Question for fandom people

[prepare4trouble]

If there is a character in a series who hasn't been given a first name, how do you handle that in fanfic? If, for example you are writing him in a scene where there is a need for someone to use his other name, what do you do? Write around it somehow, which can lead to the story sounding unnatural? Or just use the surname, which may have the same problem? Or is it acceptable to give the character a name? Personally, I don't like that idea, mostly because it doesn't seem right to name somebody else's creation, but also becuase if at some point he gets given a name, your story is going to sound odd.

Maybe the easiest thing to do is not to write it.

If anyone is wondering, I'm talking about Sergeant Wu from Grimm, and I'm not actually writing anything yet, it's just a theoretical question at the moment.

Comments

Sergeant Wu's name

[jmsabat.livejournal.com]

Well....I haven't read that much Grimm fic as of this moment, but from what I have read, he's just Wu or Sergeant Wu..
Which doesn't really seem fair, does it?

Re: Sergeant Wu's name

[prepare4trouble.livejournal.com]

It's weird that they haven't just given him one. Or at least a first initial for us to guess from! It's bugging me a lot more than it probably should, it makes anything writing informal for him a bit tricky.
Similar thing came up in the earlyish days of the Stargate Atlantis fandom with one character, at least one person invented a name for him, but eventually he got one of his own. Fingers crossed the Grimm writers will do the same for Wu. I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for him!

Re: Sergeant Wu's name

[jmsabat.livejournal.com]

From what I understand, even the actor who plays Wu wants him to have a first name.

Re: Sergeant Wu's name

[prepare4trouble.livejournal.com]

Know what'd be hilarious? If his first name is finally revealed and it turns out he's actually called Sergeant. Sarge for short.