Biography written as fiction, or “biofiction,” is a newly emerging genre in literary fiction. This genus tells other people’s stories complete with dialogue, characterization, plot and protagonist in fascinating and highly readable ways. Biofiction captures those wonderful tales grandparents relate to younger generations. It brings to life family anecdotes, neighborhood legends, even community or multi-family sagas.
During the five years my co-author, Glenn Greenstein, and I spent writing And Then Came Life, the telling of David Goldberg’s story became amazingly personal, moreso than any fiction I’ve written. Almost daily, as Glenn emailed additional snippets of David’s life, as he revealed more and more about the troubled youth growing to adulthood, I came to know our protagonist as a true friend. It was a rare privilege, indeed.
Through this biofiction work I became intimately acquainted with a young man I’d never met. While David had lived a life beyond my experience, beyond my understanding, I soon began relating to him. His desire for approval, though expressed in ways I’d never considered, was no different from my own longing. His want for genuine friendship and love, while sought in bars and dank bathhouses, was most similar to my own need sought through family and co-workers and church activities.
Sometimes, I confess, I was shocked at David’s antics. Frequently I was amused. More importantly, I realized the heart and soul of this young man deserved to be portrayed. The world would become a better place for having known David Goldberg and his journey to the Love and Truth for which he so desperately yearned. It became my holy mission to accomplish this telling.
As it was with the David Goldberg story, so it is with many – perhaps most – biofiction narratives. There are gems of inspiration buried in the lives of men and women all around us; nuggets of wisdom waiting to be discovered and revealed. It is for us, as authors, to ferret out these treasures and share them with humanity.
Writing biography as fiction gives authors wonderful platforms for relating true stories that inspire, that motivate, that stir readers to action. That was the goal Glenn and I sought through the telling of David’s story. We wanted our readers to see for themselves the hope and salvation that finally came to our hero. We wanted them to understand they, too, could grasp the same opportunity to change their lives forever.
