Creative Nonfiction or CNF is a genre that is whatever the creator makes it into. The difference between CNF and Fiction is the basis and foundation of the story, which is truthful events. CNF is not an inspiration but an actuality with the "creative" aspect leading. According to Bret Lott in his essay Toward a Definition of Creative Nonfiction, "What creative nonfiction is will reveal itself to you only at the back end of things, once you have written it." This being said, CNF divulges its meaning after it is written, bring to light a hidden truth. What makes this genre cutting edge is in its delivery. Some take the creative aspect into an arena where the story becomes just that, a story while others put the creative edge on just to capture and envelop its readers. Lee Gutkind, author of The Creative Nonfiction Police encourages writers to "remember the basic rules of good citizenship..." this suggests that writers do not "create" elements in their stories that are fictional which is not so easy to do.
I believe CNF is an extension of the individual presenting themselves on the paper. there are different styles and methods but each unique to its owner. For an example, some CNF paint a story while others narrate stories. A style that I enjoyed was that of Roger Ebert's I Think I'm Musing My Mind where his approach was more conversational than writers and readers. I felt as though I was apart of his "musings" in a way that was unique to his personality.
CNF is what you make it so long as it speaks the truth. It does not have to be dry and burdensome as reading an encyclopedia as one would imagine and this is where the creativity makes its appearance. It is all in the approach and the eyes of its beholder.
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