How upset would you be if you discovered someone mentioned you in a book but changed your name?

[wolfcat87]

I am working on a book about finance, and I'm changing names to discuss valuable interactions with people I no longer interact with.

Would you rather your name be mentioned in a book, or would you rather your name be changed?

Very Upset

Somewhat Upset

Indifferent

Happy

Very Happy

Other (explain in comments)

[Anonymous]

I THINK I am mentioned in a book (first name only), but am not completely sure. I’m pleased and a bit proud of it, to be honest. Total surprise. I’m friends with the author, I have tinkered with the ideas in the chapter “his friend” (with my name) is mentioned, and they’re some of my favorite ideas... so I’d be a little surprised if it wasn’t me. I don’t go bragging about it, just in case it’s NOT me, but it’s think it’s low key kind of cool.


BUT there’s no embarrassing personal details about me, and no one who didn’t know the author super well would be able to figure out it was me. And I’m not portrayed as some goofy loser or something...


In writing, you can change names, but also change some small details - enough that if that person read it, they might not know it was them, or wouldn’t care, as it wouldn’t point to them. Legally, you might be ok, I don’t know... but maybe consider combining people you know AND changing the name, if it doesn’t affect the outcome of the story/point you’re making. You COULD also consider talking to them, if you’re on good terms, maybe they can help you write something they’d be ok with...

[DJB72]

It would definitely depend on the content of the book.

There was a couple of books I read in my 20s called "Confessions of a Vicar's Wife" - not THAT kind of confession, just life stories - and she changed all the parishioners' names even though nobody sane could have been offended by any of the material.

I don't use my real name on here, but there are sites where I do. It's very rare that I deliberately cross that line. It doesn't change what I tell people, just what subjects I'm more prepared to talk about.

[RingOfFire]

This is an interesting question that reminded me of something that happened many years ago. My father was a physician. A movie came out and one of the characters was a physician with our same family last name. It's an unusual name, with an unusual spelling and anyone in America who has that name is related to us. The chances that someone would write a character into a movie with the same last name and on top of that have a character that is a physician seem astronomical. I always wondered if someone involved with that movie got the name from my father somehow.

[Wiredone]

Before you continue writing I would check your local laws pertaining to this. I could be wrong but I think you have a legal obligation to notify the people who you are using in your book, wether you change the name or not.
Those people might buy your book and see their ideas and try suing you for royalties of the book. I know I would want to be notified that you are using my ideas. I would want my name to stay the same this way there is proof that it was my idea.

[abc3643]

If she wrote "He had the biggest dick and was the greatest lover that I ever had." or "My God, how I regret dumping him and should have married him." would be fine with me.

[Effably]

I would prefer to be contacted about it and make a choice with more information. Barring that I would rather have my name changed. I also believe this to be the standard code of conduct.

[SimplyPut]

I'm actually used in a book. Name and some characteristics.

[SimplyPut]

WHERE THE WHIPPOORWILLS CALL... is the name of the book

[WalkingBassist]

I think it's more important that the character in the book is not some scoundrel. Or at least if its describing something I did, as long as it is accurate... cheers

[ohshee]

Well that kind of happened to me separate it was a video and then the video was sold and I found out through a friend that was pretty pissed off

[jamesgoldman]

Given the financial 'suggestions' I have offered to people if one of them writes a book I would want a nod say of my first name

[Joshua0213]

If be happy probably cause I dont really want to be in a public light like that I just want to live my life

[blondfrog]

Depends if they ruined my reputation or not and how much it ends up impacting my life.

[Agape93]

Depends on the context but I largely wouldn’t mind

[888theGreat]

I would be flattered if good. You can put me in it as your Precious Metals guru.

[Anonymous]

My ex got upset when I put her in a murder mystery that I wrote. I used her maiden name.

[EnglishEuropean]

I'd prefer they didn't use my name.

[Dinosaursandanime65]

Well I’m kinda doing it to myself so I don't know

[friendzoned4life]

It would depend on how is wratten about me

[Luckycharms12]

Id want to know first

[mc7005]

I would definitely be upset

[sensible27]

Indifferent?

[Iron_Man]

I wouldn’t like it

[COMMODOREII]

Name changed please

[jahaims]

Wouldn't care