It's the Creativity that Counts

Over time, many have tried to gather several thoughts, ideas, and opinions to develop a definition that explains what is meant by Creative Nonfiction. Although there have been thoughts of what it meant, there was never any literal meaning that could define Creative Nonfiction. During the past, Creative Nonfiction was referred to as “literary journalism” because the main task of the author was to correspond the information to the readers just as a speaker would with an audience. According to Lee Gutkind, who was known as the Godfather of Creative Nonfiction, the genre was only officially identified or “born” in the year of 1983. Gutkind was the person that helped one understand that while writing Creative Nonfiction the author comes upon many challenges before finishing the story. These obstacles are taken in order for the author to achieve their goal of success.
Creative Nonfiction is one of the few types of genres in which a book can be classified. Each form of writing, such as fiction, mystery, romance, action, nonfiction, and horror, are all unique in their own way; however, Creative Nonfiction is extremely interesting compared to these genres. The story consists of true facts and legitimate information, but by using the literary tools the author converts these given details into a narrative. It is an enjoyable way for an author to write because it is a given opportunity to combine nonfiction elements and literary elements. It can be known as way to incorporate not only personal experiences, but also other people’s experiences.
In this case, Creative Nonfiction connects the educational facts from research with literary techniques, which include the setting, characters, language, theme, and narration. The information written in a Creative Nonfiction story is not made up. It is all valid material that just takes a more interesting approach on the way in which it is presented to the readers. The information seems to come alive as you are reading it and it is revealed in a way so that the reader doesn’t get preoccupied and lose track of the story.
Two works of literature that appear in the form of Creative Nonfiction are All Around Town by Herbert Asbury and The Curve of Binding Energy by John McPhee. Both of these works tell the story of actual events that have taken place in the past and provide the reader with factual information. Even though these events are presented with realistic information, the story comes alive through the setting, plot, scene selections, and narration to those who read the book. All Around Town can be used as an example of this particular style of writing because it is a book with multiple stories about the history of New York and how it has developed over the years; however, Asbury tend to exaggerate when he writes these short stories and expresses these facts about New York City in a humorous way. Asbury does this to attract the reader’s attention and to also help out the reader by giving them a better understanding of the important details that are mentioned in each of the stories. John McPhee did the same thing and followed the same methods as Asbury when he wrote The Curve of Binding Energy, which told about the life story of Theodore B. Taylor. In this book, McPhee presents the facts as well as expressing the story in a creative and interesting way. He does this to grasp the reader’s attention and keep them involved while reading the book.
I feel that Creative Nonfiction is a different piece of writing in its own, unique way. These stories consist of factual information that is written in a creative manner. As one reads the story, they not only learn from the actual information, but they are also able to enjoy the story at the same time as they learn. Overall, Creative Nonfiction is a good way to keep reader informed and entertained in an appropriate, creative fashion.