Writing Tools: How I Named My Characters in The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars By Susan Hanniford Crowley

How do I name my characters? The same way I give names to my children or pets. Even if I get the name in a dream, I usually research it. I don’t want to give them names that belong to real people currently living if I can possibly help it. With children, I sometimes pass on family names.

Here’s a look behind my paranormal adventure steamy romance A Vampire with Blanket of Stars.

The hero Razvan Forte is the Vampire Prince of Romania. I dreamt of the first name and had to look up the meaning. Razvan is a Romanian name meaning “bringer of good news.” Originally, he had another last name but I found someone with the first and last name living in Bucharest, Romania, and in his twenties. Since my vampire prince also lived in Bucharest at the beginning of the story, I decided to change the last name. I searched through the Bucharest online phone book. One popped out at me and it didn’t have Razvan with it. Forte means strong and brave and comes from the Latin name Fortis.

In the book, the heroine is a Gypsy, or as they call themselves in Romania, the Roma. It means man in Romany or Romani. I created the name Saraina. Similar names just didn’t fit her. After a massive search, I found that I had created a name unique in the world. I gave it the meaning: a star that wanders. Saraina’s mother was from India and her father was Roma.

Sometimes names come to you. Sometimes you find them.

Be happy. Enjoy writing and make it part of your life. Have a wondrous Autumn!

Truly,

Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley
https://susanhannifordcrowley.com is still under construction. Visit my author page on Amazon to see all my books:
https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Hanniford-Crowley/e/B004YXOGXG

EverNight for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback.
EverWarm for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback.
Lady Fallon’s Dragons for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, BAM online bookstore sells the paperback, Scribd, and in paperback in the UK at Waterstones, also on Amazon around the world.
The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 is available in Amazon Print and Kindle, Nook, Kobo,  Apple, Walmart ebooks & Smashwords.
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print! Walmart Bookstore Online
Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available on Kindle.
Poseidon’s Catch(mythology romance) is available on Kindle.
Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) is available on Kindle.
A Vampire for Christmas, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available on Kindle.
The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
When Love Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 is available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks (on Apple devices).

Now we wait
for the return of the princess.