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You don't copyright a name, it would be a trademark. In the case of trademark, the name would have to be uniquely associated with a brand or business, not a common name. I couldn't just trademark Jimmy Smith as it is a very common name. I could trademark it in conjunction with a specific business such as say, Jimmy Smith's Old Winery so that no one else could then open another Jimmy Smith's Old Winery within an area in which you have registered the trademark. You can get the trademark for each state or you can go for a national trademark if it hasn't been trademarked in any state previously.

In my past business I had a name trademarked for several states in which I operated, but did not have a national trademark. Another company was trying to get a national trademark using the same name. We worked out an arrangement whereas my company would retain the trademark for specific products and they would retain it for other products in the beverage category. If we had not reached an agreement, I would not have been able to expand under that name into other states where I didn't have the registered trademark and they would not have been able to use it in the states where I owned a trademark prior to their filing for the national trademark. A simple characters name in a book, have at it. Take care. Vern

I would suggest that unless the description actually adds something to the story other than description it is probably too much. If I turn my back, I most likely couldn't tell you what my wife is wearing or how her how is fixed; I can't describe the details of a street I just walked down, or the details of the policeman's uniform I met along the way; I can't recall what pictures are hanging on the wall in my house, or how many steps attached to the deck. But I do remember what an old girlfriend was wearing on a particular date a half century ago because it made an impact. Ordinary detail in ordinary circumstance don't really make an impact so I could care less about reading them in a story; it only bogs it down.

Yes, I'm sure some folks can name famous authors who go on ad nauseum with details which are irrelevant, but I don't read those and I doubt agents/publishers or most casual readers give a flip about them. Our minds fill in details from sparse info. I read somewhere that people were asked what color hair a character had in a story they had read and most came up with a definite color when none was mentioned in the story. That's the type description which is relevant to the reader imho. Take care. Vern

From Daily Writing Tips:
Here are some guidelines for the use of italics with foreign words in an English text.
1. If only one unfamiliar foreign word or brief phrase is being used, italicize it.
2. If an entire sentence or passage of two or more sentences appear in a foreign language, type the passage in plain type and put the passage in quotation marks.
3. If the foreign word is a proper noun, do not italicize it.
4. If you are using two foreign words or phrases, one familiar and one unfamiliar, italicize both of them for consistency and appearance.
5. Common Latin words and abbreviations like etc., et al., and ibid. need not be italicized. An exception is sic, which should be italicized and placed in square brackets.

It would seem you could use italics of foreign words when needed or expected and any overuse -- or not -- will take care of itself. Take care. Vern

You do know she's joshing, right? Take care. Vern

Lung cancer

Goodpasture syndrome

Valley fever -- rash involved

Take care. Dr. Vern

PS: A google search will produce more, but if you need specific symptoms you should just make up your own "newly discovered" disease.

Okay, this entire thread has been based on a false premise, that being unable to access the Premium "forum" when it turns out it is actually about not being able to post writing without having enough credits which is a whole nuther ballgame with a slow pitch to knock out of the park. Nuff said. Take care. Vern

I would say that most any contest which charges a fee is in it for the up front money. Your odds of substantial benefit are probably better with the lottery. But, having said that, if you would like to enter my contest, the entry fee is a paltry hundred bucks, no refunds, or promises. You may enter as many times as you wish or can afford. Any genre, length, or format is acceptable. I will be sole judge and my opinion is final. My personal entry should not be looked upon as getting preferential treatment and should I win, it is purely the writers talent Just send your payment to the site and I will give Sol a handlers fee should he accept the service. Good luck to all who enter. Take care. Vern

If you must diagram a sentence to understand a statute created by the legislature, then not only the statute should be thrown out, but all the members who voted for its passing should also be thrown out. Oh, never mind, they all should be thrown out anyway. Carry on. Take care. Vern

Though theoretically possible, such an orbit is generally considered unstable -- from my research. My question thus becomes: Why would you want to create such a system which would require such a technical explanation for the reader. You could simply say it orbited binary stars without getting into the minutia of orbital detail which most readers could live without. If you make a generalization of the system, then the reader can visualize whatever details they need to accept your version of days and nights as described within the story. But it's your story, so do whatever makes you happy. Take care. Vern

Just scratching my head here, but why would you want to save an inline review with no comments? It does tell you how many comments you've left and that you need 5 for the points. Okay, you left the summary comment in a regular review, so still wondering why the inline should be saved? I may be a little slow, but I don't get it. Damn, now my head's bleeding, lol. Take care. Vern

Strictly from personal preference, I would say if they only show up once there is really no need to name them if they have a sufficient title to identify them. If they have a recurring role then they probably should have a name, the shorter the better, which would then remain consistent throughout. For me, too many names, especially when bunched, clutter the story so much as to confuse or at least slow down the reader. Not generally a good idea. Just my opinion of course for what it's worth. Take care. Vern