Someone once asked me how I came up with names for my characters. That’s not an easy answer. Some characters come with their own names. When they start talking to me, they inform me what they prefer to be called, even all the way down to nicknames. Some like them, some don’t. I’ve tried to fight a few of them when it came to this but they always win, so I just gave up unproductive fights – there’s no point.

Sometimes, a character doesn’t come with a name. Usually it’s because I haven’t figured them out yet. Figured out their quirks and eccentricities enough to get a sense of what they want to be called. The placeholder for them is usually “Bob”. Yes, be it male or female. *g*

Then there are other times when I have to head to the baby name book (or rather website) and I’ve got a few that I keep bookmarked for just that reason. If it comes to that, I never have anything in mind.  I usually just start aimlessly clicking on links to names and wait for something to jump off the page and bite me. Sometimes it does, other times, no dice. “Bob” get slid into this category as well.

Of course, now that I’ve said this – should I ever actually name a character Bob, every one’s going to think I couldn’t come up with a name!

Since today’s a holiday, I thought I’d bring up another point. Another interesting thing I get asked is why I don’t necessarily believe in Valentine’s Day. Especially considering the relationships that I like to build when I write. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a die hard romantic to write a love story, or even sex. In fact, I consider myself about as far removed as you can get from romantic. In fact, my husband and I don’t do anything for today. Odd, no?

My outlook is simple. I don’t need some consumer made holiday, created mainly to increase the pockets of retailers, to remind me that I need to tell the person I love that I indeed do love them. If I can’t tell him on a normal day, then I’ve no right to spout those three little words on this particular day. I’m not a fan of giving flowers either, unless they come in a pot so I can continue to watch them grow – even though I’ve not much of a green thumb.

I know that not everyone shares my view of today and that’s great for you! Enjoy the holiday and be sure to spend some time with the ones you love. Do what makes you happy; that’s the point to life after all. It’s a damn boring existence if we don’t.

Just be sure to remember your beloveds name – even if it is Bob. *G*