In a conversation with Walt Hunter, Atlantic editor Honor Jones reflects on her debut novel, Sleep, and discusses the distinctions between writing fiction and nonfiction. Jones emphasizes that, while both forms require attention to voice and structure, fiction provides a unique storytelling freedom that journalism does not. This creative latitude allows her to express deeper themes and emotions, shaping her narrative not merely around facts, but through the storyâs intrinsic demands. Her transition from journalist to novelist involved a careful balance of maintaining voice while shedding journalistic habits.
The difference between writing fiction and nonfiction lies in the purpose behind the writing; fiction allows for more narrative freedom, while nonfiction is bound by truth.
In fiction, the demands of the story dictate its structure and voice, enabling a more creative exploration of themes and emotions.
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