In Alice Walker's "The Temple of My Familiar," the author explores the complex relationship between writers and their subjects. When a writer does not have visibility into the lives of the people they depict, those individuals become a canvas for complete creative possession. This perspective allows writers to shape their subjects in ways that reflect their imagination rather than reality.

As a result, the subjects are often exaggerated and defined entirely by the narratives crafted around them. This dynamic raises questions about identity and control, highlighting how the act of writing can both illuminate and distort the truths of those who inspire a writer's work.