Reflections, September 13, 2007

When writing creative nonfiction, it is always imperative to build the characters in a story. As I've read more stories in this genre, I realize that it is important to build yourself as a character. Just because you're writing the piece, doesn't mean that the reader will automatically know it's you. This brings me to my next quote:


"The art of characterization comes down to establishing a pattern of habits and actions for the person you are writing about and introducing variations into the system." pg. 38, Writing Creative Nonfiction

As Phillip Lopate goes on to write, it is important to tell the reader a bit about yourself through the story. Describe your likes and dislikes, your particular guilty pleasures and what you do for a living. Don't be afraid to let the reader into your world the way you would let in a newfound friend.

Above all else, make yourself human. Don't forget to make sure that you tell about both the good and bad about yourself. Refrain from just making yourself seem like some sort of flat, bland individual. We all have stories to tell.

I think that it is no coincidence that we cover such a topic on the eve of our immersion projects, since we will be central players in events which we'd otherwise never be involved in. Such is the stuff that conflict, and by extension story, is made of.