What are your theories on using real place names in your writing? I know the use of real products, stores, etc. became know as KMart realism back in the seventies, but doesn't a judicious use of real placenames give authenticity to the work. Probably anything with a negative spin should be ficticiously named but what about restuarants, stores, theaters which make the story a Detroit story. And what about now-dead public officials? Can I critique them without inviting a law suit? What do you think?
I do think using real places adds authenticuity to a story and I really need to do more of it. Of course if you do have something bad happen there or if something negative needs to be said, then I'd go with a fictitious place. Glad to hear things are still plugging along with the book though, don't give up!
ReplyDelete175. Now here is the thing, Bryon. I can wrap in up in 25 pages if I want to. How do I decide? I could also spin it and her more out of control?
ReplyDeleteIf you can still spin it more out of control, do it. Write the book until your MC is at the absolute bottom of her barrel.
ReplyDeleteThere's a theory in standup comedy that says the joke is funnier if it happened to you at the 7/11 or the Ameristop than it is at the convenience store. If you say the chain, it puts more of a picture in the audience's mind. That's the main consideration when deciding to name a place.
ReplyDeleteAnd naming an actual one rather than Joe's Convenience store would put you there even more.
ReplyDeleteIn short stories, I was just grateful to insert any signs of life, all this white space is making me anxious. Dare I send her to the nail salon? Does she have time to make French toast? I'm giddy with the freedom.
A little thing I do-- If something bad is happening I might put a fictitous place on a real street. But if I use a real place I put it on the right street. [Angelo's Coney Island will always be on Davison & Franklin as opposed to Davison & Hamilton. Course if somebody dies from food poisoning or an angry cook stabbing them through the eyeball with a rusty knife..then everything is subject to change.]
ReplyDeletesorry about that--the above anon. was moi.
ReplyDeleteJohn McAuley
Very cagey choices, John.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a series of 5 books that took place in NYC. All streets, stores, everything was real. I've also written several books that take place where I'm living now. I changed the names of the towns but it's very clear where it is.
ReplyDeleteI also wrote a book that takes place in the early part of the 20th century with real characters, public officials. They can't sue. You can't libel a dead person. Go for it.
175 pages (applause) is great but that's very short for a novel. That would come out to be a novella. Do it this way...word count. What they want today is at least 80, 000 words. I know that feels impossible, but it's not. You can do it.
Word count is 50,000 so I still have places to go, I guess. It's scary but exciting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspirational words.