Friday, April 4, 2014

A to Z: D

The A to Z Challenge is underway this year, thanks to the awesome hosts and minions. Special thanks to Arlee Bird for starting this amazing blogging challenge!!! For more information about this challenge, go to the website!

Primary theme: World of Aramatir (Setting for The Champion Trilogy) Glossary
Secondary Theme: World-Building Questions and Thoughts

D

Dale - a manservant of Lord Hylos, a Rrysorrian

Dantor (Dan Torren) – Master Swordsman and Sword-Teacher to Clara, Salene, Prince William, and many others.

Dark Sisterhood – a league of sorceresses who gain power from blood and pain magic

Deredi – Lady of Rrysorria

Destiny Island – small continent/large island in the Western Sea

Diane – Lady Dowager, former Queen of Rrysorria, gave up her throne for her son, King Stephen

Drinaii – the mercenary group aligned with the Dark Sisterhood
 
World Building Question for the Day: How do you deal with difficult character or place names? How do you decide to keep them "as they are" or change them to make them easier?

In the first novel, Champion in the Darkness, I faced three character name challenges: Dantor, Drinaii, and Kalidess (formerly known as Sirqayya). I kept two and changed one because I had several readers tell me that they strongly disliked (hated) Kalidess's original name. Dantor's name is one that I struggled with but decided to keep. Drinaii just sounded right to me from the first moment I wrote it, but I know that many readers struggle with how to pronounce it. The first "I" is a short vowel sound like in "it" and the second vowel combination I originally pronounced 'I' as in "kite" but after several conversations with teen readers, I realized that it could be and most likely should be pronounced like the last part of "Hawai'i."

 

18 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I usually select simple and easy to pronounce names. Only the name Ernx probably stumped my readers. Although several asked how to pronounce Athee. (Athena without the 'na.')

Brandon Ax said...

It is the principal of the Strange and the Familiar. It depends on what you are writing as to how far you will go one way or the other. I think throwing in a little strange is good.

Tyrean Martinson said...

I just made up my own version of Ernx, not sure if it's how you pronounce it, but now it's in my head that way. And I got Athee - she is kind of like Athena. :)

Tyrean Martinson said...

Good to hear! I worry that I haven't stuck with a "language system" for names and things like that, but I think the strange and familiar principle works!

Nick Wilford said...

I think an unusual and unique name is often more likely to stick in a reader's head. It's worth investing a bit of effort with it, and it can be fun too!

cleemckenzie said...

I have the hardest time remember how to spell one of my character's names. It's not hard, It's just my lame brain! I think I'll wind up changing it before I go mad.

SK Anthony said...

I like your list of names. I tend to go for simple and easy to remember, but I do love the unique names more. I'll have to work on that ;)

Mark Means said...

Very cool stuff! The Dark Sisterhood sounds especially dangerous.

Damaria Senne said...

So far, most of my characters have been named after close family and friends and when I need an exotic name, I move the letters around and try anagrams or combinations of portions of their names or something. Those whose names have not been used yet in a story keep asking when their turn will come:-)

Heather R. Holden said...

My names are usually pretty basic in my projects, so I haven't had to face this dilemma yet. I can see how it'd be something to ponder and potentially worry about!

randi lee said...

Unless it's entirely historical, I try to simplify names as I don't want to pull the writer out of the action as he/she attempts to discern how the name of something should actually be pronounced. Love this series, by the way. I'm learning quite a bit :D

Tyrean Martinson said...

It definitely can be fun!

Tyrean Martinson said...

I have that trouble too!

cleemckenzie said...

I think I need a new head when I write. One that holds all the information I need to create the story.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Simple and easy to remember is good too! :)

Tyrean Martinson said...

Thanks! They definitely are!

Tyrean Martinson said...

That's an interesting way of naming characters! I'll have to try it.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Even basic names give me trouble if they aren't the main character.