Need Help For Book. . . PLEASE VOTE!

[NDM#1]

OK. I am trying to settle on names for my 2yo niece and nephew in my book, True Confessions of a Neurotic Disney Mom. They are twins. They came to visit us on vacation at the WL. In the story my niece is a terror that throws constant tantrums. She is described as being demon-possesed. My nephew's star moment is when he has a dirty diaper that is so foul that the stench nearly kills off the population of the Polynesian (where we were at the moment).

My editor and I cannot quite settle on appropriate/funny names, so I figured this was the best place for feedback. Here are the choices so far:

1. Skunk and Rat
2. Rodent1 and Rodent2
3. Rugrat and Beastly
4. Stinkbug and Rugrat
5. Diablo(devil) and Diabla(she-devel)
6. Beastly and Diabla
7. Hades and Diabla
8. Fang and Wildthing
9. Spawn1 and Spawn2
10.Other (make a suggestion)

I appreciate your feedback. Thanks to all who participate.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Just curious -- will their parents be okay with any of the names you're considering?

 

[NDM#1]

My sister does have a really good sense of humor. There are certain days when she might call them these things in fun herself. So, I don't really know, but I think it will be alright. If not . . . I never said I was going to tell her about my book (if it gets published).

The tone of the book is purely comical, so everything is in "neurotic fun". You can read some excerpts in the link in my signature. Everyone is painted in some comically crazed fashion . . . my own mother is portrayed as a bargain-hunting kleptic (she is one of those people who takes hundreds of free samples just because they are there) and I -- of course -- am the NDM (neurotic Disney mom) with plenty of my own scrapes. Every single one of us is described as a bit "off" but still endearing. The main villan of the story is my husband who is "normal" and not a Disney freak (but he does get redeemed at the end).

All this aside . . . . There are no real names. We have DH, NDM, DD8, DS6, DD3, Grammy (OK . . . that one is legit), Auntie (that one is half legit), Buddy (sweet older nephew . . . not real name), and the twins (yet to be named). All the names have been changed to protect the innocent . . . and not so innocent . So when I say name the twins, these names play out as if they are their NAMES. It isn't used as a description. They are referred to by these names throughout their appearance in the book.

 

[NDM#1]

OK. So I am wondering here . . . no one has voted yet. Are these names too much? Would I be better off going in the direction of Jack and Jill?

 

[EpcotLove]

I'm trying to think of new names because the ones that you have just don't seem to pop.

Is there a reason you can't use semi-regular names?

 

[NDM#1]

I'm trying to think of new names because the ones that you have just don't seem to pop.

Is there a reason you can't use semi-regular names?

Absolutely no reason at all. I am only going with this for humor purposes, and I'm wondering now if you have to read the book to get the humor. Maybe it would help to read the little bits in the link in my signature before voting?

I can easily go with something like Jack and Jill if the other names don't work. I do not want to come across as mean . . . I do love my niece and nephew . . . just as I love my bargain obsessed mom, tempermental DD3, "chicken" DD8, frustrating DH, etc (all people in my story).

I originally named them "Thing1 and Thing2", and my friends that read the book really thought that was hilarious. But I started wondering if I was infringing on Dr. Suess rights.

Help!

 

[DVC Kathy]

I like Thing 1 and Thing 2, but I would worry about copyright.

How about Prince and Princess? Or Princess and Frog?

Kathy

 

[Lavender_Blue]

I tried to think of a few names for you. Usually I'm pretty good at picking out story names - but I wanted to be extra picky, so I'll probably come back with more suggestions.

Initially I was trying really, really hard to be funny and could only come up with these:

Pain and Panic (haha, you probably won't be able to use that one though, but it would have been cute. =\)

Ol' Yeller and Smeller ;p

But when I just tried to think of names after reading your descriptions a second time, I came up with these'uns:

Siren and Skunk

Siren and Stench (edit: Or Siren and Stinker?)

I'll try and think of more, I promise. I just wanted to post this quick so you know that I am thinking very hard.

 

[NDM#1]

These are really good ideas! Keep them coming!

I thought I would put this out there in case a large portion really likes "Thing1" and "Thing2". What about "Wildthing1" and Wildthing2" . . . no Dr. Seuss copyright infringment there?

 

[NDM#1]

I tried to think of a few names for you. Usually I'm pretty good at picking out story names - but I wanted to be extra picky, so I'll probably come back with more suggestions.

Initially I was trying really, really hard to be funny and could only come up with these:

Pain and Panic (haha, you probably won't be able to use that one though, but it would have been cute. =\)

Ol' Yeller and Smeller ;p

But when I just tried to think of names after reading your descriptions a second time, I came up with these'uns:

Siren and Skunk

Siren and Stench (edit: Or Siren and Stinker?)

I'll try and think of more, I promise. I just wanted to post this quick so you know that I am thinking very hard.

Ol' Yeller and Smeller . . . (snort, snort). This is classic description of them. Please no one take me the wrong way . . . I am a doting auntie, but there are some very amusing things about 2 year olds in general.

 

[Lavender_Blue]

Oh, I totally got that you wanted a more humourous tone to your story. I wouldn't want you to have to resort to 'tamer' names and risk breaking the tone of your story.

 

[lttlmc3]

I like Spawn1 & Spawn2. It's funny.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

After you get the list - go to your sister and see which ones she likes best - or better yet - ask her if she was naming them for a humorous book, what would she call them?

This would avoid any potential issue that could cause a rift in the family and possible (god-forbid) lawsuit if published. Gotta think of the big picture in case it becomes more popular than you expect!

 

[trivial]

I can't really think of any creative names at the moment, but I thought I'd pipe in and say that I'm not a fan of the names in the original post, and I would probably choose regular names over "name 1" and "name 2." A potential problem with the numbered names is that they could be easy for readers to get mixed up.

 

[Disney Khi]

I don't have any original ideas, but from your OP I like Rugrat and Beastly. They made me laugh, but I still think they are kind of cute Of course, it could partly be because my dad has called me his little rugrat (or Ratsy or some variation thereof) since I was a baby. I'm thirty now, so this has gone on for quite some time!

 

[Madi100]

I completely see the humor in it. And, maybe Prince and Princess would be good, because you are going to make it obvious that they are a bit "naughty", so to name them that is more truth than lie. And, you might offend the readers who have children that age. I read a Disney guide book once written by people who obviously do not have children. A couple of the descriptions really left a bad taste in my mouth and that's what I remember most about the book. And, even though your sister might be okay with her calling them names, I don't know if I'd appreciate my sister doing that with my kids, no matter how funny it was. I can call them little boogers, but no one else can.

 

[tinkbutt]

I'm thinking.........

 

[Lavender_Blue]

I liked what PP said - the name "Ratsy" - that's kinda cute! I like that one!

I also want to say that I am not in favor of opting for 'regular names' or for names that have 1 and 2 at the end, simply because you describe the twins as two distinct characters. I wouldn't want them to get confused by readers. You should give them names the reflect their characters.

Anyhow, other names I thought of...but I don't know if you'd like them:

Trickster and Jokester

Fifi and Pepe (for this, I guess, I was thinking that "Fifi" sounded very fussy and "Pepe"...well, you know...for Pepe LePew? You could introduce them as Fifi the Fussy and Pepe...the Pew? ;p)

And going along with the whole Princess and Prince thing...

How about Princess and Pirate? Pirates are capable of creating a bad smell. ;p And Princesses throw tantrums.

Also, I like the names "Rugrat and Beastly" and "Stinkbug and Rugrat." I think Stinkbug fits better than Beastly, though, and, again, I like Ratsy a little better than Rugrat. But maybe Rugrat is nicer? It really does depend on how much your sister does or doesn't mind readers associating her kids with those names. ;p

 

[EpcotLove]

I agree with the poster above. I think Fifi would be a good one for the girl. Like Fussy Fifi ....

Not sure about the boy one. Smelly Sam?

 

[tlcoke]

Thinking Disney names:
Cruella & Stitch