After reading Bret Lott's Toward a Definition of Creative Nonfiction and Lee Gutkind's The Creative Nonfiction Police, I have a better understanding of the parameters that this genre abides by. In fiction writing, the reader assumes that the story is fabricated and as a result, never questions the authenticity of the story nor the writer. Although creative nonfiction borrows some of the elements of fiction such as dialogue, elaborate detail, and several attention grabbers to hook the reader, the job of the nonfiction writer is so much more difficult. While the creative nonfiction writer is allowed and required to tell "their" truth, the writer must be responsible in the aspect of thinking about all parties involved. For example, children involved will more than likely not read or discover your truth until years later (if ever), but you, as a writer, still have an obligation to protect these children. On the other hand, adults involved in "your truth" have the ability to seek revenge or sue you in court. For this very reason, in my opinion, the most important rule in creative nonfiction writing is responsible writing; you can tell "your truth" but always be mindful of all parties involved.
In regards to truth, which creative nonfiction must always be factual to the best of your ability can create some level of difficulty. The writer must never alter any components of "their truth".
Writing in the first person can provide a platform for authentic self analysis. However, in creative nonfiction, you do not directly state your point, but rather allow your audience to interpret "your truth".
Lee Gutkind posed several questions to challenge the authenticity of a work. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that "your truth" should be compelling and quite interesting, but you as the writer must never jeopardize the authenticity of "your truth". It's impossible to prove that every detail of "your truth" is one hundred percent accurate. When writing, you must always appear credible to your readers, so they will never question the genuineness of your work or "truth". The most profound advice that projected from Gutkind's work is that in creative nonfiction the writer must police themselves.
In my opinion, Lott urges his readers that it is "our responsibility as human beings to answer for and to our lives (pg. 365)." Despite the fact that Lott practically coerces his readers to constantly self evaluate and find order to our "truth", he doesn't give a great basis to adhere to. Gutkind reinforces the element of truth. He also reinforces the element of responsible writing. He provided examples of blatant lies and irresponsible and reckless writing such as in the case of Janet Cooke. Therefore, the readers have a foundation of what not to do and an indelible image of the young lady that professed to be the creative nonfiction police. I believe that Gutkind provided everything needed to future creative nonfiction writers.
The definitions of creative nonfiction are changing in light of digital publishing because journalist, for example, do not completely embrace this genre. Creative nonfiction has been measured according to the memoir. It is coined as "confessional writing". Although journalist are not encouraged to give their opinions, neither are writers of creative nonfiction. What is stated must be factual; that's the number one requirement for creative nonfiction. Just as journalist are required to write responsibly, so are writers of creative nonfiction. Creative nonfiction borrows some elements from fiction, but journalism does as well in the forms of a lead, dialogue, inverted pyramid, etc.
My definition of creative nonfiction:
Creative nonfiction is a genre of writing that occurs in the first person point of view. Although the writer is revealing "their truth", the writer must always write responsibly to avoid any directed defamation of any of the parties involved. This genre of writing is not intended to place the writer on a platform or pedestal. The intent is for the writer to share "their truth" with the ultimate goal being to enrich the reader's lives. Hence, the writer must evaluate, analyze, evaluate, and analyze again their life occurrences (good, bad, or indifferent) and the true reason for sharing their story. This genre requires all facets of "your truth" and story to be factual to the very best of your ability and memory. Therefore, the writer should not embellish, write events that did not occur, or write events as the writer wish they would have occurred. This form of writing is cathartic in the aspect that it allows the writer understanding and order in regards to "their truths" and the occurrences of their lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment