: Re: Characters with very long names or titles My story is bilingual Spanish and English, revolving around an emperor and his lover. My main character is royalty and it is fitting for him to have

@Carla500

Vote Up Vote Down

When he is introduced in the story, and when he receives a new title, give the full title.

If he's being introduced when he walks into an important event or a throne room, it's contextually appropriate for other characters to give all his names and titles: His Majesty the Emperor Don Luis Maria de Juan León.

If he's trying to impress someone in a genital-waving contest, he can announce (or have someone else announce) all his names, titles, and nicknames. For example, Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Stormborn, Breaker of Chains, Mother of Dragons, the Unburnt, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea. Don't overdo this or you'll end up boring the reader, or conversely if you overdo it on purpose the other characters can start adding gag titles like Lover of Bacon, Rewinder of VCR Tapes, Spiller of Mojitos, etc.

However, your character doesn't think of himself by those lengthy names. He thinks of himself as Luis, or maybe Luisma if he thinks his wife's nickname is adorable. So in your narration he's Luis, and the other characters can address him as Don Luis or Luisma or Papí or whatever depending on who's speaking.

(0)

Login to post a comment!