🕵️♂️ Names, Origins, and "The German Connection"
The month of January is already behind us, and hopefully, everyone survived that stretch where you’re counting down the days until payday! We’ve all been there, and the cost of living at the moment is certainly making it harder. It feels like just a quick pop to the shops costs an arm and a leg nowadays. 💸
✍️ The "Pantser" Method of Naming
I was scrolling through some social accounts and blog posts recently, and it got me thinking about my characters—specifically, how I name them and why they come from where they do.
I guess the first question is: how do I choose a name? The honest answer is that I have no set method! As I’ve mentioned before, I am a "Pantser" (you can find my post on that HERE), which means I write by the seat of my pants without a rigid plan. My naming process is much the same.
The first character I ever wrote was Hans. He was German, and the name Hans just stuck. I didn't even have a surname for him until I introduced his sister (Schwester), Daniela. "Daniela Fischer" sounded right, so Hans Fischer it had to be! 🇩🇪
🌍 Ethnic Origins and Google Searches
For side characters, names often just "sound" right. If someone feels like a "Jones," then Officer Jones he becomes. When I do get stuck, I’ll Google the most common names in a specific state or country and scan the list until I find one that suits the character’s personality.
I’m often asked: "Why is one of your main characters German?" 🥨
It actually goes back to my childhood. My dad was in the Army, and we were stationed in Germany in the eighties. My mum tells me that when my grandparents visited, they would put me in the pushchair and let me do the ordering at the butchers or bakers because I was the only one who could speak the language!
I eventually moved back to England and lost the language, so writing Hans and Daniela was actually part of my journey to re-learn German.
💎 The "Aha!" Moment: The Irish Crown Jewels
I always had a nagging question in my head: Why was Hans in prison? I knew the story started with him getting out, but I needed a "job gone wrong" for his backstory.
I had been reading a Clive Cussler novel (likely a Fargo Adventure) and realized I wanted to write about long-lost treasures. A quick internet search led me to the missing Irish Crown Jewels, and suddenly, the pieces clicked into place. 🇮🇪
That’s how Paddy and Shane were born in the prologue—names that just felt inherently Irish. Then came Cedric Newman. I needed a "Big Boss" vibe for a self-made, wealthy casino owner. Cedric is a leader who let himself be led astray by money and power; owning the Irish Crown Jewels was an impulse buy for him, a "wouldn't it be cool" moment. The name Cedric Newman just fit that persona perfectly, and the series became A Newman Adventure.
🤦♂️ The Struggles of a "Pantser"
The worst part of writing without a "bible" of characters is that I forget!
While writing An American Treasure (Book 2), I introduced a Personal Assistant for my antagonist, Lando Spock. (You can read how he got his name [HERE]). A few chapters later, the scene returned to his office, and I realized I had no idea what her name was or even what color hair she had!
I had to rifle back through the chapters to find her first appearance. One day, I really will remember to write my characters down as I create them! 📝
🎙️ In the Spotlight: My Interview with Write Stats
I had the absolute pleasure of being featured this week on Write Stats, where they did a deep dive into my writing process. The title of the piece is "Inside the Mind of a High-Octane Thriller Author," and it was a great chance to talk about how I blend real-world history with the fast-paced action of An Irish Mystery.
We talked about everything from my "Pantser" writing style to how I keep the stakes high for Cedric and the team. If you’ve ever wondered how a guy from Peterborough ends up crafting international treasure hunts, this interview covers it all!
You can read the full feature over at Write Stats here:
👉 D.C. Salmon: Blending History, Action, and Real Mystery
📚 What I’m Reading...
I managed to finish a brilliant short story last week: The Last Dive by Douglas Pratt. I’ve officially caught the reading bug again! 📖
I gave it a well-deserved 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. It was action-packed and full throttle from the very outset. Usually, I’m not a fan of books written in the first person, but the way Douglas writes, it didn't bother me one bit. I also loved the mention of Clive Cussler—one of my favorite authors (and clearly a favorite of Mr. Pratt’s as well!). I’ll definitely be checking out more of his work.
What’s Next?
I have just started The Cleopatra Cypher by L.D. Goffigan. I’m only a few chapters in, so I’ll give you a full update on where I am with that one next Tuesday!
I can't be the only one who has "Senior Moments" with my own work. Whether you're a writer, a crafter, or just someone trying to remember where they put their car keys: Have you ever had a moment where you completely forgot a detail you should definitely know? Or, if you're a reader, do you ever catch "mistakes" in books where a character's eye color or name mysteriously changes?
Drop a comment below and let’s commiserate together—it makes me feel much better about my nameless Personal Assistant!
Connect with me:
I love seeing what everyone else is picking up this month. If you want to see my full reviews or share your own recommendations, come find me on Goodreads or Fable.
👉 Follow my reviews on Goodreads
👉 Join the conversation on Fable
📬 Want to follow the journey?
I send occasional emails about writing, publishing, and the stories behind The Newman Adventures.
Newsletter subscribers also get an exclusive sneak peek of Book 2, An American Treasure.
👉 Join here: The Newman Chronicle
📖 Enjoyed this post?
An Irish Mystery is a fast-paced historical adventure about stolen treasures, hidden histories, and the cost of obsession.
Ebook, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback & hardcover
👉 Available on Amazon: An Irish Mystery
You can also find me on Instagram / Bluesky / X / Facbook, where I share writing updates and behind-the-scenes moments.
Comments
Post a Comment