Starsreader
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I am devouring the snippet like short books on Penric, excellent idea pacing them out like this and whispersyncing the ebook with the audiobook. When writing these, I always love the names you find for the protagonists (may have mentioned that earlier). It's almost sad if Penric gets shortened to Pen, though, so would you consider this compromise: use Pen in spoken language, and Penric, in full, in storytelling?
Lois McMaster Bujold
After typing out "Vorkosigan" approximately one million times, I was determined that my next series protagonist should have as short a name as possible.
"Pen" vs. "Penric" is decided on the fly, according to who is speaking, in what mode, whether I'm just establishing things or am further along, sentence rhythm, and how much variation or lack-of-repetition I need in a particular passage.
(I actually made up the name "Penric", constructing it from a syllable salad, and then discovered it is also a real name. Not a common one, though.)
Unlike Tolkien, who apparently adored naming things, naming is a bit of a burden for me. It is necessary to defamiliarize names from our-world, key them to their respective distinct languages and cultures, and try not to inadvertently name people after obscure airplane parts or bad words in foreign tongues. The rise of internet searches makes checking the latter much more possible than it used to be, but also more necessary.
Ta, L.
"Pen" vs. "Penric" is decided on the fly, according to who is speaking, in what mode, whether I'm just establishing things or am further along, sentence rhythm, and how much variation or lack-of-repetition I need in a particular passage.
(I actually made up the name "Penric", constructing it from a syllable salad, and then discovered it is also a real name. Not a common one, though.)
Unlike Tolkien, who apparently adored naming things, naming is a bit of a burden for me. It is necessary to defamiliarize names from our-world, key them to their respective distinct languages and cultures, and try not to inadvertently name people after obscure airplane parts or bad words in foreign tongues. The rise of internet searches makes checking the latter much more possible than it used to be, but also more necessary.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Bethany Salway
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
It may be worth noting that Goodreads recently changed their default messaging settings. Members can no longer direct message authors unless you change your 'Who Can Send Me Private Messages' setting to 'anyone'. I noticed you recommended this form of contact to readers seeking to send fanmail, so I thought you might prefer to keep that option available. Much love! https://www.goodreads.com/user/edit?tab=settings
Katrine Cady
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hi Lois, How do you know when a novel is “finished?” Do you find yourself tweaking things for weeks after you first think you are done with a story, or are you more of a “once and done” kind of author? When I paint, once I’ve signed my work, I never touch it with a brush again. I was wondering if writing was the same.
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