The word 'creative' refers ...

The word 'creative' refers simply to the use of literary craft in presenting nonfiction—that is, factually accurate prose about real people and events—in a compelling, vivid manner. To put it another way, creative nonfiction writers do not make things up; they make ideas and information that already exist more interesting and, often, more accessible.
 Lee Gutkind

Quotes from the same author

Most writers want to share their essay or book much too quickly. Those who accept the pain of hard work and revising are those who get published.
 Lee Gutkind