tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post591264791989151854..comments2023-12-29T11:39:14.271-06:00Comments on 4RV Reading, Writing, & Art News: A Character by Any Other NameVivian Zabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129178812565073972noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-69001346416745277872011-05-09T18:34:21.685-05:002011-05-09T18:34:21.685-05:00I usually pick a name that pops up in my mind whil...I usually pick a name that pops up in my mind while writing it; it has to come to me naturally. I also try to not use friends names or already famous fiction names so sadly, my characters will never be Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, Rachel, Monica, Joey or Chandler no matter how much I love the names.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01267230122462797452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-63082704302636382852011-05-06T21:30:17.222-05:002011-05-06T21:30:17.222-05:00Never wrote fiction, so never thought about it. Tr...Never wrote fiction, so never thought about it. Tricky, huh? Great blog, Laurie.Lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15765639746804058612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-66742388791882497882011-05-06T12:13:38.502-05:002011-05-06T12:13:38.502-05:00It's funny because I never even thought about ...It's funny because I never even thought about that when naming my character. I may change it when the first draft is complete. <br />Can't wait to read Egan's book.JC Danielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00721559702587189584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-77958901762343718992011-05-06T10:48:19.720-05:002011-05-06T10:48:19.720-05:00I felt a little cringe start while reading Jennife...I felt a little cringe start while reading Jennifer Egan's "A Visit From The Goon Squad." I LOVE the book, but in one chapter she introduced a character named Ted. I kept waiting...waiting...every time he spoke she (so cleverly) used "he said" or "Ted asked" or "Ted cried." So far, just one instance of "Ted said" but at this point, I can forgive her anything.Laurie Borishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08361627047571650547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-43364974557042684562011-05-06T10:38:34.181-05:002011-05-06T10:38:34.181-05:00I couldn't resist writing this in my MS yester...I couldn't resist writing this in my MS yesterday: "Right," said Ted. I'm cheeky that way.JC Danielehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00721559702587189584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-84871447782668912412011-05-06T05:06:40.989-05:002011-05-06T05:06:40.989-05:00Thanks for this Laurie! Character naming is so im...Thanks for this Laurie! Character naming is so important to any story even picture books! I am always searching for just the right fit for my picture book people. This article is an eye opener and I value your words to the wise. I do have some favorites, however, and I try to incorporate them when I am able.Ginger*:)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14970160779830842600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-82253419667972508072011-05-05T14:55:14.219-05:002011-05-05T14:55:14.219-05:00I once had a character who named herself Ellen. It...I once had a character who named herself Ellen. It never felt quite right to me...then found out about 3/4 through writing the first draft that after high school she'd changed her name to Helene. When I changed her name in the ms, she began to blossom (and nearly take over the book!)Laurie Borishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08361627047571650547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-24168191602695611412011-05-05T11:41:19.934-05:002011-05-05T11:41:19.934-05:00Laurie, this is great. :) I am with Vivian. My cha...Laurie, this is great. :) I am with Vivian. My characters have always named themselves. The main character in my novel's name is Amy. I knew that before I knew much else about her! Luckily judging by your checklist here they all seem to have appropriate names. ;)JessicaLeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16981623373181208943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-50993392675074199622011-05-05T11:15:37.290-05:002011-05-05T11:15:37.290-05:00Star Wizard...EXCELLENT idea!Star Wizard...EXCELLENT idea!Laurie Borishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08361627047571650547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-82943956081066242832011-05-05T10:46:51.280-05:002011-05-05T10:46:51.280-05:00A good source if you want to get a popular name fo...A good source if you want to get a popular name for a specific time period is the Social Security's page on popular baby names by year at http://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/The Star Wizardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05525881065894375529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-46330309055108193082011-05-05T09:23:55.312-05:002011-05-05T09:23:55.312-05:00@Dawn, interesting ideas! (PS, my nephew's nam...@Dawn, interesting ideas! (PS, my nephew's name is Sage.) @Vivian, I love how that process happens! I've had many characters name themselves.Laurie Borishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08361627047571650547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-2941969352633210952011-05-05T01:14:30.890-05:002011-05-05T01:14:30.890-05:00My characters seem to name themselves, and their n...My characters seem to name themselves, and their names always fit. I'm not sure how or why, but as long as the process works, I'll continue allowing them name themselves.<br /><br />VivianVivian Zabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06129178812565073972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925401174378785919.post-7377500595568523412011-05-05T01:10:07.000-05:002011-05-05T01:10:07.000-05:00Excellent topic.
I have used a variety of techniq...Excellent topic.<br /><br />I have used a variety of techniques for picking character names. For one book, I created a poll on writing.com and had people vote for their favorite name. Four years later, people still vote on the poll. I've also used name generators like seventh sanctum to spark ideas. Most of the time I go over names in my head and contemplate what feels right for the character. For the paranormal romance story I have done research on both angel and demon names, but have to negotiate nicknames out of many of the older ones because they wouldn't fit in modern day if they kept certain names.<br /><br />My favorite name from when I was younger is Juniper. I read a couple of books that used it and it has stuck with me ever since. I'm serious considering naming a daughter that if I ever have one. Lately it has been weird seeing character names that I'm also using. Not that I think only I should use them, it's just I never noticed it in novels before. Like the paranormal book by Hilary Duff uses the name "Sage" which is one of the main characters in the book I started writing in March. Felt very weird whenever that character came up as I read her book.Dawn Embershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00214560861614476799noreply@blogger.com