“A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.” – Ernest Hemingway
Honesty’s the best policy. As a writer, I’m a truth-teller and yet a deceiver: Truth is wrapped up in a jacket of lies. I lie so I can tell the truth. In other words: The novels/stories I write did not happen in real life…but they speak a truth about me and/or the human condition. At least, that’s what I should strive for.
What is the biggest lie you ever told? Why did you tell it?
My biggest lie was to say I was all right when I was really, really not all right. I told it because I was afraid. Afraid people would fear me, lock me up, study me. I have a fear of being judged. Did it make my lie acceptable? No. Understandable? Yes, of course.
In my upcoming novel, Circus in a Shot Glass, I tell some truths through a lie. Maybe the main character, Scotch, is me. Maybe she’s not. I strive to entertain, but I hope to make people stop and think too.
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Update on Bowie (my Hemingway cat): He didn’t have to have all of his extra digits removed…just one toe on each paw next to his thumb. That’s the good news. The bad news is that his left foot is infected. The vet gave him a shot, soaked his foot, and gave us some instructions–mainly: keep him calm and from over-exerting himself. Wish me luck!
Beth Overmyer 