In the complex mix that makes a novel, names are a vital part. Before a character has shot someone, nicked something or chatted up the love interest, their name sends signals.
William suggests authority, a name of kings. Bill is a mate down the pub. Willy is the runt of the litter.
Most likely, Amanda’s from Chelsea while Mandy may be Basildon. Frederick has lions in his garden while Fred likes your face so he’ll bang you out five pounds of spuds for a quid.
Michael Jagger couldn’t be a rock star. Mick’s a geezer. Mickey’s the joker.
Lucinda wants to be an actress, fashion designer, whatever. Lucy could be your sister or your favourite barmaid.
Daniel is probably an expensive lawyer. Danny, on the other hand, is a one-legged, testosterone-fuelled, white-hat-kind-of-cowboy, ex-paratrooper trying to make it as a private investigator.
There are no hard rules – a Boris should really be an evil henchman unless force of personality makes him Mayor of London.
Names can be a minefield. My Danny Lancaster thrillers – The Wreck Of The Margherita and Death Squad – have so many characters I’ve lost count.
This is not good because I risk reusing a name that, if I’ve done my job right, is superglued to an existing character.
Whoever creates the smart phone app for random character name selection could make a fortune – provided it’s free or not too expensive as royalty cheques can be on the small side.
So I make this appeal. If anyone can suggest names of characters that would fit into Danny’s world – or shoulder their way into a story – I will give them serious consideration.
Send suggestions – ideally sensible, useable and not obscene – to bill@billtodd.co.uk
I thank you. Danny thanks you. Danny3 will be with you early in 2013.
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