Ladies, I’m working on my second novel and need your help! I’m having a difficult time deciding on the best name for the protagonist (main female character) in my book.
To give you some background: She’s 43, is separated from her husband of 24 years, and has two grown children. She has blue eyes and mousy-brown shoulder-length hair. She is average build, fair-skinned, and quiet but not shy. She is embarking on a new journey and I want to give her a name that can be shortened to be more “edgy and fun” as she is a character who will grow a lot throughout the book. She also hates her given name (full name). I’ve posted a poll on my blog ( A Life Less Ordinary) and would love it if you could go and pick your favorite.
Thanks much!
Gwen Morrison
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17 Responses to Help Gwen Choose A Name
I chose Francesca/Tess. I may be overthinking it, but with most of those names I would think the women would already use a nickname if they wanted to. Tess is different enough from Francesca (or Fran; I actually like the name Francesca) that I can see someone adopting it if they want a change.
I originally voted for Francesca/Tess. But then it sounded familiar and I went to look up a book I think a lot of women my age read as girls, I remember the made for tv movie well.
The protagonist in The Best Little Girl in the World is named Francesca and creates the nickname for herself Kessa…
Choosing something that similar could make sense, since she quite possibly would have read that book/seen that made for tv movie as a kid and it could have influenced her choosing a similar sounding nickname when wanting to reinvent herself.
I’m going with Claire. My favorite part of writing is naming the characters. Don’t you love it when they practically introduce themselves to you and set up house in your brain, fully formed, kn owing who they are and where they’re going?
How fun. I was trying to think of short edgy and fun name and lengthen it. I didn’t get anything. But, I like the name Dana for her.
I am sorry I didn’t get to participate in the book club. I missed out. I had planned on it, but we were moving in the snow. Then there were some problems w/the plumbing and I was trying to clean the new place. It all took forever. Ivy: The Story of Friendship is at the top of my list. I can’t wait to read it.
Gwen, I wish you much success on your second novel.
I chose Bettina. It’s such an unusual name and could have an interesting story behind it. Maybe her family called her Tina but she didn’t like that “Tina” has a diminutive sound. Bette is a stronger nickname. She might see “Bette” as the only redeeming thing about the name since it evokes the characters Bette Davis played?
Lily,
Thanks so much! Some of the more difficult things — like choosing a name – are bogging me down. Thanks everyone for visiting my blog and voting!
I’m sorry, I missed the part about the list on Gwen’s blog. I started thinking of names right away.
I voted for Liv/Olivia. Although, I see that Tess/Francesca is in the lead. Sam/Samantha was a close second for me. (waves at Sam)
I voted for Francesca. When I hear “Sam/Samantha” I immediately think of Sex & the City. So many women’s books use the same names for their lead characters. I’d like to see something different.
I originally voted for Francesca/Tess. But then it sounded familiar and I went to look up a book I think a lot of women my age read as girls, I remember the made for tv movie well.
The protagonist in The Best Little Girl in the World is named Francesca and creates the nickname for herself Kessa…
Choosing something that similar could make sense, since she quite possibly would have read that book/seen that made for tv movie as a kid and it could have influenced her choosing a similar sounding nickname when wanting to reinvent herself.-Tiffany
I loved that book! Great reading for teen girls.
I chose Alexandra/Alex.
It was hard, but I chose Bettina for similar reasons as Ann.
It is a bit more unusual than some of the other choices and I could see a character deciding she didn’t like it and making a change.
Thanks. That was fun!
I chose Olivia or Liv. I am not sure why. I have always loved that name and I am also a fan of Law and Order SVU and Detective Olivia Benson
Off-topic, but I remember The Best Little Girl in the World, too. Great book.
I now feel like a huge idiot. I also missed the list! I really like Liv, but not Olivia so much. Slinking away now…..
With 25% of the votes, the winner is …..”Francesca — Tess.:” Thank you to all of you who have helped me pick her name. You guys are great!
Thanks for including us Gwen, that was a lot of fun. And now, I await the arrival Francesca.
Gwen-
So fun. Thanks for the update, we can’t wait to meet her!
Francesca — or Tess — is a 44-year-old woman whose husband has left her for his young, blonde assistant…Her mother passes away, suddenly, and she, being the oldest (and the most “normal” sibling) is beckoned home to attend to her mother’s estate. In her belongings, Tess finds her mother’s life list. Encouraged by a meddling girlfriend, who is also her gynecologist — Tess decides she will complete her mother’s bucket list. Through the list, she disovers not only a mother she never really knew, but she also revisits the girl she left behind when she ran away from home more than 20 years earlier.
…………..more to come.