QuanSai
New Member (Welcome me!)
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Registered: 11/5/2009
Location: Bronx, New York
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Do I need special rights to mention a university?
I'm creating character profiles for a novel I'm considering writing. Do I need any sort of official permission to mention a university within my
writing?
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Sevastian Winters
Superlative Writer
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Registered: 6/29/2009
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not all all....but don't misrepresent the character of the Institution.
[Edited on 12/21/2009 by Sevastian Winters]
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Michy
Boss(y) Lady / Site Owner / Admin
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Right now, you don't need to worry about anything like this. Write the novel. If, later, you sell it to a publisher, they will handle the legal
aspects of the mentions of real places and/or change them if need be.
your job is to write... unless you're self publishing, you don't need to worry about this type of stuff.
Even if you're self publishing, don't use this type of stuff to stall the actual writing - the first thing you need to do is WRITE. This stuff comes
in the editing phase.
I will add one thing though - if you're using real places, you'd better make darned sure you're accurate. People who have been there, they will know
if it's not accurate, and they can be brutal about it.
People are sorta territorial about their hometowns, alma maters, etc.
[Edited on 12-21-2009 by Michy]
Love and stuff,
Michy
~~Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations~~
Do just once what others say you can't do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again." James R. Cook
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opher
Literary Master
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Hmmmpf. Then I guess Dan Brown should have been lambasted for his mis-description of CERN and the work done there in his novel Angels and Demons. His
descriptions were so far off, that if you used them to try and identify the place you'd never find it in a million years.
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Michy
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I know, Opher. Dan Brown is one of my least favorite writers. If you've ever read anything I've said about him, you'd know I have little respect for
the man's writing. He can tell good stories, but they are only stories, and he can't write well at all. I said in another thread recently that he
would benefit from a good editor who would fix those things.... but (shrug).
Love and stuff,
Michy
~~Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations~~
Do just once what others say you can't do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again." James R. Cook
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LaurelHeio
Jr. Member Writer
Posts: 46
Registered: 2/8/2010
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Mood: ~Happy I have a new laptop~
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Quote: Originally posted by Michy  | I know, Opher. Dan Brown is one of my least favorite writers. If you've ever read anything I've said about him, you'd know I have little respect for
the man's writing. He can tell good stories, but they are only stories, and he can't write well at all. I said in another thread recently that he
would benefit from a good editor who would fix those things.... but (shrug).
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Would you recommend the Da Vinci Code, or any of his books though?
And if I were using a real place, person, event, the more research I do the better right?
The world is a beautiful place to be born into if you don't mind some people dying all the time or maybe only starving some of the time which isn't
half so bad if it isn't you.
- Laurence Ferlinghetti
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Michy
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I don't really recommend his books as something you should read if you are wanting to learn how to be a writer.... I'm pretty sure Dan Brown must have
'known' someone in order to get published, but then, maybe not.... he might have inside connections to the subject matter about which he writers.
Now, I will say this - I did enjoy his story... But most writers and editors seem to agree that the Da Vinci Code was a very poorly written piece of
fiction...
As for historical accuracy, I heard Brown in an interview once say, very adamantly, his writings are pieces of fiction, so those expecting his writing
to be a fiction piece of history need to realize that was not his intent.
Like I said, I wouldn't mind his success and he tells a good story - but he's not a good writer.
Love and stuff,
Michy
~~Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations~~
Do just once what others say you can't do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again." James R. Cook
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LaurelHeio
Jr. Member Writer
Posts: 46
Registered: 2/8/2010
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| Quote: Originally posted by Michy | I don't really recommend his books as something you should read if you are wanting to learn how to be a writer....
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Mm... I could learn from his bad example? I'm pretty sure my sister liked his books, and (someday) I want(ed) to read his books.
The world is a beautiful place to be born into if you don't mind some people dying all the time or maybe only starving some of the time which isn't
half so bad if it isn't you.
- Laurence Ferlinghetti
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Michy
Boss(y) Lady / Site Owner / Admin
Posts: 7403
Registered: 1/15/2008
Location: Texas
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Mood: Peaceful
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You can always learn from bad examples, this is true... but do try to be careful not to get too used to reading the 'bad' stuff, or else your writing
will emulate that!
I'm not saying not to read his books.... like I said, I really enjoyed the story itself - I also enjoyed the movie - but his writing mechanics are a
bit pedestrian. He is a mediocre writer who tells a great story. I'd rather be a good writer who tells a fantastic story!
But... he definitely has plenty of fans, and you might just find you enjoy his work. And that's cool! Some people like to read Stephen King - I don't.
But I still like some of his movies! 1408 rocked as movie - I read it as a short story AFTER I saw the movie, and I thought the movie was much
better...LOL
Love and stuff,
Michy
~~Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations~~
Do just once what others say you can't do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again." James R. Cook
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