In one week in March of this year, two much-lauded memoirs – one of a Holocaust survivor and the other about a girl gangbanger - were exposed to be fakes. Talking about it with a friend, I remarked that my first novel probably had more fact in it than the purported memoirs. But as I said it, I knew I was putting my work on a slippery slope.
My first novel, Aftermath of Dreaming, sprang from a long-term relationship I had with Warren Beatty. I visited a lot of book clubs with that novel, in person here in New York, and over the phone with groups in LA and across the country. One thing I found interesting was that all the LA book clubs knew exactly whom the Andrew Madden character was based on, while not all the other groups did, though I wondered if that was more a result of the amount of time since Warren's last film than my portrait of him. But finally, the characters in that novel are characters – it isn't a memoir, just as my new book, The Safety of Secrets, isn't a memoir either.
I write about the worlds that I know, and I write stories that would keep me up at night if I didn't write them. Besides the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and long-held secrets between best friends that my new novel explores, The Safety of Secrets is set in Hollywood amid semi-struggling and not-at-all struggling actors – a world I had put in many years to in LA.
I wrote this novel at my home in New York, starting it not long after I left LA. I loved being able to take an instantaneous trip back to the West Coast every day while my young son was still in the next room. I wasn't ready to leave LA yet when I started writing The Safety of Secrets, and I was grateful that the acting world served not only my main characters Fiona and Patricia's journey, but my homesickness as well. And it was cathartic and illuminating to be able to look at the insane Nirvana that that is business from the cocoon of my writer's chair.
I have always been more interested in emotional truths than "literal" ones. I have had too many discussions with loved ones where a focus on "you said, I said" kept us locked in battle until we finally spoke our emotional truths, and all differences fell away.
So as a result of that, I have learned that trying to determine which parts of a novel are "true" and which aren't is not only a waste of time, but also a road that leads nowhere. To try to answer it feels like trying to separate grains of sand on the beach: this grain of sand is "true," while this grain of sand next to it is not. What matters in a creative work of fiction is the totality of the experience, as long as it's not pretending to be a memoir.
And I would take a "true" novel over a fake memoir any day. What about you?
The Safety of Secrets by DeLauné Michel is the Featured book in the Fiction Readers online book club. Click here to join the group!
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Comments: 62
Indeed, I would take a true novel over a fake memoir any day. As a Jew, I felt the one about the Holocaust was not only a fraud and a sham, but a disgrace and an abomination that someone would actually steal the facts of others' suffered lives for a "memoir." For the one about the girl gangbanger, her agents and editors were so seduced by story, they didn't bother to even fact check, which is just criminal, considering that a young feature reporter, I fact-checked everything to death.
That said, there is a responsibility that every novelist has to be true about the emotional truths they are telling. In my first novel, the "who said what" wasn't as important as the tone, the situation, and how to make the story not only real, but felt to be true, so that others could relate to it.
I'm not a fan of celebrity tell-alls, or celebrities. But everything is emotional fodder for a writer, and must be explored. Congratulations again on your novel! I'll look for you on tour...
You said it, Miz Delaune' - and I'm totally in agreement - although, I've tried to figure out if sea glass is real or just something dumped off! I hope all is going well - I shall see you someday soon! Salud.
Thanks.
The problem I have with a novel based on truth, although I like that kind of novel best, is that I often have trouble determining whether a situation described really happened. So I end up researching something that sounds like it might be fact.
Very often, on the other hand, it's easy to see when a memoir is untrue. For example, how could the author possibly know conversations that took place when the author wasn't present? Or, as in the case of one memoir I read, how could a 10-year-old move a whole bedroom set, unaided, across the streets of LA?
I rather see the truth in fiction than be snowed by greed.
it is so great to see y'all comments! I've been wanting to have a conversation on a group level about this for a long time and I can't think of a more perfect community for it! Everyone on here is so up on things and great readers, that was I really excited about opening up this topic. And I love what y'all have said. I also don't understand why writers feel the need to fake memoirs, isn't writing a novel enough?? The sentences are the same, it is just a label on the book - but what an important label! And Elizabeth, I so agree about some of things in memoir just beg disbelief. I remember some conversations vividly from years ago, but it is only maybe a sentence or two, not a page worth! And I also agree, Gwen, Andrea, and Priscilla, about what a betrayal those fake memoirs are. It is a betrayal to the covenant that (I think) happens between the writer and the reader when a book is read, and a betrayal to people who have actually lived the kind of lives that those memoirs are faking. I am also always fascinated, as many of you expressed, that they think they won't be found out! I got stopped by a cop for talking on my cell phone without my ear piece - I know, I never will again! and he was sweet and just gave me a warning, which I am heeding! - and I had to tell my husband because in the small town we live in, it will come out! Which actually, is kind of a relief. How exhausting to live with all that fear of being caught. Or maybe that is the point for them. What do y'all think??
so wonderful to see your feedback. thanks for talking about this with me. Y'all are the best.
xox
As for your long term relationship with Warren Beatty...now that sounds like a juicy story just waiting to be told. ;)
(your article reminded me of that - ha ha)
I think if I were to fake my memoirs (which I'd have to do, because I don't remember much before yesterday) it would be to protect, not only the innocent, but maybe even the guilty.
I've known some rats in my time that I'd take fiendish delight in exposing. However, one or two of those rodents had fine families who have made good citizens, even good neighbors and I don't think anything would be gained from embarrassing them.
Lots to think about here.
Good luck with your book and your tour.
I agree with you that that "is a road that leads nowhere."
I also prefer fact-driven novels.
The group: We Comment Back
I'm looking forward to hearing all of the progress reports on your Book Tour, and write me a line when you get a minute to breathe! ~ lol
Blessings ~
René
It caused quite a furore here in the UK, as well as Ireland, as her family came out to call her a liar - and the catholic church also provided records to show that she was never in the Homes she wrote about.
Give me a novel, anyday!
I am so enjoying all these comments on this article. I used to have a monthly brunch group - before I had children! - and we'd talk about everything. I have missed them a lot, but feel like I have found that here!! a wonderful brunch group that I can have any time of the day or month. Thanks for putting your voices out here about this. It is interesting to see your response to this. one wonders what would happen if more writers knew how we all felt!!
xo
I agree. I'd much prefer a "true" novel over a fake memoir as well. The later feels deceitful to the reader. But finding out a novel has "truth" to it is more fun. It's almost as if you've been let in on a secret in the author's life.
Do you think you'll be writing any future novels that will be inspired by your life in New York? Or anymore inspired by your life in LA?
And thanks for that nice question, Liz. I am starting my third novel, and it is set entirely in South Louisiana, so it will be interesting to explore solely that locale since my first two novels are set in LA and the South (and my first one also in NY). A woman asked me that question at an event I did at Borders last night, and said that she thinks a book set where I grew up will be very fertile ground. I think she is right, but that was very encouraging to hear!!
It is one thing to add effect to a true story, and something entirely different to make up the story all together. I think the publishing industry almost needs a "Truth In Advertising" rule, that would require more disclosure from authors.
ps. the safety of secrets arrived last night and now is on my bedside table awaiting its turn (i'm racing through what i'm reading now because it's next in line!).
I tried answering but gather isn't letting me (maybe)
No, I didn't get it and my regular email is psybie@aol.com
I would be interested in your opinion of a memoir presented as fiction?
I understand that we remember things the way they affected us, but what if you want to tell your truths, just don't (for legal purposes) want them to be known as fact?
Am I making sense?
Have a great tour and safe home!
I am willing to bet many memoirs are fakes these days.
I read a review of your book. It sounds very intriguing.
I look forward to reading it.
I Loved the Safety of Secrets by the way! You are a wonderful writer!
I love all of y'all's (yes, that is the plural of y'all!) feedback about this. What I find so interesting is that I think there is a perception that people want "true" stories - memoirs - more than novels, but what I am hearing from y'all - which is how I feel, too - is that if it is emotionally true, that is all that matters. I also found your comment interesting, tb. I think there are a lot of nonfiction "novels" out there, and I don't see anything wrong with that, as long as names and most blatantly identifying details are changed. My first novel had a lot of nonfiction in it, not all of it was, but a large amount. What do the rest of y'all think of that issue?
xo
I am struggling with this issue now as I try to reach the emotional and psychological truths locked within my daughter's death -- moving from nonfiction (my constant genre till now) to fiction in order to get closer to those truths. How I admire those who have done it as well as you have. Thanks for sharing with us here on Gather!
thanks for those comments, and Beryl, thank you for sharing such a vulnerable issue here. I am so very sorry for your loss, and will keep you and your family in prayers. No matter how long ago it was, as a parent, I can imagine that it is an area that prayers are always helpful in. I think it is so admirable and brave of you to explore that in your fiction, and I agree that fiction can a writer an ability to see the emotional truth better than nonfiction can, which is exactly the opposite of what one would think, but it has been my experience. I look forward to reading it and to hearing your process along the way. And I'm going to get one of your books on amazon now.
xo to all
people who fabricated those memoirs lacked confidence in themsleves. even the seemingly most banal existence, viewed from the outside, could yield the most incredible memoir, given the right person with pen in hand.
People don't need to be raised by wolves, though these events have happened in recent years, too.
I will see you in Braintree.
thanks for those comments. I appreciate your thoughtful responses. This is such a great place to openly be ourselves - I find the warmth and encouragement of this community an amazing boon. And I agree, just being who we are is enough, and this place certainly helps with that.
xo
xox