I'm a bonehead.

[8thSamurai]

Just realized that I regularly mixed up two character's names, through a 68 page WIP.

Just spent the past 20 minutes fixing that glaring error...

[CheyElizabeth]

Welcome to my world! I named a character Allison, and then spelled it Alyson every so often.. YAy for Search and replace!

[8thSamurai]

:) So glad I'm not the only one. It occurred to me that if I mixed up these guys, a reader would too, so I changed one of the names completely.

So glad I caught it before submitting - how embarrassing would that have been?

Even better, I didn't finish one scene because I wanted to leave a place to go in case I got blocked - and forgot about it!

While I was looking for other name problems, I ran into my own note:

"This bit is not finished, possible directions are as follows: blah blah blah"

OOPS.

Now I'm wondering what other notes I left for myself that I've forgotten about. Oy vey.

[Rushie]

One of my characters is Emma, Elly, Emmy... I can't seem to remember what I settled on.

[caitysdad]

i had a character named stacy. and I didn't catch it for a while that I had spelled her name S-T-A-C-E-Y a few times.

I'm sure just about everyone does it. I wouldn't beat yourself up over it.

[Maryn]

It's nice to know for sure you're among your own kind. I rechristened a character, using replace, but forgot to search for the nicknames, so that while all the Elizabeths got changed, this Liz person kept popping up, and once even Lizard-breath. My critique group was mystified.

Maryn, fellow bonehead

[Matera the Mad]

Mark all filler notes consistently -- I like a string of +++++++, because multiple plus signs aren't going to turn up in anything else. If I don't do it, I -- erm -- surprise myself too.

I had one recent insertion of an older version of a character name that I changed last year :o

We all have our very clever moments.

[Palmfrond]

I use *** to mark the places I know I need to go back to.

Sometimes those old character names just won't die. I'm working on a sequel and found I had accidentally used a name that had been the original name of a similar character in the first book (years ago now).

[Stunted]

I sometimes use "he" when I mean "she" and vice versa.

[dgrintalis]

My MCs ex-boyfriend's name is Zack. Sometimes I catch myself spelling it Zach, though.

[Red_Dahlia]

One of my characters gradually went from Marie, to Mary, to Susan, and finally to Rose. I haven't gone back to fix her name yet, because I can't help but wonder if it isn't going to change to something else entirely by the end. Occasionally, I'll catch myself calling her by one of her old names, though.

[8thSamurai]

You guys rock. I think I'm going to start typing my notes in red, so I can find them sooner. Also wrote myself a little 'cheat sheet' so I can keep track of everyone's first and last names.

(It's not that there are so many characters, just that this is an expansion on a short story that I spent very little time on initially. Long story there...)

[8thSamurai]

BALLS - my conversation timeline was all screwed up too. Moving around sections now.

[dirtsider]

Haven't had to change names yet since they're all pretty distinctive and the "cast" is still relatively small. As for the notes to myself, I tend to put them into comments which are highlighted pretty well so far.

[cbenoi1]

I started with Sarah as the MC, then opted for Madison. I then used Sarah for a secondary character. Then changed again to use Helen for the MC, and Madison & Sarah for secondary characters.

Then I used the 'ReplaceAll' command to switch names around ... only to find out the document was even more screwed up and I had to edit the text all the way from the first sentence. Manually. Arrrrgggghhhh!!

Maybe I should use macros.

Yeah right.

"Hello," said \ref{main_character} to \ref{detective_s_wife}

-cb

[Manix]

I started with Sarah as the MC, then opted for Madison. I then used Sarah for a secondary character. Then changed again to use Helen for the MC, and Madison & Sarah for secondary characters.

Then I used the 'ReplaceAll' command to switch names around ... only to find out the document was even more screwed up and I had to edit the text all the way from the first sentence. Manually. Arrrrgggghhhh!!

Maybe I should use macros.

Yeah right.

"Hello," said \ref{main_character} to \ref{detective_s_wife}

-cb
LOL!:ROFL: Macros. Good idea. I messed up a few names adding extra letters and such. I'm going through now with a fine-toothed comb, for the seventh? time. (Still finding mistakes...sigh!)

[jodiodi]

I try to pick a name and stay with it. But when I have changes make, I highlight them and as the changes are made, get rid of the highlighting. I tend to color code for type of changes as well. I have a separate file for 'deleted scenes' where I put the scenes I cut and might use later in the work or in a separate piece. If they aren't used, I keep them for the DVD highlights. :D

[yakkity]

I have a habit of forgetting characters' names. Duh.

Perhaps I should just stick with Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot, and Puff.

[8thSamurai]

So glad I'm not the only one. For a minute, I felt guilty for forgetting the names of imaginary people.

[Chumplet]

I had two guys named Frank in the same book. The e-book was pubbed that way, but I had a chance to change it before the print version comes out.

Having four main characters with husbands, ex-husbands and kids, it was very difficult to keep track. A cheat sheet came in very handy, but I had forgotten about those little cameo roles.

[8thSamurai]

heheheheheheheh. It might be funny to write a short where EVERY character besides the MC was named 'Frankie' or something.

[Charlie Horse]

I had a character once with a tattoo across his face which alternated between a dragon and a snake.

Now that I think about it, that would have actually been pretty cool.

[jodiodi]

Perhaps I should just stick with Dick, Jane, Sally, Spot, and Puff.

Don't forget Tim.

[Quossum]

heheheheheheheh. It might be funny to write a short where EVERY character besides the MC was named 'Frankie' or something.

I think it would go a little something like this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx0ut4xHH_0)

--Q

[Birol]

This is what drafts are for. Find and Replace is also a very useful tool.

[Kathleen42]

Don't feel bad. From the reviews I've read, the author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies frequently alternates between two spellings of the heroine's last name.

[Lisa R]

I usually use cat names or the names of people I know until I figure out who they really are, then auto-replace. Makes it easier for me to remember who is who. 'Course the downside is that sometimes the characters act like who I named them for.

[8thSamurai]

I love it. "Then Fluffy picked up the Uzi..."

[Super Geek]

My MCs ex-boyfriend's name is Zack. Sometimes I catch myself spelling it Zach, though.

I have a character named Zack and I do the exact same thing. I've never known anyone who spelled it with a ch either. I'm not sure why I do it.