State: It was a gunfight that Montana wanted no part of.
Region: Slowly, from his sleeve, Sahara removed a long-bladed knife.
City: There in the corner sat Jericho, hunched over a dirty glass and a half-bottle of wine.
The shortened names of geographical locations may also be adopted for nicknames. For example:
State: When Joe looked at 'Barna, they started to laugh at the same time.
City: Frisco had the upper hand and he knew it.
Some geographically related nicknames can stand alone; others, however, sound better when they are linked to another name. For example:
First Name: After he won the football game, they began calling him Broadway Joe.
Last Name: Mountain Miller could shoot the eye out of a squirrel fifty yards away.
Combination: The only person who stood in his way was Minnesota Fats.
INITIALS
Before deciding to use initials for a character's nickname, a writer should consider whether the initials are going to be used extensively throughout the story. If so, they will frequently stand alone—that is, they will not always be joined to a surname—and, therefore, the combined sound of the two letters must fall easily from one's tongue. The combinations most easily spoken include the following:
B.B.
B.J.
C.C.
D.C.
D.D.
D.J.
G.G.
J.B.
J.J.
K.C.
K.K.
K.O.
O.J.
EC.
T.C.
T.J.
T.T.
Z.Z.
Other initials sound better when they precede a character's last name, although they can occasionally stand alone. Example: "J. Butts will be the movie's producer."
MILITARY
In the hit motion picture as well as in the long-running television series that followed, several characters were known by their nicknames, e.g., Hawkeye and Trapper. But only one of the key characters had a nickname that could be seen as military-related: that was Radar, who served as the all-knowing but still rather naive assistant to the unit commander. A few other typical nickname possibilities that may have a military connection include the following:
Bazooka
Bombshell
Boots
Bunker
Gunboat
Sarge
Scud
Scuttlebutt
Shine
Sonar
Tank
Taps
Torpedo
MR. OR MISS
A writer can use a nickname beginning with "Mr." or "Miss" to quickly nail a specific skill, failing, or some other trait into the reader's mind. Such a name is more likely to be used when the writer first introduces the character, and it is rarely referred to again. Should the a nickname appear in the story after that, it will usually be uttered by another character, and usually in a derogatory manner. Here are three examples:
Mr. Arbitrator:
This nickname could imply that the character is skilled at settling differences between people with conflicting viewpoints and purposes. On the other hand, it could also be a nickname given facetiously to a no-nonsense tough guy whose idea of "arbitration" is to yank two enemies across a table until their noses touch, thus getting them to agree on what they thought they never would.
Miss Goody Two-Shoes:
A writer might apply this nickname to a character when it is necessary to quickly establish a sanctimonious image.
Mr. Automatic:
This was the nickname given to Luke Appling, the all-star shortstop who played for the Chicago White Sox. So superior were his fielding skills that practically anything he could reach with his glove was an automatic out. Nicknames that denote a skill are often comprised of adjectives.
MUSIC
In choosing a nickname linked to the field of music, the author must decide whether the name in some way reflects that particular character's interest or activity in music, or some other personal characteristic. Among the great many options that are available, here is just a small fraction:
BeBop
Bluenote
Boogie
Crooner
Dancer
Ditty
Downbeat
Drummer
Hi-fi
Hoofer
Jazz
Jingle
Jitterbug
Jive
Juke Box
Melody
Piccolo
Sax
Shimmy
Spinner
Sticks
Tango
Tape Deck
Tempo
Tin Pan
Tunes
Whistler
Yodel
NATIONALITIES
In selecting a nationality for a nickname, it will perhaps be important that no other character in the story should hail from the same area. It is worth remembering, too, that nicknames may reveal the prejudices of the nickname giver. Among the possibilities—some of which are offensive—include Aussie, Brit, Chink, Cockney, Dago, Dutch, English, Fin, Frenchie, Irish, Kraut, Limey, Mex, Mexie, Scottie, Shamrock, Swede, Turk, Yank.
NAVAL
In selecting a "naval" nickname, an author may choose one that pertains to an entire ship, part of a ship, or something else that is water-related. For
Brig
Clipper
Dock
Hatch
Hawse
Jigger
Ram
Rigger
Rudder
Schooner
Scooter
Scull
Sea Horse
Seaweed
Skiff
Sloop
Spars
Steamboat
Tanker
Wharf
Windjammer
OLD
Nicknames beginning with "old" are similar to those that begin with "Mr." or "Miss." The author usually uses them just once, when first introducing the character, for the purpose of establishing some image in the reader's mind. If used afterwards, the use will be sparing. Three examples:
Old Reliable: A good nickname to use for a character who can always be counted upon when the going gets rough, or when someone is needed in the clutch.
01' Blood and Guts:
A nickname such as this could be applied, for example, to a general who has a habit of sending his men into battle with little planning and no regard for their safety.
Old Pinchface: This could immediately depict a character's unsociability, someone in the story who could be misanthropic, pitiless, contentious, and so forth.
PRECEDING PROPER NAME
Some nicknames are effective only when they precede a proper name. Babyface Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd were two of America's most notorious criminals. However, if you drop the proper name that follows either of them, the nickname sounds awkward. A nickname that is dependent upon a proper name for its existence can be an adjective, a noun, or an adjective-noun combination. Examples:
Adjective Fearless Fosdick, Hardhearted Hannah, Honest Abe, Shoeless Joe Jackson.
Noun Calamity Jane, Homerun Baker, Honeysuckle Rose.
Adjective-Noun Cool Papa Hines, Hot Lips Houlihan, Red Dog Rumble, Blue Eyes Billy.
STRANGE AND EXOTIC
A strange or exotic nickname may evoke a faraway place or distant fantasy; or it may provide no link to anything that is instantly recognizable. Indeed, a writer may create one by simply arranging letters in a way that provides some special sound, one that seems uniquely suitable for a character he or she has in mind. A writer can also turn familiar utterances into exotic nicknames, Abracadabra being one of them. Here are just a few of the countless options a writer has at his or her disposal regarding the selection of a strange or exotic nickname:
Alabaster
Applejack
Arrow
Beezer
Bingo
Blackstone
Blaze
Blur
Boffo
Bolt
Breezy
Briny
Buckhorn
Bupp
Burgundy
Butterwing
Caboodle
Calico
Calypso
Cameroon
Capricorn
Chantilly
Chestnut
Chiffon
Chime
Cinnamon
Clarion
Clopper
Cobalt
Coo-Coo
Coosh
Cottonfoot
Crispy
Cymbal
Dambi
Dazz
Dewdrop
Diggity
Ditto
Doke
Dong
DooDah
Dusky
Dustwind
Ember
Fireball
Firebolt
Fizz
Fleece
Flook
Foto
Furf
Glaze
Glory
Gog
Gong
Gonzo
Gooch
Gossamer
Graywing
Groot
Gypsy
Hiccup
Hickory
Hippity
Hojo
Hoochee
Hoodoo
Hush
Iggy
Imoo
Indigo
Jade
Jangle
Jart
Java
Jiffy
Jinx
Jipper
Jolt
Juju
Jumbiliah
Jupiter
Kickapoo
Kiki
Koko
Krone
Lava
Lavender
Leek
Loo
Madeira
Mahogany
Marigold
Misk
Mog
Mojo
Mombo
Moonbeam
Moonglow
Mootzie
Mungo
Nighthorse
Nuff
Oogie
Orchid
Paffy
Palamar
Panky
Peekaboo
Pidge
Piff
Pojo
Poke
Poof
Potsie
Poucho
Pucker
Puff
Quick
Rambler
Rango
Rasco
Raven
Razzle
Rizzy
Roo
Rub-a-Dub
Sable
Sapphire
Sark
Scuff
Sess
Shadrack
Shalimar
Sha-Zam
Shoke
Shoo
Silky
Silverado
Silverleaf
Sizzle
Skadoo
Skat
Skib
Skink
Slade
Slappy
Slewfoot
Sligo
Sloo
Sneezer
Snook
Snoot
Snout
Spree
Spurlock
Sputz
Swoop
Swoosh
Swoozie
Tangerine
Tarf
Tass
Tawny
Thunderfoot
Thunderheart
Thunderstroke
Ting
Torch
Touchstone
Trig
Trinity
Troon
Tweedledee
Tweedledum
Vista
Weez
Whisper
Whitehorn
Whizzer
Yago
Yahoo
Yaz
Yellow Wing
Yellowhammer
Yogo
Yoho
Yorky
Yo-Yo
Zang
Zap
Zart
Zazz
Zepher
Ziggy
Zing
Zinger
Zip
Zoar
Zook
Zookie
Zoot
Zuzu
"THE"
The rules that apply to a nickname using "the" are quite similar to those using "Mr.," "Miss," or "Old"—that is, it is usually used by the author just once, and, more often than not, when the character first enters the story. It serves to provide descriptive information that helps to establish some image in the reader's mind. In using such a nickname, the most common practice is to insert it between the first and last name of the character, or after the character's full name. In either case, it should be encased in quotation marks and the word "the" should be capitalized:
Charles "The Muckraker" Williams Charles Williams, "The Muckraker"
But if the nickname follows the character's first name, and the last name is omitted, "the" is not capitalized and the quotation marks are dropped:
Prufo the Magnificent
Sometimes, however, such a nickname may actually be substituted for the character's real name throughout most of the story, particularly when it comes to villains. Indeed, in some stories where an effort is made to evoke an emotion—say, fear—with a mere mention of the nickname, there may be little need to mention the character's proper name at all. For example, if a character was introduced in this manner, using the nickname throughout the story could possibly be all that is necessary:
Everyone in town knew who the Annihilator was. They had seen him grow up, watched him bully the other kids, steal money in broad daylight and brag about it. The way they saw it, he was a thug from the moment he was born. As for the sheriff, he was scared to death of him. So when Max Harper hired him to collect debts, the Annihilator soon assumed an air of importance formerly reserved for members of the Gestapo and similar notorious notables.
Also, the word "the" in some characters' nicknames may be followed by "Mr.," "Miss," or "Old." Two real-life examples are Bette Midler ("The Divine Miss M") and Joe Nuxall, one of the radio announcers for the Cincinnati Reds ("The Old Lefthander").
There are, of course, literally hundreds of nickname possibilities that can be linked with the word "the" and most are nouns. Among them include the following:
Accountant
Administrator
Agitator
Ambassador
Apprehender
Arranger
Avenger
Barbarian
Blade
Bodysnatcher
Brain
Breaker
Broker
Broom
Bruiser
Buccaneer
Bulldozer
Butcher
Cannibal
Capitulator
Chameleon
Chancellor
Chopper
Claw
Cleaver
Collaborator
Computer
Conqueror
Crepehanger
Crusader
Crusher
Defender
Demon
Devil
Dragon
Elder Statesman
Emperor
Engineer
Eradicator
Executioner
Exterminator
Fixer
Gladiator
Globetrotter
Hammer
Hangman
Iceman
Iron Duke
Iron Man
Jackal
Jawbreaker
Kingmaker
&nb
sp; Little Shepherd
Magnificent
Man-Eater
Mechanic
Minuteman
Pirate
Princess
Shark
Smasher
Spoiler
Vulture
Warrior
TRADES
The area of construction is rich with nickname possibilities. But many can be found in other fields of labor as well. Here, for instance, are just a few:
Blacktop
Blowtorch
Corkscrew
Digger
Drag
Driller
Dumper
Greaser
Grip
Hammer
Jigsaw
Pitchfork
Pumper
Ripsaw
Rivet
Sash
Shaker
Shingle
Sixpenny
Skid
Sledge
Spade
Striker
Tar Pit
Trench
Trucker
VILLAINOUS
The best nicknames for villains are often those that immediately convey some hint of danger. Here are just a few that could possibly fill that function.
Blood
Brimstone
Bruiser
Carve
Crush
Cutter
Darkwing
Fingers
Fist
Gash
Knucklenose
Knuckles
Masher
Scar
Shooter
Skull
Skunk
Slash
Slicer
Slick
Smack
Smash
Snake
Snapper
Snatch
Sniper
Snort
Snot
Spike
Spook
Squint
Stabber
Stinger
Stone
Strangler
Switchblade
Wart
Weasel
WEATHER-RELATED
Weather-type nicknames, depending upon the one chosen, can convey a positive, negative, or neutral image to the reader or viewer. Some of these
Cyclone
Misty
Muddy
Lightning
Raindrop
Shiver
Sled
Sleet
Slosh
Snow
Snowball
Sprinkle
12. What Is the Character's Job?
Choosing the right kind of job for a fictional character can be just as important as selecting a name. The reader or viewer must be immediately convinced that "yes, that's the kind of thing that person might do." True, the character may be inept at discharging the responsibilities of that jobGod knows that happens in real life with extraordinary frequency (for example, the son of a business owner may be totally unsuited for the managerial position his father has given him)but that won't matter as long as the reader or viewer regards the match-up between character and job as plausible. Conversely, any kind of work that does not seem to fit the character will make it all the more difficult for the author to establish that character's credibility.
Creating Characters Page 24