A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Linwood Barclay:

Hi Linwood, I have loved reading all your books including "Last Resort." I often wonder how you decide on the names for characters in your books eg do you pluck names out of thin air, are they the first names that pop into your head, do you try to match a name with a personality, or do you have a naming system?

Linwood Barclay I do all sorts of things. Sometimes i scan the names of Facebook friends, pick a first from one and a second from another. Or I look in the phone book. Or I just try to think of one that works. I don't typically try to match a name to personality because that can come across as contrived or cliched. Thanks for the kind words, and I'm delighted you found Last Resort, where I didn't have to make up anything.

More Answered Questions

Michael Porter

Michael Porter asked Linwood Barclay:

Hi Linwood, thanks for being one of the few accessible authors who is willing to put himself out there to answer questions and engage with his fans. My question to you is this, is it more difficult to start a story or end a story? Obviously both are very important as you must suck someone in with those beginning pages, but I feel the ending leaves the biggest impression on how we feel overall about a book.

Jonz Stoneroad

Jonz Stoneroad asked Linwood Barclay:

ironically, it was by accident that I found The Accident and WOW! amazing! it is my first Barclay book and hooked on the storytelling, the plot twists, characters, realism, and theme. Also, am starting to read the rest of the novels via my local library (they carry most of the current works). My question, do you think there could be a sequel or sorts to The Accident?

Yvonne Rediger

Yvonne Rediger asked Linwood Barclay:

I am working on my first cozy mystery. I want to be where you are some day with the more thriller kind of writing, but, walk first and all that. What is one technique you think all mystery writers should know, however you had to discover for yourself? Liked what you did there on chapter one of "Far from True".

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Linwood Barclay

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