No named Old Man

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I am writing a short story which features a character known only as Old Man, but there is a part of the story where someone calls the Old Man by his name. Only once, and I was wondering if there was a way to have it so that the name is said but not mentioned in the story. My story is written from the third person.










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  • 2




    Is it a mystery that he is Old Man? If not, you should introduce him in a third person narration as John "Old Man" Smith and then refer to hims as Old Man until the dialog calls for "John or Mr. Smith" Another way is to have a character who is close to Old Man call him by "John" as sign that they only use their name when it's serious.
    – hszmv
    yesterday














up vote
15
down vote

favorite
5












I am writing a short story which features a character known only as Old Man, but there is a part of the story where someone calls the Old Man by his name. Only once, and I was wondering if there was a way to have it so that the name is said but not mentioned in the story. My story is written from the third person.










share|edit







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Kalama Xander is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.















  • 2




    Is it a mystery that he is Old Man? If not, you should introduce him in a third person narration as John "Old Man" Smith and then refer to hims as Old Man until the dialog calls for "John or Mr. Smith" Another way is to have a character who is close to Old Man call him by "John" as sign that they only use their name when it's serious.
    – hszmv
    yesterday












up vote
15
down vote

favorite
5









up vote
15
down vote

favorite
5






5





I am writing a short story which features a character known only as Old Man, but there is a part of the story where someone calls the Old Man by his name. Only once, and I was wondering if there was a way to have it so that the name is said but not mentioned in the story. My story is written from the third person.










share|edit







New contributor




Kalama Xander is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I am writing a short story which features a character known only as Old Man, but there is a part of the story where someone calls the Old Man by his name. Only once, and I was wondering if there was a way to have it so that the name is said but not mentioned in the story. My story is written from the third person.







fiction characters third-person






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asked yesterday









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Check out our Code of Conduct.







  • 2




    Is it a mystery that he is Old Man? If not, you should introduce him in a third person narration as John "Old Man" Smith and then refer to hims as Old Man until the dialog calls for "John or Mr. Smith" Another way is to have a character who is close to Old Man call him by "John" as sign that they only use their name when it's serious.
    – hszmv
    yesterday












  • 2




    Is it a mystery that he is Old Man? If not, you should introduce him in a third person narration as John "Old Man" Smith and then refer to hims as Old Man until the dialog calls for "John or Mr. Smith" Another way is to have a character who is close to Old Man call him by "John" as sign that they only use their name when it's serious.
    – hszmv
    yesterday







2




2




Is it a mystery that he is Old Man? If not, you should introduce him in a third person narration as John "Old Man" Smith and then refer to hims as Old Man until the dialog calls for "John or Mr. Smith" Another way is to have a character who is close to Old Man call him by "John" as sign that they only use their name when it's serious.
– hszmv
yesterday




Is it a mystery that he is Old Man? If not, you should introduce him in a third person narration as John "Old Man" Smith and then refer to hims as Old Man until the dialog calls for "John or Mr. Smith" Another way is to have a character who is close to Old Man call him by "John" as sign that they only use their name when it's serious.
– hszmv
yesterday










5 Answers
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up vote
30
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Sure, take the example of the library story arch in Doctor Who, we see River Song tell the Doctor his name by way of convincing him she's trustworthy but we don't hear it. The audience only know what she told him because she says she's going to tell him and only know it's the right name because of the Doctor's reaction to it. The same is possible in written fiction as well:




X leaned over and whispered into the Old Man's ear. The colour drained from his weatherbeaten features, then he found his voice. "But how do you know that name?" he sputtered.




Or something similar, the key is to show the information being used without actually saying what that information is.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    25
    down vote













    Have the narrator tell the action in that place, not show it. Then show Old Man's reaction.



    Example:



    "Nothing gives you the right to do this."



    Old Man sat back down in his chair, hoping Taylor would take the hint and go. Instead, he bent over so close Old Man smelled beer and onions on his breath. Then Taylor whispered something Old Man had last heard from his wife's dying lips. Too many years to count.



    "How?..." Old Man asked him.



    Taylor stood. "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."



    And so on...






    share|improve this answer
















    • 3




      +1 got goosebumps when reading "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."
      – Crettig
      yesterday

















    up vote
    13
    down vote













    I think a good way to do this is to simply said "(person) called his name." or something like that.






    share|improve this answer




















    • The problem with this is that your characters can hear something that your readers can't, which creates a disconnect between your readers and the story. I really would try to avoid the name being audible in-universe; you can have some characters hear it (e.g. as a targeted whisper, or as an anecdote of something that happened elsewhere), but from the perspective of the narrator or whoever's telling the story, it should be inaudible so as to maintain disbelief.
      – Lightness Races in Orbit
      8 hours ago







    • 1




      @LightnessRacesinOrbit: I wouldn't consider that a problem unless the name is significant to the plot. If the name is going to be a plot point later, then this is a Bad Idea. If the name is being omitted because it's not supposed to matter, then eliding it in this fashion is perfectly unobjectionable (just like eliding any other irrelevant detail).
      – Kevin
      8 hours ago











    • @Kevin: IMO it would be like introducing a character without describing them, stating their appearance, what they say, it's just not a good way to tell a story! And I feel the reader will notice that and be uncomfortable. I would at least.
      – Lightness Races in Orbit
      7 hours ago






    • 3




      @LightnessRacesinOrbit: Well, you're welcome to your opinion, but without any story-mechanical reasoning for why this is actually a problem, I think we have to agree to disagree. I would not be uncomfortable with reading this storytelling technique.
      – Kevin
      7 hours ago

















    up vote
    9
    down vote













    You can say e.g. "upon hearing his name, he turned..."






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      up vote
      0
      down vote













      I'd imagine, the Old Man is one of the central characters of your story. Why not name the story after him and use his name there?



      Doing so would accentuate his stature while creating an air of mystery. Allowing one person to called the Old Man by his name also conveys depth and sensitivity.



      I'm not sure if you've got a short story title in mind but I would simply call it "John" and leave it at that.






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        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes








        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        30
        down vote













        Sure, take the example of the library story arch in Doctor Who, we see River Song tell the Doctor his name by way of convincing him she's trustworthy but we don't hear it. The audience only know what she told him because she says she's going to tell him and only know it's the right name because of the Doctor's reaction to it. The same is possible in written fiction as well:




        X leaned over and whispered into the Old Man's ear. The colour drained from his weatherbeaten features, then he found his voice. "But how do you know that name?" he sputtered.




        Or something similar, the key is to show the information being used without actually saying what that information is.






        share|improve this answer
























          up vote
          30
          down vote













          Sure, take the example of the library story arch in Doctor Who, we see River Song tell the Doctor his name by way of convincing him she's trustworthy but we don't hear it. The audience only know what she told him because she says she's going to tell him and only know it's the right name because of the Doctor's reaction to it. The same is possible in written fiction as well:




          X leaned over and whispered into the Old Man's ear. The colour drained from his weatherbeaten features, then he found his voice. "But how do you know that name?" he sputtered.




          Or something similar, the key is to show the information being used without actually saying what that information is.






          share|improve this answer






















            up vote
            30
            down vote










            up vote
            30
            down vote









            Sure, take the example of the library story arch in Doctor Who, we see River Song tell the Doctor his name by way of convincing him she's trustworthy but we don't hear it. The audience only know what she told him because she says she's going to tell him and only know it's the right name because of the Doctor's reaction to it. The same is possible in written fiction as well:




            X leaned over and whispered into the Old Man's ear. The colour drained from his weatherbeaten features, then he found his voice. "But how do you know that name?" he sputtered.




            Or something similar, the key is to show the information being used without actually saying what that information is.






            share|improve this answer












            Sure, take the example of the library story arch in Doctor Who, we see River Song tell the Doctor his name by way of convincing him she's trustworthy but we don't hear it. The audience only know what she told him because she says she's going to tell him and only know it's the right name because of the Doctor's reaction to it. The same is possible in written fiction as well:




            X leaned over and whispered into the Old Man's ear. The colour drained from his weatherbeaten features, then he found his voice. "But how do you know that name?" he sputtered.




            Or something similar, the key is to show the information being used without actually saying what that information is.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered yesterday









            Ash

            5,191532




            5,191532




















                up vote
                25
                down vote













                Have the narrator tell the action in that place, not show it. Then show Old Man's reaction.



                Example:



                "Nothing gives you the right to do this."



                Old Man sat back down in his chair, hoping Taylor would take the hint and go. Instead, he bent over so close Old Man smelled beer and onions on his breath. Then Taylor whispered something Old Man had last heard from his wife's dying lips. Too many years to count.



                "How?..." Old Man asked him.



                Taylor stood. "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."



                And so on...






                share|improve this answer
















                • 3




                  +1 got goosebumps when reading "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."
                  – Crettig
                  yesterday














                up vote
                25
                down vote













                Have the narrator tell the action in that place, not show it. Then show Old Man's reaction.



                Example:



                "Nothing gives you the right to do this."



                Old Man sat back down in his chair, hoping Taylor would take the hint and go. Instead, he bent over so close Old Man smelled beer and onions on his breath. Then Taylor whispered something Old Man had last heard from his wife's dying lips. Too many years to count.



                "How?..." Old Man asked him.



                Taylor stood. "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."



                And so on...






                share|improve this answer
















                • 3




                  +1 got goosebumps when reading "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."
                  – Crettig
                  yesterday












                up vote
                25
                down vote










                up vote
                25
                down vote









                Have the narrator tell the action in that place, not show it. Then show Old Man's reaction.



                Example:



                "Nothing gives you the right to do this."



                Old Man sat back down in his chair, hoping Taylor would take the hint and go. Instead, he bent over so close Old Man smelled beer and onions on his breath. Then Taylor whispered something Old Man had last heard from his wife's dying lips. Too many years to count.



                "How?..." Old Man asked him.



                Taylor stood. "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."



                And so on...






                share|improve this answer












                Have the narrator tell the action in that place, not show it. Then show Old Man's reaction.



                Example:



                "Nothing gives you the right to do this."



                Old Man sat back down in his chair, hoping Taylor would take the hint and go. Instead, he bent over so close Old Man smelled beer and onions on his breath. Then Taylor whispered something Old Man had last heard from his wife's dying lips. Too many years to count.



                "How?..." Old Man asked him.



                Taylor stood. "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."



                And so on...







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered yesterday









                Cyn

                2,191321




                2,191321







                • 3




                  +1 got goosebumps when reading "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."
                  – Crettig
                  yesterday












                • 3




                  +1 got goosebumps when reading "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."
                  – Crettig
                  yesterday







                3




                3




                +1 got goosebumps when reading "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."
                – Crettig
                yesterday




                +1 got goosebumps when reading "I know more than you think. More than just your name, Old Man."
                – Crettig
                yesterday










                up vote
                13
                down vote













                I think a good way to do this is to simply said "(person) called his name." or something like that.






                share|improve this answer




















                • The problem with this is that your characters can hear something that your readers can't, which creates a disconnect between your readers and the story. I really would try to avoid the name being audible in-universe; you can have some characters hear it (e.g. as a targeted whisper, or as an anecdote of something that happened elsewhere), but from the perspective of the narrator or whoever's telling the story, it should be inaudible so as to maintain disbelief.
                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                  8 hours ago







                • 1




                  @LightnessRacesinOrbit: I wouldn't consider that a problem unless the name is significant to the plot. If the name is going to be a plot point later, then this is a Bad Idea. If the name is being omitted because it's not supposed to matter, then eliding it in this fashion is perfectly unobjectionable (just like eliding any other irrelevant detail).
                  – Kevin
                  8 hours ago











                • @Kevin: IMO it would be like introducing a character without describing them, stating their appearance, what they say, it's just not a good way to tell a story! And I feel the reader will notice that and be uncomfortable. I would at least.
                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                  7 hours ago






                • 3




                  @LightnessRacesinOrbit: Well, you're welcome to your opinion, but without any story-mechanical reasoning for why this is actually a problem, I think we have to agree to disagree. I would not be uncomfortable with reading this storytelling technique.
                  – Kevin
                  7 hours ago














                up vote
                13
                down vote













                I think a good way to do this is to simply said "(person) called his name." or something like that.






                share|improve this answer




















                • The problem with this is that your characters can hear something that your readers can't, which creates a disconnect between your readers and the story. I really would try to avoid the name being audible in-universe; you can have some characters hear it (e.g. as a targeted whisper, or as an anecdote of something that happened elsewhere), but from the perspective of the narrator or whoever's telling the story, it should be inaudible so as to maintain disbelief.
                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                  8 hours ago







                • 1




                  @LightnessRacesinOrbit: I wouldn't consider that a problem unless the name is significant to the plot. If the name is going to be a plot point later, then this is a Bad Idea. If the name is being omitted because it's not supposed to matter, then eliding it in this fashion is perfectly unobjectionable (just like eliding any other irrelevant detail).
                  – Kevin
                  8 hours ago











                • @Kevin: IMO it would be like introducing a character without describing them, stating their appearance, what they say, it's just not a good way to tell a story! And I feel the reader will notice that and be uncomfortable. I would at least.
                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                  7 hours ago






                • 3




                  @LightnessRacesinOrbit: Well, you're welcome to your opinion, but without any story-mechanical reasoning for why this is actually a problem, I think we have to agree to disagree. I would not be uncomfortable with reading this storytelling technique.
                  – Kevin
                  7 hours ago












                up vote
                13
                down vote










                up vote
                13
                down vote









                I think a good way to do this is to simply said "(person) called his name." or something like that.






                share|improve this answer












                I think a good way to do this is to simply said "(person) called his name." or something like that.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered yesterday









                Kale Slade

                783222




                783222











                • The problem with this is that your characters can hear something that your readers can't, which creates a disconnect between your readers and the story. I really would try to avoid the name being audible in-universe; you can have some characters hear it (e.g. as a targeted whisper, or as an anecdote of something that happened elsewhere), but from the perspective of the narrator or whoever's telling the story, it should be inaudible so as to maintain disbelief.
                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                  8 hours ago







                • 1




                  @LightnessRacesinOrbit: I wouldn't consider that a problem unless the name is significant to the plot. If the name is going to be a plot point later, then this is a Bad Idea. If the name is being omitted because it's not supposed to matter, then eliding it in this fashion is perfectly unobjectionable (just like eliding any other irrelevant detail).
                  – Kevin
                  8 hours ago











                • @Kevin: IMO it would be like introducing a character without describing them, stating their appearance, what they say, it's just not a good way to tell a story! And I feel the reader will notice that and be uncomfortable. I would at least.
                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                  7 hours ago






                • 3




                  @LightnessRacesinOrbit: Well, you're welcome to your opinion, but without any story-mechanical reasoning for why this is actually a problem, I think we have to agree to disagree. I would not be uncomfortable with reading this storytelling technique.
                  – Kevin
                  7 hours ago
















                • The problem with this is that your characters can hear something that your readers can't, which creates a disconnect between your readers and the story. I really would try to avoid the name being audible in-universe; you can have some characters hear it (e.g. as a targeted whisper, or as an anecdote of something that happened elsewhere), but from the perspective of the narrator or whoever's telling the story, it should be inaudible so as to maintain disbelief.
                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                  8 hours ago







                • 1




                  @LightnessRacesinOrbit: I wouldn't consider that a problem unless the name is significant to the plot. If the name is going to be a plot point later, then this is a Bad Idea. If the name is being omitted because it's not supposed to matter, then eliding it in this fashion is perfectly unobjectionable (just like eliding any other irrelevant detail).
                  – Kevin
                  8 hours ago











                • @Kevin: IMO it would be like introducing a character without describing them, stating their appearance, what they say, it's just not a good way to tell a story! And I feel the reader will notice that and be uncomfortable. I would at least.
                  – Lightness Races in Orbit
                  7 hours ago






                • 3




                  @LightnessRacesinOrbit: Well, you're welcome to your opinion, but without any story-mechanical reasoning for why this is actually a problem, I think we have to agree to disagree. I would not be uncomfortable with reading this storytelling technique.
                  – Kevin
                  7 hours ago















                The problem with this is that your characters can hear something that your readers can't, which creates a disconnect between your readers and the story. I really would try to avoid the name being audible in-universe; you can have some characters hear it (e.g. as a targeted whisper, or as an anecdote of something that happened elsewhere), but from the perspective of the narrator or whoever's telling the story, it should be inaudible so as to maintain disbelief.
                – Lightness Races in Orbit
                8 hours ago





                The problem with this is that your characters can hear something that your readers can't, which creates a disconnect between your readers and the story. I really would try to avoid the name being audible in-universe; you can have some characters hear it (e.g. as a targeted whisper, or as an anecdote of something that happened elsewhere), but from the perspective of the narrator or whoever's telling the story, it should be inaudible so as to maintain disbelief.
                – Lightness Races in Orbit
                8 hours ago





                1




                1




                @LightnessRacesinOrbit: I wouldn't consider that a problem unless the name is significant to the plot. If the name is going to be a plot point later, then this is a Bad Idea. If the name is being omitted because it's not supposed to matter, then eliding it in this fashion is perfectly unobjectionable (just like eliding any other irrelevant detail).
                – Kevin
                8 hours ago





                @LightnessRacesinOrbit: I wouldn't consider that a problem unless the name is significant to the plot. If the name is going to be a plot point later, then this is a Bad Idea. If the name is being omitted because it's not supposed to matter, then eliding it in this fashion is perfectly unobjectionable (just like eliding any other irrelevant detail).
                – Kevin
                8 hours ago













                @Kevin: IMO it would be like introducing a character without describing them, stating their appearance, what they say, it's just not a good way to tell a story! And I feel the reader will notice that and be uncomfortable. I would at least.
                – Lightness Races in Orbit
                7 hours ago




                @Kevin: IMO it would be like introducing a character without describing them, stating their appearance, what they say, it's just not a good way to tell a story! And I feel the reader will notice that and be uncomfortable. I would at least.
                – Lightness Races in Orbit
                7 hours ago




                3




                3




                @LightnessRacesinOrbit: Well, you're welcome to your opinion, but without any story-mechanical reasoning for why this is actually a problem, I think we have to agree to disagree. I would not be uncomfortable with reading this storytelling technique.
                – Kevin
                7 hours ago




                @LightnessRacesinOrbit: Well, you're welcome to your opinion, but without any story-mechanical reasoning for why this is actually a problem, I think we have to agree to disagree. I would not be uncomfortable with reading this storytelling technique.
                – Kevin
                7 hours ago










                up vote
                9
                down vote













                You can say e.g. "upon hearing his name, he turned..."






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                  up vote
                  9
                  down vote













                  You can say e.g. "upon hearing his name, he turned..."






                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.



















                    up vote
                    9
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    9
                    down vote









                    You can say e.g. "upon hearing his name, he turned..."






                    share|improve this answer








                    New contributor




                    Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.









                    You can say e.g. "upon hearing his name, he turned..."







                    share|improve this answer








                    New contributor




                    Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.









                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer






                    New contributor




                    Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                    answered yesterday









                    Robert Frost

                    1912




                    1912




                    New contributor




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                    New contributor





                    Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.






                    Robert Frost is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                    Check out our Code of Conduct.




















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        I'd imagine, the Old Man is one of the central characters of your story. Why not name the story after him and use his name there?



                        Doing so would accentuate his stature while creating an air of mystery. Allowing one person to called the Old Man by his name also conveys depth and sensitivity.



                        I'm not sure if you've got a short story title in mind but I would simply call it "John" and leave it at that.






                        share|improve this answer








                        New contributor




                        Anita Alig is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                        Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          I'd imagine, the Old Man is one of the central characters of your story. Why not name the story after him and use his name there?



                          Doing so would accentuate his stature while creating an air of mystery. Allowing one person to called the Old Man by his name also conveys depth and sensitivity.



                          I'm not sure if you've got a short story title in mind but I would simply call it "John" and leave it at that.






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                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            I'd imagine, the Old Man is one of the central characters of your story. Why not name the story after him and use his name there?



                            Doing so would accentuate his stature while creating an air of mystery. Allowing one person to called the Old Man by his name also conveys depth and sensitivity.



                            I'm not sure if you've got a short story title in mind but I would simply call it "John" and leave it at that.






                            share|improve this answer








                            New contributor




                            Anita Alig is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.









                            I'd imagine, the Old Man is one of the central characters of your story. Why not name the story after him and use his name there?



                            Doing so would accentuate his stature while creating an air of mystery. Allowing one person to called the Old Man by his name also conveys depth and sensitivity.



                            I'm not sure if you've got a short story title in mind but I would simply call it "John" and leave it at that.







                            share|improve this answer








                            New contributor




                            Anita Alig is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.









                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer






                            New contributor




                            Anita Alig is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                            answered 14 hours ago









                            Anita Alig

                            11




                            11




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