Feature and Follow Friday 2


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!

Comments

  1. 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.

    Vidya @ Books Are Magic

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree that Cassandra Clare is particularly good at names!

    Shanan
    http://thebookaddictnet.blogspot.com/2012/02/follow-friday-14.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL Shanan. I think I know where to find you :)

      Delete
  3. Everyone 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/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great answer! I really like the names that Cassandra manages to come up with!

    By the way, I've tagged you!

    http://eileenlisblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/tagged-again.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your reasoning is a killer :)
    New follower thru GFC
    My #FF

    ReplyDelete
  6. Agreed! 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.

    Here's our FF

    Have a great weekend!

    Jamie @Addicted2Heroines

    ReplyDelete
  7. I 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!

    New to your blog :)
    Stephanie

    P.S. If you haven't already, enter my International Giveaway

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you want to read the Cassia/Calla story, it's here:

      http://www.allysoncondie.com/2010/04/matched/

      Delete
  8. 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?

    Have a great weekend

    Here is my Follow Friday

    Shantal
    ♥ Book nerds are pretty too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince sitting on my TBR. I'm saving them for the summer :)

      Delete
  9. Also in Matched the last names of Xander and Ky were switched. Very interesting. I do like the name Calla. Thanks for visiting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seriously? That's weird, because they get switched in the book too. I have to go think about that for a minute....

      Delete
  10. Those are some awesome names! And no, you're not alone at blanking when trying to think of names!
    I LOVE unique character names!

    Have a FABULOUS Friday!!!! :D

    J.B.
    http://jbkantt.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, whew. I was waiting for someone to fess up to that. Thanks!

      Delete
  11. Nice Matched trivia. I'm a new GFC follower, I'll look for the giveaway.

    My FF post, stop by http://jessysbookends.blogspot.com/2012/02/follow-friday-84.html

    ReplyDelete
  12. You 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They just kept repeating it. Bob, bob, bob until I was laughing too.
      If your name is Bob -- sorry!!! It's a very nice name.

      Delete
  13. New follower still working the linky list on Monday. Pretty slow.

    I like the easier to remember names, Clary,Jace and Tessa. I'm at http://steepedinbooks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think the names from the Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima are unique. Raisa and Han and Amon.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have been meaning to read her books forever!!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you will share your thoughts on this post!