Give one of the characters a different name. If the reason is because characters in the story are confused by them having the same name, then okay, it’s necessary. Or let’s assume there’s some other reason why both characters just have to have the same name. Then you have to introduce something to distinguish them.

How do you write two people with the same name?

For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook. If you refer to two people with the same last name, repeat their full names for subsequent mentions whenever your reader might not be certain which person you are discussing.

Can two fictional characters have the same name?

There are only so many words in the English language, so it’s inevitable that, of the thousands of characters in fiction, some will have the same name. I’ve come up with a list of some who share exactly that.

Can I mention a famous person in my book?

The good news is that celebrity names are not copyright protected, just used as a name. If the name is only used to describe the person, it is not covered.

Can I write a fictional story about a real person?

Using real people in your fiction—whether they are correctly named or not—can be legally hazardous. If an author includes enough details that a specific fictional character is identifiable as an actual person, that person could possibly pursue legal action.

Can I sue someone for using my name in a book?

Misappropriation of the Right of Publicity
Using someone’s likeness, name, or identifying information for advertising, promotional, or commercial purposes may get you sued. Whether the person is a private individual or public figure, you would be liable for damages, including punitive damages.

Can you sue someone for writing about you in a book?

The offense of injuring a person’s character, fame, or reputation by false and malicious statements.” The term covers both libel (written) and slander (spoken). Only living people can sue for defamation, so someone can’t file a lawsuit against you for defamation through an estate or relatives.

Can someone write a book about me without my permission?

A: Permission is technically not required if the biography subject is/was a public figure, unless their estate has created a kind of legal fortress. There are rare cases in which permission must be obtained before sharing any likeness or representation.

Can you get sued for fiction?

Happily for novelists (and The Weekly World News), when the model upon which a fictional character is based sues, generally, their claim doesn’t get not survive summary judgment. For a novel, or other fictional work, to be actionable, its detail must be convincing.

How do you start a true story?

10 Tips to Writing True-Life Stories

1. Dig Deep. Find a story worth telling. …
2. Remove Yourself. One of the hardest parts of writing a story about yourself is taking an objective look at your life. …
3. Start Small. …
4. Work in the Details. …
5. Research, Research, Research. …
6. Speculate Freely. …
7. Structure the Plot. …
8. Ask for Permission.

How long does it take to write a book?

The average time to write a book for most authors is 180 days, or 6 months, more or less. Usually, it takes authors anywhere from 4-8 months to complete a book. However, you can definitely write a book faster than that!

Can I use public figures in my book?

Authors should NOT use real politicians or any other public figures in their fiction without permission. When you insert a real person into your novel, you are inserting them into a fictional setting, with fictional circumstances.

Can I mention Disney characters in my book?

As a rule of thumb, you can mention trademarked items, have characters visit there etc – so long as you don’t say anything untrue or defamatory. To set an entire story in a Disney-owned trademark – probably not wise.

Can you quote someone in a book without their permission?

You DON’T need permission:
To quote books or other works published before 1923. For news stories or scientific studies. Shorter quotes, references and paraphrasing is usually ok without permission. Copying large amounts of a story or study, however, may require permission from the writer or publisher.

Can I mention Star Wars in my book?

So it’s okay to add pop culture references, but make sure they will still be relatable in 30 years. Star Wars and BMW are safe. The Beatles are too.

Is Star Wars fan art legal?

Paying homage to the Star Wars universe is nothing new. The franchise is famous for inspiring fan-created content from all corners of the universe; everything from street art to homemade short films. And the vast majority of it is unauthorized.

Is a lightsaber copyrighted?

For example, although the term ‘Lightsaber’ is trademarked, the idea of an “energy sword” cannot be trademarked or copyrighted. Hence, over the years, many toys and collectibles that bear resemblance to lightsabers have gained popularity in the market, and the trademark owners cannot do anything about it.