3 Ways to Write about People in Your Book

[@beelinebill]

This is an excellent advice video. My non-fiction book is not a memoir but tells stories about nine rookie CEOs I reported directly to. I used two methods to stay out of trouble: 3 of the 9 were early beta readers before professional editing to ensure they were good with the material - all stories; secondly, I used fictitious names and did not identify company names. Readers who worked at those companies that know me can figure out who they were, but the targeted reader would not know. I was worried when I wrote the book, but it turned out successfully with no kickback! Keep up with this great advice!

[@BookLaunchers]

Thank you for sharing your approach and the outcome! I love this.

[@AuntieKia_4real]

Yeah I was just about to say using fictitious names would seem like it would work, but the person you are writing about would still know it’s them and still may be mad about the fact that you were talking about them in the book. I have a cousin who wrote a book and some of the things she wrote about in there were about her daughter. Her daughter was definitely hurt about the things she said. So I don’t know if it’s a good idea to write about certain things even if the names are fictitious. It could cause a lot of pain for those who are involved in the story. I am in the process of writing several books. The last one I started was a children’s book. I wrote something that involved my best friend. It is funny and we laugh about it all the time, but she didn’t want me to share it bc she said it was personal. So I respect her feelings and I am going to remove that part. She didn’t even want me to use the content with another name. So bc of my respect for her and our relationship I’m just not going to use it at all. Even though it’s funny to us and doesn’t seem that personal, it is personal to her.

[@SelfPubWithAndy]

Great tip - I've always skirted around using names. Definitely don't want the blow back that might turn ugly!

[@BookLaunchers]

completely agree!

[@AlannahRyane]

My 'spiritual memoir' is packed with family dead and alive, semi famous (in Canada ) colleagues in the media and friends who were part of the story. Of the 2 major characters who passed away, I gave a fake name to protect son of 1, the other I couldn't because he was well known in the media. My baby sons had no names . Since my book is about clearing trauma from past lives that resulted in dysfunctional relationships, there is always a resolution showing both sides of the story and the healing that happened. I have been sending everyone involved the pages or chapters that pertained to them to get their approval and so far working well, including getting reviews before publication. One friend asked to provide her own fake name.

[@BookLaunchers]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. This offers others new ideas and approaches.

[@AlannahRyane]

​@@BookLaunchers I'm not letting CBC off the hook though ​ 😁

[@BookLaunchers]

Ha! Nor should you.

[@cindinorbut3891]

Great tips! I was struggling with this very topic….worried about what “that person” would think &!feel. Full speed ahead! Thanks

[@BookLaunchers]

Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 28th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - our deep dive is tomorrow, April 15th at 10am PST. I’ll be doing a session all about using AI as an author. This will be a fun one so I do hope you can make it: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@TheShaunHayes]

Happy Friday. Julie, thank you for sharing the valuable advice.

[@BookLaunchers]

Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 28th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - our deep dive is tomorrow, April 15th at 10am PST. I’ll be doing a session all about using AI as an author. This will be a fun one so I do hope you can make it: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@ArtistAllanWest]

My tip for dealing with someone who wants to know why they weren't mentioned when someone else was... is to tell them that, "...along with the other things that I wrote which the editors determined did not contribute directly to the narrative arc, they insisted I cut the part I wrote about you." That strategy helped me deal with that particular challenge. I'm sorry to have used the talented Book Launchers editors as an excuse, but wow, did that save my bacon! Thank you!

[@BookLaunchers]

I actually think that is a fantastic approach and probably quite accurate really! :)

[@ArtistAllanWest]

@@BookLaunchers Excellent! Thanks❗️

[@ArtistAllanWest]

@@BookLaunchers While writing about a particularly egregious experience with racial prejudice, I was worried about backlash. And then I thought, if you don't want me to write about it, don't do it to me.😅

[@brucestiles6477]

That's a negotiating tactic called "Resort to Higher Authority."

[@ArtistAllanWest]

@@brucestiles6477 Precisely.

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Thanks Julie...I really like to write about other people...stories that inspire and fit in the content of my book 🌎

[@BookLaunchers]

Love it!

[@bonnielester3724]

Great advice! My Book Launcher writing coach helped me navigate writing about people using the advice you covered.

[@BookLaunchers]

Love it! Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 28th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - our deep dive is tomorrow, April 15th at 10am PST. I’ll be doing a session all about using AI as an author. This will be a fun one so I do hope you can make it: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@ProfessorBurlingame]

What a great topic to explore! I especially love the tip to write everything out raw and then decide later what details need, or don't need, to stay in. I've always told personal stories that involve other people to help bring the lessons of anthropology to life for my students since humans learn well through storytelling. Balancing my impetus to impart a lesson with tact is definitely a challenge. Thank you for highlighting this and giving ideas for how to walk that tightrope successfully.

[@BookLaunchers]

Love that perspective. Thank you for adding value!

[@brucestiles6477]

I've noticed that biographical television programs about someone who is living always seem to paint the subject in a terrific light, whereas biographical television programs about someone who has passed away will tend to show both the positive and the negative.

[@BookLaunchers]

Ha! Well I don't know if this is totally accurate I think that makes complete sense. And the good news is that when you're dead you won't know what people are saying about you ... but your family will. :)

[@ellensuzannelee6610]

Thank you, Julie. I've been worried about this.

[@BookLaunchers]

You're welcome!! And of course let's chat about it in class anytime!

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Storytelling 🔵 An art ...I have been learning, improving...Thanks. Greetings from Colombia. The Venezuelan immigrant writer 🇻🇪

[@QuizmasterLaw]

i think when it ocmes to characters we should name them by writing out letters on slips of paper, putting them in a hat, shaking the hat and then selecting them at random to spell out a name. kinda like a lotto. What do you think?

[@BookLaunchers]

That's a fun idea! I use the Random Name Picker online - you could use that too.

[@QuizmasterLaw]

@@BookLaunchers well, i just tried it idk is a character name S, W, A, G good?

[@ScullyPop]

Julie has a great channel for your publishing needs.

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Thanks....🌎 Blessings...🌄🌄

[@kentharper2222]

Good luck to the poor bastards trying to make the Charges Stick : I’m following Julie’s Tips over here 😉 #NoBoringBooks #NoStickingCharge

[@thewordweaver]

Tip #1 is what we don't hear enough, don't worry about it to the point of it stopping you

[@angeletac.2384]

Im only mentioning the first name would that be suffice😬 if I don’t mention the last name

[@BookLaunchers]

Yes that can work - all depends on the context and reason for mentioning them. Sometimes it's weird to refer to a first name without explanation as to why or who they are ...

[@rachelrobertson7353]

Happy Friday! What a great video for the day! I appreciate your perspective so much. Is there a difference with writing about someone who is living or dead in terms of legality? What if you’re writing about someone who has passed away but their family members are still alive?

[@BookLaunchers]

I would approach it the same. If anything family can be even more sensitive to protect a legacy. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 28th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - our deep dive is tomorrow, April 15th at 10am PST. I’ll be doing a session all about using AI as an author. This will be a fun one so I do hope you can make it: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@rachelrobertson7353]

@@BookLaunchers That's very true and it makes sense! Thanks!

[@kentharper2222]

So when the Authorities try to indict me, I should give them sass & talk back: “sure your Honor, but what CANNNN You Prove?” : I like the way you’re thinking Julie 😉

[@BookLaunchers]

It should always be about proof ... shouldn't it? :)

[@kentharper2222]

this is the way it was playing in my head: “SPECIALLY if you Stick to Tip 2” 2 seconds later Julie: “DENY! DENY! DENY!” 😌 I have no doubt Julie would have been one of the Most Savage Lawyers in the Country, had she chosen to

[@BookLaunchers]

I considered law because I loved my business law classes but after meeting a handful of lawyers who really were miserable I decided to avoid that career. :) Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The prize winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 28th in our next livestream which you can catch here at 2pm PST. 

 ALSO - our deep dive is tomorrow, April 15th at 10am PST. I’ll be doing a session all about using AI as an author. This will be a fun one so I do hope you can make it: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@kentharper2222]

@@BookLaunchers #respect ✊

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Write the raw draft....🌎