Monday, April 28, 2014

Remnants Blog Tour: The Character of Names by Lisa T Bergren

This is the 900th blog post here on The Mod Podge Bookshelf!

THE CHARACTER OF NAMES


I’ve long used an international baby name book for finding the right names for my characters. I can zero in on the right nationality and then find a name that not only sounds right, to my mind, but also has the right meaning for the character. I very seldom pick a name out and just link it to a character—it usually goes deeper for me.

When I began to “cast” my characters in Remnants: Season of Wonder, I turned to ancient warrior names for the most part, because my characters are in an epic battle of good vs. evil. With a world on the brink, these Remnants, with their special gifting, and their protective knights, all needed names that fit the world in which I’d placed them—or at least something that resonates with their characterization. So here’s the rundown…

Andriana: “Warrior”—she’s my kick-ass heroine
Asher: “Happy one”—this character practically glows with joy
Azarel: “Helper”—she’s helpful, but in a gruff sort of way
Bellona: “Warlike”—totally; don’t mess with this girl
Chaza’el: “One who sees”—he has the gift of foresight
Kapriel: “Warrior”—the good brother
Keallach: “Battle”—the evil brother
Killian: “Little warrior”—he’s tall, but I loved the sound of his name
Ronan: “Little seal”—okay, this one is an anomaly. He’s my hero and was originally Duncan (“warrior”), but my publisher had another book coming out with a hero of the same name (she who gets to press first, wins). So while I don’t see Ronan as a “little seal” at all, I LOVED the Celtic sound of his name and hadn’t seen it used in another YA novel. Then I put it to my readers to choose between three, and Ronan was the clear winner. So Ronan he was.
Tressa: “Late summer”—She’s so warm in her manner, this just made sense to me
Vidar: “Forest warrior”—He’s funny and from the heavily forested Valley, so I think of him as my Robin Hood-ish guy


STOP #13 LAUNCH TOUR CLUE: quiet and

Collect all the clues and fill out Lisa’s Rafflecopter form on her launch tour post at LisaBergren.com at the end of April and you could win either a Kindle Fire HDX ($229) or iPod Touch ($229)!

What’s YOUR favorite hero or heroine name to date? From what novel? Did the name feel like it fit the character from the get-go?

BIO:


Lisa Tawn Bergren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 40 books, with more than 2.5 million copies sold. Her most recent works includes a YA series called River of Time (Waterfall, Cascade, Torrent, Bourne & Tributary), God Gave Us Easter, a devotional called Upside-Down Prayers for Parents and the Grand Tour Series (Glamorous Illusions, Grave Consequences, and Glittering Promises). She’s currently at work on a new YA series called Remnants, coming out in 2014.

Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, writing, and working on ducks with her husband, Tim (RMrustic.com). Tim’s a worship leader, graphic designer and duck-sculptor. They have three kids–Olivia (18), Emma (15) and Jack (10).

The Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

SUMMARY OF BOOK:


THEIR ARRIVAL WAS FORETOLD FOR YEARS….
Andriana is a Remnant, gifted as an empath and one of the Ailith, destined to act as humanity’s last shield against the horrors that now plague those who remain.

After years of training in stealth and warfare, Andriana and her Knight protector, Ronan, are finally ready to answer the Call and begin the life they were designed for. But as they embark with the other Remnants on the first of their assignments, they quickly discover that the world beyond their protected Valley is more dangerous than they imagined.

The Sons of Sheol will stop at nothing to prevent Dri and Ronan from rescuing anyone sympathetic to the Remnants’ cause. And as the Remnants battle the demonic forces, still other enemies close in. Dangers intensity, but so do Dri’s feelings for Ronan–the one emotion she is not meant to feel. In the midst of their mission, Andriana must fine a way to master her feelings. Or risk compromising everything…


16 comments:

Truckredford said...

My favorite Heroin was Kate from My stubborn heart by becky wade and yes she fit the character. truckredford(at)Gmail(dot)Com

Lora said...

I love names and discovering the meanings behind them. Love the name Ronan, it sounds strong and very hero-esque. :-)

Ashes0249 said...

The book looks great! Awesome cover!

Ashes0249 said...

My Favorite heroin is Gemma Lucas from Jessica Sorensen's Shattered Promises series. Her name is perfect for her and fits her character. She's a very strong and smart women.

Unknown said...

My favorite hero's name is Axel Locke from Jennifer Lyon's Wing Slayer Hunter series. This is one of my favorite series of all time and each book has a different hero and heroine. I love all the heroes names in the series but Axel is my favorite because it is so strong and I feel like it commands leadership.

Lady DragonKeeper said...

Kale Allerion from the DragonKeeper Chronicles --I wasn't sold on her first name at the beginning, but it grew on me. However, I fell in love with her last name from the start!

I'm a total anthroponomastics freak (even though I don't memorize the name meanings), so I LOVED this post!

"Ronan" was the name of a very kick-butt, warrior character on my favorite scifi show: Stargate Atlantis. =) Also, in the Japanese feudal period, a rōnin was a samurai with no master ...



Unknown said...

Thorin from The Hobbit. A very nice hero name.

J&H said...

I love the name Desmond.

DebraKay Neiman said...

Jane Yellowrock/Beast from Skinwalker series. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

Julie said...

I think that every book I read I'm attached to the hero or heroine's name. I will always associate the name with that book then :)

Despoina said...

My favorite name, other than a name I created for a story, Diego. Zorro is my favorite hero.

greeneyedsadie said...

I really love Gen from the Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner. Any of the women written by Tamora Piece would battle for favorite heroine.

hwf said...

Love Lisa's writing style and her careful selection of names for her heroes.

Unknown said...

I love the names Lisa chooses. They make the characters even more interesting! I loved Remnants.

team marcello said...

Can't wait to read the books!

Unknown said...

I love that she spends so much time picking out just the right name for each character.