Character Names |
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If I'm writing a novel, I put more thought into it. My unpublished NaNoWriMo novel from last November has the following:
With short stories/flash fiction, I just try to use names that sound believable. Like, I think this round's characters were Mitchell Gaskins and Dr. Fortner. Sounds good, right? |
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MattrickBT
NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 15 Jul 2017 Location: Oshawa Status: Offline Points: 1270 |
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The brain definitely has a system. This is why if I'm having trouble with a story, or some nagging problem I either can't see, or I can't figure out how to fix. I'll go for a walk with some headphones on. I'll think about other things and eventually the random solution usually comes out of nowhere for me. This also happens in the shower. A lot of my best writing is one when I'm not writing at all. I figured out some great ways to edit my novel while watching American Dad! in bed lol |
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lisafox10800
NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 18 Jul 2016 Location: NJ Status: Offline Points: 9440 |
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All depends on the piece. If I feel the character needs to have a distinct name, I agonize over it a bit. If the name isn't really important to the story, I just use whatever jumps into my head.
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lisafoxiswriting.com
My short story collection, Core Truths, is now available wherever books are sold. |
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Heather52384
NYC Midnight Regular Joined: 31 Jan 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Status: Offline Points: 285 |
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I usually name characters based on the time period I set my story in. Sometimes I will search for names popular in a certain year, around the time my main characters would have been "born." Region also plays a part, rural versus city and country. For my Challenge 1 story, I searched names popular in ancient Pompeii and came up with Livia. It worked.
I wrote a novel (still sitting on my hard drive) about ten years ago and took pains to make sure all the characters had names somehow rooted in water. Looking back, I spent a lot of time trying to name my characters instead of simply writing. Lately, I find names that are short and sweet and to the point. However, when I read, I appreciate writers who use unique names for characters. I guess that points out some differences in my inner writer/reader.
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Heather N. Santo
100-Micro:A Warning (GhostStory) |
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mhelgens
NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 16 Jul 2017 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 988 |
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A friend of mine told me that she was struggling to determine a first name for her character Mr. Gray. She eventually settled on Dorian, not realizing what she had done until her creative writing workshop members asked the significance/connection of her story to Oscar Wilde So definitely not just you! |
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Read my R1 Story: LINK= https://forums.nycmidnight.com/topic51959_post550543.html#550543
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Regarding names in fiction, I am sick to death of YA books which feature boys named Derek or Lucas. (Or worse, a book with a Derek AND a Lucas!) Drives me crazy. Again today, at the bookstore, I picked up yet another book with a Lucas!! Facepalm.
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MattrickBT
NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 15 Jul 2017 Location: Oshawa Status: Offline Points: 1270 |
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I think I'm just plain sick of YA books. They all seem to be torrid, sappy romance or post-apocalyptic stuff about weird societies. They've all but ruined post-apocalyptic stories for me :'(
I named the 'villain' (more like an entity) in The Catacombs 'Aggregate' because it's literally an entity comprised of every nightmare to have ever been dreamed. |
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Zblugg
NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 25 Apr 2017 Location: Cantley, Canada Status: Offline Points: 4256 |
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I love this. Names are not my main concern when writing these competitions, unless the story calls for it. I had to find a name that was "foreigny" for a screenplay, something that would have a distinct spelling, yet could easily be mistaken for a more common English name, but it was also a plot point. Other than that, I just roll with what the character tells me. Kind of a gut feeling thing.
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MF100 R2G16 Marv and Mary Have Flower Issues
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Lookit There
NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 20 Feb 2014 Location: Portland, OR Status: Offline Points: 3920 |
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Ever since 'The Hunger Games' it seems like every YA heroine has some weird-ass made up name that no one's ever seen before. <smh> |
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FFC1 12 Gay-ngry Men
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MattrickBT
NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 15 Jul 2017 Location: Oshawa Status: Offline Points: 1270 |
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Not sure if you liked my villain name or my stance on YA lol. And easy way to find foreigny names is to just look up different variations of common names in your area. Most countries/languages have some variation on the spelling. Just for my own name alone: https://www.behindthename.com/name/matthew/related |
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