KATIE REUS-Guest Post with the author
Thank you so much for having me here today!
People often ask me questions about my writing process including how I come up with character names or I how I keep everything straight in a series. Coming up with character names is one of my favorite things to do in the writing process. I have a couple baby books I’ll browse and there are three or four baby naming websites I like to check out for inspiration. Usually I know my character’s heritage so if they’re Irish, Greek, Native American, Jamaican, etc. it’s much easier to narrow down names and their meanings as there are also genealogy sites I can utilize.
In my Moon Shifter series the Cordona females in the pack are all originally from Spain. Most were actually born there, but some of them were born in the States. So when picking names I took into account their heritage, which is very important to their pack. It was a lot of fun naming so many people and after a while I realized I needed to create something to keep track of things. So, I created my ‘character keeper’. It helps me stay organized and keep track of who’s mated/married to whom, names of parents, siblings, children, and what the individual looks like in human and wolf form, etc. Right now I’m working on the fourth book in the series and I’m afraid I would have gone mad a long time ago without my ‘bible’ to keep me on track.
A little over a week ago LOVER’S INSTINCT, a novella in my Moon Shifter series, released. My heroine’s name is Esperanze and it means ‘hope’. My hero’s name is Nikan, which means ‘loyal friend’ or ‘my friend’. It fits both their personalities perfect. I hope you enjoyed reading a little about what goes on during my writing process!
Do you know what the meaning of your name is? If so please share and be entered to win a print copy of Primal Possession, the second book in my Moon Shifter series (US only), which is releasing in a couple weeks. If you’d just like to leave a comment, that’s cool too! You’ll still be entered.
About Lover’s Instinct:
Lupine shifter Nikan Lawless has it bad for Esperanze Cordona, the sweet and curvy woman who only views him as a friend. But when Nikan is assigned to act as Esperanze’s bodyguard during a weekend education conference, he knows it’s the perfect opportunity to seduce her off her feet—away from the pack.
To put his plan into motion Nikan cancels one of their hotel rooms, giving them time to get to know one another in a whole different way. But when a man from Esperanze’s past shows up in need of help, Nikan must shield her from a group of dangerous rogue shifters, all while trying to prove that they’re destined to be mates.
Purchase info: Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook, iTunes
A little about Katie: I’ve been reading romance since a young age—ever since I discovered my mom’s hidden stash. Luckily the addiction stayed with me into adulthood. I write paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense for Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, and NAL Signet Eclipse/Penguin. To learn more about me please visit Website, My Blog, Facebook or find me on twitter @katiereus.
Katie Reus is offering a paper copy of her September release PRIMAL POSSESSION to ONE lucky member of The Reading Cafe.
1. You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.
2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter, please post your email address with your comment, as Twitter does not allow for an email addres.
3. The giveaway is open to continental USA only.
4. The giveaway runs from August 17-19, 2012
What a wonderful guest post, Katie. I loved finding out how you come up with names for your characters. The research you put into this is awesome.
As for you bible, you certainly need one, especially if it’s a big series. You are the second author in a couple of days mentioning their bible. How else would you remember the color of their eyes, hair and so on. Hopefully, you have a backup someplace safe. 🙂
Lol, I’m glad I’m not the only author who has one! And yes, I have multiple backups 😉
this was a fun and interesting guest post. thank you katie. i enjoyed reading how you come up with names.
Thanks for stopping by Mari!
Love the way you find names for your characters. It is a question I have heard people ask about different characters and books often… and it is almost always the same one, I wonder where the author found that name.
Glad you found it interesting! Thanks for stopping by, Mary 🙂
Hi Katie..thank you very much for the great post for The Reading Cafe. Your ‘Moonshifter’ series is a fantastic read and I am looking forward to Primal Possession. I do believe it is on order..lol
Thanks! I’m counting down the days until it releases 🙂
I am looking forward to reading the Moonshifter series.
Thanks, Alicia! 🙂
I am always fascinated by how authors come up with their characters’ names!! Thanks for sharing with us Katie!
Vickie = victory 😉
That’s an awesome meaning, Vickie! 🙂
Loveable is what amanda stands for.Katie i have been waiting to this .I loved the 1st one.thanks for the chance to win.
Aww, that’s a sweet meaning 🙂 Thanks!
Thanks Katie! I have always loved your name, I named my first born Katie!! It was interesting to see how you picked your names. I go on those geneology sites and there are some cool old names!! I need to read how Nikan pulls off his ‘seduction’ plan on Esperanze!! lol
I guess you do like the name then, lol! I must say I’m partial to it also! Nikan is quite determined… 😉
Katie, thanks for coming. Love PNR and always ready to read a good shifter novel. That the characters have unusual names makes it even better. My name is Adaiah and the meaning is Friend of God.
Sandy, enjoyed the interview.
Wow, I love your name!! Very unique 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Adaiah!!!!! I didn’t know that was you!!!!!!!!!!!
What a lovely post, I loved reading about how you find the names for characters . The meaning of my name – Barbara – is barbarian, foreign or stranger. I actually like that meaning, even though the name itself is pretty common (at least in my generation, probably not so much now days).