tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18955239.post5013813814749952707..comments2024-03-28T12:00:29.857+00:00Comments on Historical and Regency Romance UK: GETTING THE NAMES RIGHTLouise Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09895724319451189592noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18955239.post-89000788912255300552009-11-06T01:36:42.923+00:002009-11-06T01:36:42.923+00:00I'm new to this historical game, but I've ...I'm new to this historical game, but I've just finished the second draft of my first one...and now I'm trying to figure out if I need to change my names. I wasn't sure if there was a set way of doing these things! <br /><br />Thanks so much for the blog!<br />TessyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18955239.post-77831253003182727502009-09-21T11:48:32.998+01:002009-09-21T11:48:32.998+01:00Sorry to be so late in replying. Was in London al...Sorry to be so late in replying. Was in London all last week and out at the weekend on, I have to admit, non-writerly stuff.<br /><br />I don't know that book, Carol. Shall look out for it. I'm always keen to find new sources. <br /><br />I agree with Jan about having the name of the house the same as the name of the family. It's bad enough that the family name of aristocrats is usually not the same as the peerage name. And of course, higher peers tend to have several different titles. My current hero's name is Jonathan Foxe-Garway, but he's Earl of Portbury and Baron Fratcombe as well!!! His properties are at King's Portbury and Fratcombe Manor, so you can see that I use the same wheeze as Jan does. But when I introduce his brother and cousins, I have to find a way of explaining to the reader who they are. Still, it's a challenge, isn't it?<br /><br />Best wishes<br />JoannaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18955239.post-50976372808922618672009-09-17T09:30:24.268+01:002009-09-17T09:30:24.268+01:00I love finding place names particularly - the idea...I love finding place names particularly - the idea of leaving little clues by only changing them a little really appeals!Jane Odiwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10712868693656060688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18955239.post-44572581700913508702009-09-15T17:09:16.057+01:002009-09-15T17:09:16.057+01:00Yup, I have to have the names exactly right - and ...Yup, I have to have the names exactly right - and I always need to know what they are before I write the book. If I get one of the names wrong, the work doesn't flow until it's right.<br /><br />To ease reader confusion, I do generally have the name of the main residences the same as the surname of the family - eg Kydd Court, Penfold Lodge, Fortune House. Apart from anything else, it saves my own brain cellsJan Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18955239.post-26370644177909421372009-09-15T12:52:34.457+01:002009-09-15T12:52:34.457+01:00Hi Joanna,
I agree, getting the names right is ver...Hi Joanna,<br />I agree, getting the names right is very important. I love choosing the names, for the characters as well as the places. And maps, simple things like knowing in which direction the sun will rise helps too. One book I use a lot (although I appreciate we write in different time periods), is 'The Origins of English Surnames' by PH Reaney. Like you I have a baby names book, and always look at the list of popular names in the papers. Apparently names like Thomas weren't used in the eleventh century! I don't think Jack was either, but am not sure about that. It is a pity because I do like the name Jack. Am looking forward to reading about your Jack's forbidden liaison!<br />All the best<br />CarolCarol Townendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06272578445125707881noreply@blogger.com