If I write a book anonymously can I write anything?

[Anonymous]

I keep trying to look it up but nothing's giving me much information. I am writing a book about my childhood and the journey me and my sister struggled with together on Wattpad. I want to dedicate a chapter on the background of my mother's childhood. Due to dramatic circumstances (she's not dead) I'm unable to speak to her and get her permission to write about her. I am keeping everyone's identity including my own anonymous. If I did speak to her I doubt she would allow me to write about her due to her abusive actions. Since everything's anonymous, is it legal for me to write anything about anyone or is that still illegal?

[SnowedIn]

You can write a book anonymously. BUT... you're on shaky ground writing about someone because you can still defame them or slander them both of which can land you in legal trouble. Authorities can still get to you through a website or a publisher. You're not really anonymous. The subject matter you're talking about is probably too risky. The other issue you face is lack of credibility. Your anonymity won't give you an air of mystery or sophistication: it will tell readers that it's either fiction or you're not a credible writer.

[Asker]

Ok. Thank you.

[Asker]

I know you're not accusing but I am not being anonymous for mystery. It's because of illegal circumstances I was put into and illegal things I was forced to do. I just don't want people I know to discover these things about me.

[SnowedIn]

Totally fair statement and I'm sorry if it came across that way -- not my intention at all. And I appreciate how you wrote that. For the reasons you wrote, that just underlines that you need the credibility.

Really sorry bad stuff happened. :(

[Asker]

No need for apologies. Me and my sister are doing wonderful now that we're back together. I don't want the things that I have experienced to go to court. I am so done with all of it and ready to live my life. I feel like my story is worthy of being heard but I'm fearful of having it taken to court. My parents forced me and my siblings to do those things. I may have to go to court anyway though. After all their children left and stopped talking to them, my mother came out saying they might foster kids so they will have someone to take care of them when they are elderly. My sister and I agreed that we would take them to court if they tried to foster.

[SnowedIn]

Wow. This is quite a story already.

[Asker]

Haha. Perhaps. Thank you for the answer you have given me. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your week! 🤗

[SnowedIn]

You as well. Best wishes with all of this.

[abc3643]

Write a "roman à clef". That is a novel involving real people but the names are changed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_%C3%A0_clef

THEN, in the "front matter" of the book, you have this disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, events, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

https://www.thebookdesigner.com/getting-creative-with-book-disclaimers/

https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/parts-of-a-book/