Writing creative nonfiction Instruction and insights from the teachers of the Associated Writing Programs

What is "creative nonfiction" ? The editors--poet Forcheand novelist Gerard--cast a wide net: "memoir, lyric and personal essay, plotted narrative, biography, meditation, nature writing." In their collection's first section, writers who are also teachers discuss theory and methods, and experts offer advice on drafting a book proposal and relevant legal issues. A brief middle section, "Aftershocks," displays the sort of controversy creative nonfiction can generate (including controversy about the legitimacy of the genre itself!). The final section offers samples "to inspire, delight, teach, and simply to enjoy." Many contributors are featured in both the first and the third section; e.g., Judith Ortiz Cofer, Brenda Miller, Alan Cheuse, Phillip Lopate, Philip Furia, Honor Moore, Bob Reiss, and Dinty Moore. Others--among them, Terry Tempest Williams, Barry Lopez, and Annie Dillard--appear only in the first or third section. Selections in the first section are followed by "thought" questions, so the volume could be used as a textbook for creative nonfiction classes, but most readers will simply appreciate the varied collection of fine writing gathered here. --Mary Carroll

Poet Forch (The Country Between Us) and novelist Gerard (Writing a Book That Makes a Difference) have brought together more than 30 writers and teachers affiliated with the Associated Writing Programs to introduce creative nonfiction as a new literary form. In this new form, which differs in style as well as technique from other nonfiction genres such as journalism, the critical essay, and academic biography, the crucial elements of storytelling are just as important as the accuracy of the text. Each of the contributors, who include Annie Dillard, Grace Paley, Lee Gutkind, and Alex Kotlowitz, presents an aspect of the craft by using examples from his or her own work. Most essays conclude with a few exercises designed to jumpstart the creative process. Although the style of each essay differs, and the writing is somewhat uneven from chapter to chapter, this is a wonderful book for the price. Highly recommend for academic libraries with writing programs and public libraries with a literary clientele. [Writer's Digest Book Club main selection.] Denise S. Sticha, Murrysville Community Lib., PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.