help here

[Louisdg]

I feel perplexed about this issue, as I am not sure whether I should create fictional nations or use real countries as a basis for my story. There is a lingering concern in my mind that, by using real countries, I may inadvertently cause outrage or disrespect to the culture and traditions of their people.

The hesitation that plagues me is due to my awareness of the importance of respecting the diverse cultures in our world. For this reason, I am fearful of taking a position that could potentially harm the image of a real country or even offend someone who belongs to that nation.

Should I create a fictional country or use the ones that already exist?

 

[Corty]

Go with fictional if you feel it would be a problem. That is the safe option.

I also prefer that as it gives you much bigger freedom. One of my stories plays in the "real" world. But I went with an alternate history and changed up some countries' names too.

This also gives you the option to create scenarios that would be hard to do in a 1:1 representation of today's world. Always give yourself escape points in case you write yourself into a corner.

 

[SailusGebel]

Use the ones that already exist.

 

[Rhaps]

This depends on what kind of fiction you are creating, fantasy or modern fantasy.

If you are going with modern fantasy/urban fantasy then I have some advices

Often or not, stereotyping isn't too bad if it's play out as an off comment or a joke. Like Australia is the most dangerous country.

I went and go with creating another nation for the sake of it, because I don't want America to be look as if it isn't the Mary Sue of the world than it already is.

Next is have every character act as if that nation has been there since forever, you don't have to go into great details about the history and the impact, they already happened. Just a few comments here and there about said country.

This is the safer option.

Then the risky option is changing an existing country's identity, but you have to add bits about what is different. Like for example, the Briton won and defended themselves from the Saxon, how would it change British history? Well, you don't have to change anything at all, and you just extended the freedom you have.

As long as you keep the ideology of a country, any changes are acceptable.

You can change another country's identity, since ultimately it's just a piece of fiction (unless it get too popular and now you have a whole nation hating you).

 

[TremendousHuman]

As long as you obfuscate it hard enough nobody will have a reasonable cause to attribute their problems to disrespect to the real nations. Only poor world building.

 

[Empyrea]

If you don't want to do a lot of research, then go with fictional or an alternate history. If you like researching social norms and history, you'll get plenty going with real world nations. I lack such interest and time, but can see the draw it might have for many authors.

 

[Paul_Tromba]

You could do both by having real country names but they be completely different than ours. For example, Italy is now an island and mainly imports rice. America is a French colony and Russia is now a socialist state where South Africa should be. Also, Australia is a moon colony.

 

[SailusGebel]

Russia is now a socialist state where South Africa should be.

 

[ManwX]

I feel like using the world as a refrence is good but using the current settings like real name of countries is a bit iffy. Atleast for me. It becomes too convoluted because you have to be respectful to the culture history traditions etc. I rather just creat an entire civilization on my own. Change everything from the world history etc that can be an option

 

[georgelee5786]

I use a bit of both. I make new nations, but take influence from real nations

Also, Australia is a moon colony.

Always has been

 

[TheEldritchGod]

Should I create a fictional country or use the ones that already exist?

Yes.

You could do both by having real country names but they be completely different than ours. For example, Italy is now an island and mainly imports rice. America is a French colony and Russia is now a socialist state where South Africa should be. Also, Australia is a moon colony.

 

[Paul_Tromba]

Yes.

View attachment 17580

This is perfect. I love it.