All of that makes sense to me, though I will add - I’ve written some intense pieces, the details of which were not part of my life experience. We all feel love, anger, rage, fear, joy, sorrow, and pain in many combinations, over many life events. I would never decide someone’s writing was obviously memoir/memory for that reason. I even cry over my own intense pieces sometimes - not because the facts fit me, but because in some way deep emotions do.
These are such profound observations, Melissa. And I agree completely that the universal is touched through emotion. I love that your own pieces make you cry. It says something about your authenticity and ability to tell the truth.
All of that makes sense to me, though I will add - I’ve written some intense pieces, the details of which were not part of my life experience. We all feel love, anger, rage, fear, joy, sorrow, and pain in many combinations, over many life events. I would never decide someone’s writing was obviously memoir/memory for that reason. I even cry over my own intense pieces sometimes - not because the facts fit me, but because in some way deep emotions do.
These are such profound observations, Melissa. And I agree completely that the universal is touched through emotion. I love that your own pieces make you cry. It says something about your authenticity and ability to tell the truth.