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3. How do you come up with names, for characters (and for places if you're writing about fictional places)?
Random Point 1 - I always write about fictional places these days. Real places always worry me because I've read plenty of books that don't portray a real place right and I don't want that to be me.
I like odd names. I like the sort of names that aren't associated with anyone (real or fictional) yet. Sometimes I'll just change the spelling of a name so it's a bit more unique but sometimes I create whole new ones... because I can!
Random Point 2 - I'm not going to have kids. It's a fact. Part of it is physical. Part is just that I don't want to have kids. Being an aunt, both real and honorary, is just fine for me.
I like to create character names because it's the only way I'm going to get the priviledge. Why stick with John and Tammy when you can get really creative! While I'll use a Baby Name book or website for inspiration, I will usually look at my keyboard and pick a key. How about an... *scans the keyboard*... H. Okay, what are some good H names. Halfra. Hancock. Hill. Hepsaba. Holland. Hollin. Hollens. Hy (one of my favorites that is the nickname of a girl called Hyacinth).
That's pretty much it. Sometimes I hit on a really cool name and I might reuse it.
Random Point 3 - I'm a name whore and my job is too much of a temptation not to utilize it.
Let's talk surnames. I love surnames. I like to know what they mean and where they come from. Unique is okay but I like names that have something to say. I get a lot of surnames from my job. It's a perk of working with people all day. One of the only ones. If you have a cool last name, I might just take it.
Random Point 4 - If I don't hurry up and start publishing these thoughts in my head, I'm going to hurt somebody... and not just on paper.
Locations are easier. Either I don't bring up the name or I come up with a really cool one and overuse it in the story. *grins* How do I come up with it? It's a process that combines all the above plus just some thought. I don't come up with a land name nearly as fast as a person name. It needs to percolate in my subconscious for quite a while before I let go of it. Land names are really special because so many people are sharing the same place. It's like all the characters in my head have to approve of it first!
Random Point 1 - I always write about fictional places these days. Real places always worry me because I've read plenty of books that don't portray a real place right and I don't want that to be me.
I like odd names. I like the sort of names that aren't associated with anyone (real or fictional) yet. Sometimes I'll just change the spelling of a name so it's a bit more unique but sometimes I create whole new ones... because I can!
Random Point 2 - I'm not going to have kids. It's a fact. Part of it is physical. Part is just that I don't want to have kids. Being an aunt, both real and honorary, is just fine for me.
I like to create character names because it's the only way I'm going to get the priviledge. Why stick with John and Tammy when you can get really creative! While I'll use a Baby Name book or website for inspiration, I will usually look at my keyboard and pick a key. How about an... *scans the keyboard*... H. Okay, what are some good H names. Halfra. Hancock. Hill. Hepsaba. Holland. Hollin. Hollens. Hy (one of my favorites that is the nickname of a girl called Hyacinth).
That's pretty much it. Sometimes I hit on a really cool name and I might reuse it.
Random Point 3 - I'm a name whore and my job is too much of a temptation not to utilize it.
Let's talk surnames. I love surnames. I like to know what they mean and where they come from. Unique is okay but I like names that have something to say. I get a lot of surnames from my job. It's a perk of working with people all day. One of the only ones. If you have a cool last name, I might just take it.
Random Point 4 - If I don't hurry up and start publishing these thoughts in my head, I'm going to hurt somebody... and not just on paper.
Locations are easier. Either I don't bring up the name or I come up with a really cool one and overuse it in the story. *grins* How do I come up with it? It's a process that combines all the above plus just some thought. I don't come up with a land name nearly as fast as a person name. It needs to percolate in my subconscious for quite a while before I let go of it. Land names are really special because so many people are sharing the same place. It's like all the characters in my head have to approve of it first!
