Truth in Memoir Post #5

Blog Post 5

                Truth is a very important thing when writing non-fiction, but many people disagree on how much needs to be true. Some may say that when author’s embellish non-fiction, that they are violating the author-reader contract. I think that the only thing an author owes to their readers is an interesting, well written story. It doesn't matter whether or not a minute detail is accurate, but the overall message or story is the truth. With genres like memoir and autobiography, a lot of the author’s experiences are let up for their interpretation. As readers, we have to know that any author will do a bit of embellishing, but to add to the richness or depth of their story. I also think that readers should appreciate that an author is willing to tell their personal story through a memoir and should trust anything they do change or add is for the reader’s enjoyment.

                I don’t think that there is a fine line between fiction and non-fiction. The line between them blurs when getting into genres such as memoir and historic drama. As long as the outcome or the lesson learned throughout the story stays true, then all of the details are arbitrary. When people sit down to read a memoir, it shouldn't matter whether or not the author stayed one night in prison or nine months. Readers should not be picking up memoirs to nit-pick every detail of someone’s life. They should read and learn from the author’s message being ultimately portrayed in the book.