This is such an interesting question, where do you draw the line ethically? Is it different if the writer has a relationship with the real people? Based on how their fictional selves are shown? If I write a novel based on a traumatic childhood, but add in speculative features that obviously remove it from the known world, is that ok? I don't actually know, but I'm fascinated with the question. This use makes me feel uncomfortable, but I like to sit with that a little because I enjoy a book making me a bit uncomfortable, so the source of the discomfort is worth exploring. Thank you for sharing this, you've given me something to chew on today.
I really don't know about any of it! I think it's partially a question of how much an audience is made to be aware of who/what the book is about, but I honestly don't know if it would be The Right Thing To Do even if the only people who knew were Sussman, Zimmerman, and Evans. I really like books that make me question things, so I'm glad I read this book. Thank you for reading this post and responding to it!!!
Thank you for writing this! I enjoy having something to puzzle over. I agree there is an added element to it when the audience is aware of the basis, but it's not necessarily ok if they're not. Then again, Lauren Hough was talking about her non-fiction recently (some of it very traumatic) and said that if you don't name people they don't recognize themselves in stories where they're not portrayed well, because everyone is the hero of their own story. Such interesting questions. Thank you again.
This is such an interesting question, where do you draw the line ethically? Is it different if the writer has a relationship with the real people? Based on how their fictional selves are shown? If I write a novel based on a traumatic childhood, but add in speculative features that obviously remove it from the known world, is that ok? I don't actually know, but I'm fascinated with the question. This use makes me feel uncomfortable, but I like to sit with that a little because I enjoy a book making me a bit uncomfortable, so the source of the discomfort is worth exploring. Thank you for sharing this, you've given me something to chew on today.
I really don't know about any of it! I think it's partially a question of how much an audience is made to be aware of who/what the book is about, but I honestly don't know if it would be The Right Thing To Do even if the only people who knew were Sussman, Zimmerman, and Evans. I really like books that make me question things, so I'm glad I read this book. Thank you for reading this post and responding to it!!!
Thank you for writing this! I enjoy having something to puzzle over. I agree there is an added element to it when the audience is aware of the basis, but it's not necessarily ok if they're not. Then again, Lauren Hough was talking about her non-fiction recently (some of it very traumatic) and said that if you don't name people they don't recognize themselves in stories where they're not portrayed well, because everyone is the hero of their own story. Such interesting questions. Thank you again.