When crafting characters for your novel, names are vital to the authenticity of the world and can enhance and heighten a reader's experience and understanding of the plot, especially the undercurrent of symbolism and thematic tension. Each name, when decided upon, should emanate a harmonic hum to let the author know it is the only name for this person, at this time, in this specific world. This includes secondary characters, all the way to the generic layer of people your protagonist will encounter to ensure consistency.
If not, the names can appear arbitrary or grasped at, as if taken from the nearest thing in proximity to the author-like a book or cereal box or the name of your favorite barista!
DRAW ON THE UNIQUENESS OF YOUR WORLD
Writing my very first novel, I thought it was very clever to name my main character after a famous actress and to weave in traits from her iconic role into the storyline. A classic movie, it allowed me to create a generational connection between a mother and daughter. In reality, though, it took up a lot of space in the opening chapter and ultimately did more to show the likes and interests of the author behind the scenes, rather than the people inhabiting this unique world.
After spending more time reflecting on the story's core distinctions, which were centered on monastic art, not Hollywood, the perfect name revealed itself.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March - April 2024 من Writer’s Digest.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March - April 2024 من Writer’s Digest.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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When I say retelling, it's Sherlock Holmes who comes to mind. Just in recent film and TV, Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumber-batch stand out for their interpretations of Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved character.
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Setting expectations early in the author-editor relationship can prevent conflict and help manage emotions when the edits come in.
Out to Sea
THE CHALLENGE: Write a drabble-a short story of exactly 100 words-based on the photo prompt below.
Alyssa Cole
In Alyssa Cole's newest thriller, One of Us Knows, the lead character Kenetria Nash is the host of what's known as a \"system,\" a group of personalities that inhabit the same body.
Escalate Conflict to Keep Readers Turning Pages
Draw readers in through physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual conflict.
Better Story Structure Through Musicals and Kung Fu Movies
Build emotion and conflict for your characters and readers by taking a note from the structure of two popular storytelling forms.
The 26" Annual 101 Best Websites for Writers
Creating this list is a yearlong project that involves an overwhelming number of bookmarked sites on our browsers. Th ere are so many great websites for writers—with more popping up practically daily—it’s no wonder this is still one of our most popular features aft er 25 years.
BREAKINGIN
Debut authors: How they did it, what they learned, and why you can do it, too.
WRITERSONWRITING
When I wrote Daughters of Shandong, my biggest challenge was finding a way to convey, in full force, the gravity of what my characters overcame.
A Long-Haul Writer’s Lament
Advice for Those at the Start
