We all have our buttons. Those ‘things’ that throw us out of a story or make it impossible to relax and enjoy the novel. One thing that tends to go over my head more often than not are character names.
You could blame it on a staple of Jackie Collins, Judith Krantz and Danielle Steel as I was growing up. Or blame it on a few years of OCD in the fanfic way for a TV Show. Oh you know… there was also a Days of Our Lives addiction that started when I was 12 and babysitting for the teacher who lived across the street from me.
No really… her hubby loved the show. Their VCR was broken, so in order for him to tape DOOL the tv had to be on and on that channel. I loved Patch and his sweetness. Bo and Hope or who can forget the ex-hooker with a heart of gold Kim, who found love and happiness through her marriage to Shane. I even think my very horrid father still has a video tape (I was assured was erased) of a girlfriend of mine and I watching Steve aka Patch’s funeral. We were of course crying our eyes out.
::blink:: Really people it should shock no one I read Diana Palmer, harlequin or old style categories. When I thought about the kids I would one day have I wanted to name them Emerald and Forest. Yes be glad I decided to never have kids *g*
I could sooooo give missy a run for her money. What in the hell was I talking about? Oh yes names…. so generally names do not bother me. What about you?
The one time I can recall names being a kill switch for me was Dark Lover. I have said repeatedly I had a hard time deciding to read Dark Lover. The first two time I put it down had a big thing to do with the names. Wrath? Rhage? Zsadist? Wha?
The fact I could over come those names and honestly now like them, is one of the big things that tell me Ward is a hell of a writer. It also makes me wonder… because the Brotherhood wasn’t ‘teh thang’ when I picked it up. In fact I had heard about the book in one other place – a blog. It was PBW blog, she had not only given J.R. Ward a cover quote but highly recommended her on her blog. So I picked it up. Put it down. Picked it up later. Put it down again. And finally ended up falling in lurve with her world while the oil was being changed in my car.
If it wasn’t for that blog rec, I don’t think I would have picked that book up again. Because of the characters names. Nothing like a little pressure on a writer *g*.
If I could retire a name I would have to say Sin. Although I guess that is more of a nickname.
What about you?
You can retire a name from romanceland. Strike it off the record forever and ever amen. What is it? Oh what the hell you can do two – one for a man and one for a woman.
And if you are a writer (feel free to strike a name as well) but how do you name your characters?
I think “Devil”. Oh, and lately, Lilith. *g*
Naming is a terrible process for me, because it has to be absolutely right — and fit the background of the character. I’ve been really happy with all of my names so far.
And I think that in the back of my head, way back somewhere, Missy was the reason I chose “Anthony” as the name of my first hero. Because my god, did she ever love Johanna Lindsey’s TENDER REBEL.
I’m not a huge fan of the name Sybil… 😉 Just kidding!
LOL Tina it always freaks me out to see my name. Because it is soooo not common. And when I see it in books it is weird.
I always stop to think… hmmm did I piss off that author in some way? Lots of evol whores named Sybil it just isn’t right I tell ya.
LOL
awww you should let missy name all your characters *g*
Connor McCloud HAS GOT TO GO! First off people, The Highlander movies suck. They suckity suck suck. And when a romance author slaps a hero with that name, it just reminds me of that sucky movie franchise.
Also, any nickname for a Regency hero involving the words “Devil” or “Sin.” They were stupid the first time I read them, and just keep getting stupider.
Boy, I’m cranky today. Just to prove I’m not PMS-ing I won’t list annoying heroine names.
The first name last names.
So sorry to the Josh Ryan, David Brandon, etc.. etc.. of the world.
The ones I can’t figure out whether they are pronounced one way or the other. Kirsten: Kiiiirsten or Keeeaaarstin? Lara: Laura of Laaara?
I’m with Wendy, no more Sin or Devil. Plus I’d nix all the Hawk and Ravens if I could, too–dangerous birds are not necessarily sexy. One of the first Barbara Cartlands I read had “Peregrine” as in falcon as the hero. If she did it, I think all authors should stay far, far away.
For me, anachronistic heroine names, but I can’t think of any right now.
Megan I think I read that book LOL
And Syb….I actually have a heroine whose name is Emerald 🙂
Peregrine? Wasn’t he a Hobbit?