The Truth Inside Your Story

by Nancy Sackheim

The truth inside your story isn’t what actually happens. It’s what readers learn about themselves, others, the world (universal truths), when emotionally engaging with the plot, characters, and dialogue in a world that only exists on paper.

“Fiction is a lie, and good fiction is the truth inside the lie.” Stephen King in On Writing

“I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion.” Tennessee Williams in The Glass Menagerie

Truths can be simple and straightforward:

Aesop’s Fables “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” — No one believes a liar, even when he tells the truth.

Or truths can be much more complicated, embodying both personal and universal truths:

Sophie’s Choice by William Styron — Some choices (even when forced) are impossible to reconcile; evil perpetrated against one group affects all humanity; the meaning (or meaninglessness) of religious faith in those who carry out atrocities; guilt is not always resolved; redemption is not a given.

Every story holds one or more truths. Experienced writers create an engaging reading experience to express a particular truth they want to share. Inexperienced writers may find their readers gleaning truths that were not intended.

In honor of National Poetry Month, a favorite poem from my favorite poet. “The lehk l’kha imperative” from Steven H. Biondolillo’s book, Macaroni and Cheese Manifesto.

Photograph by Markus Winkler on Unsplash