What Is Creative Nonfiction?

Every writer puts a little piece of themselves in the stories they tell, and no truer is this than in creative nonfiction.

If you were told all throughout school that nonfiction recounts true events, the idea of creative nonfiction might have you scratching your head. The notion of taking creative liberties with nonfiction might fall between a paradox and a writing no-no.

Creative nonfiction is rooted in truth—and you may have read and enjoyed it without realizing it. Whether it's a memoir or personal essay, a travel blog making exotic destinations come alive through text, or a journalistic piece depicting its subject matter in a way that pulls at your heartstrings, creative nonfiction is everywhere, using literary devices to craft a real and compelling narrative.

If you're ready to learn more about writing creative nonfiction, keep reading!

What Is Creative Nonfiction?

As its name implies, creative nonfiction is nonfiction with a creative twist that can include:

• Memoirs

• Personal Essays

• Literary Journalism

• Travel Writing

• Blog Posts

• How-To Guides

...and more

No matter the format, creative nonfiction often makes use of literary devices and techniques to help bring a story to life. This might include stylistic narration choices, imagery, characters, conflict, and theme.

But while there is overlap between typical fiction and creative nonfiction, it's important to remember the crucial difference: while fiction may draw inspiration from real events, creative nonfiction must be rooted in the truth.

Using these literary devices is not a deviation from the truth done to make a story more interesting, rather, they're used to make the story compelling and keep readers engaged.

Why Might Readers (And Writers) Enjoy Creative Nonfiction?

In one of the history classes I took in college, a professor said something along the lines of, "People don't remember dates, they remember people and places." And I think that sums up the draw of creative nonfiction perfectly.

Creative nonfiction offers a lens to explore real events in a way that's more personal and, therefore, often more meaningful to its audience. It often resonates more than a depiction in a textbook might, showcasing deep themes ranging from love and loss to self-discovery and perseverance, encouraging you to embrace emotions and the journey rather than absorb information.

For many, creative nonfiction offers a smooth blend between knowledge and entertainment. And for writers especially, it often allows for more experimentation.

Can I Embellish The Story To Make It More Interesting?

I'm sure we've all exaggerated a story to make it sound more interesting or impressive. The fish was THIS BIG when it really was a guppy you tossed back, right?

One of the core aspects of writing creative nonfiction is the nonfiction part. Accuracy are authenticity are expected.

You can totally play with structure and descriptive elements to make the story more compelling, just don't fabricate or significantly alter the facts (though things like changing names for privacy reasons are acceptable).

Speaking of which...

Tips For Writing Creative Nonfiction

Now that we've reviewed what creative nonfiction is, how do you write it? Here are a few tips.

Stick to the facts — Although you're telling a story, it's important to remember that you're telling a true story. Typically, creative nonfiction isn't going to be the Based On A True Story tagline we see with films like The Amityville Horror, where there's inspiration buried beneath a mound of creative liberties taken to spice things up. Accuracy needs to be of the utmost importance. Balance creativity and truth in your story.

Make it interesting — Find a unique angle to tell your story from. Asking yourself questions like Why do I want my readers to care about this story? or What fascinates me about this topic? can be a great place to start. Weave in vivid and sensory details to ground your readers in the narrative.

Embrace your voice — Just like when you're writing a fiction piece, don't be afraid to embrace the qualities of your writing voice in your creative nonfiction. That personable nature can be one of the qualities that separates creative nonfiction from textbooks and academic essays, and can make it more engaging for readers. Get voicey!

Hold On! Get Voicey? What About Authorial Intrusion?

Well, first, let's talk about what authorial intrusion is.

It refers to any time an author addresses the reader directly or indirectly to provide additional commentary or opinion. And in some of the writing classes I've taken over the years, it was treated like a cardinal sin of writing. Authorial intrusion can disrupt the flow and break your reader's immersion in the narrative. As one instructor put it, "it's as though you're reminding your reader that they are reading a book instead of letting them experience a narrative," or telling them how they ought to perceive your story.

It's a little different in creative nonfiction.

A recent read of mine, Gentle Writing Advice: How to Be a Writer Without Destroying Yourself by Chuck Wendig, features a good bit of authorial intrusions in parentheses and footnotes. Not only did it allow for additional insight, it made Wendig's writing feel more personable, making for an enjoyable and laid-back reading experience.

Authorial intrusions are something you can absolutely play with in creative nonfiction, perhaps in some contexts more so than when you're writing fiction. But, of course, as with anything else in writing, be sure to use it as appropriate and in moderation.

There were quite a few writing courses at my college, but the one I'm most bummed to have never gotten into was the one on writing creative nonfiction and personal essays. It's such a versatile form of writing that can bring unexpected layers of emotion and exploration.

But at least this blog lets me dabble in it from time to time!

Are you itching to try your hand at writing creative nonfiction? What do you find most interesting about it? Be sure to let me know in the comments below!