Forms Of Creative Writing – Creative Non-Fiction

Sharpen your observation skills as a writer
Writing non fiction is a very different than writing pure fiction. It has its own style and discipline.
Many famous authors started their writing careers working for local newspapers and magazines. Mark Twain, Jack London and other best selling novelists had humble beginnings. They learned to sharpen their skills of observation by writing about everyday events and sometimes historical and environmental incidents for their jobs as reporters.
They had to closely observe these events and the people affected by them in real-time and accurately report what they observed. They had to adhere to the facts of who, what, where, when and why. They often had to remain detached from the chaos and emotional responses surrounding such events to see the entire picture from an exterior viewpoint to do this competently. It required a very high degree of perception.
Often savvy editors, will send new reporters to many different places to report on diverse events, when they first start out on their careers. This helps both the reporters and editor to discover what they are best at doing.
Widen your focus, then narrow it to your particular area of expertise.
By writing about Fashion trends, sporting events, new scientific and technical breakthroughs and products, crime scene reporting, or the current scene in politics, these new writers developed a “flair” for, and intense interest in certain areas. They became experts at writing within a more confined area which they excelled at observing.
Non fiction reporting, also requires interviewing major players,coaches, designers, scientists, inventors, police and politicians and other public figures who are participants or witnesses to current events which are of interest.
The more exciting and interesting or controversial the characters were in these incidents, when written about well, the more newspapers and magazines were sold. Relationships and friendships formed between the writers and those they interviewed. They very frequently got calls from their “friends” when something new was about to take place in the particular industry and were first on the scene to “scoop” the story.
Detect the causes of the effects you observe to give your writing a new dimension.
A trustworthy reporter who honestly reports the facts,observations, testimonies and opinions of those involved, can sometimes uncover causes which might otherwise never be revealed. All causes create effects. Not all causes are beneficial for all people, nor are they detrimental to all people. The effects of incidents and events are determined as good or bad according to the opinion of those who experience them. A good and honest writer will state both sides and opinions to allow the reader to draw his or her own conclusions.
A Real life example of creative non fiction
A very good example of creative non fiction writing is evident in an article written by Gary Smith, on July 5, 2010 for Sports Illustrated Magazine about the oil spill in the Gulf. I found this article very interesting because Gary is a sports reporter who found a creative way to relate this seemingly unrelated environmental event to his specialty.
Yes, there are stories everywhere. Things sometimes relate in unusual ways to what you are writing about. If you would like to read this interesting article for yourself, as a reference to good, creative non fiction writing, I will provide you with instructions on how to find it below. And, No, I am not selling subscriptions to Sports Illustrated Magazine. I came across this article in a copy of the magazine someone had left on the counter in the laundromat.
When I read the article, I was very impressed with Gary Smiths creative style of non fiction. Since he is a paid professional and there is something to learn here, I am sure you will be impressed also.
Happy reading and enjoy it as I did. I hope I have provided value for you as I intended to do.