Writing question

[Rrty]

I am currently writing a short story. Mostly just for fun. I may possibly self-publish it on Amazon, and even though that still qualifies just for fun because I haven't really generated much money from my self-published material, if I do in fact post it there, then I always try to be certain that, since it is public, I don't do anything within the project that is possibly prohibited.

Here's my question: Is it permissible to use the names of public newscasters in a story? I'm assuming it is, but I want to be 100% certain. What I want to do is use the actual names of local broadcasters to deliver news about an emergency that is occurring. Basically I just say the name and then pretend it's that person delivering the report.

I presume too it is okay to use the name of politicians in a story? I want to have a current governor and mayor give an address in the story.

 

[Walter Oobleck]

I don't know. As a reader, I think I would be put off by reading the names of real people who then play a part in a story, even more so if my willing suspension of disbelief made it impossible for me to believe so-and-so would say or do the things described. I think I'd read those parts of the story more critically, less so, if a fictional name was used. And I don't know that one should assume a writer can do something simply because they read something where another did so. The Dead Zone comes to mind.

Spoiler

King used "Connie Chung" in the story, but I don't recall if that use went beyond the name and one line of action. Same story, he used what I took to be Jimmy Carter, but I don't recall if he used "Jimmy Carter".

Assuming at least some of your readers will have no clue about your local broadcasters, or the current governor and mayor, why bother using real names? And honestly, if the action of the story reveals the emergency, I don't think I'd enjoy having it rehashed by a "real" newscaster...unless there's a point about how that news is presented. When in doubt do without. And that's a memo.

 

[Walter Oobleck]

Was outside putting windows in the truck and another thought came to me. Say you use an "imaginary" name for your governor...Farkel-Newton. Governor Farkel-Newton holds a press conference to address the emergency, crosses all the tees, dots all the eyes. And lo and behold, there actually was a Governor Farkel-Newton!
And the Farkel-Newton Estate takes a dim view of your portrayal of The Good Man. If that isn't enough, there actually exists a newscaster by the name of Juliet Weissenbruter...and she too! rises up on her heels as she's delivering Breaking News! she too! takes those dramatic little sips of breath as she's bringing you all you need to know! The Farkel-Newton Estate and Juliet Weiddenbuter have been named as plaintiffs in the 101st Judicial Circuit...but what you don't know is that Judge Rammer-Jammer, an Alabama alumnus, is kin to both plaintiffs and has never! no, never, had an interlocutory appeal filed against his court. Whoa, whoa, is me! So not only should you not use a real name, my concern brought about by the chilly Yooper air, is that you should also search-engine any potential name to ensure you are not unknowingly using a real name.

 

[Rrty]

Walter, thanks for your replies.

That's a good point about the removal of disbelief, because I think that happened to me once while reading a story, but I can't remember what the story was. You're correct: if the real person does something not necessarily associated with that person, it can be an issue. In my thing, I tried to compose it as just a straight emergency broadcast, with no personality whatsoever, but I will re-read what I wrote to see if it stands up.

Your second post is a very, very good reminder. It is absolutely bizarre when one comes up with a name or concept that seems so left-field, and then the name/concept actually exists. I wrote a story once that was set in a real high school and had some made-up faculty names in it...or so I thought. I became so paranoid that the names I used may have coincidentally existed that I think I ended up calling the teachers by numbers or something.

I will consider your advice, thank you. (Of course, here's the big thing: this is just because, as you say, I need to cross/dot the proverbial letters, but that need comes mostly from OCD paranoia...in all honesty, not many will read this, if any. This is just something I find cool to do, actually self-publishing it; in a sense, I have nothing to worry about, but again, that need to be cautious, I guess.)

 

[hipmamajen]

I'm not sure about the legality of the issue. But another reason to avoid using real names is that they automatically date your story. The minute Jane Doe leaves to do the weather in Omaha, or John Q. Public is voted out of office, your story will smell old to the readers.

Good luck with your writing!

 

[not_nadine]

Use our screen names.

 

[hossenpepper]

You can use their names. Anyone who is a public figure can be used in this way. As to whether or not it's a good idea is up to you and whether it works for the story.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...I don't think pubic figures would be good for a story, unless they were involved in some type of hairy situation....

 

[Lepplady]

If possible, getting permission is always a good idea. If not, I think it's okay as long as you don't cast them in a negative light. Don't make 'em axe murderers or philanderers or anything like that. Basically, don't make up fake stories that they participate in. I think it's okay to talk about public figures AS public figures, but don't put words in their mouths or create unrealistic situations for them.

 

[muskrat]

...I don't think pubic figures would be good for a story, unless they were involved in some type of hairy situation....

Local weatherman turns werewolf, moves to Cleveland and opens a laundry mat.

Didn't say it had to be a good story.

 

[Grandpa]

In one of my novellas, much of the plot revolves around the snippets of radio that a car passenger is getting. It's NPR, and the passage goes, "She put her head back and listened to David Green and Renee Montagne talk about world situations. She liked Green’s voice with its little catch and Montagne’s alliterative name."

That may not resonate in familiarity with the majority of readers, but I think it does bring a level of identifiability, if that's a word, to the character's experience.

A different novella: "...and, for the next 45 minutes, used the weight bench in his living room, with Anderson Cooper reporting nasally on world news in the background, until, face dripping and shirt blotchy with sweat, he went to the bathroom to wipe down."

I'm not claiming those passages have any literary merit. In fact, now that look at them, I'd like to edit. ANYWAY, the point being that hoss is right, and use of certain public figures (remember Clinton in "Contact"?) can put some identifiability (I said it again!) in there for the reader. You then run the risk of your story being dated.

What I would avoid is making a public figure an actual involved, engaged character in your story, unless you're going back in time.

Just mi dos centavos.