As a writer, I’m concerned with truth. What is truth? Who decides what truth is? Is there an absolute truth? Does my truth and your truth differ?
First, truth is what can be proven either right or wrong. Second, truth is in the mind of each individual. I decide what is true for me. You decide what is true for you. Does that make either of us absolutely right? Not necessarily. So then, we’re wrong? Not exactly.
What about the absolute? Day and night exist. Rain falls. We all live on a planet we call Earth. Absolutes? Maybe. But when you bring religion or God into the equation, no one really has a grip on absolute truth. I don’t care who you are or what arguments or references you use. From a purely logical perspective they will fall short.
As a writer, how do I deal with truth? It’s simple. I attempt to be as honest as I can. Keep in mind, however, that my idea of truth can change, as can yours. But to express through the written word how I’m feeling in the moment, that’s my truth, and to me that’s what really matters. That makes for honest writing.
This might sound strange, but even fiction is truth. Great writers can make up stories, elaborate, embellish, exaggerate, even outright lie, and still be telling the truth. Universal truth.
Of course, that’s just my take on it all. I might be full of it. – dse
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