When Reality Reads Like a Novel: The Power of Storytelling in Nonfiction

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, by Sarah Wynn-Williams, showcases the power of storytelling in nonfiction narratives.

Media from Wix

Storytelling is something many instinctively associate with fiction—novels, short stories, screenplays, etc. But some of the most powerful narratives are found in real life, so it only makes sense that storytelling has its place in nonfiction as well.

Last week I admitted that I tend to read more fiction than nonfiction. Not soon after, I found myself breaking that trend and diving into a nonfiction read that captivated me just as much as any novel ever has: Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, by Sarah Wynn-Williams, the former director of global public policy at Meta.

In her memoir, Wynn-Williams talks about her time as an executive at Meta—and the less-than-favorable account has caused quite a stir. It's easy to understand why Meta didn't want this book published. While the company couldn't stop the memoir's publication, it did manage to temporarily pause promotion of the book, following an emergency arbitration ruling in March 2025.

To me, what makes this book really stand out aren't the salacious details (are we really that surprised?) but the storytelling. Admittedly, Wynn-Williams has some compelling stories to tell—like the time she was attacked by a shark as a teenager in her native New Zealand. This anecdote and others are rich with personal, visceral details that make the story sing.

The book is a testament to the fact that storytelling isn't a luxury in nonfiction—it's essential. When Wynn-Williams weaves her shark attack into the larger narrative about corporate culture, she's not simply name-dropping a dramatic life event; she's creating context and emotional resonance. This is precisely why the most memorable business books, scientific articles, and historical accounts all embrace narrative techniques. Because humans don't connect with data; they connect with stories.

As for myself, I admit this read was a wakeup call: Maybe there should be more nonfiction on my to-be-read list. I'd welcome any recommendations!

Thank you for reading my blog! This is a space where I share personal thoughts — an opportunity for self-expression that has nothing to do with my professional writing. None of the thoughts or opinions expressed in this blog should be construed as anything but my own, nor should they be affiliated with any company or person I contract with or write for as a ghostwriter.

NOW that that's done... I'd love to hear from you about this blog post in the comments!