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June 24, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n How do you select the names of your characters?<\/strong><\/p>\n A long time ago, I was introduced to the concept that some cultures hold that names hold power. Different cultures interpret that in different ways, but I have used the idea to help come up with the names of my characters.<\/p>\n But there are a number of other factors that come into play. I previously worked a job where I dealt with names. Every know and then, I’d run across one that was just so unique I had to explore its background. And the really cool ones I’d write down in a notebook to refer to later. I’d never use a someone’s whole name for a character, but the process gave me some cool first and last names.<\/p>\n Speaking of not using real names, Google is my friend. When I come up with a name, I search to see if it belongs to a real person. If it does, and I really want to use the name, I’ll change the spelling of the name. Sure, I can’t avoid using someone’s real name once in a while, but I cover that with the copyright statement.<\/p>\n I also try to uses names as an indicator of ethnic background. (You know that research I referred to earlier? That’s where it comes into play.) In my first book, Wolves’ Pawn, I decided my main character would have a Native American background. That led me to research traditional names for members of various tribes. That’s where Dot, the main character in Wolves’ Pawn, last name come from.<\/p>\n In Wolves’ Gambit, I dealt with feuding wolf-shifter packs. Because they limited their contact with the outside world, I decided to use old-fashioned names for one of the packs. On top of that, I used alternative spellings.<\/p>\n But sometimes a name just comes to me. That’s what happened with Harmony Durpie, the main character in my mystery series. I don’t know where it came from, it was a name that found me. Eli, on the other hand, came to me because I was listening to the song “Eli’s coming” one day when I was writing!<\/p>\n One thing I try really hard to watch for is that I don’t give characters names that use same first letter. That makes it easier for readers to keep them straight. I do make exceptions though-calling twins similar names, for example.<\/p>\n I will admit to using the names of people I’ve met once in a while. I enjoy naming my villains with the names of people I don’t like. Of course, I still disguise the names so they can’t be connected to real-life people.<\/p>\n I haven’t used any of the name generators that are out there-yet. What I do refer to are the baby-name sites that exist. If I have an idea for a name, they help me narrow down my choices based on sex and ethnic background.<\/p>\n The truth is, I never know where the next name will come from. I ran across one recently that I need to add to my list of potential names Liam. It’s been around for a while, but I ‘found” it again recently. Which makes me wonder if it will show up in my next book!<\/p>\n Now, let’s check out all the other authors to see how they name their characters.<\/p>\n June 24, 2019<\/p>\n How do you select the names of your characters?<\/p>\n Rules:<\/p>\n 1. Link your blog to this hop.<\/p>\n 2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.<\/p>\n 3. Promise to visit\/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.<\/p>\n 4. Tweet\/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.<\/p>\n 5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.<\/p>\n \r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pjmaclayne.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/blackboard-blur-chalkboard-204997-1024x683.jpg?resize=920%2C614\")
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