Names always have a meaning, however deep or shallow it may be. This is especially true of titles. A story’s title should somehow reflect the content and themes of the piece.
Grounded
I chose Grounded as this story’s title because I liked how more than one of it’s common meanings could be applied to the story I wanted to tell. When Nell is with Trevor, he keeps her grounded like an airplane in a storm. He controls her, keeps her from reaching out to others. Once she leaves him though, she learns to put down roots and become more grounded in reality. Even her relationship with her mother can be related. They had a complicated relationship largely stemming from her mother’s disciplinary methods. When she was very young a grounding was something to be feared above all else, but once Nell started attending high school her mother’s parenting relaxed to the point of neglect. There was a time when she wished her mother would ground her, just so she would have to look at her, say something to her, anything.
Nell
Nell’s name means shining light. I chose this name for her because whatever direction the story takes, I want her character to guide it. I always think the best stories are guided by character development rather than plot points, and I want Nell to stay this story’s beacon for as long as it goes on.