One of the things I love about social media is discovering new authors, or at least new to me authors. When I started following and talking with Cassi Carver on twitter I had no clue she was an author, till she made a comment one day that had me wondering about her. So I went to her website and saw she had this new book coming out called Slayer’s Kiss. I was immediately intrigued and wanted more. I have to say I LOVED the book (review coming soon I promise). With the release of this really good and intense (in a good way book) I had to have her on here so you all could learn about her.
Character-naming Quirks
Hi, I’m Cassi Carver, author of the erotic urban fantasy, Slayer’s Kiss, and I’m thrilled to be visiting with you today! I have a problem, and I’m hoping you can help me. I wasn’t aware of this problem until I’d written my third novel, Slayer’s Kiss, and my critique partner pointed out, “Umm…do you know that every male character you’ve written has a name ending in ‘n’?”
“What?” I gasped. What was she talking about? This couldn’t be true. All my books? Even the early novels? Let’s see… Brayden, Quinn, Ian, Ryen, Ailexon, Julian, Gavin, Jaxon, Aiden, Brakken. Even my bad guys? Yep.
I was concerned. What did that say about me on a deep psychological level? I had no idea. But to combat this quirk, I started plugging in different names when I could—mostly to secondary characters. Admittedly, these new names sound wrong to me, but with any luck, future readers won’t throw my books across the room and exclaim, “Every name of every man in this book ends with ‘n’!”
So rest assured, I’m working through this naming issue…but in truth, it kills me to withhold an “n” name from a handsome hero, and it may even affect the hero’s future. “How?” you ask…
Well, currently I’m writing full length Shadow Slayers novels and leaving the novellas to tell the story of people who didn’t get their HEA in the main series. If I’m writing a novella for a secondary character from the world of The Shadow Slayers, I’m much more likely to give Flynn his time in the sun, rather than Liel or Steve. There’s nothing wrong with Liel and Steve…except their names. If Liel and Flynn are vying for the same woman—Flynn is likely going to come out on top. (And in case you’re reading Slayer’s Kiss, wondering who Flynn is…he isn’t in there. A double “nn” name like that clearly deserves its own series.)
What about you? How much thought do you give to names in the books you read? Does it even matter? I need your help, guys, so I’m going to give out a digital copy of Slayer’s Kiss to one person who comments today—and I promise not to look at the last letter of your name!
Slayer’s Kiss
I had a lot of fun reading your post. That’s quite a quirk you have!
Personally, I’m quite open-minded concerning the names of the characters in the books I read, except when they are too ridiculous (which happens!). I really like the names you give to your characters!
But poor Liel and Steve, who are less alpha than the others just because of their names… But are you sure Steve’s real name is not Steven?
Hmmm… I think unless the name is REALLY weird, I don’t mind most names… Although it’s hard to see a villainous vampire as John or Mary Or Susan….
Ha! Aurore, I’m laughing so hard right now! Steven? You may have just saved Steve’s life! 😀
Thanks for commenting and good luck!
Hi, May! Yeah, in other people’s books I don’t mind a variety of names, either. The only thing I don’t like is a name that’s so unique it takes me several tries to figure it out. But even then, I guess I come up with something I can pronounce then just keep on truckin’. 🙂
Thanks for your comment!
So funny about the names, Cassi. Then I looked at the heroes in my published books and, um, all their names end in “n”, too. *gulp* Fear not, though, because I have a string of non-“n” heroes on my horizon!
Oh, no, Melissa! You’re the one who first caught on to my thing for “n.” And now you’ve fallen into the trap, too? Hmm… Yes… The super hunky hero in your Kensington debut, The Trouble With Cowboys, is Kellan. But that’s an awesome name, so I think you made a good choice. 🙂
I personally love heroes whose names end in ‘n’ There is just something about them. Cassi I think if you go with Steven you need to make it Stephan or Stephen. So much more manly.
Hi, TBRG! You’re right, those are cool ways to spell Steven. Makes me think of The Vampire Diaries! LOL
Thanks for stopping by and good luck on winning the e-book!
Oh wow. Interesting. I really don’t think I would notice the name thing. As long as the books are well written (and they are!), I wouldn’t give a second thought to that. Just my .02!
You don’t need to enter me in your contest has I have already won a copy from you! All I have to say is I loved the book!! I didn’t even notice the name thing (n) until I read this post. I would never have a problem with it because the book was so well written. I really can’t wait for the next book in the series.
I’ve already read “Slayer’s Kiss” and never noticed the “n” thing. The names of heroes do have some influence on how the character is perceived though so I guess the “n” ending gives a strong sound.
Hi, Books4Me! Thanks for popping in to chat! I agree that if a book is well written, the names are the least important thing. So… what we’re really saying is that I get to keep my names that end in “n”? Whoo-hoo! 😀
Aww…thanks, Ruth! I’m so glad that you enjoyed Slayer’s Kiss. I guess that winning copy made its way into the right hands. 😉
By the way, the next book comes out in September and novella 2.5 in December, so I’m pretty excited!
Hi, Carol! Thank you so much for reading Slayer’s Kiss and still taking the time to leave a comment. I’m actually relieved that no one seemed to notice my naming issues. That means I have the green light to go with it! 😉