Erm, why the inclusion of the stalker? That word generally means horrific things to people who have been stalked or who support people who have been stalked. I am sure you must mean it in some other way than sexual violent predator, but not everyone will understand that – I know I don’t.
The stalker is an ongoing character, who is in relationships with various of the other characters, and is not a violent or sexual predator at all. They’re noted for having a cat in every panel. The feeling behind the character is my own feeling of being a fly-on-the-wall in my own life, as though I were just following myself around. I’m also exploring issues around ownership of my body, feeling violated, etc.
What do you think I should do? I don’t want to take down all the comics with the stalker and the stalker’s cat in them. This is the first complaint I’ve received, though I have received many more encouraging and positive comments, so I would like to find a way to avoid triggering people without taking any good stuff off my website.
Changing the name makes the most sense from all the ideas I’ve had/been given so far. I’ll keep thinking about it, because maybe there is a name that works that’s also less horrible for survivors.
I like the idea of changing the name as it seems like what you are trying to express and the more generally understood idea of “stalker” don’t seem to match. I am a new reader and I too find it uncomfortable and jarring to read, however, knowing that it means something different for you will help me go forward in my reading. Other name ideas: Observer, and Photographer.
Thank you for your ideas! 🙂 Photographer makes sense, since there’s often a camera. But sometimes it’s a notepad. Maybe “journalist”? I’ve been meaning to update this for ages, I should probably get a wiggle on.
Journalist has a really nice humor bit to it that can be understood in multiple ways.
I’ve also thought of other ideas like Watcher?
I also just realized that the name that would capture the most complex ambivalence would be “me” with no other relationship to the other characters stated. But, I imagine that isn’t the only character you connect with in that way and I could imagine that also being weird.
I particularly like it because I’ve experience that reporter following me around in my daily life as part of a story because my partner is part of a newer model of family.
Erm, why the inclusion of the stalker? That word generally means horrific things to people who have been stalked or who support people who have been stalked. I am sure you must mean it in some other way than sexual violent predator, but not everyone will understand that – I know I don’t.
The stalker is an ongoing character, who is in relationships with various of the other characters, and is not a violent or sexual predator at all. They’re noted for having a cat in every panel. The feeling behind the character is my own feeling of being a fly-on-the-wall in my own life, as though I were just following myself around. I’m also exploring issues around ownership of my body, feeling violated, etc.
What do you think I should do? I don’t want to take down all the comics with the stalker and the stalker’s cat in them. This is the first complaint I’ve received, though I have received many more encouraging and positive comments, so I would like to find a way to avoid triggering people without taking any good stuff off my website.
What if you changed the stalker’s name? I have also been jarred by that character. Friend? Hanger-on? Fly-on-the-wall?
Changing the name makes the most sense from all the ideas I’ve had/been given so far. I’ll keep thinking about it, because maybe there is a name that works that’s also less horrible for survivors.
I like the idea of changing the name as it seems like what you are trying to express and the more generally understood idea of “stalker” don’t seem to match. I am a new reader and I too find it uncomfortable and jarring to read, however, knowing that it means something different for you will help me go forward in my reading. Other name ideas: Observer, and Photographer.
Thank you for your ideas! 🙂 Photographer makes sense, since there’s often a camera. But sometimes it’s a notepad. Maybe “journalist”? I’ve been meaning to update this for ages, I should probably get a wiggle on.
Journalist has a really nice humor bit to it that can be understood in multiple ways.
I’ve also thought of other ideas like Watcher?
I also just realized that the name that would capture the most complex ambivalence would be “me” with no other relationship to the other characters stated. But, I imagine that isn’t the only character you connect with in that way and I could imagine that also being weird.
The character formerly known as the Stalker is now known as the Reporter.
Just noticed this hiding at the bottom. Love this new name!
I particularly like it because I’ve experience that reporter following me around in my daily life as part of a story because my partner is part of a newer model of family.
I’m glad you like it! 🙂 I do definitely feel like it’s an improvement, tone-wise.