Military encounter story

[Clairesecret]

Hi! I'm working on a story for the summer contest that is currently highly autobiographical, but I'm looking for ways to fictionalize it better so it doesn't hit so close to home. I still want to keep the characters military, and the setting in the desert, but I'm not sure what to do other than change names. I'm worried about posting something too close to real because 1- it's supposed to be a fiction site, 2. It would be highly recognizable to anyone that was there. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[sexywriterfla]

Hi! I'm working on a story for the summer contest that is currently highly autobiographical, but I'm looking for ways to fictionalize it better so it doesn't hit so close to home. I still want to keep the characters military, and the setting in the desert, but I'm not sure what to do other than change names. I'm worried about posting something too close to real because 1- it's supposed to be a fiction site, 2. It would be highly recognizable to anyone that was there. Anyone have any thoughts?

Hmmmm. What about changing the setting? I mean, I doubt anyone would recognize anything but I can't think of another way other than different character names, things like that.

 

[Voboy]

Gulf War instead of GWOT. Or put it in the British Army.

 

[Clairesecret]

Thank you, both. I'm having a tough time since setting is important to this one.

 

[Sean Renaud]

Honestly unless you are a VERY specific person in the world you don't even REALLY need to change a whole lot.

Are you the only person with your name? I know it's a stupid question but there are no (living) males in my family who don't have a cousin with the same name. We might never have met face to face but I have four!

After that swap out the precise unit, obviously make up an imaginary base (assuming over seas) and you're done.

Trust me when I say that right now a Rachel Black and Chris Smith are fucking in New York.

 

[Clairesecret]

You make good points. Plus, the likelihood that any involved parties are going to read it and recognize the situation is slim. Especially since I'm just publishing on here. Thanks!

 

[sexywriterfla]

You make good points. Plus, the likelihood that any involved parties are going to read it and recognize the situation is slim. Especially since I'm just publishing on here. Thanks!

My pleasure. Hit me up anytime, happy to help. And I noticed your stories just posted.

 

[quicky1]

have it set in another country - someplace in Africa

 

[Hypoxia]

Name-change is really all that's necessary. I often write real people into my tales with only last names or nicknames changed, and maybe place names. I may only lightly fictionalize real situations. I highly doubt that even if the models were to read my tales they would recognize themselves there. Many other folks were in the same place and time doing the same stuff with each other. Large numbers provide anonymity; we are not unique.