Nothing earth-shattering, though a friend did get laid off, which has resulted in me having people on top of me (as in sucking my air, not literally...oh, nevermind; it's close to lunchtime and I need protien. Or protein? Meat.)
But anyhoo. Reading the April Moon anthology from Harlequin Historicals, and while I have enjoyed the Merline Lovelace entry and the Susan King one (my first by her so far) I'm still not a Regency girl. Love Miranda Jarrett, but her entry is next, and like the other three, it's Regency, and the heroine's name is Sophie (did I mention my "thing" about Sophie before? No disrespect to any Sophies or mothers/daughters/sisters/friends of same who may be reading.) I miss Jarrett's colonials, one of my favourite periods. I do like how all three stories happen over the course of one evening in this anthology, though.
While I'm still here, an informal poll. My first. Showed some of my notes for The Wild Rover (working title for story in the idea stage; will likely change) to a cp, and while she said she likes the story a lot, the hero's name doesn't work for her. As in really really dislikes it. The name in question? Declan.
I like it, but poking around, found it's listed as Irish, and my hero is Scottish (18th century) Grumblesigh. Naming can be an ordeal, but I do like it. I did like Declan, too. CP wants me to call him Dougal or Dugal -- I do like Dougal, but that isn't this character's name. A book "mama" knows these things.
So -- working off the cp's comments, I'm curious; what does a hero's name "look like" to you all? Any particular names or elements of names or anything about names that would be an absolute dealbreaker?
7 comments:
Ooooh, stand back and let me ramble! Names are a big issue with me. :D
Although Declan is an Irish name, it's a relatively common name in Scotland today, particularly in the south [e.g. Glasgow and the Borders]. But if it's during 18th century: well, it depends on when and where the story takes place because there were some Irish settlements dotted across the country.
But in Highlands? No chance. In that period, almost all names were in Scottish Gaelic. So if you are keen to use Declan, try Deaglán. It'd make sense if it's Deacon, a very common Scottish name, but I doubt that anyone could see that as a hero's name, I think. :) Or your friend's suggestion Dougal: Dubhghall [which is a spin-off of Dubhghlas/Douglas] or, as a surname, m'Dubhghaill.
An absolute deal breaker? A name used in a region or era that does not make sense, e.g. an English hero named Devon [which is an English county].
:)
P.S. whatever you do, please do not opt for Duncan, I beg you! It's sooo overused. There are more Scottish heroes with that name in Scottish historical romances than there are in Real Life. :P That and Connor. Unlike Declan, Connor is very much an Irish [given] name, yet it's been used a lot in Scottish historicals. Urgh. OK, I will get out here and leave you alone. :D
Many thanks, Maili, and ramble away all you wish. I was hoping you'd comment. I love names, and want to use accurate ones as best I can. Never fear, Duncan was never in the running. Same reason as you stated; far too overused. That and the Highlander hero. I want readers to think of my guy, not someone else's.
Nice one! :) Where are you planning to have your story take place? And which time period? This is me being extremely nosy. :D
Still nosing around the 18th century for exactly where I want to pin things down. My number one concern is not to come off as Sterotypical Scottish Romance #403867401. If I can ask you some questions back (Scottish research), we could take this to private email(Unzadi@aol.com). Hero starts out in Scotland and goes abroad, meets heroine in England and then has to make some hard decisions. I'll keep the rest close for now, but be assured I will blabber much as things go on.
I don't know actually. I personally have a thing for "strong/masculine" sounding names; Gideon, Carden, Cameron, Robert, James...I'm beginning to be annoyed by the amount of gimmicky sounding names used in Regency Historicals...like Lucian/Lucifer, Rafe, Devlin/Devil, Hawk..blech...they are so contrived.
Sidonie, I couldn't agree more on the overused names. If a hero's name is something synonymous with satan or a predatory animal, I'm much less likely to read much further (farther? need more caffiene)
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