Comments on: The Truth in Fiction

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 11:24:27 +0000

I tend to read and write non-fiction. It is what gives me a sense of connection and the courage to do what I see others doing. When my soul speaks the truth is raw and real, and making up a story about it would take away from its power to resonate with others. Thanks for letting me think about why non-fiction has been my go-to!

By: Amy Mackin

Amy Mackin — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 01:24:14 +0000

In reply to Jo Carroll. Totally agree. Being honest with ourselves is most important (and often most often difficult) part.

By: Jo Carroll

Jo Carroll — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 17:10:08 +0000

An interesting piece. I think ‘truth’ is a subjective construct – so your truth may not be the same as mine, but both are equally valid. What is important, I think (I travel write, so reflect on personal experience) is to be honest about ourselves and our experiences – congratulations on the courage you have found to write yours.

By: Amy Mackin

Amy Mackin — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 17:38:16 +0000

In reply to Anjali. Exactly. A different mouthpiece that I, personally, find more freedom in using. It allows me more objectivity when looking at myself and others. I find I'm willing to let a character make mistakes, show her flaws, and behave badly, even if I'm not yet able to admit to those same sins myself.

By: Amy Mackin

Amy Mackin — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 17:28:56 +0000

In reply to Heidi Siefkas. I agree wholeheartedly. I have an easier time exploring more painful life experiences through fiction, especially if I've had time to look back and conclude that I should have handled certain situations differently. I love using fiction to both explore those mistakes and create characters that can right them. Congrats on writing your memoir. A courageous achievement, indeed.

By: Anjali

Anjali — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 17:08:08 +0000

Hello Amy,
I think you’ve said something I really connect with. I’ve been a teacher and lecturer and am very interested in philosphical writing and people have told me that I’m very good at explaining conceptual stuff BUT like you my passion is writing. Beautiful, literary, evocative language and the ability to use them to say or depict things that you wouldn’t normally say through fiction is very liberating and satisfying to my mind! So you’ve made a very good point there. I think ALL fiction is essentially the telling of the truth – maybe just using a different mouth piece. 🙂

By: Heidi Siefkas

Heidi Siefkas — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:12:07 +0000

Yes, there is truth in fiction. I feel that many of the stories in fiction are really non-fiction stories and characters that somehow through the author’s creativity have collided together all at the same time on the page.

I haven’t written fiction. All of my writing to date has been non-fiction, whether my travel blog and featured stories about Cuba, Kauai, Peru, and more or my up and coming memoir, which is a true story of a survivor, me. It is called When All Balls Drop: The Upside of Losing Everything. Through it, I share my painful story of a traumatic accident, betrayal, and loss of career. It was intensely painful to write as I relived everything again.