I am, of course, referring to on paper. As part of my Kickstarter for Wherever Would I Be, there was an add on for having a character named after them in my next book. I probably should have thought that through better given that said next book is a murder mystery. [strained smile] The detectives are all named for my favorite characters on my favorite procedural shows. The main character’s nickname is after Willie Garson’s character on White Collar – one of my most favorite characters every written (and he was THE BEST option to play him). I love how characters get their names, whether by the writer or a nickname within the story. For Mozzie, we learn the heartwarming truth that his chosen name is after a teddy bear he had as a child when he was orphaned, a teddy bear named Mozart. My MC will have Moz as her nickname. (Garson sadly passed away in 2021. Rewatching this show also hits a bit different these days.)
Eight friends took me up on this add on – to name a character after them. Eight. I was thinking one or two might. Not eight. Good thing it’s a serial killer story. 😛
That being said, it’s a very different experience when you write about a character you made up and killed off than it is when said character has the same name as a friend of yours. This week, I wrote a chapter where we find one such victim and then, after they are ID-ed, inform their mother. It was really hard to get the image of my friend out of my head, and I definitely felt all the feelings when writing the mother in mourning in learning what happened to her child.
This is going to be a long process… 👀
Ami Maxine 