Well, every board has one and I've decided that seeing as I have demonstrated an uncanny ability to make the most non-sensical posts I would like to nominate myself. Anyone second that?

To the serious part of the message. I have been thinking whilst trying to study pathol today and have come up with *character's names are VERY important*.
My character's names always suck. I hate them, I can never think of a good one. I usually just take the name of someone I know and change it so it's completely different. Then it struck me that even the most subtle part of a name is a defining part of the character. For instance in The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley she chose to use the greek spelling of Kassandra which ofcourse is with a K, rather than with a C. And it makes such a HUGE difference, to me anyway. Using the K it became a harsher name, more befitting of a warrior, but it was also more regal as well. It is the same with Catherine becoming Khatrene in destiny. Catherine is only a shadow of who Khatrene is. Catherine is soft where Khatrene is more defined and so reflects the change from not being exactly her true self when she was in Magoria. So what is it in a name that is so important? How do you all name you're characters?

Damn, I replied to this yesterday but it was obviously lost (bit frustrating because it was a long post). Never mind, I'll try to remember the gist of it. I was saying that names are very important to me, as they allow the reader to 'see' the character before you describe them, so if I don't know the character's name before I introduce them to the reader (and sometimes I just know their name, don't ask me how) I usually try to make up a name that in some way reflects their physical appearance. I chose Mooraz because he's dark, deceptively slow and has a deep voice. I thought of treacle, then molasses, then a morass (like a swamp) and somehow moved onto Mooraz. The moment I typed the name I knew it was his. I think sometimes you have to rely on this 'knowing' or instinct, because after all, they are your characters. I've never had a publisher tell me to change a name, so the names I've used must fit. I know there are authors who delve into Greek mythology for their names or research old languages so the names all have the same sound or rhythm, but most of my characters came to me already named. Try to imagine any of them with different names. It just wouldn't work.

I hear you Helen...thats why i have a area to write down names i find or invent. Sometimes i just open my mind and type what ever letters appear and go from there. Instinct plays a big part definatly. My title Four Winds was like that. As soon i as put the words together i knew it was right! My characters sometime have a complete name change...good thing my computer didnt like them start with so it makes changing them only using the spell checker!
Try opening your mind and changing something you already know...just listen to the nagging behind you...

I think names are very important, both to the reader and the writer. Just the sound of a name, the way it rolls around inside my mind, the way it slides off the tongue can give an instant impression of a character. I liked the way you got the name Mooraz, Louise, great word association and then using your own talent to make it a name.
And, well I have said it before Timna, but I do think Four Winds is a great name for a trilogy...

I tend to jot down any interesting names that I see, whether they're from TV show credits, or a newspaper story, or someone I meet (as long as they're not a friend who can claim they're the character if it becomes a story one day LOL).

When I was thinking about starting a story a few months ago, I went searching through a few name websites for ideas - one called Kabbalarians is fantastic as is gives descriptions of possible character as well - useful for building a "picture" of the person you're creating. I also found a cool French names website (can't remember the site at the moment), which is cool if I choose that location or background as well.

Love all the junk info on the net - sometimes you stumble onto a site that is REALLY useful or just gives you a fantastic idea for a subplot.

Tip for Kabalarians site - go here and scroll to bottom of page to either search by name, letter, or category (this is great too). Have fun!!

Fi






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