This is sort of a silly question and it doesn't really have an answer but it's bugging me at the moment and I thought I would get it off my chest.  

Did this ever happen to you and what would you do?

I have this character say his name is SAM and he's had that name from the beginning.  Then as I'm writing, for some reason, I start thinking of him as SAL, to the point where I'm actually writing that as his name when I refer to him. At this point it's difficult to think of him as SAM. What should I do?  

Change his name to SAL and be done with it?  Or should I keep the name SAM because that's the name I chose for him?  

I know, silly question, but one that had to be asked.

If it doesn't bother you too much, just change the name.

But be careful; I sometimes change names mid-draft and then get confused and sometimes write the wrong name (the old name) as I go.  That can make for a confusing read if you don't catch it before releasing it to the public.

Finish the script as Sal. And once done, if you think sal fits, change it completely. Your going to have to go back and rewrite it.

Hear hear, I've done that myself. Go with your instincts and change it. Personally I'd change all instances now and commit. Find and Replace can be wonderful, and deadly.

Quoted from rendevous Find and Replace can be wonderful, and deadly.

I had to change a character with the name TIM using Find and Replace and it changed all the uses of "TIME" too and any other words beginning with "TIM".  Made for a very awkward read.

Nail on the head.

Obviously the name Sal has come to you in dream, or some such and now feels so natural it just comes from your fingertips.  I say change the name throughout the whole script.  Go for exact spelling and match case, so as not to catch other words.  I've done that before, then changed it back, then changed it again.  It happens.

Change it now to Sal.  If you don't like it once you're finished, then go back to Sam.

scripts are always rewritten so nothing is concrete. Why should names be any diffrent. chose the one that feels right for you I guess.

While I never had this problem sometimes I write with no idea what to call a character at all and so just write Lucy or Bill and worry about the name later on in the process.

But what I am curious about Mcornetto is do you lay down all your plot structure first or once you have your basic idea do you just free write it all and see where it takes you?

Just curious.

Quoted from tonkatough But what I am curious about Mcornetto is do you lay down all your plot structure first or once you have your basic idea do you just free write it all and see where it takes you?

Writing a feature, I would have an outline prepared, though I'm pretty informal about following it.

Writing a short.  I usually have an idea and I start to write about  it.  Then as I write it the real story emerges.  And once I know the real story I go back and rewrite the beginning - no matter where I am in the short. Then I finish writing the short. I may even find the real story more than once.

So it sounds like you have a very organic writing process which explains why things would change while you write. That's the beauty of writing, you never no where you end up.  

Quoted from tonkatough That's the beauty of writing, you never no where you end up.

I do not agree. Though sometimes you even don't know where you going, and I say "sometimes" you must have a goal as soon as you start writing.

Writing is like taking a walk. If you do'nt know where you're going, you get lost. Yes, sometimes, you take another road you didn't knew, but you have to go somewhere.

The best way is to have a map.

I think scriptwriters should stay away from non-specific gender names like Sam (Samantha), Terry, Sal (Sally), Kim, and the like. I read it in a scriptwriter's manual so it must be true. Though I guess, lines like "Play that again Sam." would never catch on.

Maybe Saul?

Gary

Quoted from grademan I think scriptwriters should stay away from non-specific gender names like Sam (Samantha), Terry, Sal (Sally), Kim, and the like.

Yes. Call him Phil, Robert, Mike, Helio or Gary. Whoever...

The more important DON'T have two characters with similar name (Jean & Joan - Sam & Sal - Tracy & Terry) because you can get the reader confused. After a while, he will mix names.

One time I started to nickname characters and put it into the script by accident but without any set-up of a nickname it seems like a new character. I wish Final Draft could take a certain name and change it all at once to another name.

I use the same character names all the time so I have no problems.

Of everything I have written I'd say about half use "Casey" as a name just because I like the name and a running joke I had with a friend whom isn't around anymore.

Some would say that's not very creative and I would agree.