Forget Names. Write...

Ever wonder how authors get from a blank page to a finished novel? While everyone has their own method, mine is a little... unconventional. And it involves a few placeholder names like "Main Man" and "Main Woman”.

Here's the thing: I don't start with character names. I start with the story. The plot, the twists, the emotional turns—that's what gets my fingers flying across the keyboard. By the time I'm 150 pages deep, my characters are as real to me as my own family, but they're still just "Male” and "Female”.

Why do I do this? I have no idea. But I have a theory. Think about all the great stories passed down orally through generations. The names sometimes get lost, but the message? The journey? That's what sticks. It's the same with many timeless Bible stories. You know the message, and that's enough for the story to endure.

Eventually, the right names come to me. Maybe "Main Man" needs a name that feels strong and grounded. And "Main Woman" might need one that is light and free. The name isn't the story; it's the finishing touch.

So if you're ever stuck on a name, don't let it be a stumbling block. The name will come. Just keep writing. Your words are the most important part!

~Theastarr Valerie