Marcie, that is the touchstone of any story, particularly the story inside you that MUST be written. That’s the only way to write that will work, as most intelligent readers can sense a fraud. Insincerity robs a story of its power and authenticity, and you don’t have to be a seasoned editor or veteran reviewer to get this.

George Orwell’s “Down and Out in Paris and London” is an excellent example of ringing true – “Burmese Days” is as well, except for the final scene in that one; the “suicide” ending is hollow, and just about any reader senses the fraud of that gimmick.

The author must have a decent command of and respect for the language. All that remains is a story to tell. One that “rings true” to the author’s rational senses will make it through to the readers’ as well.

Thank you for this great post. It is a stimulating reaffirmation of my own long-held opinion that there is more to writing than fear.

Yep. The food never tastes as good to the cook who slaves away in the kitchen all day.

Wonderful, Katie. I’m glad you’ve discovered what works for you and your process, as well as what does not. Good luck on your continued journey.

Yeah I did. I stay away from writers critique groups because they have become what animal trainers call a “poisoned cue”. There’s too much pain around them. My formal workshop training sent me backwards in significant ways.

I have been alerted to a group of writers who read published works and talk about those. Now that sounds right up my alley and a chance to make friends with other writers without putting vulnerable work in front of them.

Hey Writer Dude, Jonathan!

You don’t sound mean at all, just experienced in the fact that sometimes outside help isn’t so helpful. We must stay true to OUR visions of our work.

On the other hand, when people are trying to help you out it quickly becomes overwhelming. A friend and I have been working on a story together and sometimes people will try to tell us that we should add this or that in but we do our best to stick with OUR story. Not to be mean, that’s just how it has to be.

I just want to clarify for OTHER readers, in case they didn’t know this is something ALL writers need to ALWAYS be aware of.
And you’re right, it’s a difficult, painful lesson, but we usually come out stronger. Thanks for responding, E.J. Good luck to you.

Marcy, didn’t mean to imply that. I just think emerging/beginning writers are inherently more ignorant of this, falling prey to the delusion that the more opinions they get, the better. I fell prey to it, and it was a hard lesson learned, but I’m grateful I learned it at the beginning and not later.