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Jayphen

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What are your main character's names, and do you have a reason for your choices?

So far I've just been referring to my main character as "MC", but I really do need something solid. I was thinking of having a name that symbolises.. something.. because that would be creative. :p
 

Slidey

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It depends on what you want to symbolise, eh?

For example: a blank template name such as 'Mother' can be very effective for portraying the character as being a generic motherly character who either inherits and/or contributes features to the responder's stereotyope of a mother.
 

Jayphen

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Slide Rule said:
It depends on what you want to symbolise, eh?

For example: a blank template name such as 'Mother' can be very effective for portraying the character as being a generic motherly character who either inherits and/or contributes features to the responder's stereotyope of a mother.
that is true, I'm not asking for help thinking of a name though. Just curious as to what other people have used and if there is a reason behind the choice. ;)
 
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jhakka

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If all else fails, just use temporary names.

I used Waldo as a name for my main character for God knows how long before changing it. I think it lasted until three weeks before it was due.

In the end I went with a name that wasn't extremely common, though wasn't odd enough to really stand out.
 
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stainmepink

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call him SNAPDRAGON

no im not kidding, im going to call my son that one day.
 

Abbeygale

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My main character/narrator doesn't have a name yet. Its really awkward, because I haven't mentioned any defining characteristics, not even gender. One of the books on writing I've read suggests that this isn't a great idea.
My problem is that for the first thousand words or so she's essentially alone, so no one can call her by name. I hate it when books have characters introduce themselves in internal monologue (Do you ever suddenly think 'Hi, I'm John/Jane Doe and I'm a boy/girl'?)
And after a thousand words, it seems awkward to go introducing /describing her, because the reader would already have formed a mental image. (I remember once having to put a book down because halfway through the author announced that a character who had been acting seventeen for seven chapters was actually twelve.)
Or maybe I'm just thinking too much.
 

Opium

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My main character's name is: Avion Icarus

The reason I called him that is explained in the name. Avion is similar to aviation, which has to do with flight. Icarus was the guy who flew to close to the sun and the wax that held his feathers on melted and they dropped off, so he fell back down. Basically it translates to that he is 'without flight'. Reflecting his broken and weird state he is in.

Another of the characters is named 'Tenebrae'. Which is the latin word for 'darkness'.
btw my story is set in a mental institution so i'm allowed to go a bit crazy :p
 

_muse_

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my main character doesnt have a name.. well he does but you never find out what it is. Actually come to think of it, none of my characters have names, they are reffered to as 'the boy', 'the big one' 'the little one' etc etc... i read something somewhere about what it means but ive forgotten exactly what it is
 

monique66

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my characters all have names...and they are all symbolic of stuff...but then again, its all a bit hush hush...(i'm doing a script anyway, so no competition from me anyway :eek: )
 

Abbeygale

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Opium said:
My main character's name is: Avion Icarus

The reason I called him that is explained in the name. Avion is similar to aviation, which has to do with flight. Icarus was the guy who flew to close to the sun and the wax that held his feathers on melted and they dropped off, so he fell back down. Basically it translates to that he is 'without flight'. Reflecting his broken and weird state he is in.

Another of the characters is named 'Tenebrae'. Which is the latin word for 'darkness'.
btw my story is set in a mental institution so i'm allowed to go a bit crazy :p
You know avion is the french word for plane, right? If not, well, now you do.
 

Alimoe_KG

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In all seriousness, what is the MANLIEST name you can think of?
Like...name that just captures the essence of masculinity =)
Please i need this! :D
 

kami

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Airness said:
In all seriousness, what is the MANLIEST name you can think of?
Like...name that just captures the essence of masculinity =)
Please i need this! :D
Use something Gaelic....
 

gordo

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i used deon meads for the young girl in mine who gets killed.
anagram of desdemona, the maiden doomed to a premature death in othello
 

paper cup

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yep, my girl's name is symbolic - it means phoenix in Chinese, which has connotations to rebirth and enlightenment.
my guy's name is pretty random, I wanted it to be something ordinary, nothing very eye catching, which suits the purposes of the story. and I've always liked the name I chose. It was going to be Daniel, but then I remembered the total arsehole named Daniel that I knew in primary school :p
 

Alimoe_KG

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cherryblossom said:
yep, my girl's name is symbolic - it means phoenix in Chinese, which has connotations to rebirth and enlightenment.
my guy's name is pretty random, I wanted it to be something ordinary, nothing very eye catching, which suits the purposes of the story. and I've always liked the name I chose. It was going to be Daniel, but then I remembered the total arsehole named Daniel that I knew in primary school :p
lol awwwww so the character isn't an asshole ? ^^

And Kami...i was looking for names that reflects AUSSIE masculinity :p
Cause my character is aussie =)
 

kami

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Airness said:
lol awwwww so the character isn't an asshole ? ^^

And Kami...i was looking for names that reflects AUSSIE masculinity :p
Cause my character is aussie =)
lol...you do know that apart from the aboriginals, aussies dont really have a cultural identity that is seperate from other countries...just pick something random from anywhere that appeals to you... but if you really want something "aussie", how about Hogan?
 

paper cup

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Airness said:
lol awwwww so the character isn't an asshole ? ^^

And Kami...i was looking for names that reflects AUSSIE masculinity :p
Cause my character is aussie =)
lol, my character is aussie as well, and that has quite important bearing on my story. I don't think you have to have a very australian name - just let it show through his mannerisms. subtly.
and actually, my teacher did say he was an arsehole, because my writing made it so that the reader found it difficult to relate to him :(
 

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