Sarah Ash – fantasy author

What’s In A Name?

Names are very important to me when starting out on a new story. If the name I’ve chosen for a character or a place is wrong, then the story often stalls until I change it and get it right.

Gavril started out as Tian Andar. That name just didn’t suit him at all. Because all my fantasy stories feel more like alternate histories, I want to give each country an identity of its own – and names to match. So it made sense for Gavril – the son of an Azhkendi ruler and a Smarnan artist – to have an Eastern European name.

And now that I’ve returned to Azhkendir and am writing – for my own pleasure (and I hope that of all those of you who have been kind enough to ask me ‘What happened next?’) – I find myself introducing new characters and searching diligently for new names that will suit them.

So here are a few Azhkendi names (originally from Eastern Europe/Russia) and their meanings:

Larisa Nagarian (daughter of Gavril and Kiukiu) – sea bird, sea gull

Vartik – friend of Vassily, Bogatyr Askold’s younger son

Kion – martyr (Ninusha’s son with Anders)

Krasa – beautiful (Gavril’s roan mare)

Nothing raises an author’s spirits more than the news that their editor is promoting their work on-line. My thanks go to Anne Groell for these kind words as Lord of Snow and Shadows gets this week’s spotlight on Fridays on Suvudu. Do drop by and see what she says…

http://sf-fantasy.suvudu.com/2011/11/del-rey-spectra-50-page-fridays-sarah-ash.html

I was delighted to be approached by author Erin M. Hartshorn to be part of a new A to Z series on her blog. Each post will discuss 3 to 4 women authors of science fiction and fantasy.

I’m honoured to be included alongside C. L. Anderson, Eleanor Arnason, Catherine Asaro; many thanks, Erin, and I’m looking forward to reading about many other authors in the genre every Wednesday!

http://www.erinmhartshorn.com/anderson-arnason-asaro-ash/

I’m looking forward to joining Juliet McKenna and Ian Whates (and A.N. Other) to discuss fantasy and science fiction on Saturday 18th June at the Witney Book Festvial (17th-19th June 2011.) Come and join us if you’re in the area!

www.witneybookfestival.wordpress.com

A big vote of thanks to my skilled webmaster, Paul Graham Raven, for implementing the changes and improvements to this site!

However, if you’ve tried to contact me via the link, it’s possible that your email may not have reached me while the changes have been taking place. Never fear! Everything should be up and running very soon.