Narration question for my writing friends...

[switch842]

In the narration of a story, should people be referred to by first or last name? In my latest story, right now, I have everything as "blah blah blah," FirstName said. But, there are some characters where we don't have first names, so they are "blah blah blah," LastName said. But that's just inconsistent, isn't it? So, should I make up first names for everyone? Or change everything to LastName said?

Comments

[regann]

So, would it be when I'm with Daniel, it would be how he refers to people and when I'm with Jack it would be how he refers to people?

That's what I tend to do! Like in RPWT, the Lassiter sections refer to him as 'Carlton' and Shawn as 'Spencer' and in the Shawn POV sections, it's 'Lassy' or 'Carly,' etc.

I ran into the mixed first and last name thing alot in anime where some characters were known exclusively by last names and were always referred to by then even by their best friends while other characters were always called by the first names, even by their enemies.

Personally, if I was with Daniel, it would be be 'Jack,' 'Sam,' 'Tealc,' etc. and when I was with Jack, it would be 'Daniel,' 'Carter,' 'Tealc' and so on. (Here noting the difference b/t Jack and Daniel's address of Sam Carter.)

Really, though, it's mostly a feeling/flow thing, so don't sweat it too much.

I hope I'm helping. XD

[switch842.livejournal.com]

You are, very much. Thanks! I think I do need to go back and do some switching of things.