Name Troubles

StoryG27 · Jul 31, 2008

This morning I finally was ready to start outlining for a new story that's been dancing around in mind for a while, but I can't do it without names. It's a mental block for me. I don't know exactly what the story is yet, but I know the characters well. And I can't pick my main female character's name. The male, he doesn't seem to care much what his name is, as he is laid back, easy to please, and very sweet. The MFC is another story, she is a mess. She is terrible at her job (her third job this year), all her personal relationships are in turmoil, and she has almost zero support and stability in her life. She's floundering, but she is strong and trying to regain focus. She is stubborn, cold at times, and deeply empathetic at others. She can laugh at herself, and others, and through all her follies and shortcomings, she is really very charming and intelligent.

I've been going through names all morning. I got out of bed at 4 a.m. because this was bugging me so much. I think I've read through a couple thousand names and none strike me as her name. Usually, it is very easy for me to name my characters. Not this one, not this time. I know it feels like I'm over thinking this, but every time I just try to use a generic name or such to stand in place of her name so I can outline, I get stuck. I need the stupid name. I need to get past it.

Has this ever happened to you? Any advice?

smoothseas · Jul 31, 2008

Martha. I was reading her bio, and the name Martha popped into my head.

Don't know why, since I don't particularly like that name. So, I tried thinking of others, but, no, like a litany...Martha, Martha, Martha

Characters usually do have a way with naming themselves, don't they?

Here's hopin' she figures it out for you.

kct webber · Jul 31, 2008

Well... no. It hasn't ever happened to me. In fact, I finished my entire first novel using a name for main character that I knew he wouldn't keep. I didn't name him 'til the first complete rewrite. So, it is possible. If you won't take Gertrude, I don't know what else to do.

I do hope you figure it out, though. :Hug2:

StoryG27 · Jul 31, 2008

smoothseas, that's kind of funny because earlier I was thinking of an "m" name also, Mya, but it's really close to another MFC name in a different book of mine, so that's why I backed away from that one.

StoryG27 · Jul 31, 2008

kct webber said:
Well... no. It hasn't ever happened to me. In fact, I finished my entire first novel using a name for main character that I knew he wouldn't keep. I didn't name him 'til the first complete rewrite. So, it is possible. If you won't take Gertrude, I don't know what else to do.

I do hope you figure it out, though.

Wow, I just don't think I could do that. I've done it with supporting characters, but usually I don't have any trouble picking out the MC's names.

I will get it figured out, I'm quite sure this is somehow a procrastination ploy by my brain which is so busy with the day job analytical thinking that it is scared to try to divert any power to the creativity cells right now.

kct webber · Jul 31, 2008

This may be one of those problems for which the answer is just floating about waiting for you to stop thinking about it so hard. *shrugs*

Alice.S · Jul 31, 2008

this post reminded me of an article I read today... don't name your character this.. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080724...zarre_names;_ylt=AiqHR0xtvb4OBCt7eQGqc2jtiBIF

Jill · Jul 31, 2008

Give her a working name and then as you progress she may tell you what it really is. I usually start off with names but often change them if they don't seem to fit once I know the character better.

StoryG27 · Jul 31, 2008

kct webber said:
This may be one of those problems for which the answer is just floating about waiting for you to stop thinking about it so hard. *shrugs*

I'm sure it is. Maybe once I get busy at work, a name will come to me.

Alice.S said:
this post reminded me of an article I read today... don't name your character this.. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080724/ap_on_fe_st/new_zealand_bizarre_names;_ylt=AiqHR0xtvb4OBCt7eQGqc2jtiBIF

*snert* okay, I promise not to name her that.

Jill said:
Give her a working name and then as you progress she may tell you what it really is. I usually start off with names but often change them if they don't seem to fit once I know the character better.

I just have a really hard time moving on if I'm not satisfied with the name. I know it is a strange quirk, and I envy those who can just move on and come back to the name later. Maybe I'll give it a shot though, just pick a name I could live with if it sticks and move on.

regdog · Jul 31, 2008

What about a baby name book?

Mumut · Jul 31, 2008

Is she living in a time or place where certain names where more usual? Or does she have traits that dictate a name? Like if a bloke survived a sinking boat you might call him Bob.

StoryG27 · Jul 31, 2008

HeaGrg said:
What about a baby name book?

Yeah, I've been going through tons of names. It is just making my eyes tired.

Mumut said:
Is she living in a time or place where certain names where more usual? Or does she have traits that dictate a name?

No, she lives here and now and is pretty much the way I described.

Like if a bloke survived a sinking boat you might call him Bob.

Alice.S · Jul 31, 2008

how about creating a name?? combining names?? I saw the movie 1000b.c one of the character's name was Evolet a combination of Eve and Violet

Disa · Jul 31, 2008

Just close your eyes and pick one

StoryG27 · Jul 31, 2008

Alice.S said:
how about creating a name?? combining names?? I saw the movie 1000b.c one of the character's name was Evolet a combination of Eve and Violet

I've come across really unique (some combined) names that I personally love but just feel wrong for this character. I don't want anything too unusual, or too common, and nothing too fancy or too simple. Heh, piece of cake.

Disa said:
Just close your eyes and pick one

It may come to that.

smoothseas · Jul 31, 2008

you can always use the 'random walk' approach. like throwing darts at a page of stock market results.

Deccydiva · Jul 31, 2008

She sounds like a younger version of me!

That would make her Gill or Gillian.

Jill · Jul 31, 2008

Mumut said:
Is she living in a time or place where certain names where more usual?

That's really important. I mean you wouldn't have a 1930's girl named Kiley! Another factor is (I hate to use this expression!) social class.

roncouch · Jul 31, 2008

storygirl said:
This morning I finally was ready to start outlining for a new story that's been dancing around in mind for a while, but I can't do it without names. It's a mental block for me. I don't know exactly what the story is yet, but I know the characters well. And I can't pick my main female character's name. The male, he doesn't seem to care
I've been going through names all morning. I got out of bed at 4 a.m. because this was bugging me so much. I think I've read through a couple thousand names and none strike me as her name. Usually, it is very easy for me to name my characters. Not this one, not this time. Has this ever happened to you? Any advice?

Storygirl,
I would give the name search a rest for a while. It will come to you - probably when you least expect it. If you have ever known someone like the unnamed lady, you could give some consideration to using that name, or a variation of the name. Good luck!

Maryn · Jul 31, 2008

I don't permit naming issues to slow me down. When my characters refuse to tell me their names, I simply substitute some totally wrong name whose characters (the series of letters) are unlikely to be embedded in any other words. (I use Joan and Kevin often, and neither has ever caused a problem.) Then when I finally determine the right name, I do a find-and-replace for the whole novel.

Maryn, whose current characters are Ryan, Anton, and Leo, only one of them is lying

Jill · Jul 31, 2008

I seldom change the name of my protagonists. I like to get them sorted early on because they are who they are - not who they decide to become.

DeleyanLee · Jul 31, 2008

I've never had the problem, but my former collaborator has gone through MONTHS of agony in search of "the right name", so I'll tell you what works for her.

Do something else that will encompass your analytical mind for a couple-three hours and let your creative mind work out the problem. Then it will pop into your awareness when it's ready. Back 10 years ago, she'd put herself in a frenzied state for days, weeks, even months. Now she lets it go and has an answer within an hour or so.

Honestly, the more you fuss and worry about it, the further away it'll be. My friend talks about how she'll smother her creative mind with her analytical one because she HAS to have an answer NOW--which is the surest way to not get it.

Relax. Trust your creative self. Focus on something else. It'll come.

StoryG27 · Jul 31, 2008

The voice of experience, thanks.

RJK · Jul 31, 2008

Draw a picture of your MFC. It doesn't need to be fancy, it can be a stick figure. put the picture near where you write and forget about your name problem. Each time you see the picture, the creative part of your brain will work on the problem. Withing a few days, you will have a name you can't live without.

melaniehoo · Jul 31, 2008

So you say you need a female name that starts with M?

Hmmm..... wherever can we find one?

Name Troubles

Miss Behave

Life sucks... Then ya die...

Squirrel, Sekrit type, 1 ea.

Miss Behave

Miss Behave

Squirrel, Sekrit type, 1 ea.

just ate all your candy

Miss Behave

The Scavengers

Well begun is half done...

Miss Behave

just ate all your candy

Miss Behave

Life sucks... Then ya die...

Back from the dead

The Couchmeister

Not Any More

Writing Anarchist

Miss Behave

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

And thus we begin the edits