If you have distance from the events, then your story can work as an analogy or parable rather than its literal narrative.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
No matter how close to personal experience a story might be, inevitably you are going to get to a part that isn't yours and, actually, whether it happened or not becomes irrelevant. It is all about choosing the right words.
Stories and narratives are one of the most powerful things in humanity. They're devices for dealing with the chaotic danger of existence.
No story is the same to us after a lapse of time; or rather we who read it are no longer the same interpreters.
Sometimes when you tell a story, you reach a little bit too far just to make the story a better one.
Sometimes stories are inherently important whether or not they have a direct relation to your life.
There's a bit more of a safe distance when you're making a narrative movie, a bit more perspective. Audiences can separate themselves from the harsh reality of the facts a little bit more and think: 'Okay, how do I consider this?'
Stories are different every time you tell them - they allow so many possible narratives.
A story is how we construct our experiences.
If you have a good story idea, don't assume it must form a prose narrative. It may work better as a play, a screenplay or a poem. Be flexible.
The stories I write are often literal to events that have happened or observations that I've made, and sometimes they're fantastical.