Choosing a character name

Post by Angela Raines

This is a reblog of an earlier post. Enjoy

Why talk about names you may ask? I confess I've always been fascinated by names, there meaning and how they may be perceived. It was brought home to me again after a conversation with a friend. She indicated she loved stories where the names fit the character. That started me thinking. Did I consciously or unconsciously choose my character names?

First a bit of background. My own choice of the pen name, Angela Raines. Angela comes from the Greek word Angelos meaning messenger of God. Now, I am not a messenger of the deity, but the idea of being a messenger fits into that of a writer. The surname Raines is easier to explain.

From the Doomsday Book, the name Raines, from old English, meant shelter among others. However, the name is also that of a Western Author who lived in Colorado Springs by the name of William MacLeod Raine. I could have chosen one of many authors who at one time or another made this town their home. Helen (Hunt) Jackson, Robert E. Heinlein, Frank Maynard among the options, but Raine seemed the most appropriate. (Although I do write the occasional Medieval story for a change of pace.)

So where do I get the names for my characters? First, I try to find historic names that fit the time I'm writing about. In the latest novel, "The Outlaw's Letter" my heroine is Harriett 'Hetty' Osgood and my hero Grant Davis.

I came up with Harriett from research on Joe Ward, an outlaw here in Colorado. Harriett was his wife. While she did not fare well in the papers, she was thought to be a rough woman, I wanted to give her a better story. (And I believe she might have had some redeeming qualities.) The name itself comes from the French and means rules in her household. Now Hetty is a name that seemed to fit my character. It is also one of the nicknames for Harriett. Harriett's surname Osgood comes from Norse, Danish and Swedish with Os meaning God and Good meaning good. Since Hetty is basically a fiercely independent woman who loves the classics the name just seemed to fit.

Bouvier - Jefferson Davis home

Grant Davis came from U.S. Grant and Jefferson Davis.  The name Grant itself means great/tall. Appropriate for my hero. The name Davis means beloved. Grant is both those and also part of his namesakes. Ulysses S. Grant was an amazing general/hero who had his ups and downs in life. Jefferson Davis was a man who before the war had a great career, who hit is height as the president of the Confederacy and then became a wanted man. My hero embodied both men. He could deal with challenges like Grant but was also a lover of history like Davis, who had been on the board for the creation of the Smithsonian.

So there you have it. It is a bit long, but a lot of thought goes into finding the right name for the right character.

Below is a short excerpt of the Grant and Hetty in action:

     One moment Grant was standing over a prone body, the next found him clawing at his eyes trying to get the dirt out of them.

    "What the…?" he growled, shaking his head as he heard footsteps rushing toward him. Through blurry eyes, he saw someone with a raised hand rushing toward him. He barely had time to duck as a hand holding a rock rushed by his head. As the assailant ran past, Grant put out an arm, grabbing the person around the waist. He felt, rather than saw, an arm swing back. He barely avoided being hit again. Instead, the blow landed on his left shoulder. With an effort, Grant maintained his hold, but just barely.

    "Stop fighting and behave," Grant told his assailant, "I'm trying to help you."

     "By turning me over to Conover Boggs?" Hetty spat out, forgetting to lower her voice in her agitation.

     "Not if I can help it," Grant replied. He strengthened his grip as he heard the sound of horses coming their way.

     "Then," Hetty began, only to have a hand cover her mouth before she could say any more.

     Out of the darkness, the approaching horses halted close by. One moved closer just as the moon decided to make an appearance.

     "Well, Grant, see you caught the boy. Nice work," Con said, grinning as he stepped off his horse.  "Now young man," Con continued, moving toward the two.

     Grant felt Hetty tense. Hoping his instincts were correct, he stopped Boggs with his next words. With his hand still over Hetty's mouth, he interrupted, "Slight mistake there, Con, this is my wife."

Amazon ebook

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

Books: Angela Raines Books

What's New in October 2017

post (c) Angela Raines

I've three things to share in what I hope will be a monthly posting that I am using as a newsletter.

1.  When the hurricane hit the Houston area, I wanted to to something to help. Then Florida and Puerto Rico were hit, along with the fires in the Northwest/California. My contribution is to give 100% of the proceeds from the sale of four of my novellas. The proceeds from the sales from September 1 until December 31, 2017 will be divided between the four areas . This way I can give to readers and those who are in need. Having been through both fire and flood, these disasters are not a one and done or those trying to get their lives back.

The novellas are: “Lost Knight”, “Never Had a Chance”, “Gift of Forgiveness” and “Angel of Salvation Valley” You can access them from my Amazon Author Page at http://amzn.to/2pvWYVo

If you feel so inclined a review would also be greatly appreciated.

2.  Around the second week of November I will have the release of my third Medieval story in an upcoming anthology from my publisher, Prairie Rose Publications. Watch their blog: https://prairierosepublications.blogspot.com and my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/writerangelaraines for the release date

3.  Research and writing of the novel are continuing. Mary and Edwin are finally cooperating and the history I've been looking for is coming out of hiding. At least the cover photo shoot is done and I'll be sharing photos in the next post. 

     I'm excited about this story. The main characters are older and have a lot of history behind them, but not necessarily with each other. The secrets and trouble in Mary's town have a way of sneaking up on me, and I'm enjoying each and every one.

Until next month, happy writing and reading. As always "smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to."

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

For a list of Angela Raines Books: Here 

Photo and Poem: Click Here 

Angela Raines FaceBook: Click Here

The Cover Photo Shoot

Post by Angela Raines

Recently two stories, one a Historical Western Romance, one a Medieval Romance, were issued by my publisher, Prairie Rose Publications. Since I enjoy photography and have a dear friend who is also photographer, I try to add my own touch to the covers. That I have actor/model friends also helps.

For fun, I thought I'd share the book covers and a couple of the shots that didn't make the cut. I thank PRP for the chance to share my stories and my friends for helping me make the story real.

This is the cover for the Medieval release.

http://amzn.to/2bVLGEY

Here are a couple of shots that didn't make the cut.

The second story "Never Had A Chance" was a combination of two different photo shoots.

This is the final version, but...

http://amzn.to/2bpK60k

these two also were on the cover of  "Angel of Salvation Valley", and did such a great job 

http://amzn.to/1P4JVV8

Here they are just having fun

I hope you enjoyed a look behind the scenes. Watch for more fun photos in the future.

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw. Originally from the mid-west, Doris now calls the Rocky Mountains her home. Doris is a writer, historian, actor,and teacher. An avid reader Doris loves to spend time in history archives looking for the small, unknown pieces of history. Many times these pieces end up in her stories or poems. 

Currently Doris is working in both the Medieval and Western Romance genre. Both have a wonderful history, much not commonly known which adds to the joy of telling these stories.

A photographer, Doris also writes haiku and combines them with her photography on her haiku blog: http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com .

Descriptions?

Post copyright by Doris McCraw/Angela Raines-author

A bit behind on posting writings. It has been a busy week. 

As promised, writings from the last week. Working on descriptions this week. 

Traveling back, Esteban took in the stark beauty of his surroundings. The strength of the rocks reminded him of Sophia. The diversity, the symbiotic relationship of the plants, earth and sky made him long for such in his own country.

“You have been lucky,” Esteban said to his mount. “Your health is returned, you have your land that father left, despite not being of his blood.” A sigh escaped, “but will you still have Sophia?”

In his heart he hoped that was true. Despite his words to her, Esteban secretly had wanted to stay. He had come to appreciate her wit, her intelligence, and most of all her laughing eyes.

Each mile brought him closer to home. Despite his origins, he could thank his father, that honorable old man who raised him, everything he now had.

Until next time.

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw. Doris also writes haiku posted five days a week at - http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com and has now passed one thousand haiku and photos posted on this blog. Check out her other work or like her Amazon author page:  http://amzn.to/1I0YoeL

http://amzn.to/1P4JVV8

One Christmas Knight

http://amzn.com/B017Z2BLH6

"A COWBOY CELEBRATION"
http://amzn.to/1GzwJhw

HOME FOR HIS HEART
http://amzn.to/1GJhpSu

The Meeting

Post copyright 2016 by Doris McCraw/ Angela Raines-author

Sophia, her eyes bright with tears and fears, gasp, a scream echoing across the air, with the unexpected touch.

“Quiet,” the raspy voice said in her ear, a thin arm cocooning her shoulders. “I'm not going to do anything, but there are those out there who will.”

Shaking, the tears finally dripping down, Sophia whispered, “I couldn't find the North Star, I…”

“If you've never been in this part of the country, it's easy to get lost.” The voice croaked. “This is the second night the stars haven't made an appearance.”

Sophia noticed the man's language, his withered appearance.

“Who?” Sophia started, stopped, “why should I trust you?”

“I know you managed to get away earlier this evening.”

“How?”

He continued, ignoring the question “The racket those men were making.”

Sophia started backing away, fear of recapture raising its head. She'd almost gotten beyond reach when his words stopped her. “If you go that way, you'll run into them.”