You find out that the name of a character you've been developing for years turns out to be the pen name of a 19th century humorist? I was reading my American Literature text when I came across a name that was familiar to me, because I thought I had made it up. The name was John Phoenix. Yes, not a particularly creative name, but it fits the character well. At any rate, I found out that this John Phoenix was a writer at about the same period in history as Mark Twain. I decided to google the name and came across one of his practical jokes... Here it is. What really made me chuckle was that this "real" John Phoenix was probably just as much of a rascal as my imaginary John Phoenix. This isn't the first time this has happened to me. When I was about 13 I wrote a story about a guy named Arius. I pulled the name completely off the top of my head. 4 years later I learned about the council of Nicea. I seem to have a knack for picking names of historical figures for my characters without realizing it.
Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :
Just pretend that you knew exactly what you were doing, and people will take it as a nod to the writer and feel special because THEY knew what you were talking about.
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
To save some time...Here's one of the guy's practical jokes (I'm liking this guy more and more)...
quote: With a young man named James Sherman as his accomplice, Derby set up Don Julio Carillo of Sonora, a man who heard the pair extolling the Masons. "I would like to join," said Carillo. "Fine," Derby said, "but you realize all new members must be branded with a new steel branding iron?" Carillo considered this a moment, then agreed, saying, "Esta bueno." Sherman rounded up the branding iron plus a piece of cowhide with hair on it. He blindfolded the don, but not until the initiate had seen the iron turn red in the forge. Derby threw the cowhide into the flames for a suitable aroma and pressed the branding iron onto Carillo. He had, however, first inserted a piece of wet paper between the skin and the iron, so the victim felt the heat but escaped a burn. "Es bastante," Carillo bravely cried. When he saw his unblemished skin he was prepared to announce a miracle.
Posted by Verily the Younger (Member # 6705) on :
Would I find that excerpt funnier if I knew what "Es bastante" meant?
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
probably not. Just shows he's a sarcastic practical joker. I'm a fan of that Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
I also have an Arius, but it's, to me, the fake latinization of someone I once met, who's name was Ari.
Posted by Book (Member # 5500) on :
I remember I wrote a story last summer that involved a brutal race of tattoed, red-haired elf-like creatures called "Woad." I thought that was neat because that's the name of the dye the ancient Celts used to paint themselves in.
Then that crappy King Arthur movie came out and they apparently decided the same thing for the Ancient Celts. I have no idea why they did this but they did, and so that scrapped the entire story.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)