What's In A Name?

By Kolette J. Wilson

As Shakespeare had it "A rose if by any other name would smell as sweet", and to a certain extent this is true. However, within the limited confines of romance novels every word used often has a subliminal, if not suggestive effect and choosing the right name for characters is no less important.

There is an abundance of name sources available: name that baby books, the Bible, movie credits, and telephone books to name a few. Any name is permissible to any given character and the only rule is the recommendation to avoid any names that might be associated with real living people. Most novels contain a disclaimer that legally verifies this: "All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation to anyone bearing the same name."

To get the most out of a name, according to 'The Writer Digest Character Naming Source Book', when choosing a name there are many factors that should be considered. The writer should be aware of, ethnic, social, geographical-time and place, given character traits, even occupation. For example, Richard Gere's character Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman; the name Edward hints at the strait-laced conservatism of the character. Old-fashioned, Edward might also suggest old money. Remington Steele is another example. The name suits a British-born investigator and suggests a debonair playboy, while Steele hints at a strength and an on the side of "the right" honesty.

Before naming that character, background and geographical location should be considered. A C.E.O of a Southern corporation isn't likely to have the same name as a C.E.O. of a Northern corporation. Unless the C.E.O of said Southern corporation was raised in the North. Whether a character's family roots lie in Italian, Jewish, Irish, or the good old south, etc, ethnic background should be thought after.

Some names hint at occupations. In a historical, a captain of a privateer isn't likely to carry the same name as a western gunslinger. There are other factors to consider when naming a historical character beyond the obvious geographical considerations. Political and religious climate should be factored in. During the Reformation period of England, the Puritans had very different names from the Cavaliers. Cavalier's names were more inclined to the romantic, Thorn or Amanda, whereas, the Puritans preferred Biblical or virtuous names such as Joseph, Honor, and Innocent.

Character traits should also be considered. A nice girl heroine with a sweet and loving nature brings to mind a stereotypical feminine name, Christina. Alternately, a heroine who possess harder traits: aggressive and ambitious, and has perhaps made her way in a man's world might be named Christina. However, she might be more suggestively named Alexandria. Like words themselves, different names bring different images to the mind's eye.

Names beginning with harder sounding letters gives the impression of stronger names: hard S, and K, C, D, B, F and hard G, J, P, Q, T, V, and Z, and suggest strength. The softer letters, soft, A, C, and R, G, L, N, H, I, E, O, M, U, and Y, these might suggest a more pliable character. Unusual names do set characters apart, but names that are difficult to read and give cause for a reader to stumble over in the reading may be detrimental to your story.

When choosing a first and a last name, there should be a lilt and balance. A name should have a complimentary syllable between the first and the last name. For example, if the first name has one syllable, then the last name should have two or more or visa versa. Bernard Smith has a better lilt than Bob Smith.

In the case of a romance, it is also a good idea to test the heroine's first name with the hero's last name, since the more then likely happy ever after will include marriage.

Work cited:

Crafting the Name, The Writer's Digest Character Naming Source Book, by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hal Blythe, Charlie Sweet. Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, OH, 1996

One of the most common problems for beginning writers is getting honest, useful feedback on their work. Unless you are very lucky, your family members will be no help. Responses typically range from "That's nice, dear" to "This is the best thing I've ever read!" RWA and eHarlequin offer critiquing services that can be very helpful, if you have the money to spend. If you don't, then a critique partner (cp) is the ideal solution. This requires an investment of time. Not only must you be willing to critique your partner's work in exchange for feedback on yours, you also need to invest the time up front to find your ideal cp. Here's how to get started.

Place a personal ad. Use the Writing Romance forum at eHarlequin or post to the group here at GonnaBeez. As in a personal ad, describe yourself and your ideal mate. Example: "I am halfway through my first manuscript, a romantic suspense. I am looking for a critique partner who is willing to point out plot holes and critique my pacing. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation editing unimportant at this stage. If you are interested, email me at myaddress@hotmail.com ."

Start with a first date. Just as you wouldn't move in with a guy based on his personal ad, don't commit to being a cp for an entire manuscript, either yours or hers. People have different styles of writing, different styles of critiquing, and different strengths and weaknesses. If you and your cp both write sparkling dialog but lackluster action scenes, will you really be able to help each other? What if your cp doesn't like the premise of your story and suggests you change your hero from an ambitious lawyer to a hardworking electrician? There are many reasons why the cp chemistry may not be there. It doesn't mean that either of you is a bad writer. And it doesn't always mean that you won't enjoy reading each other's work. But if you can't help each other improve the quality of your writing, then you need to feel free to move on to someone else. Your first exchange should be no more than a chapter. Consider it dinner and a movie. It may lead to a second date, but only if both people are interested in pursuing the relationship.

Don't be promiscuous. It's easy to fall into the trap of having too many cp's. Resist. If you are getting too many comments on your work, you risk losing your voice. Do you really need four different opinions on the same scene? Conversely, you don't want to spend so much time critiquing the work of others that you have no time for your own writing. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than three cp's. Two is probably even better.

Respect boundaries. Both of you need to remember that the author of the piece has the final say. Cp's mustn't get offended if the writer chooses not to follow your advice. Writers must not feel obligated to go against their story instincts.

Communication is key. Are you looking for in depth help with character and plot? Then make sure your partner doesn't think you want a grammar and punctuation edit. Meeting each other's needs means communicating your goals.

Don't fall in a rut. Orson Scott Card says never take the same story back to the same critiquer. If you've answered her concerns, what can she say? And if you chose to ignore them... well, what can she say? I wouldn't go to this extreme, but be aware that each time your cp sees the same work her advice becomes less useful. You aren't getting her first impressions anymore. Familiarity may cause her to overlook the same flaws that you've already missed.

Don't take each other for granted. Always remember that your cp is providing a valuable service. Give as much care to her manuscript as she is giving yours. Be appreciative of her effort, even if you don't use her advice.

Be choosy. There may be many reasons why you need to break up with your cp. Just as in a romantic relationship, either party may call it quits. Perhaps one of you has outgrown the other. Maybe you overcommitted yourself to too many cp's. Don't feel obligated to continue in a cp relationship that isn't helping you. At the same time, be understanding if a cp has chosen to let you go. There are other writers looking for new partners, and one of them may be your perfect match.

So begins a time of adjustment and confusion for the newlyweds. Both are beginning to realize they feel more than friendship toward the other and they’re equally afraid to tell each other of those feelings. When they visit Jonas Bravo, Dekker’s brother, and his new wife their feelings come to a head and passion takes over. During their honeymoon they become closer than ever before. When they finally get home, the reason for their marriage is gone and an emotional wall is built between them. Can they learn to trust their hearts in time to save their marriage?

This is the second Bravo book I’ve read by Christine Rimmer. I’ve enjoyed these stories as well as others she’s written. The characters are very personable, and the story reads smoothly. I always have a good feeling after reading one of her books, like all is as it should be. I highly recommend any of Christine’s creations.

I give "The Marriage Conspiracy" 4 Beez.

-Sharlene Apsega

See Jane Date
Melissa Senate
Red Dress Ink - Nov 01

Twenty-eight year old assistant editor Jane Gregg is living the New York City dream. Okay, so maybe it's more like a nightmare. A blast from her past shows up -the Gnat a.k.a. Natasha Nutley. Everyone had one of her in the class, Miss Perfect, Miss Beautiful, Miss Always-gets-the-guy-especially-the- ones-you-want.

Now she's written a book about her star filled life and its Jane's job to make the Gnat a best seller. Mix in a boss that looks like Pierce Brosnan, a secretary with two names who is trying to move into Jane's spot, another on maternity leave and Remke-the infernal twit of a Senior boss and life is just grand for her in the work place.

Her weekly jaunt "The Flirts of the Roundtable", leave Jane going out on a bunch of miserable blind dates because she's fibbed to her aunt that she has a boyfriend to take to her cousin Dana's wedding. The alternative? Sitting next to the man your grandmother and Aunt think she should be with and he just sounds too-unlike her.

All of her dates have one complaint about her-her smoking. Jane, on the other hand has lots of complaints about them. So, she decides to give up the one thing that makes her feel better-smoking to snag Mr. Right before the big wedding. Of course, she still has to make the Gnat's book look good too.

This book is not your typical romance, but that doesn't mean not to give it a chance. Melissa Senate shoots off the hip and will leave you saying, "I wish I'd said that," to Jane's quirky comebacks and thoughts. See Jane Date takes you through the life of a Jane, a woman attempting to find and achieve what all women want-a good career, lots of spending money and the perfect man. What Jane finds is herself and the courage it takes to be her.

I give this book 4 ½ Beez

-Heather "Rae" Jenkins

October 1: Leslie Wainger, Executive Senior Editor for Silhouette Intimate Moments, begins a regular column in the writing romance forum.

October 24: Rae approves new rules for the group.

October 27: The wildly popular Boy Toyz photo album is established.

October 29 through November 2: Thank you, Pat McLinn, for the excellent Q&A session on characters. If you missed it (shame on you!) then check out the archives on the Writing Romance Forum on eHarlequin.

October 30: Dreamen's daughter Bayley learns to fingerpaint. The environmentally sound artist prefers to use recycled materials. See the complete story here.

October 30: The ladies of eHarlequin discuss how to seduce your husband.

October 31: Holly Jacobs put out her newsletter. To sign up to receive it, please visit her website.

November 1: Karen Templeton announces an update to her website,with information about upcoming books Honky-Tonk Cinderella and Loose Screws.

November 2: Our very own Rae becomes the host of the new forum at Red Dress Ink. Congratulations, Rae!

November 3: eHarlequin host Jayne eats a ladybug.

November 5 through 9: Isabel Sharpe hosts Q&A #14 on writing for more than one line. Thanks for the great advice!

Where: Author's Corner http://community.eharlequin.com/WebX?14@@.ee7c0ec

PS: (If you want to know more about Leanne's session in NO, email Kolette and badger her about it. She was attending that while I was at the "Touch of Magic" session featured in last month's newsletter.)

Upcoming Contests

The First Gonnabeez Contest

Attention all Gonnabeez, (and Beezkneez, too!)

If you haven't already visited, please stop by the website for the First Ever Gonnabeez contest. Be sure to see the gift that Janie has so generously offered. If there is anyone who has an item to donate, or an idea for one, please contact me, Mel, wanna_b_writer@hotmail.com.

FUTURES 3rd ANNUAL 'FIRE TO FLY'
Deadline: November 30, 2001
Click on the Contest icon
http://www.futuresforstorylovers.com/

Smoky Mountain Valentine
Smoky Mountain Romance Writers
Received by December 3, 2001
http://www.smrw.org/contests/sm_valentine/sm_valentine.html

NoNA Award
Notable New Author of 2000
OVRWA Chapter
Receipt Deadline December 15, 2001
http://w3.one.net/~camelot/athena/ovrwa/rnonarules.html

First Annual "Foot in the Door" Contest
Los Angeles Romance Authors
Deadline: December 15, 2001
http://www.booksquare.com/lara/

HOLT Medallion Award for Published Authors
Virginia Romance Writers
Received before December 31, 2001
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Museum/2164/Contests/holt.html

Eighth Annual "From the Heart" Contest
Heartland of Georgia Romance Writers
Postmarked by December 31, 2001
http://members.aol.com/HGRWriters/hgrwcnt.htm