I think the history behind these terms is also interesting. Creative Nonfiction was coined by Lee Gutkind as a rebranding of New Journalism and it took hold. Also called long-form journalism or narrative nonfiction. I, too, share some of those concerns about veracity, including my own, which is part of why I am so drawn to it. It being creative nonfiction or whatever we want to call writing true stories.
Thank you for this thoughtful piece. I think the term creative non-fiction works well for readers and helps them know what to expect, while giving writers the freedom to be imaginative and bring a story alive with their words. For me the term literary non-fiction has little meaning I can grasp whereas narrative non-fiction works okay.
This is about managing the readers' expectations in many ways, I think. I'm glad to know you have creative non-fiction at the top of your list. Neither literary nor narrative work for me. They seem too bland. Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it.
Enjoyed this post and really like the idea of managing readers’ expectations. I did my MA in Biography and Creative non-fiction at UEA and we had strict instructions that we were not allowed to make things up. But particularly if you write memoir, who’s going to judge what’s factual and what’s not? I got so frustrated by the debate that I went on to do my PhD in creative writing on the ambiguous boundaries between fact and fiction. I agree that literary can be a pretty meaningless (and pretentious!) label but narrative has its merits, particularly when discussing biography.
Thanks for your comment, Alison. I, too, was frustrated by divided opinions on the values of truth and fiction in creative non-fiction and was inclined to take that subject on for my PhD thesis, but I had supervisors with different views on it and I felt it could get a little tricky. So I focussed on the genre of Place Writing, which has had little attention in the academic arena, and I'm glad I did. But, I'd love to read your thesis...
I have to say my experience was also tricky! You should be able to get hold of my thesis via Oxford Brookes library (since Ethos is of course offline indefinitely!). Let me now if you can’t access it for any reason and I could probably send you a pdf. It ‘s from 2019 and is called Debatable lands: exploring the boundaries of fiction and nonfiction through family history
Good article. Congratulations on your success. I write from, true events, incorporate dreams sometimes, or imagination. The article I wrote on Alzheimer’s, title; It happens, which I may post again, and again, came from me trying to take an evening nap and this story, poem, writing, would not let me rest, till I put it on paper. Does this happen to you all ?
Anyone who says non-fiction is necessary non-creative is assuming that the ONLY creative element of fiction lies in "making up the story". Finding the words, imagery and symbols to convey an actual experience or place is every bit as creative as for an imagined one. NB Shakespeare didn't make up ANY of his own stories (except maybe The Tempest).
Thank you for this concise and informative post. I have been at a loss to explain these categories of writing, or to understand what the differences are. Your suggestion that “managing a reader’s expectations” is a defining factor is a real “aha!” for me. If I’m not clear in my approach, then I have no authority. Appreciate your insights.
Oh yes, Mary! I also had that fog at the beginning of my writing journey. I needed to understand where my own writing belonged. And then I needed to know how to develop it within a framework/format/genre. And now I'm trying define place writing! I'm pleased you found the post helpful. Don't hesitate to come back with any questions.
I first heard of creative non-fiction at a writers conference. The coach suggested my travel memoir could be considered creative non-fiction. I loved the idea of it, but, what was it? Since then I do consider my essay writing to be that. As a former journalist I want to keep the facts straight in my writings. Thanks for adding in info about narrative and literary non-fiction. The triumvirate. Great piece. And look forward to your deep dive into journalism at some point too.
This is a very interesting and helpful discussion, thank you. I prefer the term creative non-fiction, although it confused me at first and I had to research to understand more.
Glad this has helped a little bit, Mary. I have to confess, ten years ago I don't think I had even heard of the term so I've had to do quite a bit of research as well.
I think the history behind these terms is also interesting. Creative Nonfiction was coined by Lee Gutkind as a rebranding of New Journalism and it took hold. Also called long-form journalism or narrative nonfiction. I, too, share some of those concerns about veracity, including my own, which is part of why I am so drawn to it. It being creative nonfiction or whatever we want to call writing true stories.
I'm glad you mentioned Lee Gutkind, Jill. Thank you. Journalism is another area for a deep dive one day!
Thank you for this thoughtful piece. I think the term creative non-fiction works well for readers and helps them know what to expect, while giving writers the freedom to be imaginative and bring a story alive with their words. For me the term literary non-fiction has little meaning I can grasp whereas narrative non-fiction works okay.
This is about managing the readers' expectations in many ways, I think. I'm glad to know you have creative non-fiction at the top of your list. Neither literary nor narrative work for me. They seem too bland. Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it.
Enjoyed this post and really like the idea of managing readers’ expectations. I did my MA in Biography and Creative non-fiction at UEA and we had strict instructions that we were not allowed to make things up. But particularly if you write memoir, who’s going to judge what’s factual and what’s not? I got so frustrated by the debate that I went on to do my PhD in creative writing on the ambiguous boundaries between fact and fiction. I agree that literary can be a pretty meaningless (and pretentious!) label but narrative has its merits, particularly when discussing biography.
Thanks for your comment, Alison. I, too, was frustrated by divided opinions on the values of truth and fiction in creative non-fiction and was inclined to take that subject on for my PhD thesis, but I had supervisors with different views on it and I felt it could get a little tricky. So I focussed on the genre of Place Writing, which has had little attention in the academic arena, and I'm glad I did. But, I'd love to read your thesis...
I have to say my experience was also tricky! You should be able to get hold of my thesis via Oxford Brookes library (since Ethos is of course offline indefinitely!). Let me now if you can’t access it for any reason and I could probably send you a pdf. It ‘s from 2019 and is called Debatable lands: exploring the boundaries of fiction and nonfiction through family history
I found your thesis via Google Scholar!
👍
Good article. Congratulations on your success. I write from, true events, incorporate dreams sometimes, or imagination. The article I wrote on Alzheimer’s, title; It happens, which I may post again, and again, came from me trying to take an evening nap and this story, poem, writing, would not let me rest, till I put it on paper. Does this happen to you all ?
Anyone who says non-fiction is necessary non-creative is assuming that the ONLY creative element of fiction lies in "making up the story". Finding the words, imagery and symbols to convey an actual experience or place is every bit as creative as for an imagined one. NB Shakespeare didn't make up ANY of his own stories (except maybe The Tempest).
Thank you for this concise and informative post. I have been at a loss to explain these categories of writing, or to understand what the differences are. Your suggestion that “managing a reader’s expectations” is a defining factor is a real “aha!” for me. If I’m not clear in my approach, then I have no authority. Appreciate your insights.
Oh yes, Mary! I also had that fog at the beginning of my writing journey. I needed to understand where my own writing belonged. And then I needed to know how to develop it within a framework/format/genre. And now I'm trying define place writing! I'm pleased you found the post helpful. Don't hesitate to come back with any questions.
Thank you, Yasmin. I’m glad you’re working towards your PhD. You’re making a big impact already. So much clarity and focus.
I first heard of creative non-fiction at a writers conference. The coach suggested my travel memoir could be considered creative non-fiction. I loved the idea of it, but, what was it? Since then I do consider my essay writing to be that. As a former journalist I want to keep the facts straight in my writings. Thanks for adding in info about narrative and literary non-fiction. The triumvirate. Great piece. And look forward to your deep dive into journalism at some point too.
Ah, thanks, Jeanine. I guess we do have a triumvirate. Unless anyone comes up with a fourth contender. 🤣
Essays fit well within the creative non-fiction category. Lots of space to play with the form, the language, and the plot!
Aah, yes. So now we have a quartet!
This is a very interesting and helpful discussion, thank you. I prefer the term creative non-fiction, although it confused me at first and I had to research to understand more.
Glad this has helped a little bit, Mary. I have to confess, ten years ago I don't think I had even heard of the term so I've had to do quite a bit of research as well.
Congratulations on the PhD research.
Thank you. It really has been fun.