Ethics and writing

Famous and Not So Famous

glucas — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:19:08 GMT

I have a true story that was relayed to me in person from a friend of mine many years ago. He was involved with a celebrity at the time and they were on a trip to Paris and events there basically ended that relationship.

It's a basic human interest story about, personal identity, wealth and other themes. There are some other famous people involved in the perifpheral backstory that are meaningful in the sense that if they were removed, the story really wouldn't have any 'meat.'

So my question, is, from a legal or ethical standard, how would I go about telling this story, keeping it mostly true (some of it would have to be fictionalized to keep the story moving and interesting). If I were to change the character's significantly so that they would not be recognized, they story would likely lose it's appeal.

Also, when the story was relayed to me by my friend, it wasn't requested of me to no share it.

I have since lost track of said friend so it would be difficult to get written permisson to tell the tale, and even so, he would not be authorized to release other personal interests from other parties in the story.

It's a funny and strange little tale that I think would be a great short story. But being rather new to this and wanting to actually have this piece published one day. I am just not sure how to proceed.

Plagerism Re: Song Lyrics in Story

Teslawriter — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:35:15 GMT

Hi all:

I've read a number of Steven King's novels, where he begins a chapter with a verse or two from some very popular rock songs. I've always assumed that he either got permission to do this because he's famous, or he paid for the right, because he's (now) rich, or both. In all cases, I believe, Mr. King did credit the songs' authors.

Are we allowed to quote song lyrics in a story, as long as we attribute them to their author, even if we didn't ask permission?

Is there a character-limit or other quantity limit?

How should the attribution be handled:
      a) immediately, in a parenthetical note,
      b) in a footnote or endnote, or
      c) is it okay to mention, in the text introducing the quote, who the author is?

On a related issue: if radio stations have to pay royalties to bands, or to the bands' record publishers (?), how come bar bands, playing cover songs, all across America most weekend nights, don't have to pay royalties?

Thanks in advance.

Peter

USING FAMOUS PEOPLE IN FICTION

Nanlisa — Thu, 10 May 2007 05:14:24 GMT

My short stories have been about Hollywood, popular culture, celebrities, music, television, and the 1960's, and yes; I have used famous people in them, but I don't intend to defame them. Just to be on the safe side, I made some changes in a few of them. When in doubt, fictionalize.

posting parts of a work in progress

southern hearted writer — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:47:55 GMT

I have several questions. I am new to posting on this forum and I am confused. I see that others have posted parts of thier books/works in progess for feedback from other writers. Are these works protected from plagerism? Aren't you afraid of others taking all your hard work and using it themselves? Should I post the first chapter of the novel I am working on? Please help a newbie and answer my questions. Thanks!

Death

hrystya — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 17:40:43 GMT

I wrote a novel in which a chericter dies from Muscular Dystrophy. This book was only intended to be sold for cherity at a local auction for the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association), but soon got a life of it's own. It was almost published in the MDA magazine Qwest but got turned down, b/c of the death in the story. This worried me, because this book was intended for people to learn more about Muscular Dystrophy and its effects, and if I suggar coded it and made the charecter live, it wouldn't be right. Do you think it is more importent to leave readers happy or to get the truth across?

Copyright Question

ZoeyL — Wed, 23 May 2007 23:15:10 GMT

In my needlework pattern collection I have a booklet of patterns that was printed around 1945, by a major thread company. There is no copyright notice in the booklet. I would like to sell photographic copies of single patterns from the booklet over the internet. The copies would include the source of the original and the pattern designer. With no copyright in the booklet itself, will it violate any laws to sell copies of the patterns in the booklet? The company no longer exists.
Thanks,
Zoe

Plagiarism: A Second Comment

RonPrice — Sat, 23 Jul 2005 13:17:16 GMT

PRICE'S PLAGIARISM[:p]

Some artists are plagiarists. The composer, G.F. Handel, used the material of other composers and passed it off as his own, sometimes improving on it. Of course, T.S. Eliot said that one of the qualifications of a great poet was the ability to use the work of other writers. I certainly draw on the ideas of others, often like some sort of patchwork quilt. Sometimes I quote phrases, sentences and paragraphs without acknowledging the source. It does not always seem necessary, appropriate, desirable or fitting to do so. My poetry, as it is, is loaded with quotations and acknowledgments in both the epilogue and at the end of a poem. -Ron Price, Pioneering Over Four Epochs, 29 September 2002.[}:)]

This story is my unique blend
and plagiarism is just not an issue,
especially now that I do not occupy
an academic chair, lounge-suite
or pillow in the corner of a cloister.[8)]

I have put together my own package
with the help of thousands,
the ideas of more than I can count.
Just how much of me is me
and how much of me is not me
is impossible to tell
in the instance writing.[8)]

It's not all new,
just a changing landscape
in the great quest
for identity and how to live
in and through community
as we rise from obscurity
in these several epochs
and play our role in this
immense human family. [:)]

The surge forward
at this climacteric of history,
in these days of my maturity,
heading down a track
no one can foresee,
such a long struggle,
dazzled and bedraggled
by the chaotic events
of our time at, perhaps,
the darkest hours
before the dawn?[8D]

Ron Price
29 September 2002[;)]

Copyright Question

ZoeyL — Wed, 23 May 2007 22:56:52 GMT

Using Quotes Found During Research?

Brena — Sat, 23 Jul 2005 00:08:22 GMT

Hello,

I'm writing an essay and found a quote, during my research, that I'd like to use. Is it ok to use quotes (with proper credit) that I found during my research even though I've never talked to the source myself or asked for permission?

truth vs. fiction

bluebrook — Mon, 14 Feb 2005 00:43:52 GMT

Is it safe to turn fact into fiction if it portrays someone negatively?

Quoting from the Bible in a Work of Fiction

leonau — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 02:35:05 GMT

In a short story that I am writing, I use two Biblical quotations. In the first case, one of my characters quotes the Bible, but it is clear that he does not know that the words come from the Bible. In the second case, I quote the Bible in a paragraph in which I am describing an event. In both cases, I italicized the words to try to make it clear that these are not my words; I expect (and hope) that the reader will know that the words are from the Bible. I did not want to use the Biblical verse citation after either quote, since that would have destroyed the mood of the story. Is this an accepted way to handle such a situation? Is italicizing the Biblical verses enough, or should I use actual quotes instead? Any guidance that you can provide would be welcome. Many thanks for your help!

Ethics of gift giving

fitwriter — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 00:02:21 GMT

I am a new writer (less than one year) and a regular contributor to a local magazine. I largely credit the editor of this publication (yes, paying!) for this opportunity (as a result of the steady work and resulting clips, I am already cracking the national markets) and would like to send him a holiday gift.

Are editors allowed to accept gifts? Or should I just send a card and a Starbucks gift certificate?

Question of Attribution

Marie Imelda — Fri, 12 Apr 2002 14:45:52 GMT

Hello Everyone,

I have been looking for the author for the following piece for a few years now. I got the piece in an email, but the origin was not given. I've done some hunting around on the www to no avail and thought perhaps someone out here might know. I've heard several stories about who wrote this; one says it was written by one of the apostles of Jesus Christ; the other says it was written by a homeless woman. It would seem to have reached 'urban legend' status at this point, at least for me. This reminds me of the piece 'Desiderata' which also has many different attributions assigned to it.

In any case, I love this piece and would love to attribute it to the correct author. Any help, ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

Mims

**********************************************************************************

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. It is
now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

When people come into your life for a LIFETIME, relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (any way); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life...

BOOKOCKER

FREDTWALLACE — Fri, 21 Jan 2005 23:39:17 GMT

NOTE THAT BOOKLOCKER ALLOWED THESE PEOPLE TO PUBLISH THEIR TRASH AT THE WW SITE FOR WEEKS AND WEEKS - BOOKLOCKER ALLOWS AND SUPPORTS CON PEOPLE LIKE THIS - BOOKLOCKERS CREDIBILITY IS IN THE DETAILS OF THIS REPORT

http://poetryscams.com/investigations/todays-woman_net.html

ANGELA AND RICHARD HOY ALLOWS PEOPLE JUST LIKE THESE PEOPLE TO SPREAD LIES AND FALSEHOODS AT THEIR WW SITE.

IF ANGELA AND RICHARD HOY ARE ONLY GOING TO ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION OF LIES AT WW AND ONLY EDIT AND MANIPULATE REPORTS REGARDING THE HOYS AND BOOKLOCKER ISN'T THIS A VIOLATION OF TRADE? ISN'T THEIR A LAW BEING BROKEN? ARE THEY NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT'S PRINTED ON THEIR SITE THAT IS FALSE AND MISLEADING WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE POST IS OR WAS FALSE AND MISLEADING ??

THERE A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT FEEL THE HOYS HAVE DAMAGED MANY AT THEIR OWN ADVANCEMENT AND PROFIT.

BILL

Meeting another author's character in your novel

jmar2 — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 20:14:16 GMT

I hope this is the correct place to pose this question, if not, please direct me there.

I am writing a series of historical novels, carrying a plot line from about 1500 through the present day. Throughout the novels, my characters may encounter other well-known literary characters.

What is the protocol for using another author's character for a brief encounter with your hero in your novel, especially when the author is deceased?

Ex: John D. McDonald's Travis McGee. One of my characters is getting kicked around down in Florida and T.M. steps in and rescues his butt. Afterwards, T.M. takes him on board the 'Busted Flush' for a quick fix-up, a drink, and some free advice about not irritating beach bums that outweigh you by 100 pounds of solid muscle. That's it, in and out of the novel in several short paragraphs.

Whom do you contact to obtain permission to use these characters in such brief scenes?
Do you need to contact anyone when the author's deceased?

Thanks in advance for all responses,

John