How did creative nonfiction continue ideas associated with New Journalism in the 1990s?

In the early 1990s, the spirit of the 1960s and 1970s New Journalism movement was reincarnated through the genre of creative nonfiction. This evolution continued the New Journalism tradition by encouraging writers and editors to experiment with forms, styles, and practices that sought to be simultaneously creative, personal, and true.1

Creative nonfiction maintained the movement's core ideas by:

• Institutionalizing Training: The genre gained significant momentum through the efforts of author and editor Lee Gutkind, who helped establish one of the first U.S. degree programs in creative nonfiction, founded the journal Creative Nonfiction, and organized annual writing workshops.1
• Expanding Educational Reach: By the 1990s, renowned training institutions and universities—including Harvard, the University of Missouri, and Boston University—held workshops and conferences dedicated to the benefits of narrative storytelling, further embedding these techniques into professional practice.2
• Refining Narrative Techniques: Writers continued to draw inspiration from New Journalists by employing literary elements—such as vivid scenes, strong plotlines, and personal voices—to provide a nuanced, interpretive perspective that transcends the limitations of conventional, deadline-driven reporting.132

Through these efforts, the movement ensured that the interpretive and aesthetic goals of New Journalism remained a vibrant part of contemporary nonfiction writing.14