Good luck!! I've been in the query trenches twice now with two different manuscripts and just got signed by an agent a month ago for my YA fantasy! Just a heads up - don't worry too much about exactly where your sample pages end. I found out that it's not always exact if you're submitting on something like QueryTracker - there's actually a hidden word count so it will cut off at a point unbeknownst to you and the "10 pages" is just a rough estimate. Anyway thanks for posting, I love watching your videos!
I rarely had a problem with naming characters, especially for minor ones since whatever name I think at the moment is what I write...I only take time with major characters' names.
One thing I'm grateful for is that when it comes to character names I always know which letter I want it to start and how long it should be. It helps me narrow the process and if a name speaks to me I just go with it. Now for continent, town, city names this goes out of the window. It takes me hours to find the 'right' one (honestly this just means a name that doesn’t sound cringy).
@@anthonyw2931 The role never matters to me, but I do keep in mind their personality a little. Honestly when I look through names it's a gut feeling if the name is right or not. This is weird to admit but it's like the name itself brings out the personality the character has. If a name sounds right then I go with it. Also a guideline I have is that character names starting with letters K, R, Z, W, X, and sometimes even M, are either stoic, hot-headed, sassy/sarcastic, calculating ect. (Because the letter itself sounds like that, idk how to explain it. I saw a post about this very long time ago that explained it better, but I have no idea if I can ever find it)
Knowing you've looked over a chapter at least 20 times and finding it difficult to reconcile with such big blind spots? That's a moment only a professional will feel. You're so far along that a facepalm isn't enough.
I don't know how you wrote a full draft let alone multiple drafts without character names? I can't finish a draft without knowing all my character or location names. So cheer you got this far, but I'm still baffled.
As someone who names right away, I will say it is a power Lol! I tend to name everything before I start, but my problem is rarely being satisfied with names, so outlining takes a lot longer because of that. I also tend to write retellings and literary fiction often so that takes some burden off of naming, I can't imagine the stress of a high fantasy
Next time you need to name characters, in less is something that needs to be meaningful, I usually just go to a name generator. I feel that even if it is a placeholder, and i will replace it later on, it takes away the mental load of having it on the back burner.
Good morning, Sara! 🌞This video was very interesting and inspiring to watch based on the info for writers who are just starting a Query letter. I'm sorry you had a hard time naming your characters and places within the story, but I'm glad that you had help with naming them from friends and your writing group. Have a lovely day and you look beautiful in the video. I had to say it! Anyway, good luck with sending out your Query letter and getting responses. ❤
Yeah, the names... I'm trying to make sure to have my characters name before I start writing as part of the planning process. Usually when figuring out the character arc names are popping up automatically. If not I'm trying to have them named right after I got the first draft done. When you're speaking about 50 pages, do you mean 50 pages in Microsoft Word? I always thought the page number is meant for standard book pages which would mean it's a lot less agents are actually going to read. Maybe I got that wrong? But, how great that you are so happy with where your books is standing right now!!! Wohooooo! Cheering you on for whatever you are doing next and sending you lots of love and creative vibes
The list getting longer and longer by the second had me crying XD. I rewrote my first chapter about a year ago and I had that same feeling, that it actually read like a book, and it's one of the best feelings ever.
Well, I needed to name a forest that has just been called "ancient forest" in the document, a kingdom that was in my document as "southern kingdom" and it's king "southern king" lol. For a while "OS" stood for older sister and "YS" was younger sister but those two got named in draft 2 or 3
7:15: I got spun around so much that my head detached (gross, i know). And got hit with... "you did what?!?" moment; Ditching a concert (like it's no big deal) to go to a writing group to edit? Whoa... respect. Put that part on a poster (or t-shirt) with the word: Determination. Again, you go, girl!
Lol I should have rephrased that, I spent $40 on a ticket to a concert an hour away. I would have gone alone (which I’m totally fine with doing and have done before), but writing seemed more in line with my goals :)
Oh… you didn’t… give too many characters names with the same ending did you? Everyone knows they all need to have different sounding names … 😂😂 jk. Ive never seen someone so stressed by names!
The longer the video goes, the more unhinged writer madness energy keeps building up and I never related so hard before.
😂
Good luck!! I've been in the query trenches twice now with two different manuscripts and just got signed by an agent a month ago for my YA fantasy! Just a heads up - don't worry too much about exactly where your sample pages end. I found out that it's not always exact if you're submitting on something like QueryTracker - there's actually a hidden word count so it will cut off at a point unbeknownst to you and the "10 pages" is just a rough estimate. Anyway thanks for posting, I love watching your videos!
good point
Whoever you are, congratulations!!
@@jasoncassibry thank you so much!!
I rarely had a problem with naming characters, especially for minor ones since whatever name I think at the moment is what I write...I only take time with major characters' names.
Smart 😂
One thing I'm grateful for is that when it comes to character names I always know which letter I want it to start and how long it should be.
It helps me narrow the process and if a name speaks to me I just go with it.
Now for continent, town, city names this goes out of the window. It takes me hours to find the 'right' one (honestly this just means a name that doesn’t sound cringy).
interesting. Does the character's personality and role matter in your naming? Coz to me that's where I blank out.
@@anthonyw2931 The role never matters to me, but I do keep in mind their personality a little. Honestly when I look through names it's a gut feeling if the name is right or not. This is weird to admit but it's like the name itself brings out the personality the character has. If a name sounds right then I go with it.
Also a guideline I have is that character names starting with letters K, R, Z, W, X, and sometimes even M, are either stoic, hot-headed, sassy/sarcastic, calculating ect. (Because the letter itself sounds like that, idk how to explain it. I saw a post about this very long time ago that explained it better, but I have no idea if I can ever find it)
@@Dani_77709 hm. I'll have to try this. It makes sense. Thank you very much
Your naming ordeal makes me wonder if DE stands for Didn't Entitle? 😉
😂
Knowing you've looked over a chapter at least 20 times and finding it difficult to reconcile with such big blind spots? That's a moment only a professional will feel. You're so far along that a facepalm isn't enough.
😂
I don't know how you wrote a full draft let alone multiple drafts without character names? I can't finish a draft without knowing all my character or location names. So cheer you got this far, but I'm still baffled.
😂 I don't know either
How long did it take you to come up with a name for this video? lol But seriously, naming things is tough.
😂 ok ouch
As someone who names right away, I will say it is a power Lol! I tend to name everything before I start, but my problem is rarely being satisfied with names, so outlining takes a lot longer because of that. I also tend to write retellings and literary fiction often so that takes some burden off of naming, I can't imagine the stress of a high fantasy
Next time you need to name characters, in less is something that needs to be meaningful, I usually just go to a name generator. I feel that even if it is a placeholder, and i will replace it later on, it takes away the mental load of having it on the back burner.
Oh that's a good idea!
I thought I was bad at naming characters late
😂
@@SaraLubratt how do you keep them straight without a name? I use asdfasdf_1 asdfasdf_2 ext, curious whst you use
Good morning, Sara! 🌞This video was very interesting and inspiring to watch based on the info for writers who are just starting a Query letter. I'm sorry you had a hard time naming your characters and places within the story, but I'm glad that you had help with naming them from friends and your writing group. Have a lovely day and you look beautiful in the video. I had to say it! Anyway, good luck with sending out your Query letter and getting responses. ❤
:)
All good reminders
I always just borrow names from stories I like when writing then you can give them different names later. Saves a lot of time and anxiety in the end.
Love that!
Yeah, the names... I'm trying to make sure to have my characters name before I start writing as part of the planning process. Usually when figuring out the character arc names are popping up automatically. If not I'm trying to have them named right after I got the first draft done.
When you're speaking about 50 pages, do you mean 50 pages in Microsoft Word? I always thought the page number is meant for standard book pages which would mean it's a lot less agents are actually going to read. Maybe I got that wrong?
But, how great that you are so happy with where your books is standing right now!!! Wohooooo!
Cheering you on for whatever you are doing next and sending you lots of love and creative vibes
Naming characters and places is always the hardest thing for me!
Glad I’m not alone!
The list getting longer and longer by the second had me crying XD. I rewrote my first chapter about a year ago and I had that same feeling, that it actually read like a book, and it's one of the best feelings ever.
❤️❤️❤️
Ok I'm very curious how do you name your characters before their actual names. Is it Character A is running? Or do you have placeholder names?
Well, I needed to name a forest that has just been called "ancient forest" in the document, a kingdom that was in my document as "southern kingdom" and it's king "southern king" lol. For a while "OS" stood for older sister and "YS" was younger sister but those two got named in draft 2 or 3
let the querying process begin! this gave me so much energy to edit my
Novella! i wish you all the best with this project. 🤍
Not quite yet but it’s right around the corner! ❤️❤️❤️
Someone said unhinged writer madness energy, in a good way, and all I can think is the world can miss me with it if it’s any other kind of energy 😊
The red light 😂
7:15: I got spun around so much that my head detached (gross, i know). And got hit with... "you did what?!?" moment; Ditching a concert (like it's no big deal) to go to a writing group to edit? Whoa... respect. Put that part on a poster (or t-shirt) with the word: Determination. Again, you go, girl!
Lol I should have rephrased that, I spent $40 on a ticket to a concert an hour away. I would have gone alone (which I’m totally fine with doing and have done before), but writing seemed more in line with my goals :)
@@SaraLubratt still. Respect. Way to show and not tell. 🤪
Oh… you didn’t… give too many characters names with the same ending did you? Everyone knows they all need to have different sounding names … 😂😂 jk. Ive never seen someone so stressed by names!
No I didn’t but don’t do that to me! 😅
@@SaraLubratt ahaha
great job good luck
Thank you!