The Impact of Truth on Story

Random thoughts on a Monday, or Two Examples of How Writing Truth Can Sometimes Prove More Challenging Than Fiction:

1) I’m working on an essay about bullying for a YA anthology. Maybe some of you are, as well? Even if my work isn’t selected for inclusion in the publication, it’s a dark story I kept secret for a very long time–one that makes me feel lighter for its retelling.

When I read the first segment of my story to a friend, she said “Wow,” which made me exceedingly glad. Who among us doesn’t want to tug on our readers’ emotional cord? Assuming you’re going about it honestly, that is. But when she asked, quite innocently, “Did that really happen,” well. My heart plummeted. In truth, I felt anguished by that question. At least initially. I realize that some situations are too horrible to even imagine, and to even contemplate the fact that some human beings are capable of such cruelty…well, it’s almost incomprehensible, isn’t it? And yet, there is a dark underbelly to human nature — ours and others’ — and powerful stories often reside in the intersection of those shadows.

2) I’ve uncovered another situation in which truth is stranger (and arguably less believable) than fiction. Turns out, the scandal I mentioned in this post received national attention at the time of its initial unfolding. This is important for at least two reasons: 1) I’ve got documentation that the rumors were true; and 2) I need to dig through the legal archives, to follow that part of my family story to its ultimate conclusion. Or beginning, depending on how you look at things.

So…I’m fueling my roadster for a trip to El Lay this week. And I’m girding my loins, because no matter how gratifying it is to solve these Nancy Drew mysteries, there’s usually an element of sadness and surprise. Also, I’m not one who likes to dwell in shadows, and yet here I am, delving into darkness once again. I’m not afraid, mind you, as I know the Light is with and within me, guiding me forward and protecting me always. Still, if it’s not to much to ask, I’d appreciate your keeping me in your thoughts.

P.S. Imagine that one of your main characters is named Eva, and that her preacher-husband calls her Eve. Now place her — and the beginnings of their relationship — in a city of refuge called Eden City. Do you suppose some editors might suggest you scale back the irony, so as to make the story more believable? It’s certainly possible. And yet…it’s the truth. Yet another reason I’m taking such care in documenting every possible element of my memoir.

  1. I think you’re the perfect author to write something on bullying. Another author suggested I write something to based on my own hellish eighth grade experience of being bullied. I still to this day refuse to have anything to do with the eighth grade. That’s how tramatic it was.

  3. Truth

    People don’t understand the concept anymore. We can now turn people into blue, winged creatures, airbrush twenty pounds off a model, and make middle school children fly on brooms – and it looks real. We can get celebrities to embrace authors who write heart wrenching memoirs which turn out to be complete fabrications. We can have elected officials lie and lie and lie and we’ll still believe them. We can fight wars for the good and right and find out we died for someone’s bank account.

    So when you write your truth, as soaring and plummeting and rich and raw and heartbreaking and hopeful as it will be, be prepared that not everyone is going to accept it for what it is. The only thing you can do, my friend, is write it for whom the truth needs to be told: you.

    Emjae

    inknbeans.com

  4. Definitely keeping you in my thoughts! I honor your journey and that you’re willing to pursue and persist in the face of sadness and surprise. Understanding where we came from and the impact the past had on our lives, even when we didn’t realize there was an impact, can explain so very much. Good wishes, my friend.

    • “…even when we didn’t realize there was an impact…”

      So very true, and so well said.

      The shadows fall, and we don’t always know their place of origin. I’m trying my best to locate them, and I appreciate your good wishes as I attempt to do just that. xo

  5. Wow. I missed that other post about the scandal. Good sleuthing, Nancy! And good luck in your next roadster adventure.

    Your friend, like many of us, has probably led a sheltered life where such things just didn’t happen. I can understand her wanting to disbelieve the “dark underbelly to human nature.” It’s a defense mechanism. My husband went through something in his childhood that most people don’t want to believe, so he rarely tells them.

    So when these horrible things do happen, it’s especially important for people like you, with your memoir, to shed light on the darkness and reveal the truth.

    “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (I’m no good at quoting from the Bible; I just remembered this from one of the Anne of Green Gables books. Maybe Anne of the Island?)

    • Ooh, follow that trail, Melodye! I did the same thing with my own family rumors and found out that my Aunt was right on my Mexican roots. The family had ‘covered’ this up. Grad classes helped me understand the ‘why’ behind this but still it was only through my own sleuthing I found the ‘truth’. Now of course my mother says she always knew this. Yeah, right.

      • Good on you, Kim, for doing the hard work! I’ll bet that gave you a real sense of accomplishment. And also? Freedom.

        It’s interesting (not the most apt word) to see who’s known — and perhaps hidden — the truth from view. Equally so, I’m always curious about those for whom the truth doesn’t matter. At least by outward appearances.

        • Exactly! I found my grandfather’s side of the family hid the truth by even ‘changing’ my great grandmother’s name from Acuna to Aceite thinking that would make her less Mexican. They even said she was adopted. That side would be very angry if I pressed them for more. Though the help of a grad professor and a Hispanic genealogy leader, we were able to find the truth.

          I’ll be curious to see what you find on your own journey. Why something was hidden from you too. Maybe it was too painful at the time? Or the person or persons think that it’ll go away by itself. Do share what you find!

    • Thanks Barb! This was a huge–nay, enormous — find, and I appreciate your good thoughts as I dig deeper.

      I love that Bible verse, by the way. It’s the truest of the truths I know, and as such, it’s my guiding light. Thanks for the reminder.

      (Hugs)) for your husband’s hurts. I know his pain, and I believe him.

  7. Truth is definitely stranger than fiction–improbable, awful, and also wonderful things happen, things no one would believe if they weren’t true (and sometimes no one believes even when they *are* true).
    Good luck–travel safely. I’ll keep you in my thoughts.

    • Thanks, Robin! I was thinking about your buying school supplies for the new school year, and it got me to thinking that I should do a creative journal about this when I return. Art is such a healer.

  10. Now partner, you just might be in the need of a horse or two in case you get side tracked where that roadster can’t go. I have a couple of nice gentle horses ready and waiting for that call. Now I’m not one to worry because as Bubba always says” Truth will always come out the winner.” Now go on that journey down the path and search for the truth cause I’m waiting to lay my eyes on the story when you get it down in writing. got those good thought going your way as you journey down this road.

    • Keep those horses closeby. I’ll send up smoke signals, should I require roadside assistance. 🙂

      Bubba is such a wise and kindhearted man. I’m grateful for his, er your friendship.

  11. Keeping you in my thoughts, Melodye. With honor and respect to you, for making the journey, for standing as witness, and for documenting every step of the way.

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