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Writers Secrets 104

From:    Raymond E. Feist
Date:    17 October 1995

Here are some examples of name games.

Tsurani.  There's a tribe in West Africa called the Songhi, and I wanted to originally call them the Tsonghi, just because the Ts digraph in the initial position is rare in English (actually, it's non-existent in English, save in browed words).  Then Paul Tsongus got elected, so I went for another west African tribe, the Serani, just changing the spelling a bit.  They're from that portion of Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Guanna, etc. where the Mandinka, Worlouf, Uruba, and other tribes lived for centuries.

Xacatecas.  There's a town in Mexico called Zacatecas.  Change the X to Z.

Acoma.  There's a pueblo in New Mexico called Acoma.  An hold Navaho or Hopi community (I forget which).

Keda.  I took the ancient clan Takeda in Japan and lost the "Ta."

That's how you play the name game.

FAQ answers attributed to Raymond E. Feist are copyright by Raymond E. Feist.
It should also be born in mind that the answer given was only applicable on the date written, and to a specific question. You may find further, similar questions, in the FAQ.

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