http://blogfloggery.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] blogfloggery.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] lkh_lashouts2014-07-14 02:50 am

Blogflog - Choosing Character Names, part 1

Link: Choosing Character Names, part 1
Disclaimer: This blog entry is verbatim, as originally posted on LKH's blog. Copyright belongs to Ma Petite Enterprises.

One of the most common questions I’ve been asked is, “Where did I get the Celtic/Gaelic names for the Meredith (Merry) Gentry series? Especially the baby names for, A Shiver of Light?” Below find pictures of the primary books I used.

Another name question I’m getting is, “Why did I use Alastair for the baby boy, since that’s the name of the man who attacks Merry in the first book, A Kiss of Shadows?” Honestly, at first I forgot that I’d used the name before. I tend to have names that I like and I will reuse them, or variations of them multiple times if I’m not careful. Apparently, Bruce was a favorite for a bit male character in the Anita Blake novels for a few years. It seemed my answer to John Smith. I also seem inordinately fond of variations of the name Nicholas. When I realized Alastair was actually a villain name from earlier in the Merry Gentry series I changed the name for her baby boy, but she, and he, wouldn’t let me. Merry wasn’t traumatized by that long ago Alastair, or if she was she wanted to reclaim the name in a positive way. As for baby Alastair, he totally refused to be anything else. I originally spelled it, Alastar, as a double entendre for the star-shaped spot/birthmark on his back, but even that didn’t please this very opinionated new character. It had to be Alastair, and he wouldn’t let everyone call him, Star. That was my original idea that he’d actually go by his nickname to the point where you forgot Alastair/Alastar was his legal name, but Alastair doesn’t like nicknames. I’m a little worried about this brand new character as he seems determined to have his way. I think he’s going to eventually give me a run for my plot-money and totally take over a book, or series, someday. I can’t quite imagine writing books about Merry’s children all grown up, but there are hints that the babies already have ideas that I wasn’t aware of. *laughs*

[identity profile] plastraa.livejournal.com 2014-07-14 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
I think we can say a big thank you to the opinionated imaginary baby character who decided NOT to let everyone call him Star. That would have been even more twee than I imagine it's gonna be.

I hope she ages him up magically so we don't have to put up with omniscient children syndrome or the 'aren't I cute when I use double entendre even though I couldn't possibly know what that means', like in sitcoms. Kids in media can be very annoying and down right scary.

[identity profile] suzycat.livejournal.com 2014-07-15 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
They can call him Al like every other person called Alastair/various spelling variations since the DAWN OF HUMANITY.

[identity profile] plastraa.livejournal.com 2014-07-16 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
BUT where would be the super speshal snowwhite white snowflakyness in that?

[identity profile] suzycat.livejournal.com 2014-07-16 01:33 am (UTC)(link)
I accept your argument is a good one, but must rebut it with the fearsome vampire master and ardueueuruer addict, AUGGIE.