When it comes to starting a new
wip (work in progress), choosing proper names for characters is right up there
in importance with profession and core beliefs. Distinctive, and properly
chosen names can define characters, help establish their personalities, and
bring appropriate word pictures to readers.
Baby name sites are helpful for
this essential task, and abound the internet, classified by meaning or popularity or origin and most everything in between.
I’m certainly no expert, but in
my opinion, single syllable first names for alpha hero males (think Rhett) play
better and have more impact. Though Percy, as a name is nice enough, I don’t
recall any romance containing an alpha male hero with the moniker Percy. To be
honest, the word picture I receive from Percy doesn’t have a nicely clefted
thin, piercing blue eyes nor the slightest hint of washboard abs.
That being said, I’ve found some
characters, no matter how heart stoppingly sexy they are portrayed, can have a
negative effect on a reader. This reader, at least. My first and favorite
historical romance is the epic Shanna by
Kathleen Woodiwiss. Though a fabulous, and well written novel, the hunky hero’s
odd first name, Ruark, stopped me as a reader every time.
When properly chosen though, again in my
opinion, derivatives of a character’s name can have literary uses as well. (Not
that I’d dare compare myself to the great Ms. Woodiwiss, here goes.)
In On The Surface my latest release from The Wild Rose Press, the alpha hero is named Brad short for Bradley. An
extremely popular name that, according to one source denotes a no-nonsense
quality of masculinity. Of English origin, Bradley officially means broad clearing
in the woods. In Welsh, the name means Treason, of all things.
For my purposes, Brad is a tough cop turned badass bounty
hunter who has his unrelenting sights set on using a fugitive’s unredeemable
girlfriend to get his man. Too bad an admonishment from the foster mother who
raised him intrudes on his conscience.
Don’t be too quick to criticize people, Bradley. You never know what
trials life may have dealt them.
Has the name of a character in a
book ever kept you from enjoying it or, on the flip side, made you enjoy the
read even more?
My days to blog here are the 11th
and 23rd. For more about me and the stories I write, please visit my website
Oh, and come back on the 23rd
for more Character Name musings. Secondary #CharacterNames Are Every Bit As
Important
