What is “True Fiction”?

• August 31, 2026
• Philosophy

WHAT IS TRUE FICTION?

In an age where Generative AI can spit out entire stories and worlds, art, animation, music, and even software based on prompts, one struggles with the question, “What is real?”. Both in the literal sense, “Did said thing ever really happen?”, and the creative, “Did this person actually create this piece of human ingenuity or art?”. 

Supporters of this prompt-generated reality swear by their processes, calling Generative AI a “tool”, maligning traditional artists as Luddites, and going as far as to call themselves “creators”. However, detractors see the entire paradigmatic shift in terms of right and wrong; ie. a hijacking of human thought, spirit, and talent to placate those who have not taken the time to cultivate their talent, and ultimately a power grab by those already at the top of the totem pole.

The virtues or vices of either side of this argument are not the focus of this article. What I seek to elucidate, however, with this overview is a novel way for those of us who desire to create original, non-Gen AI, various forms of art through personal life experience.

So, then; What is “True Fiction”?

true fic-tion (noun)

1   : A non-generative artificial intelligence created multimedia work which has actual elements or events of the title creator’s life interwoven, usually in a sensational manner, into a fictitious world or story: the creator of the work appears as themself in said work.

In this new zeitgeist we inhabit, the wall between celebrity and everyone else, at least with regard to attention, has been entirely neutralized. It’s entirely fair to say that a content creator can easily command more of an end-users time and attention than a traditional movie star, or politician would have even 15 years ago.

Increasingly, consumers want to know who a person is before doing business with them. Whether you like this dynamic or hate it, as long as social media exists, it’s here to stay.

What True Fiction forces creators to do is:

1. DO your own work
2. OWN what you stand for 
3. STAMP it with your own lived experience
4. BE a living part of the story and/or world you create

We live in a new world, whether we asked for it or not. Since the rules of “creation”, talent, and hard work have changed, others sacred cows need to go too.

I personally, do not want to hear “Take away from the story what you will.” No more hiding. If you believe in The Most High, say it. You’re an atheist? Yell it out. If you practice witchcraft, let everyone know. Stop hiding messages in your stories. State what your story is about and how it is shaped around what you believe.

Quite honestly, the world now allows everyone to say exactly what they want to say (for the most part) without fear of judicial consequences. People have a right to know what they are consuming, and what they are letting their children partake in.

For example, when I wrote, narrated, and composed KOBU (2024), I was creating True Fiction before I put a name to it. I WAS a software developer who worked corporate jobs that I hated. The “pit” symbolized the death spiral that we all go through when we are not living according to our purpose in life. 

Moreover, my experience climbing out of that pit; that is to say, feeling what it was like to use my God-given talents for the benefit of some company (sometimes not the most righteous) who doesn’t give a damn about me, seeing what corporate culture was like, and importantly how those who occupy the highest  strata are, directly led to me becoming a keeper of Torah.

Watcher at the Realm (2025), my first live-action film and directorial debut, expounded the story and musical themes of KOBU. The brand, Poly-Krafted Entertainment is DIRECTLY tied to the lessons I learned through my battles in the pit, and the literal mark of profession I coined, “Polykraft”.

Lastly, my new IP ecosystem, The Duelsman, with it’s various forms of work including an urban fantasy novel, a full musical EP, and other unannounced projects, will directly inject my personal experiences since finishing and releasing Watcher at the Realm.

Frankly, I believe this framework is a great way to tell stories and works that inspire others; whatever a creator’s particular brand of inspiration (or belief) that may be. I, quite honestly, believe there is something deeply disrespectful and patronizing about someone willing to write stories for people whose beliefs they not only care nothing about, but in many cases despise so they can rake in money off of people they perceive to be “suckers”. 

The above-mentioned sentiment reminds me of the scene in the television “Mad Men” where his love interest, Rachel Menken, is describing her idea of “love” to him. He condescendingly looks her in the face and says “….the reason you haven’t felt it is because it doesn’t exist. What you call love was created by guys like me……..to sell nylons”.

I understand the topic of references of an artist’s veracity as a creator will be something that will definitely be a matter of scrutiny in future. However, that also is not within the scope of this article. I will say this, though. Authenticity will be harder for new artists coming out after the onset of Generative AI.

I, and others from the pre-agentic era, have our resumes, work history, and colleagues that can confirm we are who we say we are and that we accomplished what we said we did. Perhaps it’s an unfair advantage. Yet still, my skill and experience as a polykraft are undeniable. The following is my LinkedIn profile. That should be a good place to start:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/micha-el-sonvega-98010a74

I hope I’ve managed to articulate the definition of “true fiction” clearly enough for anyone reading to understand. Now, go forth and create us some. We want to see it!

-El