What's in a name?
While working on my social media, I went to the reviews for Maid for More and discovered that there were errors in the book. This pointed out by this review,
"I truly enjoyed reading this series. I wish the author did not include the note about grammatical errors being intentional because there were some editing mistakes. The names of the children changed multiple times. Olivia/Elizabeth/Stephanie; Alecka/Alex.
Overall the stories were enjoyable, there was also life lessons about grit, determination and courage to push past one’s fears and limits."
Immediately, I felt cold with embarrassment and I couldn't open up the files for the book fast enough to ensure that all the Elizabeths were taken out. In a way, it was a lesson in double-checking my work before I hit publish. And it was a chance to practice not beating myself up when I make such a mistake. I'm human after all and to err is human.
But it also got me to thinking about names.
The problem I have is I come across names and think they're cool and scribble them down somewhere. Then when it's time to write, I can't think of a single one. Even right now, I'm looking around my desk for the last place I wrote down a name and I can't find it, lol.
So, I use placeholders.
In the case of Maid for More, the placeholder for Rhianna's daughter's name was Elizabeth. And recently, the placeholders for the grumpy/sunshine Christmas romance I'm working on are Jacqueline and Emmanuel. I've since changed them to Nicola and Hayden.
Nicola because I grew to like the name after seeing so much press for the last season of Bridgerton. Hayden because it popped into my head one day and the name felt right, but it also reminds me of the cricketer Hayden Walsh.
But...
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet." (William Shakespeare)
Does the names of characters impact your reading experience?
I recall people commenting on a social media post for A Valentine for Val because their names were Val. Would you read a book because the character has your name? Or it doesn't matter one way or another?
Also, what are some names that you like?