Hi all. I may get slated for this one....I started a book a while back called 'Scorning for Girls' which was supposed to be a guide to getting your own back on your ex. Now my worry was that some of the things in the book may be considered 'illegal' but it's only supposed to be a fun book and not an 'I told you to go out and do this'.
Therefore, I don't obviously want to have the law down on me like a tonne of bricks for things such as 'Create a funny poster of your ex on the PC and distribute it round town'.
I tried to change my tactic and turn it into a story, but it didn't flow as well (although there are possibilities for future books).
Can anyone advise whether I need to put a disclaimer in? Whether I should write it in a different way to avoid issues? It's kind of in the style of the 'Worst case Scenario' books, but I have so much material it would be a crime not to write about it!
Help please, and try to be kind :o(
Love the idea Anthony suggested, even though to be honest you can be sure that any agent/publisher that will decide to proceed with such work will advice you accordingly.
I don't think you will be the first person to attempt such a thing, to mention ludicrous, dangerous, maybe even stupid, and definitely not to be tried at home ideas/suggestions.
I say go for it, such works usually give people a good laugh, but don't stress over it. If you won't enjoy doing it, then there is no point in even trying it.
I honestly believe you should write it the way that sounds funnier to you, or even spiteful and evil if that’s what you are going for. (From what I read it’s meant to be in a serious tone that will cause giggles at the “brilliant evilness” of the idea.)
The agent/publisher can then easily advice you regarding legal grounds, but of course that might not count if you decide to go the self publishing route, for that use Anthony's suggestion, just to be safe.
Hi Melanie,
Was just discussing this with my wife. She suggested writing it from the point of view of 'things you wish we could to to our ex's'.
With emphasis on the could. And probably would take much work in terms of any editing.
For example, your title could become:
Scorning for Girls: an 'if only I could get away with it' guide
Hope this helps?
Oh that's brilliant. In particular Anthony, that is exactly the angle!! You are right Frankie Boyle does get near the knuckle but it should be a case of if you don't like it then don't read!
A couple of examples: Purchase a pre-paid cash card (they're anonymous) and register his car for sale online, this works especially well if you have his mobile number. Another is to purchase online a bunch of flowers, sent to his current girlfrriend (the one he left you for), with a card saying "Missing You".
Or send off for a number of wedding venue brochures in her name and get them addressed to their house. He'll start stressing that she has ideas of getting married.
The first at least would be considered fraudulent, but the rest can be considered cruel. I have no doubt some numpties will try some of the tricks out but the result I wanted to achieve was to make people laugh with it/read it with hand over mouth...I guess the same reaction you get when watching a Sacha Baron Cohen movie!