Has Creative Writing Become A Lost Art?

I hesitated a long while before writing this article, not wanting to contradict the industry Gods/Goddesses. Yet, what I’m about to discuss has troubled me since I began my writing journey, so I progress.

I’d like to be a respected, traditionally published author, but I’m disappointed by how narrow the definition of creativity has become. My disillusionment started when I learned my manuscript did not fit into the romance genre because it doesn’t have a happily ever after ending. I was heartbroken.

I challenge anyone to deny Eric Segal’s Love Story was one of the greatest romance novels of all time. Yet when I offered it as an example, I was told it was written in 1970 and things change. So what! Its publication date doesn’t diminish its romantic qualities. Next you are going to tell me Romeo and Juliet wasn’t a love story. Shakespeare would roll over in his grave at such nonsense.

Another must I take exception to is the rule that in order to capture and retain the reader’s attention, your writing must ooze tension and conflict. IMHO (In my humble opinion), our daily lives, today’s political environment and the current economic situation offer more than enough of both. Why must these conditions also consume our moments of entertainment and escape?  

I had to laugh when during the pandemic a male friend of mine (yes, a man) told me he’d become so bored he’s started watching Hallmark movies. Note the key word here is bored. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with these stories. I also watch them occasionally, especially during the holiday season. But I can’t name one Hallmark movie that has won recognition for its originality or creativity. Can you? It’s OK if predictable is what you’re going for, but is this creative?

Another source defines creativity as “Involving the use of innovation or imagination during the process of creation” and listed synonyms such as innovative, visionary, ingenious, inventive, artistic, inspired, innovational, original, radical, revolutionary. Yet many authors’ work gets rejected when it embraces any of these characteristics.

In order to be accepted by the publishing world you must adhere to a litany of rules: your work must not exceed a certain word count, the story has to follow a specific trope, you must avoid certain words or phrases, and you should not break the rules unless you’ve become an established author. Poppycock!

Earlier this year I watched a 60 Minutes interview with music producer Rick Rubin. One of his remarks resonated with me. He said, and I paraphrase: people don’t know what they like, they only know what they are given. How is it that writers have been pressured to believe the notion that readers will lose interest in their work if they don't stick to a specific lane? Must we play along with established rules in order to share our work with the world? I believe readers are sophisticated enough to want more.

A presenter at the writer’s conference I recently attended discussed must-have techniques to create a successful manuscript. It included ten conditions, none of which simply suggested tell an interesting story.

I've had conversations with other authors and many of them are convinced about the importance of tension and conflict. In fact, a fellow writer mentioned an 'industry expert' who advised that some form of tension/conflict should be present on every page. Personally, I don’t see the point of troubling my reader at every page turn. My goal is to relate a compelling story that holds the reader’s attention and uses reasonably appropriate grammar. And unraveling the story shouldn’t always have to be about instant gratification. There’s nothing wrong with a slow burn. A wise man once told me loose clothing enticed him because it kept him wondering what was underneath.

I cherish the comment a woman made after reading my manuscript. She said, “I laughed, I cried, I wondered.” Although originally against self-publishing, I’m starting to question its validity. The ability to produce an enjoyable read without having to worry about providing constant tension/conflict seems like a worthwhile publication plan. I want to tell my story because I think its theme will resonate with women who wrestle with job satisfaction, relationships that lead nowhere, and/or a ticking biological clock. I’m willing to accept criticism and valuable advice to strengthen my writing and make it more appealing, but not ordinary or rewired to fit what has become standard.

I wonder (a word authors are cautioned not to use) how many writers feel the same, have or are considering giving up because of all the imposed requirements stifling their efforts to produce their creative masterpieces. I challenge authors, agents, editors, publishers, all y’all to offer an opinion about the true meaning of creative writing.

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