Susan Sharp
asked
Elizabeth Gilbert:
Do you have any tension, as a memoirist, writing intimate, fictional characters like Alma Whittaker? I'm wondering if you have to struggle NOT to insert yourself into the thoughts of your fictional characters or if fiction and biography are different writing muscles that you deploy at different times.
Elizabeth Gilbert
A wise friend once told me, "Whenever we write memoir, we are writing fiction. Whenever we write fiction, we are writing memoir." In other words, when you deliberately set out to write about yourself, you may not show the most accurate portrait, because it is so self-conscious. But in fiction, you accidentally reveal so much about yourself, because you feel so free. In this regard, I often tell people, "You can learn more about me from reading THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS than by reading EAT PRAY LOVE." :)
More Answered Questions
Meredith
asked
Elizabeth Gilbert:
Elizabeth what is your advice for a 25 year old writer who is looking into Ashrams retreats or stays? Stay in the states or go abroad? Volunteer more or less during the stay? Etc. I watched your Ted talk on the creative process and it was beyond helpful. I really look up to you Lovingly, Meredith
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