Welcome to Writers Talkback. If you are a new user, your account will have to be approved manually to prevent spam. Please bear with us in the meantime
Basing a novel on a "true life crime"
Hi there,
I was just wondering if anyone knew how close to the truth a novel can be before being accused of being linked to a true crime.
I'm basing a novel on a true murder, so I know names, places would have to be changed, but I would like to keep the
crime as much as possible to the real one.
would I avoid any legal issues?
Many thanks
Comments
You would be better to take the basis of the crime and create new characters and places if it's the last sixty year- my opinion only of course.
I think that changing names places and even times is enough?
I'm writing this crime in 2011 and not at the year it was committed
But not being a crime-writer I will leave it to TB's who are to give you a more definitive answer.
You mentioned a number of victims, so that alone would help identify the real crime.
Not in a first novel, if you are sending it to an agent. It should be as perfect as you can make it.
Sorry, but that made me chuckle. I like the idea that authors are going out and committing crimes in order to have something to write about.
At least it makes sure they get the details right!