This was especially exciting for me because this is my second year doing the Challenge and last year I didn't have a theme. I was happy to actually come up with one, which will hopefully be entertaining as well as provide some writing tips.
Ok, drum roll please...the name for my theme this year is.......
The Name Game!
Basically everything you could ever want or need to know (and some you didn't) about naming characters in your stories. This will include different types of names, different kinds of characters who need names, how you actually use a character's name within the story. I'll be including examples from books and other media, some ways I've used names in my own writing, and hopefully just some cool tips. And also the fourth installment in my Freaky Name Coincidences posts (because these things keep happening to me for some reason).
I still need post ideas for the letters J and O but at least those aren't too early in the alphabet so I still have time to figure it out. I was thinking of having a post on naming characters after people you know and/or pop culture references, but I can't for the life of me get that idea to work for one of those letters. So thoughts are welcome.
I should probably get back to actually working on my posts! Or unpacking my suitcase. But I'll be back on Wednesday to tell you all how I've lost my damn mind with a new book idea...
I love naming my characters so this is going to be a fun theme for me to follow. :D
ReplyDeleteNames will be fun. Are you looking for characters/people that start with those letters?
ReplyDeleteNo, I wish it was that easy! I'd have too many ideas...
DeleteIt's more about types of names (like, L is last names, U is unisex names), or ways we use names in the writing, or just how you go about finding a name for a character.
J and O aren't the normal letters to be stuck on, are they? At least you've conquered Q and X and Z :-)
ReplyDeleteOoooooo, interesting! I will be checking your posts daily!!!
ReplyDeleteFun theme!
ReplyDeleteFor the letter O - what about "ornery" names, like those found in Westerns (books, movies, etc) or rough/rugged names or difficult ones to pronounce?
Maybe "J" could be for people who are named after people, like John Jr.? Or maybe "O" could be for people who have names like "O'Connor" or "O'Brien," particularly if you were naming Irish characters.
ReplyDeleteI hoped you waved to me on your way through New York!
ReplyDeleteI love your theme! I love names! I love deciding on names!
I'm really looking forward to reading your posts!
Heather
Sounds like fun. I have had to change names in my novels so many times after I'd gotten started.
ReplyDeleteWhen my characters don't tell me their names, I have a hard time figuring out what to call them. Love this theme.
ReplyDelete~Patricia Lynne~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
What a fun theme! I love naming characters and can also spend hours on name sites because I'm weird like that LOL. I know I will love your theme.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you had fun in New York!
That will be really interesting!
ReplyDeleteThose sounds like great posts! I'm looking forward to them!
ReplyDeleteJ . . . "jolly elf names" - probably not. Um . . . "Juggling similar character names is not a good idea . . ." (I know that one well) . . .
And O - "over the top" names? Outlandish names? Outback names? Overheard names?
Anyway, just random ideas . . . not sure if any of them come close to your great theme.
I understand going crazy with a new book idea.
ReplyDeletei love making up names - looking forward to your insight on the subject! and i like Tyrean's suggestions for O & J, J is one of my favorite letters to use for names - so many great names start with J! And O? Onomonapeia? Ophelia? Oscar? Orange you glad I didn't say banana?
ReplyDeletenot much help, i guess! have fun and see you in april!
Interesting!
ReplyDeleteI usually name characters on the run (without too much thought). I get away with it because I write flash fiction. Maybe I can pick up some tips.
Another twist on names! J and O....I can't help but think of Jackie and Onasis.
ReplyDeleteLife & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B ~ One of Tremp's Troops with the
A to Z Challenge
Very interesting theme!! Great too that you have so much of it done too; I bet you'll come up with something for J and O :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Sounds like a fun theme. Best of luck with the challenge!
ReplyDeleteToo bad we can blog in our sleep...well on the other hand. Figuring out what to name characters can be a challenge so your theme might be very helpful to some of us.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Wrote By Rote
Love it! Names mostly come arbitrarily to me, or they're just names I love. lol Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteVery cool and unexpected idea!!! I'm looking forward to reading!
ReplyDeleteI could use this one for sure... I have the hardest time naming characters.
ReplyDeleteThis is something I always struggle with so I hope for some great tips. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOooh, I think this'll be a good theme to follow. Looking forward to what you come up with!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an interesting theme. J and O remind me of jack-o'-lantern :) at least you've got X and Q sorted. Look forward to the posts.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a great A-Z,
Nilanjana.
Madly-in-Verse