Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Name that character (please)

So, well I'm optimistically outlining a sequel to my middle grade, I'm also writing a young adult. The YA has two main characters. The girl's name I've got. I don't want to share, because I don't want it to have an impact on what I'm hoping will be your like totally awesome suggestions for the boy's name.

Here's some info on the dude:
16ish
lanky
dark hair, light eyes
moody, because his older brother died (circumstances of the death are a bit mysterious, duh)
lives in Colorado
smart
does not use words like "like" and "totally" and "awesome"

OK. Any ideas I can own????!

19 comments:

Rick Daley said...

I'm going to get creative on you: tell me about his parents, because they are the ones who named him. Are they traditional, would they go for a common name with an uncommon spelling, pick the most common name the year he was born?

The name can be dorky, which gives rise to an uber-cool nickname.

MG Higgins said...

Chad. Matt.

(Enjoy your swim lessons. Can't imagine learning to swim from a military person. I hope he/she doesn't make you do push ups and hike with a pack underwater.)

Anita said...

RICK: His parents are working class, outdoorsy types...think dad in flannel shirt and Wranglers. They used to be really happy and outgoing, but now they have to work harder at happiness, since their son died.

Anita said...

MG: Hah! You all picked Chad for a character in my last book...that might've been when you were taking a blogging break. Yes, I think I may be a Navy SEAL by the time I'm done. The lifeguard is actually a civilian, but I bet he's prior military.

Darby Karchut said...

How about "Asher?"

Tina Laurel Lee said...

How about Bear? Or David? What's his favorite animal? Or book? I like Rick's suggestion about parents. What's his parents' favorite book?

Jenny said...

Well, do you want him to be an Everyman kind of guy? Like a Michael or a John? Or is he serving a more classic romantic leading role? Like a William or Theodore (or even an Edward)? I'm guessing trendy stuff is out since he doesn't do 'like' or 'totally' or awesome. What do you want people to see when they read him? Hero? Nerd? Regular Joe named Joe? Could a funky nickname work, like Hinton did with Ponyboy?

Little Ms J said...

I love Asher! I wanted to name my kid that, but my husband had a fit. I also like (for this guy) Harper, Logan, Grey, Noah and Jude.

Sara said...

Benjy! I know a Benjy who is just like this and lives here in Colorado. So, that's my vote. Can't wait to read! :)

Kelly said...

Cam, Cade, Trevor, Grayson, Aiden, Mason, Quincy

I have such a hard time with names. I've switched one character's name in my ms three times already! Also last names are hard for me, too.
Good luck!

Cold As Heaven said...

His name is Evan, no doubt >:)

Cold As Heaven

Jonathon Arntson said...

Rawley

Polly Munson said...

Spencer or Preston

A Beer for the Shower said...

I'd go with Darwin.

Darby Karchut said...

Hmmm. I might "steal" Darwin. :-)

A Beer for the Shower said...

Do it!

C. said...

Hello from Windsor Co.
He sounds like a boy my girls went to high school with named Ethan. I think that the name Ethan would make a great name for a boy with those characteristics and age range.

Judy Croome said...

oh darn! I missed this. I vote for the name Theodore. (But I could be influenced by Theodorable's purrs!)

Judy(South Africa)

Jeff Hirsch said...

Hey there, if you're still taking suggestions I was just thinking today that I really like those supper old fashioned American Biblical names like Cotton or Increase. Classic yet quirky. I had a random thought that Sudden would be a good addition to that line of names.