A nice name for a bad guy

So there I sat, bated breath, waiting for inspiring words from one of Australia's best-selling novelists, Bryce Courtenay (right, may he rest in peace). The popular and aging author of The Power of One, Tandia et al was part of a seminar at the Byron Bay Writers Festival several years ago. I had my ticket, a near-front row seat and a bucketful of expectations.

Then he let me down. Badly. 

It was just one line, a few words of 'advice' but I felt cheated and demoralised and bitterly disappointed. On the subject of characters, Mr Courtenay offered something like this (and I paraphrase as I did not write it down, although it stuck indelibly in my brain so you can take my word for it):

"When naming your characters, always try and use a name that sounds like the character. So, say, Mr Black for the bad guy, and Hope for the heroine."

I wanted to throw up. I considered walking out. I wished I had taken him to task on it.

"Surely not, Mr Courtenay!?" Isn't that the height of predictability, a classic cliche? Isn't that just too bloody obvious? I mean, take my crime fiction for instance. You wanna give away the ending, go right ahead and call your murderer Johnny Devious all you like. Me, I prefer to surprise my readers, keep 'em guessing, not treat them like a pack of idiots.

Isn't the name Helen Gooding a better moniker for a murderer?

I'm sorry to speak ill of the dead but, on this at least, I believe Bryce Courtenary was wrong, dead wrong. Sure, he has had the success (and sales) I can only dream of so maybe it works, maybe I should just shut up now and defer to the expert. Yet something inside me says no, no, NO! I refuse to chase success/sales on the back of such sorrowful stereotyping. Better to be original than oldhat.

Can't we do better than that?!

I'm currently concocting names for the characters of my 6th Ghostwriter Mystery, hence the reason Courtenay's words have come flooding back. I am trying very hard not to make them too obvious, too much the murder mystery stereotype. And it's a lot more fun to go for trickery than predictability, that's for sure.

What do you think? Can't authors be a bit more surreptitious, readers a little smarter? Shouldn't we at least treat our audience with a tad more respect?

I'd love to hear from you. Jot me a comment below.

And happy reading! (May the characters you encounter be strong and surprising.)
xo Christina

Score 3 Roxy Parker adventures in paperback!

Take the time to review my latest book, Words Can Kill, and you'll be in the running to win THREE paperback copies of Roxy Parker's past adventures!

That's right, in exchange for a few quick words from you, you'll score a paperback copy of each of the following books (total value: $33): Killer Twist, A Plot To De For, and Dying Words.*

How to Enter (it's uber easy!)

STEP ONE: Jump onto Amazon, download the ebook WORDS CAN KILL and jot a quick review—just a few words will do. Let me know what you thought, how much you loved (or loathed) it and anything else you care to share. You needn't be gushing, you just need to be honest.

STEP TWO: After you've posted your review, jot me a quick email or a note on Roxy's facebook page, to let me know you've written your review and are interested in claiming your prize.

STEP THREE: Sit back and wait for your books to arrive in the post!

NB: You have to be quick! I am only offering this giveaway to the first THREE rewiewers who review my book before June 20, and only to those who get in touch and are able to provide a US, Canadian or Australian postal address. 

Any questions or concerns, email me pronto, or leave a comment on Roxy's facebook page. 

Otherwise, happy reading and good luck!

xo Christina

*Already got those books? Don't panic. Choose from any paperbacks by C.A. Larmer that are currently available as Print on Demand at Amazon, including The Agatha Christie Book Club and An Island Lost. It's up to you! (Last Writes is currently not available as a paperback but I am happy to send you the digital version if you prefer.)