Fact or Fiction - You Better Be Sure By: Arleen M. Kaptur

Today's world of facts and figures is overflowing with data; however, even in government reports, data that has been altered or "changed" to represent a certain viewpoint or scenario will eventually come to light and then the entire project is thought to be flawed and therefore discarded.

What does this mean to a writer? Basically, the one main point to consider is that you have to check your information not once, or twice, but several times and against several sources in order to make sure that it is not just one person's viewpoint or personal agenda. If you label something as a "fact" then that means that in all essence, this is exactly what this is. It is true, and reliable information that can be used by others when using your subject matter as a topic. Rest assured, that if you offer a personal opinion, then let your readers decipher if they agree or disagree with what they are reading as stated or written by another individual or by you. The black-hole that many writers are falling into is when they state something as a true fact and later it is disproved or discounted. If this happens to a project you have presented for publishing, then it is not only your reputation but the reputation of the company that produces the book. Much like a domino effect, your name is soiled, as is that of anyone else who puts their input into your project. When this happens, the energy needed to explain where you may have gone wrong will not erase that first impression that a reader receives.

While today's consumer and buyer of books and magazines is more prone to point out an error in something they are reading, your job as a writer is to be prepared to prove your information so that everyone is happy and your reliability as an author is even enhanced, because you were able to come up with the sources necessary to tell the reader that you are right and they can count on your information as factual.

Readers enjoy certain authors that they have learned to trust and rely on, as to knowing their subject matter and passing on knowledge and wisdom they have obtained on to their readers. This is a sure fire way to win hearts and influence people and isn't that what you really set out to do when you put pen to paper or fingers on the keyboard. ENJOY! Arleen M. Kaptur ©January, 2007

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About the Author

Arleen is the owner of A & J Northwoods, a gourmet food, gift, and book shop. She has written numerous articles and stories about living life abundantly and enjoying every minute of it.