Would you be upset if the author and the main character in a book have the same name?

Question

Or if in every book the author writes, the main character has the same name as the others even if the books are not related?

Just curious as to what you would think of this. Thanks!

The second question is just dumb because I know I would get annoyed.

So, about the first: Would you give the book a chance?

Answer 1

It would be a distraction but one of my favorite fiction books, "Welcome to my Planet" by Shannon Olson had a main character named Shannon Olson. I believe she used her parents real names, as well, but it wasn't autobiographical. Her writing was excellent and I think her goal was to have the reader wonder if some of it WAS autobiographical.

But for the most part, I don't think the author should insert themselves in the story unless they want their readers distracted or annoyed.

Answer 2

Not really. Some people might see it as a lack of creativity (ie. The author couldn't come up with a better name). I don't see why people would really be that upset by it, though. The second question wasn't really stupid. I've read books like that. I just assumed that the author only intended for one of the stories to actually be published and, therefore, decided to reuse a perfectly good name. A good story is a good story, regardless of character names. Although, it can get a little confusing (Is the author referring to previous characters? Is this someone new?). The main reason it would upset me is that I would probably think I was just delusional and that the names weren't really the same, so then I'd have to find the other books and search through them to make sure it was the same name, but if I couldn't find the other books I might just start to think I'm insane and that can lead to all sorts of problems :)

Answer 3

It would be an awfully good way to drive off readers. Since that's not an author's goal, I suggest each series of books should have distinctly different settings and different character names and NEVER use your own name for a main character's name. The only possible exception I can see to this is a one-shot, first person narrative book where the author's penname is the character's name. In that case, I would suggest using "with AUTHOR'S NAME" in the credits.

Answer 4

I would not be angry if the author uses his/her name for the main character's name. However, the readers may link the character's experiences and actions with the author's. I.e. if the main character had an abusive mother, the readers may assume that the author had an abusive mother.

As to the second part of the question, yes I would be angry. It would be very confusing and readers would constantly link experiences from one character to that of another in a deifferent book.

Answer 5

That would be a serious risk if the book is a work of fiction. Even if the character's life, thoughts, and behavior are expressly different from the author's, it's going to look self-indulgent and narcissistic to the reader. This is not to say that it has never been done successfully before, but the author has to be careful.

If the work is nonfiction, there's a forgiving shift that happens in the reader's mind. He or she will allow the author to talk about him- or herself if actualities are involved.

Answer 6

I don't know that I'd be "upset" but I'd be very annoyed. I'm actually not sure that I'd even read it. If I wanted a biography (which would be implied by giving the main character the author's name) I would get a biography.

Answer 7

if it was just part of the authors name (like their middle name was the main character's last name) that's fine. one of my favorite books is that way. but if the writer's name was Jake Horton and his main character was Jake Horton then yeah, i really really wouldn't like it. and i don't like it when they use the same names over and over again either. the personality of a character is reflected in it's name, even more so if it's by the same author who used that name in a different book they wrote.
peace

Answer 8

It would seem very uncreative; also, it would seem as if you were very self-centered. I think I'd find it irritating if the main character had the same name as the author.

Answer 9

Yes

Answer 10

Yes, I would find that annoying, and unoriginal. If he can't come up with a new name, then he probably isn't creative enough to write a really interesting book either.