Thursday, October 1, 2009

Roll credits.

I collect character names by paying attention to movie credits. Older movies place the credits up front for easy reading, but anytime you watch a movie, just grab as many names as you can and write them down in your moleskin.

prefer to take the first name from one person and mate it with the surname on the next, so I don't upset any Key Grips or Caterers. Screw actors, their names are made up anyway.

It's a good idea to start off with the etymology of the name. I see the visual of the character first in my mind's eye . Sometimes they are in action, sometimes they are sitting around, but once I see them, then I can guess at their name.

Trying asking the character what name they like, imagine them saying no, then listen to their voice. Can they say their own name correctly? Does it sound right when they say it? The Character ethnic background and local help me pick their name. Example, if he is an irish sailor, Finnegan Murphy. Murphy meaning : Seafarer, or Sea warrior, just off the top of my head.

I dig the rare vintage and/or names that can be shortened, and order to have a formal name like Jonathan,which can be annouced by a bulter, but also a short name, for friends, family or to screamed from a moving vehicle. "JON!" I also like family names, passed down from generation to generation.

Crossing ethnicity is great and can be useful in breaking down racial boundaries without preaching, but nicknames have stories of their own to add depth to the character and will draw sympathy out of the reader. Did you know "John Waynes" real name was Marion?

Write on, dude.
KW

3 comments:

  1. Great post Kevin! I've never thought to do this before. I'm definitely going to try this.

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  2. Open Mic Wednesdays @ Cyclops!
    And, if you're not already, please be our Fan! Facebook.com/CyclopsBmore
    Host: Cyclops
    Type: Music/Arts - Performance
    Network: Global
    Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2009
    Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
    Location: Cyclops Books and Music
    Street: 30 West North Ave. at Maryland (next to Windup Space, catty-corner fm Joe2)
    City/Town: Baltimore, MD

    Phone: 4107524487
    Email: andy@cyclopsbooks.com

    Description: Every Wednesday we've got our mic on and ready for you. Bring your poems, stories, essays, sonnets, songs, whatever you wanna do!

    Following the Open Mic, we have great music from the Rev. John DeLore and Kenny Cambre, both from Brooklyn.

    If you can't make it this Wednesday, we have another on Friday, so join us then.

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  3. Smile, Hon Open Mic @ Cyclops!
    And, if you're not already, please be our Fan! Facebook.com/CyclopsBmore
    Host: Cyclops
    Type: Music/Arts - Performance
    Network: Global
    Date: Friday, October 9, 2009
    Time: 8:00pm - 11:00pm
    Location: Cyclops Books and Music
    Street: 30 West North Ave. at Maryland (next to Windup Space, catty-corner fm Joe2)
    City/Town: Baltimore, MD
    Phone: 4107524487
    Email: andy@cyclopsbooks.com

    So, you wanna be published, huh?

    Come to Cyclops on Friday night for the latest in our recurring series of Open Mics with the Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore people, brought to you by the fine folks at Eight-Stone Press.

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    SMILE, HON, YOU’RE IN BALTIMORE! is accepting submissions of your Mobtown-related stories, essays, poetry, photography and other artwork for the forthcoming SMILE, HON No. 12 through Saturday, October 31, 2009. Creative non-fiction is preferred, though all submissions will be considered. Articles (100 – 2,000 words) are preferably received via e-mail (wpt@eightstonepress.com) as attached Word documents. Image files should be approximately 5” x 7”, 300+ dpi (.JPG or .TIF format). All contributors will receive a byline/artist credit for their work as well as two (2) complimentary copies of the issue in which their work appears.

    From the harbor to the hills, SMILE, HON, YOU’RE IN BALTIMORE! collects the tales of those on whom Mobtown has left her indelible mark. Polished, professional essays; barroom sermons delivered from the sanctity of a favorite stool; the poet’s fleeting sentiment, captured in both word and snapshot – SMILE, HON offers a slice of Baltimore as told by Baltimore, presented with the time-honored DIY accessibility of a limited-run, handcrafted zine.

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