Authentic Fiction — July 27, 2026
Harbour Seals Kissing, Pt. Lobos, CA
”If you do one thing for your writing, it should be to hone the truth inside of you.” — Autumn Christian
What makes fiction feel so real it gives you the shivers? Maybe you identify with the characters in some way – their unique method of facing challenges, their missteps, their wins. The story feels so real you can feel the cold finger of fear, the exhilaration of success.
But how can you write fiction that good? Fiction that feels real and true? I came across a column on LitReactor.com by Autumn Christian: How to Write Authentic Fiction. She says authenticity isn’t something you just stumble across – it is something you can develop through recognition and practice.
She suggests listening to your subconscious. Listen to it in real life when you’re looking for why things don’t feel right, or when your friend has asked you a question and you’re about to give a stock or superficial answer. Use the same process when imagining your fictional characters. Dig deep for the true answer. And if your subconscious is steering you away from your intended plot direction, listen. It’s processing massive amounts of data from your experience compared to the few things your conscious mind can focus on. It can help you create complex characters that will resonate.
The same applies if you are writing sci-fi, fantasy or speculative fiction — fiction doesn’t have to hew to the laws of the universe in order to say something true about the human psyche.
*Find Christian’s column at litreactor.com/columns/how-to-write-authentic-fiction/
