First Person -- when give your character's name?

[Kryianna]

I'm doing my first read-through and edits of my NaNoWriMo novel, and I found that I don't give my MC's name until 2k words in. It's written in first person, and there isn't any convenient dialogue at the beginning that I can slip her name into easily. She doesn't think to herself, so I don't really have the option of doing a "Think, Jane, you know better than that" either.

Is it ok to be that far into the story before saying what her name is? What is normal?

[Sassee]

If it works, it works. Readers would pick up on the name before they started reading anyway, due to the blurb on the back of the book (assuming you want the thing published and actually do that).

Mine's in first person as well, but someone calls her by name within the first page.

[DeleyanLee]

My MIP is in first person as well, and it's about 1.5K before there's reason for him to give his surname as an introduction. Of course, he's a detective, so it was bound to happen at some point. His first name doesn't come into play until the last scene of Chapter 2, when his brother addresses him during an argument.

Personally, I don't think it should be forced. Forced is worse than waiting and making it flow. And, frankly, no one's going to read the book without having some sort of introduction into it (cover letter, synopsis, back cover blurb), so I don't think it's a major problem.

Good luck on your book.

[Kryianna]

Thanks, folks!

[nonamesleft47]

I have close to the same problem that keeps bouncing around in my head. I go 90,000 words without ever naming my MC and actually I'm still debating the need for a name. It's first person as well and there really isn't any reason for it other than he has limited contact with anyone who doesn't call him honey, sugar muffin, a$$hole, ect.

[a_sharp]

My WIP is first person and the guy's name doesn't appear until he introduces himself to the female MC about 1/3 through chapter 2. I think it works.

In The Gathering by Anne Enright, the first person narrator finally names herself on page 11, toward the end of Chapter 2. The book won the 2007 Man Booker Prize.

Bring it up when it fits and not before then. No need to force it, but don't wait too long.

[Nakhlasmoke]

Hmm just checked now, because I never even thought about it. MC's name is mentioned about 1400 words in, in conversation.

I don't think it feels strange though. I'm sure the betas will give me a clip about the ears if it irritates them, and I'll fix it if need be.

[dempsey]

I think Palahniuk went a lot more words without naming the narrator in Fight Club.

In fact, I believe he went all the words without naming the narrator.

You'd be surprised how few details people actually care about.

[blacbird]

Then there's Melville:

"Call me Ishmael."

caw

[PeeDee]

We don't discover the narrator's name until the end of book four of Gene Wolfe's Long Sun quadrology of books.

Do what you gotta do.

[PeeDee]

Then there's Melville:

"Call me Ishmael."

caw

A very fine point.

[johnzakour]

Writing pulp I usually have the obligatory my "name is Zachary Nixon Johnson..." statement very early on. For me the tricky part is fitting in his description. There wasn't any in the entire first book. Then in second book one of the editors said, "It might be nice if we knew what Zach looks like."

So yes you can often get away with saying very little.

Don't force it when it comes it comes.

[HeronW]

I don't like to keep reading and be left in the dark for pages and pages until I find out a name. Age, detailed characeristics, profession, these can wait but a 'hey you' or 'whasername' with the agnstmobile runing--I identify better if I have a name to go with the drama.

Could your MC read an email, snail mail, memo from work, note from a friend, electric bill, something to say her name?

[Moon Daughter]

I don't think the name is extremely important to learn right away. My MC's name (the ms is in first POV, too) isn't mentioned until the second chapter.

[Stijn Hommes]

It sounds like you slipped the name at a logical place in the narrative.
Run it past some betareaders. If they don't complain, I wouldn't change it.
It flows - don't fix something that isn't broken.

[WendyNYC]

Personally, I like to know the character's name sooner rather than later. But if it works, it works.

[wayndom]

Len Deighton wrote a whole series of first-person spy novels, in which the narrator never gives his own name. You understand that it's because he's a spy, and he doesn't give any details that would reveal his identity (where he lives, what brand cigarettes he smokes, etc.), but the narrator never explains that.

Movies, being what they are (i.e., not first-person), had to name the character, so he became Harry Palmer. But there was something charming about reading a whole book told by a shadow.

[wayndom]

She doesn't think to herself, so I don't really have the option of doing a "Think, Jane, you know better than that" either.

"I sorted through the envelopes in my mailbox, selecting only those addressed to 'Jane,' since that's my name."

[Susan Lanigan]

In any of my published stories in first person (I think pretty much all of them are) the name is revealed through another character directly addressing the narrator, towards the end of the story. The one exception to this is a story I wrote about a historical figure. Maybe I was holding back because her name was also Susan and I don't like talking to myself!

[johnzakour]

Personally, I like to know the character's name sooner rather than later. But if it works, it works.

I feel the same way, I like to know whom I am dealing with sooner than later as I feel I can relate to the character better if I have a name for them.

Still there are a lot of ways of executing ideas.... (That's why bookstores are so big!)

[ORION]

First sentence. "My name is Perry L. Crandall and I am not retarded."

[JBI]

It isn't until midway through his monologue that Malloy realizes his name is in fact "Malloy" (though critics are undecided if his name really is Malloy or not).

But then again, when do we get the Unnamable's name? or do we?

[katiemac]

Sometimes, after publishing, the marketing takes care of this for you. The back of the book might reveal the character's name, so your reader will go in with more information from the start.

Still, it's hardly a tactic to rely on.

[Stew21]

Within the first couple pages for my first person character. His boss calls him Bastien (his last name) then in IM (he logs in as ebast80), then his mom calls, we find out his name is Eric.

Sooner rather than later works for me too.

[Shady Lane]

Let's see...

Page 2 in the WIP.
Page 4 in the last ms.
Page 3 in the one before.

So I guess I generally do it pretty early.

[KTC]

I just checked. My main character gets his name mentioned on page 13...his friend calls him an ass...by name.

I love to mention A Separate Peace when this discussion arises. The main character in that novel...his name is often forgotten by people who read it. I think his name is mentioned 2 times during the entire novel. His name is Gene...but if you blink you miss it.

[Devil Ledbetter]

My new WIP is written in first person. The MC states his name in the opening sentence, but it's not his real name. Someone calls him out by his real name at the end of page 2, but he denies that he is who he is. This is only draft 2 though, so I don't know if I'll keep it this way.

I think I was halfway through Nick Hornby's How To Be Good before the first-person MC's name was mentioned. Not knowing it didn't bother me. What did bother me was finding out she was Yet Another Katie.

[jannawrites]

Yes, the summary on the book's jacket will clue the reader in to the MC's name, but you don't want it too far into the ms or the reader may feel disconnected (for lack of a better word) from the get-go. The character's name is an important way to draw your reader into her life, and it can potentially form his or her first opinion/view of the MC.

My first-person character's name is introduced within the first few sentences of chapter 1. It just wouldn't feel right for Ellie to be nameless well into the book. As a reader and writer I like the name as soon as possible. Maybe you can add a phone call or interaction with someone on the street, etc., who can call her by name?

...It's completely up to you, though, because it's your book - not to mention, the editors will get final say.