Creative Nonfiction: How to Live It and Write It

by Lee Gutkind and John McPhee

Book Overview

For ages 12 and up. Aspiring journalists, essayists, and biographers do not need to stifle their creativity in order to succeed in their craft. Instead of leaving clever plots, stunning descriptions,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556522665
• ISBN13: 9781556522666
• Release Date: May 1996
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.0" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Not Just for Young Writers

When I began reading this book, I was amused to read the note on the back cover that it is aimed at a middle-school and high-school aged audience, of which I am neither. This is an easy read, but it is also useful to anyone starting out in the area of creative nonfiction who wants to pick up concrete writing tips. Especially useful is a "Readings" section at the back of the book, containing a half a dozen essays that illustrate many of the practical writing techniques presented in the first half of the book. These essays cover a diverse range of topics, ranging from bush taxis in Africa, to visiting a dying friend. Altogether a useful introduction to the genre of creative nonfiction.

This is excellent for first time writers

I have had a book inside of me so long and just needed something to help me frame the way things should flow sorta speak. This book gives great insite into starting out and great tips. I did not do all the excercised but wrote down notes for each chapter in my notebook that I can refer back to when I need to. Highly recommended and also I love the Lee Gutkind gets directly to the poing and very easy to read and does not bore you with other things. I completed this book in 4 days.

written for young people without talking down to them

As a teacher, I think this book is useful in giving kids an accurate picture of the writing life. The author provides professional advice, along with showing the day to day life of a writer's work. I particularly liked the "readings" section to give students examples to emulate. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that some of the exercises were too vague. As an educator, I know that high school and middle school kids need more step by step explanation.