A Goodreads user asked Lee Martin:

I'd heard you have a great assignment for new writers, where you say to write by first telling a lie, and then using your way to the truth... can you share any particulars? I am teaching a course in memoir this quarter and would love to share this assignment with my students. Thanks, take care.

Lee Martin Hi, Anthony. I often ask students to start by telling a lie and then to write about why they wish it were true. That writing usually leads them to a very honest exploration of something that really matters to them but is too sensitive to write about without that little trick of make-believe. I hope this helps!

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