Coffee break exercise: What's in a name?

Find the right name for a new character in this week's creative writing exercise

This week's announcement of the name of new royal baby Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor has demonstrated how important it is to get a name right. Writers need to pay particular attention to making sure that what characters are called rings true. Giving a character the right name will go a long way to establishing them in the reader's mind and making their story feel believable.

Think of a name and write it down. Briefly think of three characters who could have that name.

For the next ten minutes, write a paragraph in each one's voice.

Which character suits the name most? Why not carry on writing about them as the basis of a new short story?

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