Would you rename your character if?

skelly · Jan 28, 2007

In another thread about favorite characters of our own creation, I mentioned my character, Lupe Delgado. It turns out that Lupe Delgado is a minor character in some of Stephen King's books (the Dark Tower stuff). There is virtually no similarity between my character (a 16 year old girl) and King's character (some guy who works in a homeless shelter, gets bitten by a vampire, and dies from AIDS) beyond the fact that they both have the same name. It's not a copyright issue. My concern is that people reading my book might see the name and think "Hey, that's a character from a Stephen King novel!" Howmanyofme.com says that there are only 11 Lupe Delgado's in the U.S., so it's a relatively uncommon name, at least in this country. I know that it might come up, because a fellow board member PM'd me not long after I posted in the other thread to ask if I was aware of the King character. That person was being kind and helpful, but I can envision a situation where someone might think I was ripping off King, in spite of the fact that they are two completely different characters in two completely different situations. It's not that difficult to change her last name, I suppose, but I sorta don't want to. What do you guys think? Should I change it, or leave it as-is?

Inkdaub · Jan 28, 2007

The fact that you're posting this tells me that it has wormed it's way into your head at least a little bit. I would change it if it's distracting to you. I'm a guy who frequently changes character names, though.

alleycat · Jan 28, 2007

I would go ahead and change it (not that it's that important either way). It's a small thing and would probably save you some headaches later.

Maybe to Lupe J. Delgado, or Luis Delgado.

Nickie · Jan 28, 2007

I would also like to say that you'd better change the name, if only by changing a few letters. What about Lucy?

Nickie

AnAirplane · Jan 28, 2007

I'll agree with Inkdaub and say change it if it's bothering you, but personally I wouldn't. A lot of people have the same name in real life anyway. And if it's ever brought up, you could even retcon the story and say it was an allusion to King (which is no worse than a name like "Hiro Protagonist" or some of the names in postmodern works).

kristie911 · Jan 28, 2007

If it's starting to bother you, then you should change it or it will just continue to bother you more and more. If you don't think it's a big deal then leave it alone. I'm a huge King fan and the name didn't ring a bell with me until you told me who it was. I never would have caught it.

KiraOnWhite · Jan 28, 2007

I would change my character name, if I find something cooler or more 'roll off the tongue' for him/her. Believe me, you won't be motivated to write a story if your characters are called Tom, Dick and Harry.

amber_grosjean · Jan 28, 2007

I'm torn between everyone. True, there are a lot of people with the same name. I wanted to see how many people had my name Amber Rigby and I couldn't believe how many there were but that is my maiden name and I usually write under that name. This is your book, your story, and if it feels right to keep it then keep it. Because of the name being a less common name then people who read both books may pick it up and want to buy the other book because of it. This could help either of you, although I don't think King needs any help. His name pretty much sells his books for him. You could become famous just like him so having the same name couldn't hurt. One of my characters is using a very close name to someone in real life so I learned after she was created. Donna Summer is a singer, Donna Summers in my character. Because they were different even slightly, I chose to keep it. Ultimatly it is your choice. I hope we all can be of some help to you on this.

skelly · Jan 28, 2007

Thank you guys for all the suggestions. I guess I'll just change her last name. I chose "Lupe" for a specific reason, but I just sort of pulled "Delgado" out of think air. Or so I had thought. More like out of some file cabinet in some dusty, dimly lit aisle at the back of my brain where I store the last names of Stephen King's bit characters. I think I'll wait until I'm done with the book before I change it, though. I appreciate all the comments

Pamster · Jan 28, 2007

I forget which movie it was but there was a Nick Andrews and I don't want to change it and it doesn't bother me, but again it was a King character who had that name in one of the movies, I can't remember I think it was The Stand, but I had never read it nor seen the movie when I cam eup with Nick's name. It's in my first novel and so I left it as is. Haven't tried to sell this novel yet though so we'll see what's up in the gather contest first before I even try to sell it. If an editor wanted it changed I'd do it, but I want Nick as his first name.

Sorry you had to change it skelly, that was a great character name.

skelly · Jan 28, 2007

Pamster said:
Sorry you had to change it skelly, that was a great character name.

lol. Yeah, me an ol Steve think so, anyway. I may have this wrong but I think the guy in The Stand is Nick Andros.

johnzakour · Jan 28, 2007

Actually, I would just give her a little used middle initial and leave it. If a publisher wants to change it then you change it.

thethinker42 · Jan 28, 2007

Pamster said:
I forget which movie it was but there was a Nick Andrews and I don't want to change it and it doesn't bother me, but again it was a King character who had that name in one of the movies, I can't remember I think it was The Stand, but I had never read it nor seen the movie when I cam eup with Nick's name. It's in my first novel and so I left it as is. Haven't tried to sell this novel yet though so we'll see what's up in the gather contest first before I even try to sell it. If an editor wanted it changed I'd do it, but I want Nick as his first name.

You're probably ok: Nick in "The Stand" is actually Nick Andros, not Andrews.

(in the book, anyway)

Christine N. · Jan 28, 2007

When I first read your characters name, I thought of Susan Delgado, who is Roland's first love, and she shows up in book 4 of TDT series.

It's ok, I use the name of one of Roland's best friends - Cuthbert- as one of my characters last names. I also pulled it seemingly out of thin air, but remembered where I heard it before.

If your book doesn't have the same audience - mine is a tween book, many of them haven't read Dark Tower - I wouldn't worry about it.

Lupe Delgado was such a small part of the series, and he was only there to remind Roland of Susan. He was a minor, teeny weeny character. Most people won't remember that.

ChaosTitan · Jan 28, 2007

If it bothers you, then change it.

But names repeat all over fiction, be it books, film, or television. As long as you aren't using something that is ingrained in pop culture and immediately recognizable to your audience (like Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Luke Skywalker, or Anne Shirley) you're probably fine.

Pamster · Jan 28, 2007

skelly said:
lol. Yeah, me an ol Steve think so, anyway. I may have this wrong but I think the guy in The Stand is Nick Andros.

Wow you're right, it was Andros, I only saw the movie and it sounded like Andrews to me. Well that means I get to keep the name as is!

Sean D. Schaffer · Jan 28, 2007

skelly said:
In another thread about favorite characters of our own creation, I mentioned my character, Lupe Delgado. It turns out that Lupe Delgado is a minor character in some of Stephen King's books (the Dark Tower stuff). There is virtually no similarity between my character (a 16 year old girl) and King's character (some guy who works in a homeless shelter, gets bitten by a vampire, and dies from AIDS) beyond the fact that they both have the same name. It's not a copyright issue. My concern is that people reading my book might see the name and think "Hey, that's a character from a Stephen King novel!" Howmanyofme.com says that there are only 11 Lupe Delgado's in the U.S., so it's a relatively uncommon name, at least in this country. I know that it might come up, because a fellow board member PM'd me not long after I posted in the other thread to ask if I was aware of the King character. That person was being kind and helpful, but I can envision a situation where someone might think I was ripping off King, in spite of the fact that they are two completely different characters in two completely different situations. It's not that difficult to change her last name, I suppose, but I sorta don't want to. What do you guys think? Should I change it, or leave it as-is?

I would change the name, if only because you're being bothered by it. Whether or not someone gets on your case because of possibly ripping off Mr. King, the fact remains it bothers you as the author, and therefore it is not a good situation.

So yes, I would recommend changing the name.

Good luck to you.

vrabinec · Jan 28, 2007

I'm always looking to rename a character if I find a better name. But I'd never change the name just because there's another piece of work out there with a character of the same name unless it's a big name I wasn't aware of or very unique. Say I wasn't into sci-fi and named a character Darth Vader, everyone would be all over it. But Lupe and Delgato are fairly common names. It would be like naming a chacter Jack Johnson. Yeah, maybe someone would think of the boxer or some secondary character in an obscure book, but so what? Two sentences into the book, the reader has forgotten all about that and is on to the character you've built. I'd leave it.

Akuma · Jan 28, 2007

Hey, at least you chose a name with dignity and royalties beside it.

It's a bit odd, learning after a year of writing your character that he has the same name as a porn star.

Stew21 · Jan 28, 2007

Hey Skelly. I did a google search on two of my character names and they're both real people. Not so worried about one of them but the other is in a band - may need to change that name. (though I've never heard of the band). I really liked the name Oliver Crowe. I named him while I was sitting at a sports bar that had baseball cards poly'ed onto the top of it. I took two last names of old baseball players to get my character's name. I thought that was damn creative...oh well, turns out all I'd have to do is listen to different music.
He may get changed in Draft #2, but it'll take a hell of a good name to replace it.

skelly · Jan 28, 2007

Trish, Yeah I google everything anymore. Back in the good old days I just made crap up with impunity and charged ahead. Now I'm a little paranoid, I guess. Your avatar is absolutely darling by the way. Baby's cute too

I really appreciate all the suggestions. It probably seems kind of silly, but it has been bugging the hell out of me since last night. Anyway, I am please to introduce to y'all-uns one Lupe Maria Ochoa-Moralez. And if anybody knows about a book with THAT g.d. name in it, please dont tell me.

The_Grand_Duchess · Jan 28, 2007

I can tell you that only the most diehard DT fans will know who Lupe Delgado is. Or those who are just reading the books now. I wouldn't worry about it unless it bothers you. If it bothers you then change it, if not keep it.

virtue_summer · Jan 28, 2007

If it really bothers you, change it. Otherwise don't worry about it. Anyone who thinks you're ripping off King is just someone with too much time on their hands. Seriously, they're totally different characters in totally different stories. It's not a big deal.

CheshireCat · Jan 28, 2007

I'm in the if-it-really-bothers-you-change-it camp.

I'm also in the why-worry-until-you-sell-it camp. Too many aspiring writers get hung up on this sort of detail, when in truth that first sale will have you so starry-eyed and giddy you'll change your own name if they ask you to.

Judg · Jan 28, 2007

skelly said:
Howmanyofme.com says that there are only 11 Lupe Delgado's in the U.S., so it's a relatively uncommon name, at least in this country.

Thanks so much for that link. I checked it out and discovered that my maiden name is completely unknown in the US. How cool is that? It's rare here in Canada too, but you can still probably find it in most provinces. Even with my married name, only 7 Americans share the same name.

:hooray:

I like being distinctive.

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