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Hi! Sorry if something like this has been asked before, but everything I could find pertains to changes in the MC name.
So I have this issue I’ve been waffling on regarding how to refer to a character in the narrative where his name changes. My WIP is written in third person limited, with only one POV character.
Here’s the basics (this is Fantasy, but I’m going to use ‘generic’ names for clarity’s sake):
-MC knows a character named John
-At one point, John approaches the MC in secret and reveals he is a spy, he wears a disguise and his real name is George
- George continues to live as John both in name and appearance for a period of time
- George leaves the situation and permanently discards the John persona
Obviously at the beginning because his real name is not known to the MC the narrative will refer to him as ‘John’ and obviously once he leaves the situation he will be called ‘George’. But I’m really conflicted as to which name he should be called by the narrative in that period where he has revealed himself to the MC, but still continues as a spy.
On the one hand it seems like it would be simple for the narrative and the MC to immediately switch to George, on the other hand he is still appearance-wise John and I think realistically people don’t switch easily (e.g. one would be more likely to think ‘It’s strange John’s real name is George’ vs. immediately ‘Oh, there’s George’).
Any opinions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!
So I have this issue I’ve been waffling on regarding how to refer to a character in the narrative where his name changes. My WIP is written in third person limited, with only one POV character.
Here’s the basics (this is Fantasy, but I’m going to use ‘generic’ names for clarity’s sake):
-MC knows a character named John
-At one point, John approaches the MC in secret and reveals he is a spy, he wears a disguise and his real name is George
- George continues to live as John both in name and appearance for a period of time
- George leaves the situation and permanently discards the John persona
Obviously at the beginning because his real name is not known to the MC the narrative will refer to him as ‘John’ and obviously once he leaves the situation he will be called ‘George’. But I’m really conflicted as to which name he should be called by the narrative in that period where he has revealed himself to the MC, but still continues as a spy.
On the one hand it seems like it would be simple for the narrative and the MC to immediately switch to George, on the other hand he is still appearance-wise John and I think realistically people don’t switch easily (e.g. one would be more likely to think ‘It’s strange John’s real name is George’ vs. immediately ‘Oh, there’s George’).
Any opinions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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