Status Updates From The Art of Creative Nonfict...

P 150 “students [interested in writing] should think seriously about majoring in the sciences, which are becoming increasingly difficult to understand; many jobs will be available for people who can write strong prose that explains medicine, engineering, physics, and so forth.”

94 research first, interview the most important people, then immerse personally into the subject

p 74 start a writer’s journal

p72 first or third person. Am I relevant in the nonfiction piece?

p55 start the frame of the story at a point just before the major action, idea or conflict begins. Build up to that point.

Inner point of view while not altering the truth of the narrative.

Dialogue-an excerpt from “Stuck in time: The tragedy of childhood mental illness” is given to illustrate the effectiveness of dialogue in creative nonfiction. Does it have to be word for word or does paraphrase work in nonfiction?

Devices of Creative nonfiction-dramatic DESCRIPTIONS. I think of a book by Margaret Atwood where one of her character simply walks down a street and what she passes is simply listed and described. I felt I was that character seeing what she saw.

Read creative nonfiction by Margaret Atwood where she is a well rounded reader that is sharing as an expert.
Lee Gutkind’s non-fiction pieces share very personal aspects of other’s lives. He is an observer and listener. People want to share their truths with him. He is trusted. An excerpt called teeth reads like a fictional piece. He is a gripping story teller.

2.3-2.4 A creative nonfiction piece is used to illustrate the writer’s subjectivity, being accurate, and using it as a teaching tool.

2.2 To teach or enlighten is the goal.

Chapter 1 The defining of this type of writing, and the writers that make it appealing like Oliver Sacks.

How to make facts fresh and appealing, ie not stale.