Now, hold on. I don't mean that the way it sounds, I promise! I like to read the author's notes and acknowledgements in books and Lisa Gardner's notes for Touch and Go were fascinating. I loved finding out how many characters in the book were named after real people. Even better, those real names came from people who entered contests, like Gardner's annual "Kill a Friend, Maim a Buddy Sweepstakes." Gardner also offered up some naming privileges to be auctioned off for a charity. I love all of this so much!
Who were the characters named after real people? Well, there was Michael Beardsley, who's name was nominated by his wife. Lindsay Edmiston's name was nominated by her husband. And Daniel J. Coakley's name was submitted by his step-daughter. Gardner even offered up the naming rights to an animal in the book -- Zeus the friendly labrador.
It made me think of who I'd nominate for naming contests in novels. My best friend reads lots of James Patterson novels so I feel like she'd be game for the "Kill a Friend, Maim a Buddy" contest and get a kick out of it. I think my husband would adore being cast as a corrupt politician should ever a contest for that role appear. My mother would probably prefer not to appear at all, while my father would probably really like to be cast as a hockey player. I'm not sure my cat would think much of appearing in a book -- she already thinks she's internet famous.
Whose name would you nominate for a book appearance? What would you like their role to be?
BlogHer Book Club Host Karen Ballum also blogs at Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.