Two things: First, when I was writing a novel where I had done years of research and every time I tried to write I'd think I had to run off and look at one more microfiche at the UF Library, I read a piece by Jamaica Kincaid describing her process writing, I think, A Small Place. (Which is, as you know, a similar mix of memoir, cultural history, and politics as your work.) Anyway, she said she had to take all her boxes of research and shove them under the bed and then write without looking at any of it. This helped me so much in proceeding and getting back to the essentials of what I was writing. I guess these days there is some computer equivalent for shoving files into some hard to get to space. And second: I've also also tried to write where I leave the writer to make their own realizations. BUT . . . these days I don't as much anymore. I think I went too far in that direction. So these days I include more reflection or internal dialogue in an essay. It can make me uncomfortable in a "who am I to be telling you this" way. But at this point in my life, I do know some things. I do get to say what they are.
I give myself time by walking away and being OK with being unfinished. That might not be realistic in your case, but I am sending you so much hope that you will find your way. In my own writing about Judaism, I also lean toward struggle (and against certainty) as the main components of my spirituality and identity. Watching "The X-Files" helps a lot too.
I agree it can be tricky not to sound as though your opinions are facts, but what I've seen of you here is that you question yourself a lot. And as you do that through the manuscript, you will allow the space for your readers to question both you and themselves. That can be very productive and compelling. If you read Jamaica Kincaid (as Sandra already suggested), you will see that her opinions are given quite strongly, almost overwhelmingly at times. And it works because there is a sense of self-questioning that is also almost violent. (And so interesting--I met her after a reading once, and in person she seems incredibly gentle and polite.)
Another thing about this is that you will tweak the line down the road. Your beta readers will let you know where things go too far, if they go too far.
So, what I'm suggesting is that you try not to worry about it too much right now. It's an understandable concern but not one that should get in your way. It may, in fact, be standing in for something else--other things that we all deal with in trying to grapple with a project. I'm not sure that's the case, but it's worth asking yourself what are ALL the things that you fear moving forward.
Can’t offer any advice on the research side, as I get buried in my research, and know the reader will find all of this Just Fascinating, as I do. Ahem.
I don’t like putting much of myself in my two projects with spiritual themes, but the faculty reader for my MFA thesis (the amazing Sherry Simpson, gone too soon), said that the reader wants to know more about me, and my journey, and what I think. Or as my son the computational chemist says about my current project, “I think it would be a mistake to leave yourself out of the book.”
But let me answer as a member of an interfaith book group of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian women. This is a national group, with chapters all over the country. We search every year for excellent books written by women about their journeys in religious and spiritual landscapes. I deeply respect the humility (and the pedagogy) in creating space for readers to gather their own conclusions. At the same time, the readers in my group would want to know what you really think. This gives us something to start with, and discuss. We love discussion guides that authors assemble themselves—we use them. The discussion guide may be a place to pose additional, even challenging, questions for readers to explore. If the publisher doesn’t want to include the guide in the book, it could be posted on your author website.
Thrilled you’re working on this. Can’t wait to read it.
Two things: First, when I was writing a novel where I had done years of research and every time I tried to write I'd think I had to run off and look at one more microfiche at the UF Library, I read a piece by Jamaica Kincaid describing her process writing, I think, A Small Place. (Which is, as you know, a similar mix of memoir, cultural history, and politics as your work.) Anyway, she said she had to take all her boxes of research and shove them under the bed and then write without looking at any of it. This helped me so much in proceeding and getting back to the essentials of what I was writing. I guess these days there is some computer equivalent for shoving files into some hard to get to space. And second: I've also also tried to write where I leave the writer to make their own realizations. BUT . . . these days I don't as much anymore. I think I went too far in that direction. So these days I include more reflection or internal dialogue in an essay. It can make me uncomfortable in a "who am I to be telling you this" way. But at this point in my life, I do know some things. I do get to say what they are.
I give myself time by walking away and being OK with being unfinished. That might not be realistic in your case, but I am sending you so much hope that you will find your way. In my own writing about Judaism, I also lean toward struggle (and against certainty) as the main components of my spirituality and identity. Watching "The X-Files" helps a lot too.
I agree it can be tricky not to sound as though your opinions are facts, but what I've seen of you here is that you question yourself a lot. And as you do that through the manuscript, you will allow the space for your readers to question both you and themselves. That can be very productive and compelling. If you read Jamaica Kincaid (as Sandra already suggested), you will see that her opinions are given quite strongly, almost overwhelmingly at times. And it works because there is a sense of self-questioning that is also almost violent. (And so interesting--I met her after a reading once, and in person she seems incredibly gentle and polite.)
Another thing about this is that you will tweak the line down the road. Your beta readers will let you know where things go too far, if they go too far.
So, what I'm suggesting is that you try not to worry about it too much right now. It's an understandable concern but not one that should get in your way. It may, in fact, be standing in for something else--other things that we all deal with in trying to grapple with a project. I'm not sure that's the case, but it's worth asking yourself what are ALL the things that you fear moving forward.
Can’t offer any advice on the research side, as I get buried in my research, and know the reader will find all of this Just Fascinating, as I do. Ahem.
I don’t like putting much of myself in my two projects with spiritual themes, but the faculty reader for my MFA thesis (the amazing Sherry Simpson, gone too soon), said that the reader wants to know more about me, and my journey, and what I think. Or as my son the computational chemist says about my current project, “I think it would be a mistake to leave yourself out of the book.”
But let me answer as a member of an interfaith book group of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian women. This is a national group, with chapters all over the country. We search every year for excellent books written by women about their journeys in religious and spiritual landscapes. I deeply respect the humility (and the pedagogy) in creating space for readers to gather their own conclusions. At the same time, the readers in my group would want to know what you really think. This gives us something to start with, and discuss. We love discussion guides that authors assemble themselves—we use them. The discussion guide may be a place to pose additional, even challenging, questions for readers to explore. If the publisher doesn’t want to include the guide in the book, it could be posted on your author website.
Thrilled you’re working on this. Can’t wait to read it.