POV question re: Nicknames

Devil Ledbetter · Apr 1, 2007

I'm using deep, third-person limited POV in my WIP and switching POVs between the two main characters. One of the characters is named Rebecca, but the the other character calls her "Becca." Should the narrative also refer to her as "Becca" when it's from his POV?

I read somewhere that characters should have only one name so as not to confuse readers, but I'd like to give my readers more credit than that.

Likewise, he drinks Natural Light beer but calls it "Natty." So after a first reference to the brand, do I then call it "Natty" in the non-dialogue portions of the narrative?

It feels right to me to use these pet names when writing from his POV in third person. The thing is, from the other characters POV, her name would be Rebecca. So will it be a mess if the chapters from his POV refer to Becca, and hers, Rebecca?

Shady Lane · Apr 1, 2007

Hmm...I think it depends. Does he call her Becca all the time, or only on occasion?

I think if he calls her Becca in dialogue 70% of the time or less, I'd keep it just in dialogue. As long as he still sometimes calls her Rebecca, I think it needs to be in the narration.

Otherwise, I don't see why it couldn't vary. I think people will easily make a connection between Rebecca and Becca, and I think it would keep the narration interesting.

I personally like having nicknames that are only used in dialogue. I think it keeps things more intimate...as in, the character uses the nickname, but doesn't invite everyone else to use it as well, if you know what I'm getting at.

swvaughn · Apr 1, 2007

I think it depends on this: does she think of herself as Rebecca? If she does, keep Rebecca in her POV passages (it won't be confusing as your characters should have distinctive voices, and readers will be able to follow). If she thinks of herself as Becca, then have her be Becca all the time.

And yes, when in your male character's POV, refer to Natural Light beer as Natty in non-dialogue portions (you've established that's what he thinks of it as, so stay true to your POV character).

Hope that isn't too confusing.

Devil Ledbetter · Apr 1, 2007

Thanks. She thinks of herself as Rebecca; he is the only person who calls her "Becca." (Okay, one other person does, but she finds him a little too fresh.

)

He calls her that consistently from pretty early on.

Part of the reason I'm confused is because I've heard that when writing in third person, the narrator's voice is distinct from the characters. So, is that different with deep POV?

Shady Lane · Apr 1, 2007

I think it depends on the third person. If he calls her Becca and only Becca and the narration is inside her head, the narration would logically refer to her as Becca.

I think you could easily go either way.

swvaughn · Apr 1, 2007

Devil Ledbetter said:
Thanks. She thinks of herself as Rebecca; he is the only person who calls her "Becca." (Okay, one other person does, but she finds him a little too fresh. )

He calls her that consistently from pretty early on.

Part of the reason I'm confused is because I've heard that when writing in third person, the narrator's voice is distinct from the characters. So, is that different with deep POV?

LOL -- sounds like a fun story!

Yes, third-person limited is different. At least, that's what I've always thought. If you're doing third-person limited and switching POV characters, it's better to have the narrative reflect the narrator, rather than having some "other" or "dry" voice in the background.

Devil Ledbetter · Apr 1, 2007

If you're doing third-person limited and switching POV characters, it's better to have the narrative reflect the narrator,

Reflect the narrator, or reflect the POV character? That's the crux, I guess.

maestrowork · Apr 1, 2007

When you say "deep" 3rd person do you mean close 3rd, as in the narrative voice, etc. closely reflects the pov character at the time? If that's the case, I would say you should use "Rebecca" in his POV, and "Becca" in hers. Since you only have one Rebecca and since you only have two POV characters, I don't think you have any problem with confusing your readers. In fact, they would know precisely whose POV it is just by the name reference.

Now if it's just a normal 3rd limited with a separate narrator, then your narrator should be consistent and probably non-biased so I would say use her real name, Rebecca (or whatever she's known to the world). You character can call "Clownface" if he wants, but the narrator will use her name.

Devil Ledbetter · Apr 1, 2007

maestrowork said:
When you say "deep" 3rd person do you mean close 3rd, as in the narrative voice, etc. closely reflects the pov character at the time? If that's the case, I would say you should use "Rebecca" in his POV, and "Becca" in hers. Since you only have one Rebecca and since you only have two POV characters, I don't think you have any problem with confusing your readers. In fact, they would know precisely whose POV it is just by the name reference.

Yes, that is what I mean. And thank you. It feels right to call her "Becca" when writing in third limited from his POV, but I worried that it violated some rule of narrative voice.

Sage · Apr 1, 2007

Yeah, in close third person, I would stay true to the POV character's, well, POV, & if in their mind they think of someone by a nickname, then use the nickname.

First person as well, though that probably went without saying.

CheshireCat · Apr 1, 2007

Devil Ledbetter said:
Yes, that is what I mean. And thank you. It feels right to call her "Becca" when writing in third limited from his POV, but I worried that it violated some rule of narrative voice.

Yes, the Narrative Voice Police will come and take you away.

Seriously, if it feels right, consider it right unless and until somebody you really trust or who has the power to sell or publish your work tells you differently.

LiteraryAspirations · Apr 1, 2007

CheshireCat said:
Seriously, if it feels right, consider it right unless and until somebody you really trust or who has the power to sell or publish your work tells you differently.

Sounds like fairly sound advice to me.

Raphee · Apr 1, 2007

Lots of writers use nicknames along with regular names.
It gives an additional angle or depth to the character at times.
And readers are generally have some level of intelligence as the OP pointed out in one of the posts above.

POV question re: Nicknames

Devil Ledbetter

Come on you stranger, you legend,

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

swvaughn

adrift

Devil Ledbetter

Come on you stranger, you legend,

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

swvaughn

adrift

Devil Ledbetter

Come on you stranger, you legend,

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Devil Ledbetter

Come on you stranger, you legend,

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

CheshireCat

Mostly purring. Mostly.

LiteraryAspirations

Raphee

In debt to AW