What Does Creative Nonfiction Mean?

Today in literature there are many types of genres that books are classified as. Such genres are fiction, nonfiction, and romance. Each genre stands out in there own way but one that caught my attention was Creative Nonfiction. Creative Nonfiction is a genre that many people do not understand what its meaning is. In the past, Creative Nonfiction was known as “literary journalism”. Literary journalism means that the author had to connect the information to the readers just like a speaker to an audience. Also Creative Nonfiction was review as “literary journalism” because it had much information including nature and personal memoirs. In 1983, Lee Gutkind who was known as the Godfather of Creative Nonfiction said the genre was officially identified. Lee Gutkind was the one that helped someone understand that while writing Creative Nonfiction, the author will come upon many challenges before finishing.
Creative Nonfiction is a type of literature genre that involves personal and outside experiences. Creative Nonfiction can we be presented in different ways. For example, it can be shown in autobiographies, biographies, researches, and interviews. Creative Nonfiction is a combined source of nonfiction fundamentals and the literary fundamentals. Creative Nonfiction is supported in the stories through plot, setting, personal experiences, characteristics, and narrative. It presents an educational work through much needed research.
Two works of literature that are written in the form of Creative Nonfiction are All Around Town by Herbert Asbury and The Curve of Binding Energy by John McPhee. These two books show the theme of real events that take place in history and provide us, the reader with factual information. But these events can only become presented to the reader through setting, plots, and narration. All Around Town is an example because it is a book with many different stories about the background of New York and how it transformed over the years; even though Asbury likes to exaggerate when writing and tells facts about New York in a humorous way. Asbury’s sense of humor attracts the reader’s attention and makes it easier for the readers to understand clearly what is going on in the story. In the book, The Curve of Binding Energy, McPhee uses the same method as Asbury when expressing the life story of Theodore B Taylor. McPhee does not only express the story with research and facts but shows a creative fun side which grasps the reader’s attentions.
In my opinion, I feel Creative Nonfiction is one of the best types of stories to read. Creative Nonfiction is a literature that requires important information and facts. It also challenges the write to show the information in a creative way to help the reader understand. Creative Nonfiction is unique because it has actual facts and information based on a true story or topic. Creative writing is an easier way of understanding the reader and it helps us learn from the information given to us. At the same time Creative Nonfiction lets you enjoy the story by its humorous literary style. Overall, I think Creative Nonfiction is a great way to keep readers entertained and help those understand who struggle in comprehending reading.