Anybody can sit down and write about something that happened to them. It’s called keeping a diary. Millions of young girls are writing in them everyday. And I seriously doubt that their contents would keep most readers interested for more than a few minutes.

But, it’s in the way that the same experiences are written with a creative mind that would make them an interesting, entertaining, touching or lasting read as memoirs.

It’s all in the details, and without a touch of creativity, most of the tasty details could be lost or otherwise left out in favor of keeping the writing honest. Or, keeping it non-fiction.

There’s nothing wrong with giving the details room to grow. Nobody wants to sit down and read a list of dry facts – I did this. And then I did this. And this is what happened. And this is how I felt. – That would be boring.

Now, you don’t have to make shit up to turn even the most mundane acts or experiences into something great to read. Just look back to what it is you’re writing about and remember the details. Look back to the scenes or event with a soft focus. Look around the peripheral and let your mind relive it. It won’t feel the same as it was the first time. And that’s a good thing. Nothing feels the same twice.
Now write it.

And that’s creativity in non-fiction.

Creativity is an important element of any type writing.

I guess what I’m referring to is the personal essay, or memoir. These depict life, but also draw meaning from it, and I think that in that, there is definitely creativity. Everyone lives life; not everyone is inclined to make associations based on ordinary, mundane events, and then write about it.

Take, for instance, Mary Karr’s two memoirs, The Liar’s Club and Cherry. There are really two reasons why these memoirs are creative. First, Karr writes about life, her own personal history, and by making connections, creates a universal principal that most people can relate to. She takes existing events and makes associations that wouldn’t have otherwise been made, thus generating new concepts. Second, Karr, besides being a memoirist, is also a poet. Her word choices give her writing the rhythm and flow of poetry, and that makes her writing unique and creative.

This is a very tricky topic, but I do believe creativity is necessary. It’s gotten us as humans where we are today, and I think that in good creative nonfiction, creativity is a must.

The real question is, Is creativity necessary? Why should it matter to you if someone says nonfiction is less creative than fiction? If you value creativity, why not write fiction? Or poetry?

In classical music there are levels of creativity. The composer is creating, no question. The interpreter (a solo pianist, for instance, or a conductor) is creative as well, but within a much narrower compass. The individual violinist in the symphony’s violin section has no scope whatever for creativity: The violinist is a foot soldier. But that role is a necessary part of the artistic process.

Is playing in a Van Halen tribute band less creative than playing your own original songs? Yes. You can make good money at it, though, if you’re skillful.

I write both fiction and nonfiction. My nonfiction (which pays better) is markedly less creative than my fiction. If I tried to be creative with nonfiction, I wouldn’t be able to sell it!