At almost 90% in, I'm thinking about changing a couple of names in my book. When planning the book and conjuring the characters, I didn't realise I named the main character's love interest with the same initial as hers. It was only as I started writing about them that it occurred to me because it's so 'clunky'. I went with it anyway but it's been bugging me more and more, especially as I don't think her love interest's name 'suits' him now I've got to know him.
So I've pretty much decided they are going to have a name change but I'm going to wait until the second draft to change them as I think it will be too weird doing it now when I'm so close to the end. I am a bit worried it will be too strange when the names have changed and it won't feel like them anymore but I've thought about it over the past few days and I think it's the right thing to do. Only time will tell, I guess.
I am in the process of changing some of my character names too, but it's not as bad as you might think. It feels very odd at first, but I have found that the new names suit the characters better. Hopefully it will be the same way for you! :D
ReplyDeleteAmazing how important it is to get the right name. I've changed names in the past and, as Kyra says, you do get used to it very quickly. Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteI've changed the names of minor characters before (and the spelling of someone's last name because no one could pronounce it), but never the major characters. However, my editor has made me change the way characters in my book are addressed to match the more formal customs of that time period. So, a character (and love interest) that I used to call by his first names is now called by his last name. That's as good as a name change in my book, and it does change the way I look at him a bit.
ReplyDeleteKyra - I'm hoping the new names will suit them better (especially the love interest's. On paper, his name doesn't feel right for him).
ReplyDeleteRebecca - names are very important and I think as a writer you feel whether a name is working or not. I'm already getting used to one name change - I almost wrote the love interest's new name today and I haven't even changed it yet!
Dianne - I can understand why you would see your character differently when he's referred to by his last name.