Fanfic question

[estepheia]

A question to those of you who are reading Four Fear:
Do you think the story would work better if I called Oz by his nickname instead of Danny or Daniel? When I started writing this story it was supposed to be short and the use of his real name didn't matter so much. I wanted to show Oz dormant in Danny, but the focus shifted away from him as the characters started to live in my head.
This is a pretty long story now, I'm beginning to feel I should have stuck with 'Oz' - especially since the story has several references to The Wizard of Oz. I was trying to come up with a situation where he gets the nickname Oz, but drew a blank. So, should I go back and re-edit the story? Kick out most of the Daniels and Dannys? Or shall I keep it as it is for now, and make the change when I send the story off for a final beta read?

Comments

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I might go back and add some Oz's, actually. Especially when others refer to him; you don't really have to explain it, but I think if it's *there*, in the beginning, it might flow a little better? Doesn't have to be added now, though; before the final beta is good.

[estepheia.livejournal.com]

Thanks, dear. That's what I thought as well. I just needed an extra nudge to send me over, you know?

[spikendru.livejournal.com]

I agree. I'd add some 'Oz's, keep the 'Daniel's but the 'Danny's are a tad jarring, as that nickname doesn't really seem to fit Oz. Just MHO, though.

[estepheia.livejournal.com]

Thanks for replying. Yeah, I thought the Daniels and Dannys wouldn't jar in a short story, but over an extended period of time a few uses of 'Oz' are in order. :-)

Thanks for helping me make up my mind. Sometimes you just need a little extra nudge, you know?

[brandil.livejournal.com]

I always thought of Oz being a name he got around late puberty. That seems to be the age boys start calling each other by their last names, ususally started during sports or band practice or something.

[estepheia.livejournal.com]

Or it could be Jack's name for Daniel - and now that Xander has heard it he starts using it too. :-)

I have tinkered considerably with the next chunk. I hope to post it tomorrow. I'm a little off kilter today, thanks to excessive torture by my dentist.

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Having read all the comments, I think that sounds like the bestplan.

Looking forward to it anyway.

Gina

[estepheia.livejournal.com]

Thanks for joining the discussion. :-)