I’m writing a story for a writing contest. Need to explain story and character names; you let me know if I need to change any + suggestions.
[name_f][/name_f]cw: child abuse, suicide
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Story[/name_f] is about a girl with an abusive mom. [name_f]She[/name_f] had an older sister who committed suicide before she was born. [name_m]The[/name_m] twist is that the main character is the reincarnation of her sister, and she remembers everything from her past life because she was unable to drink from the river [name_f]Lethe[/name_f] before she reincarnated (story takes place in a world where Greek mythology is real, except with reincarnation. Also story is set in contemporary America.).
[name_f][/name_f]Names of characters (in-story and mentioned):
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Erin[/name_f]: Main character. [name_m]Her[/name_m] name is supposed to call to mind Erinyes, the Greek goddess of the underworld who take vengeance for the dead. This name is more realistic for a real life human being. [name_m]The[/name_m] problem is that it was my almost-name, so it might raise some eyebrows if my family ever reads this story (my real life was never this bad).
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Mackayla[/name_f]: [name_m]The[/name_m] older sister. Used this name because I think it has the same vibes as [name_f]Mackenzie[/name_f] and I got some details for this story from the [name_f]Mackenzie[/name_f] Fierceton case that was making rounds a few years ago.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Sharon[/name_f]: [name_m]The[/name_m] mom’s name. I used this as a more ‘human’ form of [name_m]Charon[/name_m], who ferries souls to the underworld in Greek mythology. I very much do not want to change this character name!
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Lisa[/name_f]: One of Mackayla’s elementary school teachers, who was mean to her. Also friends with the mom. I used this as a more ‘human’ form of [name_f]Lyssa[/name_f], the Greek goddess of madness.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Melina[/name_f]: Erin’s elementary school teacher, who acts all sweet but refuses to believe her when she tells her about the abuse. I used this because it comes from the Greek word for honey, but is also similar to [name_f]Melinoe[/name_f], a goddess from the underworld who is a harbinger of nightmares and madness (fitting because the idea for this story came to me in a nightmare). [name_m]The[/name_m] problem is that it’s my real-life middle name, and I often use my middle name in addition to my first and last name in my publications to distinguish myself.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Helena[/name_f]: Erin’s aunt, whom she runs away to try and live with. She’s a mystic, so [name_f]Erin[/name_f] thinks she might understand that she’s a reincarnation. I figured it’s like [name_f]Helena[/name_f] Blavatsky and [name_f]Helen[/name_f] of [name_m]Troy[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f]Please give feedback; thanks!