What is Creative Nonfiction?

I thoroughly enjoy the topic of creative nonfiction, and feel it fits my writing wants and needs well. It is a way to be creative with writing about topics or events that are important, without the creation of make believe stories which has not ever truly appealed to me. It seems extremely similar to journalistic opinion writing, which was always my specialty in high school when I was direction and then editor of opinion for my high school newspaper the Blake Beat. I loved being about to talk about topics that were important to me or others, while also adding a creative flare that made a piece of writing interesting and creative.

The “showing not telling” concept contrasts somewhat to journalistic opinion writing in that it is more descriptive, guiding the reader to a point from a visual perspective. This type of writing is very specific because you are describing a real event at a specified moment in history. This event or experience is used to convey an idea or message’s importance. It is an extremely important tool to connect a reader to an experience, which makes the topic and end result of the article more personally impactful and real to the audience.

Creative nonfiction, in a way, puts the humanity into representing the facts of an event. It is not reality, that in any type of personal or historical event, there were not people who experienced strong feelings. By creating a writing piece that emulates how people felt in a particular circumstance, or at least the writer, you are providing a more truthful and authentic version of a story that undoubtedly helps convey the emotion tied to a story better than dryly stating the facts. To read the facts of an event may not promote the empathy needed to connect with the facts of the nonfiction.

In terms of creativity appearing synonymous with pretend or exaggerated as referenced in the article, hopefully the use of creative nonfiction in various types of writings and professional setting can help to alleviate an unfortunate stereotype. While writers may exaggerate in some cases, creativity is not a cause for alarm when used correctly. Often, the subjectivity of an author in their emotional stance may seem extreme, but it i important to keep in mind it still holds truth as the feels of that particular person.

Creative nonfiction can also be extremely beneficial because it opens people's’ eyes to the experiences of others in more acute detail. This often uncovers similarities or likenesses people were not aware they shared, or did not know others besides themselves experienced. This is an extremely important connection between people who may find their lives and actions affirmed, and feeling of loneliness subside. From a physiological perspective, writing that can cause affirmation and lead to mental health benefits is extremely worthwhile.

A memoir is a particularly personal form of a creative narrative. Generally, people choose to read the memoirs of those they either highly value, or find of particular interest personally. It is a way to interact interpersonally with a person, and get to know them. Memoirs can be extremely personal in that they can help you feel as though you better understand a person you have never met. Hearing their voice through writing can provide a realness to that person's experience that humans often crave as a form of intimacy between people. This is also a positive way for introverts, those who dislike conversation, or those who would like to engage with the undertaking of someone they may dislike or not have real-world access to. An example that comes to mind is Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf. I do not know many people who would have wanted to interact directly with a man who caused so much pain, although hearing him speak would be of massive intrigue. He is known as one of the greatest persuaders, and I have no doubt many people would find it extremely important and endlessly interesting to get into his head to figure out how he convinced people of terrible ideas. It is significant to understand people who commit crimes or negative acts to figure out ways to combat similar behavior in the future, and prevent those acts from occurring again.