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SpaceWeavil
Joined: 27 May 2004
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 Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 3:52 pm Post subject: Naming characters |
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This is a fairly technical question that concerns a fic I'm plotting at the moment. There's probably a really easy solution, but I just can't think, and so wondered if anyone might have any ideas.
Basically, my story concerns the Ringwraiths, and if I managed to pull it off, will bring them all together and tell how they were pulled into Sauron's plans in the Second Age. I'm starting off with the Witch King, and so far have 5 out of 9 Nazgul properly placed and plotted. My problem though is in naming the characters. Obviously the Witch King wasn't born 'Mr Witch King' (otherwise people might have suspected there was something dodgy about him  ), so I have his original name etc. Same with the Mouth of Sauron.
But what would be the best way to establish that I'm doing this in the fic, so that when people see me refer to Character A, they know I mean the Witch King, and so-and-so is the Mouth of Sauron? I think I've actually over-thought this to the point where I can't readily see the best way to do it, so I'm hoping some of the wiser people on this archive might be able to suggest something. Basically, as a reader, what would be easier for you to follow, for example?
Any help, as always, greatly appreciated.
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sindohte
Joined: 13 May 2003
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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Do a cheat sheet as part of the intro to your story and set it up like this -
The Witch King of Angmar - formerly Bob Smith
Khamul - formerly Leif Lovelocks
Mouth of Sauron - formerly Phinneas Roundbottom
Then people can refer back to the cheat sheet as needed.
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mistressofbucklebury
Joined: 26 Sep 2004
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Location: England
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Mouth of Sauron - formerly Phinneas Roundbottom |
With a name like that it's easy to see why he went with Mouth of Sauron..... It's got a much better ring to it 
But seriously that idea works well for me as I'm terrible for keeping up with names in fiction... the Silm nearly killed me.... kept thinking I had it worked out and then someone had to go and change their name 
MoB |
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SpaceWeavil
Joined: 27 May 2004
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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| mistressofbucklebury wrote: | | Quote: |
Mouth of Sauron - formerly Phinneas Roundbottom |
With a name like that it's easy to see why he went with Mouth of Sauron..... It's got a much better ring to it
But seriously that idea works well for me as I'm terrible for keeping up with names in fiction... the Silm nearly killed me.... kept thinking I had it worked out and then someone had to go and change their name
MoB |
I still get confused with all the ones in the Silm beginning with F. 
So, for that do I just put like a 'Dramatis Personae' list at the beginning then?
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BittenBuggy
Joined: 27 Dec 2003
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Location: Busy Being the Queen Of Everything.. And Trying to Catch the Yoda-Copter
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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*scoops up her F-boys and runs off with them*
*pauses*
*throws Finarfin back*
Sind - thats a very good idea. I ran into a problem simliar to that - in hindsight I should have asked your advice 
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sindohte
Joined: 13 May 2003
Posts: 1621
Location: Rubbing up against an Elf
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| SpaceWeavil wrote: |
I still get confused with all the ones in the Silm beginning with F.
So, for that do I just put like a 'Dramatis Personae' list at the beginning then? |
'Dramatis Personae' - dang that sounds so nice and fancy  That's exactly what I'm talking about. Don't even get me started on all those folks in the Silm with names starting with F
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abandon thought, and let the dream descend...
Last edited by sindohte on Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:10 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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SpaceWeavil
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| BittenBuggy wrote: | *scoops up her F-boys and runs off with them*
*pauses*
*throws Finarfin back*
Sind - thats a very good idea. I ran into a problem simliar to that - in hindsight I should have asked your advice |
Feanor I can cope with. It's the Finrod/Fingon/Finarfin ones I can never get my head around. Always get them mixed up.
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ghettoelleth
Joined: 06 Nov 2004
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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I have absolutely nothing of value to offer this thread whatsoever. That said, you guys made me narf soda out of my nose. You're crackin' me up!
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BittenBuggy
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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Finrod - liked the humans... debate says maybe a little too much
Fingon - incest-ridden beautiful son of Fingolfin Likes climbing mountains and riding eagles.
Finarfin - isnt important because nobody cares about him.
Its not that hard, eh?
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-The Queen of Everything - so dubed by Aerin
-"My ultimate fantasy is to entice a man to my bedroom, put a gun to his head and say, 'Make babies or die'."
-"The Pope! how many divisions has he got?" - Stalin |
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SpaceWeavil
Joined: 27 May 2004
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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| sindohte wrote: | | SpaceWeavil wrote: |
I still get confused with all the ones in the Silm beginning with F.
So, for that do I just put like a 'Dramatis Personae' list at the beginning then? |
'Dramatis Personae' - dang that sounds so nice and fancy That's exactly what I'm talking about. Don't even get me started on all those folks in the Silm with names starting with F |
OK, that makes sense. That way I can explain all my obscure characters from Numenorean history as well.
My copy of Unfinished Tales is going to dissolve by the time I actually start writing this. 
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sindohte
Joined: 13 May 2003
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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| BittenBuggy wrote: | | Sind - thats a very good idea. I ran into a problem simliar to that - in hindsight I should have asked your advice |
Yes you should have asked me. Since I like you, I wouldn't have charged you a cent. However I would have asked for your soul. I am the proud owner of Maram's. 
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BittenBuggy
Joined: 27 Dec 2003
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Location: Busy Being the Queen Of Everything.. And Trying to Catch the Yoda-Copter
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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My soul too? But you've already got my body baby.
EDIT:
That has GOT to be a record for fastest 
Oh yeah, whos proud.
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-The Queen of Everything - so dubed by Aerin
-"My ultimate fantasy is to entice a man to my bedroom, put a gun to his head and say, 'Make babies or die'."
-"The Pope! how many divisions has he got?" - Stalin |
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SpaceWeavil
Joined: 27 May 2004
Posts: 23
Location: Looking at shiny things
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:15 pm Post subject: |
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| BittenBuggy wrote: | Finrod - liked the humans... debate says maybe a little too much
Fingon - incest-ridden beautiful son of Fingolfin Likes climbing mountains and riding eagles.
Finarfin - isnt important because nobody cares about him.
Its not that hard, eh? |
See now you wouldn't think that would be hard, but if I look away from my laptop screen after reading that, it has already slipped out of my brain. I have a Silm-mental block. 
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BittenBuggy
Joined: 27 Dec 2003
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds like surgery....
Going to need randy elves and warm oil.
_________________
-The Queen of Everything - so dubed by Aerin
-"My ultimate fantasy is to entice a man to my bedroom, put a gun to his head and say, 'Make babies or die'."
-"The Pope! how many divisions has he got?" - Stalin |
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SpaceWeavil
Joined: 27 May 2004
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Location: Looking at shiny things
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| Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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| sindohte wrote: | | BittenBuggy wrote: | | Sind - thats a very good idea. I ran into a problem simliar to that - in hindsight I should have asked your advice |
Yes you should have asked me. Since I like you, I wouldn't have charged you a cent. However I would have asked for your soul. I am the proud owner of Maram's. |
See, I'd offer my soul in that case in exchange for that great idea, but I already swapped mine for some LOTR action figures.
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