Truth
noun,
1. the true or actual state of a matter.
2. conformity with fact or reality; verity: the truth of a statement.
3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths.
4. the state or character of being true.
5. actuality or actual existence.
For some time I have been thinking a lot about truth and what it is and how it plays in my life.
My first question for you is this– I am pretty sure about my truths. But so are many of my friends. And their truths are not what mine are. Is one of us wrong?
We each have our own truths. The things we hold most dear. What keeps ups going. The line we’ve drawn in the sand for ourselves.
Sometimes we don’t cross our own line, but others do–right into that territory we hold sacred.
This has happened to me and my girls recently. And for the last year we’ve been fighting a battle that, at times, has felt too hard.
Thank goodness for my relationship with God, my girls, and my friends.
But are the people opposing me and my girls–are they wrong?
I think so. I really think so.
Do they believe their truths are right. (Or do they think I’m an injured quail and so they will attack to try and get as much as they can.)
Sometimes we cross our own lines.
Here’s another question for you–Is it okay to turn your back on your own truths? Will you be a better person for it? Will you grow? What do you think?
As writers we have truths, too. Our own personal truth–whatever that is–and the truths that our characters own.
The issues we deal with.
The stories we choose to tell.
What we do with our lives as writers.
The issues we deal with.
The stories we choose to tell.
What we do with our lives as writers.
All of that plays into who we are–what is most true about ourselves.
Once I spoke to Matt Kirby (http://matthewjkirby.com) about his books. I asked him was writing only about publishing or was it about the craft of writing. While this isn’t exactly his quote, Matt said something like, “I’d rather not publish than publish something that is poor or badly written.”
I think our novels can exemplify our truths. We can show those truths well or badly. I don’t know the number of books I’ve read where a teen character is suddenly spouting her political views and bashing anyone that doesn’t feel the same way. Yup! I know that author’s beliefs. And she just sacrificed the story for that rant.
So, what are your truths?
Throwing Up Words 
I’ve been thinking about this a lot too. I think there is no such thing as truth. I think we want there to be truth, but like you said, everyone’s perception is different and skewed according to their life experiences. I read a non-fiction book called ZEITOUN, it’s about the aftermath of Katrina and I really enjoyed it and the man it was written about. And I BELIEVED it wholeheartedly and took it as truth. And then I googled the guy and it turns out, he’s not the guy the author portrayed him to be. I mean, the author didn’t exactly lie…but he didn’t tell the whole truth either. And that got me wondering, what is the truth? And while my conclusion was that maybe there is no such thing as truth….as humans, we CRAVE it.
Hmm. I didn’t really answer your question did I?
Very interesting.
They always talk about Truth with a capital T and truth with a lower case t. There are supposedly eternal truths that never change. And then there are personal truths. It’s all murky but I think something we should all think about . . . especially as writers.
I agree.
Whew! Stepping up the prayers. I’m sorry, so sorry. If I can help in any way let me know.
Thank you!
I’ve been reading memoirs lately. I find them interesting because they are telling a true story–but as most of the authors point out, it is true according to what the author remembers. Some years ago, my sister and I were discussing an event that happened when we were young. We both had very clear memories of that day, but we discovered that we didn’t remember things the same way. We both thought we were right and the other had forgotten– though neither of us knows for sure.
As for eternal truths? Eventually we’ll know one way or the other.
That is the beauty of the memoir, yes?
yes
Carol, I have been going through the exact same thing! You wrote, how I’ve been feeling.
Truth is tricky! But I really don’t like how I’ve been feeling lately!! Hope it gets better for you and your girls soon. Sending you my love.