Naming names
Oct. 27th, 2007 06:20 pmI used to have a trick for picking character names. With recent projects, I've been using "real" names, so I'd stopped doing this, and forgotten about it.
I find a list.
There two big advantages of having a list: it reduces the possibly combinations of syllables down to something managements & it provides suggestions/inspiration when your brain gets stuck in a rut.
Having the words there, on the screen, in a nice, neat list makes it easier for characters to pick out their names.
Preferably the list comes from primary sources, from a particular time and place. This helps ensure the names sound like they belong together, with the occasional outrider to allow for visitors and contrary parents. The list should have at least 50 (of each) male & female names, although with a short story, a short list is workable; too many more and it takes to long to go through them, with a range of starting letters.
I have a list I compiled myself of 19th century names & another I started of babies born in 2000, for near future stories. Handy things they are.
I find a list.
There two big advantages of having a list: it reduces the possibly combinations of syllables down to something managements & it provides suggestions/inspiration when your brain gets stuck in a rut.
Having the words there, on the screen, in a nice, neat list makes it easier for characters to pick out their names.
Preferably the list comes from primary sources, from a particular time and place. This helps ensure the names sound like they belong together, with the occasional outrider to allow for visitors and contrary parents. The list should have at least 50 (of each) male & female names, although with a short story, a short list is workable; too many more and it takes to long to go through them, with a range of starting letters.
I have a list I compiled myself of 19th century names & another I started of babies born in 2000, for near future stories. Handy things they are.
