How Important are Your Character's Names?



Names are interesting because there is a history to them and how they have evolved over the years. Some names are newer than others like Haley, Riley, Tanner, and Hunter compared to Mary, Emily, John, and David.

I find that I don't think about character's names specifically before I begin writing a story, unless a name just fits a character. Then it's one of those wonderful light bulb moments. I spend my time developing my characters first and then the name seems to follow. I think that when I...
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Published on July 17, 2010 09:21
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message 1: by C.C. (new)
Jul 17, 2010 10:36AM

C.C. Cole Thank you for this post. As a fledgling writer of dark fantasy, one of the most difficult hills to overcome is appropriate names for the characters and places. I agree, I don't make up the characters names until I start writing the story, and hope for a "bulb moment" as you say.

But part of the fun of writing fiction is making up names. As the story builds, the character takes on a life of his/her own, then the name starts to "fit" by the end of the book. Great post on a great topic for writers!!


message 2: by Jennifer (new)
Jul 17, 2010 10:53AM

Jennifer Chase Thanks C. I appreciate the comment! I realized that now I'm in the middle of a new cop thriller how fun it was naming the characters... and people have asked me why the name so and so...
Happy writing!


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