Business Writing Vs. Creative Writing

Writing is a way we express our thoughts and ideas, whether on paper or on a computer screen. There are different kinds of writing depending on what we want to communicate and who we are sending the message to. Generally, there are two types of writing, formal and informal. From there, we can further break them down into different categories such as Creative Writing, Business and Marketing Writing, Technical and Research Writing, and Academic Writing.

For this article, though, we will concentrate on Business and Creative Writing, their differences and similarities.

Business Writing involves writing facts about aspects of business, such as products and services. It is clear, concise, and provides relevant information to the readers.

Although formal in nature, business writing can be written in a conversational tone and second person to build trust. Copywriting is designed to be persuasive, enticing a consumer to buy. When written with this approach, the tone is less formal because the reader gets the impression that whatever they are reading is meant for them and designed to help them resolve a pain point.

In contrast, Creative Writing, such as novels, short stories, bios, poems, and screenplays, is about creating an imaginary world through narration and character development. Ideas and thoughts are expressed to entertain and elicit emotion rather than to inform.

However, both can be similar in that they can open a world of knowledge to readers and make them feel. There can be a mingling of facts within a piece of fiction or an injection of creative flair within a piece of non-fiction. For instance, historical fiction has a narrative set against a particular event in history, and a blog giving information on a topic can be written in a tone that elicits feelings related to a value system or point of view surrounding that topic.  

Business and Creative Writing may serve different purposes, one to inform and the other to entertain, but the law of attraction applies to both in that each has a specific audience that is looking to have their needs and wants met, whether through facts or fantasy. If the writing is well done, it will attract readers who want either or both.

Comma Usage

Commas serve an important purpose in sentences. Besides the period, they are one of the most common forms of punctuation. They allow us to pause quickly while reading to make sense of what is being conveyed or to take a breath when speaking.

 Some rules may be obvious to the English writer, like placing a comma after the day in a date, although it is easy to overuse or omit a comma where needed. Here are the nine most common comma usage rules to be aware of.

 Coordinate Conjunctions: They are used after and, but, for, nor, yet, and or, when these connect two independent clauses. If you add a comma between two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction, it is called a comma splice and is incorrect.

Example: The volleyball game was cancelled, yet they still had the pizza party.

Comma Splice:  The volleyball game was cancelled, they still had the pizza party.

 Lists: Unless you are using bulleted formatting, use commas to separate different items in a sentence. Please note that the UK rule differs from the US because a comma is omitted between the last two items. There is no right or wrong, as long as you care to be consistent.

Examples: US usage: You will need eggs, butter, flour, and sugar to make the cake.

UK usage: You will need eggs, butter, flour and sugar to make the cake.

 Non-Restrictive Clauses: Add a comma before extra or non-essential information and after phrases like such as, otherwise, and which.

Example: Many water sports are offered at the shore, such as jet skiing, parasailing, and windsurfing.

 Multiple Adjectives: Include commas between adjacent adjectives within sentences.

Example: It was a cold, damp day in December.

 One-sentence Quotations: A comma is used before or after a quote in a short sentence.

Example: “A penny saved is a penny earned,” said Benjamin Franklin. (OR)

Benjamin Franklin said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

 Transitional Phrases: Transitional phrases connect related ideas or show contrast in a sentence. Place a comma after a transitional phrase like however, so, nevertheless, consequently, as a result, for example, and thus. 

Example of comma placement for a transitional phrase: Consequently, they could not make the trip.

Introductory Phrases: These set the stage for the meaning of the sentence. Place a comma after the introduction and before the sentence's main clause.

Example of comma placement for an introductory phrase: After her successful date with Ron, Patricia looked forward to seeing him again.

 Personal Address: In writing, add a comma after the name or noun when addressing another person or group. Add commas before and after directly addressed names added mid-sentence.

Examples: 1. Maggie, where did you park the car? 

                   2. I want you to know, Amy, that I’ll always love you.

Geographical Connection: Add a comma between two geographical names. Additional commas should be included after related geographical names in the middle of sentences.

Examples: 1. Nashville, TN, Stockholm, Sweden

                  2. I have lived in Monroe Township, NJ, for about nine years.

Like other grammatical constructions, adequate comma placement is important because it reflects your writing ability and communication skills, which will impact your credibility with an audience. Without the necessary pauses, your message can become skewed, leading some readers to become frustrated and lose faith or interest in your message. There are many other comma usage rules not mentioned here; however, the ones above are the most common and will ensure accuracy of comma placement in all forms of writing.

How to Combat Writer's Block

A man at his laptop looking frustrated

As you sit down to get ready to write an email, blog, product description, bio, or the great American novel, you may experience what many have from time to time: writer's block. You stare at the computer screen and find you haven't the slightest idea what to write or how to begin. You've either hit a wall, or you keep starting over. It happens to everyone, even the most accomplished writers. But you don't have to let it discourage you because, as the saying goes, "This, too, shall pass." However, if you write for a living and are obligated to meet deadlines, you do not have the luxury to wait for your spring of creativity to start flowing again. There are solutions to overcome your blockage, but first, you must understand what's causing your writer’s block.

When you are feeling stuck in generating new ideas, it may be that you are experiencing either mental fatigue, anxiety, a lack of inspiration, external distractions, or pressure. When experiencing writer's block, take stock of how you feel now. Are you overworked, insecure, unmotivated, pressured to meet a deadline, or is your environment keeping you from focusing? When these emotions come into play, you need to stop and refocus. Stopping is easy, but how do you get back in the groove to write again and be productive?

The following are some tips you can take, depending on what has led to your temporary dry well of inspiration.

Just get it down—When you feel hindered by fear and self-doubt, it's best to walk away from what you are trying to write about and redirect your creativity to writing about something different. Write about anything that comes to mind or choose a prompt to help you get started. Don't worry about grammar or spelling, surrender to your stream of consciousness to see where it takes you. You may find that writing about a different topic or just getting your feelings down in a journal will unleash a whole new perspective that will help you regain confidence.

Take regular breaks—Time constraints can lead to much pressure to perform. Although some work better under pressure, the creative process has a life of its own and cannot be rushed. If you have difficulty operating on a rigid timeline, you may need to negotiate a longer turnaround time. If the pressure is self-induced, then it is time to slow down. Give your mind a chance to rest and replenish by walking, meditating, reading, or simply relaxing.

Find a new creative space—Changing the environment can be helpful. Instead of sitting at your desktop praying for inspiration, go to the library, a coffee shop, outdoors, or another room to write. Altering the scenery is sometimes all you need to spark those creative juices.   

Eliminate external distractions—A noisy environment is never conducive to concentration. Find a quiet place in your home or the community and mute electronic devices so that you can work without interruption and disruption. Play soft, soothing music to help keep you engaged.

Set a schedule—Find out when your most productive time of day is and only write during that time. For instance, I like mornings because my mind is at its freshest after a night of rest. Stick to it, and you'll find it becomes a habit.

Ask for feedback—Talk to other writers or organize a group discussion to gather opinions and advice about your writing. By discussing ideas with others, you can receive fresh insights.

Set smaller, achievable goals—Don't overwhelm yourself with large chunks of work. Breaking down your tasks into manageable parts will boost your confidence and motivation.

Get assistance with writing tools—Writing applications are great aids to help you get started or move your writing forward. Some examples are ChatGPT, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Grammarly, Prowriting Aid, Ulysses, or Shrivener. They can help you organize and structure your ideas.

Writing can be difficult, especially when you are experiencing writer's block. When that happens, tune into how you feel and consider the ways mentioned to help get your writing routine back on track. Whether taking a long walk, discussing, using a writing tool, or doing something else, you can rekindle your creativity in no time.

If you need more help with your writing, The Prolific Word offers various writing services to streamline the process. For more information about our services, please visit our service page, contact us here, or email us at theprolificword@gmail.com.