Why Creative Writing Matters

How Telling Stories Supports Our Minds, Hearts, and Communities

Why write? Is it just a hobby, a form of entertainment, or does it serve a deeper purpose? As an author, I often think about why creative writing matters, and not just for me but for the world around me. While journaling and expressive writing have well-known mental health benefits, creative writing—whether fiction, poetry, or storytelling—offers something even more profound.

Writing isn’t just about self-expression; it’s a way to process emotions, sharpen our thinking, and connect with others. It shapes our world in ways we don’t always realize. So, why does writing matter? Let’s break it down!

How Does Creative Writing Support Mental Health?

Writing as Emotional Release

There’s something powerful about putting emotions into words. When we write stories or poetry, we aren’t just expressing feelings—we’re transforming them. Whether creating a character who struggles like we do or crafting a metaphor that captures something too difficult to say outright, writing helps us work through emotions that might otherwise stay bottled up.

Studies have shown that creative activities, including writing, can reduce stress and ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. A 2013 study in Psychological Science found that expressive writing helps people process emotions by reshaping difficult experiences into something structured and meaningful. In short, storytelling can help us heal!

So, why writing matters: Beyond simply expressing our emotions, writing allows us to gain perspective on our experiences. It can be a way to step outside of ourselves and look at things from a different angle. Sometimes, writing about a difficult moment helps us understand it better, making it easier to cope. For many writers, the act of writing becomes a safe space for sorting through complicated feelings and finding clarity.

Writing Strengthens the Mind

Beyond emotional benefits, writing is an intellectual workout. Developing a story or poem exercises critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. It strengthens the brain’s neural pathways, improving memory and cognitive function.

It is strongly and widely believed that writing regularly boosts cognitive flexibility and emotional intelligence. The process of choosing words, structuring sentences, and developing ideas keeps our minds sharp. Plus, getting lost in writing can trigger a “flow state,” a term coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, which describes a state of deep focus and creativity that enhances happiness and reduces stress.

Writing challenges our brains to think in different ways. Whether we’re creating intricate plots or weaving emotional complexity into our characters, every story is an exercise in mental agility. In turn, this strengthens not only our writing skills but our ability to approach problems and challenges in real life with a clear mind.

Building Confidence Through Writing

Finishing a piece of writing—whether a poem, a short story, or a novel—gives a sense of accomplishment. Writing teaches perseverance, patience, and the importance of revision. Over time, this practice builds confidence, reinforcing the idea that our thoughts and voices have value.

A study in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who engage in creative writing regularly report higher self-confidence and a greater sense of achievement. The more we write, the more we trust our ability to create and communicate. Writing shows us that it’s okay to make mistakes and revise. Every new draft is an opportunity to get closer to the heart of what we want to say, and every completed piece gives us something to be proud of.

It’s amazing how much confidence you can build through writing, even if it’s just for yourself! Each step of the process—brainstorming, drafting, editing—adds to our belief in our abilities and our worth as creators.

Can Writing Fiction Make Us More Empathetic?

Understanding Others Through Storytelling

One of the most incredible things about literature is its ability to put us in someone else’s shoes. When we write, we imagine our characters’ thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This act of perspective-taking helps us understand people in real life, too.

Research has found that reading literary fiction improves empathy by helping readers interpret others’ emotions and social cues. Writing fiction can have the same effect—when we create complex characters, we develop a deeper understanding of different perspectives, making us more compassionate and open-minded.

Writing fiction is an exercise in empathy! It pushes us to look beyond our own experiences and create characters who are entirely different from ourselves. In doing so, we grow more attuned to the emotions and thoughts of others, which spills over into our personal interactions.

The Social Impact of Literature

Creative writing has long been a powerful force for change. Books like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Beloved by Toni Morrison have shaped conversations about race, justice, and history. Poetry has fueled movements, from Langston Hughes’s reflections on Black identity to Audre Lorde’s feminist verse.

Writers have the power to spotlight marginalized voices, challenge societal norms, and inspire action. Even dystopian fiction, like 1984 or The Handmaid’s Tale, has sparked political discourse. Writing may be personal, but its impact can ripple outward in ways we never expect.

Books often reflect the times in which they are written, offering readers a window into other cultures, struggles, and viewpoints. Through these works, we are encouraged to think critically about our own society and how we can work toward a better future. The power of writing lies in its ability to shift perspectives and challenge entrenched ideas.

Can Writing Help Heal Trauma?

The Therapeutic Power of Fiction and Poetry

While journaling is often recommended for emotional healing, creative writing offers a unique way to process trauma. Sometimes, direct confrontation with painful memories feels overwhelming. But through fiction, poetry, and symbolism, we can explore difficult emotions in a way that feels safer and more manageable.

Fictionalizing personal experiences can provide new perspectives and a sense of control. This process, called “narrative reframing,” has been studied as a way to help trauma survivors make sense of their experiences. Structured storytelling exercises have helped participants reduce PTSD symptoms and gain emotional clarity.

Writing allows us to step back from the rawness of trauma and craft a narrative around it. This can make it easier to understand and heal, as well as offer a safe space for exploring emotions that might be too painful to face head-on. And for those who are readers, literature that deals with trauma can provide validation, allowing them to recognize that they are not alone in their struggles.

Why Writing Matters to Society

Literature as a Cultural Archive

Creative writing does more than entertain—it preserves history, ideas, and emotions in a way no other medium can. News articles capture facts, but literature captures the spirit of an era. It reflects our collective fears, dreams, and struggles, ensuring that future generations understand the human experiences of the past.

From folklore and epic poetry to modern novels, storytelling has always been a way for societies to pass down knowledge and values. When we write, we contribute to this ongoing conversation. Our stories become a piece of history, allowing future generations to learn from our successes, failures, and everything in between.

Writing matters because it has the power to document the complexities of life in ways that dry historical records cannot. A novel, a poem, or even a short story can capture the essence of an era and provide a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Writing Brings People Together

A single poem can comfort someone going through a hard time. A novel can introduce readers to perspectives they’d never considered. Writing connects us—to each other, to history, and to ideas that challenge and inspire us.

Writers’ workshops, book clubs, and online storytelling communities bring people together over shared narratives. Whether through traditional publishing or self-publishing, sharing stories allows us to find our audience and contribute something meaningful to the world.

Writing also connects us across time and space. Even if we’re writing from a particular moment in history, our words can resonate with people from different cultures and eras. Stories have the power to transcend boundaries and unite people in ways that nothing else can.

How to Cultivate a Writing Habit

If writing is so valuable, how do we make it a consistent part of our lives? Establishing a writing routine—whether daily journaling, setting word count goals, or joining a writing community—can help us stay committed. Even short writing exercises can unlock creativity and keep the words flowing.

Practical Ways to Make Writing a Daily Practice

Set Realistic Goals: Writing just 300 words a day adds up to a novel in a year. Small, consistent efforts matter!

Find a Writing Space: Whether it’s a cozy café, a quiet library corner, or your desk at home, having a designated space can help trigger creativity.

Use Writing Prompts: Stuck? Try a daily prompt to spark new ideas. Websites, books, and writing apps offer endless inspiration.

Join a Writing Group: Sharing work with others provides motivation, feedback, and accountability. Online and in-person groups can help maintain consistency.

Embrace Imperfection: First drafts are meant to be messy! Don’t let the fear of writing badly stop you from writing at all.

Additional Resources for Writers:

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – A guide to unlocking creativity.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott – Practical and encouraging advice for writers.

Narrative Therapy Resources – For those interested in writing as a tool for healing.

The Value of Writing

Writing MATTERS. It’s more than a pastime—it’s a way to process emotions, expand our minds, foster empathy, and preserve culture. Writing gives us the tools to make sense of the world, connect with others, and leave something lasting behind.

For those who write, the act itself is often its own reward. But its impact goes far beyond the individual. Every poem, every novel, every short story adds to the richness of human experience. And that, in itself, is reason enough to keep writing.

The blank page is always waiting.

Erin K. Larson-Burnett, Production Manager at Atmosphere Press (submit your manuscript here!), is a born-and-raised Southerner currently living in Katy, Texas, with her husband and their small domestic zoo. She is an avid ink drinker who lives and breathes books—during the day, she works remotely with authors around the world, honing and perfecting books published through Atmosphere Press. By night, she crafts her own stories…or at least tries to. The Bear & the Rose is her debut novel.