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An alert reader pointed out an issue with a character name in my story Aztlan Portal.
In my notes the character was Verkun-Voll. I took inspiration from a character from a graphic novel I read decades ago. The name just "sounded right" to me. Unfortunately, among the stories on my computer is an uncompleted Fan Fiction story based upon the H. Beam Piper story "Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen" and there is a character named Verkan-Vall; that name is saved in my Spellchecker. I didn't notice the error because there was no red underline of the name. I am changing the name to: Nicodèmes.
In my story I am loosely basing my Aliens/Imperials upon the Byzantine Empire (w/ aspects of ancient China, Persia, and some fantasy realms). I keep numerous lists of names for use in my writing (and gaming). For my Aliens I have been using various Byzantine/Greek names, some Latin names or variants commonly used in Byzantium. Some names have come from Plutarch's Lives. Other names have Armenian, Assyrian Christian, and other origins. Some names in particular for the non-humans are from various fantasy sources or made up.
Names for me are Important. For me, and I hope at least some readers, the names have meanings that partially define the character. I am sure that some of the names I use have been used in other stories, because they are Common Names; but not copies of any trademarked character.
Some common names I am using in my story include Christopher Cooper, Coleen O'Grady, John Johnson, Manuel Martinez, Miguel Diaz, Tomas Fernandez, etc.
Martinez is a common family name, a major character is named Edgar Martinez; in the story it is mentioned that the character's father admired the baseball player of the same name, although he claims to have named him after an uncle. Another character is named Clarence Thomas, in story it is mentioned that his mother named him after the Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court. Another character is Quincy Adams, it is mentioned that he is a distant relation to the former POTUS of some 200 years ago.
I believe that I am on "solid ground" as many authors, including published authors use common names. Having a character that in story is named after a famous person has also been done, such as Benjamin Franklin Gates from National Treasure, or Edward "Duke Ellington, a fighter pilot in Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising. Or having Wynonna Earp as a fictional descendant of Wyatt Earp.
If I ever publish this story for sale, I will first submit my list(s) of character names for vetting by a lawyer who is knowledgeable about copyright matters.
Why then my concern about Verkun-Voll/Verkan-Vall? Because in H. Beam Piper's writing VV is a covert agent. The PM to me was asking: "Is my story a crossover from Otherwhen or any of H. Beam Piper's Crosstime series?" That was not at all my intent. But because the H. Beam Piper character is capable of ultra-tach disguise or even body/face alteration, use of that name could cause confusion.
It is not plausible that a reasonable person will confuse a USMC Corporal for a sitting SCOTUS Associate Justice; nor an Army LTC for a famous retired MLB player. I read a story with a "Randy Johnson" character who is a PI (Private Eye) {who in story states, "No. Not That Randy Johnson."}
I am working on some other necessary corrections and checking other chapters for use of the VV name. I should have the name change re-loaded by this weekend. I very much appreciate Constructive Criticism. I don't make all recommended changes. I do consider them.
By the way there are two very good Fan Fiction stories set in "Otherwhen" Tangent, and a sequel; here on SOL.
https://storiesonline.net/s/50382/tangent?ind=1
I have posted Chapter 26 of Aztlan Portal, and already made some corrections and just submitted it for re-posting.
I did not send it to my volunteer proofreader, because I have not been able to get good internet access for some time. I do intend to send future chapters to my proofreader, if he is still willing to volunteer his services.
I have been having issues with transportation, the internet, and now my living situation since late 2021. (In addition to my ongoing health issues.)
Yesterday, with the assistance of a friend, I have been able to get repaired the most critical issues with my car. Now I have to schedule getting it to a shop where some assistance in resolving the most necessary issues has been arranged. That may take several weeks, because I have to travel in 5 to 10 mile increments, and arrange transportation home, and then back to get my car when the work is done.
So, for now I will try to post every other week, until I have reliable transportation.
There is a further complication. I won the lawsuit against the property mgmt. co. in charge of where I live. Now they are retaliating. I am packing to move. Packing, and the eventual move will interfere with my writing.
I have written several chapters ahead, however, editing and proofreading are still issues. I put up Chap 26 when I had the opportunity, and as soon as it was up I discovered numerous errors, and have already resubmitted corrections. The different font and format lets me notice things I continue to miss when self-editing.
I have also noticed I have an intermittent formatting error using (br) the Break function (I use the ( not < otherwise it just created a break), in the last several chapters. It is Not an error in the document because there is no change between when it functions correctly, and when it does not.
I have also noticed a couple of times where the font size changes for a paragraph or two.
Because I have not yet made all the corrections I am likely to make, I have not yet consulted Lazeez. I am almost always notified of several spelling or other errors during the week after I first put a chapter up. I will often make those corrections quickly. Over the next month I read PMs sent to me on SOL and Fine Stories.com and then make a subsequent correction 4 to 6 weeks later.
Comments are welcome in the comment section of my story. I prefer that Constructive Criticism be sent to me in a PM. If for no other reason than I am likely to fix errors, then the comment will be moot.
I have posted Chapter 26 of Aztlan Portal, and already made some corrections and just submitted it for re-posting.
I did not send it to my volunteer proofreader, because I have not been able to get good internet access for some time. I do intend to send future chapters to my proofreader, if he is still willing to volunteer his services.
I have been having issues with transportation, the internet, and now my living situation since late 2021. (In addition to my ongoing health issues.)
Yesterday, with the assistance of a friend, I have been able to get repaired the most critical issues with my car. Now I have to schedule getting it to a shop where some assistance in resolving the most necessary issues has been arraigned. That may take several weeks, because I have to travel in 5 to 10 mile increments, and arraign transportation home, and then back to get my car when the work is done.
So, for now I will try to post every other week, until I have reliable transportation.
There is a further complication. I won the lawsuit against the property mgmt. co. in charge of where I live. Now they are retaliating. I am packing to move. Packing, and the eventual move will interfere with my writing.
I have written several chapters ahead, however, editing and proofreading are still issues. I put up Chap 26 when I had the opportunity, and as soon as it was up I discovered numerous errors, and have already resubmitted corrections. The different font and format lets me notice things I continue to miss when self-editing.
I have also noticed I have an intermittent formatting error using the Break function (I had to reveres the br, otherwise it just created a break), in the last several chapters. It is Not an error in the document because there is no change between when it functions correctly, and when it does not.
I have also noticed a couple of times where the font size changes for a paragraph or two.
Because I have not yet made all the corrections I am likely to make, I have not yet consulted Lazeez. I am almost always notified of several spelling or other errors during the week after I first put a chapter up. I will often make those corrections quickly. Over the next month I read PMs sent to me on SOL and Fine Stories.com and then make a subsequent correction 4 to 6 weeks later.
Comments are welcome in the comment section of my story. I prefer that Constructive Criticism be sent to me in a PM. If for no other reason than I am likely to fix errors, then the comment will be moot.
I have been away from home for a while. Limited transportation and no internet.
I have not yet been able to send chapters 25 through 28 to my volunteer editor.
So, I expect there are a couple of spelling and grammar errors, although I did self-edit.
I will try to send some chapters to my editor and return to posting weekly.
I have been having transportation issues. Today I was able to get a ride in to where I could post Chapter 24. I am hoping to be able to get Chapter 25 back from my proofreader, and post it ASAP (I hope as soon as Sunday the 6th) depending upon transportation.
As soon as I log out of SOL I will be posting to Fine Stories.com, then sending Chapter 26 to my Proofreader.
I appreciate your folks patience. I continue to write, it is just difficulties On My End getting chapters to my proofreader, then posting chapters on SOL and Fine Stories.
Cheers!
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