Question about disclaimers and writing fiction about reality
I just finished writing a short story entitled "Client 9" inspired by Eliot Spitzer's catastrophe with a call girl. It was fun to write -- now here is the rub/question. I don't know Eliot Spitzer (of course). So I invented a nameless character as the Governor of New York and just made up details about him, his past, and his family, and how he meets the call girl, etc. So the story is complete fiction, although the premise is obviously inspired by real events. Of course, a lot of fiction is like this -- you get inspired by reality, as as soon as you start to write, it becomes fiction because you add details and take it in directions that you fabricate in your imagination.
Now I want to put one of those disclaimers in the front of the story -- something like this: "This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental."
I feel like I need to do this to protect myself, because I really am intending fiction, not a historical account of what happened. On the other hand, I am obviously making a reference to actual event and the disclaimer seems false. Any suggestions on how best to handle this? Maybe I need a special disclaimer, something like this: While this story is inspired by current events, [insert disclaimer]." Your thoughts appreciated.
If anyone is interested the story is up on my google blog. My first effort at a short story in many years.
http://shortstoriesbydavidcastro.blogspot.com/
David C started this discussion 4 months ago. ( )