If is going to be fiction but some characters are going to based off of some people I knew in college. I don't talk to them or anything. Could this cause problems if it gets published? How can I avoid any problems?
2007-04-06 15:53:41 · 3 answers · asked by Peggy Pirate 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Well it is going to based on an event and the fictional part is going to be 30 years later and it comes out when they run for a political office.
2007-04-06 16:11:37 · update #1
Yes, it could cause you problems. To avoid this, you should put three differences on each character. If the real person was blonde and sexy and came from Wyoming, make her brunette and petite and from Arkansas. If a guy was an athlete, make him a med student. You get the picture. It also helps if you hang an odd trait on each supporting character.
For instance, one guy could always be fooling with his glasses (cleaning them, pushing them up, etc).
2007-04-06 16:04:46 · answer #1 · answered by loryntoo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well how are they going to be "based on them"? You arent making them the exact people with the exact lives are you? Does the story involve something that actually happened to them that they would recognize? If so, you definitely have a problem. I base characters on people all the time. However I just use perhaps a certain characteristic or something about that person that I bring into the character. Read the disclaimer in a book - most books have one. "This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either a product of the author's imagination or are used fictionally" I just happened to get that out of the closest book to me. The Fifth Vial by Michael Palmer.
I have one particular character that is based on my son's best friend. The character appears in several of my books. The kid knows he is a character and loves the idea, but I am very careful how I use him and would never use him in any comprimising or embarassing situations.
This is a tough call. If I was you, I would go to Preditors and Editors and write a letter to Dave K for advice. Or post the question at Absolute Write Water Cooler where there are literary agents and publishers who answer questions regularly.
Pax - C
2007-04-06 23:08:43 · answer #2 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will have to change names and anything that can be hurtful to these people. Even specific things you are basing it on may need to have a different aspect so it cannot be related back.
2007-04-06 23:04:10 · answer #3 · answered by jayger04 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋