Oh, blast. Change a character's name?

TychoBrahe · Apr 27, 2009

Hey guys! Here's another plea to the infinite spout of wisdom that is AW:

I've written two fantasy novels. In the first one, which I'm shopping around to agents, there's a minor character named Moth Blackwater who's a gypsy who can turn into a raven. I liked her so much that in my second book I made her the main character. (I'm about to dive into draft 3. I know: writing sequels to books you haven't sold is stupid, but the story was in my head and I had to get it out.)

So imagine how I feel when I flip to the fantasy section of the new issue of Ingram's Advance Magazine to see what's being published in June:

STARFINDER
Book One of the Skylords
John Marco
Moth of Cailo is obsessed with airships and dreams of taking to the air one day like his heroes, the Skyknights. But not everyone is happy to see humans reach the skies, in this new fantasy series from the author of The Sword of Angels. 400pp. 12,000 print.
978-0-7564-0551-9 $24.95

Okay, so Mr. Marco's book has nothing in common with my own except that 1) they're both fantasy, 2) the MC's name is "Moth", and 3) the ability to fly is crucial to the plot, although in different ways.

Oh font of AW wisdom, should I:

A) Bite the bullet and change my own character's name in both the books I've written, no matter how repulsive and disheartening I find the idea.

B) Admit to myself that the chances of getting my own books published are so astoundingly remote as to be laughable and just leave it as long as it makes me happy.

C) Start wearing tinfoil on my head to prevent any future psychic interference from other fantasy novelists.

As always, any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks, guys!

DeleyanLee · Apr 27, 2009

Don't worry about it until you get an agent or editor, then ask them.

Until it's sold, I really don't see any reason to change anything you've got as long as you're happy with it.

Gillhoughly · Apr 27, 2009

Keep the name. You have a different audience than the other writer. No editor that I know of would object.

If names were EVER an issue, then every other writer would be getting sued for using names like "Jack" or "Cassie."

If you named your character after a trademark, then you might have a problem, ex. "Ronald McDonald."

While that happens in real life--I knew of a McD's manager actually named Ronald McDonald--you can avoid it in fiction.

Next time google a name and see what comes up.

Cyia · Apr 27, 2009

Had a similar problem with my current WIP. I had a minor vampire character named Quill. .. then I read Twilight and find a were named Quil. Sure they're not exactly the same, but it wasn't worth it to me (in that case) to keep the name I had.

If you really want to keep the name, do it and ask an agent when and if you get an offer on the book.

Kathleen42 · Apr 27, 2009

I think you're alright.

I ran into a similar problem with one of my supporting characters but I was early enough into the WiP that I hadn't really formed an attachment to the name I was using.

Lady Cat · Apr 27, 2009

The name has a nice ring to it. Keep it until told otherwise by a publisher, but seriously I don't think you'll run into any problems with it.

I've done the same thing, written a sequel before selling the first, using minor characters from the first one. Only in my case my nephew's wife named their son with the name of my hero! It took me way too long to settle on this name so I'm not changing it! :tongue

And if you're going to go the tinfoil hat route, make sure the tinfoil is in the shape of a swan, it's better at deflecting psychic interference.

TychoBrahe · Apr 27, 2009

Hmm... and since I work at a pretty big library, I shouldn't have a problem finding a book on tinfoil origami.

Thanks, everyone!

Feidb · Apr 27, 2009

First off, I don't consider writing an unpublished series to be a waste of time. Everything I write is with a series in mind. My Gold series, for instance, is unpublished, but I've already written 6 of them. Publication just isn't my primary motivator, though it would be a nice one! Anyway, just write what you feel and worry about selling it later, unless your main motivation is to get published. Then I really feel for your upcoming frustration level!

As for names, keep it. Let the agent or editor tell you it needs changing. You can find another name you like, and do a find and replace. Simple as that. My problem hasn't been a name similar to other authors, but that I sometimes tend to have names within the story that are too similar. Maybe two or three names start with the same letter... stuff like that.

My other problem is that sometimes with secondary characters, I can call them two or three different names if I'm not careful! When I get fired up, I just plow through and write. Nowadays, I've started writing down names and descriptions as I make them up, just to keep track.

Kathleen42 · Apr 27, 2009

Lady Cat said:
Only in my case my nephew's wife named their son with the name of my hero! It took me way too long to settle on this name so I'm not changing it!

I had the same thing almost happen. I mentioned my WiP to my cousin. Months later I found out the name of my MC was topping his list of baby names.

caitysdad · Apr 27, 2009

i agree with the others. i wouldn't go changing now unless it's something you want.

Izz · Apr 27, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
While that happens in real life--I knew of a McD's manager actually named Ronald McDonald--you can avoid it in fiction.

*snerkle*

loiterer · Apr 27, 2009

I have a Jacob Black. I'd never heard of Stephanie Meyers or Twilight until the whole "Russet Noon" thing on the AW Roundtable. Now I probably don't have a Jacob Black anymore. Although I admit this is partly because I don't want anyone to think I have read Twilight (which I haven't, and don't intend to rectify this) rather than Meyers has burned the name or anything.

Yours is different. It's only the first name. And anyway John Marco, whoever he may be, is probably not as popular as stephanie Meyers, right?

LAWolf · Apr 27, 2009

Keep the name.

I really love when a book's MC was a minor character in another book by the author, really delights me.

Stijn Hommes · Apr 27, 2009

I don't see any need to change the name. They might share a first name, but their last name is distinctly different. They sound sufficiently different for it not to be a problem.

RunawayScribe · Apr 27, 2009

I'd just leave it alone unless an agent or editor tells you otherwise. Most names have been used before, at least in some context. I wouldn't go naming a character in your sci-fi Padme or Anakin, but aside from the glaringly obvious, it's bound to happen to some writers eventually.

Quossum · Apr 27, 2009

Keep it for now. If you're still at the querying agents stage, it'll be a while before your works will be out, and the other book with a similar name in it might not matter at all. If it does, you can always change your character's name later.

--Q

ccarver30 · Apr 27, 2009

Sorry but I hate the name. It sounds really cliche.

bettielee · Apr 27, 2009

TychoBrahe said:
C) Start wearing tinfoil on my head to prevent any future psychic interference from other fantasy novelists.

NightOwl · Apr 27, 2009

I like the name Moth. I don't think you'll have any troubles with it and should keep it. Like others have said same names will happen. Take Harry Potter as an example (first name that popped in my head), people can still have MCs named Harry...

Now if Cailo means Blackwater then maybe you should think about a name change

Oh, blast. Change a character's name?

TychoBrahe

Wannabe Mad Scientist

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

Cyia

Rewriting My Destiny

Kathleen42

crushing on fictional characters

Lady Cat

TychoBrahe

Wannabe Mad Scientist

Feidb

Been Here A While

Kathleen42

crushing on fictional characters

caitysdad

Izz

Doing the Space Operatic

loiterer

LAWolf

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

RunawayScribe

It is what it is.

Quossum

ccarver30

Nicole Castro

bettielee

I'm a sparkly fairy princess!

NightOwl