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#126; fact or fiction?
A question for the writers out there — how much fact do you include in your fiction?
It’s one thing to change the names and dates to protect the innocent, but… I’m writing a piece right now that I truly love. It’s prose that moves fluidly into poetry, language that is really getting at what I’m trying to say, but I don’t know that I should be writing it at all.
Living in and writing about Washington, D.C., my stories have always had some large element of truth about them. My favorite places have been included down to the smallest details, characters have been framed upon people I’ve known in the city I love. Most writers write from what they know, anyway.
But this new piece seems different. The personal nature of the language, I think, is what’s doing it. The description of scenes I’ve lived through, thoughts I’ve actually had. If it weren’t for the fact that I simply love how the piece is coming, I wouldn’t bother at all, I’d just abandon it.
So, what would you do?
Here I am, my first night of vacation, Myrtle Beach at my feet for the next week (or two, we’ve yet to decide regarding exactly how much relaxation I need). D.C. is 400+ miles away, my scattered goals are feeling even further, and tomorrow I start the job hunt. I am certainly sighing my way through Limbo these days.
Go for it. Writing is about letting people in your head; what better way than to directly share what’s in your head?
Many writers draw directly from experience.
Let it out on the page and enjoy the experience. It sounds like you’re writing more for yourself than an audience right now, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Later, after you’ve had some time away from it, look back at what you wrote and you’ll be able to gauge better whether it’s fit for a wider audience or whether you want to adjust it to be more or less fictional.
Let it all out. Writing is an amazing form of therapy. Whether or not you publish later, you don’t have to decide that now. You also don’t have to decide about names/places/etc now. Just write what comes, GO WITH IT. You are an AMAZING writer and this is exactly what you need. Listen to your inner muse and worry about the names/dates/places/protecting the innocent later. Right now, this piece is for YOU and no one else. That’s the best thing about writing… you get to decide who you share it with. It’s YOURS.
If you decide to share it, btw, you know I’ll be the first to line up and read it.
SO MUCH LOVE.
Thanks, RC! I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to get back to you before the move; it’s been insane! I’m excited to be writing again, though!
Dave K: “Enjoy the experience” – you know? It’s been so long since I sat down and enjoyed writing, that I think I’d forgotten that party
Many thanks!
Sara: It’s been so long since I’ve written anything at all, and I’ve been using karaoke as my therapy (lol), that I’d forgotten this. Thanks, hon!
As an ex poet and short story writer (yes, I dabbled in a little bit of both “in my youth”), I’d have to agree with everybody here. Write away, share as you wish, and enjoy writing! I do sometimes miss sitting at the computer or notebook and writin’ up some fiction (never did the whole non-fiction thing) and poetry. But of course, as you know, music pretty much took over my life starting at the age of 15 so didn’t have time to keep it up.
Enjoy your vacation and write write write!!!
- Alex
No problem.
Good luck down South. The weather’ll get better in October.
And, as I tell my girls when I drop them off at school, be good and be happy.
Or better, be joyful.