tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post5046837544421566481..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Query question: travails with character namesJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69508726130998156062015-06-12T22:40:35.570-04:002015-06-12T22:40:35.570-04:00Starting with a number instead of a name is...well...Starting with a number instead of a name is...well, let's just say I hope this book is Sci-Fi.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03736352366533619152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-7406138366764933952015-06-12T06:37:06.638-04:002015-06-12T06:37:06.638-04:00I saw that, too, Julie :(I saw that, too, Julie :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59291731994562304102015-06-11T22:26:02.447-04:002015-06-11T22:26:02.447-04:00Well, Christopher Lee has died. I think I'm go...Well, Christopher Lee has died. I think I'm going to rename a character Carandini in his honor, not that anyone will know, but I will.<br /><br />Sadness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47584999836548426272015-06-11T20:22:23.964-04:002015-06-11T20:22:23.964-04:00Personality is but a collection of quirks and foib...Personality is but a collection of quirks and foibles. As writers it is our job to point those out. If we are truthful writers we will point out our own first.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55417348431275996022015-06-11T18:22:29.098-04:002015-06-11T18:22:29.098-04:00Oh....cake query! The challenge of getting the fir...Oh....cake query! The challenge of getting the first line of your query to fit as icing writing on the top of a cake. How delicious.<br /><br />And for OP, I concur--leading with the MC's number rather than eventual name is what makes this story unique.Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18165072684559960801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-39888858034762577232015-06-11T18:21:15.560-04:002015-06-11T18:21:15.560-04:00Donnaeve- I do that too. The obsessive, pedantic, ...Donnaeve- I do that too. The obsessive, pedantic, and entirely necessary hunt for a name is almost the first thing that happens in a book, with me. Some characters pop up with a name straight away; others, I have to really work for. I used to have heaps of baby name books, for when I knew what letter the name should start with, but had no idea of the actual name.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07885763976837081950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-12068126055648356202015-06-11T17:34:41.710-04:002015-06-11T17:34:41.710-04:002Ns: "People are quick to claim the good stuf...2Ns: "People are quick to claim the good stuff and never see themselves as a bit off."<br /><br />Yup. A friend of mine had the following analogy to further prove this: <br /><br />"It's like we're all wearing gigantic red cowboy hats. We can see the hats on others, but it's rare when we can see them on ourselves."<br /><br />Numbers in a name should be fine (unless it's like Dena's uproarious example, {#%€£>~|##€€%<~| and Bob). Don't sweat the small stuff, OP! Your story sounds super intriguing!Karen McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640324898284007337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8076630463373094032015-06-11T16:27:46.555-04:002015-06-11T16:27:46.555-04:00DLM - snort laugh!
Julie W, good point, and at le...DLM - snort laugh!<br /><br />Julie W, good point, and at least I got that part right. If I pick one unusual name, I usually don't have others. <br /><br />Julia/Julie H! Hope you're feeling better.<br /><br />2N's, love this, "People are quick to claim the good stuff and never see themselves as a bit off. I say write about them, they're more interesting. BUT don't use their name." Amen.Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-57128617970658984342015-06-11T15:48:09.479-04:002015-06-11T15:48:09.479-04:00I don't drink coffee but I clearly need to con...I don't drink coffee but I clearly need to consider it because, looking at my post above, I don't know how to count. <br /><br />Julie your last comment made me think of Men in Black when Will Smith was <br />introduced to {#%€£>~|##€€%<~| and Bob. Too funny<br /><br />I never get to pick food or booze or anything. At home I click the box and on my phone I just tap publish. I'm either obviously not a robot or someone wants me to have nothing else to complain about lol<br /><br />Dena Pawlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14444683810125395220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53424403459639895632015-06-11T15:48:07.806-04:002015-06-11T15:48:07.806-04:00Once again, I'm struck by my good fortune in b...Once again, I'm struck by my good fortune in being a historical fiction author. Not only have all my characters been dead 1500 years, some of them never lived at all, or may only have been legends told in ancient propaganda.<br /><br />Of course, it does rather leave me in Julie's world of Eklylazohras (Amalaswintha and Mataswintha are little less confusing for some readers), but I rest relatively assured nobody'll be suing.DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-43211633160937728852015-06-11T15:38:56.854-04:002015-06-11T15:38:56.854-04:00I do think you can have unique names. The thing ab...I do think you can have unique names. The thing about them is they should be used sparingly, like a well-placed adverb. If you use too many, they're no longer unique, <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_IZrrewfZeM8/TBazCL-Q7XI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/KGVmt2Oqc4M/s1600/bev2.jpg" rel="nofollow">they're just part of the background.</a> If you're trying too hard to be unique, all you become is irritating. <br /><br />There has to be a balance between Estunemeazz and Eklylazohra and "this is my brother Daryl and my other brother Daryl."<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-11560149790740096752015-06-11T14:42:17.877-04:002015-06-11T14:42:17.877-04:00Donna, what's it like writing something and ha...Donna, what's it like writing something and having no idea where it came from?<br /><br />;)<br /><br />Sorry all, in-joke of sorts.<br /><br />2Ns, I write my blog that way. I have one or two folks I refer to by nicknames, most simply by relationship, but only one person I've ever named using their actual given name, and even that only once or twice in the years I've been posting.<br /><br />Julie ... I'm somewhere caught between HAH! and *wow* there ... :)DLMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08768285199864217885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66681711328304911882015-06-11T14:32:53.045-04:002015-06-11T14:32:53.045-04:00I still haven't mastered linking videos, but t...I still haven't mastered linking videos, but this is just priceless. Dear God, please let someone deliver a manuscript to an agent on a white horse some day.<br /><br />It would be the best do not ever do this story ever.<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYlKWUeDYdA<br /><br />Yes, I know, this is going to bring out Janet's angry horse, but it was worth it.<br /><br />I'm going to write a blog about this. I'll even create a new character.<br /><br />In other news. I've had an offer to write someone else's book for them. I'm sure it was meant in the best of ways, but it feels kind of like having someone say, "I'm too tired to make love to my husband so I'd like you to do it, but I'll tell you how." I'm sort of busy making love to my own guys, but thanks.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51407842429441730562015-06-11T14:06:55.878-04:002015-06-11T14:06:55.878-04:00Because my column is all about me (yeh, I'm pa...Because my column is all about me (yeh, I'm paid to be self-centered) I avoid using ANY names. I have written about my family extensively and yet I've never mentioned my husband's name or those of my children. I did use my granddaughter's name when I wrote about her birth but only once.<br />It's odd that over the years when I've written rather disparaging things about someone (like the parent whose discipline was too forceful) they never recognized themselves. People are quick to claim the good stuff and never see themselves as a bit off. I say write about them, they're more interesting. BUT don't use their name.Carolynnwith2Nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394998702410764388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71884804697421390082015-06-11T14:03:34.241-04:002015-06-11T14:03:34.241-04:00I'd be intrigued if Opie withheld the name fro...I'd be intrigued if Opie withheld the name from the query. It makes me wonder what name the character wants. Does she get to choose her earned name? See, we're all dying to read your book because we want to know what her name will be.angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-53294341471692168422015-06-11T13:34:21.371-04:002015-06-11T13:34:21.371-04:00"I don't think there really are any '..."I don't think there really are any 'unique' names out there."<br /><br />Yeah BJ, probably not, just like someone else once said to me, there are only x number of words which exist in the English language (of course nowadays words get added to Oxford like "twerking" once everyone starts using them) <br /><br />What I think was weird (for me) is my brain landed on these names I'd never heard of, and it was strange. I was sort of like, WHERE did THAT come from??? <br /><br />Maybe a past life. I dunno.Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62453485695347570552015-06-11T13:32:26.236-04:002015-06-11T13:32:26.236-04:00Love the hook! However, I would not withhold that ...Love the hook! However, I would not withhold that the character does earn her name by the end of the story in the query. You're looking to sell this, which is different than hooking the reader. That's just me, though.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03365582623380288038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-55162493851733575372015-06-11T11:57:09.433-04:002015-06-11T11:57:09.433-04:00Such a smart, concise question which leads to a sm...Such a smart, concise question which leads to a smart, concise answer. In other words, I have nothing to add, except: Listen to the Shark. Which you were going to do, anyway, because you asked her.<br /><br />WR: I'm sure someone has written a query on a cake. I've seen lists of some of the things agents get (or used to get, when queries were through the mail). A decorated cake would not be out of the realm of possibilities.<br /><br />Brian and SiSi: writing a query letter is a GREAT way to help sort out a story and bring to the fore what is important in the novel. Writing a synopsis helps to tighten the plot. All the work put into these things is worth it, because it improves the novel and it improves our skill.<br /><br />(I know people's view of synopses here. You could call it, I suppose, a summary of the plot. If you were to write out your plot, in whatever format you prefer, you'd be able to see where it needs work, where it lags, where it skims to quickly.)<br /><br />Regarding finding the right names:<br /><br />I don't think there really are any 'unique' names out there. There may be some unique spellings, but every name already exists in some culture. I've had friends try to find totally unique names for their babies - only to find out later that someone they meet or some celebrity has the same name. Or, worse, a company does.<br /><br />I prefer names that are not overused or unique. I'd rather the name fit the character and the character's culture than have it say anything specific about the character. If I have a character from a made-up culture, I pick a name that fits the culture, not necessarily one that's unique. After all, different cultures can coincidentally use the same syllables for a name, but it means different things in different languages.<br /><br />Hi Julie H! How are you doing?<br /><br />(Pick all the food. Ignore the booze and coffee... and the young couple holding hands???)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-54185167748580479562015-06-11T11:42:51.098-04:002015-06-11T11:42:51.098-04:00The way I read this, I was picturing the following...The way I read this, I was picturing the following:<br /><br />Dear Agent 61825,<br /><br />In a world where humans have to earn their names....<br /><br />Synopsis....<br /><br />Bio....<br /><br />Thank you for your time and consideration.<br /><br />Now, imagine Agent 61825 opening THAT email. I've read complaints from Agents about people getting their names spelled wrong or gotten switched with other Agents' names, or gotten off the wall entirely - but this is so off the wall that...<br /><br />Hm.<br /><br />It might actually work.<br /><br />Dear Shark 61825,<br /><br />Thank you for your time and consideration,<br /><br />Author 4,384,947<br /><br />(It also reminds me of this Far Side cartoon by Gary Larson: <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291115563390931113/" rel="nofollow">Far Side Cartoon that this post reminds me of</a><br /><br />And HTML link in case you "Just don't want to go there...": https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291115563390931113/<br /><br />Be Well, God Bless, Love On.<br />JJuliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041316285692964293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24540767016357966772015-06-11T11:33:01.104-04:002015-06-11T11:33:01.104-04:00Julie's story is making me reconsider the name...Julie's story is making me reconsider the name of my protagonist again. His name is Enrique, which I thought was a fairly common Hispanic name. CPs have mostly said nothing about the name, but a few said it's weird. For those readers, the name is taking them out of the story, so maybe it's time to change it. Or, more likely, time to get more feedback.Beth H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14281003524857655329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-56005126409881250692015-06-11T11:28:52.168-04:002015-06-11T11:28:52.168-04:00After reading Julie W's story about her charac...After reading Julie W's story about her character's name, it struck me (again) how determined I can be on finding perfect names for my own characters. Maybe my somewhat reclusive nature is the problem, but for my second book, my MC's name is something I'd never heard of, and it came to me while I was stripping sheets off the bed. The name is Truitt. I wrote "his" story in 2013, and lo and behold, on that series called TEXAS RISING, here comes a young character named TRUITT. And in "my" Truitt's story, I have a woman named Maisy. Again, maybe I live a secluded life b/c Maisy wasn't one I'd heard of either, but I've since found out it's pretty common - at least here in the South.<br /><br />In my hard crime book, my antagonist's name is Haskell.<br /><br />In my latest WIP, I have a girl named Wallis Ann. I love picking out the names. And I generally take a LONG time doing it, until I hear the name in my head within the story and it sounds "right." (whatever that is)Donnaevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09026536210749494257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-30158666154377695712015-06-11T11:17:19.169-04:002015-06-11T11:17:19.169-04:00LOL--that cake! Really??
I'm with Diane (DLM)...LOL--that cake! Really??<br /><br />I'm with Diane (DLM) and Donna--the number-name is intriguing and part of the story. I say keep it. Especially if earning a name is part of the MC's journey--you could even make that part of the query if it fits ("can 61825 do what it takes to earn a name...?"--something like that).<br /><br />If there's one thing I've learned from researching querying/writing/publishing rules over the past few years: there are no rules, only guidelines, suggestions, and best practices. This is a very pragmatic industry. The ideal query is the one that grabs the agent's interest, and compels that agent to request a full. There are no set-in-stone rules, and, let's be honest, an agent who is a stickler for "rules" despite how brilliant your query is probably isn't an agent that will work well with you. Thankfully, I don't know many agents who would be that persnickity. :)<br /><br />All the best to you Opie!!<br /><br />And then I remembered... ;)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1791285730163774812015-06-11T11:07:28.350-04:002015-06-11T11:07:28.350-04:00Names plus queries plus names IN queries makes me ...Names plus queries plus names IN queries makes me want to run up to my attic and throw myself on my fainting bench. <br /><br />Though I wonder...if Daphne DuMaurier had to query <i>Rebecca</i> in modern querying style, how would she have done it? (this is my best and most favorite "nameless main character/nameless narrator" example. I get that Opie's MC isn't nameless, but I feel it might not even be so tangential of me....)Jennifer R. Donohuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00363886899308588391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69518520599327136012015-06-11T10:56:50.910-04:002015-06-11T10:56:50.910-04:00Totally off subject, but for more cakes visit the ...Totally off subject, but for more cakes visit the Cakewrecks website. Too often I have laughed until it hurt.<br /><br />Susan, for Dr. Who fans like Colin and myself, the phrase "And then I remembered" is likely to send us to the DVR to lose an hour in "The Library".S.D.Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05707682524268581476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-49071664400271916082015-06-11T10:56:34.978-04:002015-06-11T10:56:34.978-04:00I actually kind of like that opening for a query, ...I actually kind of like that opening for a query, but what do I know?<br /><br />The MC in my WIP started out as Gentyl Diarmand. She was named after one of my game characters because a piece of the original story idea came from some fan fiction I wrote for our guild lore. The girl's name means gentle spirit in her father's language. The parents had hoped to give peace to her life with the naming. A sweet bit of sentiment for our little warrior.<br /><br />At the SIWC Idol panel the first page was read. Everyone passed, but there was a minor discussion of the name. Some agents liked it, some didn't.<br /><br />I return home, ready to do battle with this manuscript from hell. I have at thee.<br /><br />Denver comes up. Off the manuscript from hell goes to a few workshops. A few more debates about the name Gentyl. Princess Perfect, she of the perfectly arranged rape scene so the woman's glittering golden locks cascade dramatically off the edge of the table in the heavenly sunlight. The woman lies on the table like a Mayan princess laid out for sacrifice while the barbarians uncoddle their codpieces or whatever barbarians do when they are preparing to befoul fair maiden, says, "That's the stupidest name I've ever heard in my life."<br /><br />I refrain from saying, "Oh yeah? Well, that's the stupidest rape scene I've ever scene. Everyone knows the table should have a white cloth on it to make her look even more virginal and a crucifix the barbarians cruelly tear from her throat as she prays."<br /><br />That remark alone is enough to make me dig in my heels to keep the name.<br /><br />Home we come to digest all we have learned at Denver.<br /><br />Emails fly and excerpts of things we're working on and discussion of what we learned flow freely on B&W. (Books and Writers.)<br /><br />"I'm not sure I like the name Gentyl. It sound like you're trying to be cute."<br /><br />"I like it. It's a wonderful irony that her name sounds gentle, but she's studying to be a warrior."<br /><br />The discussion is on again.<br /><br />Holy horned frogs here we go again.<br /><br />If the name is taking the reader out of the story, it's time to change it. I had already named given her a Celtic name before, but Barbara Rogan said that was really a difficult name to wrap your tongue around. So, I knew from that class I needed to keep it simple. Her dead uncle's name is Kael. There's a special bond between the two. Kaelyn it is.<br /><br />I have three cultures in this book. One is very loosely based in Celtic/Sarmatian lore and one more Normanic/Roman based. I use a name generator to keep the names for the cultures consistent within each one.<br /><br />I think names in fiction are important. They say something about the person you're writing about. In truth, we shouldn't be writing characters. They should be people. We should be able to think about them at any time as fully as we might a close friend and wonder what they are doing. I fiddle with mine a lot before I find the ones that say what I want them to say about a character.<br /><br /> "There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it." VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER C.S. Lewis<br /><br />To the OP. I love the numbered agents. That draws my curious mind in immediately.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com