tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post3918279799790257315..comments2024-02-04T04:40:23.122-08:00Comments on Harlequin Heartwarming: Character Naming by Melinda CurtisPamela Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834270662017246137noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-22356295153039579172014-04-28T18:47:06.007-07:002014-04-28T18:47:06.007-07:00Great post! I love the names you chose! Can't ...Great post! I love the names you chose! Can't wait to read Season of Change!Emily's Romance Hangouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12573893795590955733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-9217168300494317392014-04-22T10:28:18.216-07:002014-04-22T10:28:18.216-07:00My biggest annoyance is with name ‘trends’ in roma...My biggest annoyance is with name ‘trends’ in romances. Cindy Gerard had a romantic suspense hero named Ethan back in 2005, and I loved it, but the book was successful and suddenly *everyone* had romantic suspense heroes named Ethan! If you look at popular name lists from the year(s) the heroes are supposed to be born, it wasn’t even a common name (though it is now)!Sonyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00016718850530449857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-58143727345123482622014-04-22T08:57:18.107-07:002014-04-22T08:57:18.107-07:00Eleanor Jones April 22nd 2014
At the moment, and I...Eleanor Jones April 22nd 2014<br />At the moment, and I know this sounds ridiculous, I'm naming chickens. So far I have The partridge twins, Money Penny, Cuckoo and one I've named after my brother, Will, who picked it up on his travels. It's called Willemina and it's driving me crazy, jumping in the fridge, going upstairs and generally making a nuisance of its self every time theAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724083584128888235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-87992344723890302412014-04-22T06:32:06.063-07:002014-04-22T06:32:06.063-07:00Karen, do you have a different process for young a...Karen, do you have a different process for young adult compared to Heartwarmings?MelCurtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218278641168063613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-76960611203803245592014-04-22T06:31:19.998-07:002014-04-22T06:31:19.998-07:00This sounds like a theme!This sounds like a theme!MelCurtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218278641168063613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-17946446148206698252014-04-22T06:30:46.381-07:002014-04-22T06:30:46.381-07:00What is it about "ends in y"? LOL!What is it about "ends in y"? LOL!MelCurtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218278641168063613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-55888760966160614052014-04-22T06:30:07.057-07:002014-04-22T06:30:07.057-07:00And it has to be a name you like if you're wri...And it has to be a name you like if you're writing a series!MelCurtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218278641168063613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-27558895201114640732014-04-22T06:29:34.965-07:002014-04-22T06:29:34.965-07:00I keep a list of names - both first and last - in ...I keep a list of names - both first and last - in a spreadsheet. The letters of the alphabet go down the left-hand side. One column for first names, one for last names. But the last letters...haven't come up with a solution for those.MelCurtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218278641168063613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-38449954328622055682014-04-22T06:27:57.119-07:002014-04-22T06:27:57.119-07:00Generally, it's madness. But we do have our me...Generally, it's madness. But we do have our methods.MelCurtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218278641168063613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-77385146824260891092014-04-22T05:55:06.438-07:002014-04-22T05:55:06.438-07:00Names are difficult and I always try to put them t...Names are difficult and I always try to put them together to hear how they'd be introduced like: Oh, hey- there's Eli and Christie or something like that. But a name definitely influence the way the character comes across to the reader and influences the writer's choices in developing character.Karen Rockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621736343432643472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-12465048446740909652014-04-21T22:50:47.530-07:002014-04-21T22:50:47.530-07:00Oh, Amy, I know what you mean. Kyle will never be...<br />Oh, Amy, I know what you mean. Kyle will never be a hero for me. And all the Brittney's have morphed into one person because there's so many. Pamela Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05834270662017246137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-2704365633709867372014-04-21T20:46:34.905-07:002014-04-21T20:46:34.905-07:00Picking names is SO HARD!! Plus, I work in a schoo...Picking names is SO HARD!! Plus, I work in a school. That makes it even harder because I pretty much know someone with every name that has ever existed. Except Flynn and Slade. You got me there! Can't wait to read the new Harmony Valley story :)Amy Vastinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10370234907973582544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-65733007360380607902014-04-21T17:12:12.012-07:002014-04-21T17:12:12.012-07:00It really is as hard as naming a child! I tend to ...It really is as hard as naming a child! I tend to have favorite beginning letters and have to change names so that they don't get confusing :).Rula Sinarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01703015110251843280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-9343105383314697972014-04-21T16:46:54.525-07:002014-04-21T16:46:54.525-07:00I'm so happy to read these comments! I have th...I'm so happy to read these comments! I have the worst time with names and I get stuck in ruts! For A Minute on the Lips, I was through I don't know how many rounds of edits before the light clicked on how everyone had an "ends in y" name. I obviously like certain names, especially last names, and want to use the ALL THE TIME. I keep telling myself to make a list of names to Cheryl Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16322884480241887224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-28892605684775166322014-04-21T12:04:49.548-07:002014-04-21T12:04:49.548-07:00Sounds like a hard job naming characters and then ...Sounds like a hard job naming characters and then you have to come up with a last name as well! I loved the first two books in the Harmony Valley series and cannot wait to get my hands on the new one, Season of Change and find out about Slade's story. It kinda fascinates we he is always wear a tie! Leo of Dixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04399774810493085392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-68826202441138629722014-04-21T12:02:52.011-07:002014-04-21T12:02:52.011-07:00Mel, your post and all of these comments from more...Mel, your post and all of these comments from more-experienced writers make me feel so much better! In the final stages of my first book, my editor noticed that I had a lot names ending in "y." I had to go in and change some names and it was so difficult--it felt like trying to change the name of one my sisters or my best friend. That's how real these characters felt to me...lol! Carol Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02360417299528882416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-17571197871789800162014-04-21T11:49:21.894-07:002014-04-21T11:49:21.894-07:00I've often wondered if authors just pick names...I've often wondered if authors just pick names out of hats or how that's done. The names always seem to fit the characters so well in your stories.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02070278022197923242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-28659388197302684042014-04-21T09:20:04.370-07:002014-04-21T09:20:04.370-07:00Oh yes, Jackson's Girls. That was one of the ...Oh yes, Jackson's Girls. That was one of the books in a trilogy Ken, Eve and I wrote for Supers. Well, there are only so many names and we all have names that "speak" to us I'm sure. Have a great day.rozdennyfoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06506701706951201107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-57895999186950113842014-04-21T09:17:20.311-07:002014-04-21T09:17:20.311-07:00Roz, you may carry on the Flynn legacy with my ble...Roz, you may carry on the Flynn legacy with my blessing. I think I wrote a character called Jackson after Ken did for Supers. They didn't make me change his name, but I couldn't use his name in the title.MelCurtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218278641168063613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-49215115341196626272014-04-21T07:53:21.250-07:002014-04-21T07:53:21.250-07:00Mel, great post. For my age I own more baby name ...Mel, great post. For my age I own more baby name books than probably anyone. I love names and have to name my characters before I plot a story. With each book I write I'm finding it more difficult. I think I've used all the names I love. And having worked in pediatrics and in the schools there are names I really dislike based on the not-so-charming kids who had those names. But I've rozdennyfoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06506701706951201107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-82187206114402785452014-04-21T07:41:41.839-07:002014-04-21T07:41:41.839-07:00Muriel, what a great story! I love how you stay a...Muriel, what a great story! I love how you stay away from glitzy names, but she was determined. Sigh...I'm ready for an easy-going character today.MelCurtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218278641168063613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-68700043300638510202014-04-21T07:40:45.132-07:002014-04-21T07:40:45.132-07:00What is it about "S", "T", and...What is it about "S", "T", and "J"? At least for me. Just once, I'd like to name a character something with a G - Gertrude, George, Gilly...Oh, I like Gilly!MelCurtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218278641168063613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-83361688734723947022014-04-21T07:39:28.135-07:002014-04-21T07:39:28.135-07:00I don't know anyone who changes character name...I don't know anyone who changes character names more than you do, Anna! Best of luck with itMelCurtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07218278641168063613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-78536462642402350442014-04-21T07:37:44.550-07:002014-04-21T07:37:44.550-07:00I can relate, Mel. I once had a character named B...I can relate, Mel. I once had a character named Betsy for three chapters, who simply wouldn't talk to me, wouldn't tell me what was on her mind or what she would do next. I thought I was having a plotting problem and went back to the beginning where hero and heroine meet. I'm sure you've all experienced this phenomenon. You're typing, but what comes out on the screen is Muriel Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065629068634892645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-32808041056921246472014-04-21T06:27:25.222-07:002014-04-21T06:27:25.222-07:00I have a Meredith in my November release. Meredit...<br />I have a Meredith in my November release. Meredith? I don't know any Merediths, never taught one even. Yet, she came complete and with attitude. I also do the name game, but have to fight letting last names that begin with S take over.Pamela Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05834270662017246137noreply@blogger.com