The Far Edges of the Fourth Genre : An Anthology of Explorations in Creative Nonfiction

Though creative nonfiction has been around since Montaigne, St. Augustine, and Seneca, we've only just begun to ask how this genre works, why it functions the way it does, and where its borders reside. But for each question we ask, another five or ten questions roil to the surface. And each of these questions, it seems, requires a more convoluted series of answers. What's more, the questions students of creative nonfiction are drawn to during class discussions, the ones they argue the longest and loudest, are the same ideas debated by their professors in the hallways and at the corner bar. In this collection, sixteen essential contemporary creative nonfiction writers reflect on whatever far, dark edge of the genre they find themselves most drawn to. The result is this fascinating anthology that wonders at the historical and contemporary borderlands between fiction and nonfiction; the illusion of time on the page; the mythology of memory; poetry, process, and the use of received forms; the impact of technology on our writerly lives; immersive research and the power of witness; a chronology and collage; and what we write and why we write. Contributors: Nancer Ballard, H. Lee Barnes, Kim Barnes, Mary Clearman Blew, Joy Castro, Robin Hemley, Judith Kitchen, Brenda Miller, Ander Monson, Dinty W. Moore, Sean Prentiss, Lia Purpura, Erik Reece, Jonathan Rovner, Bob Shacochis, and Joe Wilkins. Overview: Though Creative Nonfiction Has Been Around Since Montaigne, St. Augustine, And Seneca, We've Only Just Begun To Ask How This Genre Works, Why It Functions The Way It Does, And Where Its Borders Reside. But For Each Question We Ask, Another Five Or Ten Questions Roil To The Surface. And Each Of These Questions, It Seems, Requires A More Convoluted Series Of Answers. What's More, The Questions Students Of Creative Nonfiction Are Drawn To During Class Discussions, The Ones They Argue The Longest And Loudest, Are The Same Ideas Debated By Their Professors In The Hallways And At The Corner Bar. In This Collection, Sixteen Essential Contemporary Creative Nonfiction Writers Reflect On Whatever Far, Dark Edge Of The Genre They Find Themselves Most Drawn To. The Result Is This Fascinating Anthology That Wonders At The Historical And Contemporary Borderlands Between Fiction And Nonfiction; The Illusion Of Time On The Page; The Mythology Of Memory; Poetry, Process, And The Use Of Received Forms; The Impact Of Technology On Our Writerly Lives; Immersive Research And The Power Of Witness; A Chronology And Collage; And What We Write And Why We Write. Mary Clearman Blew: Walking Home -- Ander Monson: Essay As Hack -- Brenda Miller: Writing Inside The Web: Creative Nonfiction In The Age Of Connection -- Dinty W. Moore: Rivering -- Bob Sacochis: How To Wind The Clock Of Your Days -- Jon Rovner: Refresh -- Robin Hemley: Lines That Create Motion -- Joe Wilkins: Night -- Nancer Ballard: Bald In Back With Three Heads: Wrestling With Time In Narrative Nonfiction -- Joy Castro: Grip And Getting Grip -- Lia Purpura: Advice And On Giving Advice -- Sean Prentiss: Eternal Sunshine Of The Nonfiction Mind: A New Philosophy For Understanding Truth And Creative Nonfiction -- Judith Kitchen: Gone A-sailing: A Voyage To The Edge Of Nonfiction -- Lee Barnes: Memory, Language, And Truth In The Written Moment -- Kim Barnes: The Art And Absence Of Reflection In Personal Nonfiction: What Is The Why? -- Erik Reece: The Act Of Writing: Speak And Bear Witness. Edited By Sean Prentiss And Joe Wilkins. Includes Bibliographical References.