Using creative writing to fuel creativity

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Gilbert, Francis. 2025. Using creative writing to fuel creativity. In: Jen Katz-Buonincontro and Todd Kettler, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Creativity and Education. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 495-511. ISBN 9780197698181 [Book Section]

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Abstract or Description

This chapter will examine the ways in which creative writing can be taught and the uses it can be put to in different educational and learning contexts. In particular, it will explore research-informed, deeply theorised pedagogical strategies which enable learners to benefit from creative writing. It will argue that creative writing needs to be nurtured by adopting ‘flow’ activities. These states are achieved when humans undertake ‘painful, risky, difficult activities that stretch the person’s capacity and involve an element of novelty and discovery’ (Csikseztmihaliyi 110). With creative writing this involves teaching people to freewrite and understand why & how freewriting works as a foundation. The chapter will explore the cultural history around this area, as well as drawing from the author’s own significant teaching experience in schools and universities. The chapter will show how freewriting and other ‘flow’ activities centred around writing can be utilised in many different learning contexts, and seek to put the case that creative writing should be used in many different fields, including science, psychotherapy, formal research and the arts and humanities.

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Book Section

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https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197698181.013.0026