Hidden Names in the Stories #IWSG #CharacterNames #DarkShadows

The first Wednesday of every month is officially 

Insecure Writer's Support Group day.

The Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It's a safe have for insecure writers of all kinds!

IWSG Asks: Writers have secrets! What are one or two of yours, something readers would never know from your work?

Yes, I have a secret. I mean, it's not really a secret, but it's something that I don't think any reader would pick up on without me telling them.

A few people know of my passion and obsession for certain TV shows, in particular, the 1960's soap opera, Dark Shadows. I credit Dark Shadows as being the inspiration for my writing career as well as the spark of my supernatural interest. If you've never heard of Dark Shadows, I've talked about it before on my blog. I fell completely in love with this show. Because I watched it when I was so young, the show introduced me to vampires, witches, werewolves, ghosts and all the other creatures that go bump in the night.

As homage to my favorite show, I always include a name from someone in the show, whether it's a cast member or a character, in my books. I use a name for one of the main characters or one of the minor characters, but somewhere in each of my stories there is a name from someone in Dark Shadows. 

Now, let me clarify, I'm only using simple names. Names you would find in any baby name book. The characters in my stories are of my own creation. They do not resemble anyone from the show, nor are they inspired from any particular character. I do not write fan fiction.

It started simply. Growing up, I always imagined naming my children Angelique and Quentin, two of my favorite characters from the show. I love these names! When I was pregnant with my first child, my husband wasn't too thrilled with my choices for baby names, so I never got to use those names for my children. 

So, I did the next best thing. I used them for characters in my stories (which are sort of like children, aren't they?). And it continued from there. Whenever I got stuck with choosing a name for a character, I'd think of a Dark Shadows name. Sometimes I pick names without even thinking about Dark Shadows and later I realize there was a character or actor with the same name in the show. Now, it's become almost like a game when I'm writing. I don't even know I'm doing it until later when I go back and look.

Some writers use phone books to pick names for their characters, I use the cast and crew from Dark Shadows. 

Now, it could just be coincidence. There are a lot of people in the show, so there are lots of names! But, I like to think of it as honoring a show that has meant so much to me. A way to honor the people who worked so hard to bring entertainment to generations of fans.

A few for example: 

• Julia Grey in The Witch's Thief was named in honor of Dr. Julia Hoffman. 
• Sebastian Collins in The Witch and the Vampire was named after the entire Collins Family.
• Laura Remington in Cupid's Arrow (A Wink and a Smile Anthology) was named after Laura Collins.
• Angelique DuBois in The Wolf's Bride (Guardian: A Collection of Alpha Wolves) was named after Angelique Bouchard.

And, yes, I'm using Quentin Collin's name in my upcoming book called Unleashed in Midsummer Night Shifts: A Limited Edition Summer Shifter Romance Collection.

For any Dark Shadows fan who reads my books, I consider these little secret Easter Eggs hidden in my stories, whether they know it or not. And when I run out of Dark Shadows names to pay tribute to, well... Supernatural has been airing for 15 seasons. Lots of names to pick there!

Be safe! Stay healthy! Keep writing!


~ Tricia 

Be sure to visit the other writers in the 

Insecure Writer's Support Group!

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Become a VIP Reader by signing-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

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Naming My Baby #CharacterNames #BabyNames #Farscape

I found another blog challenge! This one looks fun, too! Especially this week's topic...

Characters I'd Name a Baby After

Well, this one is easy because I've already done it!

My 4 children all have unique and meaningful names. Two of my kids are named after hockey players. My husband and I were big hockey fans although I'm feel bad for my oldest son because I didn't foresee that he'll have to forever be telling people how to pronounce his name. I didn't see that until our first doctor's visit.

The boy's names were easy.

But choosing a girl's name proved much more difficult. There were too many options. Way too many. And my husband was difficult to negotiate with. And after having two boys, I was super excited to have a girl so I wanted her name to be special and I admit...girly.

After months and months of consideration and negotiating, my daughter, Aeryn, was born.

Let me explain.

I'm a big fan of the Sci-Fi TV Show, Farscape. I was seriously addicted to the characters and the amazing story lines, not to mention the artwork, special effects and alien creations (Jim Henson...enough said).

The love story between astronaut John Crichton and the Sebacean Peacekeeper pilot, Aeryn Sun, is what kept me glued to that show week after week.

For those not familiar with the epic show, astronaut and scientist John Crichton (played by Ben Browder) was a test pilot for a new space shuttle. His first flight took an unexpected turn when he inadvertently created a wormhole and was hurled through space to arrive in a distant part of the galaxy where he eventually found himself onboard a living spaceship with a bunch of escaped alien convicts.

He joined them in running from the Peacekeepers, a strictly disciplined military organization that policed that part of the galaxy.

Aeryn Sun (played by Claudia Black), was a Sebacean Peacekeeper pilot that was captured by the escaped convicts and taken onboard their ship, Moya. Once she was considered by her commander, Crais, to be irreversibly contaminated from her contact with the crew, she had no choice but to reluctantly join them.

All Crichton and the crew wanted was to find their way home.

I love Aeryn's name. It's beautiful and strong, independent and unique. And I love the spelling of it. Though it sounds like "Erin," the spelling gives it that feminine quality that I wanted for my little girl.

Check out the other Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge posts!