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This week: Character-naming Tips Edited by: Cubby  
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Hello, everyone! Welcome to this edition of the For Authors newsletter.  This week's topic is focused on naming characters, but first off, I'd like to share a few quotes with you. Enjoy!
Quotes:
Writers seldom choose as friends those self-contained characters who are never in trouble, never unhappy or ill, never make mistakes and always count their change when it is handed to them.
~ Catherine Drinker Bowen
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"If you will practice being fictional for a while, you will understand that fictional characters are sometimes more real than people with bodies and heartbeats.
~ Richard Bach
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When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters-one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.
~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy
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Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him."
~ Mel Brooks
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The beginning of wisdom is learning to call things by their right names.
Ancient Chinese Proverb
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Character-naming Tips
Naming characters is sometimes harder than one might think. I've discovered myself using similar names in different stories I've written. Max seems to be a favorite of mine, and I'm not sure why. In my writing group, I've noticed one member tends to use the name Kevin a lot. Some names seem to stick for some reason. Once you get a character name in your head, it's hard to pick another, but unless you are writing a series, try to avoid reusing a name previously taken by other characters in your stories.
While it's fun to make up names, be sure the reader won't be stumbling through the pronunciation. Either provide a pronunciation guide, or make it easy for the reader to figure it out on their own. The name should also have a good flow. Beezikraptonbood is not a name someone would want to read over and over, so if you do come up with a long, awkward name you cannot live without, at least give your character a nickname, such as Beezi.
You might think naming a female character Mike and a male character Susan would be cute, but it could be mind boggling for your readers. Try sticking to gender-related names, if possible. There are always exceptions, but it's a good idea to follow this advice. Even names like Chris and Sam could be confusing unless made clear at the beginning of your story, their gender. If you do use a uni-gender name, avoid using more than one in the same story.
Using names that begin with the same letter sound, or rhyme (unless the characters are twins), can be distracting for a reader. For example:
Chrissy picked up Christie after her piano lesson.
or
Bobby and Robby became fast friends.
If your story takes place in another century and/or country, and your characters have not gone back in time, be sure you research names for that particular period and location. Cubby doesn't quite fit a female warrior in Biblical times, do you think?
Think about names of unforgettable characters such as Huck Finn, Atticus Finch, Scarlett O'Hara, Harry Potter, Ebenezer Scrooge, Sherlock Holmes, Winnie the Pooh, Lois Lane, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, Robinson Crusoe and his servant Friday (Man Friday). Say each of these names aloud. They are rich in both personality and flow. Names you give your characters should be ones readers won't forget. Avoid plain names for main characters such as Sue Smith, Mary Jones, etc. Give your characters a name they fit into... Something that rolls off your tongue and has some flair to it.
Summary of Tips
1) Avoid reusing character names in unrelated stories you've previously written.
2) It's important for the reader to be able to pronounce the name, not stumble over it.
3) Stick with gender-related names, if possible, and avoid using more than one uni-gender name per story.
4) Be wary of naming characters with similar sounds and spellings.
5) Research names for the time period and location your story is set in.
6) Give your characters names with rich personality.
Here is a great character-naming resourse:
http://www.writing-world.com/links/names.shtml
 Now for a prompt... actually, this time, a question:  Is there a character name you tend to come up with more than any other? Send me your response through the feedback window near the bottom of the page.
May you have an inspiring week and an exceptionally inspiring year!
Keep on Writing!
 Cubby ") |
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~FEEDBACK~
~A.J. Lyle~ 
Hiya. I just wanted to say thank you for this newsletter on over using adverbs. I recently had someone comment on this in one of my items. After reading this I no longer wonder when I should or shouldn't. It seems clear to me the way you explained it.
~ I'm always glad to hear I helped in some way. Thanks for the response!
Christine Cassello
This was excellent advice we all need to practice.
~ Thank you!
SHEA
...
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Shows me again how I wander misguided roads, and the long way I have to go.
Thanks again Cubby; knowledge is liberating, and invigorating! Peace Pal
~ We all find ourselves down those misguided roads at times. Hey, it's better than coming to a dead end! Now... if we can just keep fuel in our tank, we should be fine!
JACE 
Marvelously put ... uh, I mean, well said. Seriously, I think ... dang!  Help! I'm infested with adverbs; I need an exterminator.
Thanks for these wise words, Cubby.
~  How funny, lol! Now I'm thinking they remind me of the ground moles in our yard that just will not go away!
lazymarionette
Wow, I never really thought about my use of adverbs before. Yet, another great proofreading tip, thanks!
~ You are most welcome!
Mia
I am nervous about pushing my own work but I want to give it a try.
~ PUSH! It's the only way to go if you are a serious writer.
atwhatcost
I had to laugh after reading your great advice, followed by this prompt: Now for a prompt... Write a paragraph purposely using adverbs. Now rewrite it by eliminating the ones that are dragging your paragraph down.
I just learned about adverbs a couple of months ago, so pass it on in my reviews. I've noticed something I seem unable to do though - tell people not to use them without using a bunch. The sentences tend to look like this:
"The adverb ending in -ly is particularly bad to use." "Always remove adverbs." "Try to remove all uneccsary words, especially adverbs."
So, want to write instructions on how to avoid this without using any adverbs to explain? I haven't figured it out either, and I've noticed your references do the same thing we do. lol
~ I know what you mean! They are almost impossible to avoid! But it's OK to use them now and then, as long as they aren't overdone. I think if you can reword a sentence without the adverb and get it to flow well, reword it. Sometimes, however, there is a time and a place for adverbs. They aren't the enemy; but they can be pests!
Fiona Hassan
Your advice on the adverbs was awesome! It was totally relevant, and now that I think about it, some of the things I have written really need to be put through some adverb filters. Thanks!
-Fiona
~ Adverb filters... I like that!
LJPC - the tortoise
Hi Cubby! You've written another great teaching newsletter. I can always tell how experienced a writer is by how many adverbs (and how much "telling") I find in their stories. I even have a few lines of "why to avoid adverbs" in one of my review templates because I got sick of writing it out every time. I'm reasonable though - I think a few sprinkled here and there are okay. Thanks for the NL! -- Laura
~ Yep! Lightly seasoned! Ugh... I mean... Light on the seasoning! Geesh!
Lee: Namaste!
Good article on adverbs. I appreciate you adding the links you did. They compliment the topic.
How did you not use Stephen King's quote from On Writing: "The road to hell is paved with adverbs." Extreme? Yes, but a starting point for discussion.
A good newsletter. Thank you for taking the time.
~ Yes, how did I miss that one?!?!  And how appropriate!
jlbane
Nice article. I will deffinitly give more attention to my adverbs. A lot of this comes from experience, knowing what sounds good while still maintaining good grammer. I especially liked the comment you made about 'giving it better flow.' I think flow is often times an under rated tool. Various emotions can be expressed through flow, whether we are being short and crisp or lyrical. And now, considering our adverbs we can better achieve this. Thanks
~ You are welcome! And thank you for the great feedback...
Briar Rose
I quickly wanted to briefly tell you that I definitely think this newsletter is superbly written. I absolutely love adverbs and certainly use as many as possible whenever I creatively write. ;)
~ You are absolutely, positively welcome! What a lovely response to my genuinely heart-felt newsletter editorial on avoiding those really, truly, very pesky adverbs. I can surely see you are knowingly on the right track. Thank you!
 Thank you all for the wonderful feedback!
As always...
Have a wonderful week!
AND KEEP ON WRITING!!!
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For Authors: July 21, 2010 Issue [#3871]
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