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The Muse and the Marketplace begins this Friday, May 10! Attendee schedules are now frozen for printing; if you did not sign up for sessions in advance or wish to make a change, never fear: you’ll be able to join sessions on the fly as well by checking in with the Session Manager at the door. For completely full sessions, the Session Manager will use their discretion on whether additional seating and/or standing room will be available per fire code. We cannot wait to host you at the Boston Park Plaza for an incredible weekend ahead!
Sunday, May 12 • 11:00am - 12:00pm
Exploring the Boundary of Believability in Fiction and Nonfiction
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You may be familiar with a quote from Mark Twain: “The difference between nonfiction and fiction is that fiction must be absolutely believable.” What determines this in plot, character, or setting? Does nonfiction and fiction need to have separate levels of ‘believability’ or can they mingle in the same story?

In this session, we’ll be analyzing excerpts of writers who toe the line—such as Helen Fremont, Pam Houstan, Zakiya Dalila Harris, Ta-Nehisi Coates—and opening discussions on what elements of believability are inherent in both fiction and nonfiction writing. All prose writers will find valuable tips and tricks from this session on elements of craft and how they can be blended. You will also get a chance to test the boundary through a guided exercise that uses their own life experience to create a fictional story.


Presenters
avatar for Isabella Kestermann

Isabella Kestermann

Isabella Kestermann is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles. She writes speculative fiction, poetry, and personal essays. She received a MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. Her work has been featured in the Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest and New Orleans Review... Read More →
avatar for Kelsey Costa

Kelsey Costa

Kelsey Costa is a Rhode Island based writer who loves exploring what makes us human in fiction and nonfiction. She holds a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College. She has been a Muse and the Marketplace volunteer since 2019 and currently serves as the Co-Programs... Read More →

Sunday May 12, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Stuart
  Nonfiction   Fiction

Attendees (26)