
Writing Beyond the Self
How to Write Creative Nonfiction That Gets Published
By: Jenean McBrearty
eBook | 2 October 2018 | Edition Number 2
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78 Pages
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It is said that truth is often stranger than fiction. But can you translate this into prose that will hold a reader’s attention? To deliver a ‘good read’ the writer must combine the personal and the universal, the intellectual with the emotional, the macro with the micro, and the biographical with the historical.
But how?
In Writing Beyond the Self, Jenean explains that every writer has at least one creative nonfiction story hiding inside him or her. But one needs to separate the writer self from the self-healer. Hence, the book begins chapter one with a question: Everybody has a sob story, why should I read yours?
What follows are nine lessons gleaned from her MFA program, with fully-fledged examples, to guide writers through the key fundamentals of writing creative nonfiction. And because “everyone is strapped for time nowadays,” says Jenean, “the book is blessedly brief.”
Industry Reviews
“In Writing Beyond The Self, veteran author, Jenean McBrearty provides an elegant guide writers can employ to pen compelling creative nonfiction. Clearly and concisely written, McBrearty’s 9 lessons reveal the critical techniques the writer can employ to transform a mundane text about personal experiences, real people, or events, into an engaging experience for the reader. It is a perfect primer for the novice and seasoned writer alike.” Paul Stansbury, author, publisher, and contributor at The Advocate-Messenger
“Jenean McBrearty has packed more useful information between the covers of this little book than I’ve seen in textbooks on the subject of writing nonfiction. She’s written it for new writers of creative nonfiction, but even old-hand authors can benefit from her down to earth lessons. Her examples are readable and the instruction understandable. Writing Beyond the Self is a must-read for all writers who want to learn about the genre and get their stuff published.” Misty Wood, LPN and beginning writer
“For writers who have not had the luxury of attending MFA writing programs, McBrearty has laid out a quick and to-the-point list of do’s and don’ts for beginners or writers who want to learn about a different genre. Through one sentence lessons, explanation of those lessons, and short-story examples, McBrearty answers the questions, ‘What is creative nonfiction anyway?’ and ‘How do I write it?’ A little book filled with immeasurable information, Writing Beyond the Self is a must-have for anyone looking to turn their personal stories into marketable works that publishers will want to print.” Pepper Jones, editor of Neo-legends to Last A Deathtime Anthology
on
Creative Nonfiction: Everybody has a sob story so why should I read yours?
Lesson #1: Marry your personal story to something larger than yourself.
Lesson #2: Marry your personal story to someone else’s so it’s all about you, but it’s not.
Lesson #3: Marry your personal story to “a slice of life” so it’s all about you on a smaller scale.
Lesson #4: Marry your story to someone else’s through dialogue rather than description.
Lesson #5: Ask yourself some tough questions because once your story is published, you can’t change your mind.
Lesson #6: If you’re not an academic and can’t do your own research, write about other people’s research.
Lesson #7: Follow an interest you know nothing about and share what you learn.
Lesson #8: Find something to do, do it, then write something. Or not.
Lesson #9: Limber up the grey matter! Moving back and forth between you (the particular, subjective) and other people/events/environments (the general, objective), is the key to writing successful creative and real nonfiction.
Conclusion
ISBN: 9781925417791
ISBN-10: 1925417794
Published: 2nd October 2018
Format: ePUB
Language: English
Number of Pages: 78
Audience: General Adult
Publisher: Vine Leaves Press
Edition Number: 2
























