Yesterday, during an email interview I happened up on an old writerly question I'd almost forgotten: How do you get to the truth in fiction? I've now been writing for almost three decades and I still don't know what "truth in fiction" means. I have a sense of what it means, in that when my false alarm goes off while writing, or editing, I realize my grade B soul has just reared its head. Usually, its something cute or precious or syrupy sentimental that triggers that alarm and I never quite get rid of commiting the same sins over and again. I've written before about humor and irony as antidotes for the poison of sentimental writing, so no problem there. But will somebody give me a lay-writer's definition of truth in fiction? Is it like having your picture taken and you know your smile is false but you're not quite sure how to fix it? Thanks. Janice Daugharty
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"Janice Daugharty has what every writer wants...Critical success and broad appeal." Hartford Advocate