Something I've not really discussed before is the topic of names. I've never thought much in the subject, but lately it has fascinated me. Think about it: if a character's name makes a defining impact on the story that is being writ, then there is already a sandstorm if information to behold in the uncovering of the poetic gems within the story. Names never were much thought for me, I've always admired certain names, the usual, not because they see obvious, we all know a Tom, Jack, or Jim; I choose them often because they don't define a character's ethnicity. Thomas can be Caucasian, Black, Asian, even Middle Eastern. Ethnicity has always been one of those things I never wanted to focus on, because I never cared much for how they're portrayed in recent works. I hate the politics white writers take out on ethnics in their writing, and still seem to have some kind of hangup. I don't see race in my writing, I believe any one of my characters can be portrayed by any race. Obviously I use certain races for certain stories, especially if it's a regional story, but I don't write them stereotypically, I'd rather them be defined by internal characteristics.
Names tend to then matter, such as a character I've written about called Lolita, who is Hispanic, and a sexual dominance of everything 80's action flicks. She's outspoken, a badass, and has almost no moral compass. If she wants a guy, she takes him, if she wants to put a bullet in your brain, she'll do it, and probably get some org of excitement from it. She redefines gender, race, and I admire her ability to make people uncomfortable. She's also a complete work of fiction, and I think that's needed more today than ever before, since imagination is being polarized, politicized, and nearly eradicate because it (sic) offends.
I named her Lolita for obvious reasons, and I rarely care about names, but I knew it would be a name thwt is recognizable, and after many run-through a, I knew no other name would ever do. I. Ah just self-publish this work eventually, I know with the animosity in the world today, she may not be well-received, but I admire the novel, and the names I came up with thwt are both stereotypical, and nearly borderline offensive. In a world wheree speech is defined by a twitter post that is as coherent as a drunken mute foreigner, I don't mind then advocating for obnoxious speech, so long as it is cleric ally sound in definition. Names make or break these characters, and even if you don't name a character, how you describe them becomes an absolutely important detail. Even names less narrators, like the one in Fight a club, become unforgettable characters, and they have no humanistic description of a name. They Weee almost more a thought, an idea that we anthropomorphize into our mind's eye. Palahniuk wasn't the first to do this, mind-you, but he created a near-flawless take on the main chracr, and supporting character having no true definition, and for all-intent-and-purposes didn't exist at all throughout the entire book.
Names can define the character. Jack Torrance of Stephen King's The Shining, is a now classical example of how the surname can actually be boat story obviously, but works well becaue of such a craftsman. King wanted it to be obvious thwt his main character was a troubled alcoholic that was teetering on the edge of sanity, and that hotel was just a conduit for the madness thwt resides under the surface of those lost in that drunken fog. It was just a plain-and-simple name thwt became part of the character defining chracterisitic. It shows that overthinking doesn't necessarily pay off when trying to find the right name for your character. King was correct to keep it simple, as the character was the enigma, and we wanted more to know about this deranged man that was so multifaceted, you could love him, how him, and cry for him all in the same chapter.
This makes the point of names defining of the character, names that pinpoint the precise role that a character has to play in this story. Does he or she become the villian, is there a definition buried deep in the middle name that redefines the whole story by chapter 12? Is there a need, or certain intelligence behind hidden meanings in the chracter's name? Possibly, there's no clear-cut answer, but many great novels have had this placate throughout each point, there is a formula to writing a great Novell, but even with a scientific method, you still need the creative process to "build a better mousetrap" as they say.
Names define the individual, they require serious thought, and provoke a dimension beyond just thoughts on a piece of paper....or digital screen. In-theory, naming is perhaps more important than the premise. Internal conflict are often measured by these guidelines, and transcends the importance of even the statement one sets out to make. We can ease our thoughts on it, and we can rest-assured thwt names, as important as they are, we still just that: names. They define our chracter's, but they don't have to control them. Characters are as versatile as the story, as volatile, and static as we want the. To be, and our chracter's, whether they be from books, short stories, lyrical poems, or excerpted dialogue, have only our creativity to structure them. Names are important, but if we only focus on what to call our chracter's, and sticking to a rigid plan, we wind up driving ourselves mad, and accomplishing even less than before.
At-the-end-of-the-day, names aren't necessarily crucial, but crucially dictate a certain kind of tale. One that makes the reader think, one thwt makes them question themselves, and a good name can hold a reae's attention even more than a spotty plot. A superb name can give a bad first novel a second chance if the writer can recuperate, and rediscover what they meant for their work the first-time around. Good characters in shitty plots are the gravel pits for we wordsmiths to dig ourselves out from, and rise again to collect our thoughts, and trudge forward.
Yes, names we important, they can be defined, redefined, and made anew again with the right story, or written into a poor plot line, but rescued by lessons learned. If anything else, focus more on your character, and if you love them enough, like a child birth from your hypothetical/proverbial loins, you will give them thenpropere title, the greatest name, and you will do-so with an unquestionable, oblivious love...and if your heart is true, great rewards shall you have bestowed.
Thank you for reading the Malacast Editorial!
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