Part of the fun of NaNoWriMo is doing quick, spontaneous research when you need a fact or something to sound vaguely authentic without spending a lot of time learning about it. Thus far in my book, I’ve looked up the following:
- I needed a Russian name, so I used a Russian name generator to produce Zory Antosha Solovyov
- How many watts an average college FM station might have
- How college board of directors are usually structured and what they contribute
- Last names for characters, which I simply take from various families in my church or former college friends
- A few details on football rules
- What a “Maverick” is (answer: an unbranded calf)
- Various top 40 hits from the early 90’s
- Top arguments that geeks get into
- Sickeningly sweet nicknames between couples
- Protest symbols
In other NaNo-related stories, Dave has a great article on his journey through this perilous month.
“Top arguments that geeks get into” what would that be?
I suppose something about StarWars?
Cheers for the pingback
I had trouble at a write-in, we had no wifi so I had no research link! I needed a renaisance artist name. I ended up lumping with Da Vinci.
I’ve also used alot of forgien names. Indian, Turkish, Russian. I try to go with names that reflect their characters (or are the total inverse of it)
Dr Vladimir Lukin litterally meaning “Bright/Shining Ruler”, himself being a rather shady character.
Emin al-Karkhi, a mathematician. His first name meaning “Trustworthy” with his last name being that of a Famous Persian Mathematician who practically invented Algebra ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Karaji )
A Quick Google Search comes up with a nice list of names sometimes. ” names and meanings”
– Moonrise/moonset times in NYC on Halloween
– Location of various NYU buildings
You’re right. However did people do research pre-intarwebz tubez?
I just had to research the name of a town in Spain where my characters would want to go, and the distance they would have to travel.
I found a place EXACTLY where I wanted, whose name is just perfect: Villaviciosa.
The travel time is perfect too, enough that they will need 2 days to go there with their car.
I like your idea for names, canazza !