Creative NonFiction
a factual story the utilizes the elements of figurative language and employs creative writing techniques.
Memoir
a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources
SELECT A TOPIC
Make a list of 5 things moments that are integral to who you are today?
Scan this list. Pick one.
If you feel stuck, please remember that you are practicing the skills of developing a story. You have a million stories inside of you. Today, I need you to pick one to practice with.
Remember: A story must have a conflict.
Once you have your topic, answer this: I wanted _______, but ______ was in my way.
BRAINSTORM
Once you have picked something to write about, I want you to dig deeper. Answer the questions below with as much detail as possible.
Write until time is called.
VISUAL
In this scene or topic, what colors do you see? How do the colors make you feel?
SMELL
Are these scents around you? What are they? Where are they from?
SOUND
What do you hear around you? Are there animals? Are people speaking? What are they saying?
TASTE
Are you eating? Does the air taste a certain way? Are there other ways and reasons that you tasted something?
TOUCH
What is around you? What are you touching, holding? What does it feel like to touch it?
KINESTHETIC
Where are you in relation to others and objects? What are you doing? What are they doing? What movements are happening in the space? How does that make you feel and make you react?
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Who are you during this time in your story? What would people around you say about you?
Who are the important people around you? Why are they important?
HOW DO YOU START?
HOW DO YOU START?
START: Nothing to it, but to do it.
Begin your story right in the action. Let us know who you are. Give us the details we need to understand you in that very moment?
Why is this story important? What were the set of circumstances that led you here? What happens if you don’t get what you want?
FACING CONFLICT
You know that feeling us your stomach dropping when you’re on a roller coaster?
Or how about when you are in a lot of trouble?
What was that moment in this story and how did that moment feel? The moment right before you reacted…
REACTION
How did it feel in your body? How did it feel in your mind? How did people react to you?
CONSEQUENCE
What’s the result of your how you reacted to your consequence? Did you learn anything from this experience? What and how does it contribute to who you are today?
MAKE IT SPARKLE
REFINE. REVISE. IMPROVE.
Add texture to your creative nonfiction.
Remember a creative nonfiction is a story from your life utilizing elements of creative writing and/ or figurative language. I usually write my rough draft and then find spots where I think I need more detail or I want the reader to spend more time with. These are usually the points that are most important to me.
These concepts are helpful to consider once you have your rough draft.
Dialogue: What important things were said? Incorporating dialogue is a great way to give characteristics to a person.
Other ways to make your story saucy.
Add figurative language like:
Metaphor: a direct comparison between 2 things
Simile: a comparison using like or as
Personification: Giving inanimate or non human objects human characteristics
Telling your story out loud.
I may not be here when you record your story, but here are a few tips:
Do NOT memorize your story.
Instead, write down the beats— somehow break up your story into sections whether that is by settings you are located in or, maybe, what someone said to you.
Practice. You story will change a tiny bit each time and that is OK!
This will allow your story to feel natural and not rehearsed.
The best advice that I received from one of my coaches is this: YOU know your story. It happened to you, so just tell it like you remember.
THANK YOU!