Real people, real situations.

Good morning, Self!

I know you have wondered sometimes about the advisability of putting real people in your stories, or having them present during real situations that caused a worldwide or nationwide stir. See one of my posts from several days ago. I avoid the possibility of a suit by framing my characters on stereotypes and adding personality traits. Something like assembling a Mr. Potatohead. If someone wants to identify with a character I have created, that's their business.

The problem I see with including a real person in a story is this: They may not care for the characterization you have given them and may take exception to it. You may have them doing something totally out of character and your work may serve to demonize, or idolize the person. Both may be completely wrong and give offense. The bad publicity of a suit may drive book sales, but if you lose, there is the possibility that you may end up paying them more than you gained from the sales. I will not include a real person in my works for that reason. It simply is not economically sound.

The second thing; real situations. If you put a fictitious or real person in a dire situation and have them react heroically, you run the chance of cheapening the factual actions of people who were in fact present. I believe in giving people their due honors and credit for meritorious behavior under incredibly difficult circumstances. To insert a character into that situation who was not there and have him or her doing things that did not happen only serves to take notice away from someone who deserves the honor of being recognized for his or her actions. Too many writers, both of the print media and in film have taken liberties with just that situation.

If a heroic action was taken by someone who is totally anonymous, despite efforts to learn his or her identity, then of course, give the person a name and display their heroics to the world. In some small way, that can honor him or her. But, in the interest of being certain that the readers or audience knows what you are doing, explain what you have done and give that anonymous person recognition for what they have done. The person may have died nameless and faceless, but we can at least shroud them with the honor they deserve.

Thank you,
Derek A. Murphy
Author of Stitch in Thyme, Congruencies and others.
Available on Kindle