Which of the following is NOT a stage in the writing process?

The writing process is typically structured around a series of stages that guide a writer from idea generation to the final product. The stages include prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Each of these stages serves a specific purpose in developing a cohesive and polished piece of writing.

Prewriting involves brainstorming and organizing ideas before starting to write. Drafting encompasses the act of putting those ideas into a structured format, while revising is focused on refining and improving the initial draft based on feedback or self-assessment. Editing, while not mentioned in the choices, typically follows revising and involves checking for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Creative writing, while it is a valuable form of writing that expresses imagination and storytelling, is not recognized as a distinct stage in the writing process. Instead, it can take place during any of the aforementioned stages but does not itself constitute a separate stage. Therefore, identifying creative writing as the option that does not belong aligns with the understanding of the structured approach to the writing process.