Advice needed - Writers Forum

Dr Strangelove · 10-18-2006, 01:50 PM

A short story about time travel I'm currently working on requires my protagonist to interact with Marilyn Monroe.

If I was to get it published (and that's a big if!

) what is the deal about using real people in novels? I'm guessing I'd need to get some kind of permission.

Any thoughts?

Kimba · 10-18-2006, 05:19 PM

This is just my personal view but my guess is that you'll need to research your subecjt [in your case, Marilyn Monroe] extremely thoroughly to avoid any sort of defamation. I have a feeling that it would also depend on how much interaction your protagonist has with the celebrity.

I'd personally stay away from plots that involve interaction with deceased celebrities purely on the basis that if it wasn't to be than it shouldn't. I tend to see it as a bit disrespectful but that's just me.

imrhati · 10-18-2006, 05:32 PM

you could go the route of the person "technically" not being her, have a charcter called Mrs. Manroe.

Hodge · 10-18-2006, 05:35 PM

It's perfectly legal. You can even use living people if you want, although they can sue you if you're mean to them.

An episode of "Quantum Leap" involved Scot Bakula's character interacting with Marilyn Monroe and witnessing her death. An entire movie was made about Richard Nixon, although if he had been alive it probably wouldn't have been made (too mean to poor ol' Tricky Dick).

Mike C · 10-19-2006, 12:31 AM

Use Monroe, just don't have her act out of character and don't defame her.

Dr Strangelove · 10-19-2006, 12:29 PM

Cool, thanks for the advice guys.