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HelpRe: Names and stereotypical characters
in reply to a message by Nix
I've seen more than one Goodreads reviewer complain that the handsome male love interest in historical fiction is named Will too often. I haven't noticed it myself, but given how popular William has always been, it actually makes sense.
Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you criticize him, you're a mile away and you have his shoes!
Steve Martin
Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you criticize him, you're a mile away and you have his shoes!
Steve Martin
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I'm not familiar with that genre, but it makes sense for me since William is a classic and timeless name. I've only come across a couple fictional characters named like that (that I remember) and they were very different (different physical appearance, hobbies, book genre...) so not stereotypical at all from my experience.
But as I said, it might have been overused in genres I'm not that used to read.
But as I said, it might have been overused in genres I'm not that used to read.
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I also have a friend who is likely to stop reading a book, or avoid reading it entirely, if the main male character is named Jack. He thinks it's overdone to the point of cliche with Jack being the all-around can-do hunky hero type.
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