Fact or Fiction, You Ask?
If you've read, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, it's likely you'll recall Stephen King describing the sheer fright he endured when an obese babysitter would sit on his little, six-year-old face and fart loudly and noxiously.
Ever seen "Creepshow"?
I have no evidence to support a connection between little Stephen holding his breath until his fat babysitter's disgusting fart dissipated, and Becky, buried up to her neck, holding her breath until the water washing over her head receded. But I did wonder about it.
For any writer, people we've met, how we were raised, jobs, dreams, things we've eaten, or witnessed, movies, and countless other events inexplicably influence our storytelling one way or the other. These indelible moments are part of our psyche and we draw upon them when attempting to impart feelings and character nuances.
During the last legs of the publishing of Lying Down with Dogs, my wise and knowledgeable editor/publisher, Lindsay R.A. Dierking had an instinct. Because several anecdotes I share in the book are based on visceral experiences, as well as the inclusion of an actual letter written to me by my late, beloved godfather and a note from Billy Joel, she felt compelled to notate the cover, "Based on a True Story."
Notwithstanding, Lying Down with Dogs is categorized as fiction . . . because it is. I wove take-aways inspired by an amalgam of people, places and events into a tale enhanced by my imagination, and I crafted a timeline to tell it.
"Drawing from real experiences, even when creative liberties are taken in fictional writing, adds elements of authenticity making a story more believable and engaging for the reader," Dierking shared.
It's rewarding to hear emotional feedback from readers, and fascinating when that emotion was evoked by anecdotes crafted in my mind. At the same time, my awareness has been raised about how any likenesses to real events can mislead readers into believing it's all factual. Fictional.
There are so many intriguing elements like this in storytelling. If you're interested in the process, or you think you have a book in you, (or you want to experience scenes from local books acted out), stay connected for more information about Book'd.-- a live production featuring five Philadelphia authors, being co-produced by myself and my friend and gifted writer, Michael Caudo.
In the meantime, please keep your feedback coming. I am grateful for all of it.
Wishing all of you a peaceful holiday season and a New Year filled with promise.
Warm regards,
Natalie
