"The word 'creative' refers simply to the use of literary craft in presenting nonfiction—that is, factually accurate prose about real people and events—in a compelling, vivid manner. To put it another way, creative nonfiction writers do not make things up; they make ideas and information that already exist more interesting and, often, more accessible."
About Lee Gutkind
Lee Gutkind — Life and Legacy
Lee Gutkind is a significant voice in the realm of narrative nonfiction, credited with coining the term itself. His work emphasizes the importance of authenticity and truth in storytelling, challenging writers to delve into their own experiences and present them with honesty. In his book 'You Can't Make This Stuff Up', Gutkind articulates the delicate balance between factual accuracy and narrative flair, asserting that the best stories often emerge from the writer's genuine engagement with their subject matter. His quote, 'The writer's job is to tell the truth, even when it hurts,' encapsulates his belief that authenticity is paramount in writing. By advocating for a style that marries factual reporting with literary techniques, Gutkind has reshaped how we perceive and approach nonfiction. His insights continue to resonate, encouraging writers to embrace their unique voices and the complexities of real-life narratives.
Quote collection
Lee Gutkind quotes
12 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Creative nonfiction writers do not make things up; they make ideas and information that already exist more interesting and often more accessible."
"And there are two types of stories. One type is one's own story. The other type is telling the stories of others. Thanks to this genre, writers of nonfiction can now use the tools of the reporter, the points of view and ear for dialog of a novelist, and the passion and wordplay of the poet."
"Maybe I have a one-track mind, but the best writers and thinkers are focusing on nonfiction these days; this is the genre where a writer can make a mark and change an aspect of the world - much more so than in fiction."
"Storytelling, a primitive art, is as old as the beginning of mankind. People want to receive what's out there in the form of stories, not just facts, opinion, analysis."
"Most writers want to share their essay or book much too quickly. Those who accept the pain of hard work and revising are those who get published."
"As TV embedded itself into the national consciousness, it got us to remember how more than just the facts transmits truth and reality - and in fun, engaging ways. TV also showed us how telling our stories, confronting our own truths makes us and the people with whom we're sharing feel less lonely and alienated."
"Blogging has helped create an expanded awareness of the creative nonfiction genre, generally. But I suspect many bloggers continue to be unaware that they are (or have the potential to be) "literary" or "artful.""
"Bloggers intent on self-expression which renders no service to readers don't get read."
"The myth of objectivity made nonfiction increasingly unread. In feature articles, we could be playful in the opening and clever in the end but in the middle it was back to the boring basics."
"The problem with reality TV is that creative writers are not involved; TV folks are, and some journalists who will only mine the surface of subjects. Hard work necessary for discovering and delineating the intimacies of the subjects they capture is mostly avoided."
"The seeds of genius are in many blogs, but bloggers lack the interest in or understanding of the difference between blogging and fully-formed literary efforts."