Top 10 Character Names I Love

This week's Top Ten Tuesday from The Broke and the Bookish feels oddly appropriate for me right now with NaNoWriMo right around the corner. One of the things I become all consumed with when starting a new fiction project is the naming of my characters. Will I ever do a good job? Will the names give away too much? Will they not represent the characters at all? Too many questions filter through my mind. Strangely, when I read a book, I don't analyze the character names on the same level - I read them and love them or hate them as the character develops. Occasionally, when I learn about there derivations later on, those feeling can be altered by what I learn.

Top 10 Character Names I Love

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1. The cast of characters on The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

As soon as I read this week's topic I thought of Hazel and Augustus. These two names just jumped off the page for me for some reason. I think part of the reason for me is that Augustus has always impressed me as a very strong name, so to be given to a sick kid was something I loved. He may not have been strong physically, but his name drove me to find his strength in other places. Also, later on I learned that Isaac's name was intentionally a name with "EYE" in it, for a boy who was blind. I love that.  


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2. Eustace Clarance Scrubb in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

He was introduced in the most wonderful way: "There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it." How do you not love a character name like this?! Instantly all types of feelings rise up inside about this little boy. Poor Eustace, you may think, until you realize, Oh no... he deserved it. I better watch out for this kid! Brilliant character naming!

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3. Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling

Let's be honest, there could be an entire list of Harry Potter names I love, but Luna Lovegood is my favorite. This could be because I have a secret fascination with the moon, but as we meet Luna and learn more and more about her, the name simply becomes her. At first, we swear she's a bit Loony, hence the Luna fits a little too well, but as we peel away the layers of her idiosyncrasies, we find that she is 100% sincere in all of her beliefs and devotions. Luna loves really, really good!

4. Annabel Lee from Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe

I love this poem. How could I not fall in love with Annabel Lee after Edgar Allen Poe tells me how wonderful she was - or rather - how wonderful their love was? We never truly get a description of Annabel Lee, but the love she an the author shared was envied by angels - how wonderful! I have never met an Annabel Lee, so, for me, this name has always represented the magical entity of true love!


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5. Arya Stark and Jon Snow from A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin

This is another series jam packed with brilliant character names, however, my two favorites come from the North. It is no surprise to me that Arya (or Aria) is rising up in popularity in girl's names within the last couple of years. It is such a pretty sounding name. It is so very girly sounding, which makes Arya Stark an even more awesome character. She gives this feminine name a whole new depth with her every action. Her half-brother, Jon Snow, is another fascination for me. I can not readily identify what it is exactly I love about this name, but the fact that he has the last name "Snow" is the piece I can't let go of. He is a Stark by blood, but, instead he must be named for the number one visual cue that WINTER IS COMING.

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6. Cinder in The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

The first book in the series is a retelling of the Cinderella. I love that the protagonist is named Cinder. It is an obvious nod to the inspiration for the story, but it is also an appropriate name for a girl who spends most of her time as a mechanic.


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7. Lena Duchannes and Ethan Wate from the Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

So far I have only read book one, but one of the things that I loved about that book was how I felt like I was completely immersed in the culture of the South. That begins with these names! Both Lena and Ethan have old southern family names that are just dripping with southern accents, peach cobbler, lush green landscapes and the unforgiving heat of an afternoon in the south east.


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8. Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

I'm a sucker for alliteration, in general, so there is no surprise that Bilbo Baggins makes this list. Also, long before I was introduced to The Shire and Middle Earth this is one of those names that sounded like the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life. Now I know it is just plain Hobbit perfection!  (Side Note: A separate list of awesome LotR names could be made here.)

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9. Arthur Radley from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

What? WHO? Oh... you probably know him by his much cooler name: BOO RADLEY. Forgive me for including him in nearly ever top ten list The Broke and The Bookish give me - I can't help myself. I LOVE BOO!

10. Mr. Men and Little Miss characters from the Mr. Men and Little Miss Books

This character naming genius at its best. When I was a kid I gobbled up these cute little characters and the pieces of me they represented.

Keeping Secrets As A Writer

Personally, I don't really like secrets. I'm a sharer - big time. As a writer, I feel like I share even more than I probably should most of the time. As a facebook addict, my life has become an open book in ways I never would have previously imagined. I find it difficult to keep my personal feelings private, my dreams, my philosophies on all types of topics are the things I write about, react to and, yes, SHARE. Even when I go forth with the intention of keeping something private, I find that its essence leaks through my written word. I don't know if others can read between the lines, but I can.

So what happens when I have been asked to keep something really important as a secret?

Simple. Writer's block.

Although, I don't know if writer's block is the accurate term. My fingers so desperately want to tap out long sinewy sentences about the juicy details of that which resides in my brain, but my frontal lobe knows better: BLOCK! This is a secret. It must be kept quiet. The fingers must stay still, or occupy themselves with some other tale to be spun.

Seems easy enough - write about something else. Write about anything else, Nicole. Won't that help you keep this secret?

These are the things that I thought. But as my blog reflects, that has not been possible as of late. That is why today I am at least writing about the elephant in the room. I will not describe the elephant, or tell you what he is standing on, but I wanted you to know he is there. It is my hopes that in pointing him out, I will now be able to write around him.

Elephant in the room by Greg Pizzoli

How do you feel about secrets? 

How do keep your mind from becoming obsessed with your silence?

Does writing help you keep your secrets? If so, HOW?

Lines To Learn About Writing

I'm back (barely) for day two of New York Comic Con. Today marks my little Brother's first-ever ComicCon, so I spent the morning being a fandom your guide. However, the moment it turned 12:30 I had to abandon my post since there were two "non-negotiable" panel set in my schedule.

The first was a writing workshop by one of the greatest writers in modern comics:

The second was a a panel that reaches into the depths of my weaknesses as a writer right now:

For the first panel, the room was booked and I was invited to wait outside *in case* someone came outside. I waited. I got to the front of the "just in case" line, but never got in. Instead I spent time chatting it up with an awesome stranger. It was her first time at the Con and we had fun just crossing our fingers together. 

Right now I'm on a pretty long line for the second panel crossing my fingers that they have room for me. I'm behind all of these people:

And now we're moving!! Here's hoping I've got tips to share pretty soon about writing badass chicks!!

I Miss My Press Pass Already

So I'm here, at New York Comic Con and I am filled with a longing for a pass I have no right to. For the last two years I came to this event with a Press Pass. The first year because they were lenient enough to grant a pass to a lowly blog like Rivera Runs Through It. The second year it was an easy get as I was on assignment for the good people over at Word of the Nerd. This year I was, rightfully, denied such access. 

I took the news in stride knowing how lucky I was to enjoy the luxury while I could, but, in the interim, I truly forgot how the other half lives. I have been sent to what my husband and have come to call "the cattle line" just to gain entry. Here's a picture of where I am:

We aren't moving because the doors haven't even opened and I am here by myself wondering why the hell I didn't pack a KIND bar and praying my water will last (<---- extra dramatic for no reason!!).

Wish me luck everyone! This year will be quite interesting as I walk in the shoes of the common folk. 

**this marks my first-ever live blog. How did I do?**

What's Up With Nicole?

It's time for me to return to some routines here. With that comes What's Up Wednesday from Jaime Morrow! Here we go:


Shop Indie BookstoresWhat I'm Reading

Right now I am in the middle of listening to the Clash of Kings audiobook by George R. R. Martin.  I still haven't decided if I am going to continue on to book three of the series since I know the Game of Thrones HBO series hasn't finished that book yet, but I will have to make a decision soon. So far I have watched everything before reading in this series, I'm not sure I want to switch gears.

What I'm Writing

I'm back at work on my Camp NaNoWriMo project called Now What? I actually hadn't read a word of it since the end of April 2012, so coming back to it this week was a lot of fun. I can see a lot issues I have to work on that mostly deal with description (both character and location). Since the book takes place in New York City, I think I have too strong of a mental visual of these places I go to all of the time, that I am forgetting that anyone reading the story not from around here may have no idea what this world looks like. I've decided to put my story on Wattpad while I work on it to help to keep me accountable while possibly getting some exposure as well. If you're in the critiquing mood, please feel free to go check out Now What? (or at least the portion I have posted so far!).

What Inspires Me Right Now

I have to give credit where credit is due - my writing group helps me so much. Due to my health and other wacky conflicts, I was unable to make it to any writing group meetings in the entire month of September. This past Saturday, even though it was my birthday, I made it a point to get my butt to the first October meeting. What happened? I was finally inspired to get back to all of my words!


What Else I've Been Up To 

The one thing I have been able to keep up with has been my writing for the StoryDam website. Each Monday has been a new segment in the Building a Better Blog series and Wednesdays have been split between Author Interviews and Book Reviews.

Coming up I have a pretty exciting weekend ahead because it is NEW YORK COMIC CON!!! Tomorrow is the first day, and I'll be going every day but Saturday, so I have to start getting my act together. This is loads of fun, but it is also quite trying on this weak little body of mine. I have to pace myself, pack lunch and snacks and make sure I don't over do it! (Wish me luck!) The best part about this year's NYCC for me is that my little brother is coming with me on Friday! This will be his first time, so it is going to be loads of fun!!

My Story on Wattpad

Last Spring I found out about and opened an account on Wattpad, but I haven't done anything with it since. Also, back in the Spring I wrote my second novel which I called Now What? On Monday, I decided to unearth both of these forgotten experiments and bring them both to life. I posted (so far) the first two chapters of my first draft of Now What? on my Wattpad account.

I reread the novel on Monday and discovered that what I had written was more of a YA romance than a YA scifi book. Alas, it is what it is. It needs more editing, but I hope to add more chapters in the coming weeks. As it stands, the first draft is 13 chapters long. I'd love to know what you think of the first two chapters. If you have the time, here they are:

I know I need to do a better job of writing my description, but I've decided to start sharing as I tinker with this story, instead of keeping it all secret.

Have you ever used Wattpad or a website like it to share your writing?

Have you ever set our to write one genre and come up with another?

 

I AM 37

When I entered the second grade, my entire life changed. My parents had always wanted me in Catholic school, but it wasn't until then that a school bus was made available to my neighborhood to make their dream a reality. Their dream was my nightmare: I had to lose my friends, wear a uniform and go to a foreign place to learn about God every day instead of just sing about Him on Sundays. I cried the whole way there on my first day and then froze in silent horror when then car door opened. My shyness was suddenly compounded by fear. I shared polite smiles and nodded when people spoke to me, but words were all but lost.

Inside the classroom the organization began with our seating. It was alphabetical so I, who had sat front-row-center in my first grade class, had been relegated to the last seat in the last row of the classroom.  I felt like an outsider, an add-on, one who could easily be left out.

Our first assignment was to learn to cover our textbooks and put our "numbers" on them. Each one of us was given a number based on our alphabetical placing. I was 37.  To this day I can picture the brown paper covered book spines with the large black number 37 etched on it - those were my books. I was number 37. No one else ever was. In subsequent years, we lost students, so that I would eventually become 36 (it felt so wrong for me to be using all of Michael T.'s books that year), but never did we ever get more students. No one else would ever be 37.

Since that labeling, the number 37 has always held an awkwardly special place in my heart. It was "my thing" in that new school: I was last. Last in the seating, last to come to the school, last to be finished copying the notes from the board, last to be done with a test and, as a rider of the "Green" bus which was notoriously late, many times I was the last one in school. However, in all that finality, there was also a uniqueness because no one else could be me - not in reality, nor in our silly numbered system.

This past Saturday was my birthday and with it came a familiar label than makes me feel like this is a year I have been waiting for nearly thirty years. I am 37 years old. In other words, after all these years, I am 37 all over again.

What does it mean for me? It feels right. And, based on the month leading up to it, it also feels like I might be able to take hold of the reigns of my life again and get moving in the direction I originally intended with this adult life. Just like back in the second grade, I may be the last one to get to all of the finish lines we set out before ourselves, but that doesn't mean I won't get there. I am 37 and my time has finally come.