Which way of expressing yourself do you prefer?

[Ancient Mariner]

Every good artist has some thoughts and a desire to express them. In my understanding, a writer has three options to express his or her thoughts. These options are:

1) Writing a fictional story that illustrates your thoughts.

2) Writing a poem.

3) Writing a non-fictional article, plainly saying what you want to say.

Which of these three ways do you prefer and why?

Also, what are the advantages and disadvantages of these three?

[Darcy88]

I express myself most clearly and eloquently when I write letters or emails or even posts on this forum. I struggle with fiction and poetry but thrive in the form of the essay or letter. Writing a letter you know someone will read it, often someone you know and care about and who knows and cares about you. This intimate audience of one brings out the best in my writing. In school I had and have to write essay after essay, and so I am more comfortable writing non-fiction prose than I am in any other form. My prose does tend towards prose poetry though, featuring many metaphors and much language that is highly rhetorical.

[Paulclem]

I prefer to express myself through the medium of mime.

It's not much use on the forum though, and the black mime artist's catsuit arrangement isn't comfortable housewear - especially in summer.

So poetry then.

[RicMisc]

I excell in writing essays, so I believe I can express myself best when just writing how I feel about something. It is however a greater challenge to have to make myself clear and write proper longer pieces in English but it's still better than my poetry (non-existent) or writing a fictional story.

[Bewlay Brother]

Definitely number 1, through a fictional short story that may or may not have some basis in something that happened in my life.

[tylerdf]

As a musician, I've always sought expression through lyrics. Which I would count as poetry. As a writer, I've always expressed myself through short fiction, passive-aggressively taking out my hatred on fictitious characters.
I guess it just depends who I am when I wake up that day.

[stlukesguild]

I don't think I've made the least attempt at writing fiction or poetry since I was forced to back in college. I have written essays on a number of occasions... largely relating to art and music... and I have little doubt that non-fiction is the only literary mode that I am about to even think of attempting for the foreseeable future. On the other hand... writing is not my primary means of artistic expression. First and foremost is painting.

[xtianfriborg13]

Poetry it is!

[cacian]

A bit of everything. I have to.