I have a character who, currently, has a first name, Natalia, and two nicknames: Nat, which is used by her friends and Talia by her mother.
In dialogue, this is not an issue. I think I also have dialogue tags nailed to using her full first name.
In the narrative, though, it can be trickier. I am trying to make the narrative voice distinctive between the two main POV characters.
If I am writing in inner voice, and the POV character is thinking about Natalie, I use Nat for the friend and Talia for the mum.
However, which do I use when the narrative describes what the POV character sees or feels about Natalia? Do I use her full name or the nickname that they would use?
Let me try a made up exemple...
'I want to go to the cinema, I don't care for skating,' Natalia said.
'Oh, come on Nat, it would be such fun.' James smiled his most convincing smile in hope to win her over. Nat could be so difficult sometimes.
For this last one, would it be 'Natalia could be so difficult sometimes' or 'Nat could be so difficult sometimes' as it is thought by the POV character, here her friend James?
I have a feeling some of you will ask 'why on earth does she have two nicknames?'. Good question. Originally, it was to show cultural differences as Natalia's mother isn't English but her friends are. I am now debating making my life easier and using only one, but the Natalia/ Talia question remains.
Looking forward to reading your views, as always.
In dialogue, this is not an issue. I think I also have dialogue tags nailed to using her full first name.
In the narrative, though, it can be trickier. I am trying to make the narrative voice distinctive between the two main POV characters.
If I am writing in inner voice, and the POV character is thinking about Natalie, I use Nat for the friend and Talia for the mum.
However, which do I use when the narrative describes what the POV character sees or feels about Natalia? Do I use her full name or the nickname that they would use?
Let me try a made up exemple...
'I want to go to the cinema, I don't care for skating,' Natalia said.
'Oh, come on Nat, it would be such fun.' James smiled his most convincing smile in hope to win her over. Nat could be so difficult sometimes.
For this last one, would it be 'Natalia could be so difficult sometimes' or 'Nat could be so difficult sometimes' as it is thought by the POV character, here her friend James?
I have a feeling some of you will ask 'why on earth does she have two nicknames?'. Good question. Originally, it was to show cultural differences as Natalia's mother isn't English but her friends are. I am now debating making my life easier and using only one, but the Natalia/ Talia question remains.
Looking forward to reading your views, as always.