When it comes to creating stories, I think I spend more time coming up with character names than any other step in the process. I even remember having one of those baby name books back in the day for the sole purpose of having ideas for character names. And while I’m hardly naïve enough to think that every single one of my characters’ names are original, sometimes I do think I might be a little bit in the clear with some of them. Except apparently not.

I loved the movie Mulholland Drive. It was mysterious and creepy and lovely, the kind of movie that was stuck in my head for days after I first watched it 20+ years ago. A few weeks ago, I decided to read the TV Tropes pages for it (something I’ll occasionally do for movies as opposed to rewatching them), and it was there that I realized that a fictional Vincenzo Castigliane existed well before I named my Vincenzo Castigliane.

I totally remember Dan Hedaya’s character, and I remember that scene. But if you had asked me his character’s name before I read that TV Tropes entry, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you. And yet, deep in the pit of my subconscious, I must have decided that Vincenzo Castigliane was an awesome name. And, I mean, it really is. Also, this Vincenzo probably hasn’t done half the terrible things that my Vincenzo has done… maybe.

Anyway, hi there. Two Princes is coming along nicely. In a perfect world, I’d have it done by the end of this month. Realistically, I’m aiming to have it done by the end of next month, though that might depend on whether or not I decide to pause writing it to work on a short story for Father’s Day. I want to write all the things. I just wish I had all the time.

Until next time.