Rhetoric & Grammar–Yay! Creative Nonfiction–Huh?

What the heck is creative nonfiction?

Now, I know some people don’t like to worry about the finer points of grammar. Some would argue, I think, that it should be left to editors who, as we all know, love the finer points of grammar. But, I’m telling you, everyone could use a good grammar kick in the butt now and then. After more than 20 years away from “real” writing and having to use different style guides for every job, getting back to basics was a needed relief. Rhetoric & Grammar was required for the writing certificate I wanted, as well as for several other majors (thus, hard to get into), but even if it hadn’t been, I would have taken it. Yes, I am pretty good at grammar, but the review was welcome. I am a better writer because of it. One of the best things I learned in that class is that I should know and follow the rules before I break them.

As for creative nonfiction? Clueless. (See? Fragments. Breaking the rules.) That shows you how long I was out of the writing biz. I had a class called Writing for Money, or some such thing, but it turned out to be a class on writing humor. The instructor was working on his own humorous book at the time. BUT, he had also been the editor of Arizona Highways magazine. I was not that great at writing humor, but I did appreciate his lectures which were full of information and not just about making funnies. At the end of the class, I asked his advice. I wanted to freelance for magazines, but ASU did not offer any magazine courses during the semesters I attended. The instructor, a past editor of a prestigious magazine (at least in Arizona), suggested I take his class on reporting. Did I take this sage editor’s advice? No, of course not. I thought, “Reporting. Been there, done that, didn’t particularly like it, don’t particularly need it.” Oy, what a bad decision!

He keeps going and going and going...

Instead, I found creative nonfiction. I wanted to write nonfiction articles, and I wanted them to be creative. Ha! Who knew? To write creative nonfiction, I had to be introspective and flowery and write in several different forms — ekphrasis, for instance. I had to write as if I were writing fiction, only not. I hate writing fiction; I can’t think up fake situations to save my life. I didn’t have to make up fake situations, but, ugh! I had to write like they were. In the end I had three creative nonfiction classes, all with a different emphasis. What did I learn? I learned I was in dire need of improved self-editing skills. I learned that left to my own devices  with creative nonfiction, I got way too wrapped up in the details and kept going and going and going…(just call me the Energizer Bunny).  I also learned that storytelling techniques are just as necessary for the writing I wanted to do as they are for fiction and creative nonfiction.

But I still wish I would have listened to the good humor guy.

Just a little side note: A couple times now I have broken what I understand is one of the cardinal rules of blogging: Post regularly. I have missed a couple weeks now and am beginning to think that starting two blogs was a bit ambitious. (My other one is here, if you are interested.) So, on my list of ever-present resolutions, “write two weekly blogs” is right up there with “lose 20 pounds.” And, I am sitting here munching on mint M&Ms as I write. Pathetic. J