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Naming characters: Editor's Notes #286 May 01, 2019 |
| Hello, —George Gordon Noel Byron, Lord Byron In this issue: 1. Naming fictional characters 2. Tickled my funny bone 3. Interesting Web site 4. Writing prompt 1. Naming fictional characters Naming fictional characters deserves time and attention. Like naming a child, this decision lives on beyond the moment it is made. Here are things to think about when you name your characters. Your taste matters. If you hate a name, it’s probably best not to use it because no matter what your best intentions, your unconscious self will intrude, and the wrong name may tinge the way you present your character. Stay away from famous names unless, like Terry Fallis, you write No Relation, a comedic novel about people who share names with famous people. Consider your character’s background. What sort of name would that character’s family choose in the time and place of the character’s birth? There are lists of baby names by country and date to be found online. Also see the Interesting Web site below. What does the name mean? This could work for a character who embodies the meaning of her name, or for a character who appears to be misnamed. Be sure your readers can pronounce the name, preferably without a footnote to explain it. This applies particularly to writers of fantasy. Yes, you can choose anything you like, but your readers still have to cope with your choice. Beware of pairing Jim and Joe in the same book, likewise Jan and Jane. Unless you make a big deal of one or both of those names that will stay with the reader, you create needless confusion. Many people who write for children are drawn to alliterative names like Spike Sparrow. This is not as popular with publishers or readers as it was when most of us were children. Today, Spike Sparrow might be better named Delbert largely because no one would expect that to be his name. Whatever you choose to name your character, be consistent in spelling the name throughout the story. =========== 2.Tickled my funny bone I changed my iPod's name to Titanic. It's syncing now. =========== 3. Interesting Web site This site is worth exploring when it comes to names. You can find almost anything you want to know about a name through its search fields. https://www.behindthename.com/ =========== 4. Writing prompt Here are two characters that meet each other for the fist time in an unexpected place: Ainsley and Taylor. Take it away. Send me your result. =========== Join Writer's Helper Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WritersHelperEditor Follow me on Twitter @AudreytheEditor Link on LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/audreyowen (Email me first so I know how you know me.) =========== If you know a writer who would appreciate receiving Editor's Notes, forward this issue. If someone has passed this on to you, you can get your own free subscription by signing up at https://www.writershelper.com/newsletter.html |
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