30 April 2015

The Zzzzz Factor

**My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is THE NAME GAME. Everything you'd want to know about naming characters.**

As we wrap up the A to Z Challenge, I thought I'd share an overview of tips to help you out with naming your characters. Because the last thing you want is for your readers to be snoring over your dull, predictable character names, right? Here are some ways to keep things interesting!!!

  • Just pick whatever name feels right for your character. Who cares if your book takes place in the 1600s where no one would ever have that name? It just makes your character mysterious!
  • Name some characters after celebrities. They’ll totally want to read your book if their names are in there, right? 
  • Always address the character by name in every line of dialogue. How else will the reader know who's being spoken to? 
  • Making up character names can be fun so why not do it all the time? It doesn't even matter which genre you're writing. Made up names can keep thing interesting! 
  • If you change your character’s name halfway through writing the novel, there’s no need to go back and replace it in what you’ve already written. It will keep the readers on their toes. 
  • Give each character about 10 different nicknames and use them randomly. 
  • Name the villain after your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend. Full, middle, and last. They’ll get the message. 
  • Give all of your characters unisex names and don't use pronouns. Your reader will be trying to guess your characters' genders through the whole book. 
  • To simplify things, have every character’s name start with the same letter. Heck, just give them all the same name.

I'm sure by now you've realized this was a joke. Most of these tips are horrible ideas that will never work. But hopefully this post didn't make YOU snore!! Congrats to everyone who finished the A to Z Challenge! We did it!!!

16 comments:

  1. Ten nicknames each? That would be challenging all right.
    Your name tips were great! Thanks for putting it together as your theme.

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  2. Hahahaha I'm dying. Congrats on finishing the challenge, Sarah! It's been so great hanging out here, and I look forward to more brilliance in the months to come!!

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  3. Those tips were hilarious! I'm glad you pointed out it was a joke as some would've taken this seriously. As for the tips on your other posts, they were awesome! *high five*

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  4. This is hilarious! Thank you! Congratulations on finishing the challenge with awesome style! Your posts have rocked!

    Thanks!

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  5. A book that followed these tips wouldn't be boring but would be maddening to read. Very funny! Congrats on a fantastic Challenge! I might well come back to peruse some posts when I next need some names.

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  6. I've been counting on celebrities wanting to read my books, dammit.
    Your name theme was fun!! Congrats on finishing. :)

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  7. I'm particularly fond of using ten different nicknames at random. I'm making note of that one.

    Cheers and congrats.

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  8. I was about to say, as I was reading I was all "wait a second..."

    Congrats on surviving the challenge! :)

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  9. Can you imagine reading a story that did all that? It'd be a nightmare. LOL
    Congrats on finishing the challenge.

    ~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
    Member of C. Lee's Muffin Commando Squad
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

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  10. Excellent tips. ;-)

    Congrats on the win.

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  11. Fun list - congratulations on finishing and your posts have been really useful. Thank you.

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  12. this is silly but, I would turn words around backwards for names...

    We made it... thank you!
    Jeremy [Retro]
    AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]

    There's no earthly way of knowing.
    Which direction we are going!

    HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
    Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

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  13. I was taking you seriously, but thinking you kind of strange. I'm gullible like that. Congrats on the completion of A to Z. And not a bad job at that.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host

    Tossing It Out


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  14. Ha!
    Well done.
    Making sure we are all paying attention!

    CONGRATULATIONS on finishing this year's Challenge!
    You did a great job on your theme. Very important and informative information that you shared with all of us.
    Thank you for joining Stormy's Sidekicks and for all your help and support! Especially with the Twitter chats! You were a rockstar!
    Thank you so much!

    Heather

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  15. LOL! I was reading this and was like, "Umm... wait...." and then saw where you were going and went into a fit of laughing.

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