Many authors can and do have a lot of fun with their characters' names when writing. But is there any purpose behind this other than amusement for the author? SFF writers Jules and Madeleine consider the question, delving into works by authors who have used character names (and other references) to obscurely or obviously signal secondary and tertiary layers of theme in their books. From the outlandish and clearly apparent characters of Roald Dahl to the tongue in cheek but clearly accessible references of J.K.Rowling, to the careful minature work of Jane Austen and the subtler effect of phonic devices found in modern sci-fi and fantasy, the dragons look at 'what's in a name?'
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 63: Mentors, Wizards and Wise Women - Portrayals of the Elderly in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 62: Occult Detectives - Urban Fantasy and Mystery
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 61: Lords of Misrule - Tricksters, Con-artists and Grifters
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 60: Comic Can't - Conventions, Talks and Launches
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 59: Room 101 - the Concept of Dystopian Hell
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 58: One Ring to Rule them All - Magical Artefacts that made the Hero
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 57: Defying Gravity - the Incredible Unlikeliness of Musical Theatre
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 56: Symbiosis - Why we need Writing Buddies
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 55: Break 'em to Make 'em - the Heroes who Rise from the Ashes
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 54: Frost Giants to Snow Queens - the Frozen Heart of Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 53: The Wizard of Oz to Wicked - Adaptations and Reimagings in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 52: Dragons, Wyverns and Wyrms - Happy Anniversary!
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 51: Happily Ever After - the Evolution of the Disney Princess
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 50: Dreamscapes and Nightmares - Writing the Unconscious
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 49: Barghests, Bogey Beasts and Black Shuck - Black Dogs of the British Isles
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 48: Mermaids, Selkies and Sirens - Legends of the Sea
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 47: 2016 - The Best Bits
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 46: Winter Festivals - Traditions and Stories in the Dark
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 45: Time and Tide and the Rose-tinted Glasses - Our Fascination with the Past
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 44: Writing Sex Scenes - it's not as Hard as You Think
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