I pose these questions to Mr. Wilson, of course, and to all other writers on the forum as well:

How do you go about choosing names for your characters?

Is it more important for the name to be meaningful, cool sounding, or just plain easy to read?

Or does the name have to match the character's personality?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this subject.

Thanks,

John

I pose these questions to Mr. Wilson, of course, and to all other writers on the forum as well:

How do you go about choosing names for your characters?

Is it more important for the name to be meaningful, cool sounding, or just plain easy to read?

Or does the name have to match the character's personality?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this subject.

Thanks,

John

I use an online random name generator:
http://www.kleimo.com/random/name.cfm

I use an online random name generator:
http://www.kleimo.com/random/name.cfm

I just set the obscurity factor to 1 and got Manuel Olsewski! That is a fine tool- I'm going to email this to Christopher Paolini. Thanks!

I set the obscurity factor to 99 and came up with the name Glinda Halston. Which is funny because I was just earlier looking up Billie Burke on IMDB (She plays Glinda the good witch in the Wizard of Oz). No more coincidences?

Hmmm. I set the obscurity fact to 20 (not at all high!) and for a female name. I got Commodore.

Maybe I've led a sheltered life but I have never met a lady called commodore!

I use an online random name generator:
http://www.kleimo.com/random/name.cfm

Surely you hand pick some of your names, don't you?

That is a fine tool- I'm going to email this to Christopher Paolini. Thanks!

What's the matter? Don't you like the name Eragon?

In fact, I pointed out how the name Eragon was just dragon with an e instead of a d, to cobalt. She got that "shiney is on the wall" look. I shut up after that.

What's the matter? Don't you like the name Eragon?

In fact, I pointed out how the name Eragon was just dragon with an e instead of a d, to cobalt. She got that "shiney is on the wall" look. I shut up after that.

Actually I am a huge fan of the books and the writer, I just have no idea how to say Alagaesia, and I struggle with Tronjheim, Hrothgar and Galbatorix.

But damn, this name generator is fun as hell. I just cranked the obscurity to 11 and got Glaeken Johnson. True story. Well, maybe not.

In fact, I pointed out how the name Eragon was just dragon with an e instead of a d, to cobalt. She got that "shiney is on the wall" look. I shut up after that.

Hey! I did not. :p

The Man's answer just totally blew everything I believed out of the water and was not the answer I was expecting (not that the site isn't loads of fun). I always thought there was some effort gone into the choosing of the names, along with some heavy drinking and or smoking, migraines or the like! milewinkgrin: