Anna Alexander

Posted By Anna on February 26, 2010

As I was watching the Olympics I realized that there was a treasure trove of potential character names from the roster of athletes. Coming up with surnames is a struggle for me. I can spend hours choosing just the right one, and I notice they tend to be more Anglo-Saxon in nature. Perhaps its because they are easier to read and spell. But sometimes you want to add a little ethnic flavor to a character and pouring over books of names gets tedious.

Inspiration struck when I was watching the men’s figure skating competition and French skater Florent Amodio took to the ice. Interesting name, I thought. Exotic, yet easy to pronounce and spell. Then Stephane Lambiel appeared and spun his way into our collective memory. Ah-ha, I have found a new resource!

Can’t you just imagine a viking warlord named after alpine skier Aksel Lund Svindal? Joannie Rochette sounds like a super spy to me. Is Christop Sumann an Austrian businessman or biathlon silver medalist?

Unfortunately, not all names are made for a hero or heroine. Gregor Schlierenzauer might have won a gold medal and two bronzes, but his name doesn’t quite flow across your vision. Not only would  spellchecker go crazy, it would become a blob word that you skip to move on to words you know.  Skipping words can take a reader out of your story which is the last thing a writer wants.

So while Italian speed skater Matteo Anesi may have ended up thirtieth in the 1000 meters, perhaps he will find victory as my latest superhero. A former race car driver who is involved in a fiery crash that ignites his power to control any piece of machinery.

Actually, I like that.

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