This is such a great post – I have had to bookmark it for future reference. If you struggle to find great names for your characters than this post is just for you!
10 Tips for Finding Memorable Character Names for your Fiction
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“Agnes Gooch,” “Mr. McCawber,” “Albus Dumbledore”: memorable names of memorable characters.
How can writers come up with character names that readers will never forget?
In his painfully funny 2006 book, Famous Writing School, a Novel, Stephen Carter’s writing teacher-protagonist advises his students to seek character names in the obituaries. But although Carter’s bumbling protagonist offers mostly dubious advice, that tip is a keeper.
Obits are full of great names. I keep a list of odd names in a little notebook. I haven’t yet written about Normal Peasley or Lamia Trowbridge, but they’re ready when I need them.
Another great name source is spam. If I happen to catch a good name before I hit “empty spam,” I write it in the notebook. I can always perk up a story by subjecting my heroine to a blind date with Zoticus Weatherwax or Hassan Snively.
Read the full post at Anne R. Allen’s Blog.. with Ruth Harris!