For Goodness sake, will you just tell me your character's name?

[thismaz]

You know those stories you read, where you don't know who the narrator/POV character is?

I've been thinking about that.
So now I am wondering about good story-telling practice in this area. (I really need to buy me some books on the theory of writing fiction.)

Coming at this without any theoretical back-up, at first I was thinking that such withholding is common in original fiction, where the reader gradually learns the character, over the course of the first few pages.

Then I realised I was looking at it the wrong way around.

In fan fic, once the name of the character is given out, the reader immediately 'knows' a huge amount about their personality, motivations and traits.

So, we get stories where the writer withholds the protagonist's identity, as a deliberate tease.

I mean the stories where you are reading, and most of your mind is occupied by thoughts like - "It's Spike, no, hang on, it's Angel, oh wait, maybe it's Angelus?" only to end up with "Bloody hell! It's Willow? WTF???" or something similar. *g*

The writer has been teasing you. And it seems to me that they are usually doing it to prove how clever they are.

It nearly always backfires.

It backfires, because the very fact that they've been playing the tease, means that the reader has been playing dress-up - trying one name after another on the frame the writer has presented, and finding that a number of them sort of fit, to some degree or another.

When they finally are told who it's supposed to be, there are all those other character names, along with the 'correct' one, ready to point and taunt and chant, "I fit almost as well as you did. Who do you think you are?"

Result? The writer has undermined their own characterisation.

Okay, so it *can* be done. It *can* work. But it usually doesn't.

So my plea to writers everywhere: unless you are very confident it's worked, please don't do it!

But, I would still like to know what is good practice.


Anybody got any opinions on the matter?

Anybody got any good book recs?

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/peasant_/]

I think it can be done, but as you say one does have to question why it is being done. I suspect actually that sometimes it is done entirely by accident - the writer honestly never realised they hadn't named their protagonist clearly. This can be an especial risk if writing in first person. It is the sort of thing that a professional editor would pick up on and correct. A beta who received the email saying 'here is my latest Willow fic!' might never notice themselves.

The only book rec I sort of have is John Gardner: The Art of Fiction although he can be unbearably pompous, and I wanted to throw him through the window at times for his attitude to professionalism (amateur writers aren't allowed in his world view). But he does have some useful stuff. I can definitely warn you off Stephen King On Writing which is a complete waste of time and money. Since they are more or less the only books I've read on the subject I can't help any further.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Mmm, you make a good point. It can be accidental. Sometimes the picture is so clear in our own heads, we don't realise that we haven't communicated it clearly.

You didn't like King. Hmmm, shame. I'd heard good things there and was thinking of buying it. Thanks for the rec. I'll add it to my library list, rather than my to-buy list, but I'll check it out.

[riani1.livejournal.com]

I don't know if he addresses the POV subject specifically, but my favorite author on writing is Lawrence Bloch, especially "Telling Lies for Fun and Profit." He's been writing hardboiled detective stuff for years, as well as tons of genre stuff, and he has a pleasantly practical approach to things.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I have been thinking for a while that I really should read some theory. I'll add this to my list.

[mwrgana.livejournal.com]

It can be very annoying but it doesn't happen only in fanfic. On our recommended-reading list in the school library was D H Laurence's White Peacock. Mainly because of Lady C's L, I took it down to read. It is in first person and I got through at least two thirds of the book before giving up, still not knowing who the hell the narrator was or what his relations were with the rest of the characters.

I might have a better chance of working it out now but, frankly, I find DHL irritating and boring so I don't think I'll ever know.

BTW - I wrote you a long e-mail the other day apologising for not getting back to you sooner and letting you know I still love you. I was going to attach the updated New, Old chapter but got sidetracked in making more amendments and then forgot I was writing to you and closed everything down. I'll try to get it to you later today if that's OK.

As for book recs - I know you mean on POV stuff but for an exquisite vampire story look out for S Roit's Paris Immortal. I finished it last night and immediately started reading it again. It is stunningly good. The style is a bit quirky at times but I can live with it.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

*laughs* No, I could never get into Laurence, either.

Hey, yeah, send them over. When ever you're ready. And thanks for the rec.

[laazikaat.livejournal.com]

I like to know who I'm reading, I don't mind just a short tease, but not when it goes on too long.

Are these links any use to you?

http://www.spacejock.com.au/WriteANovel.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/features/howtowrite/index.shtml

http://www.write101.com/

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Those look really interesting. And right there, without the need to order and wait. Thank you very much indeed.