How does a fiction author avoid defamation of character and copyright infringement?

Question

I plan on writing a fictional young adult novel and basing it on my own life as a high school student on Long Island. I was wondering, when writing about characters from real life how would I avoid defamation of character? My friend who takes a law class said you could use the same first name but must change the last name and physical appearance, etc.

So my questions are:
How do I change characters as to avoid DOC?
What falls under DOC?
Can I keep the same first name and change the last name and some personality traits, etc?

and also:

Would I have to get consent from a company if in my novel if a character says something about a certain TV show, etc?

And do I need consent when quoting a book, movie, song, or TV show?

Answer 1

Aliases could be used as substitutes for real names in order to evade cases of libel, defamation or other offenses.

Answer 2

some names have been changed so as to protect the innocent,,,,,,,,,,,,
' doc was nickname for son in the movie the shining so does your doc have an ax to grind lol,,,with fiction you must put a disclaimer that no person living or dead is portrayed in this book and all characters are fictional,,,,, and yes if you mention a movie a tv show or any other by law u must get a dissclaimer from them other books movies songs you must get there permission to use it,s law, but hey dont get dissheartened write your book just write it then , go over it and say to yourself did i realy need to mention avis rent a car ,i could just say he rented a car,or just like the shining you would,nt say the title just hint at it ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,like he picked up his book and swung it like that guy with the axin the hotel up in the mountains hotel

write then erase and write and erase and write now ,,,,,go you still reading go write bye bye go

Answer 3

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