Kim Harrington's Blog
May 25, 2012
Thirty-five years ago today, "Star Wars: Episode IV" opened in theaters.
I don’t remember the first time I saw "Episode IV," though my parents did take me to see it in the theater. I was only two or three so the memory didn’t stick. But one of my clearest childhood memories was seeing "Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back." Dad said we were going into Boston to see it. That was exciting in and of itself. Most movies, we saw at the theater at the mall. We only went into Boston for the important ones. The theater had long, red velvet drapes, and I remember thinking it was so fancy. And when the movie started and the drapes opened, I was awed. The music, the characters, the world—all of it—was so epic. I didn’t know how to read yet, so as the backstory scrolled on the screen my dad whispered the words into my ear. I barely understood them. Rebel forces? Imperial Starfleet? All I knew was that this was AWESOME. And to this day I can point to the original Star Wars trilogy as a huge influence on my creative life.
Character:
Let’s talk Princess Leia. Here was a princess…a PRINCESS…who was also a rebel. She was tough and smart. She took charge when she needed to. She was sarcastic and always ready with a funny comeback. She had long brown hair like me. I WANTED TO BE HER SO BAD.
Villains:
Darth Vader, man. DARTH VADER. My favorite villain of all time. He was fascinating. Why the suit? Why the breathing? Why is he so angry? And, people can say what they want about the new trilogy, but—Jar Jar aside—I enjoy those movies, too. They’re necessary because they show Anakin’s full story. His ultimate redemption in "Episode VI" is more meaningful after watching his descent into the dark side.
Fandom:
"Star Wars" was also my first experience with fandom. I collected all the figurines and played "Star Wars" constantly—by myself, with kids in the neighborhood, etc. My dad bought "Episode IV" on 8mm, and I watched it over and over on a cheap pull-down screen in my musty basement. I dressed as Princess Leia for Halloween. Many years later, all grown up, buzz about "Episode I" started to hit. I went to the theater to see a movie I didn’t care about just so I could watch "Episode I's" preview on the big screen. When the music cued up, the theater exploded with cheers. And when I saw that line "Every saga has a beginning...," tears filled my eyes. TEARS. I saw all three movies on opening night. Even "Attack of the Clones," when I was about to give birth in two weeks. Uncomfortable and enormous, I sat on the ground waiting in line and needed two people to help me up. I theorized with friends over who is the true Chosen One: Anakin or Luke. (My answer: Anakin. I will argue to the death over this.)
Generations & Family:
Though family, secrets, identity are all big themes in the films, here I’m talking about real families. One of my happiest moments in life was introducing "Star Wars" to my son at age five. (Original trilogy first, of course.) And all of a sudden I found myself playing with "Star Wars" figurines, having light saber battles in the yard, all these same things I did at that age. I didn't grow up with the cool things his generation has—Xbox, Internet, cell phones, etc. But here—"Star Wars"—this was something that hadn’t changed. It was something our childhoods actually had in common. A passed down, shared experience.
I only hope my grandchild in 2040 is a fan, too.
Happy Birthday, Star Wars.
May the force be with you.
I don’t remember the first time I saw "Episode IV," though my parents did take me to see it in the theater. I was only two or three so the memory didn’t stick. But one of my clearest childhood memories was seeing "Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back." Dad said we were going into Boston to see it. That was exciting in and of itself. Most movies, we saw at the theater at the mall. We only went into Boston for the important ones. The theater had long, red velvet drapes, and I remember thinking it was so fancy. And when the movie started and the drapes opened, I was awed. The music, the characters, the world—all of it—was so epic. I didn’t know how to read yet, so as the backstory scrolled on the screen my dad whispered the words into my ear. I barely understood them. Rebel forces? Imperial Starfleet? All I knew was that this was AWESOME. And to this day I can point to the original Star Wars trilogy as a huge influence on my creative life.
Character:
Let’s talk Princess Leia. Here was a princess…a PRINCESS…who was also a rebel. She was tough and smart. She took charge when she needed to. She was sarcastic and always ready with a funny comeback. She had long brown hair like me. I WANTED TO BE HER SO BAD.
Villains:
Darth Vader, man. DARTH VADER. My favorite villain of all time. He was fascinating. Why the suit? Why the breathing? Why is he so angry? And, people can say what they want about the new trilogy, but—Jar Jar aside—I enjoy those movies, too. They’re necessary because they show Anakin’s full story. His ultimate redemption in "Episode VI" is more meaningful after watching his descent into the dark side.
Fandom:
"Star Wars" was also my first experience with fandom. I collected all the figurines and played "Star Wars" constantly—by myself, with kids in the neighborhood, etc. My dad bought "Episode IV" on 8mm, and I watched it over and over on a cheap pull-down screen in my musty basement. I dressed as Princess Leia for Halloween. Many years later, all grown up, buzz about "Episode I" started to hit. I went to the theater to see a movie I didn’t care about just so I could watch "Episode I's" preview on the big screen. When the music cued up, the theater exploded with cheers. And when I saw that line "Every saga has a beginning...," tears filled my eyes. TEARS. I saw all three movies on opening night. Even "Attack of the Clones," when I was about to give birth in two weeks. Uncomfortable and enormous, I sat on the ground waiting in line and needed two people to help me up. I theorized with friends over who is the true Chosen One: Anakin or Luke. (My answer: Anakin. I will argue to the death over this.)
Generations & Family:
Though family, secrets, identity are all big themes in the films, here I’m talking about real families. One of my happiest moments in life was introducing "Star Wars" to my son at age five. (Original trilogy first, of course.) And all of a sudden I found myself playing with "Star Wars" figurines, having light saber battles in the yard, all these same things I did at that age. I didn't grow up with the cool things his generation has—Xbox, Internet, cell phones, etc. But here—"Star Wars"—this was something that hadn’t changed. It was something our childhoods actually had in common. A passed down, shared experience.
I only hope my grandchild in 2040 is a fan, too.
Happy Birthday, Star Wars.
May the force be with you.
May 23, 2012
It's time! It's time! *dances* I can finally share all the details about my next YA release. It's a standalone. It's coming out in January 2013 from Scholastic/Point. And I love the cover so much that I screamed and clapped when I saw it.
Presenting...
...
...
THE DEAD AND BURIED
(clicky clicky to make bigger)
Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.
Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school -- until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?
"Deliciously spooky and ridiculously fun, THE DEAD AND BURIED reminded me why Kim Harrington is one of my favorite authors." – Rachel Hawkins, NYT Bestselling Author of Hex Hall
"A perfect blend of mystery, horror and romance. THE DEAD AND BURIED both terrifies and seduces. I gasped at the scary parts and cried buckets at the end - I loved it!" – Sophie Jordan, NYT Bestselling Author of Firelight
"Look out Mary Downing Hahn. I've not been this spooked since Wait Till Helen Comes. Kim Harrington skillfully blends the uncertainty of moving to a new town and figuring out how to fit in with dead on humor, sweet romance, and spooky spectres. THE DEAD AND BURIED is a perfect, classical ghost story with a decidedly modern feel. I adored it." – Myra McEntire, Hourglass and Timepiece
"THE DEAD AND BURIED is a clever, fast-paced thriller that grips from first page to last. Jade Kelley is a formidable heroine who attacks problems with intelligence and sheer force of will. The tangible paranormal menace, tangle of clues and suspects, and delicious undercurrent of romantic tension all work to make this novel impossible to put down." – Sonia Gensler, The Revenant
“Kim Harrington has crafted a deliciously eerie mystery that kept me guessing from the first line to the last.” – Leigh Fallon, Carrier of the Mark
I AM SO EXCITED! I had a lot of fun writing this book. And I love the cover LIKE WHOA. It's spooky and mysterious. It says, THIS IS A HAUNTED HOUSE BOOK, YO. No confusion. And it's also one of those covers that ties in very well with the book. When you read it, you'll understand why.
So what do you think? Let me know in the comments!
You can add The Dead And Buried to your Goodreads shelf here.
And to celebrate, I'm doing a giveaway! Spread the cover far and wide and you could win a signed book from me–Clarity, Perception, Sleuth or Dare #1, Sleuth or Dare #2, or the French Clarity. Whichever one you want! Three winners! Anywhere in the world.
All you have to do to enter is post a comment below. However, you can get additional entries for:
+1 tweeting this: RT @Kim_Harrington THE DEAD AND BURIED Reveal & Giveaway! http://bit.ly/LqirTJ Please RT!
+1 adding The Dead And Buried to your Goodreads shelf.
+1 sharing a link to this blog post on Facebook (or you can just hit the share button at the bottom of this post).
+1 sharing the cover on Tumblr
+8 featuring The Dead And Buried on your blog (Waiting on Wednesday or something like that)
Please let me know everything you did in your comment so I’ll know how many points to assign to you!
The last day to enter is Tuesday, 6/5/12. I’ll go through all the entries, use Random.org, and announce the winners here on Wednesday, 6/6/12. Thanks!
Presenting...
...
...
THE DEAD AND BURIED
(clicky clicky to make bigger)Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.
Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school -- until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?
"Deliciously spooky and ridiculously fun, THE DEAD AND BURIED reminded me why Kim Harrington is one of my favorite authors." – Rachel Hawkins, NYT Bestselling Author of Hex Hall
"A perfect blend of mystery, horror and romance. THE DEAD AND BURIED both terrifies and seduces. I gasped at the scary parts and cried buckets at the end - I loved it!" – Sophie Jordan, NYT Bestselling Author of Firelight
"Look out Mary Downing Hahn. I've not been this spooked since Wait Till Helen Comes. Kim Harrington skillfully blends the uncertainty of moving to a new town and figuring out how to fit in with dead on humor, sweet romance, and spooky spectres. THE DEAD AND BURIED is a perfect, classical ghost story with a decidedly modern feel. I adored it." – Myra McEntire, Hourglass and Timepiece
"THE DEAD AND BURIED is a clever, fast-paced thriller that grips from first page to last. Jade Kelley is a formidable heroine who attacks problems with intelligence and sheer force of will. The tangible paranormal menace, tangle of clues and suspects, and delicious undercurrent of romantic tension all work to make this novel impossible to put down." – Sonia Gensler, The Revenant
“Kim Harrington has crafted a deliciously eerie mystery that kept me guessing from the first line to the last.” – Leigh Fallon, Carrier of the Mark
I AM SO EXCITED! I had a lot of fun writing this book. And I love the cover LIKE WHOA. It's spooky and mysterious. It says, THIS IS A HAUNTED HOUSE BOOK, YO. No confusion. And it's also one of those covers that ties in very well with the book. When you read it, you'll understand why.
So what do you think? Let me know in the comments!
You can add The Dead And Buried to your Goodreads shelf here.
And to celebrate, I'm doing a giveaway! Spread the cover far and wide and you could win a signed book from me–Clarity, Perception, Sleuth or Dare #1, Sleuth or Dare #2, or the French Clarity. Whichever one you want! Three winners! Anywhere in the world.
All you have to do to enter is post a comment below. However, you can get additional entries for:
+1 tweeting this: RT @Kim_Harrington THE DEAD AND BURIED Reveal & Giveaway! http://bit.ly/LqirTJ Please RT!
+1 adding The Dead And Buried to your Goodreads shelf.
+1 sharing a link to this blog post on Facebook (or you can just hit the share button at the bottom of this post).
+1 sharing the cover on Tumblr
+8 featuring The Dead And Buried on your blog (Waiting on Wednesday or something like that)
Please let me know everything you did in your comment so I’ll know how many points to assign to you!
The last day to enter is Tuesday, 6/5/12. I’ll go through all the entries, use Random.org, and announce the winners here on Wednesday, 6/6/12. Thanks!
May 3, 2012
Well, it’s not why I wrote the series. I write because when I don’t my brain gets itchy, but that’s a whole other post. I’m specifically talking about why I created the characters of Norah and Darcy. And that’s kind of personal.
When I set out to write Sleuth or Dare, my middle grade mystery series, I thought about myself at age 10 and what kind of book I would’ve wanted to read. Growing up, I was a voracious reader and loved anything suspenseful or spooky. But I was also very interested in math and science. To be blunt, I was a nerd. And, despite the many books I read, it was hard for me to find characters that reminded me of myself.
Let's get to know ten-year-old Kim, using my old copy of My Book About Me by Dr. Seuss that my parents kept all these years.
My penmanship wasn't spectacular, but I practiced!
Ah, irony. It's not that I didn't like writing. I didn't like writing in school. They wanted me to write a theme about how I spent my summer vacation, and I wanted to make up stories about monsters and psycho killers. But, yes, I loved math.
I was also, apparently, a liar. I had not traveled 100,000,000,000 miles by plane. But lying came in handy with the whole writing thing.
So that's who I was. Now that I’m a grown-up and a parent, I’m very sensitive to gender stereotypes. I think everyone has a few THINGS that make their heads EXPLODE. For me, it’s the message that math and science are for boys. Like the “I’m too pretty to do homework” T-shirt debacle or the doll who complained “Math class is tough” when her string was pulled. This is my head when I see these things:
Photo credit: Mr. Masterson
So when creating the heroines of my Sleuth or Dare books, I knew right away who they would be.
My main characters, Norah and Darcy, are nerds and proud of it. They excel in math and science. They have their own interests and hobbies that they unapologetically geek out over. Norah’s biggest aspiration isn’t to become one of the popular girls. It’s to be an astronomer. In her spare time, she stargazes through her telescope and checks her favorite astronomy blog. And Darcy is a tech guru and spy gadget lover. They work together to solve mysteries for their detective agency, Partners in Crime.
When people ask me what message I want kids to get from my books, I like to say that I write only to entertain. But, if I’m honest, I’m also writing for myself. For that ten-year-old nerd who had trouble finding herself in a book. If kids, especially girls, take anything away from Sleuth or Dare, I want it to be that they are awesome. They can accomplish anything they set their minds to. And that nerds…are heroes.
Ten-year-old Kim with her glittery purple sweater, purple corduroys, and purple glasses says HI!
When I set out to write Sleuth or Dare, my middle grade mystery series, I thought about myself at age 10 and what kind of book I would’ve wanted to read. Growing up, I was a voracious reader and loved anything suspenseful or spooky. But I was also very interested in math and science. To be blunt, I was a nerd. And, despite the many books I read, it was hard for me to find characters that reminded me of myself.
Let's get to know ten-year-old Kim, using my old copy of My Book About Me by Dr. Seuss that my parents kept all these years.
My penmanship wasn't spectacular, but I practiced!
Ah, irony. It's not that I didn't like writing. I didn't like writing in school. They wanted me to write a theme about how I spent my summer vacation, and I wanted to make up stories about monsters and psycho killers. But, yes, I loved math.
I was also, apparently, a liar. I had not traveled 100,000,000,000 miles by plane. But lying came in handy with the whole writing thing. So that's who I was. Now that I’m a grown-up and a parent, I’m very sensitive to gender stereotypes. I think everyone has a few THINGS that make their heads EXPLODE. For me, it’s the message that math and science are for boys. Like the “I’m too pretty to do homework” T-shirt debacle or the doll who complained “Math class is tough” when her string was pulled. This is my head when I see these things:
Photo credit: Mr. MastersonSo when creating the heroines of my Sleuth or Dare books, I knew right away who they would be.
My main characters, Norah and Darcy, are nerds and proud of it. They excel in math and science. They have their own interests and hobbies that they unapologetically geek out over. Norah’s biggest aspiration isn’t to become one of the popular girls. It’s to be an astronomer. In her spare time, she stargazes through her telescope and checks her favorite astronomy blog. And Darcy is a tech guru and spy gadget lover. They work together to solve mysteries for their detective agency, Partners in Crime.
When people ask me what message I want kids to get from my books, I like to say that I write only to entertain. But, if I’m honest, I’m also writing for myself. For that ten-year-old nerd who had trouble finding herself in a book. If kids, especially girls, take anything away from Sleuth or Dare, I want it to be that they are awesome. They can accomplish anything they set their minds to. And that nerds…are heroes.
Ten-year-old Kim with her glittery purple sweater, purple corduroys, and purple glasses says HI!
May 1, 2012
Sleuth or Dare #1: Partners in Crime is officially out in bookstores today! *throws confetti*
IndieBound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon
Whodunit?
When best friends Darcy and Norah have to create a fake business for a school assignment, they come up with a great idea: a detective agency! Darcy loves mysteries, and Norah likes helping people, so it's a perfect fit.
But then their pretend agency gets a real case. Someone is missing, and it's up to Darcy and Norah to take on the search. Unfortunately, there's someone else out there who doesn't want the two detectives stirring up any trouble....
With the help of hidden clues, spy gadgets, and trusted friends, can Darcy and Norah crack the case in time?
This book is the first in a series of three. Sleuth or Dare #2: Sleepover Stakeout comes out 6/1/12 and Sleuth or Dare #3: Framed & Dangerous releases on 7/1/12. These are middle grade books for ages 8-12. They have mystery, suspense, humor, and friendship drama, and I love them LIKE WHOA. More details on why they're so close to my heart to come in a separate post.
But right now, to celebrate #1 being released into the wild, I'm giving away TWO signed finished copies. Enter below and thanks so much for passing on the word about my new series!
IndieBound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon
Whodunit?
When best friends Darcy and Norah have to create a fake business for a school assignment, they come up with a great idea: a detective agency! Darcy loves mysteries, and Norah likes helping people, so it's a perfect fit.
But then their pretend agency gets a real case. Someone is missing, and it's up to Darcy and Norah to take on the search. Unfortunately, there's someone else out there who doesn't want the two detectives stirring up any trouble....
With the help of hidden clues, spy gadgets, and trusted friends, can Darcy and Norah crack the case in time?
This book is the first in a series of three. Sleuth or Dare #2: Sleepover Stakeout comes out 6/1/12 and Sleuth or Dare #3: Framed & Dangerous releases on 7/1/12. These are middle grade books for ages 8-12. They have mystery, suspense, humor, and friendship drama, and I love them LIKE WHOA. More details on why they're so close to my heart to come in a separate post.
But right now, to celebrate #1 being released into the wild, I'm giving away TWO signed finished copies. Enter below and thanks so much for passing on the word about my new series!
April 23, 2012
Last week, to celebrate some of my foreign releases, I went on a world tour.*
First, to France, where Perception just came out April 12th, I think.
Next, to the UK, where Clarity is coming out June 7th.
Then, to Germany, where Clarity is coming out...uh...sometime? I don't think I have this date yet.
Ignore the fact that my hair is in the same ponytail and I'm wearing the same Friday Night Lights T-shirt every day. Uh...the airline lost my luggage.**
I had to skip Russia, Greece, Poland, and Croatia (the other countries Clarity has sold to) because...uh...I had to cut the trip short...***
...because I went to Hogsmeade instead. Yeah, it's real.****
And then I rode a Speeder Bike on Endor.*****
Okay, you got me. I did not go on a World Tour. I went to Disney World and Universal. But I had a great time!******
*This is a lie.
**Also a lie. These pictures were all taken within 30 minutes.
***Lie. It's because those countries aren't in EPCOT.
****No, it's Universal. But I was pretty excited.
*****Not really. But this is photo evidence of what a dork I am.
******TRUTH.
First, to France, where Perception just came out April 12th, I think.
Next, to the UK, where Clarity is coming out June 7th. 
Then, to Germany, where Clarity is coming out...uh...sometime? I don't think I have this date yet.
Ignore the fact that my hair is in the same ponytail and I'm wearing the same Friday Night Lights T-shirt every day. Uh...the airline lost my luggage.**I had to skip Russia, Greece, Poland, and Croatia (the other countries Clarity has sold to) because...uh...I had to cut the trip short...***
...because I went to Hogsmeade instead. Yeah, it's real.****
And then I rode a Speeder Bike on Endor.*****
Okay, you got me. I did not go on a World Tour. I went to Disney World and Universal. But I had a great time!*******This is a lie.
**Also a lie. These pictures were all taken within 30 minutes.
***Lie. It's because those countries aren't in EPCOT.
****No, it's Universal. But I was pretty excited.
*****Not really. But this is photo evidence of what a dork I am.
******TRUTH.
April 12, 2012
So last year I did a post about getting book ideas from various places, including news stories. Now I'm in the mood to play again. I'm not going to use any of these. I just like to show how you can play the "what if" game with daily headlines. So let's get some book ideas from the news!
These are all stories from today only!
Attack of the Killer Fungi
Summary: A killer fungus is posing a rising threat and worrying scientists. It is killing amphibians, bats, sea turtles, coral, and bee colonies. And it's threatening humans by attacking crops.
Ideas: Okay, clearly we have the beginning of an apocalyptic novel here, or the backstory of a dystopian. You could also have an environmental thriller if a government/crazy scientist created the fungus on purpose and the "good guys" are in a race to find a way to stop it before it spreads. Or even a military/terrorism thriller. These are always more interesting when the basis is true science.
Newborn Alive After Being Declared Dead
Summary: A newborn baby in Argentina was found alive in the morgue 12 hours after being declared dead.
Okay, there are lots of directions you can take with this one.
Paranormal/horror: The baby is a (changeling/vampire/something new), but the parents see only a miracle. Or the mother made a "deal" to save her baby, but as the baby grows up the child is evil/taken back/etc.
Contemporary: A morgue worker has always wanted a baby of her own. She lives a lonely life, she's gone past childbearing age, and has given up hope. But then one day she hears a cry. A baby the doctors had declared dead is actually alive. She could walk right out with it and no one would ever know the baby had lived. She could raise the baby as her own...
Suspense: The contemporary story above except the mother always felt in her heart that her baby hadn't died. And one day she sees a child who looks just like her younger self. She begins to research that day in the hospital and realizes her baby may be alive after all…
Author's Fictional Titan
Summary: Fourteen years before the Titanic sank, an author wrote a novella about a ship named Titan that was hailed unsinkable, but sank after striking an iceberg in mid-April.
This has been played with before in various ways (Early Edition, Stranger Than Fiction) but immediately some ideas come to mind.
Paranormal: A writer predicts the future in his books. First, only small events. Then one day he writes about (big scary incident). No one believes him except (the ex-wife he still loves/the best friend he knows will die/a beautiful rogue cop/etc.). And together they must figure out if the future can be changed and how.
Horror: A writer who can make things happen by first writing them takes revenge on his enemies. The death scenes could be really creative!
You could even do a contemporary spin on this for a comedy or romance.
British Man Allegedly Fathered 600 children Through Sperm Bank Donations.
First, eww. Now, on to some ideas.
Contemporary: There are many tales here—search for siblings, true love thwarted by unintended incest (eww, but hey, just brainstorming).
Sci-Fi/Horror: What if unintended incest caused a gene mutation?
Paranormal: The man had a "gift" (paranormal being, psychic ability) that was now spreading through his broad fathering of children.
I just wrote this post up in about ten minutes after reading the morning news, so clearly most of the ideas are crap. But I think it's a great game. It stretches the writer muscle and gets the creative juices flowing. I recommend it. Read the news and let your writer brain have some fun!
These are all stories from today only!
Attack of the Killer Fungi
Summary: A killer fungus is posing a rising threat and worrying scientists. It is killing amphibians, bats, sea turtles, coral, and bee colonies. And it's threatening humans by attacking crops.
Ideas: Okay, clearly we have the beginning of an apocalyptic novel here, or the backstory of a dystopian. You could also have an environmental thriller if a government/crazy scientist created the fungus on purpose and the "good guys" are in a race to find a way to stop it before it spreads. Or even a military/terrorism thriller. These are always more interesting when the basis is true science.
Newborn Alive After Being Declared Dead
Summary: A newborn baby in Argentina was found alive in the morgue 12 hours after being declared dead.
Okay, there are lots of directions you can take with this one.
Paranormal/horror: The baby is a (changeling/vampire/something new), but the parents see only a miracle. Or the mother made a "deal" to save her baby, but as the baby grows up the child is evil/taken back/etc.
Contemporary: A morgue worker has always wanted a baby of her own. She lives a lonely life, she's gone past childbearing age, and has given up hope. But then one day she hears a cry. A baby the doctors had declared dead is actually alive. She could walk right out with it and no one would ever know the baby had lived. She could raise the baby as her own...
Suspense: The contemporary story above except the mother always felt in her heart that her baby hadn't died. And one day she sees a child who looks just like her younger self. She begins to research that day in the hospital and realizes her baby may be alive after all…
Author's Fictional Titan
Summary: Fourteen years before the Titanic sank, an author wrote a novella about a ship named Titan that was hailed unsinkable, but sank after striking an iceberg in mid-April.
This has been played with before in various ways (Early Edition, Stranger Than Fiction) but immediately some ideas come to mind.
Paranormal: A writer predicts the future in his books. First, only small events. Then one day he writes about (big scary incident). No one believes him except (the ex-wife he still loves/the best friend he knows will die/a beautiful rogue cop/etc.). And together they must figure out if the future can be changed and how.
Horror: A writer who can make things happen by first writing them takes revenge on his enemies. The death scenes could be really creative!
You could even do a contemporary spin on this for a comedy or romance.
British Man Allegedly Fathered 600 children Through Sperm Bank Donations.
First, eww. Now, on to some ideas.
Contemporary: There are many tales here—search for siblings, true love thwarted by unintended incest (eww, but hey, just brainstorming).
Sci-Fi/Horror: What if unintended incest caused a gene mutation?
Paranormal: The man had a "gift" (paranormal being, psychic ability) that was now spreading through his broad fathering of children.
I just wrote this post up in about ten minutes after reading the morning news, so clearly most of the ideas are crap. But I think it's a great game. It stretches the writer muscle and gets the creative juices flowing. I recommend it. Read the news and let your writer brain have some fun!
April 3, 2012
For those who can't make it to any of my signings but would still like an autographed book, you can have a bookplate! A bookplate is like a sticker (with a design on it). I sign it to you and you can stick in right inside your book. I'll also toss in a signed bookmark! Here's how to get one:
1. Send a SASE (regular size envelope with a stamp) to: Kim Harrington, P.O. Box 1034, Westborough, MA 01581. If you would like a bookmark with your bookplate, please don't use one of those really short envelopes. The bookmark won't fit. It has to be a standard/regular size.
2. Include a note letting me know if you want the bookplate signed to anyone in particular or just my signature. Also let me know if this is for Clarity/Perception or Sleuth or Dare, so I know which series bookmark to include.
And that's it! I'll sign and mail the goodies back to you in your SASE.
1. Send a SASE (regular size envelope with a stamp) to: Kim Harrington, P.O. Box 1034, Westborough, MA 01581. If you would like a bookmark with your bookplate, please don't use one of those really short envelopes. The bookmark won't fit. It has to be a standard/regular size.
2. Include a note letting me know if you want the bookplate signed to anyone in particular or just my signature. Also let me know if this is for Clarity/Perception or Sleuth or Dare, so I know which series bookmark to include.
And that's it! I'll sign and mail the goodies back to you in your SASE.
March 27, 2012
Today we’re continuing our exploration of the (not so) small choices a writer makes in developing characters. Yesterday, we focused on names. Today…appearances!
Kim Harrington, CLARITY & PERCEPTION
I did not give Clare long, red, beautiful curls because I wanted a stunning redheaded model to be on the cover of my book. Though that was a pretty side effect. No, the reason I gave Clarity red hair was because she’s a girl who wants to blend into the background, so I had to make her stand out in every way. She’s the town psychic, the freak, the one others point at and whisper about. So I wanted her to attract attention physically, too. And it helps that her fiery red hair matches her equally fierce temperament.
For the rest of the Fern family, I could’ve had Clare look like her missing father and Perry look like their mother. But it served my purposes in the story to have it the other way around. Perry, a young man who looks just like his father, is a constant reminder to Starla of her long-gone husband. And Starla, looking like an older version of her daughter, makes Clare think about her own future and whether she wants to be giving readings to tourists thirty years from now. The characters' looks add to their internal conflicts.
Leigh Fallon, CARRIER OF THE MARK
I put a great deal of thought into a character's appearance. Before we really get to know a character, what makes them tick and motivates them, we generally get that first glimpse, just like in real life. You see someone and you form your first impression. That first impression is probably way off, but when writing, you need to lead the reader in the right general direction.
How my characters look is a sneak peek at what makes them tick. For instance, in CARRIER OF THE MARK, I gave Rían slightly long, unruly hair, he has dark eyes that burn into you, he always has his motorcycle helmet and leather jacket. His protective clothing sort of emulate his desire to protect the world from his power, while also using them as a screen to hide his more vulnerable side from the world.
Dawn Metcalf, LUMINOUS
I was very clear on what Consuela looked like in this world and in the world of the Flow. She was short, fat and curvaceous with a wide, broad smile and dark skin. Early descriptions of her were that she had "cantaloupe breasts" and a "big, bubble butt" that she flaunted in the changing room mirror. As a skeleton, I wanted her to be beautiful and not scary, which is why her bones were pearly and almost hypnotic, glowing and luminescent. I thought about it being a slightly pinkish mother-of-pearl or abalone sheen. She wasn't a Halloween prop, she was the Lady of the Dead ala Dia de los Muertos: beautiful and powerful and otherworldly.
Brigid Kemmerer, STORM: Book 1 of the Elemental Series
Hunter, one of the male leads from STORM, has a white streak in his hair that's natural. I totally got the idea from a girl I went to high school with who had a birthmark on her head, which led to a naturally different colored streak through her blond hair.
Leah Cypess, MISTWOOD
In the original version of MISTWOOD, Isabel's hair was brown. I chose brown deliberately, because it seems like a neutral, unremarkable color, and contrasted so well with the blond color she chose to shift her hair into when she wanted to make an impression. But then somewhere between revisions 3 and 4, I was talking to my editor, and she said, "Oh, we've found a picture for the cover, and the girl has reddish-brown hair. I don't think it matters, because Isabel's a shapeshifter, but if you want you could change the color of her hair throughout."
I thought it mattered, and I did go and change her hair color. But it wasn't as simple as search-and-replace, because auburn is a more specific color than brown; whenever I used it, I felt it drew attention more than "brown" had. As a result, I removed the color description from Isabel's hair in many places, so that it wouldn't feel overemphasized. And also because, in at least one place, I felt it would be a too-significant clue to a crucial plot point. (Those who have read the book might be able to guess what I'm talking about; it's on page 248.)
I loved collecting these writer secrets and I hoped you enjoyed reading them! Share your thoughts in the comments!
Kim Harrington, CLARITY & PERCEPTION
I did not give Clare long, red, beautiful curls because I wanted a stunning redheaded model to be on the cover of my book. Though that was a pretty side effect. No, the reason I gave Clarity red hair was because she’s a girl who wants to blend into the background, so I had to make her stand out in every way. She’s the town psychic, the freak, the one others point at and whisper about. So I wanted her to attract attention physically, too. And it helps that her fiery red hair matches her equally fierce temperament.
For the rest of the Fern family, I could’ve had Clare look like her missing father and Perry look like their mother. But it served my purposes in the story to have it the other way around. Perry, a young man who looks just like his father, is a constant reminder to Starla of her long-gone husband. And Starla, looking like an older version of her daughter, makes Clare think about her own future and whether she wants to be giving readings to tourists thirty years from now. The characters' looks add to their internal conflicts.
Leigh Fallon, CARRIER OF THE MARK
I put a great deal of thought into a character's appearance. Before we really get to know a character, what makes them tick and motivates them, we generally get that first glimpse, just like in real life. You see someone and you form your first impression. That first impression is probably way off, but when writing, you need to lead the reader in the right general direction.
How my characters look is a sneak peek at what makes them tick. For instance, in CARRIER OF THE MARK, I gave Rían slightly long, unruly hair, he has dark eyes that burn into you, he always has his motorcycle helmet and leather jacket. His protective clothing sort of emulate his desire to protect the world from his power, while also using them as a screen to hide his more vulnerable side from the world.
Dawn Metcalf, LUMINOUS
I was very clear on what Consuela looked like in this world and in the world of the Flow. She was short, fat and curvaceous with a wide, broad smile and dark skin. Early descriptions of her were that she had "cantaloupe breasts" and a "big, bubble butt" that she flaunted in the changing room mirror. As a skeleton, I wanted her to be beautiful and not scary, which is why her bones were pearly and almost hypnotic, glowing and luminescent. I thought about it being a slightly pinkish mother-of-pearl or abalone sheen. She wasn't a Halloween prop, she was the Lady of the Dead ala Dia de los Muertos: beautiful and powerful and otherworldly.
Brigid Kemmerer, STORM: Book 1 of the Elemental Series
Hunter, one of the male leads from STORM, has a white streak in his hair that's natural. I totally got the idea from a girl I went to high school with who had a birthmark on her head, which led to a naturally different colored streak through her blond hair.
Leah Cypess, MISTWOOD
In the original version of MISTWOOD, Isabel's hair was brown. I chose brown deliberately, because it seems like a neutral, unremarkable color, and contrasted so well with the blond color she chose to shift her hair into when she wanted to make an impression. But then somewhere between revisions 3 and 4, I was talking to my editor, and she said, "Oh, we've found a picture for the cover, and the girl has reddish-brown hair. I don't think it matters, because Isabel's a shapeshifter, but if you want you could change the color of her hair throughout."
I thought it mattered, and I did go and change her hair color. But it wasn't as simple as search-and-replace, because auburn is a more specific color than brown; whenever I used it, I felt it drew attention more than "brown" had. As a result, I removed the color description from Isabel's hair in many places, so that it wouldn't feel overemphasized. And also because, in at least one place, I felt it would be a too-significant clue to a crucial plot point. (Those who have read the book might be able to guess what I'm talking about; it's on page 248.)
I loved collecting these writer secrets and I hoped you enjoyed reading them! Share your thoughts in the comments!
Today we're continuing our exploration of the (not so) small choices a writer makes in developing characters. Yesterday, we focused on names. Today…appearances!
Kim Harrington, CLARITY & PERCEPTION
I did not give Clare long, red, beautiful curls because I wanted a stunning redheaded model to be on the cover of my book. Though that was a pretty side effect. No, the reason I gave Clarity red hair was because she's a girl who wants to blend into the background, so I had to make her stand out in every way. She's the town psychic, the freak, the one others point at and whisper about. So I wanted her to attract attention physically, too. And it helps that her fiery red hair matches her equally fierce temperament.
For the rest of the Fern family, I could've had Clare look like her missing father and Perry look like their mother. But it served my purposes in the story to have it the other way around. Perry, a young man who looks just like his father, is a constant reminder to Starla of her long-gone husband. And Starla, looking like an older version of her daughter, makes Clare think about her own future and whether she wants to be giving readings to tourists thirty years from now. The characters' looks add to their internal conflicts.
Leigh Fallon, CARRIER OF THE MARK
I put a great deal of thought into a character's appearance. Before we really get to know a character, what makes them tick and motivates them, we generally get that first glimpse, just like in real life. You see someone and you form your first impression. That first impression is probably way off, but when writing, you need to lead the reader in the right general direction.
How my characters look is a sneak peek at what makes them tick. For instance, in CARRIER OF THE MARK, I gave Rían slightly long, unruly hair, he has dark eyes that burn into you, he always has his motorcycle helmet and leather jacket. His protective clothing sort of emulate his desire to protect the world from his power, while also using them as a screen to hide his more vulnerable side from the world.
Dawn Metcalf, LUMINOUS
I was very clear on what Consuela looked like in this world and in the world of the Flow. She was short, fat and curvaceous with a wide, broad smile and dark skin. Early descriptions of her were that she had "cantaloupe breasts" and a "big, bubble butt" that she flaunted in the changing room mirror. As a skeleton, I wanted her to be beautiful and not scary, which is why her bones were pearly and almost hypnotic, glowing and luminescent. I thought about it being a slightly pinkish mother-of-pearl or abalone sheen. She wasn't a Halloween prop, she was the Lady of the Dead ala Dia de los Muertos: beautiful and powerful and otherworldly.
Brigid Kemmerer, STORM: Book 1 of the Elemental Series
Hunter, one of the male leads from STORM, has a white streak in his hair that's natural. I totally got the idea from a girl I went to high school with who had a birthmark on her head, which led to a naturally different colored streak through her blond hair.
Leah Cypess, MISTWOOD
In the original version of MISTWOOD, Isabel's hair was brown. I chose brown deliberately, because it seems like a neutral, unremarkable color, and contrasted so well with the blond color she chose to shift her hair into when she wanted to make an impression. But then somewhere between revisions 3 and 4, I was talking to my editor, and she said, "Oh, we've found a picture for the cover, and the girl has reddish-brown hair. I don't think it matters, because Isabel's a shapeshifter, but if you want you could change the color of her hair throughout."
I thought it mattered, and I did go and change her hair color. But it wasn't as simple as search-and-replace, because auburn is a more specific color than brown; whenever I used it, I felt it drew attention more than "brown" had. As a result, I removed the color description from Isabel's hair in many places, so that it wouldn't feel overemphasized. And also because, in at least one place, I felt it would be a too-significant clue to a crucial plot point. (Those who have read the book might be able to guess what I'm talking about; it's on page 248.)
I loved collecting these writer secrets and I hoped you enjoyed reading them! Share your thoughts in the comments!
Kim Harrington, CLARITY & PERCEPTION
I did not give Clare long, red, beautiful curls because I wanted a stunning redheaded model to be on the cover of my book. Though that was a pretty side effect. No, the reason I gave Clarity red hair was because she's a girl who wants to blend into the background, so I had to make her stand out in every way. She's the town psychic, the freak, the one others point at and whisper about. So I wanted her to attract attention physically, too. And it helps that her fiery red hair matches her equally fierce temperament.
For the rest of the Fern family, I could've had Clare look like her missing father and Perry look like their mother. But it served my purposes in the story to have it the other way around. Perry, a young man who looks just like his father, is a constant reminder to Starla of her long-gone husband. And Starla, looking like an older version of her daughter, makes Clare think about her own future and whether she wants to be giving readings to tourists thirty years from now. The characters' looks add to their internal conflicts.
Leigh Fallon, CARRIER OF THE MARK
I put a great deal of thought into a character's appearance. Before we really get to know a character, what makes them tick and motivates them, we generally get that first glimpse, just like in real life. You see someone and you form your first impression. That first impression is probably way off, but when writing, you need to lead the reader in the right general direction.
How my characters look is a sneak peek at what makes them tick. For instance, in CARRIER OF THE MARK, I gave Rían slightly long, unruly hair, he has dark eyes that burn into you, he always has his motorcycle helmet and leather jacket. His protective clothing sort of emulate his desire to protect the world from his power, while also using them as a screen to hide his more vulnerable side from the world.
Dawn Metcalf, LUMINOUS
I was very clear on what Consuela looked like in this world and in the world of the Flow. She was short, fat and curvaceous with a wide, broad smile and dark skin. Early descriptions of her were that she had "cantaloupe breasts" and a "big, bubble butt" that she flaunted in the changing room mirror. As a skeleton, I wanted her to be beautiful and not scary, which is why her bones were pearly and almost hypnotic, glowing and luminescent. I thought about it being a slightly pinkish mother-of-pearl or abalone sheen. She wasn't a Halloween prop, she was the Lady of the Dead ala Dia de los Muertos: beautiful and powerful and otherworldly.
Brigid Kemmerer, STORM: Book 1 of the Elemental Series
Hunter, one of the male leads from STORM, has a white streak in his hair that's natural. I totally got the idea from a girl I went to high school with who had a birthmark on her head, which led to a naturally different colored streak through her blond hair.
Leah Cypess, MISTWOOD
In the original version of MISTWOOD, Isabel's hair was brown. I chose brown deliberately, because it seems like a neutral, unremarkable color, and contrasted so well with the blond color she chose to shift her hair into when she wanted to make an impression. But then somewhere between revisions 3 and 4, I was talking to my editor, and she said, "Oh, we've found a picture for the cover, and the girl has reddish-brown hair. I don't think it matters, because Isabel's a shapeshifter, but if you want you could change the color of her hair throughout."
I thought it mattered, and I did go and change her hair color. But it wasn't as simple as search-and-replace, because auburn is a more specific color than brown; whenever I used it, I felt it drew attention more than "brown" had. As a result, I removed the color description from Isabel's hair in many places, so that it wouldn't feel overemphasized. And also because, in at least one place, I felt it would be a too-significant clue to a crucial plot point. (Those who have read the book might be able to guess what I'm talking about; it's on page 248.)
I loved collecting these writer secrets and I hoped you enjoyed reading them! Share your thoughts in the comments!
March 26, 2012
Have you ever wondered why an author chose a particular character name? Or why that character is short/tall/blonde/freckled? Today and tomorrow, you can take a peek into the writer's mind. (It's not that scary of a place.) We're focusing on the (not so) small choices a writer makes when developing their characters. The things that may seem simple on the outside—like the color of a character’s hair—that were actually a conscious choice we spent a bit of time on!
Today, we’re spilling secrets on character names.
Kim Harrington, CLARITY & PERCEPTION
The surname Fern was deliberately chosen. I wanted my main character’s last name to be short and punchy—like her. I went with Fern because, like the plant, she looks delicate but is actually quite hardy.
Part of the Ferns’ family dynamic is that Starla, the mother, leans toward the strange and her kids sometimes just want to be normal. So it made sense to me that Starla would give them unusual first names, and they’d just go by more “normal” nicknames. The boy was always Periwinkle “Perry” Fern. I worked backward with this one. I picked the nickname first—Perry—and searched for an unusual name that could be a longer version of that. My main character, however, was originally called Andromeda “Andie” Fern. ("Andromeda" because I’m an astronomy buff and I like the name. "Andie" because I think it's a girl's name that's both cute and tough at the same time.) But with a title change came a name change to Clarity and Clare was a natural nickname for that. And now I can’t imagine her as anyone else.
Dawn Metcalf, LUMINOUS
I deliberately choose a lot of character names (and nicknames) that reflect not only something about the character's "character" but also a hint about their purpose in the story. In LUMINOUS, I always wanted to use the Spanish name "Consuela," which means "solace" or "comfort," something very much in tune with her character and role in both of her worlds, and her last name was changed from "Bones" to "Chavez," which means "keys," fitting nicely with her ability to walk between worlds.
"Tender" was a fun play on words since he was about as "tender" as a ball of spikes, and "Sissy" wasn't very confident in herself, but her last name--Gardner--hinted at her guardianship responsibilities that she took seriously. I wanted Wish to personify hope and longing and occupy a somewhat lesser status vis-a-vis Tender, which is why his last name is "Squires." And while Joseph Crow could really become a crow, I didn't actually choose his name for that reason; it was more to do with his tribe and its importance and it conveniently made his initials "J.C." which was more than a little hint about what were my bigger plans for his character.
Jenny O'Connell, RICH BOYS
I love the name Winnie, but that's not why I chose Winnie for the main character's name in RICH BOYS. Winnie is actually short for Winifred, which sounds so old-fashioned and mature (and hopefully demonstrates that we all have to grow up and deal with adult issues). Naturally her friends and family call her Winnie. But... when she meets Jay he asks what her real name is. And she asks him what his is (nobody is really named Jay, right?). Turns out Jay's "real" name is Herbert James Barclay III. It's a family name, she learns, and she also quickly gets why he goes by Jay. He is equally understanding about Winifred. From then on Winnie and Jay call each other Fred and Herb. It's only something they do in private, and not something they share with anyone else. I liked the idea of these two very different people sharing nicknames for one another, and that it shows they have a sense of humor and intimacy with each other that they don't share with anyone else.
Leah Cypess, MISTWOOD
When I got my first revision letter for MISTWOOD, one of the first things my editor said was, "You have to change the names of a lot of the male characters." These were the names in the version I sent her: Dykan, Damin, Krigan, Kaer. You see the problem. I'm not entirely sure how I didn't see the problem, but trust me, this is just one of the reasons writers need editors.
So I set out to make up new names. Since I write fantasy, I get to choose names based entirely on how they sound. I start out with the letter I want the character's name to start with. That part usually comes to me pretty easily (though obviously, sometimes my instinct will go bonkers and fixate on the letters "d" and "k"). Then I fill a page, or sometimes more than a page, with a string of syllable-combinations starting with that letter. Some sound more right to me than others, and lead me in the direction I want to go, and finally I come up with a few that sound best. I then go away from my list for at least a few hours, and when I come back, it's pretty clear to me which of the fantasy names I've invented fit which character. Which is how I came up with: Owain, Ven, Albin, Kaer. Much better, no?
Leigh Fallon, CARRIER OF THE MARK
When it came to naming my MC in CARRIER OF THE MARK, Megan was the first one I thought of. Firstly, it’s my daughters name and I love using family names in my books. Secondly, it’s a name that crosses borders in the English speaking world, readily known by all, kind of girl-next-doorish. So, while Megan would struggle with all the Irish names around her, all her new schoolmates wouldn’t bat an eyelid at hers. It subtly compounds the duck out of water feeling that sets the scene at the beginning of Carrier.
Sonia Gensler, THE REVENANT
Many have asked how I chose names for the Cherokee characters in THE REVENANT, and people seem particularly intrigued by Eli Sevenstar. It's a pretty awesome name, isn't it? Well, I didn't just make it up. During my research I was fortunate to discover school catalogs from 1896 for the Cherokee Female and Male Seminaries. These catalogs listed the names of each enrolled student from the seniors all the way down to the primary department, as well as almunae dating back to before the Civil War. What a wealth of wonderful and historically/culturally appropriate names! I could mix and match, confident that at one time or another there really was a seminary student with that first or last name. As you might imagine, Sevenstar jumped out at me right away. It was mysterious and alluring, just like the character. I chose Eli for his first name because it seemed more accessible and down-to-earth. (Did I just make a pun?) Now I can't imagine him with any other name, and it's my favorite name for any character I've created so far.
Brigid Kemmerer, STORM: Book 1 of the Elemental Series
I have four brothers in my story, named Michael, Gabriel, Nicholas, and Christopher. My husband's name is Michael, and my son's name is Nicholas. A lot of people think I named the characters after people in my family. They're wrong. I first wrote about these four brothers back when I was in high school, and these are the same four names they had then. One of my favorite male names is Michael, and I always swore I would marry a man named Michael. (Sheer luck, I swear.) When I got pregnant with my first son, I wanted to name him Christopher (the lead character in my first book), but Christopher Kemmerer just has too many -ers going on. So my first son was named Nicholas.
Fascinating, right? Share your thoughts in the comments and check back tomorrow for insights into character appearances!
Today, we’re spilling secrets on character names.
Kim Harrington, CLARITY & PERCEPTION
The surname Fern was deliberately chosen. I wanted my main character’s last name to be short and punchy—like her. I went with Fern because, like the plant, she looks delicate but is actually quite hardy.
Part of the Ferns’ family dynamic is that Starla, the mother, leans toward the strange and her kids sometimes just want to be normal. So it made sense to me that Starla would give them unusual first names, and they’d just go by more “normal” nicknames. The boy was always Periwinkle “Perry” Fern. I worked backward with this one. I picked the nickname first—Perry—and searched for an unusual name that could be a longer version of that. My main character, however, was originally called Andromeda “Andie” Fern. ("Andromeda" because I’m an astronomy buff and I like the name. "Andie" because I think it's a girl's name that's both cute and tough at the same time.) But with a title change came a name change to Clarity and Clare was a natural nickname for that. And now I can’t imagine her as anyone else.
Dawn Metcalf, LUMINOUS
I deliberately choose a lot of character names (and nicknames) that reflect not only something about the character's "character" but also a hint about their purpose in the story. In LUMINOUS, I always wanted to use the Spanish name "Consuela," which means "solace" or "comfort," something very much in tune with her character and role in both of her worlds, and her last name was changed from "Bones" to "Chavez," which means "keys," fitting nicely with her ability to walk between worlds.
"Tender" was a fun play on words since he was about as "tender" as a ball of spikes, and "Sissy" wasn't very confident in herself, but her last name--Gardner--hinted at her guardianship responsibilities that she took seriously. I wanted Wish to personify hope and longing and occupy a somewhat lesser status vis-a-vis Tender, which is why his last name is "Squires." And while Joseph Crow could really become a crow, I didn't actually choose his name for that reason; it was more to do with his tribe and its importance and it conveniently made his initials "J.C." which was more than a little hint about what were my bigger plans for his character.
Jenny O'Connell, RICH BOYS
I love the name Winnie, but that's not why I chose Winnie for the main character's name in RICH BOYS. Winnie is actually short for Winifred, which sounds so old-fashioned and mature (and hopefully demonstrates that we all have to grow up and deal with adult issues). Naturally her friends and family call her Winnie. But... when she meets Jay he asks what her real name is. And she asks him what his is (nobody is really named Jay, right?). Turns out Jay's "real" name is Herbert James Barclay III. It's a family name, she learns, and she also quickly gets why he goes by Jay. He is equally understanding about Winifred. From then on Winnie and Jay call each other Fred and Herb. It's only something they do in private, and not something they share with anyone else. I liked the idea of these two very different people sharing nicknames for one another, and that it shows they have a sense of humor and intimacy with each other that they don't share with anyone else.
Leah Cypess, MISTWOOD
When I got my first revision letter for MISTWOOD, one of the first things my editor said was, "You have to change the names of a lot of the male characters." These were the names in the version I sent her: Dykan, Damin, Krigan, Kaer. You see the problem. I'm not entirely sure how I didn't see the problem, but trust me, this is just one of the reasons writers need editors.
So I set out to make up new names. Since I write fantasy, I get to choose names based entirely on how they sound. I start out with the letter I want the character's name to start with. That part usually comes to me pretty easily (though obviously, sometimes my instinct will go bonkers and fixate on the letters "d" and "k"). Then I fill a page, or sometimes more than a page, with a string of syllable-combinations starting with that letter. Some sound more right to me than others, and lead me in the direction I want to go, and finally I come up with a few that sound best. I then go away from my list for at least a few hours, and when I come back, it's pretty clear to me which of the fantasy names I've invented fit which character. Which is how I came up with: Owain, Ven, Albin, Kaer. Much better, no?
Leigh Fallon, CARRIER OF THE MARK
When it came to naming my MC in CARRIER OF THE MARK, Megan was the first one I thought of. Firstly, it’s my daughters name and I love using family names in my books. Secondly, it’s a name that crosses borders in the English speaking world, readily known by all, kind of girl-next-doorish. So, while Megan would struggle with all the Irish names around her, all her new schoolmates wouldn’t bat an eyelid at hers. It subtly compounds the duck out of water feeling that sets the scene at the beginning of Carrier.
Sonia Gensler, THE REVENANT
Many have asked how I chose names for the Cherokee characters in THE REVENANT, and people seem particularly intrigued by Eli Sevenstar. It's a pretty awesome name, isn't it? Well, I didn't just make it up. During my research I was fortunate to discover school catalogs from 1896 for the Cherokee Female and Male Seminaries. These catalogs listed the names of each enrolled student from the seniors all the way down to the primary department, as well as almunae dating back to before the Civil War. What a wealth of wonderful and historically/culturally appropriate names! I could mix and match, confident that at one time or another there really was a seminary student with that first or last name. As you might imagine, Sevenstar jumped out at me right away. It was mysterious and alluring, just like the character. I chose Eli for his first name because it seemed more accessible and down-to-earth. (Did I just make a pun?) Now I can't imagine him with any other name, and it's my favorite name for any character I've created so far.
Brigid Kemmerer, STORM: Book 1 of the Elemental Series
I have four brothers in my story, named Michael, Gabriel, Nicholas, and Christopher. My husband's name is Michael, and my son's name is Nicholas. A lot of people think I named the characters after people in my family. They're wrong. I first wrote about these four brothers back when I was in high school, and these are the same four names they had then. One of my favorite male names is Michael, and I always swore I would marry a man named Michael. (Sheer luck, I swear.) When I got pregnant with my first son, I wanted to name him Christopher (the lead character in my first book), but Christopher Kemmerer just has too many -ers going on. So my first son was named Nicholas.
Fascinating, right? Share your thoughts in the comments and check back tomorrow for insights into character appearances!
