"Lo más difícil es escribir una prosa directa y honesta sobre los seres humanos"

Writing honest prose about people is one of the toughest tasks for any writer. The core idea here is that capturing the essence of real human experiences and emotions in writing is incredibly challenging. It’s about presenting people authentically, with all their complexities, flaws, and nuances.

This idea can be traced back to the thoughts of various authors and journalists who have struggled with the same issue. Think about it: when you’re writing about someone, you have to peel back layers of personality, bias, and context. And you’ve got to do that while staying true to the person’s essence without embellishing or diminishing them.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Picture a journalist tasked with writing a profile on a well-known public figure who recently faced controversy. This journalist has to navigate the thin line between truth and perception. They need to present facts—what the person did, how they reacted, what others have said about them. There’s a temptation to sensationalize or demonize, especially when there's pressure from editors or readers looking for juicy stories. But the real challenge, and the true mark of excellent writing, is presenting the subject in a way that feels genuine and balanced. It’s about finding that honesty amid the noise.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own writing? Start by digging deep into your subject. Ask questions that go beyond the surface. What are their motivations? What fears do they hide? What moments define them? When you uncover these truths, don’t shy away from them—embrace them. Write with empathy and clarity. Avoid clichés and stereotypes. Instead, use vivid, specific details that bring the person to life in the reader’s mind. Remember, you’re not writing to make friends or enemies; you’re writing to reveal a slice of the human experience.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop, and a friend tells you about their tough week at work. Your friend isn’t just “stressed” or “busy.” They describe the pile of papers on their desk, the constant ping of emails, the way their heart races before a big meeting. There’s the moment they spilled coffee on their favorite shirt, the late-night hours they spent fixing a mistake, the sigh of relief when they finally got home. These details are what make your friend’s story feel real and relatable. It's the same with writing honest prose about people—focus on those small moments that reveal larger truths.

In short, writing honest prose about people demands authenticity and a keen eye for detail. It's about resisting the urge to simplify or sensationalize and instead embracing the full, messy reality of human beings. When you do it right, your readers won’t just see a character on a page—they’ll see a person, someone they might know, someone they can understand.

So next time you sit down to write about someone, think about that friend at the coffee shop. Capture the essence of their story through the little details, the raw emotions, and the honest moments. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Real human stories are the ones that stick with us, the ones that make us feel connected, the ones that remind us of our shared humanity.