A character has arrived and I ask him his name. He says I can call him what I like. Insists on it, even.
I am flummoxed. This is so much pressure, this business of naming.
Once I used to have lists, back when there was another male - a real, live one - to be named. Now I have nothing.
What if I string syllables together and come up with something ludicrous just because this character is only in my head? What do I do with my resistance to ordinary names? How many syllables in a name tip it over into pretentiousness? Do I name this character after I get to know him better? Does that mean people - even not-real ones - ought to grown into their names instead of just being given one, and which they, all their lives long, try to inhabit without awkwardness?
I have so many questions. I should begin making a list. (Of questions; not names).
So far, this character seems unfazed. Will report progress if there is any.
I am flummoxed. This is so much pressure, this business of naming.
Once I used to have lists, back when there was another male - a real, live one - to be named. Now I have nothing.
What if I string syllables together and come up with something ludicrous just because this character is only in my head? What do I do with my resistance to ordinary names? How many syllables in a name tip it over into pretentiousness? Do I name this character after I get to know him better? Does that mean people - even not-real ones - ought to grown into their names instead of just being given one, and which they, all their lives long, try to inhabit without awkwardness?
I have so many questions. I should begin making a list. (Of questions; not names).
So far, this character seems unfazed. Will report progress if there is any.
2 comments:
D, I always always need to name my characters first, before I get anywhere with them. :)
Ha! If I waited around to name my characters, I would never write!
....
Oh.
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