Poll: Ok... need some opinions about this...

[Chogg Van Helsing]

So, I'm writing a new book for the Black Library called 'Everchosen'. For those of you familiar with the lore, you'll know what it is, but just in case, it is about Archaon the Everchosen's rise and fall, starting with his humble beginnings.

So now to my queery, I included a poll just cause

Should the man who will become Archaon be named? Or should I leave him nameless like the lore?

All opinions welcome (within reason of course)

 

[King_1]

Having no name would make his beginnings extremely difficult if you were to be anything other than vague. If you know his beginnings in detail, you'd know his name...

 

[Thaluikhain]

Er...you are an actual writer being paid by BL to write things?

Anyways, assuming you are, it would of course depend on the structure of the story. In most cases it'd be important if you were building up the character (additionally, you don't have to make it obvious which named character ends up becoming Archaon if you have a bunch in the running), though if it was only tangentially dealing with him as he rose to power, it might not be neccesary.

 

[Chogg Van Helsing]

Er...you are an actual writer being paid by BL to write things?

Anyways, assuming you are, it would of course depend on the structure of the story. In most cases it'd be important if you were building up the character (additionally, you don't have to make it obvious which named character ends up becoming Archaon if you have a bunch in the running), though if it was only tangentially dealing with him as he rose to power, it might not be neccesary.

Well, I'm not being paid to do it, but I do plan on sending it in to see if they deem it good enough heh.

And it is focused on him, chapter one is him in his city, and ends with him burning down the temple and killing his family etc.

I was thinking others would call him 'Father' as he is a priest. Even his wife, as a sign of respect and an in-joke between them. Or I could name him, but that could mess with the lore and that's my dilemma...

 

[thespyisdead]

i said nameless... sometimes, the less you know, the more compelling the character.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Well, I'm not being paid to do it, but I do plan on sending it in to see if they deem it good enough heh.

I'd say "not a chance". On the other hand, if you like writing, go for it. Before I gave up on BL, they totally would not accept ideas they didn't ask for...even if they get fed up with you and say "well, I'd like to see you come up with better ideas".

Well, when I say I gave up on them they banned me from the forum for a month because I was consistently critical of a lot of their work (C.L. Werner kept saying he'd write a bitter character called "Thaul Festerheart" based on me...if you've read Palace of the Plaguelord, the "Festerheart" is the Nurgle demon/structure the book is about), though later they said it was for "bashing books I've not read and the people who read them" or words to that effect...in reality, it was saying Goto should never be allowed to write anything again because of him trying to rewrite Tolkien elves as 40k eldar.

And it is focused on him, chapter one is him in his city, and ends with him burning down the temple and killing his family etc.

I was thinking others would call him 'Father' as he is a priest. Even his wife, as a sign of respect and an in-joke between them. Or I could name him, but that could mess with the lore and that's my dilemma...

If it's focused on him, you'd more or less certainly have to name him.

 

[Chogg Van Helsing]

Well, I'm not being paid to do it, but I do plan on sending it in to see if they deem it good enough heh.

I'd say "not a chance". On the other hand, if you like writing, go for it. Before I gave up on BL, they totally would not accept ideas they didn't ask for...even if they get fed up with you and say "well, I'd like to see you come up with better ideas".

Well, when I say I gave up on them they banned me from the forum for a month because I was consistently critical of a lot of their work (C.L. Werner kept saying he'd write a bitter character called "Thaul Festerheart" based on me...if you've read Palace of the Plaguelord, the "Festerheart" is the Nurgle demon/structure the book is about), though later they said it was for "bashing books I've not read and the people who read them" or words to that effect...in reality, it was saying Goto should never be allowed to write anything again because of him trying to rewrite Tolkien elves as 40k eldar.

And it is focused on him, chapter one is him in his city, and ends with him burning down the temple and killing his family etc.

I was thinking others would call him 'Father' as he is a priest. Even his wife, as a sign of respect and an in-joke between them. Or I could name him, but that could mess with the lore and that's my dilemma...

If it's focused on him, you'd more or less certainly have to name him.

Well, after talking to a store manager, you send in some of your work and if they like it they ask for more. Everyone will have started somewhere, even Dan Abnett! heheh.


And it is possible not to name him, as it is only one chapter. Already written a page without his name mentioned.

 

[SckizoBoy]

How's about an in universe equivalent of 'Nemo'?

 

[Thaluikhain]

Well, after talking to a store manager, you send in some of your work and if they like it they ask for more. Everyone will have started somewhere, even Dan Abnett! heheh.

Oh, right, they have changed things:

http://www.blacklibrary.com/Getting-Started/FAQ-Working-For-Black-Library.html

Though they advise against named characters, and you can only submit during a short period, and there's little point writing a whole novel yet.

 

[Chogg Van Helsing]

Well, after talking to a store manager, you send in some of your work and if they like it they ask for more. Everyone will have started somewhere, even Dan Abnett! heheh.

Oh, right, they have changed things:

http://www.blacklibrary.com/Getting-Started/FAQ-Working-For-Black-Library.html

Though they advise against named characters, and you can only submit during a short period, and there's little point writing a whole novel yet.

That actually helps a lot! Thanks man

 

[Thaluikhain]

Hey man. Not like you could do any worse than Matt Ward...

Heh...as much as I hate people who've never done anything like it, but are sure they could write (or do other things) better than those who have...there are sometimes in which getting anything not totally wrong is a step up.

I'd aim a little higher than "not totally sucking", though, even if that enough to put you ahead of the game. The book is still going to be there years after you've finished, worth putting the effort in.

 

[MasterOfWorlds]

I'm unfamiliar with the series, but I'd go with nameless. It adds a sense of mystery to the character, and if it's tradition within the series, you might anger fans by changing it.