Creating Fictional Characters From Real Life People and Avoiding Libel

Good, sensible advice. The tip "change the character" could be a hub on its own. I begin with William D. Holland. I place him in 1915 Chicago. He is disillusioned in his career as a newspaperman and quits to devote himself to painting. I change him to her and name her Holly D. Williams. Holly is a radical artist involved in a plot to blow up City Hall.

This is why I love your hubs. I've never really thought about this. It's interesting and something to keep in mind. I guess I won't be able to write my novel about a prolific writer named millymuc on PubHages who is trying to change the world, one article at a time! :-)

Thank you for sharing this valuable piece of advice :) It's a great reminder. I didn't get into a lawsuit but I did got into trouble plenty of times when I wrote my first story book in poetry since everyone who read them thought I have actually gone through them and someone I loved other than my father had died. If I'm writing about a tall person, I make sure to write opposite things in physical appearance. Real people with imaginary situations or imaginary characters in real situations. In a way, it's fun :)

Thank you,

This has changed my strategy for some of my writings. I needed this information.

This is wonderfully written with great detail and advice.

I have found away around the libel part, by concentrating on a different angle. It is from a child's point of view, and written in a way that it could be any child's story. I guess, I have no fear when it comes to getting the truth out. And then I look at my sweet husband, and I realize I must think about the stress it would cause him. So, I find myself approaching it in a way, the suing and court stuff wouldn't happened.

Awesome info Bill. You are the best! Up +++, shared..

Another very useful piece that can save a lot of grief. Thanks again, Billy, for your wisdom.

Great information and advice, Bill. This is a very important topic for writers, because it's often hard to avoid basing a fictional character on someone that we know.

Great advice Bill. I know a lot of writers base characters on people they know or have seen.

Really great advice to consider. Thanks, Bill!

Comprehensive, practical and most useful information, Bill.

Have a peaceful evening. Love, Maria

Thank you again for an interesting and informative hub. Yes most of us do write about the people we have come across in our lives, but by changing names, descriptions and other details.... there can't be a lawsuit surely. Especially if there is a disclaimer in the front of the book that none of the characters represent real people. In many non-fiction health related books authors write about their case studies but we as publishers always insist that names are changed and even sometimes the gender. Thanks for the video links.

Hello Bill, I always love reading your Hubs. I just started following you on Wordpress. I was browsing your homepage and I was wondering if you have any Hubs on building your Wordpress accounts.

Hi, Bill. Do not speak ill of the dead whether you are talking or writing about them. That's my motto. And a disclaimer is essential but not foolproof under the laws of some of our states, e.g., California.

An informative hub to all writers and you said to so well. You made the most helpful points in using characters. Always great ideas from you well done!

I think I will stay away from using anyone I know as a character. They are much too crazy anyway and no one would believe it. I like your suggested use of a disclaimer. Very useful information and one that will prevent a lawsuit.

Another very useful lesson. You cleared up some concerns for me. I've been tempted very often to write about people who wouldn't listen, in the hope that they would read. I've never done it though; and thanks to you, if I ever yield to the temptation, I'll be careful.

Very important information here dear Bill! Having said that, it would be very hard for me to not use the true personality traits of persons I have known in my life, but I would make sure to change their appearance, but still come across with their same nasty self personality, as you say, mix them up a bit to create an even more interesting character.

I just read about Dillinger's family trying to sue for libel, but could not due to he was dead, but being he was famous, they could under the other avenue you mentioned about people who are famous and making money off of their name due to fame.

Up and more and sharing

Blessings, Faith Reaper

But you never know when fame and fortune will strike, so it's better to be safe than sorry!

Wasn't there an incident where a guy sued Adele or Taylor Swift or somebody because he was the one who made her miserable enough to write songs that made a ton of money?

This is a question that I'm sure comes up so often and you outlined the answers/resolutions wonderfully. Great advice, Bill.

Ok ... question time. Do you think I'm leaving myself open to a lawsuit by not having a disclaimer at the front of my novels? I don't have one, but it's obvious my novels are just that - novels. And Gaelach makes a good point. If we all have characters named John Smith (there are probably thousands of John Smiths) just so happens to fit a real person (or many people (unintentionally of course) all of us could be the target for hundreds of lawsuits. In all actuality almost all of my main characters are based on real people; however, I try to combine traits so they don't sound like any one person.

Bill, what if the real person you wanted to write about was a nasty piece of work and this was the character trait the writer needed to reflect in a novel, but the family are sure to take umbrage with what is written.

And what about writing about members of your own family who may or may not be dead, some may approve and others may take offense so where do the writer stands legally? This is very useful information that every writer needs, and I'm certainly saving it for later.

Nice work my friend!!

Once again you've managed to educate and entertain simultaneously. Shame on you! As a novelist myself who has shamelessly pilfered the shelves of history it's good to know I'm on safe ground. Great hub!

Hello Billy,

I Imagine that I might have to wait for them to enter the pearly gates before I publish their story. I always like to tell it as it is and describe their every wart or wrinkle - poor blighters - they might start turning in their graves! This made me smile, that is because I am itching to put some of those real life characters into print.

Voted up

Sally

It's almost comical when you advice to wait until someone dies in order to make them a recognizable character in a book, but so true!

I'm finding now that I'm venturing into short stories that I pull scenery or objects from my past as opposed to people. Although, much of Faith's beginnings are based on my own difficulty in making friends as a little girl.

I think we definitely pull from life experiences when we write fiction, otherwise we may not know where to begin. People and life are fascinating. So is writing. Life is a tool in so many ways and is the motivation behind bringing words to life. Nevertheless, we must be careful when modeling characters after real people.

Excellent article, Bill!

This is just so interesting, Bill! I write short stories and hope to publish a fiction book so it's great to have this info. Well written and well researched too, my friend. Voted up and sharing!

Thanks Bill, this was very informative. I did not realize that if the person is dead, you can't be sued! I would have thought the family of the deceased would have some sort of rights to protect their loved one's reputation...My take away is: if you can't say something nice, say it about a dead person! :)

I love your advice about choosing dead people as characters because they can't sue you!

If someone has to sue a writer because they think one of the character in the book is based on them and they feel threaten about that.... may be it's time for them to change the way they act. But as you said, the best way to proceed is probably mix and match several real life people into one.... and have a disclaimer on top of it!

Great advices as usually, Bill!

Have a great day!

This is getting a bit weird. I will think to myself, "I need to get some clarification on this. I'll zip off an e-mail to Bill, tomorrow."

The next morning you will answer my question. (spooky music plays here)

Great hub, as always, Bill.

Thanks for all the super information.

Now, stay out of my head! LOL

DJ.

Good evening, bill! It's the same here, a disclaimer saying 'Any resemblance to persons living is purely coincidental....' I think common sense would dictate how far we can go with character descriptions. Let's face it, there are enough people with similar mannerisms, good or bad, to be able to say, 'oh, that wasn't you, that was ...(so and so)'.

I think some people are flattered that they're used as a basis for a fictional character even if it's a bad one - we all have our darker side!

Hope you've got some sunshine even if it's cold. Enjoy your evening! Ann

Evening Bill.

All great points you make. But let me ask you a question, "How many WIlliam D. Holland's are there in the US alone" never mind the other English speaking nations. That's the problem about waiting until they have died. There's always going to be a William D. Holland somewhere or a Jackie Lynnley or anyone else you care to name. We just have to watch where we put our feet and not to jump in with both feet at once.

I think "Disclaimer" is the key word Bill.

Take care and keep wrapped up.

LOL Ghaelach

If I couldn't use real people (mostly dead) and fabricate their conversations about real events, alter some of their life events to a different outcome or to fit my story line, mingle them to hobnob with my fictional characters, and even give them different likes and dislikes as appropriate to my story, then I'd just be another writer in a long line of writers. I try to use only dead people when I name drop in my books. Real life people scare the crap out of me, I'm afraid of being sued. lol All writing has some fact and some fiction. Intermingling true facts into your fictional story is a writer's way of grabbing and keeping your reader's attention and making your story entertaining and enjoyable. The customary disclaimer on the work (inside cover, bottom of article/hub, etc.) is all- important as it is a CMA statement (cover my ass). Good hub, Bill

Excellent advice, Bill! Combining traits from several different real people to create a composite character is a good technique, but the writer must still be careful with details that might make a person recognizable to those who know him or her, especially if the character does something reprehensible in the story. If a real person is easily identifiable in a character, then his or her actions (even though fictional) might be believed by readers as something the real person did. That's setting up one's self (as a writer) as a target for litigation. It's best to be cautious.

Voted Up++

Jaye

Great points here Bill, for in the old days these characters probably never read a book, lol, but today they are looking for a suit!

When consumed by a writing project, liability may not be something is focused on. Thanks for the reminder and the useful information so folks do not get caught up in a lawsuit--in this sue crazy world we live in.

Thank You,

Kim

Wonderfully informative. The biggest problem for most writers who get into trouble here is the "nuisance" lawsuit. Just to go into court to get it kicked out will cost thousands and that stinks.