Page 15 of Sing it, Sam

Chapter Five

Names. I thought choosing character names would be the fun part.

I was wrong.

Opening up Google in my web browser, I search for popular boy’s names. It’s as if I’m viewing a list of my failed relationships and crushes that never evolved into anything.

Chris.

Damien.

I wince when my eyes cast over the name Jarrod. Whilst he left town a year ago, the restraining order is still in place.And my dad’s .22 is close by, just in case.

Looking under the letter B, one name stands out.

Brandon.

Ooh. I’m swooning already.

It’s a solid name, one fit for a man of character in a small town. The name conjures an image of a tall man who’s well-built and over-the-top handsome in a simple T-shirt and bootleg jeans. He works with his hands, somehow, and is good to his parents. Model citizen, born and bred in my fictional town, which I’m yet to name.

Done. Brandon it is.

When it comes to girl’s names, it’s no easier. I don’t want a name that has any connection to friends or family. I don’t want people I know and love thinking that I’m writing about them and the nitty-gritty ins and outs of their lives. The name also has to be country-sounding, the kind of name you’d expect for the girl on the farm next door.

Alice?Nah, too Wonderlandish.

Alison?Yeah, maybe. But how can I make it sound less formal? Ally?

That’s it. The name is friendly and casual, yet it has its own strength.

Finally, I settle on Brandon and Ally.

Let’s see if I can create some magic with these two.

***

Two hours, three cups of English Breakfast tea, and half a packet of double-coated Tim Tams later, I have a brief description of my characters.

Brandon Henry

Six feet two inches tall

Dark wavy hair—Superman like

Muscles that bunch under his shirt

He’s an electrician by trade, doing odd jobs around town

Single dad

Has a property on the outskirts of Mount Plenty. He farms black Angus cattle. He’s the fourth generation to farm there

For a moment there I thought about making Brandon a mechanic. I imagined him all greased up and doing all sorts of manly things with his hands, but that might be treading on Leonie’s toes. I’d hate for her to think that on some level I was using her partner for inspiration. I’m guessing that’s a big writers’ group no-no.Thou shalt not use other group member’s significant others for thine own writing inspiration.

My eyes travel back up to the name of my town. Mount Plenty.

What, am I horny or something?Yeah, it’s been a while. I must be, otherwise why would I subconsciously name a town that sounds like it’s a place where people ‘mount’ more than often?

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