Q&A (and brownies) with J.J. Murray discussion

I have a problem I hope y'all can help me solve. It's been so quiet here lately! I hope I can get your input.

I have a true IR story I'd like to tell. Either I tell it completely as nonfiction warts and all, or I "edit" some things and turn it into "based on a true story fiction."

If I go warts and all, some readers may be turned off by the main characters' and their decisions, and it may read more as a soap opera than a romance. Topics would include teen pregnancy, abortion, infidelity, and divorce. In other words, the reader might not be sympathetic to the hero and heroine if I tell the whole truth and nothing but.

But if I cut out some of the conflicts and sanitize what remains, I'm not remaining true to the original story. Yes, I'll have a romance with an HEA ending, but I'll be losing some interesting, riveting reality.

The overriding question: Should a writer sweeten a gritty, true, real IR story so that it becomes a sweet romance?

I was all for doing a "based on" romance and thought I had it down and ready to write, but the more the real people involved tell me, the more I feel the need to tell it all. I may have to change their names, some locations, etc. to protect their privacy and the privacy of their children, though.

I may have bitten off more than I can write.

I know I'm not giving you a lot of information here, and it's hard to create an opinion without all the facts. Here's "the bullet" using false names:

Mary and David have a baby in high school. David rejects her completely. Mary moves away and gives up the baby (a girl) for adoption. David goes on to another girl who has an abortion and then two children by him. Mary goes on to college, earns a difficult degree, marries a man who only needs a visa to work in this country, and has two children by him.

Twenty years later, David sends Mary a Facebook message, and Mary soundly rejects David's advances even though her marriage is a sham. Six months later, after believing her husband is having an affair, Mary begins a Facebook affair with David that leads to the complete disintegration of her marriage.

David moves to where Mary is living, and they have a torrid two-year affair. Mary files for divorce, and now Mary and David have been reunited in the same county where their daughter supposedly lives. Neither has ever met her. Mary's parents blame David for everything bad in Mary's life, including the divorce, and Mary's father vows never to forgive David or attend their wedding.

Mary and David plan on finding their daughter, who's now about 20, soon after they're married.

What I could do with this story to "soften" it:

David has to want Mary and the baby from the very beginning. They are “torn apart” by her parents, not his stupidity and immaturity, and then distance keeps them apart. They never stop thinking about each other, despite their other relationships.

Twenty years pass …

He has broken off a relationship, and she has to get out of her marriage before he hooks up with her. David can contact her prior to this, but it has to remain friendly. I will have to highlight her husband’s infidelity, not hers. When she returns home, she has to deal with her family first, and David has to pursue her. There will be a bittersweet ending. His family will never accept him. In my mind, however, the daughter they never knew could do a lot of mending, too. I am hoping they will find their daughter before the book comes out.

Do you see/feel my dilemma? These are two very likable people who have had shaky pasts--but haven't we all? I know the ends don't justify the means, but somehow their love for each other has survived 20 years despite a whole bunch of mess.

The romantic in me says: "Make it sweet because love conquers all." The realist/writer in me says: "The road to true love isn't always smooth, so don't fake the funk."

What do you think?

I have to be honest here, I would honestly love to see the "reality" of the story from you, because I do like drama that takes time to get the happy part. As a fan of your books, I say that I could never be disappointed in the way that you decide to go. Although, I would really love the realism, since there are many people that would probably even be able to relate to the situation. Whatever you decide, it will be for what you want, and what you want your readers to read. :) Good luck!

Hello J.J.

I have been away from this website too. Just checked in to tell folks I was still alive.

I think both plots have merit; for you as a writer and for your readers as well.
I agree with Chanel, what ever you decide will be great. Also there is no way you will be able to please all your readers. It never happens, someone will always complain that it is too sweet or not sweet enough. However working on this project may be good for you as a writer. This is a tough decision.
I think you should consider the story you want to write and work it. If it includes warts, so what you are being true to yourself and your characters.
I think the readers that enjoy your work will understand this one too.


Another thing I will like to ask you is how do you manage writing this story about real people you know? Do you expect to write the ppl exactly as how you seem them?

I am curious because I am kind of selfish with my characters. I try my best to convey to readers the aspects I see in my characters. This of course is not always accomplished.

I hope my post helped.

I have sent both parties intensive, lengthy questionnaires, picking their brains. Once I have their answers in hand, I'll have a better idea how to proceed.

Wow, I've been away from this site. I missed all the good stuff.

How y'all doing?

My belief is you should write the story as is--with all the hard edges, truth, and issues that have taken place. Yes, sweet romance is popular, but folks out there can relate to the messes in real romances. I love it when I am reading a truthful-style romance and I am on the edge of my seat yelling at the characters in the book, "Oh man! What is she thinking?" or "Don't trust him, girl, he did you wrong when you needed him the most!" then getting worked up over the characters choices in the end. Of course there needs to be a few sweet scenes that make the drama all worth it for the reader or we'll all be asking why are these fools even bothering with this mess. But still, "tell" the truth and shame the devil.

I still believe that the best characters authors can write are the ones they've seen/met/known in real life. It's our job to write them in a fictional way but the basis is real.

I personally prefer reading realistic romances because man, what you're talking about sounds more true to this day and age. I don't believe the characters always have to do what makes sense because real life people are not able to do that. People tend to make choices out of desperation, need for pleasure/fulfillment, or sheer impulsive stupidity. I think we need more characters and storylines that are realistic ...warts and all.

I can tell you already that because of my own beliefs, the adultery would make me frustrated with Mary. Would I prefer she didn't cheat on her husband? Yes. The abortions would aggravate me as well. But again, it's the truth of what happens in this world and if that is "Mary's" story, or "David's" story, tell it. Maybe all of their drama and poor choices lead them to become better people, better spouses, better parents, and in better standing spiritually.

I think if these characters show growth in the end, showing their shaky pasts will make it all worth it.