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Secret Identity Crisis

by Tenzil Kem 11:22 Mon Mar 9th, 2009

So here we are prodcuing memoirs. I have already seen some posts, comments and remarks within pitches on using real names. I am not really sure how to approach this, nor do I have any idea what is expected of us in this regard. Should we use real names? Should we avoid using people's real names? Does it matter? Does anyone care? In my early draft I have used real names, but only first names, and only of selected characters, but I have no idea if I am taking the right approach. I'd like to know what you all think, and I wonder if anyone associated with Manga Memoirs can provide us with any advice or guidance on this. Jessica, I'm looking at you!

Comments (8)

  • jmcleod

    jmcleod

    Mon Mar 9th, 2009 12:07

    I don't know what the rules are TK. We're not using a real name, but are using real life events. If the unofficial chat existed we might have talked about this very thing there and the zeds may have all had a different opinion. If you get an answer about names, please let me know!

  • Jessica

    Jessica

    Mon Mar 9th, 2009 12:48

    Hey Tenzil! If you are concerned about the people in your story's privacy, feel free to use pseudonyms. If your story is selected by the panel/community they will get into all those details in more... ah, detail. Hope that helps!

  • genrewriter

    genrewriter

    Mon Mar 9th, 2009 14:29

    Can we use a pseudonym for ourselves, too? Is that allowed for memoirs?

  • crackwalker

    crackwalker

    Mon Mar 9th, 2009 15:05

    I used no names. I called my characters descriptive titles, like Skinny Kid and Rat Face.

  • genrewriter

    genrewriter

    Mon Mar 9th, 2009 16:48

    I might avoid using names in mine, too, but the story will need a byline, and since it's a memoir, people will assume we're the main character in our stories, right?

  • Final

    Final

    Mon Mar 9th, 2009 18:01

    It's just a script. Unless the name appears in captions or dialogue, readers won't know. I guess that's really up to you. In my script, I use 'the Director' to describe the protagonist, but one of the characters clearly refers to me in dialogue as 'Darien'. So readers will eventually discover my name through that one line of dialogue.

  • genrewriter

    genrewriter

    Mon Mar 9th, 2009 18:53

    @Final: Yes, but it's a memoir script, so I think most people will assume the writer (whose name they'll see in the credits) is the protagonist.

  • Asclepius

    Asclepius

    Mon Mar 9th, 2009 21:29

    GW, I'd certainly assume the writer as the protagonist in a memoir unless specifically told otherwise.

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