One of the first steps in my writing process involves
searching for just the right name that creates an image or impression for that
character. For walk-in characters or ones with a small role, ordinary names are
okay because as an author, I don’t want them to stand out or gain personality
quirks.
For my main characters, I have always sought unique and
hopefully memorable names. Probably a carryover from real life because that’s
how I chose my own children’s names.
Another part of the initial creation is what ethnicity I
want for the characters. Will this factor have an impact about their goals or
possibilities in making a successful life? Often with historicals set in
America, I need to factor in the time in history when a large number of a particular
ethnic group immigrated. Can’t really have a story about Scandinavian farmers
in the western Great Lakes area (present-day Wisconsin) in 1790 when the
biggest influx wasn’t until 1830-1840. Or I can’t put a big number of Spaniards
in Vermont.
In the meanings of the names, I find a personality
characteristic that becomes a core element for that person. As I think of my
heroes, I realize I choose one-syllable names a lot (Luc, Cord, Slade, Finn,
Whit, Holt, Roark, Rey, Dez—to name a few). With those choices, I’m relaying a
strength, a solidity for the heroine to rely on. As with many female names, the
ones I choose for a heroine end in the letter “a” (Vena, Lyssa, Hanna, Rikka,
Ciara, Kimbra, Dissa) which highlights a softer aspect of their natures.
When I was plotting my story Dreams of Gold, I wanted a name for my Irish heroine that flowed off
the tongue and that the reader could envision was being spoken with an accent, so
I picked Ciara Morrissey. For the hero, I wanted a name that conjured the image
of a no-nonsense man. My ex-soldier became Quinn Riley.
So, next time you start a new romance story, consider the
author’s intent in choosing the names to fit the characters.
BLURB:
1871,
Wyoming Territory
Easterner
Ciara Morrissey travels west to honor a sacred promise to her mother and locate
her fortune-seeking father. Three years of acting as caretaker to her
grandparents and mother until their deaths has created a thirst in Ciara to see
what the wide world has to offer.
Sheriff Quinn Riley has been tracking
the Irish charlatan who swindled half the population of Bull City, Wyoming.
He’s determined to stick close to the opinionated woman who arrived on the
runaway stagecoach. Within only a few hours, easterner Ciara Morrissey upsets
the townspeople by making inquires about his prime suspect. He’s duty-bound to
keep her safe, even when being close to the green-eyed beauty sets off a
stampede in his heart.
To keep updated on upcoming release, please join my
quarterly newsletter list.
Names are important. Believe it or not, I chose from my family and if stuck, go to the cemetery and study names from the time period I'm working on. It was such a melting pot here, even in the 1800's. Angela
ReplyDeleteGood point, Linda. Character names should reflect the time and place of the story, especially with historical novels.
ReplyDelete