Nowadays, if somebody in America is feeling alone and wants to find a coming out story, they just search 'coming out,' and they'll find millions of first-person examples of people telling their story.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Back in the day, coming out was something very personal. You began by acknowledging the truth, first to yourself, then to close family and friends. Those of us more in the public spotlight, though, also had to 'come out' to the press.
It's kind of part of human nature to want to know the truth or want to be in on the secret. For stories that focus in on that - like whodunits - it's easy to get drawn into.
I think there is a human instinct to tell stories, no matter who you are or where you live.
You have to figure out who the right person is to tell the story. And often, people who are very self-aware will only sound as if they are pontificating if they tell the story.
I always take a story that's kind of out there, like an urban myth. I take some possibility that people imagine, that they are familiar with, and try to turn it into a story.
I'm really into the idea of telling stories. Everyone needs stories. Everyone needs to escape every once in a while.
I think any journalist who spends time in a place realizes that there are lots of stories around beyond their primary story. You meet so many interesting people and have all kinds of experiences.
You have only so many chances to tell stories. I didn't want to be forever wedded to one form of storytelling when there are so many out there.
It's often said that everybody has a story to tell, and I suppose that's true, but the problem is that most of them aren't worth telling.
If you're telling a story, and somebody is going to come out badly, it better be you.