Hi! I hope you don't mind me asking for advice with this, but I'm planning on writing a side project with a nameless main character-- in third person to make it harder. No nicknames stick with him for at least a decent part of the story. Do you have any tips on going about that in a way it wouldn't flow weirdly?
Ahh, you might have stumped me. I don’t think it will flow weirdly, but make sure you have a good reason to have a nameless character. Remember, nameless characters are sort of a literary trope now…however, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. You need to find a way to avoid characters calling them by their name that makes sense. Maybe your character is sort of anti-social and doesn’t talk to a lot of people often. Maybe cut down on the dialogue. It’s definitely a challenge.
If anyone has better advice, feel free to answer!
I may only be able to administer very little extra advice, but here's what I got. Â Even a nameless character has a name, I once attempted this during a roleplay and after receiving much boredom from constantly stating 'he' 'he' 'he' 'he' 'he' 'eh' and 'him', I decided I needed a way to justify him. Â But it would be so far out of his character to accept a nickname at that point, because he declined so many, I learned describing him as a sub-character worked very well.
Even being the main character, he received his identity based on the things he wore, the things he did, rather then a birth name. Â I had an additional handicap where I couldn't have him be a very secretive character, he was the leader of a massive rebellion and kept his identity secret due to fear of being found by imperialists, but he had to be very forward and open when talking to members of the rebellion, or they'd just turn on him.
I hope this can provide a little more help.
