Boy character names/plots?

[Primrosepower]

Hi! I write stories. I'm currently in the thought process of one. I'm not quite sure of the plot yet though. I know it is going to be about a 12 year old girl and her 14 year old brother who do something or find something that shows them clues to their past until they figure out they have some sort of power. Now I need help on some of these questionable things. Like what do they do/find? What is their past? What powers? I am having writers block, people. BIG TIME.

Also, I cannot think of a name for the brother!!! I know he is an overprotective, smart, witty, funny, nice 14 year old. But what to call him....

One last thing. For the girl, I can't decide on either
1. Alizae
2.Eily (Eye-ly)
3. Avani
4. Caridee.

Help? Please? Thanks in advance!!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

One last thing. For the girl, I can't decide on either
1. Alizae
2.Eily (Eye-ly)
3. Avani
4. Caridee.

Help? Please? Thanks in advance!!

As a reader, I would find #1 & #2 especially annoying as I wouldn't know how to pronounce them. #4 is pretty "meh" also. #3 gets my vote based on your story.

 

[LuLuO]

Of those names I like Avani. In my mind I pronounce it Ah-vah-nee.

As for the plot, just keep writing. I've been working on one particular story for longer than I care to admit and I am just now getting to the gold. However, there are bits and pieces of my previous false starts that are being incorporated into the current story. You'll get there.

 

[cornflake]

Hi! I write stories. I'm currently in the thought process of one. I'm not quite sure of the plot yet though. I know it is going to be about a 12 year old girl and her 14 year old brother who do something or find something that shows them clues to their past until they figure out they have some sort of power. Now I need help on some of these questionable things. Like what do they do/find? What is their past? What powers? I am having writers block, people. BIG TIME.

Also, I cannot think of a name for the brother!!! I know he is an overprotective, smart, witty, funny, nice 14 year old. But what to call him....

One last thing. For the girl, I can't decide on either
1. Alizae
2.Eily (Eye-ly)
3. Avani
4. Caridee.

Help? Please? Thanks in advance!!

Agree the first two aren't good choices because they stop a reader who keeps trying to pronounce them.

However, they *all* sound like 'girl names' to me.

In fact, I've heard the fourth, because someone named that was on that Tyra Banks model show. Which I remember because I thought the name was dippy, imo.

 

[PigletsPal2]

Is the location of the story integral to the plot, i.e. the South, New England, Southwest, someplace in Europe or South America? I always like names that "fit" the area, like Charleen and Tom for the South, Margaret and Dean for N.E., Billie and Cody for the Southwest, Caroline and Henry for the U.K., and AnnaMaria and Roberto for South America.

Although I've traveled to each of these areas and have heard many "typical" names, these are the most generic I could could come up with that wouldn't be distracting to your readers..

Let us know when you're to be published; this is very exciting!

Queen Colleen

 

[Ginny Favers]

Hi, I'm an author and I always use Babynames.com to come up with my names. You can look up names based on meaning in the advanced search section. So look up "intelligent" and see what you come up with. I wouldn't go too crazy on names as readers tend to cringe when they read names they can't indentify with.

As for the writer's block, consider doing some stream-of-consciousness writing to come up with ideas. Just write down the first things that come to your mind and see where it takes you. Write about the things you know, or the things that interest you. Don't try to copy anyone else. Do your own thing, as different and bizarre as it might feel. Good luck.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Well, sorry, but I don't think that I can be helpful, as I truly do not like any of the girl's names that you have come up with.

I will say that, for me, since the past is a big factor in your story line, I would have to cue in to that, and pick names that are somewhat known with a history/past. In other words, I would NOT call him some new and oddly spelled funky contemporary name from today, like Kody or Trey.

Which, I think, is what the girl's names that you mentioned sound like.

 

[Desnik]

As a writer, for character names I research the popular names for the time period my character was born in. Then I take location into account and then meanings of the names.

As a reader I hate character names that aren't easily read. Also any fancy spelling drives me nuts! lol For example "Destiny" spelled "Deztinee".

When I have writers block I step away from the story for a day or two and go back to it with "fresh eyes". I get a lot of inspiration and ideas from my dreams, past experiences, people in my life and music. Maybe try listening to some music for inspiration?

Also, read, read read! See what's out there in the genre you want to write and take notes! What worked, what didn't?

Good luck!

 

[monkeybug]

I am not a published author, and these days most of the "writing" I do is in my head.
(but I spend almost every quiet moment I have day dreaming stories, and often see them in my head with the sentences being typed out as I daydream. Like a movie with sub-titles. Weird, I know.)
Anyways, I always write stories from the ending back to the beginning, which is probably not the usual way, but it's my way. I start with how I want the character to end up, and then dream up the many ways that could occur. I'm not much of a story creator I guess, I'm more of a character creator and then I use those characters to create a story. Which is probably why I doubt any of my stories would be very popular. lol!
Not sure if all that rambling helps.
As for the names, I'm going to be honest and say I'm not a fan of any of them really, but I like simple names (and simple writing).
I love the previous posters suggestion of finding a name via meaning! I had no idea you could do that!

 

[Primrosepower]

Thank you so much guys!!! I have taken all of your suggestions into consideration! I might post some chapters to see what you think. Thanks again!

 

[tebi73]

Out of the 4 choices, I like #3 the best. I also pronounce it in my mind "Ah-vah-nee".

As for the boy, I'm partial to my own nice, sweet, funny, witty & overprotective Malachi (mal-uh-kye).

 

[Jennasis]

Is it safe to assume this is a story that does not take place in our world? Because none of those names are names one would find anywhere on this planet. I'm not especially fond of any of them, especially ones that make you wonder how they are pronounced (and I DETEST writers who have to include in the narrative a way to pronounce the name. Charlaine Harris is especially guilty of this in her Sookie books.) For example:

"Hello, my name is Xyxax." He said.
He pronounced the name Zy-zax, smiling through a row of pointy white fangs.

It makes no sense for a narrator in first person or ANY narrative device to have to explain how to pronounce a name that they were just TOLD. Of course it's pronounced "Zyzax". THAT'S how the person just pronounced it!

You can also check http://www.archetypewriting.com/muse/generators/plot.htm to get the ball rolling on your plot. It's a plot generator, but there are others online. Also check out www.absolutewrite.com which is a WONDERFUL site full of supportive fellow writers.