A Contemplative's Field Guide

A Contemplative's Field Guide

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A Contemplative's Field Guide
A Contemplative's Field Guide
Exclusive: An Excerpt From My Novel "Abuelo"

Exclusive: An Excerpt From My Novel "Abuelo"

On memory, truth, and failing to write a memoir...

Ryan Diaz's avatar
Ryan Diaz
Jan 12, 2023
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Dear Reader,

As you may know, I have been busily working away at a novel. What began as a memoir about my grandfather and I has turned into a novelization of those events, a work of fiction rooted in reality. As I tried to write a memoir about my grandfather I kept forgetting if the stories I remembered were actually true. Memory is a fickle thing. In fact, as time goes on our memories degrade and our subconscious goes on to fill in the blanks for us. This begs the question what’s the line between memory and fiction? This question completely changed the scope and shape of the book.

The excerpt I want to share with you is from the introduction. Here I admit to the reader that what they’re reading isn’t a memoir but a semi-fictional account of real events. Here I pose the same question to the reader that changed the course of the book. I love a good introduction and by putting this chapter before the beginning of my novel I hope to invite readers to read deeper, doubt my authority as the author, and ask whether truth is subject to reality or if reality is subject to truth.

Enjoy!

If you’d like to read the excerpt, please consider signing up for a paid subscription to my substack. Thank you!

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