Turning a Memoir into a Novel

A couple of weeks ago I asked you about turning my memoir into a novel and interweaving fictional aspects. You said it would be better to camouflage people, locations, etc.

As a novice writer, I don't think I have the skill to obscure Oral Roberts, Oral Roberts University, and the top dog in the Assemblies of God in our state. All figured prominently in my story.

My husband and I left the pastorate, the denomination, and eventually Christianity. We did not leave God—just the institution.

I left nameless the churches we pastored and gave the characters different names. However, it seems to me if I have to rewrite or disguise so many aspects of the story ( names, dates, places, gender), it almost becomes a fictional novel anyway.

In the end, I have decided to leave the memoir as what I created it for: a family heritage book. Although members of my writers group are adamant it needs to be published, I think it safer to keep it in the family.

Are there any other options?

Jerry's Answer

Anita, you're probably on the right track, but I didn't realize that some of your characters were so publicly known. In cases like that, I think you could tell the true story, maybe using a pseudonym for your own name and not tell where (what churches in what towns) things happened, so you can camouflage the parishioners who might have played into your story.

Of course Roberts is dead, but my guess is his estate would not be interested in actually threatening to lay charges against you, because that would open them to evidence and testimony from you that could further damage them--and I assume damaging them is not your intent. You just want to tell the truth.

But it's your call and you may not want to risk the hassle or the potential legal action.

And, by the way, I assume you know that fictional novel is redundant. There's no other kind.