Year of the Arts and Humanities Kickoff Celebration: The Future of Nonfiction
Christopher Merrill introduces Robin Hemley who begins by reading his essay “No Pleasure But Meanness.” Hemley discusses the difference between memoirs and general nonfiction. He is drawn to writers who look at the self and self-obsession. More and more often genre boundaries are breaking down and Hemley sees this as a good thing. Hemley discusses how much make believe can exist in nonfiction and have it still be considered nonfiction. According to Hemley, much of nonfiction these days seems to have more in common with poetry than it does with fiction. He notes how we tend to think too much of genre boundaries- a writer can write works of poetry or nonfiction without going back to school. Form and language are as important for nonfiction writers as they are for poets.
In: International Writing Program Archive | Nonfiction
Authors: Robin Hemley
Date Recorded: September 07, 2004
Works Read: "No Pleasure But Meanness"
Program: --
Format: reading
Contributors: Christopher Merrill
Note: The questions being asked by the audience cannot be heard