I want work that, possessing as thin a membrane as possible between life and art, foregrounds the question of how the writer solves being alive.
David ShieldsRead
I'm interested in non-fiction, but a form of it which is very badly behaved, which doesn't define itself as straight-ahead journalism or memoir. It blurs boundaries, plays fast and loose with the truth - not to be silly, whimsical or lazy, but to get greater purchase on what it feels like to be alive.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the value of non-traditional forms of non-fiction that explore deeper truths rather than adhering to rigid forms.
David Shields expresses a desire for a type of non-fiction that transcends conventional categories, allowing for a more expansive understanding of life. He argues that such 'badly behaved' narratives can reveal deeper emotional truths about the human experience, effectively communicating what it feels like to be alive, even if they do not strictly adhere to conventional standards of truth and journalism.
Themes
Non-FictionTruthLifeNarrativeExperience
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the nature of storytelling and authenticity at a writers' conference.
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