Author Name/Character Name

The other night when I was writing on my WIP, I needed to introduce a new character. Without even thinking, I started writing some dialogue in which another character named the new one. It came up as "Katharine," which, incidentally, is my own name.

Now, I've swapped the spelling so it's not the same as my own. Katharine also isn't a major character, just one to be mentioned occasionally for the protagonist's sake. At this point in the story, Katharine is actually dead.

So, anyway, is it weird to have a character with the same name as the author? I feel the name really fits, but I'm also having doubts about its use. Most likely it just doesn't matter, but... any thoughts?

Thanks!

I don't think most readers will notice unless it's your main character, which you said it isn't. So it's probably fine.

I named two of the minor characters in my novel after my kids...

Later I tried to re-name them and got major flak. :b

I think most authors try to avoid naming characters after themselves, but if it's a minor character with a name as common as yours is, I don't think anyone would think twice about it.

....

Kids! What can you do with 'em? (Like I should know...)

Hey, where IS Kida, anyway?

Edited because I learned how to spell.

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I would change the name. It's too likely to yank the reader out of the story.

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As long as it is a minor character, which you said it is, I think it's fine. It's just a name, I don't think people will think too much of it.

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Hey, where IS Kida, anyway?

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She's reading. Or writing...

One of the two, anyway. Unless she's here, which she ain't... :b

name

Unless the character's last name is also the same, odds are no one will even notice. Writers put their own first names in fiction all the time.

Re: name

In general, I avoid names of people I know, including my own. But sometimes I like to throw in a little cameo (Hitchcock style) with an extremely minor character (or just a mention).

Re: name

Maybe you should write under a pen name and then it wouldn't matter

I think it's fine, especially if it's spelled different.

Use your name if you want to

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>odds are no one will even notice. Writers put their own first names in fiction all the time<hr></blockquote>

Oh yeah? How do you know it's done at all, if no one notices? I mean...think about it.
<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/image/posticons/pi_geek.gif" />

Use whatever name tickles your fancy, I say.

Names

"Oh yeah? How do you know it's done at all, if no one notices? I mean...think about it."

I know because I tend to remember character names and writer's names, whatever they are. And because this subject comes up with enough weird regularity that I've looked for times when writers do this.

If the writer's first name were strange enough to really stand out, readers might notice. Otherwise they just don't care.

Re: Names

I think that with a common name like Katherine, there's no problem. I as a reader would think that it was named after the author.

now, if one of Tamora Pierce or Poul Anderson's books contained a same-name character, i would think it was strange. that's why i have scrupulously avoided using my own (none too common) name, even though there are several appropriate places to do so.

Re: Names

I'm in the middle of the road here. I can see where an unusual name would be disconcerting to the reader, but in your case, a relatively common name for a minor character is probably not a big deal, especially since you feel the name is 'right'.

Besides, it'll give some english lit class something to write a thesis about someday :grin

Re: Names

That brings up an interesting topic.

Do you like to use unusual names in your stories, or do you stick with common names?

As a reader AND writer, I prefer common names. To me, unusual names, especially ones that I can't even pronounce, pull me out of the story. Foreign names are exceptions, but even they have to be relatively easy to pronounce.

I guess because I prefer to read and write unusual stories about common people...

noticing

James-
I was being silly. You said no one notices, but then say you've noticed, as I think you've further explained. A little humor is all.

Re: noticing

I've always hated it when I couldn't pronounce the name of a character in a story. Strange names are fine, but I should at least have some idea of how to pronounce it, especially if it is a major character. As for naming a character after yourself, hey, whatever, go for it. I wouldn't notice anything like that, especially if it is a really common name. Like if Stephen King were to name a character Stephen or Steve; I mean, come on, people, how many other people are named Steve or Stephen in the real world?

Lists

I keep old graduation programs, lists of conference attendees, and similar lists with names, then go through them and combine a first and last that appeals to me. I try to stick with fairly ordinary names, or at least names that are common to the ethnicity and age of the character. Having a peculiar first legal name, one that I have never known anyone else to have, I tend to shy away from the peculiar. I don't appreciate people not being able to pronounce my name, and suspect my readers feel the same about characters with odd names. I see this a lot in SF and fantasy. Recently I have been paying attention to the age demographics of names and trying to fit the name to the age of my character.

character name

I agree with the majority in this case. As long as it is a major character, it doesn't matter. Just my two cents.

Re: character name

Hey, if a name matches the character, then stick with it!

What I mean is...some names fit specific characters better than others-either because they have ALWAYS been associated together or just sound similar.

EX: (And I know this is as old as time itself.)


[/b]Reginald for the brave dude.

MHO.

Sam

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HConn: I would change the name. It's too likely to yank the reader out of the story.

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I second this. The last time it happened, was with the name "Frank", which is a pretty common name, and it still yanked me out of the story.

Personally, I find it kinda weird. I'd never do it, even if I had a more "standard" name. (As these things go, "Evan" isn't a bizarre name, but it's unique enough to catch the eye).

An offshoot of this issue are the really OBVIOUS author cameos, particularly Clive Cussler's author cameos--he's "famous" for it. I like the Dirk Pitt books okay, but I refuse to read them anymore, simply because of Cussler's cameos. I don't find them funny, or clever, and think they're downright stupid. The deus ex machina never creaked so bad...

re..

I have to disagree with the cameo issue. I love it. I think its funny. I also have never had a name problem pull me out of a story. Usually, I'm deep enough in the story that the author's name just doesn't register. Maybe I'm strange.:b

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I have to disagree with the cameo issue. I love it. I think its funny.

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That's okay. Nobody's perfect.

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Apologies for the 'late' post but i am new...

Anyway, Clive Cussler generally includes himself as a character in his novels. The first couple of times I have to agree with HConn in that I felt yanked me out from the story and back in to my living room, where I was reading a book.

After that, I started to expect it when I read one of his books. so it's now less noticeable for me...

Personally, I'd change it. I found it very strange editing my book when the a character has the same name as my grandson...( a five year old detective investigating a murder...:shrug )

Al

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lol @ Al.

I've slipped my pen name as a very minor character in one of my books. But I wouldn't use my real name. It would feel funny.