Thursday, February 17, 2011

Name That Character!

Thanks to everyone who came by yesterday to see my entry for Nicole's blogfest!

If you have 'liked' my Facebook page, you may have seen that I'm holding a contest to name one of the characters in my upcoming novel, Watching Willow Watts. I've had some fantastic suggestions so far and I thought I'd give my blogging buds a chance to get involved! If your suggestion is chosen, you'll get a signed copy of The Hating Game and my undying gratitude!

The character: an old, rather crotchety woman who is a former UK film star. She fled the industry years ago to live in the peace of the countryside, and she's now a recluse.

Any and all suggestions welcome! Have a great Thursday, everyone.
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58 comments:

  1. j.m. neeb17 February 2011 at 15:21

    "Justine Beiber." You have to like how it rolls off the tongue...

    Okay, I'm going to give this some real thought -- and some additional thought as to the fact that I broke my "no more Beiber jokes" resolution -- and will be back with something even better!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Angelina Rain17 February 2011 at 15:24

    Bernadette, that’s an old lady name, isn’t it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sally Clements17 February 2011 at 15:44

    Sounds like 'Estelle Starr' to me! oh, hot news while I'm here, Bound to Love just bouncing around in the top 100 of amazon romance bestsellers on DAY 3! so thanks for the interview Talli!

    ReplyDelete
  4. LR17 February 2011 at 15:45

    Oh I love making up names. Some suggestions:

    Ethel Primm
    Tilla Sword
    Beatrice Pritty
    Heddy Halliday

    ReplyDelete
  5. L.A. Colvin17 February 2011 at 15:51

    HHMM this is fun.

    Jacqueline Alexis Duchene

    But now she's a recluse maybe she goes by Jack Duchene to throw people off who she is.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nicole Zoltack17 February 2011 at 15:53

    Lindsay Jewel

    ReplyDelete
  7. Joanne17 February 2011 at 16:08

    Whatever you choose, a play on words would be fun. Something hinting at her former film star status, or some other secret from her past ...

    ReplyDelete
  8. LindyLouMac17 February 2011 at 16:11

    Dierdre Drummond

    ReplyDelete
  9. Talli Roland17 February 2011 at 16:13

    Thanks for all the great suggestions! Except for Justine Beiber - LOL! :)

    And Sally, congrats! That's fantastic news!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Karen17 February 2011 at 16:14

    Agatha Finch
    Maud Cratchett
    Martha Pimm
    Ursula Montgomery
    Leonora Gatsby
    Elsie Archer

    I LOVE thinking of names :o)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cat Lavoie17 February 2011 at 16:17

    I love the name Drucilla for some reason. (Maybe I watch too many soap operas! lol) Hmmmmm... My official suggestion is: Drucilla Devon. That was fun! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Walter Knight17 February 2011 at 16:27

    "Beatrix Renee Potter" inspired by the Peter Rabbit tails, the movie about the author, and the actress who played her.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Bish Denham17 February 2011 at 16:33

    Greta Garbo (no wait that one's already been used)

    Adele Durand
    Madeline LeClaire
    Joan Darling
    Anna Keith
    Amelia Kent
    Doris Clive

    I could go on and on!

    ReplyDelete
  14. j.m. neeb17 February 2011 at 16:43

    You know, I really like L.A. Colvin's answer...

    (Ugh, I'm not feeling particularly creative today.)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Unknown17 February 2011 at 17:02

    Wow, so many great ideas so far. Ethel primm is pretty good. How about Gwendolyn Givens or Victoria Vickers. Good luck with this. Names are so much fun until you find them already taken. Ugh. Happy weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Conda Douglas17 February 2011 at 17:24

    I've always liked Beryl (pronounced differently in England than the States) and Ina.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hilary Melton-Butcher17 February 2011 at 17:29

    Hi Talli .. great idea ..

    'Sapphire-eyed' Elizabeth de Morgan

    You've got a good few choices .. I'll be so interested to see you who you choose .. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  18. Roland D. Yeomans17 February 2011 at 17:58

    In the silver age of British cinema, names were quite important. They had to sound like stars' names : distinctive and unique.

    How about : Tierney Blake?

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  19. Alex J. Cavanaugh17 February 2011 at 19:27

    JM's suggestion is great!
    How about Mrs. Gorilla? No? Guess I've watched too much Monty Python...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte17 February 2011 at 19:31

    Judith Douglas
    Katherine Cole
    Audrey Burnett
    Hailey Jones
    What fun this is.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Old Kitty17 February 2011 at 19:49

    Marsha Roland!

    I'm kidding!!!!:-)

    Erm.....

    Joan Moore
    Barbara Mansion
    Betty Robertson
    Cecilia Gordon-Smith

    GOOD LUCK everyone!!! Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ben17 February 2011 at 20:00

    Donna McKeen

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous17 February 2011 at 20:02

    How exciting!

    Romilda Archer popped into my head; a sort of exotic celeb type name that suggests she's an older woman. :O)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Allie Hammer17 February 2011 at 20:07

    Great challenge! How about...

    Gracie Starr
    Nellie Woodstock
    Katherine Hart

    ReplyDelete
  25. Shannon O'Donnell17 February 2011 at 20:15

    Hmmm... I like Hortense for crotchety old British women. Or Gladys is good. Camille? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Fusilier45eme17 February 2011 at 20:19

    Caitlin Mulleary

    Why not a name from the Emerald Isle...

    ReplyDelete
  27. Unknown17 February 2011 at 20:28

    You're going to have a really hard time choosing.
    Does it even work to use others suggestions? I always feel the name of a character in a way. Only sometimes do I construct it with reasoning.
    Let's try: Penny Greengrass
    (the last name was an actual actress name, good hidden reference; I like Penny, because it's the name of the mother from Charmed)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Michael Di Gesu17 February 2011 at 20:35

    Deirdre Hall popped into my head at first, but I also like Deirdre McKnight.

    I want to WIN your signed copy!!!!!


    Michael

    ReplyDelete
  29. Unknown17 February 2011 at 20:40

    Ooo I do love Diedre (But I'm wanting to win so forget it!!!!) This is an all out war!!!

    You already got my choices (right?) from facebook?

    I'm tired. That's why this comment is weird. I will not apologize (because I know you'll forgive me).

    ReplyDelete
  30. Laura S.17 February 2011 at 20:49

    This is a cool idea!

    Real name: Mazie Birch
    Stage name: Melody Shyne

    Have fun picking your name!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Livbet17 February 2011 at 21:11

    Hetty Stanhope
    Millie Thornton
    (or mix and match!)

    Genevieve Langford

    ReplyDelete
  32. Brigid O'Connor17 February 2011 at 21:21

    Charmant Sorcière - lovely and french and pretentious, means 'charming witch'.
    Now, I just came nowhere on naming a baby giraffe for a Dublin zoo competition so I might be a bad bet.

    or you can borrow 'Penelope Smythe' one of the characters from my magpies.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous17 February 2011 at 21:51

    Kitty McGritty

    ReplyDelete
  34. Rachel Fenton17 February 2011 at 22:16

    Tilly Swansong x

    ReplyDelete
  35. Donea Lee17 February 2011 at 23:55

    Too fun! Some great suggestions already. I'll add to the pot:

    Hedda Byrne
    Eva Grand
    Elizabeth Brighton (Lizzy Bright)

    Good luck! :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Donea Lee18 February 2011 at 00:00

    Ooh, one more! Etta Strang(e). :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Ann18 February 2011 at 00:32

    Francis Tremaine. Sounds good, and thirtyish! Good luck with choosing your name.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Carol Riggs18 February 2011 at 00:43

    What a fun idea!!! I like some people's suggestions here (tho I haven't checked the other linky), and WHAT a great prize. *drools*

    My suggestions:
    Amelia Dewhurst, Madeline Poynter, Angela Manley, Aster Woodbury, Audrey Moss, Avery Mackintosh, Berenice Windsor, Delphine Riddell, Dorothea Edgerton, Eleanor Warren, Evelyn Cowden, Eydie Yorkshire, Esme Ryerson, Fiona Toulson, Fleta Carbury, Glennis Campbell, Gelsey Middleton, Hazelle Davies, Irene Hoesly, Jenessa Walkford, Jocelyn Myre, Philomena Dreyfus, Phillida Masterson, Rosamund Winchester, Ruby Redwine, Selina Manchester,
    Tamar Wilkins, Victoria Watson, Zillah Pennywater.

    Names are so fun! Whatever name you decide on from your adoring fans, you may want to Google. In combining some of mine, I haven't checked--subconsciously, I may be channeling the name of a real person! And I chose from real British first names but I totally winged most of the last names so they may be French or German for all I know. LOL

    Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  39. alexia18 February 2011 at 03:00

    Wow, this is fun! Maybe Madge, or Petunia. I suck at last names, but maybe something like Hightower?

    ReplyDelete
  40. Jemi Fraser18 February 2011 at 03:11

    Great idea!

    Hmmm... how about Clarissa Carrington?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Theres just life18 February 2011 at 05:21

    Dorcas Devlin
    Penelope Vanderwild

    Okay I keep trying.

    Pamela Jo
    http://theresjustlifeyaliveit.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous18 February 2011 at 05:47

    I gave my suggestion as Cheeky McGrouchy the other day on FB. Think about it. It might take a few days to sink in.

    If you don't like it, try Nanny McFearsom.

    ReplyDelete
  43. D.J.Kirkby18 February 2011 at 06:32

    I subbed my name through Facebook, and I am looking forward to seeing what name wins - such a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Sheila Siler18 February 2011 at 13:05

    Her parents had the audacity to name her Mildred (Butterfield) at her birth. When taking to film, her agent renamed her Esme Diamond, which unfortunately led to jokes in her old age because her initials are E.D.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Angela18 February 2011 at 14:59

    Something old and elegant. I don't know, maybe Victoria Deboroux?

    ReplyDelete
  46. Ann18 February 2011 at 15:42

    Actually I thought of this first name this morning and just had to tell you about it.

    Adele Tremaine.

    Love it. And I looked up the meaning and it means noble. So there you go!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Christopher18 February 2011 at 15:53

    Claudette .... something.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Sangu Mandanna18 February 2011 at 16:48

    Letitia Brown

    Obviously, when she was in films, she was called 'Letty de Bruin'

    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  49. HowLynnTime18 February 2011 at 18:36

    Pearl Agnes Humstead is her real name, though few who know her now could match her crusty demeanor and piercing blue eyes with the fallen star of another era. Once she was the buxom darling of the 'in' crowd and wife to Randolph Gates. Now, her past so far from attention, and that nasty business finally at rest, she is given little notice unless she is displeased with service or challenged by the city for her unkempt garden or contibution to the feral cat population.
    Pearl Gates is long gone, a blip of light and grace upon a rotting and forgotton black and white world. She was once perfection, but even the perfect must find truth. Truth can be cruel to even the shadows of beauty.
    Pearl is no longer beautiful or kind and her smile is no longer easy, charming or white. All that grace was ripped from her with the keen edge of love. Her charming prince was a prince of hell, and he lay the lovely star at the alter and took her light with his whispers and his hateful truth.
    she has learned to accept the darkness and the smell of hate.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Debs Riccio19 February 2011 at 13:39

    Lavender Bush

    ReplyDelete
  51. Jan Morrison19 February 2011 at 15:04

    Marjorie Stone
    Deborah Piers
    Beulah St. James
    Maisie Gold

    ReplyDelete
  52. William Kendall19 February 2011 at 21:31

    Over at facebook I suggested Maeve Marlowe and Mildred Garrington.

    There's also Viola Hayden...

    @jm neeb: Justine Bieber? Oh, you're just trying to get Talli into trouble...

    ReplyDelete
  53. Susan Fields20 February 2011 at 13:14

    What a fun contest, and an amazing prize!

    How about Agnes Pendergast?

    ReplyDelete
  54. Theres just life20 February 2011 at 19:17

    I thought of this one last night.

    She was born Valentina Nelson after her mother's favorite actor.
    She changed it to Valentina LaMor when she started acting herself.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Ellen Brickley23 February 2011 at 15:01

    Brilliant contest, I loved reading all the names! I have a very definite favourite, but will throw these into the ring:

    Madeleine Wickham
    Eliza Hetherington
    Amanda Aungier (the surname is pronounced ain-jer. It's a street in Dublin!)

    ReplyDelete
  56. Ella24 February 2011 at 04:03

    I like Grace Sterling; a bit of an air to it, but she is now tarnished and not so graceful, as she once use to be.
    Another pic would be Katherine Kelley
    or maybe Vivian Moore or Sylvia Hayes...
    I like the idea of Grace being so opposite of her name and tarnished! lol

    Fun game~

    ReplyDelete
  57. rhymeswithplague24 February 2011 at 14:17

    Myrtice Rogers Sinclair.

    First time commenter here. I found a link to you at Grumpy Old Ken's blog.

    I haven't looked at all the other suggestions, but f someone already suggested Myrtice Rogers Sinclair, I am definitely psychic.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Anonymous25 February 2011 at 13:57

    Bertie Levitt-Thompson

    ReplyDelete

Coffee and wine for all!

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