Writing a book and can't decide what to name the protagonist

[Wizard.]

Can't detail what the book is about, obvs. But I'm about to start planning it, and in my mind she's always been called Kara however I've recently warmed to the name Carlson and now I can't decide. Now I'm so used to the name Kara however I'm starting to think that's a bit cliche? And Carlson is quite unique and more "human" if that makes sense. Would you rather read a book if the main character is called Carlson or Kara? FYI her first name appears in the books title so that's why it's kind of a bigger deal than usual.

[Josy]

Karason

[Wizard.]

Karason

Kara Zara Larsson-Carlson?

[Cherie]

Carlson sounds male

[Ammi]

Can't detail what the book is about, obvs. But I'm about to start planning it, and in my mind she's always been called Kara however I've recently warmed to the name Carlson and now I can't decide. Now I'm so used to the name Kara however I'm starting to think that's a bit cliche? And Carlson is quite unique and more "human" if that makes sense. Would you rather read a book if the main character is called Carlson or Kara? FYI her first name appears in the books title so that's why it's kind of a bigger deal than usual.

..have you decided on the whole book title and which name fits better and feels more right to you, Riley..?.../I don't know, I think that I personally would focus on the story more and not restrict myself with the title and her name for the moment because that can easily be changed but you could give yourself a bit of a 'block' in your writing in general if you start thinking too much about that now...it might even be that you think as you go along that you'll change the book title because the story might dictate it to feel better being something else, stories have a way of deciding these things for us, so it's staying flexible to that, you know and just letting it lead you as well...and hopefully lead you to the perfect title and the perfect name for your character.../good luck with your writing and your book...:love:..

[Wizard.]

..have you decided on the whole book title and which name fits better and feels more right to you, Riley..?.../I don't know, I think that I personally would focus on the story more and not restrict myself with the title and her name for the moment because that can easily be changed but you could give yourself a bit of a 'block' in your writing in general if you start thinking too much about that now...it might even be that you think as you go along that you'll change the book title because the story might dictate it to feel better being something else, stories have a way of deciding these things for us, so it's staying flexible to that, you know and just letting it lead you as well...and hopefully lead you to the perfect title and the perfect name for your character.../good luck with your writing and your book...:love:..

Thanks for the advice Amni, sometimes it's easy to get hooked on these small details and not think of the bigger picture. It's only because I'm at the planning stage and doing character development- I have decided on a surname though (Campbell) but then again that could change.

[Wizard.]

Carlson sounds male

Bending gender norms call me Oscar Wilde?

[Cherie]

Bending gender norms call me Oscar Wilde?

If that's your aim, then no problem from me Riley

[Niamh.]

Carlson sounds male

Yeah that was my first thought too

[kirklancaster]

I'm not unwantedly 'sticking my oar in' here Riley, I hope, but Character's names ARE so very important.

Before naming any Protagonist - or Antagonist for that matter - think about her background.

PEN AND PAPER TIME;

How old is she?
What is her Nationality?
What Social 'Class does she hail from?

The answers to the above 3 questions can often logically guide a writer as to choice of names.

It's often not difficult to guess the ages of anyone called 'Kylie' or 'Jason' - nor to determine just why they were so named.

It is the same with 'Britney' or 'Rihanna' etc.

Culture influences aside, and although the boundaries are increasingly becoming 'blurred', CLASS is also a good pointer to the type of names writers often give their main characters.

It would still be a little incongruous to find a 20 year old labourer who lives in a terrace house in Grimsby with his parents, called Algernon or Peregrine, for example.

And it DOES matter; would 007 have been credible if Fleming had named his protagonist Bert Fosdyke instead of James Bond?

Lara Croft is a GREAT name for the character.

Carla, by the way is based on the latin for 'Strong One', so that might be apt.

Good Luck Riley.

[Jamie89]

What about Kira? It sprung to mind when I saw Kara and I dunno why but I quite like the sound of that. I'm not sure about Carlson (and if the surname is Campbell it doesn't really sounds right to me), but it's up to you obviously. Maybe you could look into name meanings and chose something that represents her character? Good luck with it whatever you choose :love:

[Livia]

Just use a working name or you're going to obsess about this and not get anything written. You can always change it later.

[Wizard.]

I'm not unwantedly 'sticking my oar in' here Riley, I hope, but Character's names ARE so very important.

Before naming any Protagonist - or Antagonist for that matter - think about her background.

PEN AND PAPER TIME;

How old is she?
What is her Nationality?
What Social 'Class does she hail from?

The answers to the above 3 questions can often logically guide a writer as to choice of names.

It's often not difficult to guess the ages of anyone called 'Kylie' or 'Jason' - nor to determine just why they were so named.

It is the same with 'Britney' or 'Rihanna' etc.

Culture influences aside, and although the boundaries are increasingly becoming 'blurred', CLASS is also a good pointer to the type of names writers often give their main characters.

It would still be a little incongruous to find a 20 year old labourer who lives in a terrace house in Grimsby with his parents, called Algernon or Peregrine, for example.

And it DOES matter; would 007 have been credible if Fleming had named his protagonist Bert Fosdyke instead of James Bond?

Lara Croft is a GREAT name for the character.

Carla, by the way is based on the latin for 'Strong One', so that might be apt.

Good Luck Riley.

This is very useful! Thanks Kirk.

[Wizard.]

What about Kira? It sprung to mind when I saw Kara and I dunno why but I quite like the sound of that. I'm not sure about Carlson (and if the surname is Campbell it doesn't really sounds right to me), but it's up to you obviously. Maybe you could look into name meanings and chose something that represents her character? Good luck with it whatever you choose :love:
I do like that name, it actually fits with another character so thanks.

Just use a working name or you're going to obsess about this and not get anything written. You can always change it later.
True

[UserSince2005]

Karissa please

[jennyjuniper]

Can't detail what the book is about, obvs. But I'm about to start planning it, and in my mind she's always been called Kara however I've recently warmed to the name Carlson and now I can't decide. Now I'm so used to the name Kara however I'm starting to think that's a bit cliche? And Carlson is quite unique and more "human" if that makes sense. Would you rather read a book if the main character is called Carlson or Kara? FYI her first name appears in the books title so that's why it's kind of a bigger deal than usual.

I think I would prefer Kara? Is she British, American? I only ask because Carlson is a Scandinavian surname. So if your book is a success (fingers crossed) and it goes to an international market, then Carlson as a first name might not fit well with a Scandinavian reader. Good Luck.:wavey:

[Smithy]

Karla

[armand.kay]

armand.

[Wizard.]

Karissa please

Ha to have an evil twin Kristina?

I think I would prefer Kara? Is she British, American? I only ask because Carlson is a Scandinavian surname. So if your book is a success (fingers crossed) and it goes to an international market, then Carlson as a first name might not fit well with a Scandinavian reader. Good Luck.:wavey:
She's half British (fathers side) half Spanish (mothers side) but grew up in England. I have decided on Kara I think, but thanks for the heads up.

Karla

Karla Connor to make her novella debut?

armand.

In the role of evil stepmother?

[Marsh.]

Blake is a nice name.

[armand.kay]

In the role of evil stepmother?

http://www.mtv.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/image-w-760-scale/public/mtv_uk/galleries/large/2016/01/26/megan-mckenna-cbbbotsw.jpg?itok=Z69zCCC4

[arista]

armand.


No Already Taken
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armand_(The_Vampire_Chronicles)

[Withano]

Translate their most prominent personality traits into Latin (I forgot who done that but it worked well)

[Cherie]

Carlita Montgomery Campbell

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

Carlson sounds like the last name of a male detective, Kara sounds like the name of a woman going on an epic journey.

[user104658]

I wouldn't personally use a substitute name and then change it... the character ends up fitting the name as you write, as much as the name needing to fit the character. If you write Bob and then search-and-replace him as Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate... he's still gonna be Bob goddamnit :fist:.

[Marsh.]

Carla Barla

[kirklancaster]

I wouldn't personally use a substitute name and then change it... the character ends up fitting the name as you write, as much as the name needing to fit the character. If you write Bob and then search-and-replace him as Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate... he's still gonna be Bob goddamnit :fist:.

:joker: Are you on Acid T.S? :laugh:

[Crimson Dynamo]

I like Tabitha Treacle and Joseph Trinity

however Kirks advice on class is the best so i would listen to him.