Being True to the Story

The title says it all.  And it does seem like an easy thing to do, right?

Wrong.

I am not sure about other writers but I know that for me, this is not an easy task.  Oh sure, sometimes its easy when the story takes a light and airy direction, a direction that won't make people uncomfortable, that doesn't explore difficult themes or social norms.

But wait, that wouldn't be my brain, now would it?

This new project has certainly had its share of challenges:

A plot that doesn't come easily, leaving big gaps and questions.  Especially in terms of time passage.  Oh, but time passage is a pain to have come off smoothly.

A setting/world that incorporates fantasy and history.  This might seem easy and freeing on one hand, and its certainly spectacular when its well-done (think Mists of Avalon or The Chalice and the Blade), but it must be done right.

And lastly, difficult subject matter.

Difficult because there are some strong religious themes.  Difficult because there are some transgressive subjects in the book.

And difficult because most of all, trumping all of those things, is the internal editors screaming bloody murder into my face.

"You can't write that!"  OR

"You should never have put xyz in this book!"  OR

"Do you know how this will offend so-and-so?"

And if you can manage to ignore those voices, the subtler ones are almost worse!

"Is this marketable?"  OR

"Which kind of publishing house will take this?  Is it too _________ for _________?"

Which in turn brings out the instinct to edit.  To edit like your hand is on fire.  To curb your thoughts and words.  To fight the path and direction you feel the story should take in order to make it palatable.  But doing that is so wrong, on so many levels.  What we, as writers, should be asking is:

"Am I being authentic to the story?  Am I doing justice to the story, the issues, the characters?  Am I handling those issues that are considered sensitive with sensitivity?"

And yes, we must be mindful of our demographic.  Some subject matter is not suitable for teenagers or children.  But when writing a book for adults, in a story that is well-written, respectful and yet explores difficult subjects, should we not give ourselves the freedom to write the story as it is?  The hard truths, the painful lessons, the regret and remorse, all the dark, ugly aspects of life as it is?

Good fiction, even if its set in another world and based upon a series of concepts that are all untrue, is about mirroring something of the human condition, something that we can relate to, sympathize with, get stirred up about, disagree with... something that impacts us and makes us feel a certain way because it holds grains of truth.  It relates some aspect of our human experience.

And sometimes, the human experience is dark.  Ugly.  Filled with perpetrators and victims, leaders and followers, sinners and well-meaning fools.  But its that dichotomy of dark beside light that makes us human, and that ultimately makes God's power in our lives so necessary.

That is what I am up against today!  Even in having a fantastic writing day (7.5k words in one day!!), I am having to tell my internal editor to shut up, take a holiday, and let the story come out.  If it needs toning down, polishing up or glossing over, that can all be done by beta readers.

For now, I have to be true to the story.  And pray, pray, pray, that I can keep that authenticity when it comes time to drag out the red pen.