As a storm lover, I have many fond
childhood memories of hurricanes that passed close by, but not quite close
enough to hit us. The very air was charged with suspense as a storm would
approach. I can still see my father at his desk, charting and tracking an
oncoming seasonal monster. Then the bluster and blow would consume us as we
were inundated by gale force winds and pelting rain. Refreshing cool air always
followed after it passed. The storms of my memories were much less threatening
than the intensity of those we are faced with nowadays.
When I looked at the theme for April ~
Storms, Diamonds, Daisies ~ something occurred to the writer in me: the
importance of quirky character names.
A picture can be worth a thousand
words, and I believe a creative name can go a far way toward giving the reader
clues about the heroine, hero or villain.
What sort of character do you envision
with the name Stormy?
I see an old man living on a houseboat
that is docked in a marina. His face is weathered, his teeth few, his features
fierce. Sharp eyebrows and pale eyes give him a perpetual ‘stormy’ look. A salt
and pepper shock of wild hair shoots out at strange angles. Maybe he smokes a
pipe and wears suspenders. His gnarled hands have fixed many a torn net. His
only companion is an equally unkempt and unfriendly looking dog.
Stormy might
also be the name of a mysterious Native American woman who moved to a city from
a rural location. She has the uncanny ability to magnetize scary thunderstorms
into existence and can even initiate rain showers. She speaks very little, has
a stormy, tempestuous nature, and tends to destroy anything positive that is
about to happen for her. She is only kind to a six-year old mute boy. They seem
able to communicate perfectly.
Daisy, on the other hand, shows
herself to my muse as a blond-haired, blue-eyed girl with an innocent and
pleasing personality. She is an open book with a simplistic approach to loving
and living, and trusts others. She cries easily and laughs a lot. Her sweet,
sunny disposition makes her a prime target for the vampires that prey on
innocent young people.
Or, is Daisy a tan and beige dairy
cow? The pretty cow stands beneath the shade tree in the pasture, wearing a
brass cowbell. She has a pretty face, and is pleasing to the eye, with a dreamy
expression in her milk chocolate eyes as she chews her cud.
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Diamond is a stripper at a dance club.
She guards her private life intensely, and her glare withers anyone who asks a
personal question. Her mysterious past and temperamental attitude cause
everyone to keep their distance, and that’s just how she wants it. She is a
tough-as-nails gal who can withstand earthquakes and betrayal, and bounce back
from any disaster.
Would it have the same impact in your
mind’s eye if Stormy the old sailor was named Jim?
Does the Native American woman named
Stormy sound like a Sheila?
And Daisy, sweet Daisy—could she be a
Mary?
There are many bovine names that suit
cows, of course, but Daisy suits her.
Diamond the stripper could be called
Stormy, and it would work, too. But can you see her as a Betty or Harriet?
This is just a reminder to us all to
go deeper when choosing character names. It can so greatly enrich our novels.
Do you have
fond memories of a memorable character name that has stuck with you over time?
If so, please share.
GEMMA JULIANA
is a multi-published author who lives in an enchanted cottage in north Texas
with her handsome hero, teen son and a comical dog. She loves making new
friends and hearing from readers. Exotic coffee and chocolate fuel her
creativity.
You can visit
Gemma’s website http://www.gemmajuliana.com
to email her, see her stories, buy books on all platforms, check for blog hops,
and other fun stuff!
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