Last week while working on my current manuscript, I had two characters. Originally, one was referred to simply as “the stable boy” When I was doing some rewriting I decided to name the stable boy Finn. And suddenly… he wanted to TALK! He wanted to participate in the story. Doing the only thing I felt I could do at the time I said, “Sure,” and there he was babbling away as only a seven year old can do. He was rushing into rooms, interrupting the hero and heroine and now he is well on his way to being part of the climax scene.
The other character was “an older female servant” who became Ida, and once she was Ida, she, too, needed to be a more active part of the story. She’s turned into a surrogate mom for my heroine (who’s based on Cinderella) and is helping her to grow into her new role and to accept her love for the prince.
I adore both characters and there is no doubt that the book is better for them being in it. It was a wonderful surprise seeing them both come to life on the page and a memorable experience for me as a writer. Now I know – be careful who you name, because the story they change, may be your own!
May you have wonderful surprises in your world this week,
Rowan
8 comments:
It's funny that a name can give the characters so much more personality, and how important they can be to the story. I probably spend far too much time trying to find the right name for my characters, but when I do, they usually begin to come to "life" right after that.
Could you please send me an invite to the blog? anncory_erotica at yahoo.com
Thank you,
Ann Cory
Could you send me an invite too please?
I'm away from home and have been without internet connection due to problems with the telephone line. I'm just trying to catch up with this and everything else going on! :) I'd love to join IWOF please.
Thanks,
Lyn
Hywelalyn@aol.com
I've found I can't start writing until I know the character's name. And it has to have meaning. Without the perfect name, I just don't have a character.
And I'd love to be part of your blog!
Vicky Burkholder
You're right about names. I'm finishing up a fantasy and one of the characters kept insisting she didn't like the name I'd given her. I have finally changed her name and she's happier. Janet
Names always have to be right for the character.
And I'd like an invite to the blog please *G*
And an invite for me, too, please?
Loved the post, BTW!
Hi Helen, Love this story. Sold a story to The Wild Rose Press, Black Swan. Check out my trailer: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Linda+Nightingale&search_type=&aq=f
my web site is new: lindanightingale.com
Good to run into you again!
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