V – Veracity – My thoughts

V – Veracity – My thoughts

I’m a storyteller and a writer. I know that I should be truthful in all my sharings regarding details of events in my life and “non-fiction” stories that I create. The word ‘create’ means bring into existence. And if you are bringing something into existence, that implies that it didn’t exist in the first place. Therefore, the veracity of what you share is questionable. 

Does that mean that when I write and share nonfiction, I shouldn’t refer to it as something I’ve created? What other word should I use—produced, penned, recounted, remembered, authored, or simply something I wrote?

The fact is that I do “create” all of the stories and writings I share. Fictional pieces are made up, though nothing stops them from having some truth in the text. It certainly can make what I share more believable. Non-fictional pieces require me to research or use my memory as a source of information. If you know anything about me, my memory of instances in my life can significantly differ from those of people who were with me at the same experience. So, are they true? If they are not, but I think they are, am I creating something?

Even if the facts are correct, I must find a way to present that information in my voice. To do that, I must ‘create’ my storytelling or writing to fit who I am. Veracity need not be questioned. 

But let’s face it, I’ll always be a storyteller; as for writing, that’s just a vehicle in which I share some of my stories. 

As far as I’m concerned, the reader/listener is responsible for discovering the veracity of anything I share. When in doubt, look it up. 

You could ask me, as children and adults often do, “Is that true?” But be cautioned.  I won’t deny anything when directly asked. However, listen carefully to how I answer your question. It usually sounds like, “Well, if it isn’t, it should be.”