Writing Creative Nonfiction

"This back-to-basics troubleshooting guide covers all aspects of writing for beginning nonfiction writers. It pinpoints the challenges writers can encounter at every stage of the writing process--from prewriting and drafting to revising and editing --and provides effective procedures and problem-solving strategies for overcoming them.

Begin your work by crafting a strong thesis, a clear assertion that the rest of your writing can build upon.

Unique in its approach, each of the book's chapters addresses a common writing question or problem faced by writers. 265 Troubleshooting Strategies for Writers shows readers how to generate new ideas and organize them, polish their editing skills and avoid common grammatical errors, deal with writer's block, and much more."

- Goodreads

This process-oriented book provides many practical suggestions for editing articles. It does not advocate the "one-right-way" of doing things but suggests many possible writing strategies. This book is a basic beginner's guide, with more emphasis placed on grammar and style. If you want to be a nonfiction writer, this is a good starting point.

"An enlightening, comprehensive, and very satisfying text on writing and shaping creative nonfiction."
--Sheila Bender, editor and publisher of writingitreal.com and author of Writing and Publishing Personal Essays

Memories are often referred to in nonfiction works, so it's best to characterize these scenes as well as possible.

"When the poet Emily Dickinson wrote, "Tell all the Truth but tell it Slant," she provided today’s writers of creative nonfiction some sound advice: tell the truth but don’t become mere transcribers of day-to-day life. Whether you are writing a memoir or researched essay, the award-winning authors will guide you along the journey, using intensive instruction and an abundance of writing exercises. You will learn how to find a distinctive voice, use prompts to get started and keep writing, discover stories in impossible places, tackle (and enjoy) background research, and more.

This second edition includes a new chapter on publication--print, digital; an update on “The Particular Challenges of Creative Nonfiction” chapter to include references to James Frey and other controversies regarding nonfiction ethics; and an expanded resource section and bibliography."

- Google Books

This is a heavily researched book, with each chapter almost a small book itself. There are tips and tricks for you to learn how to avoid common pitfalls encountered by nonfiction writers.

"Writing Creative Nonfiction presents more than thirty essays examining every key element of the craft, from researching ideas and structuring the story, to reportage and personal reflection. You'll learn from some of today's top creative nonfiction writers, including:

Terry Tempest Williams - Analyze your motivation for writing, its value, and its strength.

Alan Cheuse - Discover how interesting, compelling essays can be drawn from every corner of your life and the world in which you live.

Phillip Lopate - Build your narrator–yourself–into a fully fleshed-out character, giving your readers a clearer, more compelling idea of who is speaking and why they should listen.

Robin Hemley - Develop a narrative strategy for structuring your story and making it cohesive.

Carolyn Forche - Master the journalistic ethics of creative nonfiction.

Dinty W. Moore - Use satire, exaggeration, juxtaposition, and other forms of humor in creative nonfiction.

Philip Gerard - Understand the narrative stance–why and how an author should, or should not, enter into the story.

This book will help you find a process that is best suitable for the specific way you work.

Through insightful prompts and exercises, these contributors help make the challenge of writing creative nonfiction–whether biography, true-life adventure, memoir, or narrative history–a welcome, rewarding endeavor.

You'll also find an exciting, creative nonfiction "reader" comprising the final third of the book, featuring pieces from Barry Lopez, Annie Dillard, Beverly Lowry, Phillip Lopate, and more–selections so extraordinary, they will teach, delight, inspire, and entertain you for years to come!"

-Penguin Random House

This book approaches the subject differently from any other book about non-fiction writing. It covers essential topics such as libel, legal issues, and writing about wartime and violent weather. Humor may be difficult to put in non-fiction, but Philip Gerard makes it seem easy, and he'll help you add a breath of fresh air to your work as well.

"Gerard covers everything from getting the assignment to conducting a stirring interview to working with an editor, including:

Fiction writers struggle with making their characters seem lifelike. Here, Philip Gerard guides you through the opposite problem: making real people seem larger than life.

-  How to go "where the story lives" to experience the first-hand emotional facts

- Sights, smells, and sounds that will give your story immediacy

- The right form for the story you want to tell - essay, memoir, nature piece, political analysis, investigative exposes, or personality profile

- An opening that catches the reader's attention and an ending that leaves a lasting impression

- A voice readers can trust, and a writing style that "sings"

Throughout, you'll find examples, advice and inspiration from some of today's greatest nonfiction writers - such as Terry Tempest Williams, Annie Dillard, Barry Lopez and Ron Powers."

- Goodreads

The author encourages readers to think carefully about the difference between fiction and nonfiction and why creative nonfiction books are unique. In addition, there are a remarkable number of valuable sections, including those on form, interviews, and revising. This book has helpful information that can improve your creative nonfiction writing.