How to Be Real When You’re Making Stuff Up?

Authenticity in Fiction

As a fiction writer and novelist, I spend an embarrassing amount of time contemplating the components of good writing. I’ve sat through countless writing workshops, classes, and seminars where the instructor tosses out some variation of the question: What is good writing? It’s a simple enough ask, but the answers are varied and often complicated, if people can come up with a response at all. I’ve watched writers pensively ponder, then stutter and stumble to answer, often still falling short. I, admittedly, have been one of those writers. How can we be good writers ourselves if we’re unable to articulate what defines good writing?

Most of us know good writing when we read it. So, why is it so hard to describe and verbalize what makes writing good? I used to think it was because the best writing had some intangible quality that was impossible to define. It was good simply because it was good. No description necessary.

Yet that wasn’t a good enough answer, just a lazy one. As I dug deeper—listened and read more on how others defined good writing—I realized that while the plethora of responses varied, at the core, most answers centered around one thing: authenticity. Now I had a new question to consider: In writing, what does it mean to be authentic, especially in fiction?

If you do an internet search on what it means to write authentic fiction, you’ll find pages upon pages of articles, essays and blog posts working hard to define authenticity and to teach you how to write with it. Here are a few of my favorites:

• “The idea of authenticity has to do with realness and truth; it’s about ‘telling it like it is’. An authentic story is a story that is told with integrity, it is intimate and personable, it feels like we are right there, a part of the story.” –Susan Rooney-Harding
• “Authenticity isn’t just something that you stumble upon, or know how to do automatically. It’s something that has to be developed inside of you… If you have ever been moved to tears by a beautiful dance, or felt the shivering awe of a symphony, then you’ve felt a truth that can’t be explained in words. And if you learn how to write authentic fiction, you too can move people to tears or laughter. You can leave the impression of your story buried in their psyche, to be revealed in dreams, because truth is one of the most powerful tools you have.” –Autumn Christian
• “Authenticity is, at its root, about honesty. It’s about truth. It’s about being true to who we really are, and what we believe. As writers, it’s about creating work which is true, honest, and real. Not work to impress or get readers, but work which is birthed deep in our hearts, which connects people to the truth of who we are.” –James Prescott

If you’re still scratching your head, thinking, “But I still don’t really get it or how to do it,” you’re not alone. While also not intangible, authenticity seems as challenging to define as good writing. That’s makes sense, doesn’t it? Because good writing is authentic writing.

As I tumbled down the research rabbit hole on authentic writing, the words “real” and “true” appeared most frequently. If you are a writer who wants to produce authentic fiction, my best advice to you is to read the authors who resonate with you and make you feel deep emotions, who take you out of your reading chair and place you firmly inside character and story. For me, those are writers like Megan Abbott, Rohinton Mistry, Joan Didion and Jen Beagin. All of these writers put themselves onto the page, even when they’re telling someone else’s story, even when they’re making sh*t up. And when you sit down to write, do that—leave yourself on the page as you bring your stories to life and your authenticity will shine through.

Book Recommendation: Beware the Woman, by Megan Abbott

When I think of authenticity in fiction, I immediately think of Megan Abbott. I have never been more intrigued, confused or enthralled by a writer. And I keep going back for more! I’ve read nearly everything she’s published. The only problem? There’s barely anything left for me to read, and as soon as I finish her latest novel, I find myself impatiently waiting for her next one to come out.

Little brings me more literary joy then when I’m scrolling the internet and see a post from Abbott about the release of her next book. Her most recent release, Beware the Woman, did not disappoint.

Abbott writes contemporary fiction that is hard to classify. Her writing style is quiet on the page, yet her words can scream inside of you. I’m often left wondering, what did I just read? She’s a magician of style. You think you’re reading one kind of novel, only to realize it’s something else entirely. Most of her novels are part thriller, mystery, full of feminist unrest with a sprinkling of horror and humor.

Beware the Woman tells the story of Jacy. A school teacher, recently married and newly pregnant, Jacy believes she’s finally found her happily ever after. She accompanies her husband, Jed, on a road trip to the upper peninsula of Michigan to visit her charming father-in-law, Dr. Ash, at his secluded vacation home, hidden deep in the forest. The idyllic family vacation starts off lovely enough with hikes through the woods, delicious meals, and lots of laughter. The only danger appears to be the mountain lion sightings surrounding the house. Dr. Ash assures Jacy they’re all safe. He has a gun to protect them if the big cat gets too close. Jacy relaxes and relishes in the delight of finally having a real family.

Days into the trip, Jacy suffers a health scare, but she quickly realizes losing her baby isn’t the only thing she has to fear. Dr. Ash’s charming façade falls away and is replaced by a troubled man who is controlling and quietly terrifying. His wife, Jed’s mother, died during childbirth, and Dr. Ash isn’t going to let that happen again—even if it means trapping his daughter-in-law inside the house. She’s worried her father-in-law may be hunting more than just a mountain lion. Jacy isn’t sure whom she can trust. She isn’t even sure she can trust her own mind, as her words and actions are twisted against her. Is she going crazy? Or is she only be made to feel that way? Is the real danger outside the house or in?

Beware the Woman is a slow burn thriller full of unreliable characters, who will enthrall you and leave you questioning the truth. Long after you read the last page, Abbott’s story will stick with you as you contemplate the personal and societal ramifications of losing one’s rights to make decisions about your own body.