I claim to read all types of books but the truth is, book for book, I don’t read a lot of non-fiction. I’ve never really thought about why that is, but if I had to guess, I’d say it’s because most people’s real life stories aren’t that interesting to me. There are exceptions of course. Off the top of my head, I loved The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, Tuesday’s with Morrie by Mitch Albom and Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt. I admire these authors for putting it all out there. I couldn’t do it. It’s too real.
I prefer fiction, both reading and writing. Maybe because it takes me somewhere that’s not real. I mean, who doesn’t like or need an escape every now and then.
Inspiration
I have been asked what inspires me as a writer many times now. My answer: everything. That’s where the blurred lines come in. By blurred lines I mean the distinction between what is real and what is make-believe. Have you ever read a fiction book and thought, where in the world did the author come up with a story or character like that? I have my suspicions they’ve written about someone they know (maybe even themselves), something they have personally experienced or something they want to experience. They call it fiction. And yes, I’m guilty of this too. The lines can easily become blurred.
Of course my theory really only applies to certain genres. I’m all about a good vampire story and tales of dystopian societies, but would be seriously concerned if any of that stuff really existed outside of an author’s imagination. With that said, I’m sure “Twilight’s” Bella (pre-change) is a relatable character to many and who doesn’t know of a real life love triangle like the one between Edward and Jacob. If you take out the whole vampire/werewolf thing, it’s pretty real.
My reality
And speaking of real, what is more real than a good love story? I chose to write a romance novel as my first book. I wrote it in first person. But it’s not about me nor is it my story. However, my close friends who have read it say they “hear” me in the book. My husband says he sees my inspirations clearly. I know some readers will see themselves in my characters. That’s where the lines get blurred. I think we are inspired by what we know or what we want to know. How we live or how we want to live. I know I am.
So as far as what is fact and what is make-believe in the fiction genre, I say who cares… I think the reader should just let the lines be blurred. It makes the journey so much more interesting. And in the end, aren’t we all just interested in a great story?
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