\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/10284-Whats-In-A-Name.html
Action/Adventure: July 22, 2020 Issue [#10284]




 This week: What's In A Name?
  Edited by: Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Names have meaning. Therefore, choosing a name for your characters can be tricky...

This week's Action/Adventure Newsletter is all about finding the perfect name.

Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline Author Icon


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B085272J6B
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99


Letter from the editor

You’ve just read the first paragraph of a story. The heroine of the piece has been introduced to you by name only: she’s a character called Bethel. What image pops up in your mind when reading that name? Is Bethel young or old? Is she powerful? Is she trendy? Does she differ from a character you only know as Sunbeam? How about Ekaterina, or Aisha?

I don’t know about you, but each name paints a different initial picture for me. That picture may, indeed, be incorrect. Bethel may be a young girl about to climb a tree, rather than an elderly lady. Sunbeam might be a troll. All around the world many different people live their different lives with the same name.

It is the case, however, that name trends change as time passes. That is why, where I live, at least, our Ethels and Bethels, Alfreds and Herberts tend to be older than our Traceys and Amandas, Arthurs and Vincents, who tend to be older again than the Olivers and Olivias who currently top the name charts. Of course, the wheel turns and names can come back in fashion. I know a young Archie, for example. And some names never seem to go out of style.

When choosing a name for their child, many people are interested in what that name means. There are books and websites dedicated to the meaning and origin of names. They are a handy tool for writers in search of the perfect names for their characters. I have used them in the past, also when attempting to find names for characters from other eras.

Another option is to come up with original names for your characters. Creating a name to suit your character can be fun and add that extra little touch of creativity to your work. There are risks, however. Not every original name goes down well with readers – Renesmee in Twilight being one example. Some original names can be difficult to spell and even harder to pronounce. And, for some reason, there is a tendency amongst fantasy and sci-fi authors to, in Musk-esque fashion, stick punctuation in awkward places. The trend is such that to do so now, one turns the original into the unoriginal.

Some authors have so many characters inhabit their worlds that it is quite a feat for their readers to keep track of who is who. Whilst, clearly, it is realistic that there’s more than one person with a particular name wandering around a world and that, in addition, there will be people with similar names, it is not necessarily a kindness to reflect that reality. I am thinking here of George R. R. Martin and his many Walders and his Asha and Osha. This is why, in the Game of Thrones TV series, Asha was renamed to Yara.

I’ve always struggled with naming my characters. I’m not sure why that is the case. Perhaps you find it easy. Perhaps your characters make it known who they are and how they identify. If you are like me, just know that you are not alone. And that it’s probably not as daunting as this newsletter makes it out to be. Once your story gets going and you bring your characters to life, that is how your readers will see your Bethel and your Sunbeam. As long as you make your readers care about them and their adventures, it’s a job well done.

Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline Author Icon


Editor's Picks

Some contests to inspire you:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2227015 by Not Available.


Image Protector
FORUM
The Dialogue 500 Open in new Window. (18+)
Dialogues of 500 words or less.
#941862 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
FORUM
Roots & Wings Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Can you capture the essence of an ancestor in one story? CLOSED
#1962161 by 🐕GeminiGem🎁 Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
FORUM
The Daily Poem Open in new Window. (13+)
A Week of Poetic Craziness
#2133562 by Jayngle Bells Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
FORUM
Into The Darkness  Open in new Window. (18+)
A short story contest for dark speculative fiction: Dark SciFi, Dark Fantasy and Horror.
#2223577 by A E Willcox Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
FORUM
WEIRD TALES CONTEST  Open in new Window. (18+)
A Contest Inspired by the Old Pulp Fiction Covers of Weird Tales Magazine
#2083492 by Beacon's Anchor Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
FORUM
The PET NEWS CONTEST Open in new Window. (E)
CLOSED
#1986337 by 🐕GeminiGem🎁 Author IconMail Icon


And don't forget:

 
Image Protector
SURVEY
Rhythms & Writing: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Use the music provided to inspire your writing!
#2002964 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B01CJ2TNQI
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99


Ask & Answer

The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! *Smile*

Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,

The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B07N36MHWD
Amazon's Price: $ 7.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/10284-Whats-In-A-Name.html