I remember the first time I tried writing a piece of creative nonfiction. I thought I had all the essentials—an interesting event, vivid descriptions, and a bit of humor. But when I read it back, it felt... hollow. Something was missing. It wasn’t until I learned to weave facts, themes, and emotions together that my writing finally came alive.

Let me share with you what I discovered.

The Backbone: Facts That Ground Your Story

Creative nonfiction starts with truth. The facts are your foundation, the solid ground on which you build your narrative. Without them, your story risks losing credibility. But here’s the thing: facts alone won’t captivate readers. For example, let’s say you’re writing about a family road trip. Listing facts like the mileage, weather, or pit stops won’t cut it. Instead, paint a scene: “The minivan’s engine sputtered to life, and we squeezed in, elbows grazing. Dad’s favorite playlist—a mix of Motown and questionable karaoke renditions—blared through the speakers as we hit the open road.” Accuracy is essential, but so is making those facts feel alive. Use sensory details. What did you hear, smell, or feel? And if you’re working with external research—like historical events or interviews—double-check your sources. Nothing derails a good story faster than shaky details.

The Glue: Themes That Tie It All Together

Now, here’s where many writers stumble. Facts alone don’t tell a story—they need a purpose, a thread that connects them. That’s where themes come in. Think of your theme as the "why" behind your story. It’s the bigger idea or universal truth that resonates with readers. In my road trip example, the theme might be family dynamics, the bittersweet passage of time, or the idea of finding joy in chaos. When I wrote a personal essay about my grandmother, it wasn’t just a collection of anecdotes. The theme was resilience. Every story about her—whether it was making ends meet during tough times or finding joy in small victories—tied back to that idea. Readers weren’t just learning about her life; they were reflecting on their own strength. A great way to discover your theme is to ask yourself: What do I want my readers to take away from this? Is it a lesson? A feeling? A question?

The Spark: Emotions That Bring It to Life

If facts are the backbone and themes are the glue, emotions are the spark that lights up your story. People might remember the events you describe, but they’ll feel the emotions you share. When I wrote about losing a close friend, I didn’t just recount the day I got the call. I wrote about the lump in my throat, the eerie silence of the room, and the weight of words left unsaid. I didn’t shy away from my grief because I knew my readers would relate to that rawness. Emotion doesn’t have to mean sadness, though. Humor, wonder, anger, even nostalgia—all these feelings can make your writing unforgettable. The key is to be authentic. Readers can sense when you’re forcing an emotion, so write what you truly felt.

Putting It All Together: Facts, Themes, and Emotions in Action

One of my favorite examples of these elements working in harmony is Cheryl Strayed’s Wild. The facts: She hiked over 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail alone. The theme: Healing and self-discovery. The emotions: Grief, determination, fear, and triumph. Strayed doesn’t just tell us what happened; she immerses us in her journey. We feel the weight of her backpack, the blistering heat, and the sting of her memories. But we also feel her growth, her triumph over adversity. That’s the magic of creative nonfiction. When facts, themes, and emotions come together, they create a story that’s not just read but felt.

My Journey with Themes and Emotions

I once wrote about moving to a new city—a topic that could easily be mundane. But by focusing on the theme of finding belonging and diving deep into the emotions of loneliness, fear, and eventual excitement, it became a story that resonated. Readers told me they saw themselves in my struggles and triumphs. That’s when I realized the power of combining these elements. When you’re crafting creative nonfiction, don’t just ask, “What happened?” Ask, “Why does this matter?” and “How did it feel?” Facts ground your story, themes give it purpose, and emotions make it unforgettable. Every story you write is an opportunity to connect—to make someone laugh, cry, think, or simply feel less alone. That’s the heart of creative nonfiction, and that’s why I keep coming back to it. So, what’s your story, and how will you make it unforgettable?