The Name’s the Sweet Thing–Sometimes

“How did you choose these names for your characters?” asked an interviewer.

Great question–and one writers wrestle with all the time!

Choosing a name

Two-thirds of the way through writing Bridging Two Hearts, I needed to introduce a minor character.

She was getting a massage from my heroine (a massage therapist).  Because massage is an intimate experience, many therapists ask for the client’s name. So I needed one.

Did I mention my client weighed over 300 pounds?

Does that make a difference?  You tell me.

The first that that swam to my head was easy, until I remembered a friend recently had weight-loss surgery and probably wouldn’t appreciate possibly being identified, even in a fictional setting.

Same with the next one.

The nervous client was about 40 years old.

That means she was born about 1972. Could she be a Jessica?

Generating popular names in a specific era.

Aren’t all Jessica’s svelte and curvy like in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?  (Or tall and slim like the beautiful Jessie I know?)

I didn’t want to give her saddle her with something like Elda or Gertrude. My point wasn’t to make fun of her (Alas, thosechoices are seldom regarded as beautiful any more. Sorry).

Indeed, it’s a poignant scene where the woman doesn’t want to undress because she’s embarrassed by her weight.

My heroine, Amy, treated her with respect and courtesy. I wanted to play off type, if I could only get my brain engaged.

It can be a difficult choice when you’re a writer.

That sounds ridiculous, but I don’t know how many times I’ve turned to my family and said, “Give me a name. Any name.”

I probably would have better luck just opening the phone book and pointing.

I’ve done that, too. (And then rejected the “selection” for not meeting my criterion.)

In some cases, the best place to visit is a baby name book or website. I like a site like this one, that gives meanings, provides lists of different nationality versions, and sometimes simply makes me laugh.

Other sources

Years ago, I reviewed charts as part of my job. Pregnant at the time and scouting possibilities for my baby, I paid close attention to the names. And couldn’t believe what I read.

(Note to parents: while an unusual name CAN be a beautiful gift,  PLEASE, for the sake of your child, spell it simply. I’ve been spelling Michelle my entire life).

Back to my story.

I ran through people I knew, or sort of knew, or had seen, or my kids knew, and finally chose a name that worked.

In the meantime, this precious vulnerable woman needed to relax through the work of a massage therapist who tells her she has value no matter what her size, shape, color, age or creed.

What did I choose?

Camilla.

(But wait! Does that make you think of Prince Charles’ wife . . . ooh, I may have to change it . . . )

How do you choose a name? And do your characters smell just as sweet no matter what their name is?  🙂