Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Handy Tools From Unexpected Places
For most writers, coming up with character names is always a challenge. If not a challenge, then a minor pain in the ass. Sure, one can always go to The Random Name Generator (link via this guy), but my favorite method is to open up an account at a free online web-mail service and then use that e-mail address to fill out every online form you come across. Use it in ways that you would never use your home-based account. After a few weeks copious amounts of spam will start rolling in and along with it, a goldmine of ideas for character names.
I know, you may think I’m joking, but I’m serious. Hell, just today I’ve received e-mails from:
Concetta Shook (sounds like a 60’s era Bond Girl)
Anastasia Roland
Rene Parsons
Niclolas Riddle
Sylvia Buckley
Ruby Segura
This is just from today. Really, for an almost endless supply of good name ideas to fit almost any story, open up that spam-mail account. Also, you can look at it this way: you’re actually using them for something you want.
Oh, wait. Lucinda Phelps just sent me some crap I won’t read, but I sure like that name. It’s going in my notebook.
