SURNAMESThis is a nit to me. So I felt I would post it here, and yes I'm a novice writer, and probably should not have nit's yet.
I've been reading through a lot of past and present first thirteens for both the novel and short story posts, because of the advice offered that their was much I could learn, which of course I have been, but I've noticed, a common nit that throw's me immediately out of a story. The combining of two odd words to make a surname, I won't use any that I have seen here at the forum, but I would like to say it's very common, but examples: Megastone, or Blackdeath, or Treeriver.
To help think of these kinds of names, try and think of how they came about. Usually they are a translation a 'Phrase name' given by tribal custom. So example: Runs by the river - becomes-- Runningriver which usually ends up-- River. or Son of the river, becomes Soniver-- which become Riverson-- meaning of course:Son of the river.
surnames like: Stonewall, lightfeather, blackfox, all have direct meaning and often describe a trait within the character or there ancestor.
Call names and nick names: Like Sparks or Ace or Flak. Can become a surname if the character, or some other authority decided it fit them better, but you're probably not going to see a Jason Flaktruck or Henry Acedevil. Even if we are in the far, far, and I mean far, future.
When two words combine to make a name they usually have to make sense, and the more awkward they are, the faster the reader is thrown out of the story.
Now this can come full circle. A modern person can have a phrase name attached to them like. Ace Spitfire pilot, Mack Wellington is best known as, 'The Devil of the sky' by the Luftwaffe pilots. Or: She is known as, 'The death in red' or 'Red Death,' some call her 'The scarlet witch.' All because of the scarlet letter she cuts into her murder victims. Others say it is because she wears a scarlet dress dyed from the victims fresh, gushing, blood. I just call her 'Scarlet' for short, for it's my job to stop her and send her back to the place she rightfully belongs--Hell.
An exception I find to odd names: Computer user/hacker names which can become a nick name are often combinations of the oddest sort: Sputtlegunk, Nerdpunk, Brawnywhimp, I8MIHOG, but again, they won't probably become a surname.
Just in passing, don't be afraid to explore the meaning of your characters name because it can ad depth and often show the origins or traits of the character, that ether they know or may not know, but someone could point out. It is a great opportunity to show that the MC or Support character has a depth of knowledge beyond the present, and give subtle hint to the reader of a mysterious, honorable, or dark past.
Feel free to laugh and ignore, but I thought I would throw it out anyway.
Cheers,
W.