It's all in a name

Or is it?

Are the names of your characters really that important or can you just pluck any name out of thin air and use it?

In a historical story I would say, yes of course names are important. You can't set a story 200 years ago and then use a name that has only come into being in the last 50 years.

In contemporary stories this fact becomes less important. With the world now a global community made smaller and smaller by 24 hour broadcasting and the internet we steal from each others' countries and cultures all the time. Using a name that doesn't originate where the story is set means nothing. In these stories, careful consideration to names might only be applied if you want to say something particular with the characters' names.

If it doesn't matter, then why am I currently 7000 words into a story and I'm still refering to my two lead characters as X and Z in the manuscript?

Want to help? Tell me what you think.

Lead 1
Duncan
Domanic
Cameron
Brendon

Lead 2
Connor
Ciaran
Dermot
Reagan

How do you pick the names of your characters?

New Release

My first book, Lesson Learned, will be available from Ellora's Cave on 2nd February 2012.

Lesson Learned

Tired of having been constantly on the move, Drew is determined to make Cardiff his home.  When Drew starts his new job as teacher in Cardiff, he strikes up an immediate friendship with Nathan Morgan, a young History teacher.

Nathan is instantly attracted to Drew, but doesn’t want to risk their fledgling friendship by declaring the extent of his desire. Completely oblivious to Nathan’s quandary, Drew doesn’t realize the true nature of his own feelings for Nathan until accusations from a student force both men’s hands.

But Drew has spent his life running away.  Running away from his mistakes, his desires and a secret-filled past. Drew is forced to choose between running away once more and a possible future with Nathan.

Read an excerpt here.