Would writing be a good creative outlet for me?

I've always looked up to people who can create things, but after piano lessons in my youth and an art class in college, I learned that I'm too impatient to be willing to put into the work required to create music or visual art. This really only leaves me with writing, since I want to create things that deliver not just a message, but a story, and I don't plan on learning pottery any time soon.

But before I try anything, I'd like to know what I'm intentionally getting myself into. I mean, with non-fiction, I'm great. Lab papers, essays, word problems, and research papers were always easier than trying to draw a human face, and I'm probably the only student in my college classes who reads the textbook enough to make sure they understand it.

However, I want to use fiction to be creative, and I'm not as sure of my abilities there. I mean, if I find a book I like, I'll get absorbed in it, but I'm picky, and reading so much so fast means it kinds of goes through my head like a sieve rather than getting stuck in ther like a sponge. And while I'm savvy enough with tropes to do things like guess if the antagonist is going to turn out to be an anti-villian or a noble demon, or guess if a trope that is being set up is going to be subverted or not, at least to a degree that makes me better than average, I can't seem to come up with an idea out of nowhere, and I have no idea how to start writing a story were I so inclined.

Creativity's a bit of an issue, but thanks to really weird dreams at night, it's not the biggest issue. I guess I'd like to know if writing for the sake of writing is a positive experience for other people. If so, how would I start out and how would I tell along the way if I my efforts were well spent? Are there any other places to talk about writing like this website that aren't focused primarily on fan-fiction; not that I have anything against fan-fiction, it's just that I want to create the story from as much of my own mind as possible. That doesn't mean I would be opposed to fleshing out ideas by talking to others, or role-playing to get new ideas, just that I don't know how to do it, and those methods of editing and brainstorming may not be my most preferred method.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any thoughts any of you would like to share, like how you started, or how you wish you started, or what you wish you had known when you started, and how much you enjoy it, and stuff like that.

This is just what you need to be doing.

Instead of trying things, seeing if you like them, and busting your ass to get good at them if you do, make sure you ask other peoples' permission first and wait for their approval.

In a field like writing - which costs no money and where you have nothing to lose by just having a go at it - make sure to let everyone else decide for you what your experiences will be, and whether or not you'll enjoy them.

Edit: For another place to talk about writing, try the NaNoWriMo forums. Don't be fooled by the premise, they're very helpful year-round.

edited 19th May '14 9:45:31 AM by Wheezy

Writing may be easy, but good writing is still work. Your first draft will probably never be what you want the final result to be; it will need revision and editing and more revision.

I say, take a chance and just play around a bit. Do not worry about what other people say; It seems to me like you are looking to write for yourself, and that's perfectly fine. Don't think about making something perfect, because that blocks creative flow. Just write whatever you'd like.

If you enjoyed it, and think you might have some potential, I say keep it up.