Can you write a nonfiction novel about a criminal who has been dead for over 30 years?

[Shadow_Ferret]

I don't care if Wiki said it, its either non-fiction or it's fiction, and a novel is fiction. You can base a novel on facts and reality, but that doesn't make it non-fiction.

[Melville]

Originally Posted by Shadow_Ferret

I don't care if Wiki said it, its either non-fiction or it's fiction, and a novel is fiction. You can base a novel on facts and reality, but that doesn't make it non-fiction.

I don't care what Wiki says either since too much of what is posted there is simply incorrect.

(So I apologize in advance for not bothering to follow the link.)

But if it's referring to Truman Capote's calling his masterwork IN COLD BLOOD "a non-fiction novel" -- that's what it was, that's what he said, and he had every right to call it like he saw it.

But he was one of a kind. Period.

And he knew the two were mutually exclusive, of course, but he wanted to stress that he 1) freely used fiction techniques in the writing of the story of the murder of the Clutter family, and 2) that he freely embellished where he didn't have the exact facts.

In his book, his observations (linked to his unique persona) were a character in themselves... enough so to be fodder for two feature films.

However, nowadays, just like the phrase "fiction novel" brings on fits, so does "non-fiction novel" because, generally speaking, those who use those phrases do so because they don't really understand what the terms mean. An agent who gets a query letter with the term "fiction novel" in the first paragraph is likely to hit delete before reading to the end.

"Non-fiction novel"? That term isn't in use today, not professionally, unless you're talking about Capote.

Yes, indeed, "creative nonfiction" is now the term for what Capote did, and for a lot of us who write true crime where all the facts are just not known but we want the story to sail along "novelistically".

Maybe Capote would have embraced the phrase "creative nonfiction" if he were still around. Maybe not.

So, I agree with Shadow Ferret but I just wanted to, well, pontificate a bit.

Mel

[gingerwoman]

Originally Posted by Melville

However, nowadays, just like the phrase "fiction novel" brings on fits, so does "non-fiction novel" because, generally speaking, those who use those phrases do so because they don't really understand what the terms mean. An agent who gets a query letter with the term "fiction novel" in the first paragraph is likely to hit delete before reading to the end.

I'm having fits. I'm having fits!
Absolutely any agent would hit the delete button or throw the manuscript immediately in the trash, and rightly so.
Unless that "agent" was a scam artist who wanted to charge you money to publish your work ie....Publish America.

[LindaJeanne]

Originally Posted by HapiSofi

If it's parodic, satirical, or otherwise functions as commentary, you're on firmer ground. To use a different strategy, if what you say is demonstrably true, you're also on solid ground.

I now want to read a demonstrably true book about Lincoln and Reagan hunting vampires together.

[Cathy McDowell]

My novel is fiction with non fiction words.

[Karen Landis]

As soon as I think of something I want to say, I read a post by someone who knows what they're talking about. Thanks a lot, HapiSofi.

[iron9567]

The only issues I have is I want to read this book now.
As far as the idea about Lincoln and Ragen hunting vampires. Lincoln has already been don in the form of a movie.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1611224/
He has also hunted for zombies also.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2246549/
Just thought I would throw those titles out there since it was mentioned.
thanks
the iron man

[TwentyFour]

I have about two chapters so far and I'm not one to write gore and corruption, but this story as I said before-speaks to me. I am writing it as fiction. I will write it first, then see if an agent/publisher wants it, then discuss the legalities of the true story and the fictionalized version I have written. I changed names and people around, but the actual murders and evidence are used for the story. I believe this will be okay, but as I said above, I will discuss it when the time comes. I know it is easy to go back and edit a description/word/phrase but I don't want to study on it right now as I have to write it first. I'm hoping this is the work that gets me noticed.

[RedWritingHood]

My brother is a murderer. He killed four people. I published a nonfiction book about it. I changed the names of everyone in the book so no one would sue me. If my brother, who is paranoid schizophrenic, ever gets out of prison, he's likely to find me and do me in. Another problem with my book was that the publisher made changes that negated some of the truth. It really upset me, since my whole point was to tell the story of what it's like to be the sister of a murderer. I risked my life for her lies. One of my big lessons from this whole thing has been to learn to overcome fear on all levels. It's working. I'd say go for what feels right to you. That's what I did.

[TwentyFour]

Thank you. I will of course tell any publisher it is based on true events and I am changing names. The true story was highly publicized in the south at the time so I doubt basing it on truth will have any consequences. My fear was mostly to involve actual places and dates but to change names. I have several chapters now. I am including other crimes, fictionalized events and happenings, but the main idea of this murderer being killed wrongly by police will stand prominent in the book.

[Gatita]

I'm curious why some here seem afraid of writing this story as non-fiction? I'm a crime reporter and newspapers, books, and magazines report true stories about criminals all the time.

My book, now on sub, is about recent crimes committed by people who are still alive but I'm still not worried about libel because it's all true and well documented.

Personally, I think your book would be MUCH more gripping if it were nonfiction, that is, true.

And although Capote used the artful term "nonfiction novel," the current genre name is "narrative nonfiction."

It's a wonderful and very popular genre -- think "Killing Pablo," "Seasbiscuit," "Black Hawk Down," "Devil in the White City," and on and on...

[TwentyFour]

40 K into the fictionalized version and going to finish my first draft by the end of the month. Then on to do edits/rewrites. I found out some information on the actual people that surprised me. One of the killers is still alive, just released in October of 2012. He's nearing 65-70 and living nearby.

I've had such a great time writing this, so exciting to work on something that I feel is good. I've never completed a ms so soon, it's amazing when you have a subject that practically tells you their story. A lot was changed from actual facts and so I've evolved the story into my own. I can't wait to do the rewrites! I spent about three months writing what would be a baseline of 50K. Then I have enough room to do my rewrites and add whatever I need or whatever needs to be changed when it isn't working. So far, I'm hoping it will be around 65-70K.

It took me years to write my first ms. This one is strangely writing itself for me and I've had nothing but a clear image of everything I want to happen from day one. I've never mapped out a story either, maybe I should try that more often!

[HistorySleuth]

Good luck to you!

[Gatita]

Originally Posted by TwentyFour

40 K into the fictionalized version and going to finish my first draft by the end of the month. Then on to do edits/rewrites. I found out some information on the actual people that surprised me. One of the killers is still alive, just released in October of 2012. He's nearing 65-70 and living nearby.

I've had such a great time writing this, so exciting to work on something that I feel is good. I've never completed a ms so soon, it's amazing when you have a subject that practically tells you their story. A lot was changed from actual facts and so I've evolved the story into my own. I can't wait to do the rewrites! I spent about three months writing what would be a baseline of 50K. Then I have enough room to do my rewrites and add whatever I need or whatever needs to be changed when it isn't working. So far, I'm hoping it will be around 65-70K.

It took me years to write my first ms. This one is strangely writing itself for me and I've had nothing but a clear image of everything I want to happen from day one. I've never mapped out a story either, maybe I should try that more often!

Sounds like it's going to be fascinating! Keep us posted...