I've been invited to a 'friends re-united' thing by someone who stole my boyfriend away. I had buried it until the invite. It's all water under the bridge but I'm writing a semi autobiographical novel and this looks like promising material for a chapter and I'd like to ask a few questions of them both. Yes or no?
2006-07-29 12:53:49 · 11 answers · asked by Harriet 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
There's nothing wrong with getting their consent and collecting your material. But ...
I'd remember that "water under the bridge" can get stirred up again when faced w/ a physical reminder, like seeing your "friend/s" again.
I'd check myself to make sure revenge or confrontation isn't a motivation. That would just result in psuedo-art; cheap drama.
To be honest Harriet: My gut says you're not totally over this and this project may be an excuse for trying to get answers to why you were screwed over, or a confrontation perhaps.
Consider your friends would likely be aversed to being interviewed for a book where you describe how they betrayed you. Maybe consider letting your hair down and asking for answers without the pretense of an interview? Best wishes.
2006-07-29 12:56:59 · answer #1 · answered by Rewsna 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Definitely yes, its the best kind of insight you can get! An artist should go as far as possible to achieve the best they can! Anyway if they've betrayed that way its not like you're losing any friends if they do get offended by the question!
2006-07-29 20:17:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, why not? If you get published and decide to make them characters in your book, you normally will have to get them to sign-off that they won't sue you for defamation, etc. Of course, many writers disguise who they're really writing about and might change a few characteristics so the real person isn't all that evident.
2006-07-29 20:28:02 · answer #3 · answered by Mike S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm assuming you're changing names in your novel (since it's a novel and not an autobiography). Then go ahead. Ask away. If you need an excuse to ask questions, just say you're doing research for a novel.
2006-07-29 20:05:21 · answer #4 · answered by AJK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good authors draw from their lives, it's was gives a book is credability. However, you would need to disguise the two people involved to avoid being sued for slander.
2006-07-31 05:18:39 · answer #5 · answered by Breeze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell them some of what you are doing, but also let them know that no personal grudge is in you. they may even think the idea is a good one, even if they are or aren't part of the final work. besides, what if they're married, but not to each other? what do plan then?
2006-07-29 20:05:32 · answer #6 · answered by de bossy one 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are protected by the first amendment there, but anyone with tact would let them know, even if they dont like the idea, that they may be included in the writings.
2006-07-29 19:56:27 · answer #7 · answered by mello83 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to be a writer, you shouldn't even be asking if this question!
2006-07-29 22:02:20 · answer #8 · answered by richy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, you can ask questions but you may choose not to use the answers.
2006-07-29 19:57:43 · answer #9 · answered by Laura H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, get over it stop kidding yourself, move on. leave sh..t long enough it dries up and blows away in the wind.
2006-07-29 19:58:12 · answer #10 · answered by lefang 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋