Here is one of the biggest ironies of the modern world. We have more facts and data than ever before, literally right at our fingertips. However, the truth seems more elusive than ever.

Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” That’s not only true in a spiritual sense, but in a creative sense as well. No matter what type of writing we do, whether fiction or non-fiction, our objective as writers should always be the pursuit of truth.

The novelist Wally Lamb said, “If the book is true, it will find an audience that is meant to read it.” But what does that mean, exactly? Let’s break it down in practical terms. There are three types of truth we must keep in mind when writing.

First is the objective truth. If we’re writing non-fiction, this means we should check our facts and strive for accuracy. If we’re writing fiction, our stories should be true in the sense that they reflect the human experience.

Second is your truth. This just means that we are true to ourselves. We are not trying to portray ourselves as someone we are not. It also means we are trying to be true to our creative calling and natural giftedness.

Third is the reader’s truth. Whenever someone reads your writing, they come with their own agenda. They have a perspective. They have needs, desires, and pain points. There is something they want from your writing. It might be education, it might be entertainment, it might be inspiration, or a combination of all three.

It’s hard to keep these in balance, but it’s essential that we try. That is part of the challenge, the calling, and the privilege of being a writer.