“If you wish to be loved, show more of your faults than your
virtues.”
Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
When I started writing
my book, I wanted to write it as a fictional novel to avoid making enemies, to
say the least. But I received some advice that impacted my writing and thinking
about my writing: if you’re going to write nonfiction, write fearlessly.
A family member had
been asking to read my memoir for more than a year. Knowing it would upset the
person, I made excuses. But last month, I gave in. And the person hated it. Among many of the complaints were some
scenes/chapters that depict me in a bad light.
“How could you let
everyone in church read that?”
“What church?” I said.
“Your church!”
“My church?” I said.
“The Followers!”
“Oh, you mean those
people who’ve been shunning me for the past nineteen years? I don’t care what
they think about me.”
For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift
of God
Ephesians
2:8
