Ten Weeks of Writer's Prep and Challenges: Week Two

Welcome back to Ten Week's of challenges! If you don't fancy yourself a writer and have no interest in beginning, scroll on down for your challenge.


Ten Weeks of Writer's Prep
Week Two: What's In A Name?

Hey there Rambler's!

It's week two of our Ten Week Challenge, and we've got some characters to consider. This week last year, we reviewed protagonists (See Here), but what is a character without a name? 

This week I'll share the various methods in which I go about naming my characters. Hopefully, this will assist you in naming your own characters in a way that isn't too generic. I mean let's face it, our favourite boy wizard might not have made it quite so big in the world of books and fandoms had he been named say… James Smith.

  1. "Listen here, author." Sometimes, our characters truly have a mind of their own. They walk into our imaginations and declare their existence to us in such an undeniable way that we can only put pen to paper and follow their lead. When this happens, go with it.  If a name popped into your head that fits, don't argue.
  2. Tributes. Have someone you want to pay tribute to? Someone who means so much to you that you simply must include some part of them if only in name? There's nothing wrong with that, I've done it with my little sister. That being said, nothing says you can't adjust their name ever so slightly if it doesn't quite fit for your concept. My series is an urban fantasy and the character I had in mind called for a unique name so I threw my sister's middle name into the center of her first, made a slight tweak, and voila! Character name.
  3. Baby, do I have a name for you! Want a fantastic resource for your writing repertoire? Head to the library or book shop and pick out a book for Baby Names! Why not right? If it works for naming a human being, why can't it work for naming your characters? Flip through some pages, you never know what might pop up.
  4. Get my meaning? When all else fails and you're looking for something more specific, open your browser and search lists of names by meaning. There's so many cultures that offer a wide array of names with deeper meanings. 'Names that mean warrior' or 'Names that symbolize strength'  might just lead you to your new hero and allow you to better hone their identity in the process.
  5. Go unique or go home. Still don't have what you need and in search of something truly one of a kind for your character? There's nothing wrong with throwing some syllables together, just make sure it's something readers can pronounce! Nicknames also help if you think they'll stumble with it. You can always make it a joke in your book that no one gets it right anyway. Just make sure to say it out loud a few times to make sure there's still a flow to the name!
Well, there you have it! Have fun coming up with names for your characters, and if nothing comes to you just yet, it's okay to name them "Billy" until something more suitable comes up. If you're using a word processor, you can always do a search and replace later. Good luck!

Ten Weeks of Challenges
Week Two: Thank Someone!
Last year, you were tasked with tracking down and thanking a mentor for influencing your life, (See Here), this year however, I ask that you thank someone else. Yes, this could also be someone you have considered a mentor, or it could be a friend who has helped you through a difficult time, perhaps someone who use to make you smile in school.

The point is to show someone appreciation, and to remind yourself to show that appreciation. Too often in this life we take things for granted. Not on purpose, it's just easy to forget sometimes just how much someone does for us and how little appreciation we sometimes show. It's also just as easy at times to hear the word thank you and dismiss it as someone being nice, or as a pleasantry we feel obligated to share in the moment. That being said, I don't want you to just say thank you and be done with it. Give examples, demonstrate to the person you've chosen that you're being sincere and truly value whatever it is they have brought to the table.

This life is far too short to let people wander off not knowing their worth and just how appreciated they are in our lives. Let's make a habit of awareness. Let's make it a habit to let people know their worth in a world that can too often be cold and unforgiving.

Good luck!

*****
Hey Ramblers! Whether you are a writer or not, I hope you enjoy week two of your challenge. As always, feel free to comment below or email me at thebrastreetrambler@gmail.com to share your experiences or feedback.

Cheers!
The Bra Street Rambler

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