On Writing : Are You Offending Someone? by Debbie Seagle

I have by mistake, Debbie Seagle. It was for a writing job a while back. The client wanted me to rewrite a part in the script, and I did.

I do my best to avoid this entirely by writing people I wished existed rather than obfuscating people who do. That way I actually do live up to the disclaimer that any resemblance to real people alive or dead is entirely coincidental. I also just don’t see the point of fictionalising people I actually know because doing so severely limits my creative range and momentum. It’s not interesting compared to writing characters born entirely from my imagination.

That being said, in high school I made the mistake of telling a classmate (when he asked) that I based a character off of him, and I only told him about the character's good traits and none of his bad. He asked a rather off-colour question about him that greatly offended me at the time rofl since then, I don't intentionally fictionalise anyone I know.

In my first novel, Anything For Love, My Testimony, I based all the characters on people that are recognizable also, they were actually people that were in my life story, my book was an autobiographical account of my life. I simply changed their names as well as my own. This approach results in characters who are relatable, and I believe it adds a valuable layer of depth and dimension. Characters with real-life roots often feel more authentic and engaging to readers, making them memorable and compelling.

When I write screenplays, I continue to use the same method, however, I always add a unique twist to each one to keep them fresh and interesting. By doing this, I strive to bring authenticity to both the characters and the story as a whole. Authentic characters are relatable, allowing the audience to connect with them on a deeper level.

While creating stories and building worlds is crucial to effective storytelling, crafting characters who are relatable, dynamic, and sometimes familiar is equally important. The scope for developing such characters is broad, offering many opportunities for creativity within your script or story. Consider, for example, the egotistical or narcissistic people you may have encountered, are they all completely the same? Do they look, speak, or act alike? Do they share the same backstories or life journeys? The answer, of course, is no. Each person is unique, and by writing relatable characters with distinct traits, readers will be able to see them vividly in their minds.

Ironically, if you were to ask everyone on this screenwriting platform whether they know someone that is an egotistical or know-it-all character, most would say they have at least one relative or friend who fit that description. This shared familiarity makes such characters resonate with a wide audience. Ultimately, you should pursue the characters that you feel compelled to write. There is a reason you created the characters the way you did, they reflect your story, your experiences, and your unique perspective. Allow your passion and creativity to flow.

Thank you Maurice Vaughan ... Did you rewrite someone you knew?

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh LOL - the people you know aren't interesting enough to write about. My character wasn't all that interesting, but I used his personality - and I'll not do that again!

I love that you love writing people you wished existed ... that's something to think about!

I appreciate your advice to allow my passion & creativity to flow Mone't Weeks ! I'm still using the arrogance in my new character, he's just not going to be my cousin in the script. (Actually, he may have liked it) LOL.

I don’t think so. My characters are very far from my real surroundings, because I don’t write drama or family stories.

Thanks Debbie Seagle, yeah, my worlds are for me to indulge in what I can’t have in real life so it’s all about people I wish I knew, places I wish I could go to, all that. That’s why I don’t like writing about real life lol for me it defeats the entire purpose of writing.

It’s also why I was annoyed at how often I was asked when I was younger to write someone’s biography or to fictionalise them in one of my stories. In the former case I just wasn’t interested in the proposition (I still don’t want to ever do it lol, I don’t even want to write a memoir. More power to everyone who does, though, I’m strictly interested in my own fictional worlds), and in the latter case my response was usually “but you’re so boring ^^;” LOL and of course it was more trouble than it was worth anyway, because you knew they’d get mad if you gave them any negative traits.

You're welcome, Debbie Seagle. It was a fictional character, but it was about something people deal with in real life.

That's interesting Debbie Seagle I don't know this character or your script so I am not sure if what I am going to say applies, but imo, who cares if someone chooses to take offense? Were you writing it with malicious intent?

I do think that everyone probably has at least one narcissist in their family and most likely knows a couple more to boot. That being said, you can't hurt a narcissist's feelings, as they don't have any, and they also lack self awareness, so they wouldn't see themselves as having any negative traits. One hundred percent; anything you portray them as, will not register to them that's it's them.

People usually don't recognize themselves as they don't see their flaws. Instead of changing the character, deepen their flaws but make them authentic to the story.

My female protagonist is inspired by a close friend. I am deeply conflicted about it due to the sensitive subject matter. That said the story differs from my friend's and I've been careful to avoid using specific events/dialogue.

Debbie Seagle Have we met?! I am the QUEEN of 'foot in mouth' disease and yes, I have written about family members. Have I regretted it? No. It's interesting how when they read my words, they all seem to think it's about a different family member and not them. Self-reflection isn't my family's strong suit so I think I'm going to get away with this for a few years more. I hope you're OK - you'll always be Stage 32 family to me!

LOL Thank you Lauren Hackney - and everyone who agrees that people usually don't recognize themselves. I'm still going to change him though. Don't want to incite a family feud. Safety.

Why change it? It's YOUR character! Yes, you took elements of people you actually know but it isn't them. Don't change anything IMO.

It might give the person. you wrote about a reality check - if they don't like being represented in that way, that's a clear sign to change their ways... or not, hah.

Besides, Emma Watson recently revealed she wrote a play, mostly about herself (in a non-egotistical way), and gave it to friends and family. When they read it, it was like "I never knew you felt this way at this point in time"... it serves its purpose.

"Obvious" is in the eye of the beholder.

You could have been inspired by the arch know-it-all villain in The Princess Bride, and the overly suspicious relative may have noticed certain personality tropes are frequently repeated in real life.

If the offended relative cries fowl, just reassure the person, "You're much too wise to be THAT character." If he's truly egotistical, he'll believe you.

General note: Mark Twain frequently offended, and always entertained.

Fiction is a fun house mirror of real life. Be bold.

Never. Every character you write is going to reflect someone you know or maybe even never met. You can't come up with an original personality. If you have a negative character that someone is offended by, 9 out of 10 times that person is a scumbag but can't see himself through anyone's eyes than his own. Don't apologize to people that justify their own bad behavior by ignoring how it reflects on others.

I recently went toe to toe with a "manager" that doesn't seem to get any of clients any work and takes credit for things he seems to have had no part in. One of his clients won a participation Oscar for 22 minutes of screentime in Anora and he acted like he wrote and shot the movie. Meanwhile this was the first work his client had in 8 years. When I pointed this out, he was offended. If the truth offends you, maybe you should try a different approach to your life.

Moral of story; never apologize because someone acts exactly like one of your evil characters. It's their fault. Not yours. Of course you should use a different name. Let's not be too on point.

I love the wise, true, & tried advice! Thank you for your insight. It does seem to offend someone somewhere every time I write anything. Never my intention. Maybe they are people who want to be noticed most. LOL Fran Tabor "If the offended relative cries fowl, just reassure the person, "You're much too wise to be THAT character." If he's truly egotistical, he'll believe you."

I take pieces from various people I know, have met, or inspired by-- it's a fine line between replicating them and using certain things as inspiration. You're right- it's not worth hurting someone, but I'm also the person who in my writing-- loves honouring them too. --so It's a real balancing act. Morgan Hawke, an author who I have loved- did a course and wrote a book on how to adapt those people into characters so you can use their "Baseline" over and over. It's been my go to standard ever since I took the course. It's made a huge difference in how I portray those people. Even if I don't know them.