I'm writing a novel that's set in a real city in Texas (as opposed to a fictional one), with a population of about 200,000 people. Anyways, just out of curiosity I decided to google the names of my characters, to see if there were any people with those names, especially in the town my novel is set in. I discovered one major problem... one of my fairly major (but not central) characters is named "Lucy Hernandez", and apparently there is a real Lucy Hernandez in this town. I'm guessing it would be a fairly common name in an area with a large Latino population, but should I change it just to be safe? Because I'd really rather not be sued.
2007-01-29 00:42:20 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
If I have to choose one or the other, I'd rather change a character name than the setting. The setting is very important to my story.
2007-01-29 01:17:41 · update #1
No. It makes it more realistic and down to earth. There's a disclaimer in the end anyway that can say that characters are all fictional.
2007-01-29 01:02:19 · answer #1 · answered by scaredofrevolvingdoors 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you can just make sure there's a disclaimer that says all characters are fictional and if the names of the characters are names of real people, they aren't connected and are coincidental. Most books have these disclaimers to begin with. But if you'd rather be on the safe side, just to make sure, you could change it if you want. There are so many real people out there, you're bound to use a real name at some point.
2007-01-29 04:26:37 · answer #2 · answered by Kristie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a pretty common name, especially considering the setting (Texas.) Just add the disclaimer at the beginning of the novel that states all characters are fictional and any resemblance to real persons is unintentional (there's more formal wording for this - just find a published novel with similar worded disclaimer at the beginning of the novel and use that.)
2007-01-29 02:46:35 · answer #3 · answered by §Sally§ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If I were you. I'd change it, especially since you're writing about a real city, rather than a fictional one. Or you could change the setting to a fictional place/ Why not - if you're writing fiction (are you?)
2007-01-29 00:48:55 · answer #4 · answered by johnslat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This story is fictional? Any similarities with living people is purely coincidence. Keep the name and use a disclaimer.
2007-01-29 01:01:12 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go with it for now, you can always change it later. Remember there are actually several people with the name Harry Potter in the world and none of them have really caused any trouble.
2007-01-29 02:35:41 · answer #6 · answered by megan nichole 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure you'd find Latino folks around who could give ideas of name combinations. I think Lopez is a bit too common. Maybe...something else.
2007-01-29 00:53:51 · answer #7 · answered by Benvenuto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely change it. It goes back to that saying, better to be safe than sorry. You don't want to put all that work into it and have to take it off the shelves later because of it. Good luck!
2007-01-29 00:49:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋