Into the Fire

Novelists are often asked many different kinds of questions about writing their stories. The answers can be as different as the people themselves. Each writer has his or her own methodology even if it's the seat-of-the-pants style of operation. Whether or not the author has a formula they follow, does outlines or storyboards, or makes lists, or sets specific hours in a day or night to write – whatever their practice is, it's still unique to them no matter how many other authors employ similar tactics to put that story together. 

A recent inquiry asked of novelists was how do they select their characters' names. 

I have no better way to answer this than they just come to me. Not a terrific answer, I know. Not like having a book of names to shuffle through for each character in the story. Or having a list of favorite male and female names acquired over time and waiting to be attached to a character. For me, the name and the character "just happen" usually simultaneously. For me, I believe the Lord gives them to me, but I know there are readers and other authors who can't accept that. Doesn't matter because I get them and the character fills in the personality. 

I'd love to hear how other authors arrive at their characters' names just as much as any reader might want to know. 

Father, thank you for my characters and their names. It's always exciting to see what you give me. I never know until you make them appear! It's awesome. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.