What is creative nonfiction?

In my opinion, one of the features of creative nonfiction would be first person account or point of view.  In each essay, the writer discusses events that occurred in their lives.  Majority of the events were perceived as life altering.  Although the writer could condense the story to divulge the same information, it would not leave a lasting impression on the reader.  Hence, the writer uses bombastic language and images to anchor the reader until the end of the story.  The reader has the view of a spectator; the writer has consciously or maybe subconsciously given permission to the reader to travel through the writer's psyche in the forms of mental anguish, insecurity, doubt, destruction, etc.  In all pieces, there is a cathartic element.

Essential features

-a front seat view of the writer's psyche

-some form of mental anguish or dialogue

-bombastic language and imagery

-first person account/point of view (not necessarily about the writer)

-A factual story told in a creative way 

-the events of the story are life altering

-leaves a lasting effect on the reader

The sometimes there and sometimes not feature would be the depth of invasion into the writer's psyche.  For example, in "Some things about that day" and "I think I'm musing my mind", the writer gives the reader a glimpse of their despair, but each author does not over indulge.  As a result, "excessive" wordiness is not always present.  

In longer pieces, excessive language and imagery was more evident.  There were several points of  digression throughout the longer pieces as well.  On the contrary, the shorter forms, although just as intriguing, were more unified as a result of less language.  It appeared that the writers of the shorter pieces did not wish to dwell on their mishaps but simply desired to share their experiences.