What's In a Name?
What's in a Name? That is a question that authors are faced with on a regular basis. It starts with your own name. Do you use your own name, a variation of the name, or something entirely different?
It makes a difference. You want a name that will be easily recognizable, something that connects with your audience. In my case, I chose a name that is simply a variation of my legal name. In fact, it is technically my legal name.
But it is more than that; it is a name that I can market. In the end, that is more important than anything else. If you are an author of more than one book you need a brand. What better brand than a name that people can remember?
But that is just the first instance of names. The characters in your story must have a name. In some cases like historical novels you will have real names representing real people who lived during the time period you are writing about. But then you have characters that are entirely fictional. You must put a great deal of thought in the choosing of a name for that character because people will focus on the name, loving the one and hating the other.
In my novels I often have characters that are real, historical, and known, such as Abraham, Adam, and Noah. But I also have fictional characters abounding in my novels, each one requiring thought. Again, I have to be careful and give much thought on a name because names identify the people and the characters of a story.
Then there is the matter of the author's website. Usually this is easy, just use the author's name or whatever is his or her brand. If they have a store or self-publish then they also must have a name.
So a name is very important. None of the above examples should ever be taken lightly. That said, how do you go about finding the right name?
Each of us probably have a different method, but in my case my gut reaction is probably most important. And the method varies with what is being named. In some cases it is nothing more than "it feels right." But other times it requires research, and trial and error.
For example, when Teresa and I decided to form our own publishing company, we used the list idea. I would write names down, and follow with an analysis. I wanted a name that would reflect who we are, would be easy to remember, and would not be confused with someone else.
But when writing, it is often trial and error. I quite often start writing without a name for a character and I may use a symbol to represent their name, such as "?" or "[name]." I follow at a later time by selecting a character's name and initially using it. But sometimes it just doesn't fit. So I try again and again until I get a name that fits.
So what's in a name? Maybe the success or failure of your book.
It makes a difference. You want a name that will be easily recognizable, something that connects with your audience. In my case, I chose a name that is simply a variation of my legal name. In fact, it is technically my legal name.
But it is more than that; it is a name that I can market. In the end, that is more important than anything else. If you are an author of more than one book you need a brand. What better brand than a name that people can remember?
But that is just the first instance of names. The characters in your story must have a name. In some cases like historical novels you will have real names representing real people who lived during the time period you are writing about. But then you have characters that are entirely fictional. You must put a great deal of thought in the choosing of a name for that character because people will focus on the name, loving the one and hating the other.
In my novels I often have characters that are real, historical, and known, such as Abraham, Adam, and Noah. But I also have fictional characters abounding in my novels, each one requiring thought. Again, I have to be careful and give much thought on a name because names identify the people and the characters of a story.
Then there is the matter of the author's website. Usually this is easy, just use the author's name or whatever is his or her brand. If they have a store or self-publish then they also must have a name.
So a name is very important. None of the above examples should ever be taken lightly. That said, how do you go about finding the right name?
Each of us probably have a different method, but in my case my gut reaction is probably most important. And the method varies with what is being named. In some cases it is nothing more than "it feels right." But other times it requires research, and trial and error.
For example, when Teresa and I decided to form our own publishing company, we used the list idea. I would write names down, and follow with an analysis. I wanted a name that would reflect who we are, would be easy to remember, and would not be confused with someone else.
But when writing, it is often trial and error. I quite often start writing without a name for a character and I may use a symbol to represent their name, such as "?" or "[name]." I follow at a later time by selecting a character's name and initially using it. But sometimes it just doesn't fit. So I try again and again until I get a name that fits.
So what's in a name? Maybe the success or failure of your book.
No comments have been added yet.
