This month's topic:
Are there any you avoid?
Character names are one of most important decisions I make when I begin a story. Names have meaning and often set the tone of a novel. People have pre-conceived ideas of how a hero named 'Sam' should look/act verses a 'hero named Kaleb', for example.
I give one of my main characters a unique name which defines his/her personality or hint's at his/her background.
For example: In Rodeo Romance Book 1, featured a hero named: Lynx Maddox. Lynx is a bull-rider and dubbed 'the Wild Cat of the Rodeo Circuit'.
Rodeo Romance Book 2, brought us: Brede (pronounced Breed) Kristensen is a widowed rancher.
My current release: Gumbo Ya Ya: an anthology for women who like romance Cajun style has a cast of characters in the four stories. Because each story features a Cajun hero/heroine, one will have a Cajun last name. 
Story One: Murphy Flynn and Sylvie Dupree.
Story Two: Persia Richmond and Cooper T.
Story Three: Julia Kincade and Sebastian Beaux
Story Four: Enza and Gabriel
In my WIP my hero's name is Sam.
Sam is a straightforward and down-to-earth guy--just as the meaning of his name implies.
A name is an easy way to define a character. No long narrative needed. The reader knows Sam isn't into flashy fashion or throwing away his savings on a whim.
If your character is born in July:
The flower: Larkspur (Lark) or Water Lily
Gemstone: Ruby
Astrological Sign: Leo/ Lenora
Are there names I avoid?
Yes, I try not to have characters in a novel with similar names, or names beginning with the same letter.
I do not like phonically spelled names: Kaleb, Danyella, Jakob, etc. this person is going to spell his/her name continually and I predict errors on legal documents too. And in my case, however, I find it unwanted distraction when reading a novel.
How do you feel about character's names?
Do you have favorites?
See what the wonderfully talented authors of 'Round Robin' have to share with you today :-)
Happy Reading!
Connie
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2i7
Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
Naming is hard, and you are right about the reader already having preconceived notions about names of characters! I liked all of your character names.
ReplyDeleteHaving read Lynx and Brede I can testify to the names suiting the characters to a T.
ReplyDeleteI like you character names and how you pick them.
ReplyDeleteCharacter names are very important. I have a heroine in one of my WIPs whose name is Samantha. She is somewhat sassy but also insecure. I have a first cousin once removed named Samantha. She's funny, smart, and sassy. I started the WIP long before she grew up. Funny thing is that the hero's name is Jason. In real life, Jason is Samantha's uncle. So, yeah, I think I might change at least one name (probably Jason's). Honestly, I haven't seen Jason in years. We were never that close. When I started writing the story, Jason was a popular hero name. Ha! I didn't even think about this until now. Okay.
ReplyDeleteSearch and replace is my friend. LOL
I don't think about how readers might have pre-conceived notions about names. If I did, I don't think I could ever name my characters! I usually let them "tell" me their names. Or I go to an ethnic list for their nationality. And I've been "told" by characters when I name them "wrong." LOL.
ReplyDeleteHi Connie, Good point about phonetic spelling. Goodness, I often have to say whether I'm anne with an e. Do agree it's an important issue, too. Anne (with an e)
ReplyDelete