More on the Definition of CNF

The last group of essays was interesting in that each author was actually writing on the topic of creative nonfiction itself.  Each took on a particular facet of creative nonfiction: the believability of the author, the character of the author, and the definition of creative nonfiction. 

These essays did not really add much to my definition of creative nonfiction.  It was useful in some ways to see that other, established writers of creative nonfiction have also puzzled over the techincal aspects of what makes this genre what it is.  The more we read of it, the more I begin to feel that there would be little outside of a reference book that is not a work of creative nonfiction.  An almanac, with listings of facts, dates, etc, perhaps requires a fully objective, personality-free writing style.  Anything else...well, not so much. 

So I guess my definition is still pretty mcuh the same.  It is a work that is largely true, as far as the author's relationship with the topic is concerned, using literary techniques that are generally attributed to writers of fiction.  I would say there are no limitations on subject, format, length, voice, point-of-view, etc.  Almost anything can be classified as creative nonfiction.