locations, people

Question about when writing a mostly autobiographical piece, how distant do associations with real people and places need to be? I can change every name while I write, but I feel that locations around Dublin, even names of pubs etc. I would need to keep. I would like everyone involved to remain anonymous though. Has anyone come up against this stumbling block? I could create completely fictional places which would be recognisable to anyone who knew the areas, but personally would prefer to leave the areas of Dublin as they are, named and shamed even.

I know I'm not very clear here in what I'm trying to ask. I hope someone can advise?

echo beach

If you want everybody involved to be anonymous set the piece in Cork or London or wherever. Dublin is a small place. Even if you fictionalise the area it will be recognisable and people will think it is them even if it isn't.
Move locations and you can tell the same story with complete deniability.

Alternatively write a memoir and take the flak.

Das Kitty

Just write it now with the real places and names, and if you decide later to change it from a memoir you can edit it.

Whatever gets you writing quicker, basically.

If you're not doing a straight memoir in the end, remember that you'll need to look at the real events and decide what parts of them make the story less convincing. Yes, weird weird things happen in real life, but a lot of it's not convincing in fiction.

morriss003

If I were reading, I would like to think that the places named are real places. Changing people's names should be sufficient.

EileenG

Use the real places and names. Changing the names are not sufficient. if you write about your fifth class teacher Mrs Grey who used a cane on you, and your fifth class teacher was really Miss Black, you'll have a job convincing anyone that Miss Black didn't use a cane on you.

Diane Selwyn

I have a friend who reckons that people tend not to recognise themselves if they are portrayed in an unflattering light or in a way that they don't tend to think of themselves. It may depend on who you are dealing with though - and also the situation and how recently the events took place I would guess.