Revealing A Character's Name Later

[elizabethhvu]

If you want to be more specific and let readers remember him, maybe call him, for example, BOY IN HAT, MAN WITH TATTOO. And then later write he is revealed to be...

[thirtynine]

Thanks very much for replying. That's great news, I'll do what you have suggested.

[ScriptNurse]

It's a man? How about MAN ... YOUNG MAN ... OLD MAN ... that'll work.

[thirtynine]

Hello,

I don't want to describe one of my main character's identity straight away, so what would I call him? For example, the first we see of him, is when he is running through a forest. I intend to describe him as more of him is revealed. ALthough, it might become annoying if I keep saying UNKNOWN CHARACTER; and when I do say what his name is, might the reader wonder why I didn't say this earlier?

In other words, I feel that I can gain more impact by decribing a mystery figure in these early stages, rather than explain who is straight away. So can I say UNKNOWN or MYSTERY CHARACTER and later on reveal who they are?

I hope I have made myself clear.

Thanks,
Mark.