I have never lied. That’s a lie. I have never been afraid of anything. Another lie. You want to know the truth? They say truth can set you free. Maybe. What I’ve found though is that it’s also a painful bitch that can burn down the most fortified emotional walls you could possibly construct. The truth hurts, most of the time, in my opinion. Before we get to the truth, let me dwell on the lie. The lie comes in so many shades of gray that even Amazon couldn’t track the numbers.
I’m currently working on a story about the relationship between a father and son. The central theme deals with truth, and lies. I won’t get into the details, but I’ll tell you that the kid doesn’t always tell the truth.
It occurred to me last evening that people reading this story will probably assume that the relationship in the story is based upon the one I had with my father growing up. Not true. While there are a few elements of truth from my own personal life inside the story, 99.9% of it is fiction. I’ll explain it better in the back of the book, after the story, and I’ll even tell you what my inspiration was. The point I’m trying to make though is that I lie. That’s what a writer does. If the writer does it well, then you will take it as the gospel truth. That’s my single goal in writing this story. I want you to assume that 99.9% of everything you read is the truth. Even though I just told you it was a lie; or fiction if you want to use the softer version of the word.
On the way home from work today I was behind a boat. Technically there was a truck pulling it on a trailer, but I was following a boat nonetheless. I had to use my windshield wipers a few times because of the water draining from it. I couldn’t pass due to the traffic coming from the other direction, and the guy towing the boat wasn’t exactly Speedy Gonzales. I was stuck. Behind a boat. On a busy highway.
Can you picture it? Sure you can. I can too, even though I just made that up. Yes, the boat is fictional, I lied. Again, writers tend to do that a lot. We can’t help it. It’s our job.
And now, for the truth…
I hate telling people ‘No‘, but I’m starting to get better at it. Last month I turned down an interview and three guest blog offers. It’s not that I don’t want to do things like this, I do, but right now I just don’t have the time. I might be able to justify it if I were marketing a book, but I can’t afford to take away what little free time I do have from my unscheduled writing schedule. My last documentary update on this site was thirty-four days ago. The last video update was even longer than that. Quick tweets, short FB updates, and the occasional Keek are really all that I’ve had time for.
Every second that I’m not working on one of my stories is a second longer until they’re done. I know it’s the pressure of these hanging over my head that keeps me going. Even my normal sleep schedule has become disrupted. I still go to bed at the usual time, but I’m sleeping less. Now I’m awake for an hour or more with character dialog running through my head. It’s exhausting; it really is. If someone ever tells me that a writer has an easy job, I swear I’ll punch them in the face. And that my friends is the truth.
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To say nothing of the family and other responsibilities. Good post.
Ah yes, the family. Guilt follows me when I'm writing and they're still awake. I try not to seclude myself during the daylight hours, but sometimes it's not easy when you have an entire chapter ready to go rolling around in your head. Thanks for stopping by Yvonne!
KD, you are a do-er so I know it's difficult for you to say no – but I'm glad you are, my friend, because I'm really looking forward to reading that book you're writing. With all of your responsibilities, it's amazing that you have any writing time at all. You and Chris amaze the heck out of me. Really good pot sir!
lol – Thanks Jo. I appreciate that. Typo included!
KD, shut the (expletive deleted) up and write.
E.
Amen brother! Write on.
post, not pot…hahahaha, sorry about that …argh… what an awful typo, I'm sorry KD.
I could fix the typo, but I laughed so hard when I read it that I just don't have the heart to.
oh you! xo
I hear ya, my friend. Feelin' this post down in my bones. And that's the truth!!
Thanks for stopping by, and for leaving a comment Jo!
Smashing post, mate. Don't worry about the videos or any of that stuff: family and fiction, in that order
Exactly.
Still, if all goes according to plan, there should be a video posted on, or before, Sunday.
Great article! I remember one notable lie I told. My boss at the time was a really nosey bitty who made it her mission to dig into the lives of the people who worked for her – it wasn't that she cared as much as she made it a practice to use the information when it became convenient. She even told me one time what a thrill it was to manipulate people – honest, she really said that! Anyway, she pushed and proded me for my backstory until finally I made one up that I thought would suit her – she loved it (attempted to use it, but of course since it was a lie she never got to me) and it got her off my back. A couple of years after I'd moved on from that job I finally told a former co-worker over drinks one night, she laughed so hard she fell out of her chair
Ah, the endless entertainment value and drama of working with others.
I think that's a good reason to be a writer. Thanks for making me smile Marquita. 
I had never thought of writing as "telling lies" that, if told well enough, are believed. It gives me a whole new interesting perspective. I'm visiting from Jo-Anne's where you wrote that wonderful lie about Allen Ginsberg. Completely captivating. And now, I'd best be getting to a little lying of my own.
Jayne, thank you for stopping by, and for leaving a comment that made me smile. ^_^ I appreciate that!
And, happy leather anniversary to your blog!
I find being a writer quite easy. Now come punch me so I can buy you a soda.
Don't tempt me. You have no idea what I'm capable of when caffeine is at stake.
[...] the documentary post I made a couple of months ago (A Writers Truth), I mentioned that telling a good story requires the skill of an experienced liar. Well, I may not [...]