Creative writing is not a magical art from magic wands, but an everyday practice in the hands of steady writers. Creative writing calls, above all, for self-discipline. Along with intellectual and emotional stamina, a poetic writer needs sensory awareness. The writer also forms a mysterious sixth sense--intuition. In search of the good words, the creative writer, as a surprising bonus, develops vocational skills. Because of its figurative use of words, poetic writing challenges both writer and reader to analyze and interpret texts. (Author/CR)