Feature and Follow Friday, hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee, is a great way to discover new blogs!
This week's featured bloggers are Le Grand Codex and Beefcake and Babes.
Today's question is:
Q: I like unique names for characters and am looking forward to coming up with some when I start writing. What's the most unique character name you've come across?My answer: Great question! I love unusual character names. Sometimes I sit down to blog about a book and totally blank on the main character's name. (Please tell me I'm not the only one!)
My opinion: First off, "unusual" is relative. I spent some time in Zurich and this is the name my hosts thought was the most hilarious American name ever... Bob. LOL.
Second, as creative as authors try to be, great minds think alike. Katniss (Hunger Games) and Katsa (Graceling) appeared on the YA scene around the same time. And -- YA Trivia alert! -- did you know that the main character in Matched had to have a name change (from Calla to Cassia) because Andrea Cremer was using the name Calla for her Nightshade series.
This is my secret for coming up with great, memorable character names: try for the "uniquely familiar." Cassandra Clare is particularly genius at this. Her names are different enough to set her characters apart, but not so unfamiliar that you can't remember them. Clary. Jace. Tessa.
Whether you're new here or an old-timer, thanks so much for visiting!
While you're here, challenge your memory in my YA Couples Trivia Contest. Even if you get the questions wrong, you could win a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card.
I'm also participating in the I Love YA Hop -- giving away one of four new February releases (Fever, When The Sea is Rising Red, Wings of the Wicked or The One That I Want.) Enter here!
I look forward to visiting your blog too!
Hi..nice choice of names. I like it and I am also entering the giveaway. :) Here is my Feature & Follow. A new follower! I would love, if you could follow my blog.
ReplyDeleteVidya @ Books Are Magic
Followed you back :)
DeleteI agree that Cassandra Clare is particularly good at names!
ReplyDeleteShanan
http://thebookaddictnet.blogspot.com/2012/02/follow-friday-14.html
LOL Shanan. I think I know where to find you :)
DeleteEveryone is a big fan of the Cassandra Claire's novels. I must admit, I like them too. Great answer, I'm a new follower, so here's mine http://kristyberridge.blogspot.com.au/
ReplyDeleteJust stopped by your blog!
DeleteGreat answer! I really like the names that Cassandra manages to come up with!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've tagged you!
http://eileenlisblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/tagged-again.html
And I just stopped by your blog too :)
DeleteYour reasoning is a killer :)
ReplyDeleteNew follower thru GFC
My #FF
Followed you back :)
DeleteAgreed! I was just talking to someone about Cassandra Clare and her character names. Clary is definitely unique, but it's attached to a fairly normal name. I like unusual nicknames taken from normal sounding names.
ReplyDeleteHere's our FF
Have a great weekend!
Jamie @Addicted2Heroines
See -- great minds do think alike :)
DeleteI think that Katniss was my first thought when I saw this question. You managed to pick out some really great other choices too. It's interesting to know that Cassia's name was changed in Matched!
ReplyDeleteNew to your blog :)
Stephanie
P.S. If you haven't already, enter my International Giveaway
If you want to read the Cassia/Calla story, it's here:
Deletehttp://www.allysoncondie.com/2010/04/matched/
Great answer!! new follower :) I must admit I haven't read any books from Cassandra Clare they are just sitting on my shelf. Maybe I should push it up on my TBR list?
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
Here is my Follow Friday ♥
Shantal
♥ Book nerds are pretty too
I have Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince sitting on my TBR. I'm saving them for the summer :)
DeleteAlso in Matched the last names of Xander and Ky were switched. Very interesting. I do like the name Calla. Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteSeriously? That's weird, because they get switched in the book too. I have to go think about that for a minute....
DeleteThose are some awesome names! And no, you're not alone at blanking when trying to think of names!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE unique character names!
Have a FABULOUS Friday!!!! :D
J.B.
http://jbkantt.blogspot.com/
Oh, whew. I was waiting for someone to fess up to that. Thanks!
DeleteNice Matched trivia. I'm a new GFC follower, I'll look for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMy FF post, stop by http://jessysbookends.blogspot.com/2012/02/follow-friday-84.html
I just stopped by your blog!
DeleteYou have to admit BOB is a funny name when you think about it. Names are important in a story. If they don't fit well, it can be an interruption.
ReplyDeleteThey just kept repeating it. Bob, bob, bob until I was laughing too.
DeleteIf your name is Bob -- sorry!!! It's a very nice name.
New follower still working the linky list on Monday. Pretty slow.
ReplyDeleteI like the easier to remember names, Clary,Jace and Tessa. I'm at http://steepedinbooks.blogspot.com
Stopped in. Thanks for the cup of tea :)
DeleteI think the names from the Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima are unique. Raisa and Han and Amon.....
ReplyDeleteI have been meaning to read her books forever!!
Delete