Everything in a story should be credible.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
My inclination, as an old-school, classically trained journalist, is not to go with a story unless I have it hard. It's not good enough to say something based on rumors that were flying around.
All stories should have some honesty and truth in them, otherwise you're just playing about.
Fiction is optimistic or unrealistic enough to demand that there should be a meaningful narrative.
The best stories come out of the truth.
Most important to any fake story is a plausible, realistic edge with a satirical twist that is topical.
Every writer knows he is spurious; every fiction writer would rather be credible than authentic.
The real problem is arranging that experience in a way that tells a story, which is just incredible enough to be interesting, but credible enough to be believed.
Whether the story reflects the facts is obviously a different matter.
As a journalist, the details always tell the story.
A compelling story, even if factually inaccurate, can be more emotionally compelling than a dry recitation of the truth.