Blog #2

To define creative non-fiction you have to understand what non-fiction is. I entered this class already knowing this. Novels are fiction. Ideas that the author writes down. Fake people, maybe real places, but fake events. Non Fiction is real. The author recreates a memory or true event and dramatizes the experience in a descriptive way. This piece of writing can be intimate and allow the author to invite you into his/her world. What I took from the readings is that you as the author have the authority on what the story will be about because it is your story. But you as the author have to take into consideration what you are telling and whom it will affect. You have to consider your audience but you also have to consider your characters. Another thing I learned is that only you can decipher which is fact or fiction. Your audience is going to believe what you say, so you have to be factual. If you are not than you are not being true to non-fiction and you are creating a story, not telling a story.

From what I have learned so far about creative nonfiction I was able to do some brainstorming. At the age of 23 not much has happened in my life that I find extremely interesting to write about. But I do find that there are certain memories that if I think about the details have potential to be an interesting piece.

When I think about some interesting experiences I have had this is what comes to mind.

-          I spent a week in Italy this spring with a friend who was studying there. This experience taught me so much about culture and life. I experienced many things that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

-         I swam competitively in high school and joined a club team in college. I love swimming. I still swim regularly for exercise and I have found that it is such a relaxing experience for me. I’ve always loved swimming because it brings out my competitiveness and passion.

-         I joined a sorority in college. Although we had a lot of fun and created so many memories we also achieved amazing things. We raised money for breast cancer, mentored freshman on campus, and I saw some of my sisters achieve amazing things. I learned a lot from this group of girls.

-         I was in a long and mentally exhausting/damaging relationship. We started dating when we were 16 and although I learned a lot from the relationship I had a hard time ending it and it still haunts me to this day. I would have to find a way to write about this that wouldn’t ruin the reputation of my ex but I think in a way it could be a story worth telling.

-         I want to say that my childhood is off limits, but I don’t want to make that extreme decision now. I had a tough childhood and I know it could make a great story but I have to decide if I am able to write about it objectively and factual.