Thursday 22 January 2009

Naming Conventions

Morning all you lovely Racers,

I'm in a slight pickle over a character and I wondered if I could ask for help.

One of my characters' names is bothering me. She was originally named by an ex-boyfriend who wanted to call his daughter this name, and I now unfortunately associate this name, "C", with him (never good). I also didnt feel it was perfect for the character. I renamed her over Christmas as I wasn't happy with "C" but my chosen name, "V", doesnt seem to fit perfectly. This wouldnt be so bad but nothing else seems to work.

I know names are viewed as not so important by some writers, but for me they're vital and I can't get a handle on the character until I've named her. She's unhappy without a name and I'm unhappy she doesn't have one. I must have gone through my baby names books and naming websites a thousand times and still nothing fits. I keep going back to "C" as I'm most used to that one, but it doesn't feel right. Normally I find naming characters really easy so this is annoying the hell out of me.

Would you be able to suggest any names for me to pick over? It doesnt have a to be a 'normal' name as the character is not human, but I would prefer to call her something music-related (anyone suggesting 'Tuba' will get short shrift though). The closest to a happy medium that I've got is Cecilia (patron saint of music) but even that doesn't seem right.

Sorry if this is coming across as prissy and all that people want to say is "ignore the names, just write the damn book". :)

Thanks everyone.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

I would need to know a little bit more about her before I could suggest anything.....
lx

Lazy Perfectionista said...

How about Allegra? Or Viola?

Juliette M said...

Liz, fair point. Have amended below:

The character is a fairy. Daughter of my main character. Small in stature, maybe 5 foor 1 or 2. Dark-purple hair cropped short, white skin with a lilac tint, pansy-purple irises. She smells of heliotrope. She is quick-tempered when provoked but dreamy and insightful most of the time. She has an uncanny ability to play any musical instrument that she takes up, and can play back any piece of music after hearing it only once. On one occasion she joined in a piece of music played by another character without having heard it before, with the explanation that "she knew how it was meant to go". She goes barefoot always so she can feel the earth under her feet. She speaks to things that one would imagine could not speak back, yet she seems to hear their voices.

LP,
Viola is not bad especially with the purple connection. I am less keen on Allegra though as I find it too 'pretty Victorian'. (I am trying to avoid classical 'fairy' type names or 'pretty' names. Originally I didnt want anything ending in 'a' or 'ie'.)

Perhaps I should just go through a list of musical terms?

Graeme K Talboys said...

Melody, Euphony, Ceolmhar (Irish for 'musical person'), Charis, Carol, Ceridwen, Cordelia

Jen said...

I like Cordelia too but maybe a little Victorian too.

Many musical directions begin 'Con... ' So how about Connie?

CL Taylor said...

Ummm... Elise, Esme, Iris, Violet, Lily, Pickle (not sure where that one came from, though it sounds like a good name for a fairy to me!), Magenta, Freya, Aiofe...

Caroline said...

How about Cadenza or Capriccio? Actually, if she's a she, it would probably have to be Capriccia. Or Caprice, but then you'll get people making a mental leap to Caprice the model.

B.E. Sanderson said...

How about Lyric?

Juliette M said...

Oooh B.E. - good call! I am writing that one down!

Caroline, she was originally called Cadence, so Cadenza is pretty close.

Spiralskies, Connie reminds me of that woman from X Factor or whatever it was.. but Con is a good starting point, I will have a think about that.

Graeme, I do quite like Euphony. Melody is my sister's middle name so it's out, nice as it is! And my favourite from your list, Charis, has to go because it would then rhyme with the character's lover - not so good!

Calistro, I do like Violet. Pickle I am less enamoured with...

Rose Red Art said...

I haven't got any suggestions I'm afraid but I do completely understand the name thing. I need my characters to have the perfect name or I'm just not comfortable.

So you aren't alone out there when it comes to naming your characters.

KeVin K. said...

Clef

Kate.Kingsley said...

My suggestions: Piper, Cadenza, Aoide, Lark, Aria, & Grace.

Or Trumpet ;-)

Good luck!

Kate.Kingsley said...

Oooh, just re-read the description: how about Echo, on account of her being able to play music back after one listen?

Helen Shearer said...

I like Echo too. I know a little girl called Echo and her room is painted purple.

Un Peu Loufoque said...

Achordia?