Plot Twist Character Names Are In!
The names for our novel are chosen! Here's the story behind each one and who suggested it. Tomorrow, our first chapter drops!!!
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Character names are in!
In all of your infinite wisdom, you have chosen some fabulous names with thought and meaning that already has me so excited to delve further into these characters!
You’ll notice people have multiple names, that’s because nicknames, birth names, and coven names will all play a role in the book.
Without further ado, here are the names you chose:
Our six core characters are:
Main character: Selene/Luna/Mene
Selene’s Twin Sister: Aurora/Rory/Aya
The Evil Villain: Thaddeus Forthright/Yashao
Selene’s Bodyguard: Willem Gregory/Gee/Helios
Selene’s Executive Assistant: Ashley Rebund/Ash/Amethyst
Selene’s Ex: Arielle Bodhi/Ari/Elle
Bonus names for Aurora’s kids: Irideae/Iris and Gentian/James
What do you think? Let me know in the comments about the choices, or any other insight you might have on the characters now that they officially have names!
The Stories Behind the Names
Because this book is magical, I wanted symbolism behind the names that I chose for the main characters, especially the ones who were born into the coven, since they would be very particular about the names they gave people.
I ask you all for suggestions and you did not disappoint! Every character was based on something a subscriber suggested.
To bring you along on the journey – after all, we’re writing this book together! – I’ve outlined the thought process for the names of eight of the main characters below.
Plus, you’ll get to see who of your fellow subscribers came up with the name/inspiration! Credit where credit is due.
Selene/Mene/Luna and Aurora/Aya/Rory
The Main Character and Her Twin Sister
had a brilliant idea of naming the main character and her twin sister after the sun and the moon, which I absolutely loved. She suggested Sola and Selene, “or something else vaguely mythological or witchy sounding!” I did some digging and here’s why Selene is perfection for the main character!
The decision behind Selene/Mene/Luna
I’m not sure I’ve talked about this publicly before, but all of my main characters are named after Goddesses in mythology. I use the stories of their past to lay a foundation for their character and plot. Since I am a memoirist at heart, they’re all versions of me or someone I love with the Goddess persona laid on top of them.
As I dug into the name Selene, I discovered a whole Goddess I’d never heard of before (I love when that happens), and she seemed the perfect fit. Here’s why:
In ancient Greek mythology and religion, Selene is the goddess and personification of the Moon. Also known as Mene (MEH-neh), she is traditionally sister to the sun god and dawn goddess. (source)
Selene is often identified with Artemis (the main character in my assassins novel!), who is identified with Diana (the main character in Because Fat Girl), so it felt extra perfect.
Luna eclipses were thought to be caused by witches trying to bring down Selene, the moon Goddess. That feels full of potential story lines! (source)
Selene never had temple sites of her own and instead was transitory and worshipped in nature, a trait that fits perfectly for the back story that’s developing for this character.
I like the idea of some people in her witchy life calling her Mene, and I like the idea that when she ran from her royal family and coven calling, she called herself Luna (but she can’t hide anymore and that past will catch up with her!).
The decision behind Aurora/Rory/Aya
The sister was the perfect princess, full of grace and pose, preparing to take over the throne, and dutifully giving the family two twin heirs. Then her life shattered in almost every way, leaving her drowning in grief. She is rising out of that now, and dawn feels like the mood of where her life is.
Aurora is the Goddess of the dawn, and the sister of Luna in Roman Mythology. (source)
For centuries, people have written poems about her beauty, but she doesn’t seem to get to be much else than inspiration for men – an interesting concept to explore and parse out in her character. (source)
Her coven nickname could be Aya, the Mesopotamian goddess of the dawn, whose “primary function was that of a divine bride … and in this capacity she was regarded as epitome of beauty and charm. Again, an interesting concept to explore for this character. (source)
Sleeping Beauty was my favorite Disney film as a kid and I was obsessed with the three fairies (aka witches) in it. The loss of her child has left her sleepwalking through life, so I think we could really explore the sleeping beauty concepts here.
The Aurora are magnetic light shows in the Northern and Southern skies, and I think this could be influence for her power.
Also, and I have no idea how this will play out, but Lucifer and Jesus are both referred to as the Morning Star – which is what Aurora is. Could be interesting to explore. (source)
I love the idea of Selene calling her Rory, since the vibe I want for this book is to be the fall feel of Gilmore Girls and Practical Magic.
Irideae/Iris and Gentian/James
Selene’s Niblings and Aurora’s Kids
came up with a fun idea to name the sister’s after purple flowers, specifically Violet, Iris, or one called Penka Penqa, aka Brave Heart (after this story she shared). The idea was great, but I liked it for the Twin Sister’s twin kids instead of the two main sister characters.
The decision behind Irideae/Iris
One major already established background detail is that one of the twin niblings (the kids of the sister) has died of a blood cancer that’s growing among the coven. Looking into Irises and the name Iris, it felt so perfect for that character that passed.
In Ancient Greece, the iris flower was associated with the goddess Iris, who was a messenger between heaven and earth. The Greeks believed that placing irises on graves would help guide the dead to heaven. (source)
In Ancient Egypt, the iris flower was a symbol of resurrection and eternal life. The flower's three upright petals were thought to represent the soul's journey after death. (source)
In the Middle Ages in France, the iris flower was used to symbolize royalty and power, and inspired the fleur-de-lis, France's national symbol. (source)
Put together, it felt like Iris is the perfect name for a royal child full of power who passed away too soon. And, as witches, I thought they might want to make the name even more powerful/significant by giving her the full scientific name: Irideae. Yet, it’s still a mouthful, so they’ll just call her Iris.
The decision behind Gentian/James
Another already established background detail is that one of the twin niblings (the kids of the sister) is gender fluid and possibly transitioning to male, making him ineligible to inherit the coven. As I looked into the Penka Penqa flower
suggested, I found out its scientific name is Gentiana or Gentian, which I loved.Gentiana/Gentian already is referred to as both masculine and feminine, depending on the language/use, so it’s already gender fluid, like the character.
One of the uses for Gentian is “hysteria” which is ripe for exploration in the novel, especially because uteruses (and lack thereof) will play a role in the “gender mayhem” part of the book. (source)
The gentian flower is prevalent in the work of Emily Dickinson. I don’t yet know what to do with that, but I thought it was a cool fact. (source)
Gentian flowers can also symbolize victory, justice, determination, and integrity. They can also represent resilience, humility, and the ability to cope with setbacks. That felt needed for this character, and all trans people right now. (source)
I think, like their sister Iris, they might be called a nickname like Jenny, which they transition to James. And then I kind of love the idea as the character grows up, he might grow into using the name Gentian.
Thaddeus Forthright/Yashao
The Evil Villain
busted out Thaddeus Forthright and of course we had to use that for his non-witch public name! When I asked her where the inspiration came from, she said “I wanted something that sounded like the early evangelical preachers in US history and also something that pushed the idea that he is the good guy.”
suggested "Joshua Haldeman” (Elon Musks’s horrible grandfather) but that was a bit too close to home these days. She then suggested to flip it for his evil name, explaining “the name Joshua means ‘Yeho’, referring to God, and Yasha,’ meaning ‘saves’, but if you reverse it and make his warlock (demon?) name Yasha-Yeho, it would mean the opposite - to Save/Hide from God (though I'd check with someone with better, my ancient Hebrew and well Hebrew in general is rusty).”Taking Valerie’s idea and morphing it, I came up with Yeshao for the name the coven will use when referring to the evil villain. I don’t know the meaning yet, but we can come up with it together!
Willem Gregory/Helios/Gee
The Bodyguard (and possible future father of X’s child)
suggested Gregory, which I like, but I also associate it with the prick of an ex-brother-in-law character Greg in my queer romcom Because Fat Girl, and this character is a pompous prick at times, but is also fiercely loyal to Lena. So I wanted to use it, but to switch it up.As you’ll find out in Chapter One (coming tomorrow!), the bodyguard was born into a powerful family and raised in the palace with the sisters. He is a bougie Black man with impeccable taste and extremely strong elemental power that can manipulate matter around him.
In the coven, he has the honored place of Queen’s right-hand confidant and protector, but out in the hum-drum world he is the heir to a real estate dynasty. I felt like some kind of rich snooty name would be needed then.
And what’s more snooty and rich than two first names? So Gregory became the last name, leaving me needing a first name.
I thought of royal men, like prince William. But he’s also fabulously gay, which made me think of Willem, one of the drag queens in my friend Matt’s movie Hurricane Bianca.
Willem Gregory was born.
Selene calls him Gee, but the coven calls him Helios (the Sun god), a name given to him because he and Selene were betrothed at birth and destined to have kids together – never mind that they’re both gay and don’t want kids.
Ashley Rebund/Amethyst/Ash
The Executive Assistant (who may be madly in love with X)
In the group chat for my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program, participant Olga suggested the name Amethyst. I loved it for her coven name, as amethysts are supposed to pull your worry and stress, and her job is to do just that for Selene.
We needed a hum drum name, though, so my friend Jenn Leyva helped me come up with Ashley Rebund. Jenn liked it because she may or may not have been/be Selene’s rebound at some point (TBD by you as we write it!).
Arielle Bodhi/Ari/Elle
The Ex (who might be a second chance romance or might stay a thorn in X’s side)
In The Group Chat,
suggested three names for the ex: Bodhi or Beau or Ariel.I thought: Why not all three?
But then Arielle Beau Bodhi felt a bit too long, so I figured she can say the ex was her “beau” and the name could be Arielle Bodhi. I feel like the spelling Arielle gives us a chance to have people shorten it to Ari or Elle, and maybe a bit of tension on who calls her what!
You made it this far!
I’m very impressed you made it to the end here – that was a lot of backstory! Thank you for helping choose the names and for supporting Plot Twist. If you’re not yet a subscriber, be sure to enter your email address below to get all the updates.
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*PLEASE READ THE FINE PRINT BEFORE YOU COMMENT OR VOTE:
By participating in Plot Twist, you’re agreeing to give your input on a book that will be written by and credited to Lauren Marie Fleming. The final book will be available in ebook, print, audiobook, and other mediums with Lauren Marie Fleming listed as the sole author, copyright owner, and beneficiary. This project will be mentioned in the acknowledgments and anyone who comments on at least three posts will be listed as a collaborator. No compensation or copyright is granted for collaborators from any book sales or derivatives.
Literally obsessed with all of these! The mythology is rich, the multiple names have so much possibility, and I can't wait to see what unfolds!