The Monday Poll - Names in Fantasy Novels

[pjthompson]

ETA: Oddly enough, I wrote this poll last week and posted it before I heard of Robert Jordan's death. RIP, Mr. Jordan.


Yes, I did "borrow" a couple of answers from a famous satire.

[Poll #1056646]

Famous Satire.

Comments

[hominysnark.livejournal.com]

I think the normal English words should be the body parts--like "Elbow Uvula" or "Big Toe Patella."

[pjthompson]

Yeah, like fantasy gangsters.

[mrngglry98.livejournal.com]

I think that's the first time I ever clicked one answer. ;) I'm all about the zeitgeist.

That, and some of it depends on what kinda Fantasy you're writing. If it's modern day, urban Fantasy, then of course one would use mostly modern names appropriate to the region/ethnicity/background/whatever of the characters. (Demons and old-school vampires and other creatures in the story would follow a different construct). A Heroic Fantasy would have different name connotations than a Historical Fantasy, too.

Though I *do* like Elbow Uvula...

[pjthompson]

Though I *do* like Elbow Uvula...

It does have a certain flair, doesn't it?

[eclectic-writer.livejournal.com]

I hate fantasy novels that have flowing, long names that I can't figure out how to pronounce. Like apostrophes: what sound do you make for them? A clicking noise? (that's what it means for some African tribal written languages) If I can't pronounce it, I already dislike it.

That said, normal names rocks. A little exotic helps, especially if the name or its history helps to describe the character.

[pjthompson]

Ex'act'ly.