tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334971464359338872.post2371631410292079383..comments2023-09-10T06:13:15.389-04:00Comments on Nine Naughty Novelists: What's In A Name?kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13865842550376328393noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334971464359338872.post-67014390629771304072010-04-13T01:02:20.176-04:002010-04-13T01:02:20.176-04:00I used to be a lot more picky with names. A gazill...I used to be a lot more picky with names. A gazillion characters later (only a small exaggeration) and I've gotten pretty lackadaisical about the whole thing. lol! <br /><br />I don't like repeating myself, but I already have doubled up with some minor characters and, at some point, I'm probably going to end up with two or more main characters sharing the same first name. I think it's inevitable.<br /><br />I know I don't spend nearly as much time thinking about names as used to. As long as I'm satisfied with the name, that's all that matters because there's always going to be someone out there whose feelings about a particular name isn't going to mesh with mine and I've given up on trying to please everyone. :) <br /><br />Favorite word: that's something that's constantly changing. And it's not always English. Seems like I "discover" a new favorite word with every book I write--which I then have to force myself not to overuse. Argh.PG Fortehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00819909187492632526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334971464359338872.post-88525380250157266232010-04-12T23:39:01.758-04:002010-04-12T23:39:01.758-04:00Debra -- this is something I definitely forgot, th...Debra -- this is something I definitely forgot, that names can take on a life of their own. This relates to what Erin and Meg said: sometimes the character is so intertwined with his or her name that to change it either improves or diminishes how you view him/her. <br /><br />Erin, I'm the same way. I cannot throw myself into a work until the names are perfect. I'll be thinking about something mundane and totally not writing-related when the perfect name pops into my heads. Also, lackadaisical is a great word; its going on my best-of list!<br /><br />Kelly, you're so right! If the hero/heroines names do not mesh well... then you could end up with Julia Guilia, and anyone who's seen 'The Wedding Singer' knows that ends badly :)Skylar Kadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07820959078583565408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334971464359338872.post-17189186090487353212010-04-12T19:09:19.253-04:002010-04-12T19:09:19.253-04:00Oh yes names are so important! I spend a lot of ti...Oh yes names are so important! I spend a lot of time picking the perfect names for not only my heroes but heroines. Not only do they have to suit the characters, they have to work together. You can't have a couple named Ryan and Riley, or Caleb and Kaley, or Julian and Jillian.kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865842550376328393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334971464359338872.post-34306637201695044352010-04-12T16:49:50.541-04:002010-04-12T16:49:50.541-04:00Oh yeah, I've had the experience of having to ...Oh yeah, I've had the experience of having to change a hero's name, and it wasn't pleasant! A contest judge (back in my pre-pubbed days) told me the name "Harry" belonged to Harry Potter exclusively. Now, I'd probably blow her off, but then I was so nervous about doing the wrong thing that I did a global search/replace. But in my heart, the guy was still Harry, believe me.Meg Benjaminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01081153466394828760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334971464359338872.post-73773248281112134982010-04-12T14:36:43.599-04:002010-04-12T14:36:43.599-04:00Good post, Skylar! Names are huge for me as a rea...Good post, Skylar! Names are huge for me as a reader and a writer. I will spend days, literally, trying to find the right names for characters. I have to know my characters before I can really write and I have to have the names right before I can get to know them. They have to go with the last name, can't be too much like another character, have to have the "right" personality... etc. In fact, I've started writing books with one name only to change it after a scene or two because I finally found the right one! :) And what a relief it is! I'm sure I over-think it but, that's the way it is for me. I've stopped trying to fight it :)<br /><br />My favorite word: chocolate. For all the many, many lovely things it means to me *G* (just kidding... one of my favorite words is lackadaisical--love how it looks, the pronunciation, what it means...)<br /><br />ErinErin Nicholashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09216604251011058060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334971464359338872.post-44668295831652118492010-04-12T11:13:06.045-04:002010-04-12T11:13:06.045-04:00Oooh, names are tricky. I spend a lot of time on b...Oooh, names are tricky. I spend a lot of time on baby-naming web-sites when I'm stuck as to what to name a character.<br /><br />A name does matter. I had a suggestion once to change the name of a minor character in one of my books (It sounded too similiar to another character), but I couldn't do it. Zach was Zach. He had a life. A story of his own. A history, even though it wasn't part of the story. I couldn't just call him Bob (or whatever) after knowing him so well. So Zach he remained. (And now he has his own story.)Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.com