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HelpRe: Names and stereotypical characters
in reply to a message by Nix
I seldom read novels, so I can't speak from experience. But I do recall a conversation years ago with a Canadian woman who had applied, in the 1980s I think, to write romance fiction for Mills and Boon/Harlequin. They sent her some guidelines, the most important being 'If you don't enjoy reading them, don't try writing them', and there was also a list of names suitable for certain characters. Mothers-in-law, expecially nasty ones, needed 1940s names like Barbara: these were not to be used for a young heroine. I don't remember any more, and I have no idea if this advice is still given. Perhaps the genre has changed? But it seems likely that there might well be a list, recommended by publishers, of Names For Heroes; not a failure of imagination by authors, therefore, but publishers trying to read the minds of possible readers.
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You're probably right. I hadn't stopped to think that authors might just use names that know work well for those characters.
On the other hand, using original names would make the characters be easily remembered and quickly associated with the name (for instance, when I think of the name Romeo I can only think of Romeo and Juliet, but if I hear the name Lucas I won't remember any character with that name).
Also, I think authors nowadays try to create original, non-stereotypical characters, so this lists of names suitable for each type of character don't apply any more (usually).
On the other hand, using original names would make the characters be easily remembered and quickly associated with the name (for instance, when I think of the name Romeo I can only think of Romeo and Juliet, but if I hear the name Lucas I won't remember any character with that name).
Also, I think authors nowadays try to create original, non-stereotypical characters, so this lists of names suitable for each type of character don't apply any more (usually).
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