Creative nonfiction makes a compelling read

Dedicated nonfiction readers claim they never read fiction, and many fiction readers feel the same about nonfiction. Well researched historical fiction attracts both. Why? Because the reader learns something while being entertained.

Facts alone can be boring, but creative facts transform what might be a dull history lesson into a gripping stroll through the streets of ancient Rome. Creative Nonfiction gained popularity in the 1980’s and is seen today in every category.

Personal experiences make interesting storytelling—a boat trip deep into the Amazon jungle or a memoir about the writer’s immigrant family. How-To, Business, Biography and Health are a few examples of nonfiction categories.

Unless you’ve lived every moment of your book (as in an Autobiography), research is as essential as skill and imagination. A brief news item about a lost Indian tribe in the American Southwest may inspire you, but gathering information will be daunting. The Internet has lightened the burden, but visits to libraries, universities, historical societies and on-site investigations may still be necessary.

Like all writing, nonfiction is challenging, but turning those facts into a compelling read can be rewarding beyond words.