Andrew McDowell

The Importance of Names (Video)

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Andrew McDowell

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Watch my talk on the importance of names for characters, settings, and things at the Annapolis Chapter of the MWA if you haven’t yet:

This was my first talk geared specifically towards writers. I had a wonderful turnout that evening, and I’ve been informed that some of those who attended used what they learned in their own writing.

Here’s the handout from the event:

Importance of Names HandoutDownload

Do elements of my talk sound familiar? Read these old blog posts from which it draws upon:

Many thanks to all of you who purchased Mystical Greenwood! If you haven’t yet, please do so! Plus, it’s now available in Nook! Remember, books make great gifts! If you enjoy it, and I hope you do, please post a review! Help spread the word!

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Comments

21 responses to “The Importance of Names (Video)”

  1. sharonledwith Avatar
    sharonledwith

    Well done, Andrew! You sound so professional! Happy holidays and all the best in 2019!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar
      Andrew McDowell

      Thank you! Same to you!

      Like

      Reply
  2. davidjrogersftw Avatar
    davidjrogersftw

    Thank you, Andrew. I wish you the best on this festive season.
    David

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar
      Andrew McDowell

      You’re welcome, and thank you!

      Like

      Reply
  3. Lorraine Ambers Avatar
    Lorraine Ambers

    An amazing talk, you sound confident and professional – Well done. 🙌

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar
      Andrew McDowell

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. authormjpatrick Avatar
    authormjpatrick

    I’ve got your book!! It’ll be my weekend novel.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar
      Andrew McDowell

      I hope you enjoy it!

      Like

      Reply
      1. authormjpatrick Avatar
        authormjpatrick

        I’ll leave a review on Amazon. :) Great talk on names. I have an Andrew as well, who doesn’t like nicknames. You’ve pointed out great reasons to dig deep for the right name. As you said, there’s power in a name.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
  5. lynnefisher Avatar
    lynnefisher

    Well done, Andrew. Very professionally done and what a fascinating subject! I always sigh when i have to come up with a name because it simply MATTERS!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar
      Andrew McDowell

      Thank you!

      Like

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  6. Oristel Guenael Avatar
    Oristel Guenael

    Amazing!!!!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Oristel Guenael Avatar
    Oristel Guenael

    It’s interesting how you brought the idea of the importance of names….(just like dialogues, right, we just don’t just write them! They all have a purpose! Either to reveal backstories or to move the story-forward…….)

    I literary started changing the names of my own characters because (without knowing the reason) I thought the names had to be meaningful! And listening to tour speech made me stop to think!! Thanks so much for posting!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Resolutions | Andrew McDowell Avatar
    Resolutions | Andrew McDowell

    […] crowds due to a lack of planning. But others did. Perhaps my most successful was my discussion on the importance of names. This year I know I’m going to have to do more of them in order to spread the word and get […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. myindiewriting Avatar
    myindiewriting

    Nice! I’m loving all the resources in the handout. Thanks :-)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Readers’ Wants | Andrew McDowell Avatar
    Readers’ Wants | Andrew McDowell

    […] matter, as does what happens to them. Nevertheless, they originate with the writers. I said in my importance of names presentation characters are the children of an author’s imagination. Well, […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Looking toward the Future | Andrew McDowell Avatar
    Looking toward the Future | Andrew McDowell

    […] it would be nice to come up with a new writing presentation. I’ve done my importance of names one 3–4 times now, and I even expanded it to include pen names—for writers and for real people in […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Counting Words and Pages (Video) – Andrew McDowell Avatar
    Counting Words and Pages (Video) – Andrew McDowell

    […] The Importance of Names (Video) […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Zoey Avatar
    Zoey

    Thanks great bllog

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Andrew McDowell Avatar
      Andrew McDowell

      You’re welcome. Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  14. Upcoming Events Updates – Andrew McDowell Avatar
    Upcoming Events Updates – Andrew McDowell

    […] will be the moderator on the Name panel, a subject I was eager to contribute to, having done a presentation on it. And my autograph session will be alongside one of the guests of honor this year, Sebastian de […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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