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sid_guardian2019-04-03 04:24 pm
bonibaru) wrote in sid_guardian2019-04-03 04:24 pm
Entry tags:
Naming conventions
I know this was discussed before but I'm just doing a pulse check for preferences in fanfiction. I read the various posts on formal/informal addresses and how readers of Chinese fiction are used to seeing names, and that was all very helpful.
Am writing a very ... long ... story that switches POV between Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei for different sections.
Shen Wei is always Shen Wei no matter whose POV it is or who is addressing him.
Chu Shuzhi and Shen Wei are close allies/friends in this story, so I usually refer to him as Chu Shuzhi when writing in Zhao Yunlan's point of view, and Lao Chu when in Shen Wei's point of view (unless he names him when speaking to another person, and then he is Chu Shuzhi - also when Shen Wei addresses him by name in front of another person he is Chu Shuzhi). Is this OK/correct? Should he be Chu Shuzhi always? Is Lao Chu too informal/disrespectful for two men who were basically raised together and work together closely in the backstory?
Zhao Yunlan is Zhao Yunlan at all times, except when I've been writing from his POV I've been writing "Yunlan" mostly just so I can keep the sections straight when I'm jumping around in the story. In the final edit for publishing, is it OK to leave it as Yunlan when we are reading from his POV, or do I have to go back and find/replace to Zhao Yunlan through the whole thing?
Examples:
Zhao Yunlan point of view:
Yunlan hoped that things would go back to normal soon. He felt bad that they had barely seen each other for a week; he found himself missing Shen Wei’s idle chatter, and the way his face would light up when he was happy about something. Shen Wei had only really ventured out of his bedroom in the evening to join him for dinner, and he insisted on always preparing Yunlan’s tea himself, an effort which was genuinely appreciated.
Shen Wei point of view:
Lao Chu’s disapproving silence lasted the full length of their walk back, but as soon as they were inside and the door had closed behind them, he crossed his arms over his chest and opened his mouth to speak. Shen Wei held up a hand to forestall him. “Don’t,” he said. “It had to be done.”
When they returned, Shen Wei apologetically disappeared into his bedroom with the excuse that he needed to write down his plans before he forgot them all. Zhao Yunlan did not seem to mind it, only telling him that he had sent for dinner and that he would call Shen Wei when the food arrived. He proposed that they eat together, and Shen Wei politely accepted the invitation.
Seeing Zhao Yunlan waiting for him at the gate had been a surprise, though not an unpleasant one.
Am writing a very ... long ... story that switches POV between Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei for different sections.
Shen Wei is always Shen Wei no matter whose POV it is or who is addressing him.
Chu Shuzhi and Shen Wei are close allies/friends in this story, so I usually refer to him as Chu Shuzhi when writing in Zhao Yunlan's point of view, and Lao Chu when in Shen Wei's point of view (unless he names him when speaking to another person, and then he is Chu Shuzhi - also when Shen Wei addresses him by name in front of another person he is Chu Shuzhi). Is this OK/correct? Should he be Chu Shuzhi always? Is Lao Chu too informal/disrespectful for two men who were basically raised together and work together closely in the backstory?
Zhao Yunlan is Zhao Yunlan at all times, except when I've been writing from his POV I've been writing "Yunlan" mostly just so I can keep the sections straight when I'm jumping around in the story. In the final edit for publishing, is it OK to leave it as Yunlan when we are reading from his POV, or do I have to go back and find/replace to Zhao Yunlan through the whole thing?
Examples:
Zhao Yunlan point of view:
Yunlan hoped that things would go back to normal soon. He felt bad that they had barely seen each other for a week; he found himself missing Shen Wei’s idle chatter, and the way his face would light up when he was happy about something. Shen Wei had only really ventured out of his bedroom in the evening to join him for dinner, and he insisted on always preparing Yunlan’s tea himself, an effort which was genuinely appreciated.
Shen Wei point of view:
Lao Chu’s disapproving silence lasted the full length of their walk back, but as soon as they were inside and the door had closed behind them, he crossed his arms over his chest and opened his mouth to speak. Shen Wei held up a hand to forestall him. “Don’t,” he said. “It had to be done.”
When they returned, Shen Wei apologetically disappeared into his bedroom with the excuse that he needed to write down his plans before he forgot them all. Zhao Yunlan did not seem to mind it, only telling him that he had sent for dinner and that he would call Shen Wei when the food arrived. He proposed that they eat together, and Shen Wei politely accepted the invitation.
Seeing Zhao Yunlan waiting for him at the gate had been a surprise, though not an unpleasant one.
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Not that this is terribly relevant, but see above!
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