STEPS IN BECOMING A CREATIVE NONFICTIONIST
Use narrative perspective
1. DEFINE CREATIVE NONFICTION
 You must know the definition of creative
nonfiction.
2. FIND A STORY
 Creative nonfiction is narrative. Thus, you
must have a story to tell your readers.
3. HONOR THE NONFICTION CONTRACT
 It is fact-based writing. It is your responsibility
to tell the story objectively with the use of
your memory and experiences.
4. WRITE GREAT BEGINNINGS
 Good introductions are appetizers. It is a must
to introduce effectively so as not to lose
readers.
5. SHOW, DON’T TELL
 Good writing requires that a narrative be
written in such a way that action and speech
are inserted.
6. LAUNCH A NARRATIVE ARC
 A narrative arc is a useful tool in designing the
narrative plot. It serves as a framework of the
story.
7. USE CLIFFHANGERS AND PAGE TURNERS TO YOUR
ADVANTAGE
 These are the endings of episodes of the serial
drama that hold the viewers in suspense.
8. BUILD DRAMATIC SENTENCES
 Readers get bored when they encounter long
readings.
9. EMPLOY RHETORICAL DEVICES AND CREATE
EMOTIONAL IMPACT
 Rhetorical devices such as figures of speech
and literary devices are useful in creating an
emotional impact.
10. PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
 One of the principles of good writing is unity.
11. REVEAL THE CHARACTER IN WORDS AND
ACTIONS.
 To make the characters real, you have to show
their respective traits by using dialogue.
12. CREATE COMPELLING CHARACTERS
 Minor characters must be depicted in such a
way that they also evoke interest, attention,
or admiration.
13. ANALYZE CHARACTER PSYCHOLOGY.
 In developing a character in the narrative, you
have to do an analysis of his behavior.
14. GET INSIDE THE Heads of your characters.
 As a writer of creative nonfiction, you must
have a firm grasp of characters’ mindsets.
15.
 Determine which of the points of view to take
in writing your work.
16. Shape your voice
 Do not commit the mistake of coming up with
a “purple prose”.
 Purple prose is characterized by the extensive
use of adjectives, adverbs, and metaphors
(Wikipedia)
17. Write the gutter- how to not tell a story
 You don’t have to tell everything to the
readers.
18. Employ dialogue strategies in creative nonfiction
 Dialogue is one of the essential elements of a
narrative.
19. Research creative nonfiction
 It is necessary to engage in a fact-finding
investigation before plunging into the writing
activity.
2o. How to not have people hate you
 See to it that only truths see print. Your story
must not be fabricated; it must not contain
lies.
21. Revise your work
 Writing is a process consisting of 3 stages:
namely, pre-writing, writing, and rewriting.
You must correct all the grammatical,
mechanical, organizational, and most
importantly, factual errors you have
commited.
22. Build your audience
 Your output is your message, but you do not
communicate if nobody reads your work.
24. Get your work published
 Look for a publishing company who will
market your book.
25. Be a writer
 Because there is always a room for
improvement, assess your strengths and
weaknesses as a writer.