Writing Fiction vs Non-Fiction

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Related Books:


Distrust That Particular Flavor
(William Gibson)

The Lifespan of a Fact
(John D'Agata, Jim Fingal)

The Ecstasy of Influence: Nonfictions, Etc
(Jonathan Lethem)

Blue Nights
(Joan Didion)
Interviewer(s): 
Jim Fleming
Steve Paulson
Anne Strainchamps
Guest(s): 
William Gibson
John D'Agata
JIm Fingal
Jonathan Lethem
Joan Didion
02.12.2012

When you read a piece of nonfiction, you naturally expect that  you’re reading the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  Right?  So how would you feel if you found out that the author of an essay you’re reading was taking certain liberties with the facts to make the piece more captivating?  Would you feel betrayed?  Or wouldn’t you care?  In this hour, we’ll examine the question of creativity in creative nonfiction.  How much is too much?

  1. William Gibson on "Distrust That Particular Flavor"

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    William Gibson talks about his first collection of nonfiction, "Distrust That Particular Flavor."

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    Average: 4.8 (9 votes)

  2. John D'Agata and Jim Fingal on "The Lifespan of a Fact"

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    Author John D'Agata and fact-checker Jim Fingal talk about the boundaries of literary nonfiction as chronicled in their book, "The Lifespan of a Fact."

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    Average: 4.7 (321 votes)

  3. Jonathan Lethem on "The Ecstasy of Influence: Nonfictions, etc."

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    Jonathan Lethem talks about his role as a novelist, which he explores in his new book, "The Ecstasy of Influence: Nonfictions, etc."

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    Average: 5 (107 votes)

  4. Joan Didion on "Blue Nights"

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    Joan Didion talks about her new book, "Blue Nights," which explores her thoughts about children, illness and growing old in the wake of the death of her daughter, Quintana.

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    Average: 5 (37 votes)