Sunday 31 January 2010

Repetitive name syndrome

I've been editing a couple of short stories this morning and will hopefully submit them no definately will submit them tomorrow. Anyway, I noticed something as I was doing it and that was how often I use the same name for the characters. I don't know how many times I've called a bloke Tom. I choose to think that this is a subconcious tribute to my grandfathers who were both called that but God only knows who Molly is.

13 comments:

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

I find the naming of characters really hard.

What I find even harder to deal with is when I've been working on a story, found a name I'm happy with and then I meet a real-life person with the same name - it then feels odd to use that name in my story...

XX

Sheila Norton said...

Yes - I do this too, Colette! My stories so often seem to have Emmas, Claires and Sarahs in them.
Does everyone do this? I have to look at baby-name websites to give me ideas for different names - there are thousands to choose from, so why do I keep coming back to the same ones! Good luck with your submissions. Nothing ventured ....

Cheryl said...

I'm rubbish at naming characters so I just think of I know but they never ever seem to sound right to me. Good luck with the subs

Colette McCormick said...

I know what you mean Suzanne. I know sometimes when I'm working on a story a person will pop into my head and while I might use their name I have to be really careful not to use their character.
I'm glad it's not just me Olivia. I don't know why but somehow Tom just pops into my head all the time. I still can't post on your blog ehich is very annoying but congratulations on your latest success (I'm looking forward to reading it) and Noah is GORGEOUS.
I think names are really difficult LilyS. It's a bit like naling one of your children - it has to right for them.

Caroline said...

I'm with you on the name thing. If I could I would use the same names all the time - lol. As I write historical's to date all my hero's have been "M's" (Marcus, Marsallas, Metellus.) I *really* need to invest in a good name book! Take care. Caroline x

HelenMWalters said...

I find I aways pick the same names as well. Greg is a particuar favourite for men. And my current story has a Molly in it! Spooky ...

Colette McCormick said...

Hi Caroline, why M's?
Helen, what is it about Molly. I don't know one never have nut for some reason the name just pops on to the page.

Flowerpot said...

I really like the name Tom! Good luck with it all anyway.

Sheila Norton said...

Colette, what happens when you try to post a comment on my blog? Do you get a message, or anything? I've been looking in 'Help', but it wasn't much 'Help' (!) - so it's a bit of a mystery especially as other people seem to be able to comment OK. Any suggestions gratefully received!

Amanda said...

Ooh, I know exactly what you mean - I always seem to have a Lennon reoccurring in my novels (never met a Lennon in my life!) And Katie's seem to pop up in my stories over and over! Strange! x

Colette McCormick said...

Thanks Flowerpot - I love the name Tom.
Okay Olivia I've just been over to check and (according to the dark skipper aka Captain Black your comments are embedded and they are the one's that I'm having problems with. The words "post a comment" are there but not the box to post them in. I also tried "help" and found it equally unhelpful. I'd be interested to know if you can see the photos of my followers when you look on my blog because I can't see any. Neither my own nor anyone elses. Apparently that is a known problem.
I don't think I've ever met a Lennon either Amanda. Any idea where that came from?

Sheila Norton said...

I can see your 'follower' photos OK, Colette ... and very nice we all look, too! And as for the whole 'embedded' situation ... er ... right. Didn't know I was embedded or what I did to make that happen! If anyone knows how I change it, let me know!! What a pain. I'm sorry I don't know how to help - I'm OK with all these things until they go wrong, then I'm a 'throw my hands up in the air and scream helplessly' person, I'm sorry to say!

Colette McCormick said...

Oh you and me both Olivia. I love technology while it works but when it goes wrong - aarrgghh!
However my usual laptop has had an episode so to speak and is undergoing some major surgery layer today so Himself set me up on the old one. And what do you know, the followers are all there so I am off to your blog right now.