Quick Name Question...my WIP

KTC · Aug 22, 2006

I have a really quick question. I'm about 125 pages in with my most recent WIP and it suddenly occurred to me that maybe readers would stumble over the name of my main character. Not that it's hard to say...it's a common name...just that it's long. Do you care if a main character's name is long?

His name is Sebastien. It just seemed to fit all the way through. I was reading a chunk out loud last night and I thought, "hmmmm. I wonder if people would be thrown off by a name like that?"

The Lady · Aug 22, 2006

I wouldn't be a bit thrown off. Like the name.

Robert Toy · Aug 22, 2006

One small suggestion...use the spelling Sébastien, otherwise someone will think you misspelled his name (unless they understand French)

KTC · Aug 22, 2006

I did, Robert. I just didn't know how to type that here? In MSWord its automatic?

KTC · Aug 22, 2006

Sébastien

Ah. Copy/Paste.

smiley10000 · Aug 22, 2006

The name is fine. I would not stumble over it.
It bothers me when all characters only have one or two syllable names (Tom, Dick, Harry...).

10000

Anonymisty · Aug 22, 2006

No trouble for me, either. I love the name! I'm playing a character named Sebastien in an RPG currently.

PattiTheWicked · Aug 22, 2006

My friend has a baby named Sebastien. She named him after the kid in the Neverending Story. Everyone calls him Bas.

I think most people would be able to pronounce or at least recognize the name.

Haggis · Aug 22, 2006

Nope. No trouble with it.

MidnightMuse · Aug 22, 2006

That name has never bothered me, it's a nice one

CaroGirl · Aug 22, 2006

I don't think it's too long, and I like the name. Very distinctive. I'd keep it.

davids · Aug 22, 2006

What is so long and complicated KTC? One of our characters is named Siggy Fradalapatious-hell wonder if that's the problem-we even cut Siegfied to Siggy-does no one have any imagination?

By the by if it is well written-and having read some of your work we imagine it is-then who gives a lady crap about the name-don't worry-be happy

BardSkye · Aug 22, 2006

Perfectly acceptable.

Long names only bother me when they're strings of nonsense letters and apostrophes.

KTC · Aug 22, 2006

Thanks all! I really appreciate it. This is good news. His name came naturally and then I had that moment of doubt. Thanks for taking it away.

Maryn · Aug 22, 2006

I have no problem with it either, but remember that when other characters address him, at least some of them are going to use something shorter, like Patti's friend, as a nickname, unless you make him adamant about everyone using the full name. ("It's Sébastien. Not Seb, not Bas, not Sebby, not Bastien. Sébastien. Got it?")

Maryn, whose friend Elizabeth has a speech like that, but longer

sassandgroove · Aug 22, 2006

I'd tell you it's fine, but everyone beat me to it.

maestrowork · Aug 22, 2006

Why? I know two Sebastians (although their names are spelled "Sebastian" not "Sebastien").

KTC · Aug 22, 2006

Thanks again guys. I never once thought it was an unusual name. I know a couple myself. It was just the bulkiness of it while I was reading aloud. Actually...I never even thought it was bulky..I thought that others might feel that it was. I think I am figuring out what my problem was? I think this is the first time I ever used a character with more than 2 syllables before, believe it or not.

I'm glad to hear this unanimous reply. The character was a Sebastien from the get go...I would have hated changing his name.

maestrowork · Aug 22, 2006

Since it's normally spelled "Sebastian," you might want to really check the spelling or go by Sébastien. Otherwise, some people will be put off by the alternate spelling.

KTC · Aug 22, 2006

Ray, I am going by Sébastien. When I type it here the accent doesn't show up.

sassandgroove · Aug 22, 2006

Sheesh, Ray, he already covered that.

sassandgroove · Aug 22, 2006

KTC said:
I'm glad to hear this unanimous reply. The character was a Sebastien from the get go...I would have hated changing his name.

It's hard to change their names. My characters tell me their names. I tried naming a girl Stephanie, to honor a man I know named Steve. But she kept telling me her name was Sophia, so Sophia it is. Also, I had to many J names in my WIP and changed Jamie to Amy, but man, she is still Jamie in my head, and I'll have to search the docment for stray Jamies, I'm sure. At least she doesn't show up much.

TwentyFour · Aug 22, 2006

My best friend named her son this, and we are in the small town (country) ...go figure...then of course she named her other children all after Disney movie characters.

TwentyFour · Aug 22, 2006

I named one character Robbie, then decided midway to make him a Mitchell, well I changed it back since I myself could not get used to the change.

nevada · Aug 22, 2006

I have a character named Kieran who started out as a Ryan. I dont have a problem with it but my sister just keeps calling him Ryan. And another character who I called Oscar for the time being until I could come up with a better name, Oscar being the name of the cat on that particular day on my calender. Except Oscar turned out to be a great name for him and so he's keeping it.

By the way, to get back on topic, I really like the name sebastien.

Quick Name Question...my WIP

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