Writing The Truth
What Does It Mean To Write Truthfully?
Yet truth and any creative non-fiction writing, such as a memoir or autobiography, is a complex discussion. There is a variety of media available to readers that are based on truth, but how truthful are they really? Stories can often be manipulated to emphasis a point (take for example tabloid press). Consider also television documentaries which are clearly manipulated to heighten the entertainment factor. Both of these examples are true stories yet have been manipulated. How far can a story be manipulated before it is no longer truthful? This is something only the author can answer.
Who’s Perspective?
Consider for a moment something that you can recall from memory:
If it is some time ago it’s likely that you have forgotten aspects and details, it’s possible that your memory has altered history, and then of course it is from your perspective only. Let’s take someone’s memoir from being a soldier during a war. His version of the story will be influenced by the side he fought for, his own personal experiences and his background. Someone else, who fought in the same war, may have very different memories of the same story.
Enhancing Your Memory
So, how much scope does a memoir writer have to enhance his or her memory? If you want to describe perhaps a house from your childhood and you can remember that the front yard was often scattered with various items, but you can’t remember exactly what – what can you do?
First of all you need to decide how important that aspect is. It may enhance your story to provide some details in which case there are a few options. You can talk to family and friends who may have some recollections; you might be able to do some research (photographs, stories) and discover that perhaps your father collected parts from old cars.
You may also conclude that saying the lawn was scattered with bicycles (you always had a bike that you left lying around!), old parts and odd bits and pieces, is sufficient to create the right atmosphere.
What’s important is that the atmosphere is truthful. It’s for the writer to decide the line where added detail corrupts the truth.
See also Reseach Tips for Memoirs
What About The Details?
Details such as what characters wear can also be difficult to recall. Again, this is something that you can research through your own personal history as well as the history of the period. What’s important is that the character dresses to reflect their personality – for example, if your mother was a busy stay-at-home mum, having her wearing high heels and business suits gives the reader a very different image.
What About Facts?
Always check your facts. Incorrect dates and places can annoy the reader and plants seeds of mistrust. Historical facts can also enhance your story and provide the reader with details they were not aware of. It’s good practice to have various sources of research so that you can clarify important details.
What If Someone Disagrees?
It’s very likely that someone will read your first draft and disagree with aspects. They may be from your family and lived through the same experience. But they will, of course, be influenced by their own individual experience and have very different memories.
Ultimately your memoir is your story and your recollection of events. Memoirs are not historical factual documents, but a personal story from memory. It’s ok for someone to disagree. If you believe it is the truth, and it is a true recollection for you of events, then it can rightfully be called your memoir.
See also Making Your Memoir Real
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