Blog 2

Definitions tend to never sit well with me, especially when being applied to such complexities such as a genre of literature. Definitions are black and white and can apply certain and strict rules to whatever they're referring to and literature is something that is constantly changing and adapting to the context in which it is being created around. Creative nonfiction is the same way. Besides the fact that it is still a relatively new genre, it is still a work of art, to a certain extent, and this will have to be open to interpretation just like any other work.

If a definition must be applied, however, I suppose there are a handful of cornerstones that would have to be set in place. One being that CNF has to be about the truth. It has to be inspired by actual events, people, and emotions that the author had experiences with. This doesn't mean that it has to be a dry reselling of events that took place, however, which is where the creative part comes into play. The only other rule that I would say was worth applying is the fact that whatever story is being written, the author must, to the best of their ability, keep to the truth. They must be honest with themselves and any other persons who appear in their writing. However, if what is true to the author is not the same as what was true for someone else in the same situation, the author only has a responsibility to what they felt at the time. As long as they've strived to be as truthful with themselves as possible.