Topic: Star of Hope Characters

So if anyone remembers, I discovered the names for my two Main Characters were also the names of two Main Characters from a movie almost 15 years ago. And honestly, when I picked the names I had NO idea they were from the same movie. I've really, really tried renaming them, but my writing for the story has suffered--as in come to a complete screeching halt. I've thought of them, written about them, as Jocelyn and Adhemar for so long, no other names work.
So, here's my question is: should I keep them Jocelyn and Adhemar? Is that going to be a problem?

Honestly, I don't know what to do. I've spent hours upon hours upon hours looking at nearly every name imaginable for either one or both and its just not working. I can only think of two options, either leave them as is, or stop writing the story (for how long I don't know.) And I really don't want to stop writing the story. Help!

Thanks.
Danielle

Quote Post 1

Re: Star of Hope Characters

I'd leave them the same name. If anyone remembers, or has even seen the movie, they will either not remember the characters names, or really care if they do. If the plot is totally different, it doesn't matter either.Write on!

~Tom

Quote Post 2

Re: Star of Hope Characters

Another thing would be copyright infringement. I looked it up and it sounded like I can use the names so long as my characters don't act or talk exactly like the characters in the movie. And also I'm not using the other character names and I'm definitely not using the storyline. And since the movie characters are not a trademark character thing, and their names are real historical names, it should okay. If I'm understanding it right???

Quote Post 3

Re: Star of Hope Characters

Would spelling changes work for you?

Quote Post 4

Re: Star of Hope Characters

It seems to me you won't be infringing on anything. Different story, different setting, different time, etc., right? The number of names in the world is finite. Sooner or later, someone is bound to repeat a name or two involuntarily. That's nothing compare to the frequent reuse of titles, which is deliberate. I don't think anyone will complain.

Quote Post 5

Re: Star of Hope Characters

I'm not sure how to do spelling change for Adhemar. But Jocelyn can be Joicelyn, Joice, Josalynn, Josaline, Jossline, Joslin, Joycelyn, Josceline, Josline, Joceline, Jozlyn, Jocelyne, Joslyn, Joyce, Josalind, Josiline, Joycelin, Jocelin, Josalyn, Joscelyn, Josselyn, Joselina, Josslyn, Josilyn. (found of nameberry.com)

I'll definitely look at this route. Thanks for the idea njc!

Quote Post 6

Re: Star of Hope Characters

Out of those variations, I like best:
Jozlyn
Joslyn
Jocelin
Josalind

Now to pick one (if I decide to spell change)

Quote Post 7

Re: Star of Hope Characters

Is the 'dh' in Adhemar two seperate letters or a blended sound, like the Edh or a Brooklyn 'th'?

Quote Post 8

Re: Star of Hope Characters

(a like apple) A-deh-mar is how I pronounce it.
Other pronunciations have the a longer like "Ah". Ah-dee-mar

Quote Post 9

Re: Star of Hope Characters

Thanks j p lundstrom. That's what I've been thinking. But the world we live in is "sue-happy" and I'd just rather try to avoid it, but since I've gone the route of renaming and it didn't work, changing the spelling of one name would most likely help avoid the lawsuit mess

Quote Post 10

11 Reply by njc (edited by njc 2015-10-20 19:51:00)

Re: Star of Hope Characters

Danielle Buckingham wrote:

(a like apple) A-deh-mar is how I pronounce it.
Other pronunciations have the a longer like "Ah". Ah-dee-mar

Could you drop the 'h' then?  Or doubling the trailing 'r'?  `Adamarr`?

Quote Post 11

Re: Star of Hope Characters

njc, that is worth thinking about....

Quote Post 12

Re: Star of Hope Characters

I feel for your predicament and  I'm with njc on this one. When you get overly-attached to a name and have to change it, it's best to just change the spelling. I'm going to have to do that with one of my characters (not posted yet) as I completely forgot that another character's name was spelled the same way, but with one letter difference.

Good luck and don't stop writing! wink

-Elisheva

Quote Post 13

Re: Star of Hope Characters

KHippolite - I see your point. For Jocelyn (or other spelling) I think it'd be Joss for nickname. Only, when people address her it'd be formal "Lady Jocelyn". So its still there. I figure I change the spelling in one or both and that should be good enough. I've given myself a headache long enough over this. Lol. smile

Quote Post 14

15 Reply by njc

Re: Star of Hope Characters

Also possible: Joscelynne, Josalynne, Jossilynne, ...

Quote Post 15

Re: Star of Hope Characters

I believe I've settled it. Finally. It feels right.
Joselyn ("JAW"-za-lin)
Adhemar (simply no other spelling felt right.)

Quote Post 16