You Name-Caller! 24 Unusual Medieval-Fantasy Names {WriterlyWednesday}

Hey there, peoples! How have y'all's weeks been, so far?

Today for WriterlyWednesday we're going to continue the You Name-Caller! mini-series and I'm going to share 35 of my favorite medieval fantasy-themed character names.

When I say "medieval fantasy", I'm referring to names which would fit in books like The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and other similar volumes. Basically, medieval fantasy, in my opinion, is a clash between mixing medieval assets and traits, with idealism and not-so-realistic details. It isn't true Middle Ages history. Look at The Chronicles of Narnia. The outfits, weapons and accessories described almost belong in King Arthur's world, don't they? But at the same time, they don't, because the Chronicles of Narnia is obviously a whole world unto itself.

 Medieval fantasy is fun to write because it can hold a level of historicalness about it, yet it is completely fictional and completely fantasy. You don't have to research for it, but at the same time, many fantasy authors do research for certain tidbits in their novels.

 The realm of fantasy is limited only to your imagination. Perhaps this is why it is such a popular choice to write from and about. Fantasy is such a broad topic, I dare not try to cover every sub-genre and category within it, today. That's why we're looking at medieval fantasy names in particular.

GIRLS:

1. Eadowyn - (pronounced EE-do-win.) You can also spell it Eaedowyn, making the pronunciation. (EY-do-win) To my present knowledge, I created this name. (But it wouldn't surprise me if the name actually existed before I thought of it! It probably has!)

2. Gwendolyn - The image of the perfect medieval fantasy girl name.

3. Ahealea - (pronounced ah-HAY-lia) To my knowledge, this is also my creation...I first thought of it in a ridiculous little short medieval story I wrote when I was about 9 years old.

4. Kelita - This is actually a Biblical male name, ironically. However, when I first happened upon it in the Old Testament, I thought it could be used as a fantasy-theme girl's name as well. I personally like this one a lot, and have used it in a medieval fantasy screenplay I'm working on.

5. Sholan - Another name I created (or so I think, at the moment) for a character in my medieval fantasy screenplay. I twist on the name Shalom, although it is actually pronounced sho-lehn.

6. Larkspur - Very fantasy-sounding, in my opinion. This is actually the name of a flower.

7. Winerva - Another very fantasy-sounding name. Not sure where I found it or where it came from.

8. Natise - (pronounced nah-TEES) Once again, not sure whether I 'created' this or found it elsewhere. :P

9. Rynn - As far as I know this is one of my creations as well. I think it sounds like a tough-girl kind of name...maybe for the female assassin character, or the daunting young spy?

10. Melothria/Melothri - I have used this as a medieval fantasy location name, but I think it could also be used as a character name.

11. Florivel - To my knowledge this is a creation of mine. I have it for a young girl in my medieval screenplay.

12. Virgata - This is actually taken from the Latin name of a plant, which I can't remember exactly at the moment. -_-

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BOYS:

1. Atlas - Simple, yet masculine.

2. Oceanas - (pronounced oh-she-AN-us) An interesting name referencing the high seas.

3. Talon - I find this one particularly cool. Another author friend used it for one of her characters.

4. Archer - One of my all-time favorites.

5. Skene - I don't know where this one came from. But I think it's pretty unusual.

6. Hawshank - Another unusual one, more commonly used as a last name.

7. Aristian - (pronounced A-RIST-ee-an) Another name I found in a little short story I wrote back in early childhood. I think I made this one up, too.

8. Trodan - This was in the same little short story above. To my knowledge this was my 'creation' also.

9. Ronan - Very masculine sounding, in my opinion.

10. Arden -  I have a main character in my medieval fantasy screenplay with this name.

11. Rosyar - I find this extremely fantasy sounding.

12. Varchess - One of the most ultimate "bad guy/villain/evil king" names in existence.

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Did you recognise any of these names? Have any you would add to the list?

What are YOUR favorite medieval/fantasy names for characters?

P.S. Some fellow writer friends of mine started a new writing blog of which I will be helping to contribute to, every Wednesday! Check it out here.

5 EPIC Hybrid Orchestral Scores {MusicallyMindedMonday}

Who here shares my obsession with epic orchestral film scores? Anybody? If you do, you are officially an ally of mine. *grins* Well, okay, so I'll respect your music tastes better, at least.

Who doesn't love the adrenaline and energy in dramatic orchestral pieces? Who doesn't love that awesome feeling you get when listening to them...the one that makes you want to go run a thousand miles, take on the world single handed, and, not to mention, exercise your reserves of creativity?

I find that listening to film scores helps improve my focus in writing, drawing, or movie plot brainstorming. It also makes the entire experience in general a whole lot more epic!

There are many different types and genres within the genre of epic orchestral film score. It's kind of a peculiar, hard to describe genre already, unlike rock, alternative, jazz and country, which are all typically easily-identifiable.

Today I want to share with all you awesome peeps some of my newest favorites within the realm of hybrid epic orchestral.

What does the term "hybrid" mean in this sense? To my understanding and knowledge thus far, it is a combination of rock instruments, unusual/atypical sounding instruments/sound effects, and then of course the signature, dramatic aura of most every orchestral film score created. It will usually still have strings, as this is usually a prerequisite in orchestral work. Percussion is typically very heavy, and not your average drum set, either. You will hear a variety of different percussion sounds not heard in traditional orchestral work.

 It's a mix of modern and futuristic. Maybe that's why it's called hybrid.

No matter what you call it, I find it intensely epic. And perfect for a futuristic/modern film trailer.

Let's take a look at some examples, shall we?

 (Disclaimer: For some reason, epic orchestral film music on YouTube is usually paired with fantasy images which, most of the time, are grotesque, in my opinion, if not inappropriate or just plain ugly. I have no control over this, except to try and find the versions of the song which have images that are less disturbing. Just for the record, I would advise ignoring whatever image the video may have. Turn on the video player and then pull up a different screen. Besides, YouTube tends to hold a ton of crap in the comment sections, which, unless you don't mind excessive cussing and potty-mouthing, I would steer clear from reading.  You're only there for the music, anyway, right?)

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1. "World On Fire" by Les Friction

I like the percussion style, and noises in the background which at the moment I cannot identify. :P This score is a current favorite of mine and I think it would be an awesome backing track for a Fugitive trailer. (my film company's upcoming feature film) My favorite part? 1:42 and on.

2. "Double Agent" by Phantom Power Music

This is another favorite. I can definetly picture this as potential for a Fugitive trailer score.

3. "Ignite the Revolution" by Cue Factory Music

Awesome percussion and bass.

4. "Indestructible" by 8 Dawn Music

Once again, love the percussion instruments used here.

5. "Buried Power" by 8 Dawn Music

 

Another great trailer score potential. Love the urgency in 1:15.

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Whad'ya think? Do you have any favorite hybrid orchestral scores? I'd love to hear what they are!

I've Been Nominated!

I've been nominated for the Liebster Award, by Arlette at Living Life Bright! Thank you Arlette!

About the 'Liebster award' Bloggers nominate other bloggers that they like with 200 followers or less. It doesn't matter what kind of blog you have, or in what language. If you have a blog then you can be nominated! It's to get to know new bloggers a little better and go networking with them, it's going on for a few years I guess. It's never ending! 

The rules
1. List 11 facts about yourself
2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger who nominated you left
3. Ask 11 new questions for those you nominate
4. Choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers to nominate
5. Go to each blogger's page and let them know about the award
6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog

11 Facts about me
1. I am extremely scatterbrained.
2.  I ran ten miles in about an hour.

3.  I tear up really easily when watching emotional movies.

4. I adore dark chocolate. White chocolate truffles are also wayyy too yum.

5.  My birthstone is garnet.

6.  People call me wierd and enigmatic, and I take that as a compliment.

7.  The Chronicles of Narnia will always be a favorite on my bookshelf, no matter how old I get.

8.  Winter is my favorite season and I thrive in cold weather.

9.  My feet are gigantic - I have some boots which are size 13, and cowboy boots which are actually mens'...my feet were too wide for the womens' selection.

10. Turquoise is my favorite color.

 11.  I oftentimes can be found acting out my characters from my novels and screenplay...you might think I am just being moody but for all you know I'm acting a dramatic scene from my most recent writings!

Questions from Arlette

 1. Favourite piece of clothing in your closet? Gah, that's hard. At the moment, a new striped long-sleeve blouse I got for my birthday.

2. What one  thing would you take with you to a deserted island? Another toughie! Hm. Lemme think. A salt-water purifier, with a built in fishing pole, signaling device and firestarter. Does that count? :D

3. Your biggest inspiration? God's beautiful creation... gorgeous orange sunsets, luscious green forests, and awe-inspiring dark skies splashed with billions of twinkling stars.

4. What is your morning ritual? Pull my lazy carcass out of bed, fix a cup of hot green tea, take my vitamins and Emergen-C (if it's cold season), take a cup of apple cidar vinegar, do oil pulling, water the gardens, maybe do some stretches/excercises.

5. The book you're most looking forward to read this year? My own, when I finish it. :D

6. What was the reason you started this blog? Because I needed an online 'location' for my businesses and music.

7. Biggest passion? GAH. Why not biggest passions? Only ONE biggest passion, you say? Oh well then.  Serving God.

8. What is the most random/weirdest thing you've done in your life? Hmmmm....wierdest? Putting rocks in random peoples' swimsuits that were hanging on a laundry line at the beach. Most RANDOM? Doing pranks on the phone when some sales person tries to call. "Can we get a large, pepperoni pizza?"  OR, counting how many people were wearing skirts, while at a NYC airport.

 9. What is your guilty pleasure? *grins* Starbucks frappechinos. They are just TOO good.

10. Your feel good song?  I have about a gazillion of them, but at the moment, a particular fav is Ghostriders in the Sky.

11.  The one thing you really want to achieve in your life? To point as many people to Christ as possible.


Questions to my nominees

1. Would you rather be respected, or loved?

2. What is a favorite quote of yours?

3. List 3 of your favorite songs at the moment?

4. Cows or peacocks?

5. Describe your style/taste in art, design, fashion?

6. What place would you travel to if you could?

7. Coffee or tea?

8. Introvert or extrovert?

9. What do you hope to do with your life?

10. What's your favorite entree?

11. If you could be granted 1 wish, what would it be?

Nominees
1. Rosie
2.  Bobbie

3. Elizabeth
4. Jake
5. Lizzy
6. Kelsey
7. Alyson
8. Evangela
9. Brian
10. Summer
11.Bruno

Have fun! Remember to follow the rules, and link back to me! :)

A Boy Named Fritz {WriterlyWednesday}

"Fritz lay on the front porch swing, his body turned sideways, aligned lengthwise with the swing, and his legs propped up against the swing’s back.

He was in the midst of his daily school assignments, and how he despised them. Algebra, in particular. The 14-year-old boy sighed, bored, staring down at the book propped up on his lap. Why did that mother of his have to give him so much bland, dull, tedious work to do? It wasn’t even a sort of work that would help him in everyday life, either.

He rolled his eyes, rehearsing in his mind the many reasons why learning algebra was a stupid waste of time.  One of these days, he’d present that lengthy list to his mother and try to convince her of his rightness concerning the matter.

Sighing again and running his slender hand through his cottony, messy white blond hair, he cast his eyes off in the distance, unable to focus on the arithmetic.

He was trying to surmise, for the hundredth time, how many orange trees exactly were in the citrus grove across the street, when suddenly his attention was caught by something else.

He swallowed, and as he did so, his Adam’s apple bobbed up and then down on his throat. Suddenly, he realized his mouth had become dry.

His eyes locked on a tall, full-figured girl with coffee-colored hair tied in a bun on the nape of her neck. She strode up the street purposefully, a sense of command and power in every step.   She wasn’t wearing anything special in particular, certainly no silk ball gown or fancy Garibaldi blouse, but Fritz didn’t really care at the moment. She was, in actuality, wearing faded, stained old work clothes: A blouse and skirt with an apron over top. No hoopskirt, probably no corset, either. Truth was, this girl was rather a mess, and quite obviously a country girl who had been working in the okra patch all day.

But Fritz didn’t take note of any of that.

Wow… He breathed, his heart nearly stopping at the sight of her. He propped himself up a little straighter on the swing, his pale blue eyes taking in every inch of the girl. She was none other than the captivating Emma Darson.  

Oh, he absentmindedly noted, there was somebody with her. For a brief moment he pulled his gaze away from Emma and to the person walking alongside her. It was another girl, one possessing a head of bouncy auburn waves and a face chalk-full of freckles.  He could tell by her rapidly moving lips, she was talking up a storm and would soon be doing so with him.

His shoulders slumped.  

It was Lydia, Emma’s 13-year-old sister. She was a spritely girl, extremely energetic and a wee bit crazy, fun to be with for the most part.  Or better put, amusing.

And despite the fact that she was now waving at Fritz and grinning broadly at him, he could not stop himself from locking his gaze back on Emma.

He swallowed again, hardly daring to blink. Stray bits of hair fell loosely around her hairline, framing her face.  Her eyes were a mesmerizing shade of grayish blue and he was suddenly aware that they were looking back into his own eyes. He continued to stare back at her, locked in a moment of eye contact and wishing the moment could last for eternity. She was perfection.  

Ah, but the kind of look she gave to him was not the sort he extended to her.  He sighed to himself, still looking intently at her face.

She looked back at him with a rather emotionless, tense expression on her face. Her eyes were hostile and fierce, boring into his for a brief second before she then broke eye contact.

He slowly exhaled. She didn’t seem too pleased to see him, unlike Lydia.

Nonetheless, he let his gaze fall from her face to the rest of her body. Shivers ran up and down his spine. Wow.  He found himself grinning. Every inch of the 15 year old girl was simply incredible.  As she and Lydia walked up the little path to the front porch, he observed the way she walked, the way she swung her arms back and forth. Her long legs, concealed by the dirty work skirt.

“Hullo Fritz!” At that moment, he heard Lydia’s vivacious voice.

He forced himself to turn and acknowledge the spunky girl. “Hi Lydia,”

Emma didn’t say anything except a very cool, impassive “Fritz,” and with that, she quickly trotted up the porch steps and into the trading post. He swallowed, watching with disappointment as she left his sight.  His body still tingled with excitement at her presence even though he was stuck with just Lydia now."

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I wrote this one evening just for the fun of it, because I thought it might help to gain a better perspective of Fritz, a boy in my primary novel The Rebels of Florida. He's very much a minor character in the scheme of the story. He is Emma's annoying lovestruck stalker, the insipid cottony-haired boy who has been pampered to no end by his ever-doting mother. He's the rich kid among a community of cattle-ranchers and citrus farmers. He is starved for adventure and starved for attention, even though he technically gets far more than his fill of that.

I'll have you know, this little blip above is NOT in my book. The story is not written from Fritz Faircloth's POV. I like to leave a shade of mystery behind minor characters who are not being written about from their own perspectives.

Do you ever write just for the fun of learning more about a particular character, or just to see how they might react to a particular situation? It can be an enjoyable, eye-opening exercise. 

Hope y'all are having a wonderful, blessed week so far! I just turned seventeen yesterday so I'm feeling pretty ancient today. Oh, but God is so good. I am so beyond thankful to Him for letting me be alive another day, another year!

P.S. Want some cool, Western/rock music to listen to? Ghostriders in the Sky - The Outlaws is one of my favorites to listen to as well as play on guitar. (There's also a good Johnny Cash version, which I also really like...the guitars sound so uniquely Western and eery in it, I love it.)

Up From Down {Character Study}

(I didn't take this picture, found it on Pinterest. I am going to use it as cover inspiration for the film.)

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Lines are blurring, I’ve been running

Away from my past, I’m just barely existing

Not sure how to tell

Up from down

Fabricate lies, throw on a disguise

Tell the world that I’m fine, just buying more time

Not sure how to tell

Up from down

I burn with desire, I burn like a fire

I am the Judas, and I am the liar.

Not sure how to tell

Up from down

Stage has been set, the money’s been bet

Those who stole my world, I’ll avenge yet  

Not sure how to tell

Up from down

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This is part of a song I've been writing, with a character from Fugitive (my screenplay) in mind.

Dominik Schaar is a very broken teenage boy who lost his parents as a young child. They were murdered. He watched it unfold before his eyes. Now, he is a jaded, cold shell of a human who cares for no one and has learned to shut out reality, and even the moral state of his existence. He has learned to tune out his conscience, or at least, most of it. He has trained himself to hate and hate passionately. His eyes glare icily out at the world, untrusting, cynical. His heart burns with a longing to exact justice on those who he deems deserve it.  

His one desire in life? To get even with his parents' murderers, the Communist government which oppresses the country wherein he lives. Ever since he witnessed their shootings, he knew what his purpose in life was.

Rebel against the tyranny.

Every day, he trains his body to accomplish the ultimate fitness and strength possible. He escaped from the many foster homes which tried to take him in, and now he survives in the wilderness alone. And besides the never-ending nightmares and constant sorting through what is truth and what is not, life is decent enough for him. He's surviving, anyway.

And then, one day, his life is turned upside down for the millionth time. He stumbles upon a group of city kids...eleven of them, to be precise. Eleven city kids surviving (more or less) out in his neck of the woods. Eleven Christian city kids. They might as well be criminals, outlaws, due to all the anti-Christian laws in the country at that time. Actually, they are criminals. Their parents were arrested for their faith.

And yet somehow, here they are. In Dominik's territory. As he soon discovers, his life will never be the same.

Ever since a fellow writer friend suggested Dominik's creation, I loved the idea. He has evolved into one of my favorite characters in the screenplay. He is so broken. So dark, so lost inside. Outwardly he plays it cool, showing no emotion except that signature icy glare, and maybe the occasional sardonic sneer. But inwardly? He is an empty shell, his soul iced over, harboring nothing but hatred and anger. And no matter how hard he has trained himself to try and forget, there are still those sharp daggers of pain which pierce him daily. He has thrown away all memories of happy childhood before the shooting, he has forgotten what is was like to laugh, to smile, to love. 

But there is hope. I won't go into the details of his possible redemption, because the truth is, we never know what happens to him, whether he truly is redeemed or not.

But there is a sliver of sunshine which is penetrating into the dark blackness of his being.  It may be small, and very subtle, but it's there. There's hope for this troubled boy.

What do you think of Dominik so far? Do you have any characters which are similar to him? Dark, broken, lost, spent, cynical? I would love to hear about them!

P.S. The reason I'm posting today is because, since it will be my birthday party tomorrow, I won't be able to post a WriterlyWednesday post unfortunately. Sorry! I was really looking forward to posting that next name list, too. Hopefully today's post satisfied your writing side a little. ;)

 

Nothing Left to Say

(Taken when I was 14- Sorry for a random, old picture, I'd upload something more recent and exciting except Blogger won't let me upload new photos for some reason. Grr....)

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I keep falling, I keep falling down/If you could only save me, I'm drowning in the waters of my soul/I'm giving up, I'm giving up, hey hey, giving up now.

Imagine Dragons' song "Nothing Left to Say" has really been hitting home to me in my life today. You know how some days go really well, others go simply awesome and, sometimes, you get a day that's about one degree away from utter perfection? I'd love to tell you that today I experienced one of those days.

But that would be lying.

Today was actually the worst day I've had this year. I don't know why exactly and the reasons I have figured I need not go into detail with. But I truly have been "falling down, drowning in the waters of my soul."

Without God, this could be true for every day of our lives. It's only when I get off track from His will that I find myself in this situation, drowning. I know that I've been doing some things which are not what He would want me to be doing, so I can only blame myself.

Do you ever feel like you've confessed to God the same sin literally hundreds upon hundreds of times? This is another thing I've been struggling with, and if not dealt with properly, it can eventually lead to drowning.

I've come to the position and conclusion that as the song says, it's true. There's nothing left to say.

The Lord didn't save me because of what I did, but what He did.

When I ask for forgiveness of my sins, He forgives me because His mercy is never-ending, not because of my mere human words or what I do to try and prove myself.

There's nothing left to say.

You just have to surrender to God, admit you were wrong and thank Him for His ever-so-abundant mercies. That's all. You don't need to go into lengthy detail, just ask His forgiveness, and mean it.

Ask Him to help you repent, and He will. But you have to LET Him. This is very challenging in itself.

And here's where we come to letting go, giving up.

"I'm giving up, giving up, hey hey, giving up now."

Give up those emotions of hatred, anger, resentment, bitterness, heartbreak, whatever they may be.

Give them up entirely. Don't let any smidgen remain in your soul. Let Him take them away, wipe your slate clean.

There's nothing left to say.

Mark of the Beast?

Judge finally rules on ‘Mark of the Beast’

Check out the link above for a rather disturbing article about a 15 year old high school student in San Antonio whose school was requiring their attendees to wear microchip badges..which tracked them wherever they went on campus

Why do I call it disturbing? This is a breach of privacy and unconstitutional. And yes, it does smack near the ID microchips which I believe shall be used in the end days when the Antichrist will come.

"School officials contend that a continuous monitoring and tracking of students will reduce absences, and they will be able to collect an additional $1.7 million in funding from the state by the time the monitoring program is installed in the district’s 112 schools."

"The judge noted that the chip “is not noticeable,” and he claimed the badges 'do not work off campus.'”

“No matter how many ways school officials attempt to justify this program, the key here, as NISD officials have themselves acknowledged, is the fact that this program is about one thing only – making money for the schools at the expense of students’ constitutional rights and potentially their safety,” Rutherford attorneys explained."

Read the article and tell me your opinion.

It's just another reason I am thankful to be homeschooled.