Changing Names

[TheWriteTaylor]

I apologize if this has been brought up before. I skimmed through the other pages and couldn't find any topic headings related to this.

I am writing a novel series in which the main characters lives a series of lives via reincarnation. Thus he is known by a couple of different names.

How would I go about handling this so that the reader knows it is him and does not get confused?

I thought about giving him a nickname that he somehow gets stuck with in each of his lives for instant recognition but I'm unsure if I should refer to him by his official name and have other characters call him by the nickname or refer to him by the nickname and have other characters call him by the official name (for that lifetime).

All thoughts are appreciated. And maybe examples too.

Thanks
~Kisha

[Mistook]

Thats a good question. I'm thinking about a story where a guy switches places with his counter-part in a parallel universe. So chapters would trade off between one world and the other. I'm also wondering how to keep the identities straight.

[katiemac]

It seems like this would depend on whether or not your character knows he's also lived these lives. You could play around with POV, for instance. Let's say your character currently lives in 2005 and writes in first person POV, and he's remembering is past lives. From thereon, if he has a memory or a recollection or whatever, those lifetimes can be written in third POV.

Otherwise, the common name would work also. If you've picked a name with lots of variations, then you can use a variation for each lifetime. For example, in 2005 he can be called Nick. In the Middle Ages, he can be Nicholas. Another life he can be Nicky. Depending on the time period, the country, etc. there are all forms of nicknames and even spellings you can play around with. If you fit the name to the period, it will also help your readers connect more immediately with that lifetime.

The common nickname would add a bit of irony to your story -- that somehow, inherently, he's still the same person because of that nickname. Obviously there's some trait he's kept throughout all these lives. You can write him in narrative with the nickname or his time period name -- that's something you'll probably only be able to determine what works for sure once you've played around with it in writing.

Anyway, these are just a few suggestions. There are plenty of options to pursue. When you figure out the right one, you'll know.

Good luck!

[Kallahan]

Read Larry Niven's "Destiny's Road", the main character goes through several name changes. The trick is to use backstory as a reminder of who your talking about, also make sure the character's way of thought doesn't change much. Don't make him static, just make him the same guy with a different name.

[TheWriteTaylor]

Thanks for the responses. Eventually, I'm going to get to the library sometime this week so I'll check out Mr. Niven's book and see if I can find a couple of others.

That is an interesting idea Katiemac. It may end up being a combination of that, the nickname and foreshadowing in the beginning because he will not remember at first. Towards the end he will remember more and more but I'm hoping that I'll have characterized him so well that when a character starts displaying certain traits the reader will know its him.

Thanks again
~Kisha