For instance, when interviewing a person, you must make it clear that you are collecting information for a story that you intend to write about. There is a need for full disclosure when interviewing and writing about real people and events. In writing about real people and real events, you will sometimes need to consider ethics, such as the right to privacy and the betrayal of trust. This is how you will gain your reader’s trust, and make them believe in what you wrote. To gain your reader’s trust, make your account as honest and interesting as you can-without fabricating it. And write about the emotional truth that resulted from the event-what it means to you, how you felt about the events that took place, what your views are. Or you might be able to interview a friend or family member who can confirm your recollection. You might have a diary or old photo or personal journal. The key point to remember is to be honest with your memories. For example, you might not know what your exact thoughts were on the day of the event, but you will remember the event, the date it took place, the consequences, and the significance for you. There are no rules other than you must do your best to present the facts as you know them to be. In writing about past events, you will struggle with memory and accuracy. As the reader reads your personal essay, memoir, or travel piece, he/she might think : Do I trust this writer? Do I believe what he/she is saying? The best way to gain your reader’s trust is to tell the truth. When you write creative nonfiction, you are asking your readers to trust you, to believe you. For instance, if you are going to write about a memory but cannot remember all the details, you can say any of the following:Īuthor Alice Laplante states in The Making of a Story that the number one rule of writing fiction is “accuracy, and the rigorous adherence to facts.” Gaining Trust from Your Readers But you will need to warn your readers or provide them with a disclaimer. In the essay Memoir? Fiction? Where is the Line?, Mimi Schwartz writes that the creative nonfiction writer can write about “emotional truth.” What she means is that if it feels true to you, you can write about it as though it were true. To verify memories or recollections, the writer check the facts to be sure that his/her view is accurate. The important point to remember is that the writer must do his/her best to remember accurately. There is no way the writer will remember every word that was spoken. For example, when using dialogue in a memoir, the writer will often have to “invent” the actual dialogue. There is no objective record, only the memories and recollections of the writer about an event that happened in the past. The writer will have to engage in a certain amount of fabrication to present the facts. Others believe that creative nonfiction that is based on memories or recollections will be distorted. Some people believe that once a fact is distorted or embellished, it is fictional. Often the writer will need to make a judgement call. Sometimes the line between fact and fiction is ambiguous. You might have to look at old photos, conduct an interview, or read old journals, newspapers or magazines. For instance, if you are writing a personal essay, you might have to visit the place where the event took place or contact friends and relatives who remember the event.Įven if you feel you know the facts, you will still need to complete some fact checking. To write factually and accurately, you will often need to conduct research. Otherwise, you are writing fiction, a story that is made up. In writing creative nonfiction, you must present facts accurately. Drawing the Line between Fact and Fiction This article discusses how you draw the line between fact and fiction, gain trust from your readers, deal with ethical dilemmas, and determine your subjectivity and objectivity when writing creative nonfiction. So, you will be faced with an ethical dilemma. In addition, sometimes you will need to check your facts by interviewing friends or relatives who might not want you to write about them, or the event, or story. Questions will arise about accuracy of the reporting, whether you are telling the truth, and your subjectivity and objectivity in presenting the truth. ![]() Often you will need to remember or recollect the details of what happened, especially if the event or story took place many years ago. You can write about any topic, such as birth, love, sex, death, sports, travel, science, nature, and so forth. ![]() Creative nonfiction involves writing about facts using literary devices, your memories or recollections, and your imagination.
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