There are those who call me... Tim?

[rj_anderson]

It has been suggested to me that I change the name of my young hero from book two of FAERY REBELS (a.k.a. REBEL in the UK). I am told that for most British people, especially of the younger generation, the name "Timothy" is considered fairly radically uncool.

I don't mind Timothy's name being unpopular, because he was born to missionary parents and raised in Uganda, and him not fitting in with the cool kids in England is kind of the point. However, if it's going to make all my young readers in the UK gag and put the book down hastily the moment they see it (as I'd be tempted to do if the hero's name was, say, "Leslie") then I suppose I would be foolish not to take that into account.

So I'm doing a poll. The first question is specifically for UK readers, but for the second I'd be glad to hear from anybody.

[Poll #1398565]

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Comments

[lady-schrapnell.livejournal.com]

I chose 'It's complicated' because I polled for the opinion of my sweetie (British and always lived there, has two school-age children) which I'm adding to mine and my daughters' - in Ireland BUT things like this tend to get a more similar response than different one, when there's no element of Irish nationalism involved! Anyway, he thought it was a bit old-fashioned but nowhere near 'radically uncool', and couldn't see its being a problem. Daughters and I feel the same and furthermore, feel it shouldn't be changed just because of supposed uncoolth. My younger daughter says it's kind of 'retro' (which is decidedly a good thing) and older daughter says she's used Timothy for a character too.

I also chose the 'I don't think Thomas is any better than Timothy' option, but that's because I think there's nothing whatsoever wrong with Timothy, not because I dislike Thomas.

Finally, in the FWIW department, you've done the hard part already, in having such a big success with Knife - everyone who loved it will be eagerly awaiting the sequel. The small stuff, like the possible loss of a very few potential new readers (who might not appreciate the book anyway, if that easily put off!) is not worth sweating, IMO.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Thank you for taking the time to poll your sweetie and his children as well as your own! It really helps to hear that kind of thing.

And thank you also for your kind encouragement. It's much appreciated.

[pigrescuer.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I wouldn't care. As long as the actual character was cool, I'd love him despite his name.

(See my boyfriend, named Timothy after his dad)