Obligatory Introduction

[LilyW]

First off, hello to all.

Australian literary studies student here. My primary field of interest is graphic novel, but in addition to that all aspects of writing, illustration and world building are worth investigating to the fullest extent. As such, towns, nations, worlds and histories are prime for research and creation.

To that end I have started on my own project, which I am largely pleased with so far, but progress will always be slow as I come out of my writer's block. I tend to more often than not have problems with naming, rather than design. It's just not something I ever properly wrapped my head around.

We'll see how this works out, hope to try and contribue what little I can to the community.

[Adversary]

Welcome to the guild. I am new here myself and have already learned quite a lot.

As for naming, I think place names come in three flavors: descriptive, founder or famous person/place. I am originally from Wisconsin (named for the Wisconsin river, may mean red stone place or red water). Place names from Europe are common like New London or Berlin (pronounced ber' linn). I lived in Neillsville (named for the O'Neill family), Wisconsin Rapids and Green Bay (both obviously descriptive names). There is also Milwaukee (meeting place also named for the river). To the south is Chicago, Illinois. Chicago (Land of onions or stinking place) and Illinois for the name the French gave the local native Americans.

When I get stuck I often look for a foreign language word. In the town map I am working on the town is named Belaya Voda which is Russian for White Water. The river, which runs through a jungle is the Dzhungli River (Russian for Jungle).

I hope this helps to at least put a crack in your writer's block. Good luck.

[Gidde]

Welcome to the Guild! You'll find many fellow writers here, blocked or otherwise

[ltan]

I don't know Gidde, perhaps they should take up carving if they have a block

Seriously though, welcome aboard!

[Sadron82]

Welcome to the Guild! Let's inspire each other!