Why Every Writer Should be Reading Creative Nonfiction Essays
Enormous parts of ourselves are defined within a sliver of a moment. These moments often become personal essays. The personal or creative nonfiction essay is a necessary work that all writers should be reading. We expand our humanity by reading CNF. Simply put, the creative nonfiction essay has heart… and guts, and grit.
Creative nonfiction also tasks a writer with learning form. How do the words on the page take shape? Is there a structure or form that can contain, guide, or expand the work, and how might those things influence and inform character or the speaker? What type of container is being used? How is that enhancing the work? It’s important to be aware of these questions, because different types of essays accomplish different things.
Take the fragmented essay which braids together seemingly disjointed, perhaps nonlinear moments or memories to create an enthralling story that is rich in emotion. Or the hermit crab essay which explores a topic through unusual forms like a grocery list, an email, or a horoscope (a favorite example of mine is Roxane Gay’s “To Scratch, Claw, or Grope Clumsily or Frantically”). There’s also the lyric essay which is often suggestive and a little harder to define but is a combination of poetics and prose, with peculiar rhythm and musicality.
Reading CNF offers us new ways into our own work, no matter the genre.
Finding Your Voice
In my prepubescent years, a fuzzy hot pink diary enclosed the earliest of my creative writings: song lyrics, stick figure drawings of my blended family, big feelings, and what I didn’t have a word for back then—poetry. It wouldn’t be until my mid-twenties that I’d take my first generic creative writing class, and then a second about memoir. Both classes were filled with creative nonfiction essays that took on innovative and unexpected forms. Reading CNF gave me the vocabulary I didn’t have and taught me how to take leaps. Recognizing the voice in other writers’ work helped me discover my own. I started to examine where it shined through, what it was trying to do, and where it wanted to venture out.
Diversity and Community
Luckily for us aspiring writers, there is a surplus of CNF essays at our disposal in our own communities: in our classrooms and local bookstores, in our libraries, and online in a vast sea of literary journals. We have access to creative nonfiction essays written by writers around the globe, with perspectives we’ve never imagined. The world becomes much larger the more we read about other people, and the personal essay continuously offers us essential space to express our humanity and connect with others as writers.
Writing Personal Essays: A Starting Point and a Safe Place to Play
We’ve all heard it before: to be a writer we must first be avid readers (and listeners). Over the past two months I’ve attended a handful of mesmerizing readings from local authors who’ve recently published books in creative nonfiction. Much of the work is hybrid, fragmented, lyrical, poetic—but most of all, it’s inventive. At one of the readings I learned that one of the recently published books started as a CNF essay. The personal essay can be a very intuitive and prudent starting point that can grow into other opportunities or work.
My fondest realization though, is that the personal essay doesn’t have to be intimidating. I continue to witness its playfulness and vibrancy. I’ve discovered it’s a safe place for creativity and meditation, a place to wring out my obsessions. The personal essay is a superb place to fail until eventually you don’t. And all the while you’re building up that writing muscle, honed by reading CNF.
Meet the blogger:
SHELBY LENGYEL is a senior at Hamline University pursuing a BFA in Creative Writing. She writes poetry and creative nonfiction. You can read two of her poems in Volume 7 of Runestone.
Five Tips to Overcome Writer’s Block
Five Tips to Overcome Writer’s Block
Ah, writer’s block. The bane of every writer’s existence. It doesn’t matter how long a person has been writing, we all have a period of time where writing just doesn’t happen. Either nothing is good enough or the ideas just aren’t coming. Below are a handful of tips that you might find helpful in overpowering the crushing weight of writer’s block.
Take a Walk in a Park or Around Your Neighborhood
Yes, nearly every post about writer’s block tells us to walk, but there is a good reason for this. For some people, getting away from whatever project they are working on is exactly what they need to have a breakthrough. And what better way to bring on inspiration than surround yourself with nature? Here in Minnesota, we have some of the best scenery to take in as you walk. The fresh air, the sights, just getting away from a desk—these are all things that can help to clear your mind and focus your thoughts. Alternatively, you could go for a drive. Just make sure that you can take notes hands-free or have somebody with you to take your thoughts down.
Write Something Different From Your usual
I know several writers that find it helpful to try writing something that is different from their usual genre, or they look at a prompt list online. They take whatever idea they have and either change the perspective or attempt to write it in a different genre. Additionally, outlining your latest project could help you break your block. Of course, everybody’s brains work differently, and outlines might not work for you.
Cook Something New
Writing can be hungry work. Your brain is firing on all cylinders and burning up calories. So why not kill two birds with one stone? Creating something else can help give your brain that extra push towards refocusing on the project you want to accomplish. My personal favorite type of recipe to experiment with is traditional Japanese home cooking. I have found that there is something about concentrating on the instructions for cooking or baking that helps to clear a person’s mind. And again, writing takes energy; a growling stomach will just cause you to lose your motivation and drive.
Meditate
Meditation might seem like a thing that is repetitive or similar to going for a walk, but trust me, this is different. Just taking the time to take some deep breaths and clear your brain can lead to the breakthrough you are looking for. Emptying your mind of any and all thoughts, even the ones about the project you are working on, can help you to relax and push past your block. I encourage you to try meditation at least once, even if you think that sitting still is ridiculous. Try putting on a classical music playlist and let yourself go.
Take a Nap
One tactic that most people don’t even think about to revitalize their writing—taking a nap. Some people might argue that meditation and naps are similar, but you’re working with two different intentions. Meditation is purposefully clearing your mind while staying awake and aware. Taking a nap can clear your mind by sleeping, which is what your brain needs to process your thoughts. Sometimes even your dreams can give you that last push towards a revolution. I encourage you to try and keep a notebook near your bedside to jot down your dreams.
These are just a few tips that might help you overcome writer’s block. Granted, there are plenty of other tips and tricks that aren’t covered here. And maybe these won’t help you at all! You simply have to find what works for you and move forward. Good luck!
Meet the blogger:
REBECCA FLOOD is a current student at Hamline University working towards her BFA in Creative Writing. She struggles with writer’s block herself and hopes that these tips will help others.
Exploring Poetry as a Fiction Writer
Last year, I took a poetry class for the first time. Despite being an avid reader and writer of fiction, I didn’t have much experience with poetry. I often found it boring, vague, or difficult to read. However, I was interested in learning more about the art form, and I felt poetry was something I should have a basic understanding of as a writer.
The class was rough at first: I spent hours flipping through our course text—The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century American Poetry—struggling to find any poems that spoke to me, or at least made sense to me. However, as the semester continued, I was able to find some fantastic poems that shaped the way I think about poetry—and about writing as a whole.
One of my favorite poems from that book is “Winter Stars” by poet Larry Levis. It’s a beautiful poem about a son’s grief for his dying father, and reading it gives me a feeling akin to walking slowly and reverently through a gorgeous natural landscape or listening to a tear-inducing piece of orchestral music.
The conversational way the poem is written is actually quite similar to a prose piece written in the first person. However, Levis used poetic devices such as enjambment and end-stopped lines to carefully craft the poem line by line, and to me, that’s what makes the piece beautiful. This poem—and many others I read for this class, taught me that prose and poetry aren’t all that different after all. At their core, both mediums are ways to promote thought and induce emotion in readers through words.
I had to write a fair share of poetry for this class. As a fiction writer, writing poetry was outside my comfort zone at first, but as I had the epiphanies above, writing poetry became easier. The techniques I had to focus on were the same things I practice whenever I work on a short story: grounding the reader with details and imagery while using strong word choice and smooth-sounding syntax.
In writing fiction, I often struggle to integrate compelling imagery and metaphorical language into my work. Sometimes this makes my prose feel too simple and practical, simply telling what the reader needs to see instead of finding beauty or meaning in the details. Despite my earlier argument that poetry and prose are more alike than one might think, a compelling poem lives or dies by its imagery and symbolism. Similarly, every word matters in a poem even more so than it does in prose; a single awkward phrase or weak choice of words may hurt a short story, but a mistake like that could easily destroy a poem. A poem by nature is an exercise in finding beauty and emotion through carefully crafted language; if not written with care and deliberation, a poem falls apart.
What I’m ultimately trying to say here is that learning about poetry is an excellent way to improve one’s prose writing. A fiction piece uses language to tell a story and uses evocative, meaningful, and well-crafted language to make that story compelling. Many beginning writers tend to focus on the story first, which can put the language of the piece at a lower priority. In contrast, poetry is all about the language. A poem puts the background elements of a prose piece into the foreground; it puts beautiful language on display for the world to see. In practicing poetry, a writer learns how to wield language like a paintbrush that can paint gorgeous vistas, nostalgic locations, and representations of our strongest felt emotions. That brush can be used to paint a novel, short story, or essay just as beautiful as any poem.
Meet the blogger:
WILL WALKER is a Creative Writing student at Hamline University. In addition to writing poetry and speculative fiction (some of which may actually be worth reading someday), Will finds joy in tabletop role-playing games, fall weather, and spending time with friends and family.
Writing For Your Brain
Being a writer has never been easy; many of us aren’t taken seriously compared to those who become lifesaving doctors or multimillion-dollar businessmen who travel to space. Many times, writers take these kinds of comparisons to heart, and underestimate the power we really have. No matter the skill level, writing for humans is a means of communication. It’s a cognitive exercise that humanity has been using for centuries in multiple languages. It is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation so that finally, we are able to express ourselves freely with it. In this post, we’ll explore how writing can be a powerful tool for enhancing brain function, improving mental well-being, and boosting creativity.
Writing, whether by hand or on a keyboard, engages various parts of the brain responsible for language, memory, and problem-solving. When you compose a sentence or jot down your thoughts, you’re activating areas associated with language processing which helps improve vocabulary, grammar, and overall communication skills.
Moreover, writing helps with memory retention and recall. When you take notes or write down information, your brain is more likely to remember it because you’ve engaged in a deeper level of cognitive processing. This is known as the “generation effect,” where information is better retained when it is actively produced rather than passively consumed.
Expressive writing, such as keeping a diary or journaling, can have therapeutic effects on the brain. Writing about your thoughts and emotions can help you process and make sense of them. This process has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels. When you put your worries on paper, your brain can begin to “unload” some of its cognitive burden, allowing you to feel lighter and less overwhelmed. Writing can be a powerful tool for managing emotions. When you write about your feelings, you give your brain an opportunity to analyze and understand them better. This emotional self-regulation helps you gain clarity and perspective, making it easier to address challenges, overcome obstacles, and maintain emotional well-being.
Writing is not only about conveying information; it’s also a creative process. When you write fiction, poetry, or even engage in brainstorming sessions, you’re stimulating the brain’s creative regions. This can lead to generating new ideas, improved problem-solving skills, and enhanced creativity. Virginia Woolf wrote about writing in her own diary, A Writer’s Diary:
“The habit of writing thus for my own eye only is good practice. It loosens the ligaments. Never mind the misses and the stumbles.”
With this, Woolf explains that even if the scribbles or notes have no rhyme or reason, the words are better off written then never written at all. Writing down your goals, plans, and to-do lists can be a remarkable strategy to boost productivity. When you document your objectives, you’re more likely to follow through with them. This practice reinforces the brain’s executive functions, aiding in time management and the prioritization of tasks.
Journaling or reflective writing provides an opportunity for self-assessment and personal growth. By documenting your experiences, thoughts, and achievements, you can track your progress over time. This can be a valuable tool for setting goals, making positive changes, and staying connected with your personal development journey.
Writing is not merely a means of communication but a potent cognitive exercise that offers numerous benefits for the brain. From enhancing cognitive function and memory to reducing stress, regulating emotions, and promoting creativity, writing can significantly impact your mental well-being. It is a tool for personal growth, problem-solving, and productivity enhancement. So, whether you’re jotting down notes, composing poetry, or keeping a journal, remember that every word you write is contributing to the health and vitality of your brain. Make writing a regular part of your life, and you’ll be amazed at the transformative power it has on your mind.
Meet the blogger:
JUSTINE CASE is a senior creative writing student with a focus in writing screenplay. If she manages to finish any of her projects, she’ll be taking the film industry by storm. When she isn’t writing, she’s drinking too much coffee and annoying her friends and family by explaining the nuances of her latest favorite indie game.
Five Uncommon Ways to Outline Your Fiction
When you hear the word outline, you may think of the bulleted list you had to write for some academic paper. But when you’re writing fiction, that method doesn’t always work. Sometimes you need something different, something new. Here are five alternative approaches to help make an outline for your next story.
- Free-Write
This low-pressure approach serves well as a starting point. Here, the point is to get anything onto the page. Don’t worry about perfection. Grammar, spelling, punctuation—those things don’t matter. Allow the page to be a mess of details and musings. Tune into your stream of consciousness.
I often use this method to jot down ideas when my mind feels overcrowded with them. Once written out, there is more clarity and it is easier to be organized. A helpful tip for this method is to use a distraction-free program like Cold Turkey to increase the fluidity and speed of the process.
- Mind Maps
Our writing doesn’t always fit a neat-and-linear mold. Mind maps are helpful for this. They offer flexibility in ways that other methods don’t. With mind maps, you are free to diverge off of ideas, write in subplots, or group notes together.
More than that, mind maps let you visualize your work, making it simple to connect and categorize ideas. Programs like Scapple even allow you to upload images in your mind maps. This comes in handy for the following method.
- Image Sequence
Pinterest mood boards are fun to make, but what if you could use them for an outline?
An image sequence revolves around aesthetics. It consists of finding images that relate to your scenes and grouping them together. Then, you organize them into the order of your story. This can be done with a photo editor, or you can use the mind mapping tools from before.
With this method, you get 1) visualization, 2) inspiration, and 3) easy access to the content of each scene, as you will only have to glance at the images to conjure it up in your mind again.
- In Which…
Shared by actress and writer Brittany N. Williams, this outline is useful if you struggle with summary. In her tweet, Williams names this method after Diana Wynne Jones, author of Howl’s Moving Castle, because the chapter titles all start with “in which.”
The process for this is simple. Outline your story by writing “chapter one, in which…” and then briefly describe that chapter (or scene). When I tested this trick, I found that summarizing became much easier. But why is that?
What I noticed is that this method gives you a starting point—the “in which”—and the repetition of it creates a steady rhythm, prompting you to write consistently. Plus, it limits your summary to a single sentence.
- Audio Recordings
Sometimes it’s easier to talk about a topic than to write about it. When you find yourself in this situation, you can build an outline using audio recordings.
Here’s how it works: each recording will focus on either a chapter or a scene. If it is a chapter, limit your recording to 20 seconds. For scenes, make it 15 seconds. Summarize your ideas during those recordings. If you go past the limit, save your recording, and try again until it is kept within the timeframe.
While this method asks for concision, it also offers more flexibility because your summary is not limited to just one sentence. Once satisfied with your recordings, you can review them later in your writing process.
As these methods show, there are many ways to construct an outline. Every writer has their own process and way of thinking, so every outline will look different. There is no single right way to do it. That said, feel free to adjust any of these ideas to suit your own needs. Exploration is part of being a writer, after all!
Meet the blogger:
Gisela Perez is a multi-genre writer and poet. At the heart of her works, there is an earnest desire to give comfort and foster curiosity. When she is not writing, she can be found admiring the moon from her home in Minnesota.
