Port side only, thank you very much

Haven't posted in awhile because I have had a bit of a medical setback. Started experiencing right hand pain, not related to writing but related to doing something stupid at work, I think. Got to the point where a 4am emergency room visit seemed warranted. So now I'm splinted and pretty much hunting and pecking with a very overused and now sore left hand. (I'm right handed.)
I am adamant about continuing to work on my novel so this post is short and probably one of only a future few until my hand heals.
My husband says there are two kinds of people in the world, those that are left handed and those that want to be. Yup, he's a leftie and so am I until this thing takes care of itself.

Have you ever been forced to use the side less able?

Mama Mia

My buddy Dave

For the last two weeks I have either been preparing for, actually in, or recovering from, a ten day trip to Italy. The entire adventure has been beyond awesome. From the overseas flights, to and from Italy, to the utter pleasure of the beautiful countryside and cities, plus the intense madness of Italian roads, it’s been great. But it’s over, we’re home, recovering from the time change and getting things back to normal. I never thought a bowl of Cheerios just before bed, after being up nineteen hours, and crossing six time zones, could taste so good.

 

I haven’t touched my novel, read any writing blogs or even thought about the written word for fourteen days. Though I thought I’d take trip-notes, I did not; too tired and wound, from site seeing and eating. Barely even thought of my column either. As wonderful as this vacation from the everyday has been for my body, the much needed break from writing has been a godsend.

But now, with renewed effort I’m anxious to finish my novel and to plunge again into what we called in the sixties, “the groove”.

I am astounded by how wonderful it is to get back to that which I was so anxious to leave. The world is a wondrous place but home is truly where my heart belongs.

When was the last time you got to take a break?

Have I slipped a disk?

I have a dilemma.

Half of the sturdy vertebrae within the backbone of my current WIP, is based on the name of a business which has been in operation in my part for the world for decades and still exists. Known locally by a few, it’s basically unknown within a five mile radius. The name, type of business and its current physical and financial condition is everything to my story. It creates a clever framework, a background, a lifeblood for my characters. More importantly it sheds light on (and answers) the results of a (timely) fascinating socioeconomic downfall. From mansion to flop house, it opens doors to a side of life, hopefully, many of us will never see.

My dilemma.

Though this novel is as fictional as I am real, I am forced to ask, what are the legalities regarding the usage of the business name?

In more pliant words, when, (notice I did not say ‘if’), the novel is published, and when it becomes successful, would Mr. Little Guy be able to claim rights and financial remuneration, from Ms. Finally Successful in Fiction Writer?

I am so used to the parameters of non-fiction (getting things right) that it makes me wonder if an agent or publisher would steer clear because of fears regarding a lawsuit. Me, I’m diving in and plugging along because I believe it’s a great story. I’m just trying to do it proud.

Dilemma or no dilemma?