It’s a good rule of thumb to write from experience, because it adds an extra layer of realism that every reader finds compelling. But when borrowing from real life in your writing, what happens if you base a character on someone you know, and the result is unflattering? In this article Writer’s Relief found at lithub.com, Mary Gaitskill, author of Veronica Tries to Honor the World, discusses how she navigated that balance between realism and creative freedom.

Before you get angry emails from high school classmates who think you’re writing about them, read more here.