A very, good question and timely in my case, because I am facing this very situation. One character in my story is a close, family member (who is adamant that she not be included even though her participation in the story is not in any way, harmful to her.. she just doesn’t want me to write it).

The other is a very, old friend whose younger self had an event that she’s never disclosed and I believe I know what happened. I want to write it with the great compassion I feel about it.

Writing both characters into my story would effect our relationships. So how does one get around this? Wait until everyone is dead? It just feels like I’m being robbed of my purpose and the story I’m meant to write.

I hope there is a way around this without hurting or alienating anyone. Or should I care and just do it anyway?