In an age where voice-to-text and ChatGPT exist, it’s more important than ever to preserve the art of writing as a form of self-expression and communication.
People are increasingly turning to AI when asked to create something, like essays or stories, often because it’s “less work.” But AI is harming society’s comprehension and writing abilities. AI requires no critical thinking or other skills, such as the ability to analyze information, translate complex ideas or develop an argument, from the user.
Additionally, AI dulls creativity. AI responds to prompts based on algorithms full of work made by humans, whether that’s art, music or stories, meaning it essentially loops around actually creating anything new. Creative writing is essential for maintaining humanity’s powers of imagination and originality.
As someone majoring in English and communications with a minor in creative writing, I know firsthand the value of putting pen to paper.
Writing is a limitless form of expression and communication that keeps a writer sharp as they sort their thoughts, understand their emotions and connect to the world around them.
I find journaling to be the easiest way to write without typical boundaries — such as considering genre characteristics, the audience and purpose. Journaling provides people an opportunity to express their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgement or ridicule.
Ultimately, journaling mimics a mirror into the writer’s soul, allowing the writer to reflect on life and determine who they are.
Writing doesn’t always have to be a personal experience, however. Throughout time, writing has been used to communicate with others by keeping records, sharing ideas and telling stories.
A form of writing that’s gaining popularity is creative writing, which gives writers a chance to communicate a message or story to an audience. Creative writing can be fiction and non-fiction pieces or poetry.
Creative writing has a few more guidelines than free journaling, but it’s no less rewarding. According to the Arts Academy in the Woods, creative writing helps build communication skills and empathy, clarify important thoughts, increase imagination and the writer’s confidence.
In addition to enhancing writers as individuals, creative writing gives people an opportunity to immortalize themselves and leave a mark on the world via their work.
Of course, I don’t expect everyone to publish their journals upon their death (we can’t all be Emily Dickinson). Personally, mine will be burned, but publishing other creative works, like poems or stories, is a valuable way to connect with people.
College campuses are a great place to foster individuals’ creative writing skills. At UCCS, students have a unique opportunity to publish their poems and stories in riverrun, the UCCS Student Literary and Arts Journal. Students can submit up to five different pieces of work. Submissions for riverrun 2026 Volume 53 are due Feb. 23.
I’ll admit writing something yourself can present its own challenges, such as time constraints or even writer’s block, but the ability to use creativity and critical thinking to create something you’re proud of outweighs any potential obstacles.
Photo from Aaron Burden on Unsplash.