Crafting Authentic Books for Boys

Today's post is from Darby Karchut, one of the six authors who participated in Write Your Heart Out 2018.  
Each of these talented individuals gave us a taste of the in-depth session they'll be presenting at Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2018: Cindi Madsen, LS Hawker, M.B. Partlow, Kristy Ferrin, Debbie Maxwell Allen, and Darby Karchut.
For those who missed Your Heart Out, today Darby Karchut shares her expertise on Writing for Boys.Darby has a passion and an uncanny ability to get into the heads of middle-school aged boys. Read up here and consider attending her session at Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2018.  You won't regret it.  -Gabrielle V Brown, Managing Editor

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For folks who weren’t able to attend the 6^th Annual Write Your Heart Out (the Pikes Peak Writers Conference’s sneak preview) on Saturday, March 3rd, I’m pleased to share an overview from my presentation entitled “This One’s for the Boys: Crafting Authentic Books for Boys.”
Based on the stages of their brain development, boys are more likely to:

• act on impulse
• misread or misinterpret social cues and emotions
• engage in dangerous or risky behavior
• unable to see potential consequences of their actions
• struggle to modify their dangerous or inappropriate behaviors
• tend to lag socially behind girls, and not catch up both physically and mentally until the teen years

That said:

• they are capable of great insight and worldly reflections, mature emotions and mature decision-making, but they cannot sustain it for long periods
• hence the rollercoaster we often see in older children and teens
• Children mature differently at this age; okay to write unsophisticated teens
• But, they all have one foot in childhood and one foot in adulthood, especially in MG and younger teen books
• Dialogue should reflect this back-and-forth

Think about:

• Starting your story with a bang (physical or emotional)
• Throughout the story, ask boy questions:

How do I position myself with others?
How do I become a man?
Whom do I model myself after?
What do I aspire to do and to be?

• Writing up, not down (honor your reader’s intelligence)
• Making every character the hero of his own story (even the villain)
• Using smart humor: body fluids/sounds can only go so far
• Appealing to your reader’s sense of mischief; make them laugh, especially after an intense scene

Something I noticed:

• Boys act and talk side-by-side
• Girls act and talk face-to-face
• Boys touch each other more than they used to (hands on shoulders, etc.)

What my male students told me:

• Don’t minimize emotions (boys have them, just express them differently)
• They are more clued into things than adults give them credit for, but sometimes, they don’t care
• The boys wondered why book after book have horrible parents, so don’t be afraid to incorporate decent adult figures

Writing for boys—especially our middle school guys—is my passion. Why? I don’t know. It just seems that my world view’s default setting is from the perspective of a twelve year old boy. Does it matter? Nope. Not one bit. I write me. You write you. It’s all good. But I can tell you that boys who read grow up to become men who think and feel. Reason enough.

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Darby Karchut is a multi-award winning author, dreamer, and compulsive dawn greeter.  A proud native of New Mexico, she now lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where she runs in blizzards and bikes in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby is busy at her writing desk. Her books include the best selling middle grade series: THE ADVENTURES OF FINN MacCULLEN. Best thing ever: her YA debut novel, GRIFFIN RISING, has been optioned for film. Her latest book, DEL TORO MOON, releases Fall 2018 from Owl Hollow Press. She is represented by Amanda Rutter at Red Sofa Literary. Visit the author at www.darbykarchut.com

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Meet Pikes Peak Writers Member Darby Karchut

   

By: Kathie Scrimgeour

Darby Karchut’s writing career began in 2010 and, today, her debut novel, Griffin Rising (Copper Square Studios, 2014 re-release), has been optioned for film. She has been a member of PPW since 2010 and frequently contributes to Writing from the Peak. Darby has also been spotted around her home riding her bike in blizzards and braving lightning storms while jogging.

A little about your books:

Kathie: You have published 2 books with a new one on the way (Del Toro Moon, Owl Hollow Press). What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned that would be important for a new writer?

Darby: When you are finished with your first book, write another one and another and another. Repeat until you die.

Kathie: Your YA debut novel, Griffin Rising (Copper Square Studios, 2014 re-release) has been optioned for film. How did this exciting step come about?

Darby: A local teen residency had used my series as part of their reading program. They invited me to come spend a morning with the students. In the audience was Geoff Stults, a TV/movie actor from California. His mom was one of the administrators of the residency, and he was in town visiting. He and producer, Carmella Casinelli (Bonne Aire Productions) called me a few weeks later and offered to option the series. Carmella is currently pitching the books to various studios. This is a long process and it may take years or nothing at all may come of it. That’s okay – it’s just fun to be in the game.

  

Kathie: Do you have a favorite among your publications? Why?

Darby: Del Toro Moon. And, no, not because it’s my latest book, but because it’s the book of my heart.

All about Writing:

Kathie: Do you set daily, weekly, or monthly writing goals? If yes, what are they? What do you do to insure you meet these goals?

Darby: I try to write every day, even if it’s only a few thousand words, a couple of pages, or even just scene, plodding along like a mule. I treat my writing career as a business, and in business, you have to produce. Better to write badly than to write nothing at all. You can fix bad writing; you cannot fix a blank page.

Kathie: With all your successful publications, I am sure you also wade through the rejections. Do you have any fun ways you deal with rejection (i.e. wallpaper closets with the rejects)? Do rejections help you be a better writer? If so, how?

Darby: Honestly, rejections don’t bother me all that much because I know it is part of the journey. If I have a strong manuscript, then it’s simply a number’s game. This industry is incredibly subjective, so keep querying.  

Kathie: Rejection letters are one end of the spectrum in writing, the other end could be called success. What does success mean to you? Does success scare you or motivate you?

Darby: Success means I am always improving. I owe that to the children and teens who pick up my books, and hopefully, enjoy them enough to read other books, not just mine. Because children and teens who read become adults who think and feel. Also, over the past three years, I’ve focused on creating stories with diverse characters. Like so many middle grade and YA authors, this is something I’m passionate about—that books are both “mirrors and windows.” That’s why I’m so excited about Del Toro Moon.

Writing Conferences and Reading:

Kathie: Writing conferences, workshops, and critique groups are an important part of all writer’s growth. What have been a few of your favorite experiences?

Darby: Critique groups are not my thing. When I first started, I had a beta reader whom I trusted, and she was amazing, but I outgrew her. I believe art is not created by committee, and writers need to move to a place where they can self-critique. That said, I enjoy workshops and writer conferences, and try to attend them when possible. I always pick up useful tools, but more importantly, it’s a lovely chance to spend time with my tribe.

Kathie: Do you have any "self-help for writers" books that you use regularly? Please share your list of your top 2 or 3.

Darby: Well, Stephen King’s On Writing is my favorite. Actually, it’s the only one I’ve read.

Kathie: Does your reading influence your writing? How?

Darby: I call it Karchut University. I like to learn a new skill by examining how others do it. Centuries ago, painters and sculptors would learn their craft by copying the masters in museums. I do the same thing by reading favorite authors and figuring out how they solve various problems. I read all the time; sometimes I read to learn and sometimes I read for pleasure. When I visit schools, I tell the students that when I was growing up, I devoured books, gorging myself on the written word, until one day, I threw up my own book. There’s a famous quote from Pam Allyn: “Reading is like breathing in; writing is like breathing out.”

Kathie: If you met someone who was thinking about starting to write, what advice would you give them?

Darby: Read a billion books in the genre you wish to write. Then, write. Nothing will teach you about writing a book more than writing a book.

Thank you, Kathie, for talking with me about books and writing, and for asking such great questions. Writery folks are the best folks. People, if you have questions, fire away.

Website: www.darbykarchut.com

Email: darbykarchut@gmail.com

Social media pages

Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/darby.karchut

Twitter       https://twitter.com/DarbyKarchut

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4558016.Darby_Karchut

Are you a member of Pikes Peak Writers and interested in being interviewed? Contact Kathie Scrimgeour at kjscrimwriter@gmail.com 

Sweet Success Celebrates Darby Karchut

Darby Karchut’s DEL TORO MOON (middle grade fantasy/western mashup), received multiple offers before being sold to Hannah Smith at Owl Hollow Press, in a nice deal, for publication Summer 2018, by Amanda Rutter at Red Sofa Literary (World Rights).

DEL TORO MOON

Bad enough Matt Del Toro is the greenest greenhorn in the family’s centuries-old business: riding down and destroying werewolf-like creatures, known as skinners. He must also learn how to match his father’s skills at monster hunting. Odds of doing that? Yeah, about a million to one. Because Matt’s father is the legendary Javier Del Toro—hunter, scholar, and a true caballero: a gentleman of the horse.

Now, with the skinners multiplying, both in numbers and in ferocity, Matt is desperate to keep his father and hot-tempered older brother from killing each other, prevent his new friend, Perry—a horse-crazy girl who recently moved to their small town of Huerfano, Colorado—from discovering the true nature of his odder-than-oddball family, and save a group of archeologists from getting skinner-ed.

Luckily, Matt has twelve hundred pounds of backup in his best friend—El Cid, an Andalusian war stallion with the ability of human speech, more fighting savvy than a medieval knight, and a heart as big and steadfast as the Rocky Mountains.

Serious horse power.

Those skinners don’t stand a chance. 

About the Author:

Darby Karchut is an award-winning author, dreamer, and compulsive dawn greeter. A native of New Mexico, she now lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where she runs in blizzards and bikes in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby is busy at her writing desk. She is represented by Amanda Rutter at Red Sofa Literary. Visit her at: www.darbykarchut.com

My Very Brief, Not Terribly Witty Synopsis of the 2017 PPWC

By: Darby Karchut

You know how they say Disney World is the happiest place on earth? Well, it had nothing

Source Pixabay

over the Marriott during the 2017 Pikes Peak Writers Silver Jubilee Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The April 27-30 conference included:

• Sessions: designed for writers of all levels and genres, the workshops were presented by an outstanding faculty of authors, agents, and editors, and other professionals in the publishing industry
• Query 1-On-1: a private appointment with an agent or editor, who read and gave feedback on a writer’s query letter
• Read & Critique: small groups where writers received feedback on their first two pages from authors, editors, or agents

 Additional goodies for attendees were:

• Author headshots
• Keynotes speakers at mealtimes
• Opportunities to rub elbows with some literary legends
• Book signings galore
• A chance to hang out with old and new writer-y friends

This year, the most excellent folks at the Conference (all hail Laura Hayden, Charise Simpson, MB Partlow, and the entire conference staff—superheros, each and every one) tried something new. In the past, the book signing was held in one large room, with the entire faculty signing their books at the same time. This year, the signings were staggered throughout the three days, and took place in the lobby near the fireplace, with no more than four authors signing at one time. Certainly, a more relaxed and cozy location, and the set-up gave authors a better chance to visit with fans. I liked this arrangement much better, and I hope the Powers That Be keep it for next year.

Some of the personal highlights of this year’s conference for me:Teaching a session about the lessons we’ve learned in our writing careers with MK Meredith.

• Participating in a YA Panel with FT Bradley, Laura DiSilverio, and Darynda Jones
• Laughing all the way through my author photo shoot with Jared Hagan
• Mugging for the camera with Kevin Hearne
• Catching up with old friends
• Lunching with my SCBWI protégée
• Working my way through the truffle bar in the Green Room
• Cheering for every “the agent/editor requested pages!”
• Thumbing my nose at the weather. “You call this a storm?”
• Absorbing all the positive energy from fellow word wranglers
• Knowing that next year’s conference is already in the planning stage

 So, well done, Pikes Peak Writers, for a shiny-bright Silver Anniversary Conference. Here’s to another 25 years!

About the Author: Darby Karchut is an award-winning author, dreamer, and compulsive dawn greeter.  A native of New Mexico, she now lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where she runs in blizzards and bikes in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby is busy writing for children, teens, and adults. She is represented by Amanda Rutter at Red Sofa Literary.

www.darbykarchut.com

www.darbykarchut.blogspot.com

Working the Workshops: the 2017 Pikes Peak Writers Conference

By: Darby Karchut

Writing conferences are glorious events for us writers. But attending one comes at a cost. We spend some serious time and money to get there, and we’re eager to mine every little nugget out of each workshop.

But conferences can also be taxing, both mentally and physically. How do we get the most of the workshops without overloading on the whole experience? It’s all about pacing.

First of all, remind yourself that not every single workshop or panel is going to be chock full of non-stop aha moments. In fact, you might only glean one or two useful writer-y tidbits from each session. Hopefully, though, by the end of the conference, you’ll have gathered so many tips that your head does that brain-shrapnel thing.  

If you arrive to class early, find a seat in the first couple of rows. This allows late comers a chance to nip into the back without feeling embarrassed. And no worries about being “too close” to the presenters--they’re all housebroken. In fact, sit up front and give the presenter a friendly greeting or smile. It’s always appreciated. Additional bonus: if the presenter is the agent or editor you’ll be pitching to later in the conference, it can’t help to make a warm first impression.

Speak to the person next to you. We writers spend so much time in our heads that I use conferences as a chance to practice my conversational skills. If you’re not sure what to say, here’s some opening lines.

“Have you attended this conference before?”

“Crazy weather here in Colorado. What’d you think of snow/rain/hail/sun/tornado/wind this morning/afternoon/evening?”

And the ever popular one: “What do you write?”

Be mindful, however, when folks ask YOU that question. Don’t become the dreaded Coyote Writer. That’s the writer who won’t stop talking about their book, and you have to chew your own arm off to free yourself. Just like a coyote chews off its paw to escape a trap.  

Ask the presenter questions. This is your opportunity to pick authors’ and agents’ and publishers’ brains. It’s been said a bajillion times, but it’s true: your question is probably one that others wish they had the nerve to ask. So, go for it. Some of the best workshops I’ve attended (and presented) were those where the audience asked loads of questions. Inquiry begets more inquiry, so fire away.

I know this sounds terribly impolite, but I’ll take a risk and say it: If you discover that you’re sitting in the wrong workshop for you, even though it seemed like a perfect fit when you were scheduling your day, find a way to ninja out the door. Time is precious, my precious. Do not waste it. I know a lot of folks would say that’s rude to the presenter and to your fellow audience members. I understand. And if you can’t do it discreetly, sit tight.

But, as a presenter, I would rather not waste anyone’s time. Plus, it could be that the person who just slipped out really had a legitimate reason. I mean, have you seen the lines for the ladies’ room? When in doubt, give the benefit of such.

That said, you may find yourself in a workshop or panel that you weren’t crazy about attending, but you thought you “should” hear that speaker, or your friend dragged you along. Give the presentation a chance. You never know. I have to admit, there have been many times I’ve attended workshops outside my comfort or interest zones and learned some pretty nifty stuff. All grist for the ol’ writing mill.

If you can, take some time throughout each day to retreat to the Library (see conference map) or a quiet corner of the lobby to digest what you’re learning. Our brains need time—I believe it is about six hours—to internalize new information. Re-writing your notes is one way to do this. There’s so much new information presented at conferences and it’s easy to get overwhelmed or discouraged. You can’t do it all or learn it all. Take what you can from each presentation and apply as needed.

If the weather is nice, don’t forget to step outside once in a while and get a few minutes of Vitamin D and fresh air. The mountains are to the west. The city and plains are to the east. And Pikes Peak does not have an apostrophe. Take a deep breathe, marvel at the joy that you are surrounded by your tribe, and then plunge back in.

About the Author: Darby Karchut is an award-winning author, dreamer, and compulsive dawn greeter.  A native of New Mexico, she now lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where she runs in blizzards and bikes in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby is busy writing for children, teens, and adults. She is represented by Amanda Rutter at Red Sofa Literary.

www.darbykarchut.com

www.darbykarchut.blogspot.com

Desert Reflections

By: Darby Karchut

In mid October, I had the opportunity to mountain bike a portion of the Maze in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. Five days of relentless sun, surreal desert formations, and plenty of sketchy terrain. To offset the challenging days, we had glorious nights camping under a full moon.

I wanted to use the trip to do some research about a new series I’m working on. I brought a small notebook to record my thoughts and jot down setting details as I rode along.

Source: Pixabay 

It never happened.

Heck, it was all I could do to get through the next mile, or navigate the next drop, or endure the long distances between camps. I was totally in the moment, not thinking about anything—just a pure physical being.

Pedal.

Breathe.

Drink water.

Eat sand.

It was vacationing on Tatoonie.

Tatoonie aka Canyonlands National Park Source: Pixabay

Well, I don’t know about you all, but taking a break from the hamster wheel was kind of nice. In a way. Except for that nagging fear that so many writers feel: If I stop writing, I’ll forget how to write.

Or I’ll lose the drive.

Or lose the discipline.

Or lose the desire.

As I traveled home from Utah, I had time to really stare down that fear. Really, Karchut? I asked myself. You think taking five measly days from your art is going to diminish your skills? As if all your past success was based on nothing more than momentum?

Well. Yeah.

Do other writers feel that way? I wondered. Like if you stop writing, you’ll never start again? Does anyone else get that sick punched-in-the-gut feeling—like panic—if you don’t write at least a few pages each day? And even then, do you fret because it wasn’t enough words. Or the right words. In the right order?

And we torture ourselves this way because…why?

Because.

Because.

Because the bliss we get from writing is like nothing else in the world. We cannot stop being storytellers any more than we can stop breathing. It is who we are. And time away from our craft may dull our abilities, but not destroy them. We are all stronger than that.

About the Author: Darby Karchut is an award-winning author, dreamer, and compulsive dawn greeter.  A native of New Mexico, she now lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where she runs in blizzards and bikes in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby is busy writing for children, teens, and adults. She is represented by Amanda Rutter at Red Sofa Literary.

www.darbykarchut.com

www.darbykarchut.blogspot.com

Sweet Success Celebrates Darby Karchut

By Ann S. Hill

Darby Karchut has been selected as an invited author for several 2017 events:

2017 CCIRA’s annual Conference on Literary–Golden Anniversary

February 1-4, Marriott Denver Tech Center

Denver, CO

2017 Authors’ Festival: A Writing Mini-Conference for Kids Grades 3-8

(in conjunction with the CCIRA conference)

February 4, Marriott Denver Tech Center

Denver, CO

2017 Pikes Peak Writers Conference-Silver Jubilee

April 28-30, Colorado Springs Marriott

Colorado Springs, CO

She also recently celebrated the release of the fourth and final book in her middle grade adventure fantasy series (The Adventures of Finn MacCullen) at Barnes & Noble-Briargate on November 19.

FINN’S CHOICE. (ISBN: 9781633920705; 230 pages; trade paperback) released September 20 from Spencer Hill Press. It is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble , and indie bookstores worldwide. School Library Journal called the first book in the series, FINN FINNEGAN, “...a great choice for adventure-loving readers who prefer their battle scenes with a hefty dose of ancient weaponry, ground-fighting skills, and just a touch of magic."

Darby Karchut is an award-winning author, dreamer, and compulsive dawn greeter.  A native of New Mexico, she now lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where she runs in blizzards and bikes in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby is busy writing for children, teens, and adults. Best thing ever: her YA series, GRIFFIN RISING, has been optioned for film. She is represented by Amanda Rutter at Red Sofa Literary. Visit Darby at www.darbykarchut.com.

Sweet Success Celebrates Darby Karchut & Finn's Choice

Darby Karchut’s middle grade fantasy FINN’S CHOICE (ISBN: 9781633920705; 230 pages; trade paperback) released September 20 from Spencer Hill Press. It is available at Amazon    Barnes & Noble , and indie bookstores worldwide. This is the fourth and final book in the Adventures of Finn MacCullen series. School Library Journal called the first book in the series, FINN FINNEGAN, “...a great choice for adventure-loving readers who prefer their battle scenes with a hefty dose of ancient weaponry, ground-fighting skills, and just a touch of magic."

Just when Finn MacCullen thought fate couldn’t kick him any harder after the events of the Festival of the Hunt, it does. Now, he must overcome a series of nearly impossible trials to prove his worth as an apprentice, or lose his place at his master Gideon’s side. However, Finn’s life has as many twists as a Celtic knot, and master and apprentice find themselves in their ancestral homeland of Ireland with only their wits—and a fair bit of the Black Hand’s charm—to protect them from a vengeful Celtic goddess. It’s going to take every scrap of Finn’s Irish luck and pluck to save himself, and his master, from death. Or worse.

  

Darby Karchut is an award-winning author, dreamer, and compulsive dawn greeter.  A native of New Mexico, she now lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where she runs in blizzards and bikes in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby is busy writing for children, teens, and adults. Best thing ever: her YA series, GRIFFIN RISING, has been optioned for film. She is represented by Amanda Rutter at Red Sofa Literary. Visit Darby at www.darbykarchut.com.

Don't Just Sit There -- Move!

By: Darby Karchut

We’ve all heard of the negative effects of sitting too long. It’s bad for our muscles, organs, and can even increase the risk of various kinds of cancer. As writers, we must be extra vigilant to guard against this insidious stalker of our health. If you want to know more of the medical hows and whys, you might want to read Get Up! Why Your Chair is Killing You and What You Can Do About It by Dr. James Levine (co-director of the Mayo Clinic). In his book, Dr. Levine lists the areas and systems of the body that are damaged by too much sitting:

Source: Pixabay

Heart

Pancreas

Colon

Digestion

Brain Damage (due to less fresh blood and oxygen)

Strained Neck and Shoulders

Back Problems

Muscle Degeneration

Hip Problems

Varicose Veins

Weak Bones

  

Even more depressing news: A study by the 2015 Inaugural Active Working Summit also found that sitting increases lung cancer by 54%, uterine cancer by 66%, and colon cancer by 30%.

Yikes! What’s a writer to do?

Well, for one thing, get up out of your chair. The current mantra from health experts is to “stand up, sit less, move more.” And by moving, they mean more than just our daily walk/run/gym time. Yes, vigorous sustained exercise once a day is vital to our health. However, a number of findings report that standing more during the day is also beneficial to people who don’t exercise. In other words, any kind of moving around counts. The more, the better, but even a little helps.

Here are some straightforward, but effective, alternatives to sitting:

Stand at your desk. A couple of boards across two stacks of books will do the trick. Or, you can get those cool gizmos that raise and lower your work surface. Some experts recommend putting a foot rest (a small box works fine) under your desk. Standing with one foot on the box eases the strain on your back and hips. Switch feet as often as you like. This is one I use a lot, and it really works.

A treadmill/desk combo is also very popular. Just be careful not to get too engrossed in your writing and fall off.

An inflatable exercise ball is a cheap and easy alternative to chairs. Roll it side to side as you write to work your core muscles.

Of course, a gadget that you wear on your wrist that measures your steps is another way to keep moving. I’ve never tried one, but a lot of my friends find them motivating.

However, standing or walking makes it harder to concentrate. So, a rule of thumb that I found helpful is the 20-8-2 Breakdown. For every 30 minutes, sit for 20 minutes, stand for 8 minutes, move for 2 minutes. You can set your phone’s alarm, your sports watch, or even an egg timer, to remind yourself.

Once you’re up, the moving around part can be as simple as walking around your house or office, climbing up and down a flight of stairs, jogging in place, do a round of jumping jacks, or break out the yoga mat. Even light housework counts. Just move. I read of one executive who makes a point of walking laps around her office whenever she’s on a phone call.

The 20-8-2 Breakdown isn’t supposed to be a hard and fast rule, however. It’s more of a reminder to incorporate opportunities into your workday to rise up. The more you move, the more your body craves it, which in turn, encourages you to be more active. It’s a wonderful, virtuous cycle.

So, give it a try for a week. See what works for you. Even small steps can add up to big results. Like writing a book, no? The hardest part is getting started.

I’d love to hear your suggestions on what you do to keep healthy while writing. Please feel free to share in the comments below.

About the Author: Darby Karchut is an award-winning author, dreamer, and compulsive dawn greeter.  A native of New Mexico, she now lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where she runs in blizzards and bikes in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby is busy writing for children, teens, and adults. She is represented by Amanda Rutter at Red Sofa Literary.

www.darbykarchut.com

www.darbykarchut.blogspot.com

By Any Other Name

By: Darby Karchut

What’s in a character’s name? Well, a heck of a lot, really. The perfect name expands your imaginary universe and helps establish the character’s personality. It can be obvious or subtle. For many writers, including myself, characters do not become “alive” until they bear the perfect handle. That holds true for readers, too.

Here are some things to think about when choosing names for your characters:

Respect Your Genre

This is especially important in fantasy and sci-fi and historical fiction. Culturally-inspired names add another layer to your world building and helps ground your work in a real place and time, even if your book is fantastical in nature. And just as period costumes, manners, and vocabulary set the tone for your historical novel, so, too, can the proper name.

If your novel is inspired by legends from other cultures, this is fairly easy to do. Since my middle grade series, The Adventures of Finn MacCullen, is based on the Irish legend of The Boyhood Deeds of Finn McCool, I took the Gaelic spelling of Finn McCool (Fionn mac Cumhail) and Anglicized it to Finn MacCullen. A tried-and-true practice within the fantasy genre, but it is still an effective technique, especially for younger readers who are coming across this stuff for the first time.

Another tip: Use the name to reveal about the character’s essence. In my YA series, Griffin Rising, the hero is a teen guardian angel named Griffin. I gave him that name for two reasons: One, it means “Strong in Faith.” Two, it begins with a hard consonant (more on the actual sounds of names later). The challenge for you as the writer is to find a clever way to weave background tidbits about the name(s) into the story. Some readers will skip over this kind of geekery. Others will eat it up. Sprinkle it in judiciously.

J.K. Rowling, in her Harry Potter series, did a wonderful job taking roots words (many which had a Latin or Greek origin – just screams English boarding school, does it not?) and creating spot on names. For example: Serverus (severe), Albus (white), Draco (dragon). She also used alliteration (Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff, etc.) but beware—too much of a clever thing is too clever by half.

Age Appropriate

Is the name appropriate for the age of your character? Check the baby names lists for the year your character was born, not the time period they are living through in your story. For most part, a woman born in the 1950s would have a different name than a teen girl born in the early 2000s.

A New Twist

That said, you might want to make your character stand out by giving them an unusual name (perhaps an old family name). In Stone’s Heart, Stonewall Wheeler is a modern-day farrier living in western Colorado. His son is Beau. Good, solid cowboy-ish monikers, and a tip of the hat to Civil War aficionados, to boot.   

Music to the Ears

Say your characters’ names aloud. How do they “feel” when you say them aloud? A hard consonant (B, D, G, T, etc.) can project strength or power. Softer vowels (A, M, N, O, etc.) might indicate a gentler personality. Sibilant sounds (S, Z, sometimes P or Th) can go either way. One of my characters from The Stag Lord is Shay Doyle. She is a shield maiden, as well as her clan’s healer. So, I chose the softer-sounding ‘ay’ in Shay and paired it with the hard consonant of ‘d’ in Doyle to show both her sides: healer and warrior. Soft and hard.

Ready for something subtle? Take Game of Thrones’ Ned Stark. The name starts off with a softer sound of ‘n’ (a family man, Ol’ Ned was), then it ends in a hard, clipped consonant. The ‘k’ sounds like the snap of a dire wolf’s jaws. Yeah, yeah. I’m stretching it, but you get my point.

Mind Your ABCs

Make sure none of your characters have similar names: Ken/Ben. Mac/Max. Casey/Kaci/Cassie/Kelsey. Olive/Olivia. Jim/Jem. Readers will get frustrated having to pause to figure out who’s who, especially at the beginning of the story.

One way to avoid this is to make sure your main characters’ names start with a different first letter. A lot of readers only skim the first few letters of a name. You want your readers turning pages, not slowing to remember if Mike was the romantic lead or was it Mitch?

I admit that the geek in me takes great joy in researching and selecting just the right name for my characters. It helps me understand who they are, why they are the way they are, and what they want out of life. I hope these thoughts help you, too, in your writing adventure.

Now, if folks would just stop calling me Darcy instead of Darby…

About the Author: Darby Karchut is an award-winning author, dreamer, and compulsive dawn greeter.  A native of New Mexico, she now lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where she runs in blizzards and bikes in lightning storms. When not dodging death by Colorado, Darby is busy writing for children, teens, and adults. She is represented by Amanda Rutter at Red Sofa Literary.

www.darbykarchut.com

www.darbykarchut.blogspot.com