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I named my character after a porn star ...

Thread starter small axe
Start date Apr 15, 2007

Status: Not open for further replies.

small axe

memento mori

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Apr 15, 2007

#1

By accident ... :rant:

:rant:

Second tier character (Protagonist's small town daughter-in-law) ... first I jotted down "Sue Ellen" ... but I knew that was the name of someone off DALLAS ... just a down-home place holder.

Then I wrote Katie Fey, and it was perfect, I love that name. Finished the story ... Googled all the names ...

That girl is a porn star.

Do I have to change the name for the story to be published?

Two questions: Do I have to change the name (I loved that name, sounds like Katie-Bug) to be "safe" ???

And (bigger question) can I be "safe" if I just re-spell her name "Katie Faye?" or "Katy Faye" etc?

No one can complain about how a printed word SOUNDS aloud, can they?

And .. now that I'm asking experts?

Can I write how a soldier was wounded in Iraq in his Humvee?

What's the line in using common words that I suppose are trade-marked products? Can I say "Black Hawk helicopter" even?

Thanks for the answers!

scarletpeaches

Banned

Apr 15, 2007

#2

Should be okay. My novel starring Fanny Allcock and Rod Rimjob seemed to do quite well.

That was a lie.

Bartholomew

Comic guy

Kind Benefactor

Poetry Book Collaborator

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Apr 15, 2007

#3

You're fretting about nothing.

If you're honestly worried, just make sure the "work of fiction" disclaimer is included when you get it published.

And in the meantime, worry more about getting it published.

Rolling Thunder

Super Member

Registered

Apr 15, 2007

#4

I wouldn't have drawn the conclusion if you hadn't mentioned it. Bart's right, you're worrying too much.

Here's a link that can be of help for choosing character names. Maybe you'll want to change it anyway, especially if an editor doesn't love it as much as you.

Last edited: May 13, 2009

janetbellinger

Super Member

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Apr 15, 2007

#5

I think that's cute.

small axe

memento mori

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Apr 15, 2007

#6

Good to hear, thanks for the answers!

Anyone have an opinion about "Humvee" etc? I mean, they use it in Newsweek etc ... is there a different rule for a fiction story?

I apologize if these are naive questions

ChaosTitan

Around

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Apr 15, 2007

#7

small axe said:
What's the line in using common words that I suppose are trade-marked products?

Don't suppose. Find out. If they aren't trademarked, go for it. If they are, you may need an alternate name for the object.

For example, I know that Xerox is a trademarked name, so most people just say photocopy. Same thing with Kleenex versus tissue. But I have no idea if Humvee or Black Hawk are trademarked.

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Super Member

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Apr 15, 2007

#8

Goodness -- do I have to google all the names I use now?

Google your own names and you will find plenty of interesting things. Are you going to change your name because of that?

Write your story.

scarletpeaches

Banned

Apr 15, 2007

#9

Changing the spelling wouldn't do any good anyway. If it sounds like her name spelled differently, people will still hear the boom-chicka-wah-wah in the back of their minds.

I say stick with the name. People like me, who've never seen a blue movie, wouldn't know who you're talking about.

Jamesaritchie

Super Member

Registered

Apr 15, 2007

#10

Trademarked names

You're perfectly free to use trademarked names in fiction. You will in fact, get in more trouble by altering the spelling slightly. There is no way in heck you're going to create a realistic world where Kleenex, Budweiser, and Ford do not exist, and wherein all people blow their noses with generic tissue, drink generic beer, and drive no-name cars.

Just don't overuse trademarked names. Doing so is allowed, but too many can make fiction read like a series of commercials.

Maryn

I Tried

Super Member

Registered

Apr 15, 2007

#11

It's also worth noting that you cannot portray a trademarked name in a bad light without consequence. If your character is going to find an insect in his beer, or get a splinter in his nostril from a pulp-laden tissue, invent a brand name. If he's just going to enjoy a cold one after he mows the lawn, or blow his nose, use any brand name you like.

Be aware, too, that many companies which zealously protect their brand name do not want to see it change into a verb. The Xerox Company might be fine with the aide handing over Xeroxes of the minutes, but they will definitely protest if you send the aide out to Xerox the minutes.

Maryn, who's seen Xerox throw its weight around

scarletpeaches

Banned

Apr 15, 2007

#12

We say 'photocopy'.

Anthony Ravenscroft

Scribble, scribble, scribble

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Apr 15, 2007

#13

Years ago, pornstars created their screen names by choosing (a) the name of a pet they once had, & (b) the name of the street they lived on as a kid -- that was the starting point anyway.

The people who'd even recognise a current pornstar's name are unlikely to think you're actually talking about that person.

I like the idea of naming a character "Isuzu Humvee" but that really does sound like a third-rate pornstar....

scarletpeaches

Banned

Apr 15, 2007

#14

Going by the pet/old address theory, I could be called:

Rambo Elderfield

Gort Ballantrae

or (and this is my favourite):

Fudge Summerfield

WerenCole

Funny what? Do I amuse you?

Super Member

Registered

Apr 15, 2007

#15

I once created a character who shares the same name as a gay figure skater.

I don't think anyone will notice.

scarletpeaches

Banned

Apr 15, 2007

#16

Pinky Assblades? Yeah, I know him.

Azure Skye

Huh?

Super Member

Registered

Apr 15, 2007

#17

scarletpeaches said:
Should be okay. My novel starring Fanny Allcock and Rod Rimjob seemed to do quite well.

That was a lie.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

I wouldn't worry about it.

kristie911

Happy to be here

Super Member

Registered

Apr 15, 2007

#18

Pornstar, huh? Never heard of her...now if your main characters were Ron Jeremy and Jenna Jameson, readers might notice!

Elodie-Caroline

Banned

Flounced

Apr 15, 2007

#19

My real name is Elodie Caroline... There is also a French porn star called Elodie Caroline, that doesn't bother me any

Soyou using a porn star's name in your WIP shouldn't bother you either. Names are just names after all.

Elodie

thethinker42

Abnormal Romance Author

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Apr 15, 2007

#20

Maryn said:
The Xerox Company might be fine with the aide handing over Xeroxes of the minutes, but they will definitely protest if you send the aide out to Xerox the minutes.

Wait...are you serious?

They don't understand that "Xeroxing" has become a verb just like "Googling"? Ugh...they sound almost as bad as Rolex.

thethinker42

Abnormal Romance Author

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Apr 15, 2007

#21

Anthony Ravenscroft said:
Years ago, pornstars created their screen names by choosing (a) the name of a pet they once had, & (b) the name of the street they lived on as a kid -- that was the starting point anyway.

Yay!

I could be

Bart Montgomery.

Lucy Tidewater.

Fluffy 206th. Oh wait, that wouldn't work very well...

Judg

DISENCHANTED coming soon

Super Member

Registered

Apr 15, 2007

#22

Minou Lakeview? Ginger Habkirk? Cleo Gordon. There we are.

My next problem is that I'd get laughed out of the room in an audition. I look more like my avatar than a porn star.

The next problem is that I'd refuse to apply for the job even if I had the "qualifications". Life sure gets tough sometimes.

Small Axe, don't sweat it. Virtually any name has been used already by somebody. Although I discovered that my maiden name is non-existent in the United States, which I thought was pretty darn cool. If you pay me big bucks, I'll let you use it in your novel, hehehe.

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

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Apr 15, 2007

#23

I would be Charley Greenhill...that's fantastic.

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

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Apr 15, 2007

#24

Anthony Ravenscroft said:
Years ago, pornstars created their screen names by choosing (a) the name of a pet they once had, & (b) the name of the street they lived on as a kid -- that was the starting point anyway.

....

You may now call me " Bear Londonderry" or maybe even "Tiger Trailwood"

kristie911

Happy to be here

Super Member

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Apr 15, 2007

#25

Hmmm...just call me Pepper Campbell, porn star.

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