Heterosexual
✶Jaysong✶
What do you mean it's *checks watch * July
|
Post by ✶Jaysong✶ on May 9, 2021 23:19:02 GMT -5
Do you think it would be distracting to a reader to have two names that end sort of visually similar? I don't know how I didn't pick up on this earlier, and to me it doesn't seem that distracting, but I figured I would get some more opinions. The names I'm currently using are "Quinn" and "Finn". It is in third person, so there's that, but I wasn't sure if it was distracting because 1, I'm the author, so I already know the differences between the characters, and 2, they have very different initial consonant sounds.
If this does turn out to be kind of visually distracting though, I already have an in story explanation/work around so I can keep both of the names, because I really do feel like they embody the characters well.
|
|
|
Post by kitters on May 9, 2021 23:31:18 GMT -5
I don't think you would get roasted on reddit for this, its a reasonable question.
I guess it would depend on how often they're in scenes together/mentioned together. It might make your writing rhyme a bit more than intended which could probably come off as distracting to some people. I'd have to actually read it to be able to give a solid answer. I recommend asking your beta/editor/whatever audience you have to see what they think
|
|
|
Post by *Ɗαɾƙρσσℓ* on May 10, 2021 0:16:32 GMT -5
like kitters said, it really depends on how often they have scenes together? The names are very similar and since they're single-syllable it's that much more apparent, so the rhyming is definitely going to stand out if they're in a chapter together. You can always try reading some of it out loud and seeing how it flows as well. I think in my case I wouldn't like having two names that close, but it's very much a personal preference. Some people will probably always be confused regardless of how well you distinguish the characters; I once got criticism in a fiction class because people confused two characters who had vastly different names that happened to start with the same letter. I kept the names anyway. It's your story, ya gotta go with what you think fits best.
Also I've had a similar situation lol one time I didn't notice two character's names rhymed bc they didn't interact for most of the story, but then I had to introduce them to each other and I saw it. It bugged me enough that I changed one of the names. However it's very possible if they hadn't interacted I wouldn't have even noticed ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
|
|
|
Post by Twilight Sparkle on May 10, 2021 6:56:30 GMT -5
It's totally up to you and what you prefer, but I think readers would get a little confused. Not that it's a major flaw, and it depends on whether you want to change one of their names for the audience or keep it for yourself. Either way works.
Plus, I have two characters, one named Clay and one Ray (I didn't even realize their names rhymed), but I kept their names. (Though it does help that they never interact)
|
|
|
Post by Saint Ambrosef on May 10, 2021 9:43:17 GMT -5
You could always have one character referred to by their last name. Could even be a funny in-joke in which some other characters forget what their first name is.
|
|
|
Post by Card against Humanity on May 10, 2021 11:14:39 GMT -5
i think it would be fine as long as they aren't frequently mentioned together
|
|
Heterosexual
✶Jaysong✶
What do you mean it's *checks watch * July
|
Post by ✶Jaysong✶ on May 10, 2021 11:29:45 GMT -5
like kitters said, it really depends on how often they have scenes together? The names are very similar and since they're single-syllable it's that much more apparent, so the rhyming is definitely going to stand out if they're in a chapter together. You can always try reading some of it out loud and seeing how it flows as well. I think in my case I wouldn't like having two names that close, but it's very much a personal preference. Some people will probably always be confused regardless of how well you distinguish the characters; I once got criticism in a fiction class because people confused two characters who had vastly different names that happened to start with the same letter. I kept the names anyway. It's your story, ya gotta go with what you think fits best.
Also I've had a similar situation lol one time I didn't notice two character's names rhymed bc they didn't interact for most of the story, but then I had to introduce them to each other and I saw it. It bugged me enough that I changed one of the names. However it's very possible if they hadn't interacted I wouldn't have even noticed ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I mean, the concept of the story is that its a friend group taking a roadtrip, so they do have lots of scenes together, lol. Part of my work around was that I don't always have to use their names back to back ("She and Finn" instead of the rhyme time situation) but also that the friend group is self aware that their names are similar, and have designated nicknames for that reason, maybe based off a longer version of their names (like Finley>Lee or Quinnay>Kay) or a middle name. I usually like simple names but I actually adore the idea of having nicknames that are only somewhat similar to the given name, idk why. I also tossed up the idea of the group calling him "Fitz" because his father's name is also some form of Finn. If that makes sense, like a "traditional" family name. I could also use them in different situations throughout the story, like she calls him "Finn" when they're talking but depending in the narration he's called by a different name. My other option which I'm not as enthusiastic about is changing the whole thing to 1st person, so Quinn's name isn't mentioned but in dialogue. Which is viable, I guess, but not my favorite choice.
|
|
|
Post by *Ɗαɾƙρσσℓ* on May 10, 2021 22:32:04 GMT -5
I def think calling them by nicknames or using a placeholder/surname like "Fitz" would work! Shifting the entire perspective of the work over sound issues seems a bit extreme, especially since it would likely change the feel of the piece as a whole. I'd keep it in 3rd person as well.
|
|
|