Would You Write This Story

[Frank Noir]

If you were asked, could you write his story omitting the salacious elements of his life?

I hope not.
To me, it would be all or nothing. Paint a complete picture of the guy - bizarre behaviour included.
If you can even get inside his mind and illuminate the motives behind his actions, it could be a damn good read.
Personally, I think it's human weaknesses that makes characters come alive.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

It would be a little like asking the what a Rolls costs. Not trying to be flippent, but if you have to ask, you probably shouldn't. What I really think is, do it, as he might want, and keep all that other information for an unauthorized bio after he's moved on. No idea who he is, but it all sounds like someone we might be interested in reading about.

It's also a question of balance. If you stacked up the bad on one side (his perception) and the good he's done in his life on the other, which way does the scale tip? I mean, some of the most brilliant contributions come from people with, umm, unusual personal lives.

 

[pcremington]

Yes, of course

Yes, interesting people make good reading. It is just about the right person to write and edit.

 

[neonlyte]

I hope not.
To me, it would be all or nothing. Paint a complete picture of the guy - bizarre behaviour included.
If you can even get inside his mind and illuminate the motives behind his actions, it could be a damn good read.
Personally, I think it's human weaknesses that makes characters come alive.

Getting inside his mind is the key, for that I'd need to win his confidence and trust - that might not be possible. I agree with you on the human weakness.

uld be a little like asking the what a Rolls costs. Not trying to be flippent, but if you have to ask, you probably shouldn't. What I really think is, do it, as he might want, and keep all that other information for an unauthorized bio after he's moved on. No idea who he is, but it all sounds like someone we might be interested in reading about.

It's also a question of balance. If you stacked up the bad on one side (his perception) and the good he's done in his life on the other, which way does the scale tip? I mean, some of the most brilliant contributions come from people with, umm, unusual personal lives.

I suspect he'd want some kind of contract enforcible after he'd moved on he has brothers and a sister, they might have long reach.

As for the good/bad, his latest field of patronage is in the arts, might be why he's prepared to even consider this, he's spending lots on various artistic endevours and you don't do that without exposing yourself to a degree of publicity - previously shunned. Yet he still controls his offspring and having spoken with both his eldest sons recently, the resentment is real and serious but goes largely unseen to anyone outside the family. Their 'bad behaviour' is written off by others as 'rich kid tantrum'. They are decent nice kids massively screwed up by a guy he can't see beyond his wallet. His contributions are not significant in the sense that he deals with commodities rather than making a significant contribution that adds to human wealth. A few years ago in the general economic downturn, he closed down factories putting 50k plus workers out of their jobs. Naturally, these jobs were in countries which didn't have the employment laws of 'the west'. I imagine they received little or no compensation, yet you have to balance that against the steps he takes to support friends and associates (see earlier post). A complex individual.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

I agree on the contract and far reach. I'd write it anyway, his terms, just for the experience. I'd also write the draft with everything, then try to convence him a full discosure would be good. Cast him in the proper light. Well, if that's true.

But then, who am I to say. The last thing anyone asked me to write was my name and address on my unemployment voucher.

Ahhh... such is life.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

If you were asked, could you write his story omitting the salacious elements of his life?

From what you say, what would be the point of writing his story if you omit the salacious elements? Wouldn't that be like writing the story of Rome omitting the Empire thing? The salacious elements are what makes the story interesting and unique, I would think.

 

[MagicaPractica]

It would depend on how toxic I find his personality. You might not want to be exposed to it if your health is in some precarious position already. If that's not a worry, go ahead and write it. Personally, it would probably be too stressful to me to be around him.

 

[Belegon]

I'd want to write it, and not only for the money either... but I totally agree with Stella and friend.

 

[john-the-author]

It sounds like this guy may be fairly manipulative. He'd have to be to have the kind of success he has. Is it possible, given your situation (family connection, your health) that he is trying to manipulate you too? On the other hand, he may just want those nasty details of his life put out there and his motivations explained. I think I would talk to him and see what he has in mind, but I don't think I would write a dishonest version of his life.

It's funny you say this; I was having a vague thought along these lines, too, but I'd not articulated it to myself yet.

Neon, let me second this: is there any likelihood that he's jerking you around somehow? (I hope not, but it sounds like there's a chance of it.)

John

 

[neonlyte]

Epilogue:

The deal is this. He wants me to go to Hong Kong with him first week of July. The idea is to talk about the project en-route (private jet), meet some of his family in Hong Kong, go to Shanghai - where he was born, and fly back to London five days later.

I said I'll think about it, but I won't go. It would mean cancelling arrangements I've spent several months planning for a serious holiday with a dozen friends. My decision might close the door, or it might not, depends how serious he is about wanting to do this and I suspect he wants the 'clean version' of the his life ahead of the Olympic Games in China next year. I don't think I'm prepared to write that version.

Incidentally, the friend of ours who had prostrate cancer had a successful op in New York and is back in Portugal.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

I couldn't do it, neon. The man obviously has very poor ethics, and may not be all that balanced mentally.

He appears to me to be smart enough to know the damage he does, and hard hearted enough not to care.

I'd tell him to take a hike. And find someone whose good opinion can be bought.

ditto.

mebbe hunter. s. thompson could do it? erm . . . is that guy still alive?

 

[jomar]

It's a bizarre dichotomy that treats friends and business contacts better than wives and offspring. He needs writing about and I'm beginning to sense there are two versions to be written.

It's the public perception persona versus the "real" private person. I think he'd have rights locked down tight even after he died, maybe even for a "how I wrote the story" - he's no dummy. And he'd make it worth your while to compromise and write a sanitized version. So hold firm to that pen name clause and bank millions!

 

[MarshAlien]

Depends on the answer to two questions:

A) Will I be paid in advance?; and

B) Oops, my mistake. Only one question.

I have written plenty of things in my life that I didn't agree with; of course, I didn't have to put my name on them when I was done, either. If it would pay the bills while I wrote the stuff I wanted, then sure.

 

[MarshAlien]

ditto.

mebbe hunter. s. thompson could do it? erm . . . is that guy still alive?

I'm thinking no.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Not sure he'd agree to that, but it is the only way to tell his story. This almost wonderous split personality is what would make the story, good and evil, the perverted philanthropist. I shouldn't be thinking about this

No, you're right, and so is our learned friend. That *is* the story! People don't like to read about marble monuments; they like to read about people. This guy sounds like he's very interesting, although I'm more than passingly glad I'm not one of his offspring.

Any chance he'd be willing to splash out and get adventurous if you begin the story in a sort of "I'm a man with no name" vein, acknowledging that it's about a real person but not saying specifically who? The intrigue could end up being part of the appeal, and if he's safely distanced from the piece a bit, he might end up enjoying a chance to play the wild rake that he is.

 

[neonlyte]

No, you're right, and so is our learned friend. That *is* the story! People don't like to read about marble monuments; they like to read about people. This guy sounds like he's very interesting, although I'm more than passingly glad I'm not one of his offspring.

Any chance he'd be willing to splash out and get adventurous if you begin the story in a sort of "I'm a man with no name" vein, acknowledging that it's about a real person but not saying specifically who? The intrigue could end up being part of the appeal, and if he's safely distanced from the piece a bit, he might end up enjoying a chance to play the wild rake that he is.

No... it is his name that he want's in the limelight and I'm pretty clear now that he wishes to step out from the anonimity he's preserved all these years at the time of the Olympics. He's Chinese of course, and he's having a house constructed in Beijing overlooking the Olympic Stadium, one of three, Bill Gates is to his left, I forget who is to his right. The houses cost some astronomical figure, I saw the model when I visted his New York apartment. I'm guessing he wants the book to give to his guests during the Olympics. I just don't think I could do the rose tinted version knowing what I know. On the other hand... it might pay very well and get me the kick start in publishing that I crave.

Soul for sale... going cheaper by the minute.

 

[jomar]

On the other hand... it might pay very well and get me the kick start in publishing that I crave.

Soul for sale... going cheaper by the minute.

You could be a philanthropist and get your soul out of hock by publishing the book I'm writing. Let me know.

 

[BlackShanglan]

No... it is his name that he want's in the limelight and I'm pretty clear now that he wishes to step out from the anonimity he's preserved all these years at the time of the Olympics. He's Chinese of course, and he's having a house constructed in Beijing overlooking the Olympic Stadium, one of three, Bill Gates is to his left, I forget who is to his right. The houses cost some astronomical figure, I saw the model when I visted his New York apartment. I'm guessing he wants the book to give to his guests during the Olympics. I just don't think I could do the rose tinted version knowing what I know. On the other hand... it might pay very well and get me the kick start in publishing that I crave.

Soul for sale... going cheaper by the minute.

Ahhhh got you. Yes, I think you're right. Sounds like he wants something shiny to show the guests in a very sort of polished way.

Interesting dilemma! Part of me would perhaps balk at it; the rest would figure, hey, my goal *is* to write fiction, isn't it?

 

[geronimo_appleby]

I'm thinking no.

no to what? him writing it, or still living?