Comments on: Writing real people into fiction? http://www.thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/ Pin-Up Girl with a Reading Fetish Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:43:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Literate Housewife Seal of Approval http://www.thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-137535 Literate Housewife Seal of Approval Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:18:33 +0000 http://thebookladysblog.com/?p=3064#comment-137535 [...] http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/09/12/my-first-time-with-judy-blumes-forever/ http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/09/01/big-release-day-catching-fire-by-suzanne-collins/ http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/ http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/17/the-one-in-which-we-collectively-gush-about-her-fearful-symmetry/ [...] [...] http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/09/12/my-first-time-with-judy-blumes-forever/ http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/09/01/big-release-day-catching-fire-by-suzanne-collins/ http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/ http://thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/17/the-one-in-which-we-collectively-gush-about-her-fearful-symmetry/ [...]

]]> By: Tiffany Flanery http://www.thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-66935 Tiffany Flanery Wed, 04 May 2011 20:25:02 +0000 http://thebookladysblog.com/?p=3064#comment-66935 Well, I am glad I came across this blog because as a person interested in writing a fictional novella about a historical figure that has long since passed, I wanted to know people's views on this. I am glad that everyone thinks it is okay to write a book about deceased people, because I am writing about a topic that has interested me for many years. The man and woman are both such complex people, that I find myself doing so much research just to find a fraction of an inch inside their mind. It's also loosely based on facts, and most of it is fiction because this couple was so secretive in everything, that no one, except them knew 100% what went on. I'd love to hear opinions! :) Well, I am glad I came across this blog because as a person interested in writing a fictional novella about a historical figure that has long since passed, I wanted to know people’s views on this. I am glad that everyone thinks it is okay to write a book about deceased people, because I am writing about a topic that has interested me for many years.
The man and woman are both such complex people, that I find myself doing so much research just to find a fraction of an inch inside their mind. It’s also loosely based on facts, and most of it is fiction because this couple was so secretive in everything, that no one, except them knew 100% what went on.

I’d love to hear opinions! :)

]]> By: Denise http://www.thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-51791 Denise Sat, 12 Feb 2011 21:05:47 +0000 http://thebookladysblog.com/?p=3064#comment-51791 Interesting debate. I came across this while searching for responses to this issue. The book I am contemplating deals with a political situation that has been in place for some time, but no one other than certain politicians has knowledge of it. I would need to include current and past political figures as major players in the story. What is your take on that? Interesting debate. I came across this while searching for responses to this issue. The book I am contemplating deals with a political situation that has been in place for some time, but no one other than certain politicians has knowledge of it. I would need to include current and past political figures as major players in the story. What is your take on that?

]]> By: Troubled http://www.thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-35814 Troubled Sun, 28 Nov 2010 00:22:47 +0000 http://thebookladysblog.com/?p=3064#comment-35814 Rather late in the thread, I know, but I'm dealing with this issue at the moment. I'm writing what could be described as historical fiction (not for selling, just for sharing online a la fanfiction) about the invention, development and popularization of an important technology. The twist (and the whole point, really) is that The Technology manifests as a human representation, and most of the story is told from its/his viewpoint. So considerably fictionalized from the get-go, and not likely to be mistaken for literal history. However... The early parts of the story, in particular, deal with the early days of The Technology, and therefore are going to involve its inventors working hard on getting it up and running. Since using made-up people and names here would sort of defeat the purpose of making the story about The Technology and not a similar one in an alternate world, well, they'll be real people. They won't be viewpoint characters, but some of them will be fairly major characters for quite some time. The point is not to exploit their fame (they don't have much fame anyway) or make a controversial statement about them; they will, to the best of my ability, be portrayed as competent professionals and people to be admired. Since they'll only be seen when interacting with The Technology, their personal lives won't come into it much if at all. That's the good news. The bad news is that, well, they'll still be real people. People who are for the most part alive to this day, and who aren't particularly famous despite their historical importance. Also, for the early part of the story, The Technology would be depicted as a child. Which means that some of the things the inventors do with it (pushing it to the limits to see where the limits are, leaving it in the lab all the time, turning it off at night, etc.) might come across as pretty harsh. (The Technology, being a Technology instead of a real child, wouldn't be particularly troubled by this treatment, but still...) The parental relationship of at least some of them with The Technology, while something I'd like to do for character reasons, also has the potential to become a little too personal. So I'm trying to do the whole thing as tastefully as possible, but I still feel kind of squeamish about it. What do you think? Over the line? Rather late in the thread, I know, but I’m dealing with this issue at the moment. I’m writing what could be described as historical fiction (not for selling, just for sharing online a la fanfiction) about the invention, development and popularization of an important technology. The twist (and the whole point, really) is that The Technology manifests as a human representation, and most of the story is told from its/his viewpoint.
So considerably fictionalized from the get-go, and not likely to be mistaken for literal history. However…
The early parts of the story, in particular, deal with the early days of The Technology, and therefore are going to involve its inventors working hard on getting it up and running. Since using made-up people and names here would sort of defeat the purpose of making the story about The Technology and not a similar one in an alternate world, well, they’ll be real people.
They won’t be viewpoint characters, but some of them will be fairly major characters for quite some time.
The point is not to exploit their fame (they don’t have much fame anyway) or make a controversial statement about them; they will, to the best of my ability, be portrayed as competent professionals and people to be admired. Since they’ll only be seen when interacting with The Technology, their personal lives won’t come into it much if at all.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that, well, they’ll still be real people. People who are for the most part alive to this day, and who aren’t particularly famous despite their historical importance.
Also, for the early part of the story, The Technology would be depicted as a child. Which means that some of the things the inventors do with it (pushing it to the limits to see where the limits are, leaving it in the lab all the time, turning it off at night, etc.) might come across as pretty harsh. (The Technology, being a Technology instead of a real child, wouldn’t be particularly troubled by this treatment, but still…) The parental relationship of at least some of them with The Technology, while something I’d like to do for character reasons, also has the potential to become a little too personal.
So I’m trying to do the whole thing as tastefully as possible, but I still feel kind of squeamish about it. What do you think? Over the line?

]]> By: KSWriter http://www.thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-28132 KSWriter Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:50:11 +0000 http://thebookladysblog.com/?p=3064#comment-28132 I just stumbled upon this discussion because I was actually searching for this topic. I'm actually currently writing a political thriller novel that 99% deals with fictional characters I have created, but also references real-life political figures that are still living, but in the time frame of the book, exist in the past. My point is I'd be careful in making a broad brush in using real live characters. Law & Order has fictional main characters but would make references to living people all the time, including Presidents, Governors, Senators, etc. For example, in a political novel, unless I'm trying to create an entire fictional universe, referencing real life people seems unavoidable. I try very hard to avoid any commentary on them (that's not the purpose of the book) but more to provide context for the story. I just stumbled upon this discussion because I was actually searching for this topic. I’m actually currently writing a political thriller novel that 99% deals with fictional characters I have created, but also references real-life political figures that are still living, but in the time frame of the book, exist in the past.

My point is I’d be careful in making a broad brush in using real live characters. Law & Order has fictional main characters but would make references to living people all the time, including Presidents, Governors, Senators, etc.

For example, in a political novel, unless I’m trying to create an entire fictional universe, referencing real life people seems unavoidable. I try very hard to avoid any commentary on them (that’s not the purpose of the book) but more to provide context for the story.

]]> By: Literate Housewife http://www.thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-6060 Literate Housewife Sun, 13 Sep 2009 21:15:53 +0000 http://thebookladysblog.com/?p=3064#comment-6060 I can't believe I didn't see this post before. It's excellent and thought provoking. I think for me whether actual people in a novel work depends on how recent the history is. When the person is still alive, I have to wonder about the motivation of the author. Quite frankly, I don't really want to have to read a novel when I'm wondering about that. That is why I didn't have any interest in American Wife. I was/still am tired of hearing about anything to do with that particular president. Enough is enough if you ask me. Loving Frank was a decent read for me. I don't think that my not loving it had much to do with the real-life characters. I'm a huge fan of Tudor fiction, so having actual people in my fiction doesn't bother me. Still, people are very concerned still about their reputations as well. It's a tough call and a very interesting topic. I can’t believe I didn’t see this post before. It’s excellent and thought provoking.

I think for me whether actual people in a novel work depends on how recent the history is. When the person is still alive, I have to wonder about the motivation of the author. Quite frankly, I don’t really want to have to read a novel when I’m wondering about that. That is why I didn’t have any interest in American Wife. I was/still am tired of hearing about anything to do with that particular president. Enough is enough if you ask me. Loving Frank was a decent read for me. I don’t think that my not loving it had much to do with the real-life characters.

I’m a huge fan of Tudor fiction, so having actual people in my fiction doesn’t bother me. Still, people are very concerned still about their reputations as well.

It’s a tough call and a very interesting topic.

]]> By: Tracy Grant http://www.thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-6059 Tracy Grant Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:50:52 +0000 http://thebookladysblog.com/?p=3064#comment-6059 Fascinating topic. I found this blog because wordpress linked to a blog I wrote on a similar topic "Real people in fictional stories." I write historical novels with fictional main characters, but I have real historical people as secondary characters, sometimes major secondary characters. It's a delicate balancing act. I try to read as many letters, diaries, memoirs as possible to get inside the person's head. And if I have real people doing fictional things (which inevitably they do in a fictional story), I try to stick to things that that person *might* have done based on the historical record. So for instance if someone is known to have had a number of love affairs, I would feel okay having them involved in a fictional love affair. But to do the same with someone who is known to have been a devoted and faithful husband or wife would seem like cheating. Fascinating topic. I found this blog because wordpress linked to a blog I wrote on a similar topic “Real people in fictional stories.” I write historical novels with fictional main characters, but I have real historical people as secondary characters, sometimes major secondary characters. It’s a delicate balancing act. I try to read as many letters, diaries, memoirs as possible to get inside the person’s head. And if I have real people doing fictional things (which inevitably they do in a fictional story), I try to stick to things that that person *might* have done based on the historical record. So for instance if someone is known to have had a number of love affairs, I would feel okay having them involved in a fictional love affair. But to do the same with someone who is known to have been a devoted and faithful husband or wife would seem like cheating.

]]> By: The Sunday Salon 8.30.09 « The Book Lady’s Blog http://www.thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-6058 The Sunday Salon 8.30.09 « The Book Lady’s Blog Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:03:56 +0000 http://thebookladysblog.com/?p=3064#comment-6058 [...] Writing real people into fiction? [...] [...] Writing real people into fiction? [...]

]]> By: softdrink http://www.thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-6057 softdrink Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:04:42 +0000 http://thebookladysblog.com/?p=3064#comment-6057 I had a hard time with Wally Lamb using Columbine. It felt like he was exploiting a tragedy for his book. So while I did like the novel, I still have unresolved feelings about Maureen being so involved. I understand why he did, and that it wouldn't be the same novel without it, but it still bugs me. Which is weird, because I don't normally have that reaction. Maybe because it's such a recent event? I've read plenty of historical fiction with real and imagined characters, and didn't have any issues. I've even read fictionalized accounts of historical figures lives that I've really liked (The Last Queen and Lucrezia come to mind). I had a hard time with Wally Lamb using Columbine. It felt like he was exploiting a tragedy for his book. So while I did like the novel, I still have unresolved feelings about Maureen being so involved. I understand why he did, and that it wouldn’t be the same novel without it, but it still bugs me.

Which is weird, because I don’t normally have that reaction. Maybe because it’s such a recent event?

I’ve read plenty of historical fiction with real and imagined characters, and didn’t have any issues. I’ve even read fictionalized accounts of historical figures lives that I’ve really liked (The Last Queen and Lucrezia come to mind).

]]> By: justicejenniferreads http://www.thebookladysblog.com/2009/08/26/writing-real-people-into-fiction/comment-page-1/#comment-6056 justicejenniferreads Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:35:48 +0000 http://thebookladysblog.com/?p=3064#comment-6056 This is a wonderful discussion starter - one that I've dabbled into every now and then on other blogs. Personally, I don't care - a good story is a good story and public figures are going to be misrepresented all the time. I feel like it seems to come with the territory. The majority of people who are your biggest fans or biggest haters will never actually KNOW you. Instead, they will create an image, a story, of you in their minds that feed their love/hate. And isn't that what authors do when they decide to include real people in their fictional stories? They do what we all subconsciously do in our heads on paper. When that happens to turn into a deliciously scandalous or interesting story I'll pick it up. It won't change my perception of the person because it's fiction. And I believe that fiction should be limitless, even if it requires a little boost from reality. As an occasional writer myself, I can't help but realize that I base a lot of my characters loosely on reality. I start with something that I know well and then fill in the blanks with my imagination. I understand that not everyone is going to appreciate that kind of fiction - but I love it! This is a wonderful discussion starter – one that I’ve dabbled into every now and then on other blogs. Personally, I don’t care – a good story is a good story and public figures are going to be misrepresented all the time. I feel like it seems to come with the territory. The majority of people who are your biggest fans or biggest haters will never actually KNOW you. Instead, they will create an image, a story, of you in their minds that feed their love/hate. And isn’t that what authors do when they decide to include real people in their fictional stories? They do what we all subconsciously do in our heads on paper. When that happens to turn into a deliciously scandalous or interesting story I’ll pick it up. It won’t change my perception of the person because it’s fiction. And I believe that fiction should be limitless, even if it requires a little boost from reality.

As an occasional writer myself, I can’t help but realize that I base a lot of my characters loosely on reality. I start with something that I know well and then fill in the blanks with my imagination. I understand that not everyone is going to appreciate that kind of fiction – but I love it!

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