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[CCBC-Net] Creative nonfiction
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From: Hastings, Waller <hastingw>
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 12:07:16 -0600
I suspect the problem is that "creative nonfiction" may, in some cases, use invented dialogue. This is especially true, e.g., in some children's biographies, which don't set out to be "creative" but may put words into the mouths of real people.
waller hastings northern state university aberdeen, sd 57401 hastingw at northern.edu
"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken." - Oliver Cromwell, to his enemies
Message----From: SendtoJMA at aol.com [mailto:SendtoJMA at aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 11:07 AM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] Creative nonfiction
In a message dated 4/2/2002 11:13:44 AM Eastern Standard Time, horning at education.wisc.edu writes:
What we had hoped to focus on this month, I think, is more along the lines of Brenda Bowen's description: "Non-fiction that employs techniques of fiction -- strong narrative, a particular point of view,
"plot," and vivid writing." It seems to me that we are seeing more of this in nonfiction for children these days as the line between fiction and nonfiction is continually blurred. What's going on? Should the nonfiction purists among us lighten up? Or should we continue to advocate for a strong distinction between the fiction and nonfiction genres?
Wow, this is very intriguing. I guess I don't understand what there is to be alarmed about. I thought the significant distinction between fiction and nonfiction was whether the work was imagined or factual. If creative nonfiction is fact ual rather than imagined, why is the employment of narrative techniques something for purists to eye askance? Many traditional biographies read like ripping good yarns, after all. And if vivid writing is considered inappropriate for nonfiction , well... KT, can you explain what it is exactly that the "nonfiction purists" are concerned about?
Jennifer Armstrong
Received on Tue 02 Apr 2002 12:07:16 PM CST
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2002 12:07:16 -0600
I suspect the problem is that "creative nonfiction" may, in some cases, use invented dialogue. This is especially true, e.g., in some children's biographies, which don't set out to be "creative" but may put words into the mouths of real people.
waller hastings northern state university aberdeen, sd 57401 hastingw at northern.edu
"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ, think it possible you may be mistaken." - Oliver Cromwell, to his enemies
Message----From: SendtoJMA at aol.com [mailto:SendtoJMA at aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 11:07 AM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] Creative nonfiction
In a message dated 4/2/2002 11:13:44 AM Eastern Standard Time, horning at education.wisc.edu writes:
What we had hoped to focus on this month, I think, is more along the lines of Brenda Bowen's description: "Non-fiction that employs techniques of fiction -- strong narrative, a particular point of view,
"plot," and vivid writing." It seems to me that we are seeing more of this in nonfiction for children these days as the line between fiction and nonfiction is continually blurred. What's going on? Should the nonfiction purists among us lighten up? Or should we continue to advocate for a strong distinction between the fiction and nonfiction genres?
Wow, this is very intriguing. I guess I don't understand what there is to be alarmed about. I thought the significant distinction between fiction and nonfiction was whether the work was imagined or factual. If creative nonfiction is fact ual rather than imagined, why is the employment of narrative techniques something for purists to eye askance? Many traditional biographies read like ripping good yarns, after all. And if vivid writing is considered inappropriate for nonfiction , well... KT, can you explain what it is exactly that the "nonfiction purists" are concerned about?
Jennifer Armstrong
Received on Tue 02 Apr 2002 12:07:16 PM CST
