What’s in a name?

This weekend, I embarked on my next writing project – a play about the realities of friendship. I had a rough idea of what was going to happen in each act but the time came yesterday when I needed to turn the ideas into reality and I began to make some notes on the characters.

Creating a character is one of the most wonderful activities a writer undertakes. For me, it all starts with the name. Before I have decided on someone’s name, I can’t picture that person in my head. Once they have a name, it opens the door to their inner soul. Once they are christened, I can describe them, both physically and emotionally.

Then comes the fun part of getting to know them. Putting them in situations to see how they react. Hearing their responses to questions they’re asked. Watching their faces when their loved one lets them down.  It makes me smile just thinking about it.

When I’m choosing a name, I search the websites set up to help parents choose baby names. I trawl through the lists, open-mouthed at some of the monickers that people thrust onto their offspring, until I find the right one for the individual I’m sculpting. Sometimes it takes a minute, sometimes an hour. But there’s a warm feeling of satisfaction when I find the name that fits.

As I look at the lists of names, I know I bring an entirely personal set of prejudices and misconceptions along with me – titular baggage, I suppose. I know I dislike certain names because I knew someone at school who had that name and was horrid. Or maybe it’s a celebrity that I can’t stand. If it’s the name of someone I know, then I tend to shy away from it, as I might imbue the character with some of my friend’s traits. I’d also feel bad about using a close friend’s name for a character who is less than lovely.

I’m sure we all do it. So now I’m wondering what other people think of the name Jane….

Till next week.

Jane