I’ve been out of town the last few days, and now I’m trying to catch up with everything.
Interesting about the names Diane. I never really thought about this, but I could see how it could become a big challenge in trying to remember which names you’ve already used.
I always figured authors just had names “pop” into their heads, I never thought about getting them from the phone book and the SSA. How cool is that!
I’m so glad you were able to find an assistant to help you. That has to be a big relief for you.
And, LOL on “Sybil” sounding multiple-personality-ish. I so, agree with you.
Diane, I love the names you use for your characters and always wondered if they just appeared in your head or you researched to find the right name to fit time and place. I only remember Shelley being used once in your books…from SUMMER’S CHILD…she was a fav character of mine and I thought her name was perfect. Book number 19!…what a great achievement Diane!
Diane, I love your blog. I find it fascinating to see how you are progressing with your latest book. Thank you for sharing all the little tidbits about writing. I wonder how Charles Dickens came up with some of his names?
I sent you an email about our book club but am not sure if I did it right. Thought I’d put a note here also so you can let me know if the email didn’t actually arrive in your box. It may be floating out in cyberspace. Sometimes I amaze myself with how well I manage all this new technology. Other times, I am baffled by the simplest process. LOL I just keep trying.
By the way, I’m ready for After the Storm. In fact, I was ready when I got to the last page of Before the Storm. My husband is too.
Betty, I didn’t receive your email, so please do try again. It’s nice to hear from you!
Margo, when my assistant finishes the spreadsheet on names, we’ll see how many Shelley’s there actually are.
1942-I WAS BORN 5 YEARS LATER…Thus, lots of my friends were born 40-50…Phyllis, Merdith, Sandy, Loraine, Becky or Rebecca, Catherine (My daughter is Katheryne but the C was common during the 40’s)Of course, you mentioned Barbara, Patty, and Mary…also Beverly, Joyce, Linda…Mine-Brenda was popular mid 40’s…never have liked it-sorry…I am Brenda Joyce…my best friends are Linda, Becky, Loraine, Sandy…Dorothy, Patty…you are right on track with the names…Cheryl…Ruth, Margaret…
I can’t wait to hear what this WIP is about. It intrigues me that a character was born in 1942…
I was born in 1941. My name is really Betty, not Elizabeth. I was named after my grandmother, Bettie Sue. I never did understand why my parents changed the spelling. There are very few Bettys around anymore. If I am in a store and someone says Betty, I look up immediately because it is so very rare to be around someone else named Betty. My friends were Sally, Janis, Nancy, Linda, Mary, Margaret, Sue, Ann, Betsy, Carol, Patricia (or Patsy), Emily, Beth,and Sarah. Oh, and Kay….
not many of those names used today.
…Diane, loved “Before the Storm” and anxiously await “After.” In the late 60s I experienced, with my good friend, a first-hand account of post partum depression. Her husband was unsympathetic, I suppose from the “old school,” and refused to understand what his wife had to be depressed about. They lived in a fine home in a recognized neighborhood. She was able to stay at home and enjoy the benefits of his above-average salary. Our church pastor recognized that she was in trouble and succeeded in getting her the help she needed. I agreed to keep the baby each afternoon, M-F, while she was in therapy. I knew she loved the child but I wasn’t prepared emotionally for what happened the afternoon of her first breakthrough. Shortly before her son was six-weeks old, she walked into my home after her session to reclaim her baby and head home. She greeted me with a huge smile, walked directly to the baby, picked him up, kissed him, snuggled him into her neck and began crying. Needless to say, I sobbed with her; it was the first time I saw any physical outpouring of love for the little one. She was released from therapy soon after that and became the best single mom raising a child alone you can imagine. I understand, empathize and sympathize with Laurel’s situation. Very true-to-life, even though a bit different from my experience. My heart goes out to anyone in that situation. Meantime, I’m reading oldies but goodies. Recently read “Summer’s Child” and now have “The Courage Tree” in my hands. Don’t ever stop writing, regardless of duplicity in names, multiple personalities, etc. At my age I won’t remember! Oh, and by the way, my middle name is Fay (born in the late 30s) like the current tropical storm. If I’m to be associated with such a storm I hope I alleviate the drought we’re experiencing here in the mountains instead of wreaking havoc and devastation.
Martha, you crack me up! So funny about Fay. And what a happy ending for your friend’s post partum depression. She was lucky to have so much support. Glad you’re enjoying my books!
And thanks, all, for the names. We’ll see (eventually) which ones I settle on.
Martha-so sad for your friend-since you said she was a single mother are we
to assume her husband did not support her throughout the therapy? As to
your name, my mother was FAYE, and I think it is ironic that I just missed
the storm–arriving home Sunday from my son’s in Miami Beach… Diane-I
agree-we don’t care what you name the characters…your stories are the
best. Margo and I have been discussing books via email, and we agree you
are so talented we can’t wait to read the next book…Margo and I have been
discussing A SUMMER AFFAIR by Hilderbrand…hope to hear from some of you
soon..if you read it.
Reading all these names discussed, I can only imagine that there were no ‘Margo’s’ in the 1940’s or even now for that matter. I’ve never met anyone else with the name…my mother said that my father actually named me but I really don’t know where he got the idea. Diane, I think Brenda and I both agree that we can hardly wait to hear about the new book your working on. It will be wonderful when you can share it with us! Martha, the story of your friend really got to me this morning…I’m glad things worked out for her and think you are a great friend to help her.
Margo, when I see your name, I am reminded of the films we saw in my high school French classes years ago–the main female ‘actress’ in the films was Margo. Of course, I think it was spelled ‘Margeaux.’ I always loved that name.
Margo, you have an oft-metnioned name in our house, since you’ve sent me some lovely paintings that hang on our walls and since John’s Barefoot Contessa photography partner is also a Margo. When John and I talk, I refer to you as “my Margo” and the other Margo as “your Margo.”
I’ve always liked your name. I used it in Summer’s Child (if memory serves me correctly. . . ). I first heard it when, as a kid, I saw My Fair Lady on Broadway with the actress Margot Moser in the lead. It was also the name of Anne Frank’s sister.
Diane…you and John definitely know more Margo’s than Gary and I do!…We don’t know any except me. It makes me feel SO good to know I’m ‘your Margo’! I’m truly honored to know my art hangs in your home and I quess you would be reminded of the name constantly since my signature is on each painting. Denise, you are correct that my name is French and now that you mention it as ‘Margeaux’ I am reminded of Muriel Hemingway’s sister whose name was Margeaux. My sister’s name is Marla which is also uncommon.
Brenda and Margo, thanks for your care and concern for my friend. Yes, her husband just never got it; he left her (I must add 😉 in their fine home in their recognized neighborhood with an above-average income). She eventually moved back home to be near her family.
I always spelled my middle name with an “e” until my parents died in ’96. While cleaning out their home I ran across my original birth certificate. Alas, there wasn’t an “e” to be found; thus I lay claim to the current tropical storm.
I’ve been out of town the last few days, and now I’m trying to catch up with everything.
Interesting about the names Diane. I never really thought about this, but I could see how it could become a big challenge in trying to remember which names you’ve already used.
I always figured authors just had names “pop” into their heads, I never thought about getting them from the phone book and the SSA. How cool is that!
I’m so glad you were able to find an assistant to help you. That has to be a big relief for you.
And, LOL on “Sybil” sounding multiple-personality-ish. I so, agree with you.
Diane, I love the names you use for your characters and always wondered if they just appeared in your head or you researched to find the right name to fit time and place. I only remember Shelley being used once in your books…from SUMMER’S CHILD…she was a fav character of mine and I thought her name was perfect. Book number 19!…what a great achievement Diane!
Diane, I love your blog. I find it fascinating to see how you are progressing with your latest book. Thank you for sharing all the little tidbits about writing. I wonder how Charles Dickens came up with some of his names?
I sent you an email about our book club but am not sure if I did it right. Thought I’d put a note here also so you can let me know if the email didn’t actually arrive in your box. It may be floating out in cyberspace. Sometimes I amaze myself with how well I manage all this new technology. Other times, I am baffled by the simplest process. LOL I just keep trying.
By the way, I’m ready for After the Storm. In fact, I was ready when I got to the last page of Before the Storm. My husband is too.
Betty, I didn’t receive your email, so please do try again. It’s nice to hear from you!
Margo, when my assistant finishes the spreadsheet on names, we’ll see how many Shelley’s there actually are.
1942-I WAS BORN 5 YEARS LATER…Thus, lots of my friends were born 40-50…Phyllis, Merdith, Sandy, Loraine, Becky or Rebecca, Catherine (My daughter is Katheryne but the C was common during the 40’s)Of course, you mentioned Barbara, Patty, and Mary…also Beverly, Joyce, Linda…Mine-Brenda was popular mid 40’s…never have liked it-sorry…I am Brenda Joyce…my best friends are Linda, Becky, Loraine, Sandy…Dorothy, Patty…you are right on track with the names…Cheryl…Ruth, Margaret…
I can’t wait to hear what this WIP is about. It intrigues me that a character was born in 1942…
I was born in 1941. My name is really Betty, not Elizabeth. I was named after my grandmother, Bettie Sue. I never did understand why my parents changed the spelling. There are very few Bettys around anymore. If I am in a store and someone says Betty, I look up immediately because it is so very rare to be around someone else named Betty. My friends were Sally, Janis, Nancy, Linda, Mary, Margaret, Sue, Ann, Betsy, Carol, Patricia (or Patsy), Emily, Beth,and Sarah. Oh, and Kay….
not many of those names used today.
Betty, I forgot about Nancy, Carol, Sue…Kay…I didn’t have Sarah…Emily-might have and just forgot…we are close in age-
…Diane, loved “Before the Storm” and anxiously await “After.” In the late 60s I experienced, with my good friend, a first-hand account of post partum depression. Her husband was unsympathetic, I suppose from the “old school,” and refused to understand what his wife had to be depressed about. They lived in a fine home in a recognized neighborhood. She was able to stay at home and enjoy the benefits of his above-average salary. Our church pastor recognized that she was in trouble and succeeded in getting her the help she needed. I agreed to keep the baby each afternoon, M-F, while she was in therapy. I knew she loved the child but I wasn’t prepared emotionally for what happened the afternoon of her first breakthrough. Shortly before her son was six-weeks old, she walked into my home after her session to reclaim her baby and head home. She greeted me with a huge smile, walked directly to the baby, picked him up, kissed him, snuggled him into her neck and began crying. Needless to say, I sobbed with her; it was the first time I saw any physical outpouring of love for the little one. She was released from therapy soon after that and became the best single mom raising a child alone you can imagine. I understand, empathize and sympathize with Laurel’s situation. Very true-to-life, even though a bit different from my experience. My heart goes out to anyone in that situation. Meantime, I’m reading oldies but goodies. Recently read “Summer’s Child” and now have “The Courage Tree” in my hands. Don’t ever stop writing, regardless of duplicity in names, multiple personalities, etc. At my age I won’t remember! Oh, and by the way, my middle name is Fay (born in the late 30s) like the current tropical storm. If I’m to be associated with such a storm I hope I alleviate the drought we’re experiencing here in the mountains instead of wreaking havoc and devastation.
Martha, you crack me up! So funny about Fay. And what a happy ending for your friend’s post partum depression. She was lucky to have so much support. Glad you’re enjoying my books!
And thanks, all, for the names. We’ll see (eventually) which ones I settle on.
Martha-so sad for your friend-since you said she was a single mother are we
to assume her husband did not support her throughout the therapy? As to
your name, my mother was FAYE, and I think it is ironic that I just missed
the storm–arriving home Sunday from my son’s in Miami Beach… Diane-I
agree-we don’t care what you name the characters…your stories are the
best. Margo and I have been discussing books via email, and we agree you
are so talented we can’t wait to read the next book…Margo and I have been
discussing A SUMMER AFFAIR by Hilderbrand…hope to hear from some of you
soon..if you read it.
Reading all these names discussed, I can only imagine that there were no ‘Margo’s’ in the 1940’s or even now for that matter. I’ve never met anyone else with the name…my mother said that my father actually named me but I really don’t know where he got the idea. Diane, I think Brenda and I both agree that we can hardly wait to hear about the new book your working on. It will be wonderful when you can share it with us! Martha, the story of your friend really got to me this morning…I’m glad things worked out for her and think you are a great friend to help her.
Margo, when I see your name, I am reminded of the films we saw in my high school French classes years ago–the main female ‘actress’ in the films was Margo. Of course, I think it was spelled ‘Margeaux.’ I always loved that name.
Margo, you have an oft-metnioned name in our house, since you’ve sent me some lovely paintings that hang on our walls and since John’s Barefoot Contessa photography partner is also a Margo. When John and I talk, I refer to you as “my Margo” and the other Margo as “your Margo.”
I’ve always liked your name. I used it in Summer’s Child (if memory serves me correctly. . . ). I first heard it when, as a kid, I saw My Fair Lady on Broadway with the actress Margot Moser in the lead. It was also the name of Anne Frank’s sister.
Diane…you and John definitely know more Margo’s than Gary and I do!…We don’t know any except me. It makes me feel SO good to know I’m ‘your Margo’! I’m truly honored to know my art hangs in your home and I quess you would be reminded of the name constantly since my signature is on each painting. Denise, you are correct that my name is French and now that you mention it as ‘Margeaux’ I am reminded of Muriel Hemingway’s sister whose name was Margeaux. My sister’s name is Marla which is also uncommon.
Brenda and Margo, thanks for your care and concern for my friend. Yes, her husband just never got it; he left her (I must add 😉 in their fine home in their recognized neighborhood with an above-average income). She eventually moved back home to be near her family.
I always spelled my middle name with an “e” until my parents died in ’96. While cleaning out their home I ran across my original birth certificate. Alas, there wasn’t an “e” to be found; thus I lay claim to the current tropical storm.
How you think when the economic crisis will end? I wish to make statistics of independent opinions!
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