This is a repost of a post from June. Yup, I am that lazy! It's still relevant though, hence why I'm posting it again.
Joleen. Yes, Joleen. J-O-L-E-E-N.
J for Juliet
O for Oscar
L for Lima
E for Echo
E for Echo
N for November
I am aware that Dolly Parton spelled it differently (Jolene).
This is probably the most common variation I get. Other common ones are Joeleen, Joelene, Joline, sometimes Joelle and occasionally, Gillian. (I get all sorts of variations on my surname too, but I won't go on about that here).
I've grown used to it. Most annoying is when it's spelled wrong on a cheque - especially when I've typed out an invoice with my name on it, spelled correctly. I don't hold the knowledge of how to spell all names in the universe within my brain either - but when I'm writing a letter/email/cheque etc, I do tend to do my best to check how the person I'm addressing it to spells their name. Cheques especially, as the bank has this remarkably annoying tendency not to allow people to cash them if the name on the cheque doesn't match that on the account.
What's even more hilarious than people spelling it wrong though, is when people tell me I spell it wrong. I wasn't aware of the law that made Dolly Parton's words (and their associated spellings) some kind of canon. I wasn't named after the song. My name is spelled how it's spelled. It's right, simply because it's what it says on my birth certificate.
Showing posts with label names. Show all posts
Showing posts with label names. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
What's in a name?
Sometimes I just call my characters any old thing...but it's rare. Usually I take time, put a lot of effort into figuring out their names. Something that suits them, by the sound of it, or the meaning, or some association (even if only in my head).
There's a downside to writing loads - I've had a lot of characters over the years. Therefore, a lot of names.
Add this to all the names of characters in
1. Books I've read,
2. Films I've watched
3. TV shows I've seen
etc...
...Not to mention all those real life people I've met...
...and there are suddenly very few names in the books that don't have some sort of association. Considering I like dark stories, they aren't necessarily positive associations either. or even if they aren't exactly negative...well, they might not be exactly what I want for a child.
I don't mean any offence to any people who have the following names, by the way - they're just examples, and the associations associated (?!) are all just in my head...everyone sees these things differently, which is probably why we all have different names to start with.
Say, Beth, for a girl. I like the name - but it's technically short for Elizabeth, and I don't like that much. Plus, there's Beth in Little Women. Poor, brave, tragic Beth, in Little Women. So that's out.
And that's just one example.
Plus - a character only has to live with a name for the duration of a story. A child though - he or she will have to live with the name for their entire life.
Choosing names....so difficult!
There's a downside to writing loads - I've had a lot of characters over the years. Therefore, a lot of names.
Add this to all the names of characters in
1. Books I've read,
2. Films I've watched
3. TV shows I've seen
etc...
...Not to mention all those real life people I've met...
...and there are suddenly very few names in the books that don't have some sort of association. Considering I like dark stories, they aren't necessarily positive associations either. or even if they aren't exactly negative...well, they might not be exactly what I want for a child.
I don't mean any offence to any people who have the following names, by the way - they're just examples, and the associations associated (?!) are all just in my head...everyone sees these things differently, which is probably why we all have different names to start with.
Say, Beth, for a girl. I like the name - but it's technically short for Elizabeth, and I don't like that much. Plus, there's Beth in Little Women. Poor, brave, tragic Beth, in Little Women. So that's out.
And that's just one example.
Plus - a character only has to live with a name for the duration of a story. A child though - he or she will have to live with the name for their entire life.
Choosing names....so difficult!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
My name is
Joleen. Yes, Joleen. J-O-L-E-E-N.
J for Juliet
O for Oscar
L for Lima
E for Echo
E for Echo
N for November
I am aware that Dolly Parton spelled it differently (Jolene).
This is probably the most common variation I get. Other common ones are Joeleen, Joelene, Joline, sometimes Joelle and occasionally, Gillian. (I get all sorts of variations on my surname too, but I won't go on about that here).
I've grown used to it. Most annoying is when it's spelled wrong on a cheque - especially when I've typed out an invoice with my name on it, spelled correctly. I don't hold the knowledge of how to spell all names in the universe within my brain either - but when I'm writing a letter/email/cheque etc, I do tend to do my best to check how the person I'm addressing it to spells their name. Cheques especially, as the bank has this remarkably annoying tendency not to allow people to cash them if the name on the cheque doesn't match that on the account.
What's even more hilarious than people spelling it wrong though, is when people tell me I spell it wrong. I wasn't aware of the law that made Dolly Parton's words (and their associated spellings) some kind of canon. I wasn't named after the song. My name is spelled how it's spelled. It's right, simply because it's what it says on my birth certificate.
J for Juliet
O for Oscar
L for Lima
E for Echo
E for Echo
N for November
I am aware that Dolly Parton spelled it differently (Jolene).
This is probably the most common variation I get. Other common ones are Joeleen, Joelene, Joline, sometimes Joelle and occasionally, Gillian. (I get all sorts of variations on my surname too, but I won't go on about that here).
I've grown used to it. Most annoying is when it's spelled wrong on a cheque - especially when I've typed out an invoice with my name on it, spelled correctly. I don't hold the knowledge of how to spell all names in the universe within my brain either - but when I'm writing a letter/email/cheque etc, I do tend to do my best to check how the person I'm addressing it to spells their name. Cheques especially, as the bank has this remarkably annoying tendency not to allow people to cash them if the name on the cheque doesn't match that on the account.
What's even more hilarious than people spelling it wrong though, is when people tell me I spell it wrong. I wasn't aware of the law that made Dolly Parton's words (and their associated spellings) some kind of canon. I wasn't named after the song. My name is spelled how it's spelled. It's right, simply because it's what it says on my birth certificate.
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