Finding Inspiration in Your Friendships - video

Hi Kay -- Ann was kind enough to allow us to interview her, but she's not on staff here at the ALC so she won't be able to reply to your comment. Perhaps I can help. What kind of book are you writing? It sounds like you are writing a memoir, which by it's nature asks us to include personal details and factual information. BUT... you can still change names to protect others' privacy and that doesn't compromise the story's authenticity. I would encourage you to change names OR seek the advice of an attorney regarding the inclusion of those names. People remember events differently and I'd hate to see you have issues with those in your story if they think your representation is not true (as it may vary from their own experience of 'the truth'). Another option would be to write it as a novel rather than a memoir. It gives you much more flexibility about how to tell the story and who to include in it. You might even find yourself creating characters that are composites of several real people because it serves the story to do so. In that case you wouldn't have to worry about 'identifying' any real people. In terms of how much of your personal story to reveal, only you can make that call. What I would suggest is to remember that as an author it's our job to search for the truth. It doesn't mean you have to include everything but be careful about excluding it based on what others may think. It's YOUR story. You have a right to write it as you see fit. More likely, your loved ones will admire the courage it takes to tell your story honestly. And if that fails... go back to the idea of writing it as a novel and merging the character of YOU into some kind of composite and then tailoring the plot around the elements of the story you are willing to share. Good luck with your writing!

Hi Ann: I found your statements very interesting as I am trying to write about the years I spent in Beirut during the hostage crisis in the 1980s. I am worried about putting exact names in my story as I'm afraid they might come back to haunt me. It's been over 25 years so maybe it's okay, plus I no longer live in Lebanon. I am also concerned about my family reading some of the things I want to write about. I'm afraid they will think badly of me, their mom. Any comments? I would appreciate your feedback. Kay Wade