How do I refer to other characters?

honeycomb · May 12, 2008

I'm putting more finishing touches on my novel. My character has much interaction with her mother and grandmother. How do I refer to them?

Ex:

"Linda, hurry and get dress," her mother said.

or

"Linda, hurry and get dressed," Lena said.

Is it okay to mix them?

Thx for the help

TheIT · May 12, 2008

It all comes down to point of view. Remember, it's not "you, the writer" referring to the other characters, it's the POV character who's doing the referring. What name would your POV character use?

If the daughter is the POV character, another valid choice is:

"Hurry up and get dressed," Mother said.

The same question has been asked in the Writing Novels forum. See if this thread helps:

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88753

maestrowork · May 12, 2008

It's okay to mix, just be consistent and appropriate to the POV.

honeycomb · May 12, 2008

Thank you both. It's helpful.

jannawrites · May 14, 2008

honeycomb said:
I'm putting more finishing touches on my novel. My character has much interaction with her mother and grandmother. How do I refer to them?

Ex:

"Linda, hurry and get dress," her mother said.

or

"Linda, hurry and get dressed," Lena said.

Is it okay to mix them?

Thx for the help

There's one instance when it's inappropriate to mix the two: When, if in first person POV, the character refers to her mother as "Mom" some times, while at others calling her "Lena" (in narrative, not dialogue). I've never called my mom Deb, and it's awkward when a character does such a thing.

gypsyscarlett · May 15, 2008

TheIT said:
It all comes down to point of view. Remember, it's not "you, the writer" referring to the other characters, it's the POV character who's doing the referring. What name would your POV character use?

If the daughter is the POV character, another valid choice is:

"Hurry up and get dressed," Mother said.
<<<<

I also prefer "Mother said". It is more intimate than, "Her Mother said". The latter puts a little distance between the narrator and the reader.

How do I refer to other characters?

honeycomb

Caroline

TheIT

Infuriatingly Theoretical

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

honeycomb

Caroline

jannawrites

no, really

gypsyscarlett

Ma fin est mon commencement