I encourage people to write their own stories, because I worry that we will leave nothing for future generations if it all ends up in a digital dark hole. So, I am very interested in your explanation about auto-fiction, and how it is a powerful way for (especially creative) people to write in a different way. As you say, auto-fiction can be used to examine difficult areas of ones life in a more detached way. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment, Kate :) I think writing things down, whether for personal use only or for others, can be a good way to, as you say, examine difficult areas of our lives, as well as perhaps realise and celebrate the positive things. I know a lot of readers have found this topic interesting, so I may come back to it again in future considerations of the ways we read (and write). Thank you for reading :)
Cheer Kate. For each of the four posts so far, I've needed to check with real people, before including them in my episodes. I'm presently writing about the 1990s, will be more difficult and sensitive as we catch up with the present - as some of the themes and events are still playing out ...
Such a difficult balance, isn't it? No wonder some people write under pseudonyms. Even while changing a lot, I sometimes worry that the person who might be 20% of a character will recognize themselves and be negatively affected. It's so valuable to write about life's difficulties, but I guess we need to also think of the ones who will read it -- it may, in some cases, help them as well. Thanks for this reflection.
My Dogmeat Diaries blog is closely based on 30 years working in and on armed conflicts in Burma.
I'm trying to avoid 'adventures of white boy in the jungle', by emphasising my anti heroic personna (not difficult), and making it about the amazing people, animals and things I've met and seen (& eaten). The first for episodes feature various medical misadventures (malaria, busted shoulder etc).
I'm tweaking bits of the stories, and some episodes are half remembered, half embellished (aren't most memories?). Could be defined as "auto fiction".
After 5 non-fiction books and a novel, it's scary and exciting to put oneself out there!
Thanks Ashley, and wow! That sounds like an interesting project! It sounds very much like you are writing a form of auto fiction. I totally agree that putting yourself out there is a much scarier proposition than either non-fiction or novel writing, but I'm sure it will be rewarding to work on. Best of luck with it, and thanks for reading and commenting :)
I encourage people to write their own stories, because I worry that we will leave nothing for future generations if it all ends up in a digital dark hole. So, I am very interested in your explanation about auto-fiction, and how it is a powerful way for (especially creative) people to write in a different way. As you say, auto-fiction can be used to examine difficult areas of ones life in a more detached way. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment, Kate :) I think writing things down, whether for personal use only or for others, can be a good way to, as you say, examine difficult areas of our lives, as well as perhaps realise and celebrate the positive things. I know a lot of readers have found this topic interesting, so I may come back to it again in future considerations of the ways we read (and write). Thank you for reading :)
Cheer Kate. For each of the four posts so far, I've needed to check with real people, before including them in my episodes. I'm presently writing about the 1990s, will be more difficult and sensitive as we catch up with the present - as some of the themes and events are still playing out ...
Such a difficult balance, isn't it? No wonder some people write under pseudonyms. Even while changing a lot, I sometimes worry that the person who might be 20% of a character will recognize themselves and be negatively affected. It's so valuable to write about life's difficulties, but I guess we need to also think of the ones who will read it -- it may, in some cases, help them as well. Thanks for this reflection.
Thanks Kate, I agree, I think I would always worry with using this method that people would recognise themselves and be offended!
Many thanks Kate.
My Dogmeat Diaries blog is closely based on 30 years working in and on armed conflicts in Burma.
I'm trying to avoid 'adventures of white boy in the jungle', by emphasising my anti heroic personna (not difficult), and making it about the amazing people, animals and things I've met and seen (& eaten). The first for episodes feature various medical misadventures (malaria, busted shoulder etc).
I'm tweaking bits of the stories, and some episodes are half remembered, half embellished (aren't most memories?). Could be defined as "auto fiction".
After 5 non-fiction books and a novel, it's scary and exciting to put oneself out there!
Thanks Ashley, and wow! That sounds like an interesting project! It sounds very much like you are writing a form of auto fiction. I totally agree that putting yourself out there is a much scarier proposition than either non-fiction or novel writing, but I'm sure it will be rewarding to work on. Best of luck with it, and thanks for reading and commenting :)