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In foreign/second language (L2) teaching and learning environments, some students and instructors feel that writing is a chore. Some students are hesitant to write because they are inhibited, afraid of making mistakes or because they are incapable of generating ideas. To enhance students’ writing skills, in general, and creative writing, in particular, researchers and teachers have utilized several instructional strategies and practices, such as collaborative creative writing activities, assignments and projects (Vass, 2002; Feuer, 2011; Bremner, Peirson-Smith & Bhatia, 2014; Arshavskaya, 2015), the integration of cooperative learning and journalizing (Bartscher, Lawler, Ramirez & Schinault, 2001; Racco, 2010), using wordless picture books (Henry, 2003), learning about photography and using it as inspiration for students' creative writing (Haines, 2015), plot scaffolding (O'Day, 2006), the cluster method (Sahbaz & Duran, 2011), the integration of creative and critical written responses to literary texts in different genres (Racco, 2010; Wilson, 2011), incorporating journal and/or personal letter writing from the perspective of people that have been marginalized in the students' dominant culture (Stillar, 2013) and others.
In addition to the above classroom techniques, several technologies such as word processors, e-mail, specially designed software and Powerpoint presentation were utilized two decades ago, to develop L1 and L2 students' writing skills (Casella, 1989; Biesenbach-Lucas & Weasenforth, 200; and Hodges, 1999; Scott, 1990; Gammon, 1989; Owen, 1995; Keiner, 1996). At a later stage, online journal writing, computer labs, online courses, online discussion boards, special software, wiki projects and school blogs were used to enhance students’ writing skills. For example, adolescents in Guzzetti and Gamboa's (2005) study used online journal writing as a literacy practice, and for social connection, identity formation and representation. It proved to be effective in developing Students' writing skills. Pifarré, Marti and Guijosa (2014) found that the wiki environment helped develop an effective and creative online collaborative learning community among secondary school students. Even seven-year old children who used Kodu code-based software to create imaginary worlds, characters and story lines, and translated their video game-like creations into dynamic short stories excelled in producing sophisticated short stories that were not expected from seven-year olds (Salcito's (2012). Likewise, 10-16 year old students in India reported that OmmWriter (a minimalist text editing tool) was an effective tool for feeling better (with music), happier and more relaxed, as it helped them avoid distractions that often come with technology and the internet. It also reduced writing distractions, gave a relaxing writing experience by offering three different writing soundtrack options, as well as three different keyboard-typing sounds (Gonçalves, Campos & Garg, 2015). Elementary school students participating in school blogs reported that blogging enthused them, and gave them access to new kinds of writing and new audiences (Barrs & Horrocks, 2014).