Choose your genre: Exploring Creative Nonfiction

What is creative nonfiction?

Creative nonfiction is a literary genre, according to writer Lee Gutkind: “Memoir, for example, personal essay, biography, narrative history, and long-form narrative reportage may all fit under the creative nonfiction umbrella,” he writes in the article “What is creative nonfiction?” which can be found at https://creativenonfiction.org/what-is-cnf/

In short, it implies that you write true stories about a variety of topics, with the purpose of providing information or personal insight. The scope of this genre makes it wildly popular with readers nowadays.

What is a memoir?

The Oxford Dictionary tells us that the memoir is “a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge”.

The word “memoir” comes from “memory” and is a creation of memories completely from the writer`s point of view. Quite often a memoir will be a specific time in the writer`s life, as opposed to a biography or autobiography, which typically spans a whole life.

When an autobiography is written there is quite an emphasis on gettings the facts straight. A memoir offers much more freedom for personal exploration and expression. Memoirs also tend to reflect the historical perception of the time it depicts.

You might even be able to ditch your psychologist or the Prozac when you start reflecting on your life story you want to turn into a memoir. The therapeutic value of the writing process has been well documented.

Where do I start with my memoir?

A writing coach is invaluable during the first steps of your writing journey. When you scale a difficult mountain, you would typically use a sherpa for guidance. A writing coach is like a sherpa, guiding you through the treacherous bits, especially when dealing with painful memories. Another pitfall may be to embellish or overexplain – your writing sherpa will lead you out of the woods. You want to write as honestly as possible, without compromising yourself, the quality of your story, or other human beings. It remains important to respect others` right to privacy.

To write honestly implies that you write like you speak. Say something as it is. 

 Writer Lizette Rabe recommends Maya Angelou`s first book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as a prime example of creative nonfiction for aspiring writers.

With time and practice, you will develop the skills to fully transport readers to your world.

Taking the first small steps

One possible way is to pitch up at your desk daily and write down the memories that come to you. In this way you get words on paper and after a while, you have a stack of writing which can then be examined to see if a storyline is emerging.

Quite often memories and stories lead you down many winding paths and you might end up in a quagmire of indecision. Which way to go, where to turn? But one piece of writing every day, religiously, will give you the words on paper with which to work.

Is my Story good enough?

I strongly believe we all have a story (or stories) to share with the world. “Is my story good enough?” is again a topic to discuss with your writing coach as they will assist you in unlocking memories and finding the essence of what you have to say.