Question about novel
On the right
Newf_Mom
> And what's a "non-fiction" novel?
A true story.
Nobody
"Newf_Mom" <rkk...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:df26e680-8c51-4b1f...@d5g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
stan
> > And what's a "non-fiction" novel?
Oxymoronic?
Carter
Then it's not a novel. Any writer would know that.
Carter
Newf_Mom
Nonfiction Novel, noun, definition: A factual or historical narrative
written in the form of a novel.
So, it is in fact a nonfiction (true), novel (literary genre)
It was not intended to be such, a novel is supposed to be a work of
fiction, but it is a common practice now in the publishing industry,
agree or not, that nonfiction books are also referred to as novels.
The word novel is now used to describe any book written in narrative
format, be it true or be it fictional.
My publisher calls my book a nonfiction novel- I really just call it
"my book"....a book that I am very proud to have written, be negative
if you wish, it will not effect me, been there, done that, wrote the
book :)
If you have issues with the use of the word novel, that's fine. I also
say "ya'll"- but only when referring to more than one person.
Carter
> On Nov 18, 7:42 pm, Carter <per_ardua@ad_astra> wrote:
>> Newf_Mom wrote:
>>> On Nov 18, 3:15 pm, On the right <johncot...@nl.rogers.com> wrote:
>>>> And what's a "non-fiction" novel?
>>> A true story.
>> Then it's not a novel. Any writer would know that.
>>
>> Carter
>
>
> Nonfiction Novel, noun, definition: A factual or historical narrative
> written in the form of a novel.
>
> So, it is in fact a nonfiction (true), novel (literary genre)
Sorry but no. By your own definition it is a historical
narrative written in the form of a novel. It is not actually a
novel because a novel is fictitious prose. Your book is exactly
that, a book. It may fall into any one of many literary
categories but if it is not fictitious it is not a novel. Here
is a quick definition of a novel;
novel
1. a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and
complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a
sequential organization of action and scenes.
>
> It was not intended to be such, a novel is supposed to be a work of
> fiction,
Exactly.
but it is a common practice now in the publishing industry,
> agree or not, that nonfiction books are also referred to as novels.
It may be common but it is incorrect.
> The word novel is now used to describe any book written in narrative
> format, be it true or be it fictional.
I disagree.
> My publisher calls my book a nonfiction novel
Your publisher is not correct.
- I really just call it
> "my book"....a book that I am very proud to have written, be negative
> if you wish, it will not effect me, been there, done that, wrote the
> book :)
I don't mean to be negative, just correct. As an author you have
a right to be proud, you don't have a right to be incorrect.
>
> If you have issues with the use of the word novel, that's fine. I also
> say "ya'll"- but only when referring to more than one person.
Not exactly the same thing, is it?
Carter
>
>
David
> I don't mean to be negative, just correct. As an author you have
> a right to be proud, you don't have a right to be incorrect.
I just stumbled into this discussion, but I wanted to add that
"nonfiction novel" is a phrase that was coined by Truman Capote to
describe *In Cold Blood* and has been used by other authors and
publishers to describe works of literary nonfiction written using
novel-like techniques to get inside the heads of characters and
provide drama. In Capote's strictest definition, the author never
appears as an "I" within the story but, of course, shapes the material
for maximum effect.
There's a classic interview with Capote by George Plimpton about the
nonfiction novel here:
http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/12/28/home/capote-interview.html
That said, it's still a controversial and not especially common term.
I tried to call my book (www.fataltide.com) a nonfiction novel, but
everyone from my publisher to my wife said, "No, that's not what
you've written!" I think it's a more common form of nonfiction writing
in the U.S. than up here in Canada .... perhaps because it's so
expensive to research a subject that intensively and writing/
publishing is even more of a poor man's sport north of the border!
Recent American examples would include books like *Columbine* and
*Meth-Land*.
Personally, I think nonfiction writers should stake a claim for the
term "nonfiction novel". It's a useful way to describe a particular
kind of writing, if you follow Capote's careful definition.
best,
David Leach
www.davidleach.ca
Carter
Thanks David. I was aware of the Capote coinage. There is, IMO,
a distinct difference in language use in the USA as compared to
Canada. In Canada we tend to be more British than American in
our use of English. For instance, it's not often you will hear a
Canadian turn a noun into a verb as Americans do constantly.
I admit to being a language purist and, as such, I disagree with
Truman Capote. I think the contradiction 'nonfiction novel' is
not the proper term to describe writing which is not fiction.
I'm sure we English speakers can coin a more sensible word or
term to describe a book or other writing which is not fiction.
The word 'novel' is already taken as a descriptor for fictional
writing.
Carter