Telling True Stories

Navigating the Challenges of Writing Narrative Non-Fiction

Matthew Ricketson

$39.99

Paperback

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English

Allen & Unwin
26 March 2014

Language: reference & general; Creative writing & creative writing guides

'In this excellent and provocative book, Matthew Ricketson lays bare the challenges of modern storytelling. I have found myself thinking about it every day, long after I put it down.' - William Powers, author of Hamlet's BlackBerry

'An essential guide for the true storyteller.' - Chloe Hooper, award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction

It's etched into our neurological pathways; we can't live without it. Telling true stories is one of the things that makes us human, and a strong narrative has the power to profoundly change the way we think.

Truman Capote's groundbreaking In Cold Blood set the tone. Narrative non-fiction now appears in print and online journalism as well as in books. Capote's work is also a classic case study of the thorny issues arising in telling true stories: how to maintain editorial independence while becoming close to your subject; how far to take the narrative when reporting on real events; whether an 'omniscient narrative voice' is appropriate for non-fiction; and what kind of relationship to create with the reader.

The stakes are high: true stories deal with real people, often at turning points in their lives. Matthew Ricketson uncovers the techniques of some of the best international practitioners from America, Australia and Britain, and shows how to produce authentic, vibrant and memorable writing.

By: Matthew Ricketson
Imprint: Allen & Unwin
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm, Spine: 18mm
Weight: 506g
ISBN: 9781742379357
ISBN 10: 1742379354
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 26 March 2014
Recommended Age: From
Audience: General/trade , College/higher education , ELT Advanced , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

1 Why true stories matter 2 What makes a true story? 3 Learning from the journalistic method 4 Learning from the novelist's sensibility 5 The Janet Malcolm dilemma: developing trust with principal sources and keeping editorial independence 6 The value of thinking about what is fact and what is fiction before writing 7 The narrator's voice: more than a question of writerly choice 8 Description: finding the balance between vivid intimacy and unnecessary hurtfulness 9 What if you weren't there? The difficulties of reconstructing scenes and dialogue 10 Interior monologues: are they 'one more doorbell to push', or the province of fiction? 11 What do readers expect of narrative non-fiction? 12 Building a relationship of informed trust with readers Conclusion A checklist for writers of narrative non-fiction Acknowledgements Selected bibliography Index

PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY

Telling True Stories

Navigating the Challenges of Writing Narrative Non-Fiction

Matthew Ricketson

$39.99

Paperback

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