Is it possible to place non-fiction writing under the creative writing category? Typically non-fiction is given less desirable names such as essay, journal entry, or report. The term "creative non-fiction" is rarely used. The closest genre to creative non-fiction could be a true story or an even better sounding name, memoir.
According to Dictionary.com, creative writing is defined as "the exercise of creating imaginative drama, fiction, or poetry, esp. as a course of study."
Hmmm... I do not see the word "non-fiction" in this particular definition.
Creative writing has typically been defined as relating to fictional pieces of work. In college, creative writing courses contained novels, short stories, literature, and poetry. It seemed that for the non-fiction genre, there was no specific college class offered, except one with the mundane name of "non-fiction writing."
Wikipedia defines creative writing as
any writing, fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, and technical forms of literature."
Aha! Is Wikipedia on to something?
There is actually a website that delves into this whole creative non-fiction genre titled, yep, Creative Non-Fiction. The site offers creative non-fiction writers mentoring and educational programs along with other areas of interest to non-fiction writers.
Why am I writing this creative non-fiction blog post about creative non-fiction? Well, no reason in particular, except that when I write a blog post, I feel like I have to light my creative fire. In today's world of blogs that did not exist when I was in college (oops... revealing my age), there is a new category for writing.
Some people have a knack for poetry or novel writing. Some can knock out short stories like it is no one's business. Me? Well I just like to write what is on my mind, and sometimes there is no dialogue or characters involved. But, I will tell you, it involves some creative thoughts...
