During my undergrad degree I had to take a range of English
courses. One class I took was titled “creative non-fiction.” The professor of
this course ran us through a series of exercises, gave us examples to read, and
gave us assignments for writing. I continually failed miserably at the
assignments. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what she was asking for. I got
my lowest grade in an English course in that class because it just didn’t
click.
Years later, while pursuing my Master’s degree, I had to
take another creative non-fiction class. This time things started to make a bit
more sense, and I wrote at least one piece that I can say I’m proud of. So what
happened between one class and the other? Was it a different teacher, a
different approach, personal growth? Looking back, I think it had a lot to do
with where I was at as a writer and as a person.
Growing up I was shy, I was reserved, and I didn’t really
want to tell people about my life and the troubles I had endured. When I was
20, sitting in that first creative non-fiction class, I was still shy and
reserved and was not ready to share my personal story with the world. I was
still writing childish things, and my creative non-fiction felt extremely
childish. It also felt fake because I wasn’t truly opening up. I wasn’t imbuing
my thoughts and feelings into the work. I was hiding behind poorly written
prose and silly attempts to make my creative non-fiction funny instead of
honest.
By the time I was pursuing my second degree, I was more open
and more honest. I wrote a short piece about my relationship with my father and
it actually touched some people. I gave it the emotion it deserved and didn’t
hide the truth behind humor.
Recently, I’ve been writing more and more non-fiction from
my own life. It feels like this is the right time to finally open up. The
beauty of non-fiction is that it can be relatable to readers, and it can touch
them through a variety of emotions.
I think creative non-fiction is a wonderful genre that every
writer should explore. Just remember though, that if you’re going to start
telling your own story you have to be ready to be honest, and to be open. If
you’re not ready to tell your own story with all the truth and emotion it
requires, give it a few years until it feels right.
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