Creative Nonfiction: How to Live It and Write It
Gutkind (English, Univ. of Pittsburgh), the editor of the new Creative Nonfiction journal, knows his craft. He encourages would-be writers to practice "immersion" journalism to bring their writing to life, making it more like fiction, only verifiable and accurate. Practicing what he preaches, he has concisely packaged a creative-writing course in a book, using readings from experts in the field and assignments from his university writing class. He considers topics such as ethics, shadowing, schedules, cinematic techniques, and frame or story structure. Twenty exercises, which require letter writing, journal keeping, essay writing, and revision, turn the reader into a class member sans grade. Gutkind wraps it all up with a look at his typical day and a list of some helpful information that could have been more thorough. Overall, this is a bargain purchase for any library.Cathy Sabol, Northern Virginia Community Coll., HerndonCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.