Pam Webb

Writer Life: The Art of Name

Names can be a real stumper. Selecting the right name for a place, character, or in my current writing dilemma, a magazine.

Names and places aren’t usually a problem when writing a story. I have dictionaries and other resources that inspire me. Yet, coming up with an invented name for a magazine is proving difficult. The frustrating part is that the magazine is only mentioned by the character a couple of times, yet it will set up more about the character if readers can associate the magazine with its connotative style. I’m a basic person when it comes to clothing (go Old Navy) so fashion magazines aren’t my usual read; however, my character, Carla, works for a fashion magazine in New York, and she is all about style. Coming up with a magazine about fashion without it actually being a real world magazine has taken far too much of my creative time.

Here are some titles I have come up with that got nixed after doing some fact checking:

Then there is associated terms, like what The Devil Wears Prada did emulating Vogue by calling the magazine Runway. Maybe I could go there, although some terms have connotations:

I’m running out of ideas. Just need one word, maybe two, that both entices the reader to pick up the magazine and to understand what it is about. These are possibilities

Regard–-kind of like En garde, as in the directive when fencing (being on one’s toes, being ready)

Prev–a bit like “preview” as in getting in on new fashion before everyone else—possibility Preva?

Esteem-too much bragging

Sass and Saz--unbelievably are out there

Nouvo—a twist on nouveau, as in new

Maybe go with a single letter

M–oops, out there

Q–as in quest for fashion, yet too much like GQ

Z–too generational

W—yup, out there

So–I encourage you, I implore you–please help me out with possible magazine names. Think fashion. Think New York. Think chic. As incentive I will mention your contribution in the novel’s acknowledgements.