Saturday, April 16, 2011

"N" is for Name

A to Z Blogging Challenge: "N" is for Name

I enjoyed one of my previous posts, What’s in a Name?, so much that I’m going to do another exercise on names!

Writing Exercise:  Write down the name of someone in your family or your spouse’s family. Now, strip away all you know about the person and just focus on the name. Describe the person based solely on how the name sounds.  
Share the name with us in Comments Section!

 My response is below.

 
Real Name: ZELDA Z. GERHOLD KELLER (my Great-Great Grandmother)

Fiction Description: Zelda was a “no nonsense” type woman who read the Bible faithfully her whole life. Everyone knew her to be a God-fearing woman. She was a good mother to her eight children and believed in discipline. When it came to raising children, she followed Proverbs 13:24 "He who spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him correcteth him betimes".

Zelda was careful not to spoil her children and therefore did not hug them very often. On each child’s birthday, though, she would give that child all the hugs that had been building up in her over the year. In her steel embrace, that child had no doubt that he was loved; He could physically feel it.

Zelda had a tough life. The family barely made ends meet on the farm, but she grew strong from it. She was the rock of her family. They loved and respected her.  The children grew up knowing that they could always count on Mama’s solid countenance, for she was as unchanging as a mountain.  

13 comments:

  1. That's so funny. I picture Zelda as an eccentric granny that loves rock music, doesn't care she's missing half her teeth, is up on technology and kids love her. :)

    And congrats on getting your story published!

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  2. Choosing and thinking about names for my characters is one the things I enjoy most about writing. I want to read more about Zelda...

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  3. Zelda is a great name! Your description was enjoyable to read!

    In keeping with my goal to do these exercises with the character of my next post -
    Orpah (daughter-in-law to Naomi)
    Not to be confused with Oprah! She prefers routine to adventure. She sticks with what she knows. She's not interested in learning more about Israel's God. She'd rather stay home than take a trip.

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  4. Great characterisation. I wonder if I would be influenced by who the name belonged to anyway? I think if I chose 2 names and amalgamated them I might have a more objective character :O)

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  5. Zelda, exactly as you describe her, could have been my grandmother, they lived life exactly the same! Her name was Ida and I adored her! I wanted to grow up to be strong and determined just like her, and I think in the end I have! Great writing! This is an exercise I think I'll have to try on my Write A Letter Wednesday Blog! I'll link back to you when I do!
    ~Josie Two Shoes~
    Two Shoes In Texas 
    Monday Memories
    Write A Letter Wednesday
    Words In Motion

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  6. Laura, I love your description of Zelda. You know what is funny...we have a guinea pig named Zelda (we adopted her with the name already).

    Luana, I agree! I love that too about writing!

    Brianna, Go Orpah! Ha! Now I got ya...I know tomorrow character today. wink.

    Madeleine - Great idea...put two names together. Hmmm....Mabel Grace would be two relatives I could put together.

    Catherine - I'll come visit your blog!

    Josie - Awesome! I'm glad I brought back memories of your grandmother. That is so cool. I'll check out your Write a Letter Wednesday blog.

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  7. It's amazing that you saw all that in just a name! What an imagination, Dawn!
    I think ZELDA Z. GERHOLD KELLER was the daughter of a German watchmaker. She married an American serviceman, who was a doctor. They moved to the U.S. after his tour of duty. Zelda was a flamboyant personality who brought up her children to live life to the fullest.

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  8. Zelda sounds like an amazing grandmother. I like your emphasis on the hugging, as she only did it when she really meant it. That's so true of the time. Congrats on getting your story published! Julie

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  9. Pam, I like your interpretation of "Zelda"! Wow...my one grandfather was a watchmaker....that is so bizarre.

    Julie, Thank you so much!

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  10. My post for N was nom de plume. Your exercise would be a great study on people's pen names as well.

    Lucy

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  11. Excellent writing exercise. I'm going to try this. Love the Z3elda character description.

    I’m A-Z Blogging on Langley Writes about Writing and Langley’s Rich and Random Life

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  12. Lucy, I need to get back to your blog! I love your exercises! Pen names would be a good one.

    Langley, Thanks for stopping by. I'll come visit.

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I appreciate your comments! I try to respond to each one.