Question for Vicki About Memoir

[lynneheins]

Vicki,
Can there be certain elements in memoir which are made up? They would be situations, where the author cannot remember the sensory details, except for perhaps the visual, or overall experience.

Here’s an example: The red part is made up but could have happened.


Visiting my Aunt’s farm I loved the wooly sheep. They let me come up to them and pet their soft wool. I could hardly believe that fluffy coat would someday be someone’s sweater. One day.I arrived and went out to their pen. About four of them were covered in mud. My aunt said they had been splashing in rain puddles. She asked me if I’d like to help wash them and we squirted them with a hose.



Lynne

[Vicki Mayk]

HI, Lynne,
I apologize that I didn't see this question until now. I totally missed it.

Unfortunately, I see no red in the example you wrote -- so if you wrote something in red type, it didn't show up that way for me. So I can't comment on the specific example you cite.

So here are a few thoughts: You should not make things up in memoir. But it is accepted practice to do what is called re-creating scenes or details. Since we're not movie cameras, it's acceptable to a degree to re-create some dialogue and a few details. Lee Gutkind, who is credited with coining the term creative nonfiction, talks about re-creating things. For this to be different than making things up, it should be based on things you know. For example, in the case you cite, it would be based on other experiences and interactions you had with your aunt.

There is also a technique called speculation. In Week 5, we are going to talk about how you use these techniques. I hope that helps.

Best,
Vicki