“Since they’re public figures, I can’t be sued.” YES, YOU CAN GET SUED!
Authors should NOT use real politicians or any other public figures in their fiction without permission.
Authors should NOT use real politicians or any other public figures in their fiction without permission.
Sometimes I would pick an unusual word or phrase to research through the archives, such as eugenics or chewing gum, and I would find articles on the views of the time or the latest trends. This led me to write articles on the viewpoints of eugenics in the early 1900s and another article on the chewing gum trends of the early 1900s. Both of these articles were accepted for publication.
I had to explain to them that nobody really cared if they had just pooped on their boyfriends’ beds and they broke up with them (true story), nor their “scandal” is comparable to the Watergate or something huge like that. However, since I hate grumbling, I developed some techniques to help me avoid it:
[This article is for information purposes and it is not intended to serve as legal advice.] You have received and sent a lot of letters and e-mails over the years and are thinking of including some of them in your new book. Indeed, you may be considering using such correspondence in a biography relating your […]
It is an exaggerated understatement to say a writer abroad without internet has a problem.
But, although conventional means of acquiring internet access may not be an option, there is always a workaround.
People watching is an essential part of being a writer and lesson in human nature. How this is done is by seeing people’s bad and good habits, distinctive temperaments, tastes, and appearances, and deepest longings and fears. It involves watching people to get an insight into the beauty and rhythm of the community around us.
I used to love flying kites with my kids when they were little. Just yesterday, as I tackled a challenging writing assignment (is there any other kind?), I experienced the exact same feelings of kite-flying.
My mind flashed back ten years to playing at the park. First came the weak, failed attempts of trying to get it airborne; the running and throwing, the frustration, the phrases of “this sucks!” or even worse “this will never work.” Then unexpectedly, gloriously, the kids and I got to see the kite finally catch the right combination of wind current and momentum and take off, with no more effort required on my part. I hung on and watched the kids’ cute SpongeBob kite appear to literally dance on air. Then came the inevitable and sad ending. Whether caused by me reeling the kite in because it was time to go or by the wind calling it quits, SpongeBob would crash to the ground with an abrupt thud.
I am SO fed up! And, I fully expect this article to get slammed by the faint of heart, the political correctness police, and anybody else who can’t accept a good, honest rant!
COMMENTS POSTED ABOUT: Profitable New Year’s Resolution? A Daily Word-Count Writing Goal = More Money!! Okay – I tried this over the three day weekend and I was amazed at how much I wrote. The key is TURN OFF YOUR INTERNAL EDITOR. Do not look back at the material written ñ just write more words. […]
The agencies we work for tell clients we want to hear their ideas, even though these ideas are often (bleep). But, let’s remember two things. First, the client probably feels like their idea is amazing and they’re likely proud of it. Second, they’re the ones paying the invoice. Hurting their feelings means hurting the project and your reputation.