Writing True: The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction [Paperback]

Sondra Perl (Author), Mimi Schwartz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0618370757 | ISBN-13: 978-0618370757 | Publication Date: September 8, 2006 | Edition: 1

This innovative book teaches students how to write informative and engaging nonfiction that emphasizes voice and creativity and incorporates observation, research, memory, and point of view. Writing True serves as a valuable core textbook or a supplement for any creative writing or composition course with an emphasis on creative nonfiction. A solid pedagogical approach shows students how to be true to capturing the real world with integrity and creativity. The first part of the book, "Writing Creative Nonfiction," offers ten chapters of practical guidance, skill-building exercises, and ideas to help writers develop their creativity. The second part of the book, "Reading Creative Nonfiction," contains an anthology divided into Memoir, Personal Essay, Portrait, Essay of Place, and Literary Journalism. Selections include works by Nora Ephron, Tracy Kidder, Eric Liu, David Sedaris, and other well-known masters of the creative nonfiction genre. The anthology also includes a section entitled "Stories of Craft," with four prominent writers, including John Irving and Sue Miller, describing the challenges and rewards of writing creative nonfiction.

Product Details

• Paperback: 396 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 1 edition (September 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618370757
• ISBN-13: 978-0618370757
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful introduction...., September 29, 2006

By 

Seven Kitties "7kitties" (Blue Point, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Writing True: The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction (Paperback)

I am currently using this as my primary text in a writing class. The students respond well to the authors' consistently upbeat tone, and variety of suggestions for writing (titled 'ways in' at the end of each chapter). There could be some better integration between the instructional part and the rather slim anthology, but on the other hand, the anthology section of any textbook dates it rather quickly, and it's often useful to share with students other samples of fiction chosed by different taste (mine) rather than the authors'. There are plenty of tools for generating writing ideas, and the workshop chapter (chapter six) is one of the most useful I've seen in any writing textbook--instead of just giving warnings about being nice and supportive, they offer a four-round response session which my students have responded to very positively, and a checklist of 20 things to look for or consider in improving a piece.

My only criticism is not really of the book, but of the textbook's companion website. It's difficult to navigate for students, doesn't offer that much, and offers only locked pdfs--what if I want to print out a copy for myself (the professor) to jot a few notes on? Can't do it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Nonfiction Writer's Essential, February 16, 2010

By 

Victoria Cameron (Edgewater, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Writing True: The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction (Paperback)

I'm in the middle of my Nonfiction Workshop class, but it's already abundantly clear that this book is essential to Nonfiction writing. The book breaks down terms and details about how to start and move through your nonfiction piece. It also includes essays from other writers as examples. This book is laid out great to take notes, and fits in purses and back pockets as easily as backpacks. I HIGHLY recommend this book for how it delivers ideas and pieces and how easily everything a nonfiction writer needs to know comes together at their fingertips.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, September 27, 2010

By 

Wordsmith (Tucson, Arizona) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Writing True: The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction (Paperback)

This book goes through the craft of creative nonfiction with excellent short examples. It's a wonderful basic book for anyone thinking about writing a memoir or personal essays. Creative writing 101 with lots of excellent writing exercises to get things moving and on track. Bravo to the authors!!