Truth in Fiction 

Whenever I read the words, Based on a True Story or Ripped from the Headlines on the cover of a fiction book, my mind immediately starts trying to connect the dots. What’s real? Have I heard about the events the author is writing about? Is the True Story or the Headline an account of something about the author’s life or is it an event that the author was simply captivated with enough to write about? And if I had heard of the subject or event being written about, did the author do all the research necessary for me to not be judgmental as I read the story within the pages?

Whew! Seems like a lot going through my head before I even read the first word. But if you’re anything like me, you eat these kind of books up. Even though the author has made it clear that the book is a work of fiction that was based on a true story or event, I can’t help but be fascinated by the ‘this really happened’ element of the story.

But what about other fiction? I believe that there is truth hidden between the pages of every fiction book. A good story is produced by the blood, sweat, and tears of an author who slaved away for hours hunched over their computer, making stuff up. However, as that creative soul is at full throttle, typing furiously with calloused, numb hands, the story flowing from those fingertips has been influenced by everything the writer has ever seen or done in their life, and every person they’ve ever known or observed—whether they realize it or not. I know this to be true when I write. I craft my stories using bits and pieces of places I’ve lived, cities and towns I’ve visited, and mannerisms and attitudes of people I’ve known or observed over my lifetime. I may not even notice it when I’m deep into the storyline, but I sure see it when I’m going through the editing process. Sometimes it’s even on purpose. When I need something added to a character in the story that I just can’t get right, I may go out to a restaurant, walk through a park, go to a mall—anywhere I will be able to see people in action, just so I can spark inside my head what I need to bring that character to life in a way that is eluding me. I have even heard of some writers who will visit chat rooms and forums, and introduce controversial subjects, or take the opposite platform in a discussion, just to see the reactions brought forth by the people participating in the forum conversations. I can bet that in some form, those real reactions and bits of conversation have made their way into those author’s fiction books. One of the best compliments I received lately was from someone who told me that they loved the characters in my books. She said that they felt like real people, that she could actually see these conversations and interactions taking place. That, to me, is truth in fiction. The dialog may be made up, the situations may be pushing beyond reality, but the little nuances and mannerisms that make up the characters are based on real live people… even in those books about witches and vampires, there is an element of truth in personality to the characters that most likely came from bits and pieces of real people in those author’s lives.

So the next time you are reading a fictional book by one of your favorite authors, remember that no matter how mild or wild the story may be, there is probably a little bit of a Based on a True Story element weaved within those pages simply because the writer is a living, breathing, person, making up stories that are influenced, even if subconsciously, by their life experiences.

** The above is simply my opinion and is based on no facts whatsoever… you could even say it’s a work of fiction :)

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