Tea.

[snitchnipped]

I drink too much of it. I drink about 2-3 pots a day. That cannot be good. Thankfully, I've cut down on the caffeinated sorts, but still... I'm tired of running to the bathroom all the time.

OK, things I really need to sit and think long about (and probably write up reference material to build from) before I can really continue any further on my Big Bang WIP:

1. Archenland Geography. Villages, landscape, and scale. Just... all of it.
2. An OC, his name, and his function in the story. He needs to be in there, but am not sure how to use him yet. Hmmm.
3. Profiles on ALL the Lords of Archenland. I already have a good head start, I just need to organize it all and add on to what I have.
4.  Elephant Names. Why is naming such a chore? I need to come up with at least three more, and it took forever just to decide on one!
5. Bird Name. I just need one. Well, more, eventually, but am happy to take suggestions for the main one. Anyone? I think it's a raven, the sex matters not.

Things I'm learning so far:

• It's ten time easier to write males than females. I have no idea why.
• It's fifty times easier to write characters with a drink in their hand. Why is my "go to" to have them boozing it up?
• It's a hundred times easier to not write in any order at all. The stuff comes out when it wants to and I shouldn't fight it.

I NEED A BIRD NAME. HELP.

Comments

[lady_songsmith]

Naming is everyone's bane. Let me offer you these useful sites, if you haven't already seen them:

http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/names.htm

http://www.gaminggeeks.org/Resources/KateMonk/

Also there is no such thing as too much tea.

[snitchnipped.livejournal.com]

Ahh! Those links are gold. Thank you so much! I now have several Elephant names to choose from.

I have no idea why either of those sites didn't pop up during my google search. And of course, it doesn't help that I'm approaching things in a formulaic way, according to Narnian region of origin, cultural roots of certain animals, etc. Because I like making things hard for no good reason.

Thank you!!

[autumnia]

I live on tea, seriously. I think I drink as much as you do, especially on the weekends.

And I have those same links that lady_songsmith just linked to above. Very, very useful. Also, sometimes just a simple search on Google can work too, try something like "famous birds" or "bird pet names", etc.

[h-dash-h.livejournal.com]

I, too consume copious amounts (and yes, the regular treks to the bathroom later in the day are quite annoying). All day at work, and a pot or two a day on non-work days if I'm at home working on a project.

I have no ideas on names, an am enjoying the comments of others because this drives me crazy, too.

[snitchnipped.livejournal.com]

Oh good, it's not just me. I'm starting to think I could drink a glass of hot water and it'd come out perfectly brewed at the other end...

[snitchnipped.livejournal.com]

Oh, I've searched, I've translated, I had done a ton of research... and I have no idea why neither of the sites song provided popped up in my search! But they are fantastic...

When it comes to the bird, though, I really wanted to go with some Lewis-naming, like Trufflehunter, Puddleglum, Glimfeather, and the like. I HAD a name, but part of it sounded too like another character's name that I'm ridiculously attached to. I think I've settled on one now... we'll see.

Thanks for the help!

[rthstewart.livejournal.com]

Errr, naming. I got to that 2000 names site (which is terrible for the ads) and wander about foreign names with traits I want until I see something I like. Or I google fu things like Tiger Name and end up with Jalur. I really don't spend much time with names at all, I'm afraid. Yet another reason why I'm BAD at helping people because I know this bothers a lot of writers. I think it is easier to name if you have an idea of who the character is and why he or she is occupying the space. For that reason, I don't keep lists of names. I wish I didn't have so many characters whose names start with "M" -- that was a mistake. Oops.

[snitchnipped.livejournal.com]

Song's links provided much, much help, and I'm confused why they didn't pop up in my earlier searches!

And I'm afraid there's no good resource for Lewis-style naming, like Pattertwig or Glimfeather. I did try out a couple of Narnia name generators, and input my real name to see what the results would be like. One suggested "Susan Pevensie" and the other "Susan." Real original there, guys...

[wingedflight21.livejournal.com]

I tend to browse baby name sites, looking at meanings and such until I find one I like - and then I change it. I think my favourite names I've made that way are Lucaid (Lucy) and Fiora (Fiona). I also really like choosing the original names from thos "Popular in the 1930s" lists, only from many different decades as opposed to just the 1930s.

Of course, that isn't always the best for animals, but I think the main thing there is to not get too picky. Some of the best characters (IRL and in fanfic) have the simplest names - not that this is what makes them a great character, but if you make a great character the name just sort of... becomes them? Does that make sense?

And if you're doing a raven, you could totally name it Nevermore! Yes/yes? :D ...well I thought it was a good idea... ;)

[snitchnipped.livejournal.com]

Yes! I've taken to changing and tweaking letters or syllables in names... that works splendidly, especially for the human-types.

And I totally agree with the simplest names thing... because some of them that have great origin and meaning are mouthfuls or sets off my Mary-Sue alarms. Y'know what I mean? And yes, when the name fits, it FITS... which was my problem. I had a fantastic bird name for my raven, but the first part of it sounded way too close to my faun, Baris. And I'm sorry... Baris is BARIS. I can't change that, even if the bird name was perfect!

I think I got a name for her now, though (she became female during my search, which I'm rather happy with). So, uh... no Nevermore. But thanks anyway! ;-)

[wingedflight21.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's the worst, to come up with a good name that's too similar to another perfect name! Funny thing is, that can happen so easily IRL but in stories it just makes everything so inconveniently annoying!

[snitchnipped.livejournal.com]

And normally it wouldn't be an issue, but in this case, there are THREE characters who already share the same long A sound in the first syllable of their names. I justified that a bit by writing a joke about it (which somehow in turn led to one of my favorite bits I've ever written ever, so YAY). But four characters? Nope, can't do it.