Hi all. I'm about three-quarters of the way through my first novel (chick-lit), I'm having a great time writing it and all seems to be going well so far. I've just started to get a little concerned about the legal side of things... I have a fictional male character of whom I have completely invented his life history, physical description, actions in the story. But, I'm worried that he resembles a real person who I know. Essentially, the similarities between my fictional character and my real life friend are that they are the same age, both have tattoos and they have the same job (a fairly niche job) and these elements are all essential to the plot and not changeable. All other elements of his character and appearance are totally different and the romantic story line is entirely fictional and not related to the real life person at all. Perhaps if you knew my real life friend, in his work setting, you would think it is a depiction of him, even though I know that this is not the case, but there is no getting around this as the plot is based around his largely based around his job. Am I just being over cautious to be concerned about this, from a legal point of view? In the story I don't refer to any specific real incidents involving him and his character is not portrayed in a negative way, but if there is a loose connection that people pick up on and identify as him, is that a potential problem? Many thanks. Mel.
Hi Claire
Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly and for your advice. I have decided to go through my manuscript from the beginning, noting all elements of his character, making sure that there is as much difference between the real life character and my friend as possible. My real life friend is a really easy going guy and there is certainly no way he could be offended by the character in my book, but I think that you are probably right, perhaps it wouldn't be a bad thing if I just mention it to him and then, when, of course, it does become a best seller (!!!) it won't come as a complete surprise!
Thanks again
By the way, I have just had a peek on the shared works section and I really enjoyed your story, I thought it was great. Sorry, I know that isn't much help from a critique point of view, but always nice to know your work is appreciated!
Mel
If people did make the connection it would all depend on how your friend would feel about that, depending on the character it could be quite unfair to him. It might be safer to have a character who doesn't resemble someone you know so much.
Clare
Hi Melanie, do you know why you have chosen this particular friend to base your character on? Would you consider speaking to him and explaining the situation and seeing how he feels? If he must have the same job could he look completely different, be a different age? Not have tattoos? Then he would simply have the same job as your friend
Clare