Avatars overdone?

Marniy · 12-10-2012, 10:49 PM

Help! I need some advice.

I’ve written a fantasy novel about divine Avatars. The ones from mythology that become the vessels of gods.

I recently received a critique that suggested I come up with a new term for them, since the concept of “avatar” is currently so overdone- with The Last Airbender and the James Cameron movie.

Do you think this reviewer is right?

Thanks in advance for your opinion!

blacbird · 12-10-2012, 10:59 PM

Absolutely. The movies (shudder) were the first thing that came to my mind when I saw that word. Invent something more original.

caw

Shadow_Ferret · 12-10-2012, 10:59 PM

Considering that your use of the term avatar is the original use of the word, I don't think you have a problem. I wonder if that person only knows the word through the movie and cartoon.

Think of another word for the proper use of the word indeed! That's just silly.

Teinz · 12-10-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow_Ferret

Considering that your use of the term avatar is the original use of the word, I don't think you have a problem. I wonder if that person only knows the word through the movie and cartoon.

Think of another word for the proper use of the word indeed! That's just silly.

I agree.

Buffysquirrel · 12-10-2012, 11:26 PM

Don't worry about it. Probably by the time your book comes out, people will have forgotten those movies. When I first started showing my WIendlessP to people, it was about the time of the LOTR movies, and everyone was saying, oh, you can't use magic rings.

Pbbbt, I say. Pbbbbbt.

Melanie Dawn · 12-10-2012, 11:45 PM

stick with it, those are poor examples of the word. You're on the right track!

Mr Flibble · 12-10-2012, 11:52 PM

What Da Ferret said

IIRC, Babylon Steel (by AW's Broadswordbabe) makes use of avatars in the sense you are talking about and calls them that. Because, well, because that's what they are I assume..I never once thought of the cartoon while I was reading - though in the cartoon wasn't the avatar the divine entity reborn or somesuch?

Don't call your rabbits smerps, or your avatars bingley beeps.

Myrealana · 12-11-2012, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow_Ferret

Considering that your use of the term avatar is the original use of the word, I don't think you have a problem. I wonder if that person only knows the word through the movie and cartoon.

Think of another word for the proper use of the word indeed! That's just silly.

Yes please! Take the word back for those of us who know what it was supposed to mean.

Filigree · 12-11-2012, 12:54 AM

Oh, yes, please take back the word from people with only a shallow popularized concept of what it means. There are some other words we could take back, too...

acockey · 12-11-2012, 01:05 AM

@OP if the word makes you uncomfortable enough not to use after the above advice, consider using the term "Surrogates" i.e. that cool Bruce Willis movie. Maybe your piece could trendize (not a word) that term

Ian Isaro · 12-11-2012, 11:56 AM

Though I agree with the general consensus, I wouldn't recommend using the word avatar in the title. That's where you'll get people associating it with the films. People who can't get past other things when the word is used in context probably aren't part of your target audience anyway.

lauralam · 12-11-2012, 12:44 PM

I'd say stick with it. If a publisher wants you to change it down the line, then maybe, but I wouldn't worry about it. Avatar has the original meaning, and the meaning William Gibson gave it.

Call it what you want, but don't feel you have to change it because of blue cat people running around in loincloths.

Darkh0rse · 12-11-2012, 12:54 PM

I agree with the majority. You are actually using the word for what it was meant to be used for.

Marniy · 12-11-2012, 08:46 PM

Thanks, everyone for your thoughtful replies. This does ease my mind on the subject.

BabySealWriter · 12-11-2012, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marniy

Help! I need some advice.

I’ve written a fantasy novel about divine Avatars. The ones from mythology that become the vessels of gods.

I recently received a critique that suggested I come up with a new term for them, since the concept of “avatar” is currently so overdone- with The Last Airbender and the James Cameron movie.

Do you think this reviewer is right?

Thanks in advance for your opinion!

It really depends on your use of the word. I haven't read anything but you description leads me to believe that you are using the word by its textbook definition. I think it is more than ok for you to use it. Critiques are great but it is still your book. If you feel comfortable keeping it then keep it.

CrastersBabies · 12-12-2012, 02:53 AM

I also think you're okay. Avatar (the movie) is something completely different than what usually comes to mind when I think of "avatar."

Never saw Avatar: The Last Airbender or whatever it was (movie or television series).

I think of gods inhabiting human form. I have the same concept in my book (though it's part of the mythology, not the present story). I called the original vessels "avatars." It's what they were.

Tezzirax · 12-12-2012, 04:40 AM

if you absolutely have to stay clear of the word 'avatar', manifestation has worked for me.

12-10-2012, 10:49 PM	#1
Marniy Tastes like happy Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Upheaville Posts: 159	Avatars overdone? Help! I need some advice. I’ve written a fantasy novel about divine Avatars. The ones from mythology that become the vessels of gods. I recently received a critique that suggested I come up with a new term for them, since the concept of “avatar” is currently so overdone- with The Last Airbender and the James Cameron movie. Do you think this reviewer is right? Thanks in advance for your opinion!

12-10-2012, 10:59 PM	#2
blacbird That hairy-handed gent Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Who ran amok in Kent Posts: 26,229	Absolutely. The movies (shudder) were the first thing that came to my mind when I saw that word. Invent something more original. caw __________________ Without a reader, the story doesn't exist -- James D. MacDonald

12-10-2012, 10:59 PM	#3
Shadow_Ferret Bowties are cool Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: In a world of my own making Posts: 21,927	Considering that your use of the term avatar is the original use of the word, I don't think you have a problem. I wonder if that person only knows the word through the movie and cartoon. Think of another word for the proper use of the word indeed! That's just silly. __________________ Twitter \| G+ \| WordPress \| Tumblr “I love words but I don’t like strange ones. You don’t understand them and they don’t understand you. Old words is like old friends, you know ‘em the minute you see ‘em.” -- Will Rogers Sadly true: "Creating drama, arguments and conflict can wake up the ADHD brain, making us alert and alive… and eventually alone." -- TotallyADD via Twitter

12-10-2012, 11:26 PM	#5
Buffysquirrel Possibly not a real squirrel Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Coldest corner of the living room, United Kingdom Posts: 4,531	Don't worry about it. Probably by the time your book comes out, people will have forgotten those movies. When I first started showing my WIendlessP to people, it was about the time of the LOTR movies, and everyone was saying, oh, you can't use magic rings. Pbbbt, I say. Pbbbbbt. __________________ Writing from a female point of view seems to be generally regarded as something more like writing from the perspective of a deer: you might get points for novelty, but it'd be impossible to get right, and who really wants to hear a deer narrate a story, anyway? Jennifer duBois Damn the prologue, full speed ahead! Laurie McLean, Foreword Literary

12-10-2012, 11:45 PM	#6
Melanie Dawn Gypsy, wasted from the hips down. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 463	stick with it, those are poor examples of the word. You're on the right track! __________________ My Blog http://melaniedawnmcgreevey.wordpress.com/ Beautiful Tragedy (vol 1) http://www.lulu.com/shop/melanie-mcg...B42E30BD938A39 Butterfly- A Beautiful Tragedy 26,521/?????? (Erotic Romance) on hold Current Project #2: Unnamed romance novel 57,109/?????? first draft

12-10-2012, 11:52 PM	#7
Mr Flibble They've been very bad, Mr Flibble Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: We couldn't possibly do that. Who'd clear up the mess? Posts: 15,776	What Da Ferret said IIRC, Babylon Steel (by AW's Broadswordbabe) makes use of avatars in the sense you are talking about and calls them that. Because, well, because that's what they are I assume..I never once thought of the cartoon while I was reading - though in the cartoon wasn't the avatar the divine entity reborn or somesuch? Don't call your rabbits smerps, or your avatars bingley beeps. __________________ The Rojan Dizon books, book one out now from Orbit Website Twitter

12-11-2012, 12:54 AM	#9
Filigree nobody's sidekick Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: between rising apes and falling angels Posts: 6,404	Oh, yes, please take back the word from people with only a shallow popularized concept of what it means. There are some other words we could take back, too... __________________ Blog in progress (with buy links): http://www.cranehanabooks.com/blog works in progress: MORO'S SHIELD MORO'S CROWN LEOPARD'S LEAP (working title) BLOODSHADOW untitled Foodie Spy erotic romance RUNNER AND WALKER (working title) UNSTRUNG

12-11-2012, 01:05 AM	#10
acockey Bronies, Bronies Everywhere Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 380	@OP if the word makes you uncomfortable enough not to use after the above advice, consider using the term "Surrogates" i.e. that cool Bruce Willis movie. Maybe your piece could trendize (not a word) that term __________________ ___________ Current WIP: V 33000/50,0000 (Alive Again Yay!!!) New WIP: Phase-Washed Jeans: 5,000/ 80,000 (Once more into the breach of fantasy) Check me out over at EliteCosplay.com... handle HandyAnimeAndy

12-11-2012, 11:56 AM	#11
Ian Isaro New Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Tanzania Posts: 413	Though I agree with the general consensus, I wouldn't recommend using the word avatar in the title. That's where you'll get people associating it with the films. People who can't get past other things when the word is used in context probably aren't part of your target audience anyway. __________________ Blog, Facebook, and Goodreads Sorcery and Scholarships is available at Amazon, Smashwords, or Createspace. Urban fantasy for people who wonder why so few urban fantasy characters have read urban fantasy. "This book is exactly the kind you like to read and you should buy it immediately." - That Author You Respect

12-11-2012, 12:44 PM	#12
lauralam Moonshade Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Alba Posts: 644	I'd say stick with it. If a publisher wants you to change it down the line, then maybe, but I wouldn't worry about it. Avatar has the original meaning, and the meaning William Gibson gave it. Call it what you want, but don't feel you have to change it because of blue cat people running around in loincloths. __________________ YA GLBT gaslight fantasy: Pantomime - February 5/7 2013 - Strange Chemistry Books Shadowplay - January 2/4 2014 - Strange Chemistry Books Represented by Juliet Mushens of The Agency Group. Website / Twitter / Goodreads

12-11-2012, 12:54 PM	#13
Darkh0rse figuring it all out Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 60	I agree with the majority. You are actually using the word for what it was meant to be used for.

12-11-2012, 08:46 PM	#14
Marniy Tastes like happy Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Upheaville Posts: 159	Thanks, everyone for your thoughtful replies. This does ease my mind on the subject.

12-12-2012, 02:53 AM	#16
CrastersBabies all hail zombie babies! Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rocky Mountains Posts: 2,533	I also think you're okay. Avatar (the movie) is something completely different than what usually comes to mind when I think of "avatar." Never saw Avatar: The Last Airbender or whatever it was (movie or television series). I think of gods inhabiting human form. I have the same concept in my book (though it's part of the mythology, not the present story). I called the original vessels "avatars." It's what they were. __________________ stephantrain.com Curiosity killed the cat. Satisfaction brought it back "The first draft of anything is s***." Ernest Hemingway

12-12-2012, 04:40 AM	#17
Tezzirax practical experience, FTW Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Southern California Posts: 358	if you absolutely have to stay clear of the word 'avatar', manifestation has worked for me. __________________ My Blog: Thomas Cardin My books, The Final Warden, City of Thunder, Lord of Vengeance WIP: The Return of King Levant...or "Hey, the King's back!" working title :-)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode