Real Names in Fiction

mlazzer · Oct 11, 2009

This must've been asked before, and if so, please forward me to the link, but I can't find it with the search option (probably because I'm a moron).

I'm leaning towards a story featuring Emil Zátopek who finds out some leaders of the communist party are daemons and he'll hunt them down. Would it be a problem to use the name (and "character") of a celebrity (even when he's deceased) in a fictional story like this? And what kind of disclaimer would one need to insert into the story?

dpaterso · Oct 11, 2009

Write it. Your agent or publisher, when you get to that stage, will advise whether the name needs changed and/or will insert the appropriate fictional work disclaimer.

-Derek

Libbie · Oct 11, 2009

mlazzer said:
This must've been asked before, and if so, please forward me to the link, but I can't find it with the search option (probably because I'm a moron).

I'm leaning towards a story featuring Emil Zátopek who finds out some leaders of the communist party are daemons and he'll hunt them down. Would it be a problem to use the name (and "character") of a celebrity (even when he's deceased) in a fictional story like this? And what kind of disclaimer would one need to insert into the story?

It must not be that big of a problem, because I know there is a published fantasy novel out there somewhere that involves Harry Houdini (and some other characters from history) helping to hunting down fictional baddies. (My, that was a lot of alliteration!)

mlazzer · Oct 13, 2009

dpaterso said:
Write it. Your agent or publisher, when you get to that stage, will advise whether the name needs changed and/or will insert the appropriate fictional work disclaimer.

-Derek

Well, I don't think that will really work, would it? Assume I write the book and then I must change the name, then half of the story wouldn't make any sense any more, right?

dpaterso · Oct 13, 2009

mlazzer said:
Well, I don't think that will really work, would it? Assume I write the book and then I must change the name, then half of the story wouldn't make any sense any more, right?

Not necessarily -- that all depends on how much factual/biographical information you include in the story, and how much the story hinges upon this personal information (i.e. can't exist without it). It absolutely must be this person, in this country, during the period of his political career? Substituting a semi-fictional character absolutely won't work? Well, okay. But I still say write it and see what happens.

-Derek

RJK · Oct 13, 2009

mlazzer said:
Well, I don't think that will really work, would it? Assume I write the book and then I must change the name, then half of the story wouldn't make any sense any more, right?

Depends on how you write it.

I have an Algerian Muslim terrorist in my book named Abu Musab Abdel Wabous. He's modeled after Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud, a real Algerian terrorist. Mine is in Washington, the real one is in Algeria.

Wayne K · Oct 13, 2009

Libbie said:
It must not be that big of a problem, because I know there is a published fantasy novel out there somewhere that involves Harry Houdini (and some other characters from history) helping to hunting down fictional baddies. (My, that was a lot of alliteration!)

Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow. I just finished it.

Libbie · Oct 13, 2009

Wayne K said:
Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow. I just finished it.

Yeah, that's it!! Thanks, Wayne.

Did you like it? I might have to read it, if it's got my boy Harry between the covers. <3<3<3<3

Wayne K · Oct 13, 2009

He was my wife's professsor at NYU, so she insisted that I read it. It's pretty good, but I can't take the long sentences. I perferred Billy Bathgate, but that's more my genre, so that might be why.

mlazzer · Oct 15, 2009

dpaterso said:
Not necessarily -- that all depends on how much factual/biographical information you include in the story, and how much the story hinges upon this personal information (i.e. can't exist without it). It absolutely must be this person, in this country, during the period of his political career? Substituting a semi-fictional character absolutely won't work? Well, okay. But I still say write it and see what happens.

-Derek

Well, it is pretty much like that.

Real Names in Fiction

mlazzer

New kid, be gentle

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

mlazzer

New kid, be gentle

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

Wayne K

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Wayne K

mlazzer

New kid, be gentle