Not what I expected but useful

This lecture series was not exactly what I expected, likely because I didn't realize that creative nonfiction is character driven like a biography or memoir. Nonetheless, it was still useful covering literary devices beyond what is addressed in a high school class. There was also a lot of emphasis on character and narrative arc. I would recommend this series to someone planning to write a memoir or biography but not for other types of nonfiction.

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155 people found this helpful

Fiction! Nonfiction! You Name It!

This course will keep you honest if you're writing nonfiction and true to your vision if you're writing fiction. Many of the techniques can be used for both aspects of the craft. Consider, if you will, some of what's covered: Cliffhangers and page turners; revealing characters in words and actions; using narrative perspective; building dramatic sentences; rhetorical devices and emotional impact; shaping your voice. What's not to love? What can't be used over and over? Heaven knows I sure as hell put a couple of tools into my toolbox with a sigh of relief.
What makes it better, too, what makes these things stick is the little exercises that come between lessons. Do them and you'll see growth. Skip them, and... well, you'll probably still see growth, but really, they don't take much time at all, so it's no skin off your nose.
I saw one reviewer really had a problem with Professor Mazzeo's delivery. Huh? I guess listen to the sample before purchasing? But honestly, I found her voice to be jolly decent.
This is a great course that provides wonderful guidance. Truly one of the best writing books/courses out there.
For other reviews, of all genres, check out Audiobook Accomplice

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127 people found this helpful

Great Information - Reasonable Presentation

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

It's a lecture by a college professor, so I recommend imagining yourself in a classroom setting surrounded by students. That will make her approach, tone, and style feel more appropriate. She uses a highly animated style that made me think she normally teaches freshmen, but it did keep my ears and mind attuned, which is the gold standard for any teacher. (Since she starts out by describing how it feels to be presenting with no audience before her, the applause at the end of each section seemed silly.) Unfortunately, she is the second of two Great Courses writing instructors who cannot pronounce the word "sentence." (They both pronounce it "sennence"'; the other lecturer's course is actually on building better "sennences"!) I thought I'd get used to it, but never did. However, overall I learned a good deal, and from my perspective, that's what a great course is all about!

What did you learn from Writing Creative Nonfiction that you would use in your daily life?

I've already begun applying some of her recommendations about the narrative arc, researching the topic, pacing and narrative tension, etc, as well as guidance on publishing. Last week, a magazine told me that my recent work has been "even stronger than before," and I believe this course has made the difference. " I've listened to some sections more than once and expect I'll continue to revisit it.

Any additional comments?

It would be helpful to have a list of the chapters by topic--a syllabus or table of contents-- allowing readers to choose among the lectures or revisit certain material. I did sometimes feel I'd prefer more examples drawn from nonfiction rather than fiction, but I still feel the lectures were quite valuable.

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88 people found this helpful

If only I had taken this years ago. At least I won't keep making those mistakes.

I am a field biologist who has called Kenya, South Africa, Congo, Spain amongst other places home for a time. Though I journaled while abroad I let countless opportunities for good writing slip through my fingers because I didn't know what details to look for, how to document them or how to later support them with the appropriate research. This course largely cured me of those issues. Unfortunately this course's usefulness is limited to those who wish to avoid wasted time and missed opportunities and those who don't like making the embarrassing mistakes for all to see. I wish I had taken this years ago. I can only in good faith recommend this course to beginners, post graduate lit majors and those in between.

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39 people found this helpful

Good but lacking

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to a friend, if they wanted to write someone elses story (a biography) instead of their own (memoir). This author spends most of the audio book with focus on third and second perspective writing. However, if writing your memoir, or a creative nonfiction essay, the writer may need to know the ways to use the first person perspective.

What does Professor Tilar J J. Mazzeo bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She has a superb speaking voice, and she is quite captivating.

What did you learn from Writing Creative Nonfiction that you would use in your daily life?

The ways a writer can use narration, dialog and perspective.

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38 people found this helpful

Durable reference for aspiring writers

What did you love best about Writing Creative Nonfiction?

The scope of the book was excellent. It covered almost every major topic relevant for anyone who contemplates writing a book or article for publication, from sentence structure to marketing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. This book was much more interesting and memorable when broken up into different sessions.

Any additional comments?

I appreciated the sincerity and passion that Professor Mazzeo brought to the topic. The examples of techniques she used from her own writing experience were more personal and therefore engaging when told in her own voice. Having said that, I personally found her reading voice to be somewhat off-putting.

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28 people found this helpful

Hard to Listen to and Patronizing

What disappointed you about Writing Creative Nonfiction?

In short, she talks to you like you are five. This applies to her cadence, tone, and to the actual course material. I thought this was a "great" course taught at a real university. This seems unlikely.

Would you ever listen to anything by The Great Courses again?

Sure there are some great ones.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Professor Tilar J J. Mazzeo?

Natalie Portman. A duck. Anyone.

Any additional comments?

To be fair, I only listened to the first 15 minutes of this course. If the prof's tone hadn't been that with which you would speak to a group a third graders I would have gone on. Perhaps, content wise, there are some wonderful gems later in the course.

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28 people found this helpful

I only got a few sessions in before I had to put it down

I love the content, but her delivery was annoying. I would have been able to get over her occasional diction mistakes, mixing up consonants while she speaks, if it weren't also for the other habits. She does that thing where she doesn't use much genuine inflection. There's inflection, but it seems calculated and forced, like she's talking to a small child. She also talks in clipped sentences a bit like (though not as bad as) Alan Munro. All these things combined distract from the lessons.

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23 people found this helpful

The Professor knows her stuff

This is an excellent course as an introduction to this genre. Professor Tilar J J. Mazzeo advice and knowledge is good. This course might seem long at 12 hours, but doing a lecture per day and acting on it is very helpful and easy to digest. Good stuff, worth every cent.

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22 people found this helpful

Gives Equal Time for Fiction & Nonfiction Writing

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is helpful almost equally for fiction & nonfiction writers. On one hand, that is a compliment. On the other hand, it is not as relevant as it could be for nonfiction authors, particularly those of us writing memoirs. I would have liked many more examples from the memoir & autobiography genres. The author reads well, and she serves up some good reminders for any writer, but I wanted more nonfiction focus.

What does Professor Tilar J J. Mazzeo bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her speaking/reading voice is clear and personable, while also professional. I appreciated having the author herself deliver the text. Also, her references to her specific problem-solving paths while writing two of her own nonfiction books (on Coco Chanel and Madame Cliquot) were helpful and engaging.

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22 people found this helpful