I have an idea for a book....please offer any constructive criticism that you can?

Question

Ok...we all know that Ken Lay really is dead, but since bashing Bush is an easy way to make a buck, why not write a conspiracy theory book about how Ken Lay was charged with a crime, sentenced, then his death was faked, and he got away.

You see, there is this little inconvienent law out there that if you die before all your appeals are used, you do not die a criminal, if your case is currently under appeal. Your record is cleared and you die an innocent man.

Ken Lay dying an innocent man means noone, not even the government, can touch the money he stole from the shareholders of Enron.

Good idea for a book?

1st, they cannot target the estate because Ken tied most of it to an annuitity, and annuitities are immune from all civil action. The government cannot even seize an annuitity unless in contains wealth from a criminal act, and since he died a free man, they cannot touch it.

I do not even have to change the characters because the are public figures, and therefore I have a huge buffer from slander.

Answer 1

Good idea, and the best part is since it is a conspiracy theory you don't even have to do that much research (you could claim they are simply hiding the evidence so that they can deny the truth) and so you don't really need evidence. Go for it.

Answer 2

I think it's a good idea for a book except you could never use Ken Lay as a character or you'll be sued before you write the first page.

But seriously, the next time you have an idea for a book, don't post your idea on a global website where anyone can steal your idea. Not a very smart way to protect yourself.

Answer 3

He may be dead but you are making the case for him to be totally innocent. If you use his identity in the story you must therefore open yourself to action in the courts and quite rightly so.

It would be so easy to write the story with a fictitious name and description but without the Ken Lay name would it sell?

I suspect you may have a good idea for a book but have no confidence you will sell it without using the name!

Answer 4

You might have to change the names, and you need a developed plot-arc, and a serious twist to make it work. If you just lay out a standard conspiracy book you haven't got a prayer. What's the twist -- what's the surprise. This is not meant as criticism, but as a question you need to ask over and over and over -- "why should anyone care about this book? what's going to keep them turning the pages?"

Answer 5

Sounds like a great idea for a book. The plot immediately comes to mind when you think of his death. You might think of what kind of twists you could add to keep readers guessing along the way.

Answer 6

His estate can be sued civilly so your theory of his money cant be touched is wrong. Just watch the employees go after it. I believe there will be a class action law suit against his estate and they will win.

Answer 7

Good idea, could be used with anyone charged with a crime. Unfortunately, the government can still go after the money, by going after whom ever inherits it. Also if he is caught, he would be charged with further felonies.

Answer 8

Change the names, write it as a fiction thriller, add a murder here and there, and a wily detective, you'll have a best seller. Start typing.

Answer 9

Yea, but you better hurry cause I bet someone else is working on the same idea too...

Answer 10

sounds pretty good to me