Character Names

I mentioned in a previous post about character names and choosing them. This is one of the fun-est things to do with writing--on my part. Some writers have trouble doing this. Some have trouble with novel titles. Most times I enjoy choosing both.

Today, let's write about character names.

Here's a few ways I have of choosing:

• From the get-go, sometimes a character already has a name, for a variety of reasons including from the first I received the inspiration to write the idea, the character's name was part of it all.
• Sometimes I'll choose a name because I like it, it's one of my favorites, or its a name of a friend that I want to honor.
• There are times I turn to my trusty baby name book and search through it. Right now, I'm searching for a protagonist name (male) for a thriller/suspense novel. It's in the plotting stage and will need a lot of research, so I've plenty of time to come up with the appropriate name. I've begun the list to choose from though.
• If all else fails I have two tried and true methods to come up with a name:

(1) hold a blog contest. Used this method for the "bad guys" in my cozy mystery and had several entries. Ann won a gift certificate for coming up with a couples' names that perfectly fit them.

Or (2) ask my special critique partners who do a good job of coming up with names. Jam, for example, didn't like the name of the second romance I wrote, so I told them to brainstorm. She came up with a wonderful romancy type of name.

Hard? Not usually. Finding the perfect name for a character is a piece of cake--normally. And fun.

Quote:
A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something. --Anonymous


Blessings

Name Fun


One of my writing groups brought the thought of names and how they are mis-spelled and mis-pronounced. I have had the best fun laughing my way through the many responses. Of course, I didn't offer my name; if any can't pronounce or write my name, then . . . ????

I offer here some names. See how you do(and those in parentheses are what they've been called):

Helmuth (Helmooth: like a moose with a lisp) one of my favorites!
McDonough (McDonut, McDougel, McDonnahu, McDough) What?
Ruckman (Rutland, Buckman, Ragman, Rugmun)
Bates (huh? Baits or Bats?)
Roland (Rahland, Rolling ???)
Yauger (Yeager, Jeager, Yogurt) Yogurt? LOL
Ramona (Romono, Romano, Romona, Remona, Roamonia: prounounced like pneumonia
Rachelle (NOT Raychel, Rahkell, Rohshell)

Rachel (Rachael, Rachaeal, Rachelle, Racheale, Raquel
Blann (Blahn, Blair, Blain, Bloom???) LOL
Phifer Here's some good ones: (Piffer, Piffle, Fiffer)
Reitz (said she was called Ritz crackers in school. LOL)
Woodside (Woodcid, Whitset, Woodsigh)
Brandt (Brandit, obviously from a telemarker! LOL)
Nilwona (Winona, Willamena: from a HS teacher!!)

• Here's a funny one from one of my critique partners:
• Her maiden name: Ulinski
• Some of her relatives names: Lijek, Milewica, Grzchowiak, Kuechenmeister. She'd get the phone book after she was first married and have her husband try to prounounce some of those names, then roll on the floor laughing hysterically while he annihilated them.

• DeMuth (Deemewth: like a kitten mews)
• Eudaly (her husband was asked what the U in his name stood for; they thought it was a middle initial. LOL)
• Gribbin (Gibbons, Griffin)
• Unger (Ungerwear) LOL
• Lopes (Lopez)
• Leigh (Leeah, Leh, Lay, Luh)
• Delozier (Dozer, Dozhur, Delzer, Duh . . ., Dee . . . fading into nothingness! LOL)
• Ruchti (Rooshti?)

• Rubart (Rupert, Rowbart, Robert, Rupart, Rubbert)
• McLeod (Mc Leed, Mc Lee, or Mc What'sher name. I kid you not!)
• Hough (Hoe, Hue, Huge, Huff)
• Vihel (Veehill, Veehell)
• Grubaugh (Gumball Really! Grubar)

Another funny story:
A writer had a common name. When asked by a store clerk how to spell it she gave her name then added, "common spelling." The clerk asked how to spell "Commonspelling."

• Eileen (was kidded in school: "I lean over.")
• Camille (Camel!!!, Carmen, Carmella, CaMile, CaMell
• Irby (Kirby)
• Alice (prounounced A lice by her brother)

Another funny one:
Last name of Wine. Mother wanted to name daughter "Sherry" but father put his foot down. How would Sherry Wine sound?


Quote:
Don't compromise yourself; you're all you've got. --Betty Ford

Blessings

Fenis and Chipper


My husband is writing a series of children's stories involving the protagonist squirrel--Chipper.

I was really surprised at how well he doing. I thought I was the only one in the family who could write (smug comment here, in case you can't figure it out). Now he's writing a mini-mystery that will include:


Fenis--the red-tailed hawk

Chuckie, the chipmunk



and (drum roll here . . .)



the villain--Seymour, the black snake.

(We think this is Seymour--it was hard to catch him on camera!) He's as bad as I am. No, not the snake. Hubby. He read the ending to me late last night and hasn't even written the first part yet. I loved it! The story, that is.

Chuckie the chipmunk is a sub-character that will play an active part in one book. We quite disagreed on this sub-character's name.

Hubby: Groundy (yuk and double yuk--from me)
Caroline: Charlie
Hubby (ignoring me): Woody (me: I like it, but it reminds me of a certain woodpecker)
Caroline: Chappy

And on and on.
Finally, he told me a couple of days ago, he'd settled on a name. Chuckie. (I like Charlie better, but Chuckie is good.) So Chuckie it is.

It is his book after all. I have to concede that point.

If you want to read about the adventures of Chipper and all his forest and farm friends, let me know. The stories really are quite good. Almost as good as I could have done! (Smile)



I love cold drinks in the summer, love preparing them. Here's a thirst-quenching one you might enjoy if you love tea:

Strawberry Iced Tea

Makes about 8 (about 8-ounce) servings
Prep: 25 minutes
Cool: 2 hours
Stand: 2 hours

Ingredients

• 2 lb. fresh strawberries or two,16-ounce packages frozen unsweetened whole strawberries
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 lemons
• 3 tablespoons snipped fresh rosemary (optional)
• Ice cubes
• 1 recipe Iced Tea (see Recipe Center) or one 1-liter bottle club soda, chilled
• Fresh strawberries (optional)

Directions: In a large saucepan combine fresh or frozen strawberries, brown sugar, and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.

Using a vegetable peeler, remove strips of peel from lemons; juice the lemons (should have 1/2 cup). Add strips of lemon peel, lemon juice, and rosemary to mixture in saucepan. Bring mixture just to boiling, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Cover; cool to room temperature.
Press mixture through a fine mesh sieve; discard solids (you should have about 1 quart syrup). To serve, fill glass with ice. To each glass add 1/2 cup Iced Tea and syrup to taste (about 1/2 cup). Garnish with fresh strawberries. Makes about eight (8-ounce)

Make-Ahead Directions: Syrup may be prepared, covered, and refrigerated up to 3 days.

Quote:
The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest. --Sir thomas More


Blessings