What Is Creative Nonfiction? And How To Write It

The best stories aren’t always invented – sometimes, they’re pulled straight from the messy madness of life. Creative nonfiction has skyrocketed in popularity over recent years as readers get the best of both world with an engaging narrative while also learning something.  

Here’s everything you need to know about this captivating form of writing and how to start writing your own creative nonfiction.

What is Creative Nonfiction?

Creative nonfiction is a genre of writing that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives. It bridges the gap between journalism and storytelling by allowing writers to tell personal experiences, cultural observations, and researched topics with a narrative structure. In this genre, the truth is essential, but the way it’s told allows for artistic creativity.

Types of Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction has many styles, from memoirs to true stories written from a journalist’s point of view. Here are some key types, along with fantastic examples that I recommend you try. 

1. Memoir: Memoirs go beyond merely recounting life events; they delve into personal truths, offering readers a glimpse into the author’s inner world. Memoirs often focus on themes like identity, resilience, or transformation and often leave me feeling inspired by them. 

I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O’Farrell is a beautifully written memoir that recounts the author’s seventeen near-death experiences, reminding us of the fragility of life. It’s personally, my favourite memoir and a must-read!

2. Personal Essay: A personal essay is a reflective form that uses personal experiences to explore universal themes. These essays can be humorous, reflective, or philosophical, and they blend storytelling with commentary on human nature or society.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris is a collection of witty and revealing essays, touching on themes of identity, family, and belonging while capturing Sedaris’s sharp, humorous perspective on life.

3. Literary Journalism: Also known as narrative journalism, literary journalism combines factual reporting with creative writing techniques. It immerses readers in real events with vivid detail, dialogue, and characterisation, offering a deeper understanding of complex topics or subcultures.

The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean explores the world of orchid enthusiasts and their obsession, giving readers an in-depth look into a unique subculture with empathy and intrigue.

4. Travel Writing: Far more than just describing a location, travel writing captures the emotional and cultural essence of a place, often reflecting the writer’s personal growth or insights gained during the journey. This type of writing can highlight cultural differences, self-discovery, and the transformative power of travel.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is a best-selling travel memoir that takes readers through Italy, India, and Indonesia, blending the magnificence of these cultures with her quest for self-understanding and healing.

5. True Crime: True crime combines the suspense of a thriller with the factual grounding of journalism, offering insights into criminal psychology, societal issues, or the justice system. This genre explores real-life cases and are just as riveting to read as crime fiction novels. 

Liliana’s Invincible Summer by Cristina Rivera Garza is a bestseller that describes a personal tragedy, detailing the murder of the author’s sister and weaving together elements of true crime with a poignant reflection on family, grief and resilience.

6. Nature Writing: Nature writing connects readers to the environment by exploring the beauty, complexity, and often overlooked aspects of the natural world. 

The Outermost House by Henry Beston is a poetic account of a year spent on Cape Cod, where the author observes the cycles of nature and reflects on humanity’s place within it.

5 Important Rules for Creative Nonfiction

1. Stick to the Truth

Creative nonfiction, while it allows for creative freedom in structure and language, must remain truthful to real-life events. Although you want your writing to have an impact, the facts must be accurate. Readers trust that the writer’s interpretation of events is grounded in honesty, not invention.

2. Show, Don’t Just Tell

Like fiction, creative nonfiction should use show, don’t tell to create vivid descriptions and sensory details. This will create a truly immersive experience for the reader. Instead of plainly stating what happened, describe the scenes, characters, and emotions in a way that lets readers feel and see the story unfold.

3. Embrace a Personal Perspective

The strength of creative nonfiction lies in the author’s unique viewpoint or personal experience. Sharing your thoughts, reflections and reactions will make your story far more relatable and interesting. However, balance this by developing the story’s themes so it resonates with a wide audience.

4. Create a Strong Narrative Structure

Unlike journalistic or academic writing, creative nonfiction can experiment with different narrative structures – linear, fragmented, or reflective. Find a structure that best serves the story and supports the themes you want to convey. Yes, this can seem boring but having a strong backbone will make all the difference when you get to writing!

5. Stay True to Your Voice

Creative nonfiction thrives on authenticity, so let your voice shine through. Whether your tone is reflective, humorous, or serious, a unique and genuine voice will distinguish your work and connect with readers on a personal level. Avoid imitating others; the most compelling creative nonfiction comes from writers who are true to their own style.

Creative Nonfiction FAQs

How Is Nonfiction Different from Creative Nonfiction?

Nonfiction focuses on presenting factual information in a straightforward, often objective manner, like in textbooks, news articles, or academic essays. Creative nonfiction, however, blends these facts with literary techniques such as descriptive writing, dialogue and figurative language. The goal of creative nonfiction is not just to inform but also to engage the reader by making the content as compelling and relatable as possible, while staying true to real events and experiences.

What Are The Different Kinds Of Creative Nonfiction?

Creative nonfiction includes memoirs, poetry, personal essays, literary journalism, travel writing, true crime, profiles, biographies and more! 

Transform Real-Life Moments into Engaging Stories

Whether you’re recounting a personal journey, capturing a slice of history, or exploring a larger cultural narrative, creative nonfiction offers a powerful way to communicate your story. 

This genre allows you to tell the story with a journalist’s eye for detail and accuracy, while still adding your unique voice and perspective to the subject matter. The world is filled with true stories waiting for a writer to bring them to light!