The sharing of memories

People are continuously experiencing the present, planning the future, and recalling the past. The past especially, seems to draw our attention as something worth sharing with others. When past experiences are written down, however, they move to a different level than the everyday communication. They become something publicly declared, and fall into the genre of creative nonfiction.

Writing creative nonfiction involves taking something from daily life and presenting it as the extraordinary, which of course, all life truly is. As Kidder stated, the writer must “make the truth believable.” It consists of presenting a true story to readers in a form that is readable and enjoyable.

From the example pieces we have read so far, it can also be noted that creative nonfiction pieces tend to have a “point;” the quintessential “moral to the story”. The story is the form through which the idea is communicated. As with abstract art, the point of the story may not be directly stated. Instead, the message is inferred through the events within or the thoughts of the main character.

The reader must not necessarily focus on the writer’s personal view. This distinction is of “eye” versus “I” stories. In “I” stories, the author will play a prominent part, either by their role in the action or by lending their understanding of the action. The reflections on the story belong more clearly to the author themselves. In “eye” stories the author functions more like a reporter. The “eye” writer creates a window for the reader to peer into a particular instance. The role of the author themselves is less vital to the story.

Although, as Lopate argued, every story will communicate some idea of who the writer is. The author, in a sense, becomes a “character” in their story. As such, they should attempt to make themselves a good, enjoyable character for the reader’s sake.

In either case, the reader is presented with a story and asked, not overtly, what they think of it. However, what makes creative nonfiction a literary form, and not a simply a recorded memory, is the craft with which it’s formed. Details, so abundant to any story, must be painstakingly chosen. The goal is to produce a snapshot of the event. Because most of these pieces are intended for public view, they must be created in a way the audience would like to read. The subject matter should not be dull, the writing must be clear and concise, and the “message” of the story not overly strong. To put it simply, it must be written well.

Each life is unique and full of different experiences. These experiences can be refined, added to, and presented in a readable format. This way the reader can look at them with you and gain your hindsight. They can step into your mind and share your memories.