RAM – pel – ter (n.): 1. A tall-tale, yarn, or other obviously fabricated story. 2. A blatant, overly-complicated lie that is nonetheless more entertaining than the truth could ever be. 3. The writing philosophy of Carlos Hernandez.
E.L. Doctorow once said “There is no longer any such thing as fiction or nonfiction; there’s only narrative.” I’m not quite sure why he added the “no longer” part — I don’t think there’s ever been a difference. So my goal in writing is to lie, blatantly, often and, above all, well. Most people disguise their lies with small and partial truths; my goal is to disguise the truth with outrageous, impossible lies.
