A Goodreads user
asked
Rainbow Rowell:
You've probably been asked this before, but how did you choose Baz and Simon's names? And, while this question is probably pointless, is there any way I can possibly bribe you for information on your next book? In the off chance that you do answer this, I also just want to say that you are one of my favorite people and, as a young aspiring author, you inspire me daily to keep writing. Thank you so much.
Rainbow Rowell
Thank you!
I don't think I've ever been asked this. I chose Simon Snow because it sounds like a classic fantasy hero name. "Simon" sounds like the main character in an English children's story. Like, doesn't it seem like Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy could have had a younger brother named "Simon"?
And "Snow" has a fairy tale vibe.
With Baz, I've always thought it was really interesting the way Brits shorten names with -z. Like Jezza for Jeremy, Shazzer for Sharon. Baz for Barry.
And then I thought, maybe his name should sound like one of those nicknames, but actually be even more English sounding. Like "Basil," which sounds SO English to me.
And maybe I could make it really pretentious by making it sound like a surname. So then you have "Basilton."
"Tyrannus," "Grimm," and "Pitch" are just to make him sound evil...
It's helpful to remember that I came up with these names for Fangirl, not Carry On. So they were all SUPPOSED to sound like literary characters.
I don't think I've ever been asked this. I chose Simon Snow because it sounds like a classic fantasy hero name. "Simon" sounds like the main character in an English children's story. Like, doesn't it seem like Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy could have had a younger brother named "Simon"?
And "Snow" has a fairy tale vibe.
With Baz, I've always thought it was really interesting the way Brits shorten names with -z. Like Jezza for Jeremy, Shazzer for Sharon. Baz for Barry.
And then I thought, maybe his name should sound like one of those nicknames, but actually be even more English sounding. Like "Basil," which sounds SO English to me.
And maybe I could make it really pretentious by making it sound like a surname. So then you have "Basilton."
"Tyrannus," "Grimm," and "Pitch" are just to make him sound evil...
It's helpful to remember that I came up with these names for Fangirl, not Carry On. So they were all SUPPOSED to sound like literary characters.
More Answered Questions
sphagnum
asked
Rainbow Rowell:
I got a suggestion for "Carry On" and then I found myself binge read the entire series. You capture exactly how it's to be young. (I remember!) I can relate so much to this story. In so many ways, Simon and I are the same kind of people. I hope that when you've been away from this story for awhile (and miss this world) you may write a forth? Take your time! We'll be here! Thank you so much for this series! I love it!
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more