Nonfiction vs Creative Nonfiction

Today's poster has nothing to do with the topic, but it's a lovely thought that I wanted to share with you. You'll note that the quote is from Maya Angelou. Despite many trials in her life, she always offered positive views. We would all do well to copy her attitude.

On to the topic for today which just happens to be creative nonfiction writing. Most people are aware of the difference between fiction and nonfiction. The first is made up, the second is true.

There is, however, a differentiation between nonfiction and creative nonfiction. The first is generally expository in that it describes, explains or is informative. If you wrote about leaves ion a forest in Montana, your readers would probably learn a great deal about the topic. You would write it as straightforward as possible after doing some research and using your own knowledge of leaves in this part of our country. Note, it is not just trees but the leaves on the different varieties of trees.

Creative nonfiction is true, can be informative, but it is also written in story form using fiction techniques. It would probably include some dialogue, description of the place and people and relate a story--a true story. Memoir writers are writing creative nonfiction. So are those who write Family Stories. Inspirational writers might use this form, too.

I was reading an article about writing for children recently. They used a different term for true stories told with fiction techniques. They called it 'Narrative Fiction.' It is a way of teaching children factual material by telling stories. For instance, if a children's author wanted to write about the Chicago Fire of 1871, incorporating stories of real people who had experienced that tragic event, it would bring the facts to life for any child reading it. Writing nothing but the facts would make the piece strictly nonfiction, but telling about a boy who helped someone during the fire brings it into narrative form and heightens interest.

I've written countless family stories, and many of you have, too. They are far more than just reporting the facts of what happened. We want to show the people, the place, and what occurred. By adding dialogue, we bring the people to life, and we add feelings which helps the reader relate. We're writing creative nonfiction.

I like to think of Creative Nonfiction as telling a true tale with the human element first and foremost.