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[CCBC-Net] Creative nonfiction
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From: Kathleen Horning <horning>
Date: Tue, 02 Apr 2002 12:09:23 -0600
Jennifer, I don't want to imply that nonfiction must be dry. I think what nonfiction purists object to is the the subjectivity that creeps into some nonfiction. The easiest example I can think of is nature writing where animal characters are given cute little names and have human emotions and desires projected onto them. Jean George is an example of a nature writing who writes compelling narrative without humanizing animals.
In history and biography, the use of undocumented dialogue often troubles purists. I think some of the best writers are able to walk a fine line here. Look, for example, at Jeanette Winter's easy biographies of Georgia O'Keeffe and, most recently, Emily Dickinson. She skillfully incorporates direct quotes into the text in a way that greatly enlivens the narrative and gives a sense of each person. Happily, she also documents the sources for her quotes. Marian Calabro in "The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party" also makes excellent use of primary source material to give voice to her narrative.
KT
Kathleen T. Horning (horning at education.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center University of Wisconsin-School of Education 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 North Park St. Madison, WI 53706 608&3930 FAX: 608&2I33 www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
In a message dated 4/2/2002 11:13:44 AM Eastern Standard Time, horning at education.wisc.edu writes: 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 factual 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 12:09:23 PM CST
Date: Tue, 02 Apr 2002 12:09:23 -0600
Jennifer, I don't want to imply that nonfiction must be dry. I think what nonfiction purists object to is the the subjectivity that creeps into some nonfiction. The easiest example I can think of is nature writing where animal characters are given cute little names and have human emotions and desires projected onto them. Jean George is an example of a nature writing who writes compelling narrative without humanizing animals.
In history and biography, the use of undocumented dialogue often troubles purists. I think some of the best writers are able to walk a fine line here. Look, for example, at Jeanette Winter's easy biographies of Georgia O'Keeffe and, most recently, Emily Dickinson. She skillfully incorporates direct quotes into the text in a way that greatly enlivens the narrative and gives a sense of each person. Happily, she also documents the sources for her quotes. Marian Calabro in "The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party" also makes excellent use of primary source material to give voice to her narrative.
KT
Kathleen T. Horning (horning at education.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center University of Wisconsin-School of Education 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 North Park St. Madison, WI 53706 608&3930 FAX: 608&2I33 www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
In a message dated 4/2/2002 11:13:44 AM Eastern Standard Time, horning at education.wisc.edu writes: 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 factual 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 12:09:23 PM CST
