would you change people's names, or leave them the same?
Are you brave enough to face people's obviously differing views or chicken and wishing to hide behind the cover of the book?
2006-09-25 11:22:25 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
If you are writing memoirs, you have to be honest, but if it's a novelized version of your life story, you would change the names to prevent embarrasment.
2006-09-25 12:35:00 · answer #1 · answered by The Gadfly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on the nature of the work being written. If the piece is negative, a writer could easily (and rightfully) be accused of libel.
But as another person pointed out, why not use real names and places for a memoir? It would thrill your grandma's heart to be named and portrayed, baking cookies in your third chapter.
It is the writer's choice, but one must be prepared for trouble when writing negative things about real people.
2006-09-25 13:20:01 · answer #2 · answered by mtnlady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be smarter to change the names and maybe some places used in your book.
If you painted someone in an unflattering light, and s/he became aware of it, s/he could sue you for libel, especially if you present your opinions about him/her as truth.
Even in the short stories I write that are true, I make sure to change names and a few key details so it can't be pinned down to a specific person.
2006-09-25 11:29:15 · answer #3 · answered by lauren under water 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I write because i trust as if there is thoughts and subject matters that the international needs to study about, and easily thanks to achieve human beings is through media or through books. Writers shouldn't write for attractiveness or money. Authors do not get attractiveness in any respect. and by no skill that a lot money, both.
2016-11-23 21:21:26 · answer #4 · answered by hemmingway 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. For instance, I think it's TRULY ridiculous to suggest that one should shove marbles into the mouth of a small child to cure "studdering." And I would gladly dedicate a chapter of my memoirs to pointing out all that is ridiculous about such an idea and why anyone who would suggest it is clearly in need of serious psychiatric help.
2006-09-26 02:33:41 · answer #5 · answered by David M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember, the truth shall set you free. If you are 100% that you are writing the truth, and it will stand in court if you get sued, then by all means use the real names.
If you can't do that, then your book is not 100% accurate, so I would rethink it and maybe turn it into a novel.
2006-09-25 13:22:17 · answer #6 · answered by veraperezp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aye, I don't think it's a question of bravery, more of privacy, and I would put their names in if I had permission. I would be brave enough to face peoples obviously differing views as you put it.
2006-09-25 11:29:15 · answer #7 · answered by SilverHAWK 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think I would change the names. I wouldn't want to offend anyone and I wouldn't like my name mentioned if someone else wrote a book about themselves. You would end up with no friends at all, everyone would be mad.
2006-09-25 14:44:12 · answer #8 · answered by lazycat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I was writing a book I would change their names so I wanted get used.....
2006-09-25 11:32:28 · answer #9 · answered by drubieslovergirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm writing a fiction story and one of my characters was inspired by a gay (homosexual) person in my own family who is one of my parent's siblings. What I did was change the sex of this person entirely.
So, my answer would be no, I can't even do it in fiction. I am careful, even in this answer because this person doesn't want to come out, even though they have a "companion" of many years.
2006-09-25 11:29:35 · answer #10 · answered by germaine_87313 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋