Calvin's escapades, the strip delves into philosophical musings and social commentary, offering a unique blend of humour and heart. The vivid artwork and genuine characters make "Calvin and Hobbes" a timeless classic, appealing to both children and adults, and leaving an indelible mark on comic and literary culture. 

14) “80 Days” by Inkle studios 

"It was a triumph of invention over nature, and will almost certainly disappear into the dust once more in the next fifty years."   

Explanation: "80 Days" by Inkle Studios is an interactive narrative game that reimagines Jules Verne's "Around the World in Eighty Days." Players embark on a globe-trotting adventure as Phileas Fogg's loyal valet, making choices that shape the story's outcome.  

The game's branching narrative and dynamic storytelling create a rich experience, with each decision affecting the journey's course. With its evocative writing, diverse characters, and steampunk aesthetic, "80 Days" offers a captivating exploration of strategy, risk, and the intricacies of human relationships, presenting players with a unique blend of adventure, history, and literary intrigue. 

15) “What Remains of Edith Finch” by Giant Sparrow 

"If we lived forever, maybe we'd have time to understand things. But as it is, I think the best we can do is try to open our eyes, and appreciate how strange and brief all of this is."   

Explanation: "What Remains of Edith Finch" by Giant Sparrow is a poignant interactive narrative game that delves into the mysterious stories of the Finch family members. Players explore the Finch house, uncovering each family member's fate through a series of short stories.  

With innovative gameplay mechanics, the game delves into themes of life, death, and the human experience. Through its emotional storytelling and imaginative presentation, "What Remains of Edith Finch" creates an intimate connection between players and the characters, offering a unique and immersive narrative experience that lingers long after the game is over. 

Conclusion 

You have learnt how Creative Writing Examples are windows into boundless imagination. From gripping novels to evocative poetry, they reflect the spectrum of human emotions and experiences. Through diverse genres, these examples underscore the power of words to paint worlds, provoke thoughts, and stir hearts. 

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