Jim Lewandowski Wrote:
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> Stephanie Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
>
>
> ***
> Does this mean EVERY author has the impetus on
> himself to never, ever offer a fictional attribute
> in a fictional novel unless they specifically say
> so?

No but I do think that in the case of living individuals and organizations, care should be taken to protect those individuals/organizations. It's kind of like that disclaimer that you sometimes see in front of movies about any resemblance to actual individuals blah blah blah. Why not make another organization if it's going to be painted badly? Why does it have to be a real organization? Inspiration from real people/organizations is fine. The thing is, it doesn't have to be called the same name.

>
> ***
> And I'm sure you can draw a parallel to this (book
> posited as factual) in modern life.

Yep, it happens alot. Moreso now than 30 years ago because of the internet.

>
> ***
> If you were the member of a group and Brown wrote
> about an albino assassin as part of your group (in
> a fictional book), would you even waste your time
> to "correct" the "fact"? I wouldn't.

I would because it would be wrongfully portraying my organization--especially if I was receiving correspondence and phone calls inquiring about the fictional activities. This is what has actually happened to many of the things involved with this particuliar book. They've been inundated with calls and other forms of correspondence asking "is this real?". The first time would be funny. The thousandth time, it'd lose its humour. That's why it is so unfair to have actual organizations and people in a book like this. If it's a smash, then these things are going to be subjected to alot of unsolicited attention.

>
> Let's say your organization is ALWAYS portrayed as
> having an albino assassin but there is no evidence
> to that. Would you waste your time to correct the
> fact?

Yep because it would get really tiring to be so grossly maligned.

>
> ***
> Since it's a work of fiction, all bets are off,
> IMHO. Hence, the GENIUS of Brown.

Actually, using real events and real organizations is simply a writing trick to add to the plausibility of the story. It aids the suspension of disbelief. It's not genius. It's what just about every would-be writer learns if they've taken any fictional writing courses.

Stephanie




In every man there is something wherein I may learn of him, and in that I am his pupil.--Ralph Waldo Emerson