Creating a Baby Name, Is it Possible?

Hey, enjoy this guest post! I think it applies to coming up with character names as well.

 

When coming up with the difficult decision of choosing your babies name, it can often lead to big disagreements with your partner and the quest to find that individual name will often to lead to looking at celebrity trends which can often end in children being called Apple or Blue. Wouldn’t it be great however, if you could come up with something totally unique, a name that no other person has ever though about naming their child?

The Twilight Saga

We could take inspiration here from the Twilight saga with Bella joining both her mother and Edward’s mother’s names together to create something truly spectacular. She chose on the name Renesmee, a mix of the names Renee and Esme, but would this be so simple in the non-fiction world? If your mother was called Harriet and your partner’s mother Anne you could make Harrianne, but other examples may be less fortunate. What if you wanted to cross Francesca with Laura, what would you create? Maybe Lauesca? This technique might not be to every ones taste, but it is a simple way of being quite creative and can come up with some humorous results when brainstorming with your partner. On the other hand, maybe you should refrain from telling your partner that this is one option inspired by the teenage novels of Twilight.

The only problem is finding the inspiration to come up with your new name, and to find something that would actually be readable on a class register at your little ones first day at school. Of course we would say that there are far too many Thomas’ and Matthew’s in the world, but there is a reason that these names are so popular, and its because we can picture our babies having those names, and can imagine what type of person we might expect them to be. When picking something entirely new, it can be a shocking and risky situation to put any parent in, due to the problems a child might have at school if they were to be bullied because of their individual name. However, picking something that sounds right and does not look too weird on paper could be gold dust. A little inspiration could also go a long way, you could look towards emotions or senses to pick a name that is personal and special to you.

Making Them Up!

A friend of mine recently named her baby girl Alexandra, a name which has been around for decades and was passed down to her from her mother, who got the name from her grandmother and so on. When mentioning to my friend about the possibility of making up her own baby name she was horrified by the thought of creating something new that would not suit old family traditions. She did however play around with Alexandra’s middle name, and considered the prospect of making her own name up. We played around with names such as Rhilana, Lisnee and Ilsaray, therefore if you are not feeling brave enough to name your child something a bit unusual stick to a middle name, after all if they are not fond of it later in life, they can always leave it out if they so choose. On the other hand, if you come up with something that you love, do not be afraid, after all sticking out of the crowd could be a wonderful blessing to your beautiful new baby.

This article has been written by Rhian who loves finding out about new baby names and the trends that create them.

Convoluted (part 3)

Here’s the conclusion. If you haven’t read from the beginning, I highly recommend you go back and read parts 1 & 2 before reading this. Enjoy!

 

* * *
Alexa pulled at her snug dress. It was itchy in the heat, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep wearing it much longer. She hated to ask Tessa, but what choice did she have? She had decided a few months ago that she wasn’t going to even try going back to her own time. She was too happy here, living on Isaac’s plantation and bantering with James, Nolan and Kraven.
Isaac had tried to keep her from moving into his home. He said that they could wait until a preacher came to the island to marry them, but Alexa didn’t want to wait. She told him as much and moved in with him the next day. The other men didn’t seem to judge them for the arrangement, so Isaac went with it.
She hadn’t gotten pregnant yet, but she was gaining weight from Tessa’s cooking and not working out as much. To her surprise, she was beginning to enjoy her ever increasingly plump figure. At first, she had complained to the men that she needed to start exercising again and begin a strict diet. Her idea had quickly been thwarted by all four of them. It had taken a while to convince her they meant it when they said that her rounding curves were far more attractive than the stringy girl she had been.
But they really were telling the truth. James had Kraven had never really looked at her with attraction, but she’d noticed that the more she grew, the more heated glances they sent her way. In fact each of the men were looking at her more and more as if she were the cream and they the cats.
She had also realized that Isaac became even more intense in the bedroom the more she increased in size. It was so nice to feel confident in herself and her beauty when she would stand before him, stark naked, and he would worship every inch of her.
Alexa sighed with satisfaction as she remembered the multiple orgasms Isaac had given her last night. She was positive the others had heard her. The three men had sent amused glances her way all through breakfast that morning.
She pushed her thoughts aside as she approached James’ home and Tessa opened the door for her. Before Alexa could open her mouth, Tessa held up a hand. “Jus’ a minute, girl. I gots something that’s abouts to burn.” Then Tessa turned and scurried down the hall and into the kitchen.
Alexa had never been beyond the dining table since Tessa claimed that the kitchen was her sanctuary and that no one was allowed in it. She walked through the dining room and to the door where Tessa had disappeared. She figured she could just open the door and tell her what she needed. She wouldn’t be in Tessa’s kitchen, but would remain in the doorway.
Alexa placed her hand on the handle and was about to pull the door open, when Tessa burst through. Alexa only got a peak at an industrial-sized porcelain sink before Tessa slammed the door closed.
“I’ve told you that nobody enters my kitchen!” Before Alexa could respond, Tessa raised a big wooden spoon and whipped it across her left cheek.
There was a moment of shocked disbelief before things set into motion again. The explosive pain was blinding. Alexa screamed as another strike hit her on her shoulder. A third blow smacked near her spine. Alexa finally got a hold of her stupor and stopped crouching like some dumb dog. She stood and punched Tessa in the gut and quickly took advantage of the surprise by yanking the spoon from her grasp.
Both women stood, panting hard and staring at each other with murder in their eyes.
Nolan was the first to arrive and he pulled Tessa away and seated her at the table. The others got there in time to hear Tessa’s version of the events. They all looked at Alexa with accusation.
“I was just going to shout at her through the door! I had no intention of entering her so-called sanctuary, for hell’s sake!”
Isaac walked over and put his arms around her shoulders. “Tessa only has one place on this whole island to call her own. It may seem silly to you, but her kitchen is hers. None of us would ever so much as open that door, understood?”
His reprimand stung far more than she would have thought, and Alexa blinked back tears of embarrassment. She gritted out an apology to Tessa, then fled the house before anymore humiliation could ensue. For a slave, Tessa sure had the men’s absolute respect.
She was able to calm herself down after sitting in the shade of a palm tree for a few hours. Then she went back home. Isaac was waiting for her on the porch. When he saw her, he stood and ran to her, engulfing her in a suffocating hug. “I thought you’d decided to go back.”
She shook her head against his chest. It hadn’t even occurred to her. “There’s nothing for me there.” She looked up into his blue eyes. “I belong here now. With you. Nothing else matters to me anymore.”
Isaac smiled and kissed her. It was hard and urgent, and before long they were in their bedroom frantically stripping each other. After they finished the intensely erotic love play, they cuddled together in bed. Alexa rubbed her nose back and forth in the hollow of his shoulder.
“I wish this would never end.” Isaac’s voice sounded sad and… resigned.
Alexa’s head popped up. “I meant it, Isaac,” she stated firmly. “I’ll never go back to my time. I’ve committed myself to you.”
Isaac blinked away the forlorn look in his eyes and gave her his usual warm smile. “I believe you, my love.” He kissed her tenderly, and then turned on his side to sleep.
Alexa was deeply sleeping when she was jolted into wakefulness. She wasn’t sure what had alerted her, but sat upright and looked over to see that Isaac was no longer in bed. The room was dark and it was obviously still the dead of the night.
Suddenly, the room brightened and Alexa looked over to see James, Isaac, Nolan and Kraven approaching the bed.
“What’s wrong?”
They didn’t answer. She could see lust and smugness swimming in their eyes. Isaac looked at her with a combination of regret and lust. She glanced down and saw that James and Nolan were holding ropes. At this dreaded realization, Alexa gasped and scrambled to the other side of the bed. As she was standing up, Kraven grabbed her arm and pulled her into a tight circle of his arms.
Isaac walked up and with a few yanks, pulled her nightgown off her struggling form. He held the candle close so the men could inspect her body from head to toe. They obviously liked what they saw.
“What are you doing? Stop!”
James was next to Nolan and binding her wrists behind her back with the rope. Kraven got more rope from Nolan and squatted to tie her ankles together. The sense of anticipation emanating from them sent her into a panic.
Alexa writhed and wriggled every which way to avoid their hands, but it was no use. Before she knew it, they had jointly carried her to James’ house. They moved at an even pace through the hall, then the dining room, and into the forbidden kitchen.
At first, her mind couldn’t comprehend that she was lying on a high, cold table. Once the fact penetrated, she twisted her head to see that it was stainless steel. She also saw that the men were pushing fat needles towards her vulnerable flesh. Alexa screamed when at least ten needles punctured her at the same time. They had pricked all over her body and it was easy to see that her blood was quickly exiting. She squirmed and bucked, but it did no good. In just a few minutes, she lay quietly, too weak to protest her impending doom any longer. Her blood was falling through a drain by her feet.
A hot spray of water brought her to look up. James had a hose and was cleaning her body of the red that was still oozing out. She saw a large, clear container with what looked like a mix of spices on the counter to her left. On her right was a large, brick oven. She could feel the heat steaming from where she was and the final realization of what they were doing caused her to mercifully pass out.

* * *
Isaac could smell the tantalizing scent of fire-roasted meat from the parlor and his mouth watered. It was almost done.
Clint, Alexa’s supposed boyfriend that brought her to the islands, was getting the cash from Kraven.
Putting the money in a briefcase, Clint stood to leave. “Thanks guys. As usual, it’s a pleasure doing business with you.” He turned toward the door, then stopped and twisted back around. “By the way, I think I’ve already found our next mark. I’ve taken her on a few dates already and things are looking good.”
“Fabulous,” Kraven said. “Just send me a text when you are on your way with her.”
When Clint left, Kraven walked in with a lit pipe protruding from his mouth. “How are you?” He asked with genuine concern. Kraven was the only one that Isaac had confided in.
Isaac pursed his lips pensively before answering. “You know that I genuinely cared for her.” He shrugged. “We’d made our life’s decision long before she came, and she turned out to be just as gullible as the other girls.”
James caught the last sentence as he came in and sat next to Isaac. “She was even easier to convince than some of the others.” He chuckled. “God bless those cheesy romance novels. Who would have thought that this con would have been so successful?”
Isaac forced a smirk. He remembered when James had come up with a plan to make it possible for them to enjoy their unique cuisine. He’d been so skeptical, but it had worked time and again. They had even begun to make a fantastic profit from it. Selling “exotic meats” was incredibly lucrative. And people all over the world were willing to pay a lot of money for food that they had no clue was human meat.

 

 

Not what you were expecting? What can I say? That’s where the story took me. Or maybe you could say that’s how dark and twisted I am. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

Five Common Grammar Mistakes in Product Descriptions

Writing enticing product descriptions is a great way to give your customers information about your products. This description usually gives your customers the benefits and highlights of your products while compelling them to make a purchase.
Writing product descriptions takes work. You can’t simply throw some words together and expect it to sell your product. Unfortunately, even the most talented product description writers make mistakes. The following are five common grammar mistakes found in product descriptions.

1. The person.

Product descriptions need to be consistent across the board. They should have the same style and tone so as not to confuse your readers. Too often, product descriptions bounce from first person to second person to third person. Before you can write a product description, you need to decide which person you want to use and stick with it throughout all of your descriptions. Don’t use first person in one and then third person in the next.
2. Fragments.

Sometimes companies try to put too much information into a very small space. In order to fit in all the details, these companies will use multiple fragments in order to highlight the best features. While this will help ensure that you include all the necessary information, having a product description comprised of only fragments will make it hard to read. If your customer has a hard time reading your description, they’re not going to make a purchase.
3. Apostrophes.

Apostrophes can trip up any writer, which is why proofreading is important. Apostrophes are used to show possession or to indicate a contraction, and there is a difference between the two. If you misuse apostrophes, it can confuse your readers. When your reader is confused, they won’t gain the necessary information from your product description. Plus, it looks like you don’t care enough to proof your work before publishing it.
4. Subject/verb agreement.

Writing product copy can be overwhelming, and sometimes, it can be a bit monotonous. But this doesn’t mean that you can slack as a writer. Your subjects and your verbs have to relate to each other. Single subjects use singular verbs. If you are placing plural subjects with singular verbs, it looks poorly on you as a writer, and it will deter customers from making a purchase.
5. Numerics

Most product descriptions contain numbers, usually in the form of height and weight. Different style guides suggest writing numbers differently—that is, writing them out or using the numerics. Depending on what style guide you follow, you need to be consistent. If you are spelling out some numbers and using numerics for others with no rhyme or reason as to why, it can confuse your readers.
If you plan on writing product descriptions, use these common mistakes as a guide of what not to do. Take your time to create a great, informative description that will make your readers feel as if they need your products. And always make sure to proofread your work. Misspellings and improper grammar are a big turn off.

Mark Weatherford is a high school English teacher, published author, and dedicated father. He is obsessive about proper grammar usage and always insists his students proof their work with a grammar checker to ensure it abides by all necessary grammar rules.

What Makes a Story Great?

What makes a story great? Good question, with an involved answer. The thing about a great story is that you would think it’s all based on opinions. Well, that may be somewhat true, but not totally true.
While a lot of stories are dependent on the opinion of the reader, a lot of readers tend to want the same things.

So let’s start with the basic concept of story. What does the word story mean to you? I once heard an author describe story as characters in conflict. Characters with impossible dreams. Characters willing to do anything to reach their dreams. That pretty much sums it up for me. I mean, what’s the point of reading a story if there was no conflict? “Jane woke up happy, met the man of her dreams, and now they’re getting married. The end.” Wow – who cares?

Let’s face it, we love to read about characters who are suffering. I think part of the point in reading a story is to be able to grow with the characters. If the characters are not in conflict, then they are probably not growing either. The conflict is what draws us in. It makes us want to turn the pages to see how the character is going to overcome whatever obstacle they happen to be facing.

Another key to a great story is a great character. Readers want to idolize the characters they’re reading about. My dad recommended a fantasy book once. I won’t give the name because I don’t want to make fun of the author. This author was actually quite gifted. The world he created was very original and the conflict and plot twists were fabulous. But I just couldn’t get through the whole thing.

Because the book was so well written and came recommended, I tried to finish it. I pushed myself to read until I was halfway, and then finally put it down. Why? Because I hated the main character! He was totally self-absorbed, wallowing in his own misery. He raped a girl and then didn’t seem to feel any remorse whatsoever. The girl’s mother was his guide and she knew what he had done to her daughter, yet he didn’t appear to even feel awkward around her. I just couldn’t read through this man’s journey because I didn’t like him and didn’t want him to win.

Please note that there are characters in the fictional world who could also be described as egotistical and depressed. However, those characters usually have some redeeming qualities that make the reader want to cheer for them anyway.

Another note is that it’s not just the main character who needs to be well written, but all of the characters. Even the ones who are around for a few pages should still come across as third dimensional instead of two dimensional.
The story also needs to have a good flow to it. There needs to be ups and down throughout the whole book that can all be tied together by the end.

And, finally, the author’s voice needs to be their own. There has to be some way the author describes the story that readers can get into. Of course, this one is pretty subjective because some people prefer a different kind of voice. But the point remains that the author needs to be themselves while they write and not try to imitate someone else. I should also mention that basic grammar also makes the story flow well.

Convoluted (part 2)

Here’s part two of the short story. If you haven’t read part one, I highly recommend reading that first. Next week will be the final part in this story. Can anyone guess how it will end?

James introduced Nolan, Kraven, and Isaac. Nolan and Kraven were about her size, between five eight and five ten. Isaac was just a bit taller than James, his thick red hair adding to his height. They each took her hand and kissed by way of greeting. Alexa felt a jolt shoot up her arm when Isaac held it. They looked into each other’s eyes for a moment in mutual shock. Then he cleared his throat and stood back with the others.

All of them had the same embarrassed reaction to her clothes. They stood awkwardly for a moment, each of their faces beet red, and Alexa absolutely puzzled over their reactions.

Finally, she cleared her throat. “Is my outfit… offensive?”

“You look like you’re wearing just your under things,” Nolan answered, his light brown eyes stuck on her bare shoulders. He had the grace to look shamed at what he’d blurted.

Alexa threw her hands up in exasperation. “If you guys aren’t Amish, then what the hell are you?”

All four of them looked appalled and it took a second for Alexa to realize that they didn’t like it when she swore. “It wasn’t even that bad of a word,” she mumbled to herself.

Isaac stepped forward and led her to sit back down on the settee. “Tell me, Miss… uh, Alexa. Where do you reside?” His tentative smile traveled to his blue eyes. They were dark and quite warm.

“I live in Chicago. I just came out here for a vacation.”

Isaac snapped his fingers together. “America! That explains it.” The trio behind him nodded their agreement. “Obviously, we stem from different cultures, Miss Alexa. We do extend our apologies if our conduct is strange to you.”

Alexa didn’t feel the same relief that they exuded. “Are you all from England, like James?”

“Kraven and I grew up on this island, but Nolan and James lived in England until about four years ago. We each run our own plantations and are quite successful.” Isaac’s chest puffed with pride.

Alexa looked up at James and Nolan. “If you two grew up in England, then my appearance shouldn’t be that strange.”

They shared a look, and then James spoke. “Beg pardon, madam, but where we grew up, women were modest and never even showed their ankles unless they were in a brothel.”

“In what universe did you grow up in?” She knew it came out rude, but couldn’t stop herself. “You guys are acting like we’re living in the seventeen hundreds or something! Women have been showing their shoulders and ankles since, like, the twenties I think.”

They all looked uncomfortable. Nolan glanced away. “I beg to differ, Miss Alexa. We lived in England during the twenties, and I doubt that once it became the year eighteen thirty that fashion changed so drastically.”

Alexa cocked her head to the side. “What are you talking about? The year is two thousand twelve.”

Each of the men blinked hard at her statement then looked at each other with discomfort. The pregnant silence that filled the room was too thick to break.

Suddenly, Tessa poked her head in the door and announced that dinner was ready.

Everyone strode toward the door, breaking away from the awkward situation. Alexa followed more slowly, not sure if she was hallucinating or not. Maybe there really was a good reason people weren’t supposed to hike to that waterfall. The idea of time travel was laughable, but she couldn’t argue with the evidence before her.

Throughout dinner, she scrutinized everything. Spooning another delicious bite, she saw that there was no evidence of electricity that she could find. The men spoke properly and without any slang. Even the dishes were made out of baked clay. Though she still had difficulty thinking that she was somehow sitting with men from the eighteen hundreds, she couldn’t think of a better explanation.

Alexa had asked each of the men questions about themselves and their background, and the theory of time travel seemed the most logical explanation for their responses. Alexa rolled her eyes at the thought. The words “time traveling” and “logic” did not go together. But what else could this be? The men were all lucid and polite. She couldn’t dredge up any reason they would go to such lengths as build buildings without electricity and put on such an act just to trick her.

Coffee and small cakes were served after dinner. The men pulled out pipes to smoke. The smell of bitter coffee mixed with acrid tobacco somehow made her feel tired. The long day was finally getting to her.

Isaac seemed to read her expression and called for Tessa. “Show the lady to her room, if you will.”

Tessa bowed her head and turned to lead Alexa up the creaky wooden stairs. “The mastah be in this room, here.” She pointed to the left once they reached the top of the stairs. They walked down to the end of the hall and Tessa opened the door to a sparse, small room with no closet. There was a crudely made dresser and a decent-sized bed. The only other thing ornamenting the room was a strait-backed chair next to the bed. “There be extra clothes for you to use in them draw’rs.” With that, Tessa closed the door behind her.

Though the day had been puzzling and somewhat exciting, Alexa fell into bed and into an exhausted sleep.

             * * *

The next morning was a little more comfortable for Alexa. She had come to terms with the idea of time travel and had worn a baggy gown that was in the dresser. It seemed to make the men more at ease and the conversation around the breakfast table flowed more smoothly this time.

“Do you always come to James’ to eat?” Alexa asked no one in particular.

Isaac spoke. “No, but we love Tessa’s cooking and come here often.” He smiled and it was contagious. “Nolan, Kraven, and I are not the best of cooks. James was fortunate to be able to purchase Tessa. Not much trading comes in to this island.”

Licking her lips, Alexa was uncomfortable with the idea of slavery. For some reason, she had just thought that Tessa was a servant. She forced herself not to say anything on the matter.

With breakfast over, Alexa stood to say goodbye and was going to go back to the waterfall and, hopefully, her own time. Isaac protested the most, trying to convince her to stay just a few more days.

“We rarely are graced with such feminine beauty as yours, dear Alexa,” Isaac cooed. “Please say that you will treat us for a day or two.” He attempted to smooth down his curly auburn hair as he awaited her answer.

Looking between each hopeful set of eyes made her waiver. When she made eye contact with Isaac, she felt her heart flutter, and Alexa consented to stay for a day longer.

The guys decided they would each take a turn to show her around their vast plantations. First, Kraven took her to see his plantation, then brought her back for lunch.

Alexa was surprised at how delicious everything tasted. She had always thought that food from this time would be bland. When she complimented Tessa, the housekeeper confided that she used lard and butter in almost everything she cooked. Alexa wrinkled her nose at the news, but then decided she wouldn’t think about the ingredients of what she ate. She would just enjoy her time while she stayed.

After lunch, Nolan walked her to his plantation. His polite and proper manner was amusing to Alexa. He seemed the equivalent of a human teddy bear, with his light brown hair and matching eyes, combined with his manners.

Dinner was also delicious and was accompanied with a rich brandy. Everyone was having a great time, and the atmosphere was getting more raucous by the moment. Suddenly, Isaac stood and turned to her. “I believe, fair maiden, it is my turn to stake my claim upon you!” With dramatic movements, he pulled her from the chair and tossed her over his shoulder, running out the door and screaming, “I have slain the dragon! She is mine!”

Alexa couldn’t stop giggling while Isaac ran, and then walked, with her hanging over him the entire time. Once he had reached his home, he kicked the door open and made a show of draping her onto his plush couch. Then he bowed his head. “What would you have of me fair lady?”

She was absolutely giddy. Today had been one of the best days of her life and the three men had lavished her with attention. “What would you wish me to request of you, sir knight?”

He looked up and smiled charmingly. “Why, a kiss of course.”

Acting on impulse, Alexa leaned forward and kissed Isaac soundly. He was surprised at first, then quickly reciprocated and took control. His hands ran through her hair then down her shoulders while his tongue, teeth and lips worked up a hot magic. Alexa couldn’t believe how strong the chemistry was that sparked between them. She’d never felt anything like it. When Isaac drew back, Alexa took a deep breath. That had gotten passionate way too fast.

She had to watch herself. After all, it’s not like she could stay here in hopes that this thing she felt for Isaac would be a forever situation… could she?

“I’m sorry, Alexa,” Isaac murmured, watching her closely. “I got carried away.” Standing, he pulled her to her feet and they walked out into the night air.

Isaac was good conversation and he made her laugh a lot on their way back to James’ home. Just before she walked up the steps of the porch, Isaac leaned in and gave her a short, but tender kiss.

“Don’t leave tomorrow,” he pleaded. “I would really love it if you would stay.”

Biting her lower lip, she looked up into his blue eyes. “For how long?”

That seemed to make him blush and he looked away. “I don’t know.” He glanced back at her. “But I would really like to see if…er, I mean…” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’d like to, you know… um, court you.”

Alexa couldn’t help the big grin on her face. She had to admit that what she felt for Isaac was more than she’d felt for any other man, and she’d only known him for a day.

Before she lost her nerve, she answered, “Alright, Isaac. I’ll stay for just a few more nights.”