Getting to the Truth: The Craft and Practice of Creative Nonfiction

by Rae Pagliarulo (Editor), Donna Talarico (Editor)

Overview

Learn how to write creative nonfiction alongside some of the brightest minds in the genre. Inspired by Hippocampus Magazines annual conference, Getting to the Truth: The Craft and Practice of Creative Nonfiction features 20+ essays from some of the events' highest-rated speakers, plus writers behind our journal's most-read craft columns. This craft anthology takes a deep dive into topics like: Memory (and what we don't remember), Impostor syndrome, Generating story ideas, Beginnings and endings, Visual essays, lyric essays, and other blending of genres, Writing about family members, The quiet memoir Getting to the Truth is mil of real-world insight, practical examples, writing exercises, and brainstorming prompts. Whether you're new to writing creative nonfiction, want to experiment with unique forms of storytelling, or wish to hone your craft, you will find something within these pages that will ignite your creativity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780999429990
Publisher:	Books by Hippocampus
Publication date:	08/10/2021
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Rae Pagliarulo is associate editor of Hippocampus Magazine.

Donna Talarico is founder and publisher of Hippocampus Magazine and Books.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

How to use this Book ix

Part I Getting It Down

Impostor Syndrome: How to Mute, Muffle, or Muzzle it for Good Athena Dixon 1

How to Pump Out an Epic Number of Story Ideas in One Sitting Steph Auteri 10

Why You Should Write About What You Don't Remember Wendy Fontaine 21

The Quiet Memoir: Finding Conflict in a "Quiet" Life Kate Meadows 33

Turning Terror into Narrative Laurie Jean 44

One-Moment Memoir Jenna McGuiggan 53

Active Research: Dances and Whirlpools Sam Chiarelli 62

Part II Getting Through It

Take-Offs and Landings: How to Launch and Land Your Flash Penny Guisinger Alexis Paige 74

When Words and Images Collide: Crafting the Visual Essay Nicole Breit 83

The Warning Signs of Throat-Clearing Sue Baldwin-Way 95

The Art of the Suppose Beth Kephart 102

The Strange, Excellent Beauty of Experimental Nonfiction: Blending Genres Lara Lillibridge 111

A Crash Course in Lyric Essays Randon Billings Noble 121

Describe, Don't Prescribe: How to Give (and Get) More Helpful Writing Feedback Joanne M. Lozar Glenn 133

Part III Getting It Right

Inclusion on the Page: Writing Gender-Diverse Characters Eli Aharon 146

If I Want Your Opinion, I'll Pay You For It: Expressing Yourself With Op-Eds Kelly Caldwell 154

Eat, Drink, and Be (Like) a Food Writer Angie Chatman 164

Train Wrecks and Tough Questions: Crisis Communications for Writers Dave Pidgeon 172

Don't Kill Me With Your Words: Writing Dialogue That Doesn't Suck Elane Johnson 179

Starting With Place: Finding the On-Ramp to a Great Story Matt Skillen 192

Writing About Family: But Isn't It Their Story, Too? Melanie Brooks 198

Bonus Section: Getting It Out There 210

Endnotes & Recommended Reading 212

Meet the Contributors & Editors 219

Also from Books By Hippocampus 228