An essential part of writing creative non-fiction is writing as truthfully as possible. This allows readers to better trust the author. Readers expect that the author will recount events as accurately as possible, or choose to market their writing as another genre. Sometimes writers choose to ignore this. Even with the best intentions, this is deceptive to the reader. Such trickery can turn even the most strong and powerful stories, stories with a message of hope for readers into crackpot writing that serves no other purpose other than to create controversy. A Million Little Pieces by James Frey is one of these cases. The author shares his riveting story of overcoming drug addiction to avoid an early death, forbidden and overwhelming love, and emotional reconnection with friends and family.
Frey chooses to write the story without the use of quotation marks. When a new thought begins, a new line on the paper begins. Oftentimes, there is a lack of punctuation to distinguish the different thoughts and lines from different characters. However, this style also enables him to make his thoughts come alive, to share his inner dialogue with readers. The imagery that he uses brings the reader to him; to the rehabilitation center, the moment he reunites with his parents, and the first time he sees Lily, his love. His simple style makes his writing relatable, even to those of us who have never been addicted to crack or sniffed glue.
“On the left side of my cheek a row of crusted scabbed stitches hold a deep 1 inch-long gash together. My nose is bent and swollen beneath its bandage and red lines streak from my nostrils. There are black and yellow bruises beneath both eyes, there is blood both wet and dry everywhere."