List of Last Names for Characters for Fiction Writers
Names have meaning because of the individual. Yet it’s so hard to pick one out of hundreds in order to describe a character. Believe me, I know. I spent a day sifting through my Pinterest inspiration board and am overwhelmed by the number of names that can be given to an entrepreneur, a criminal, and everything in between.
Last names are particularly difficult because they have to match well with the first name. Thankfully there’s many methods for surnames. Gonna detail a few ideas here, and then I’ve got a big old list of inspiration for you.
List of Female Character Names for Fiction Writers
Names have meaning because of the individual. Yet it’s so hard to pick one out of hundreds in order to describe a character. Believe me, I know. I spent a day sifting through my Pinterest inspiration board and am overwhelmed by the number of names that can be given to a princess, murderess, and everything in between. To make life a little easier, I compiled the most fascinating names I found and know below.
List of Male Character Names for Fiction Writers
Names have meaning because of the individual. Yet it’s so hard to pick one out of hundreds in order to describe a character. Believe me, I know. I spent a day sifting through my Pinterest inspiration board and am overwhelmed by the number of names that can be given to a prince, murderer, and everything in between. To make life a little easier, I compiled the most fascinating names I found and know below.
Environmental Landscape: Descriptions and Terminology
Forever ago, I posted about how to build a world and how to create new plants and animals. While creating is fun, some real life climates don’t hurt. Actual landscapes bring the reader into the story and give them a frame of reference for the scenery. But every landscape has different traits. Maybe you have an environment that lacks water, or a forest teeming with life and danger. With a little research, I’ve gathered terminology to help color your world in a descriptive landscape.
List of Grass and Pasture Plants for Fiction Writers
After writing about pastures and farmlands, I wanted to craft a quick word list of the various grasses and plants that can be included. The purpose of these lists is to give writers a plethora of words to use in their writing. The other part to these lists is that the actual item on the list has a unique description that can add color and realism to writing. I’ll give a short physical description for each, but I highly recommend looking up the pasture plants and trees that interest you so you can visualize what your imaginary landscape looks like.
Writer’s List of Careers in the Middle Ages
Any properly constructed and developed civilization has a lively people group with many jobs and crafts. Career is a big deal for a story and character. It sets up lifestyle, beliefs, and history. Not everyone will be a warrior, nor lawyer or artist or butcher. There’s many pieces to culture and considering careers allows your world to open up and come alive. This list comes from my favorite book, Writing Fantasy and Sceince Fiction, so everything is split into casts (huge love for medieval). Some will be beneficial and maybe others you find a new word. Either way, skim the list, consider your story, and plan wisely. Happy hunting!
Writer’s List for Castle Construction, Inside and Out
A while ago, I posted about the purpose and basic lifestyle of castles. As a defensive structure and home, there needs to be more than a sturdy wall and tall spires that glisten in the sunshine. Describing all the mechanisms, fortifications, and inner workings can be tricky. Which is why I pulled out Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction’s word list for castle construction.
Writer’s List of Fanciful Creatures and Myths
The world is filled with many wondrous animals, but myths and legends have created more than what we see today. The world of fantasy has its own set of creatures that live only in drawings and dreams. While it’s fun to create your own creatures, there’s also the option of using some tried and true myths to make your fantasy even more thrilling. Using mythical creatures allows the canons to support your world and make it more familiar to a reader while providing an opportunity to give your interpretation of the canon.
Writer’s List of Medieval Clothing and Materials for Fantasy
Perhaps my favorite part about writing fiction, whether it be fantasy or science fiction, is the clothing. I can imagine the regal wear of kings and the stylish yet agile garments of warriors. Yet whenever my pencil meets paper, all I can come up with to describe such intricate clothing is shirt and slacks. Not very interesting. Same thing with drapery or furniture; what colors make sense? What materials exist other than cotton?
Active Verbs from A-Z
Two weeks ago, I talked about the Top Edits for Writers. Item number 6 was weasel words, or words that are overused or weak in writing. There are weasel words in all categories but the most dangerous are the verbs. A non-descriptive or overused verb can become wasted space in writing. But how do you find a good verb?
That’s why Jerry Jenkins made a list of 249 strong verbs. And that’s why I’m sharing them with you guys. Most of these are descriptive, so make sure what it describes fits with your sentence (nibble versus devour).