Login | Register







Post new topic This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Designing Histories off of Surnames
PostPosted: December 9th, 2010, 10:43 pm 
Captain
Captain
User avatar

Joined: October 3rd, 2010, 2:17 pm
Posts: 8188
Location: Kansas City, MO
I was working with a friend to find character names for a WIP. I have a list of surnames that I plan to use to name streets/buildings, pretending the surnames once belonged to fictitious famous people. While we were exploring, my friend voiced a great idea:

I could take some surnames and, based off of the etymology of the name, build a history for these famous people. For instance, what kind of person might have the name “Sauveterre,” meaning “safe haven” in French? What did he do to earn that name? And how did he become famous? If I do this for several surnames, I could build a fairly complicated history backwards.

Since I’ve never done extensive history for any of my works, this idea appeals to me. The major struggle will be figuring out how to work all this information into the book. (Originally it was supposed to be a sci-fi medical thiller-esque, so I have no idea where a history lesson is going to tie into that… but as I answer that question, I’ll develop the idea significantly!)

So my question is – has anyone ever done this? Any thoughts or suggestions?

_________________
Website | Twitter | Instagram
My Patrons get free books and merch!
Latest Release: Aurelius (Red Rain #3.5)


Top
 Offline Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Designing Histories off of Surnames
PostPosted: December 9th, 2010, 11:12 pm 
Writer
Writer
User avatar

Joined: November 25th, 2010, 4:44 pm
Posts: 1395
Location: Wisconsin. (Now you know which).
I've never tried to make history out of names before... not that I know of. I don't even have names for most of the specific places in my book.

_________________
There are some buttons of which the function remains unknown to me.


Top
 Offline Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Designing Histories off of Surnames
PostPosted: December 27th, 2010, 2:50 pm 
Foundational Member
Foundational Member
User avatar

Joined: November 12th, 2009, 2:51 pm
Posts: 963
Location: Riding (or writing) against the foes of the free peoples of Middle Earth!
Sounds like a good idea to me. I've never tried it, but I might give it a try on one of my stories histories.

_________________
Griffin
"Many who live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Do not be so eager to deal out death and judgment, for even the Wise cannot see all ends."
-Gandalf

"When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth"
-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, (in Sherlock Holmes)
________________________

Current projects:
Heroes and Demons series:
Lost Son: 3,782 words http://www.holyworlds.org/forum/viewtop ... 117&t=1844
Red Son: 1,726 words http://www.holyworlds.org/forum/viewtop ... 117&t=3008
Prodigal Son: Developing Stage
Grateful Son: Developing Stage
The Setting Sons: Developing Stage
All titles are tentative
_______________
Other books:

Tobias the Swift: Developing Stage

Wings from above: Developing Stage

Yeah, most of my books are in the development stage, but I have a lot of ideas! :P


Top
 Offline Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Designing Histories off of Surnames
PostPosted: December 27th, 2010, 3:11 pm 
Captain
Captain
User avatar

Joined: October 22nd, 2010, 11:31 am
Posts: 10120
Location: UK
It sounds like a really cool idea! I haven't tried this before, but let us know how it goes. :)

_________________

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king

J. R. R. Tolkien


My favourite quote: "God will give His kindness for you to use when your own runs out."

Pippin's Waggy Tales

Autumn Leaves


Top
 Offline Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Designing Histories off of Surnames
PostPosted: December 27th, 2010, 8:21 pm 
Captain
Captain
User avatar

Joined: November 3rd, 2010, 4:36 pm
Posts: 4360
Location: Following my Father through the wilderness of sojourning.
Rather like the names Smith and Miller being so common because they were occupations... That will make for an intriguing read. I've done that a little with names but it's more so what they will become rather than what they have already done.


P.S. PM me if you want me to make up some really crazy/ridiculous histories that won't help at all. They're great for a laugh and some brainstorming. ;)

_________________
You can't spell grin without ̶gRIN
Words are my ̶bread and ̶butter.
http://unshakablegirl.com/
http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kitra-skene

Haud Retene Haud Reverte

All resemblance to persons, people, friends, relatives, quotes, cultures, artificial intelligences, inside jokes, pets, unclaimed personalities, sentient objects, extra-terrestrials, inter-terrestrials, and draperies living, dead, undead, or comatose in any of my work are purely coincidental, incidental, circumstantial, inadvertent, unplanned, unforeseen, and unintentional. There's seriously no way I was referring to you. Honest.

The story so far:
Birthright: Eleventh chapter pending. 28280 words.
Heritage: First chapter drafted.
Legacy: Character and plot development stage.
Get a feel for the land. Visit Lor-Amar today!

Other novels on the brain:
Quicksilver
Shen'oh Story
Crusoe's Star
War Blazer
Seven Arts Story
The Queen's Knave
Polarians
Exile Realms
All Librarians Are Secret Agents


Top
 Offline Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Designing Histories off of Surnames
PostPosted: December 28th, 2010, 5:54 pm 
Captain
Captain
User avatar

Joined: October 3rd, 2010, 2:17 pm
Posts: 8188
Location: Kansas City, MO
Because this story isn't my main project right now, I haven't sat down to work up any histories... but I'm excited to do it! I will let you know how it goes and what I come up with.

Riniel, I just might do that sometime! :rofl: Thanks for the offer! And you never know - they might actually work in the story, humorous or not. :D

_________________
Website | Twitter | Instagram
My Patrons get free books and merch!
Latest Release: Aurelius (Red Rain #3.5)


Top
 Offline Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 6 posts ] 


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron