Just realized that I regularly mixed up two character's names, through a 68 page WIP.
Just spent the past 20 minutes fixing that glaring error...
Just spent the past 20 minutes fixing that glaring error...
I'm a bonehead.
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Welcome to my world! I named a character Allison, and then spelled it Alyson every so often.. YAy for Search and replace!
So glad I'm not the only one. It occurred to me that if I mixed up these guys, a reader would too, so I changed one of the names completely.So glad I caught it before submitting - how embarrassing would that have been?
Even better, I didn't finish one scene because I wanted to leave a place to go in case I got blocked - and forgot about it!
While I was looking for other name problems, I ran into my own note:
"This bit is not finished, possible directions are as follows: blah blah blah"
OOPS.
Now I'm wondering what other notes I left for myself that I've forgotten about. Oy vey.
i had a character named stacy. and I didn't catch it for a while that I had spelled her name S-T-A-C-E-Y a few times.
I'm sure just about everyone does it. I wouldn't beat yourself up over it.
I'm sure just about everyone does it. I wouldn't beat yourself up over it.
It's nice to know for sure you're among your own kind. I rechristened a character, using replace, but forgot to search for the nicknames, so that while all the Elizabeths got changed, this Liz person kept popping up, and once even Lizard-breath. My critique group was mystified.
Maryn, fellow bonehead
Maryn, fellow bonehead
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Mark all filler notes consistently -- I like a string of +++++++, because multiple plus signs aren't going to turn up in anything else. If I don't do it, I -- erm -- surprise myself too.
I had one recent insertion of an older version of a character name that I changed last year
We all have our very clever moments.
I had one recent insertion of an older version of a character name that I changed last year
We all have our very clever moments.
I use *** to mark the places I know I need to go back to.
Sometimes those old character names just won't die. I'm working on a sequel and found I had accidentally used a name that had been the original name of a similar character in the first book (years ago now).
Sometimes those old character names just won't die. I'm working on a sequel and found I had accidentally used a name that had been the original name of a similar character in the first book (years ago now).
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One of my characters gradually went from Marie, to Mary, to Susan, and finally to Rose. I haven't gone back to fix her name yet, because I can't help but wonder if it isn't going to change to something else entirely by the end. Occasionally, I'll catch myself calling her by one of her old names, though.
You guys rock. I think I'm going to start typing my notes in red, so I can find them sooner. Also wrote myself a little 'cheat sheet' so I can keep track of everyone's first and last names.
(It's not that there are so many characters, just that this is an expansion on a short story that I spent very little time on initially. Long story there...)
(It's not that there are so many characters, just that this is an expansion on a short story that I spent very little time on initially. Long story there...)
Haven't had to change names yet since they're all pretty distinctive and the "cast" is still relatively small. As for the notes to myself, I tend to put them into comments which are highlighted pretty well so far.
I started with Sarah as the MC, then opted for Madison. I then used Sarah for a secondary character. Then changed again to use Helen for the MC, and Madison & Sarah for secondary characters.
Then I used the 'ReplaceAll' command to switch names around ... only to find out the document was even more screwed up and I had to edit the text all the way from the first sentence. Manually. Arrrrgggghhhh!!
Maybe I should use macros.
Yeah right.
"Hello," said \ref{main_character} to \ref{detective_s_wife}
-cb
Then I used the 'ReplaceAll' command to switch names around ... only to find out the document was even more screwed up and I had to edit the text all the way from the first sentence. Manually. Arrrrgggghhhh!!
Maybe I should use macros.
Yeah right.
"Hello," said \ref{main_character} to \ref{detective_s_wife}
-cb
LOL!
Macros. Good idea. I messed up a few names adding extra letters and such. I'm going through now with a fine-toothed comb, for the seventh? time. (Still finding mistakes...sigh!)
I try to pick a name and stay with it. But when I have changes make, I highlight them and as the changes are made, get rid of the highlighting. I tend to color code for type of changes as well. I have a separate file for 'deleted scenes' where I put the scenes I cut and might use later in the work or in a separate piece. If they aren't used, I keep them for the DVD highlights.
I have a habit of forgetting characters' names. Duh.
Perhaps I should just stick with Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot, and Puff.
Perhaps I should just stick with Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot, and Puff.
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So glad I'm not the only one. For a minute, I felt guilty for forgetting the names of imaginary people.
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I had two guys named Frank in the same book. The e-book was pubbed that way, but I had a chance to change it before the print version comes out.
Having four main characters with husbands, ex-husbands and kids, it was very difficult to keep track. A cheat sheet came in very handy, but I had forgotten about those little cameo roles.
Having four main characters with husbands, ex-husbands and kids, it was very difficult to keep track. A cheat sheet came in very handy, but I had forgotten about those little cameo roles.
heheheheheheheh. It might be funny to write a short where EVERY character besides the MC was named 'Frankie' or something.
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I had a character once with a tattoo across his face which alternated between a dragon and a snake.
Now that I think about it, that would have actually been pretty cool.
Now that I think about it, that would have actually been pretty cool.
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