Writing Process

Pre Writing Process

- This is the preliminary or preparatory phase in which the writer explore and selects possible topics,
subjects, and themes. Also, the writer generates ideas and formulates the foundations of the topic for
writing output. It is also necessary for this phase to collect and to gather relevant details and pieces of
information. Those that are identified as major and minor ideas are organized and framed with the
used of an outline. The outlines serve as the designs, backbone, or plan indicating how the written
output will look like.

During Writing Stage

- The writer now begins to form the written output by supplying its parts and contents. Also, in this
stage, the writer set out an elucidation of the details and ideas perceive to be relevant to the topic and
theme of the written work. The draft is a temporary version of the work that will be subjected to
further improvements, rectifications, and modification in both content and mechanics.

Post Writing Stage

- This phase includes checking and correcting inconsistencies in content and mechanics. Revision and
proofreading are two aspects to be considered. Revision indicates the modification about the content of
the work to observe unity of thought as well as the logical transition and flow of between and among
the parts. While the proofreading, in involves the rectification of problems in the use of punctuation,
capitalization, spelling, paragraphing, and other grammatical inconsistencies. Finally, publishing and
sharing the written work caps the writing process.

The Categories and Forms of Creative Nonfiction

In writing Creative Nonfiction: The Literature of Reality, Barbara Lounsberry and Gay Talese divided
the categories of traditional non-fiction into:

1. Lives (diaries, memoirs, autobiographies, biographies)

2. Events (histories, journalism)
3. Places ( travel writing, nature writing, science writing)
4. Ideas ( essays, including religious and philosophical works)

Fumar (2010) cited Minot’s six (6) basic form of literary nonfiction in the latter’s publication, Literary Nonfiction

 Personal Experiences
 Biographical sketch
 Personal Opinions
 Reflections
 A slice of History (ceremonies, role reversals, moment of sudden growth, moments of high emotions,
reversal of expectations)

Also, Fumar (2010) specified the following as other forms of creative nonfiction.

 Feature article in a magazine

 Cultural commentary column in news paper
 Interview story
 Character sketch
 Biographical sketch or profile
 Personal or familiar essay
 Autobiographical sketch
 A. Factors and Measure that Influence the Quality of Creative Nonfiction

1. Mechanics- the writer must ensures that the work of free from errors in spelling of words, punctuations
marks, and grammatical inconsistencies.

2. Hook- the reader’s attention and interest must be easily captured at the very beginning and must be
sustained until the last or end part of the work.

3. Narrator- in this factor, be mindful that the narrator needs to establish a connection with the readers.
This can be possible through projecting an interesting and engaging disposition. However, the
authoritative mood can be projected.

4. Characters- the characters must be carefully revealed by the provision of clear details that will help
reader to feel and visualize who the characters are. Mainly, readers take the perspective of the narrator
in visualizing the characters.

5. Technique- balance between showing and telling must be taken into consideration. Also, the flow and
transition must be as smooth as possible. It is also necessary to consider the voice to be used, is it more
of an active voice or passive voice? The appropriateness of the tone with the subject matter must also be
given an eye.

6. Language Use-the expression must be written in a way that is perceived to be fresh and new to the
readers. The use of clichés is not beneficial in achieving such quality. The choice of words must keep the
reader embedded in the work. Furthermore, the writer needs to rely on strong nouns and verbs, rather
than adjectives and adverbs.

7. Dialogue, Narrative, and Exposition- the dialogue must have a natural sound. Each person has a
voice that is perceived to be peculiar. It is vital to ensure a proper balance between the dialogue and the
narrative. In exposition, other forms of telling must be balanced. With this, the work can explore and
develop ideas that are related or thematic to the piece.

8. Setting and Scene- it must be asked if the work is grounded in time and place. How do the readers
see, feel hear, smell and taste the setting. Also, it must be clarified whether the settings enhance or
distract from the work.

9. Structure- it is important to determine whether the structure is appropriate to the material. The
structure must aid towards its resolution. The writer should have found the best entry and exit point. The
scenes must be somewhat necessary to be included. Also, it is better to ask if the ending is earned and
yet unexpected.

10. Originality- to get the reader’s attention the piece must be significantly fresh and original. The piece
must also have its twist on characters, plot, setting, forms, or argument. With this, originally and
peculiarly can be effectively achieved.
 11. Facts- in presenting any argument, it must be done with well-supported with facts. The researcher
should be artfully injected into the prose. Finally, the detail needs to be credible and valid.

Familiarizing Autobiographical Writing

Hereunder are some important things that you need to understand about autobiographical writing.

 It recounts the story focusing on a person event in the life of the writer
 The writer shares his/her life
 Involves definite sequence of events experienced or witnessed by the writer
 Vivifies details for portraying people and places
 Highlights the problems, conflict, or contrast between viewpoints of past and present

Forms of Autobiographical Writing

 Memoirs- real stories of the writer’s relationship with a person, place, or even animal that also
includes the writer’s insights and feelings towards the relationship.

 Personal Narratives- also known as autobiographical incidents, texts of the form focus on and
highlight a specific event in the life of the writer.

 Autobiographical sketches/ Narratives- the purpose is to describe a time or a series of events in

the writer’s life including insights about them.

 Reflective Essay- recall and recount an experience, insights on an experience are also expressed.

Steps in Autobiographical Writing

1. Pre writing
 Selecting a Topic
In this phase, the writer explores and chooses a possible topic or subject for writing. It is that
the writer select an interesting topic based on his/her experience like in solving an encountered
problem or conflict that catapulted realizations and insights.

 Narrowing the Topic

After choosing a possible topic, the writer needs of narrow and to set the focus by uncovering
what is hidden within the story. Include details and points that enrich the story.

 Thinking about the Audience and Purpose for Writing

The writer awareness of his/her intended reader’s or audiences dictates the level of language
that the writer will utilize. It can be either formal or casual. On the other hand, setting the
purpose for writing is also important. An autobiographical text may amuse, inspire, or celebrate
a person in one’s life.

 Obtaining Details
Details gives shape to and enrich the writing piece. Obtaining details can be done through
listing and itemizing. After making the list, selects and highlights the one that are relevant,
valuable, and interesting.

2. Drafting

 Giving Shape to the Writing Piece

 Conflicts and tensions make stories interesting. Tis are found in incidents taken from life.
Conflict is the opposition of forces that causes a struggle. In the presence of a conflict, a
character is prevented from getting anything he/she wants.

 Elaborating Details
Characterization by providing relevant details can helps readers to visualize and imagine scenes
clearly. It is necessary for the writer to see what the writer sees and to feel what the writer
feels. Thus, in this way the writer connects himself/herself to his/her audience.

3. Revising
 Ensuring Logical Organization
A noteworthy autobiographical writing kept the reader’s interest constant and sustained from its
beginning to its end. Also, it is important that the included details in an autobiography conform
to the tension or main conflict.

 Checking for Coherence

A paragraph is not just a dump of sentences. An effective paragraph observes the relevant
linkage between and among sentences that can help in creating a clear and unified thought or
idea.

Biographical Writing

Information Sources
Biographical writers utilize various sources o pertinent and accurate information about the chosen
subject. These sources are classified; 1 Primary sources which includes a face to face interview with the
subject himself/herself, letters, diaries, journals, and other personal accounts, 2 Secondary sources like other
biographies, books, historical accounts, ets.
 DEFINITION of CREATIVE NONFICTION

“Creative” – utilization of various techniques, strategies, and styles in literary writing.

Use of this can establish an appealing quality of work.

“Nonfiction” – denotes that the content or subject of this genre does not consider
imagined or contrived events or experiences, thus, it presents authentic or real events,
stories, and experiences.

Qualities of Creative Nonfiction

according Michael Steinberg & Robert L. Root

Personal Presence

- the subject of the work is presented based on the perspective, mind, and personality
of the writer.

Self-discovery/ Self-exploration

- creative nonfiction allows writer to be more reflective and inquisitive.

Flexibility of Form

- creative nonfiction offers a diversity of options about how the work will be crafted;
freedom to choose writing techniques.

Veracity

- the genre promotes the consideration of real experiences felt, witnessed or observed
by the writer himself/herself.

Literary Approaches to Language

- the genre uses a language that is similarly embellished to that of other literary works;
the unpredictable structure adds to its dynamic feature.