Inside the Story: Names

Hemingway was asked in an interview, "How do you name your characters,"  His reply:  "The best I can."  

I attempt to do that also.  In any story  the mission is to pick something that is appropriate to the character.  I used to wonder how it was that so many names in classic literature are sort of odd or unusual.  The reason for that is to find something unique.  After all, when writing a unique story, why not have unique names?  There are times when the character name comes to me on the spot.  Others take thought.   Some are from my particular history.

A few examples:

The head FAA investigator is named Ross.  I got his name from a book I read a few years back titled, Fate is the Hunter.  It's a first person biography of a pilot's experiences in aviation during WWII and after.  He was a cargo pilot.  It happened that the guy who was his first captain was named Ross.  He was, as the author described, the personification of what a pilot should be.  Tall, smart, disciplined, experienced and cool.  Since he was the quintessential pilot, I gave my  character his name:  Ross.  Notice he doesn’t have a last name.  Neither did his inspiration.  Or maybe I just do not remember it.

What about the girl, Liz?  Everyone calls my daughter Michelle, but her actual first name is Elizabeth.  It's also the name of my grandmother.  Elizabeth Pearl.

Her colleague Greg, short for Gregory.  I had a friend with his name.  It just seemed right.

Alan?  I used to work with a guy with that name.  He was personable, smart, principled and he liked to blow things up.  I admired him for all that.  So my main character has this name.  I've also known a couple of Alan's during my life, and they were all like this.

The criminal.  William Sangster was a member of the youth group at church when I was in high school.  He was a fun loving and kind of goofy guy who could play guitar and sing well.  Obviously I just used his name for the story.  I doubt he would hurt a flea.

Other names, like Victor and Sophia just came to me at the right time.  I did want Sophia's name to be a little exotic, and that's where my mind took me.  The same was true with my TV reporter, Lindsay Prescott.  I wanted her name to give a sense of old southern charm and sort of roll off the tongue.

Officer Boston.  When I was in college the group I was travelling with did a concert in Jacksonville, Florida.  Afterward, a friend of mine, Steve Reitenour, the percussionist, and I walked along the water way to enjoy the sights.  Nearby was the Independent Life building.  Back then it was brand new and not open to the public.  But the lobby lights were on and we walked in, still in our suits from the concert.  It was beautifully done, with flora everywhere and a half-acre indoor pond.  We were met by the security guard, who informed us that no one was allowed in.  We didn't press the matter, and struck up a conversation with him.  A few minutes later he said, 'Well, come on up, I'll show you the restaurant.' It was on the top floor.  We got a free tour of the place, and an excellent view of the city.  The guard?  Rodger Boston.

Yes, names are everywhere, but it's kind of neat to be able to use some from people you've met and admire, even if no one else knows it.