Does anyone know if I can use fictional place names which are mentioned in other books, but not actually described or used in any other way?
Replies
Don't do it. One thing you can try if pulling up google maps, find two cities/towns/villages that are close to each other and see if you can combine the names to make a new one. That's what I've done.
why not take a look at names of constellations and stars, you might not find one that could be used as a name, but it could give you ideas along a line you may not have considered. For instance "Bellatrix" from Harry Potter, a star. and Betelgeuse, a star, which may or may not have been the idea for the name in the film beetlejuice. so possibly a star chart could be of help, or a look at ancient history. They only need to give you inspiration and the place is yours!
My suggestions might be rubbish but you never know.
Good luck with your plot and place, regards Paul G
An author has gone to the trouble of inventing a place name to fit in with their story. You should do the same.
Obviously, there are some names that are fairly generic: anything relating to the landscape, say, like Greenfields, or Hillview, which anyone could have made up; but you wouldn't borrow Hogwarts, or the Hundred Acre Wood, or anything that is clearly the copyright of a specific author.
If you're looking for a fictional name for somewhere in the UK, get hold of a book of placenames that gives the etymology and be creative.
Don't do it. One thing you can try if pulling up google maps, find two cities/towns/villages that are close to each other and see if you can combine the names to make a new one. That's what I've done.
why not take a look at names of constellations and stars, you might not find one that could be used as a name, but it could give you ideas along a line you may not have considered. For instance "Bellatrix" from Harry Potter, a star. and Betelgeuse, a star, which may or may not have been the idea for the name in the film beetlejuice. so possibly a star chart could be of help, or a look at ancient history. They only need to give you inspiration and the place is yours!
My suggestions might be rubbish but you never know.
Good luck with your plot and place, regards Paul G
An author has gone to the trouble of inventing a place name to fit in with their story. You should do the same.
Obviously, there are some names that are fairly generic: anything relating to the landscape, say, like Greenfields, or Hillview, which anyone could have made up; but you wouldn't borrow Hogwarts, or the Hundred Acre Wood, or anything that is clearly the copyright of a specific author.
If you're looking for a fictional name for somewhere in the UK, get hold of a book of placenames that gives the etymology and be creative.