Dialogue Publishing Blog 
Why Consider Turning Fact into Fiction? -- posted by Susan Lutz Hamilton
Mar 22, 2006 • 2:59 pm (EST)
Often new writers are told to write what they know. That?s good advice to draw on especially for background for a story and really applies to setting. It is much easier to place a story in a
setting you know well. Writing about what you know will lend authenticity to the work.
But writing what you know often hampers new writers when they become mentally bound to relate the truth as they have observed it.
-The facts can constrain your writing ? ?I can?t write that because it really didn?t happen that way. It isn?t the truth.?
-The truth can be melodramatic when written on paper because we want to milk the story for all it?s worth
-As you develop characters it?s hard to see people close to us as they really are and at times we hesitate to assign motivation to people we know. As humans our tendency is to give others the benefit of the doubt. If you?re telling the story in first person it?s even harder to see yourself as others see you. This creates a tendency to develop caricatures rather than characters and can lead to stereotyping.
-Conflict can seem forced. Don?t we all know people who will create drama merely for drama?s sake or out of boredom?
-We remember the events, but lose the imagery and detail over time that make the story vivid
-Stories don?t have a resolution, they just end. Real life doesn?t give us the opportunity to tie up loose ends very often. How many fights just end because one of the players is tired of fighting?
-Ethical considerations ? Is it right to tell someone else?s story? What part of family life should remain private?
Check back in a few days for ideas on how to turn fact into fiction!
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Jan 11, 2006 - On the Road in 2006
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Jan 9, 2006 - Olympics book coming soon
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Mar 3, 2006 - What is a writing prompt?
Mar 13, 2006 - Sue & Madge on Podcast of The Writing Show
Mar 22, 2006 - Why Consider Turning Fact into Fiction?
Mar 30, 2006 - How to turn fact into fiction
Apr 5, 2006 - New writing book to check out
May 3, 2006 - "The Man with No Skin" Named IPPY Award Semi-finalist
May 10, 2006 - The Man with No Skin Named IPPY Award Finalist
May 22, 2006 - New creative writing workshop session begins soon
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Nov 16, 2007 - New Fiction Chapbook
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