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13th out of 16 books
—
10 voters
Keep It Real: Everything You Need to Know About Researching and Writing Creative Nonfiction
by
Lee Gutkind
Writers of memoir and narrative nonfiction are experiencing difficult days with the discovery that some well-known works in the genre contain exaggerations—or are partially fabricated. But what are the parameters of creative nonfiction? Keep It Real begins by defining creative nonfiction. Then it explores the flexibility of the form—the liberties and the boundaries that al...more
Hardcover, 167 pages
Published
2008
by W.W. Norton
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This book is a collection of short essays about the art and craft of writing creative nonfiction. It was born out of a special issue of Creative Nonfiction magazine titled "A Million Little Choices," published in the wake of the James Frey scandal, in which the editors wished to present guidelines for this often misunderstood form and offer food for thought for writers in the medium.
The 30-odd pieces include the historical underpinnings of creative nonfiction, discussions of objectivity, memory,...more
The 30-odd pieces include the historical underpinnings of creative nonfiction, discussions of objectivity, memory,...more
This book is a compilation from twenty writers and presented as forty-one brief entries.
Lee Gutkind is considered by many to be the father of creative nonfiction. Basically, the term means using “literary craft in presenting nonfiction—that is, factually accurate prose about real people and events—in a compelling, vivid manner.” Gutkind cites some examples of creative nonfiction, though not initially called that, which have been around for many years: Down and Out in Paris and London (George Orw...more
Lee Gutkind is considered by many to be the father of creative nonfiction. Basically, the term means using “literary craft in presenting nonfiction—that is, factually accurate prose about real people and events—in a compelling, vivid manner.” Gutkind cites some examples of creative nonfiction, though not initially called that, which have been around for many years: Down and Out in Paris and London (George Orw...more
This book reads like a series of guest lectures in an upper level creative writing class at a university. As the title says, it's "everything you need to know about researching adn writing creative nonfiction."
The subjects of the book range from the history of creative nonfiction to how to avoid getting sued by your subjects. Some of them felt too abstract to be either interesting or useful. Others drew from fascinating sources to pepper their essay. I'd say there were maybe 30% excellent essays...more
The subjects of the book range from the history of creative nonfiction to how to avoid getting sued by your subjects. Some of them felt too abstract to be either interesting or useful. Others drew from fascinating sources to pepper their essay. I'd say there were maybe 30% excellent essays...more
I've been thinking about/studying creative nonfiction for a number of years and no book or teacher has been able to answer my nagging questions like Keep It Real. Born out of a special edition issue of the magazine Creative Nonfiction called "A Million Little Choices," this book is basically like a panel discussion with the best editors and writers of creative nonfiction in the field answering questions about the ethics and the process of creative nonfiction. That particular issue of the magazin...more
Assigned for the author's class. Superficial and terribly dated. Most of the examples and many of the professional dilemmas described date from the 1970s, and assume a privileged role for journalists long disappeared in an era where everyone's Facebook profile is an exercise in "creative nonfiction."
As a writing guide, it's more concerned with anecdote than technique, includes no exercises, and has the general tone of unwanted advice from a clueless, bloviating uncle.
A waste of time, but at 16...more
As a writing guide, it's more concerned with anecdote than technique, includes no exercises, and has the general tone of unwanted advice from a clueless, bloviating uncle.
A waste of time, but at 16...more
Edited by Gutkind and Fletcher, this group of very short chapters on writing creative nonfiction was written by an impressive collective of writers in the genre, including the editors, Dinty W. Moore, and Mimi Schwartz. These teachable chapters cover the basics of writing, such as finding a story, defamation and legal issues, to more complex concerns such as “getting inside character's heads,” publishers' responsibilities, and the use of quotation marks. Much of the advice can be applied to fict...more
A lot of useful information, especially for the neophyte. Written by a number of authors in collaboration, and edited by Lee Gutkind, also the editor of
Creative Nonfiction
. Covers a wide variety of topics, from the basic tenets of journalism to ethical dilemmas to elements of craft and technique. Clear, concise, levelheaded, and straightforward. A quick, easy, thought-provoking, and oftentimes inspiring read. A handy reference to keep on the shelf.
Might be a little intimidating to the beginni...more
Might be a little intimidating to the beginni...more
I heard of this great book from my friends at the ECNing and love it. One of the ladies on there gave me the idea to read a chapter with my students and then give examples from their text books, books they are reading or any other source so that they can see can see it in action. Then they try it! Great ideas abound!!
A decent book rendered lopsided by the absurd editorial decision to arrange its chapters alphabetically rather than thematically, so that the book ends with a fat plunk. (The "ABCs of Creative Nonfiction"? Really?) Lee Gutkind has anthologized some lovely tomes, all of which convey good writing by example; this thin, instructive volume, however, is weighted by some clunkers. You'll be a much happier reader if you skim out-of-order, skipping the no-duh filler entirely.
Some very good writing tips in here, covering nonfiction, fiction, poetry, journalism, essays and other types of writing. Examples helped, and reminded me to be mindful of these techniques while I'm reading.
A small book about creative nonfiction. The most valuable part for me was the part on point of view. It offers some suggestions to help get away from the "I" of memoir writing.
While the book contained many useful and informative essays on the craft of creative nonfiction writing, the format was so distracting. Someone thought it would be a good idea (innovative? fun?) way to convey the information by alphabetizing each point - so, essays follow the ABCs. While a host of writers contributed to this book and are mentioned in the appendix, none of their individual works are credited - does this mean that 20+ professors and professional authors ACTUALLY wrote these essays...more
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I rather enjoyed this little book. I found a lot of things I could use with my students, and the writing itself was rather engrossing.
Apr 06, 2010
Shelley
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
on-writing,
non-fiction
An excellent resource for anyone interested in reading, writing or teaching creative non-fiction. Reinforced my appreciation for the genre. This one comes highly recommended!
p. 137
Reflection relates to focus; a writer must stay on point. And reflection is not merely an opportunity for writers to editorialize. It is not exactly the writer's opinion the reader is seeking; rather, the reader wants to be able to understand and appreciate the ramifications of the narrative and the information embedded in it. If the writer can then help readers think more about the substance of the story, thereby making it more universal, reflection will enrich the reading experience.
reminder to self: read this before you embark on any big creative non-fiction project
I originally gave the book 3 stars because I enjoy reading about creative nonfiction and how it's written, but after sleeping on it I'm changing to 2 stars. I agree with the review that said the book is dated. There's an entire essay on "Tape Recording," and although it includes a paragraph on the advent of digital recorders, I still felt like I was reading an essay from the 90s that has been tinkered with (unsuccessfully) to make it seem appropriate for a book published in 2008. I also found th...more
A very enjoyable survey of several topics related to the perils and pleasures of the creative non-fiction genre.
Not what i was after, but that's hardly the book's fault!
Not especially well-organized, but a fast read and very informative.
A great collection of small, easily digestible chapters on such topics as what is CNF, where the dividing line is between truth and creativity, legal issues that come along with CNF, the relationship between writer and subject, and more. I'm definitely planning to have my students read this in the next semester-long CNF course I teach.
Brilliant stuff. Concise--and at times saying the obvious--but very informative book on creative nonfiction. Well written too, as one would expect.
This is an excellent collection of short essays on the craft of creative nonfiction. Writers will appreciate the clarity and insight that each author lends to their topic. Highly recommend.
Jul 21, 2010
Jennifer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
All yee who admire nonfiction writing and want to comprose some of the prose for yee-self.
Recommended to Jennifer by:
Wakefield
Shelves:
mfa
This is probably one of the most helpful nonfiction writing books I have in my private library. It is short and sweet enough for multiple stops along the path of writing nonfiction.
May 11, 2013
Leslie
marked it as to-read
May 09, 2013
Rebeca
marked it as to-read
May 08, 2013
Lydia
marked it as to-read
May 05, 2013
Moo
marked it as to-read
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