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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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What’s in a Name?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 11, 2015
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Look at this list of names:

Mary Maxwell

Julius Cromwell

Hector Williams

Lucinda Smith

Do they mean anything to you? Probably not, unless you happen to have some random connection to them such as you happen to have an aunt named Lucinda. Truth is, they don’t mean anything to me, either. I just made them up. (With apologies to the many people named Mary Maxwell, et al on Facebook.)

But what if the same names appeared on your church prayer list?

Or they were the names of people you were slated to work with at your new job?

Or, they are characters in a book?

Do you want to read about these characters? If so, in what type of novel?

Where do you think you would find these characters:

Alexa Artichoke

Madison Moneywell

Dominic Avenger

Ruby Sapphira

Obedience Oswald

Winter Skye

None of the above character names are particularly traditional of course. If you give your characters names that aren’t traditional, I suggest offering an interesting backstory for the reader to give the character dimension.

I don’t recommend an odd spelling (such as Jyl for Jill) because it can throw off the reader for no good reason. Also, complex names are likely to hamper rather than to enhance the reader’s pleasure. If your reader wants to learn about Antoninusdiadumenianus, there are plenty of history books to peruse.

Most of all, have fun. And be sure your readers do, too.

Your turn:

What is your favorite character naming resource?

What are your character names in your WIP?

What is your favorite character name of all time?

If the sky were the limit, what would you name your character?

 

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Category: Craft, Creativity, Writing CraftTag: Character Names, Craft, Writing Craft

The Myth of God’s Goodness

By Karen Ballon June 10, 2015
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I’m in the process of developing a program with a friend to minister to writers who are in deep places in their lives. I’ve been asking God to show me how to encourage and share His truth with those who feel lost, abandoned, worthless, like they’ve wasted their gifts…those who are in pain and struggling… WHAT was I thinking?? There’s only one way to really minister to people in certain situations: …

Read moreThe Myth of God’s Goodness
Category: Christian, Personal, TheologyTag: Christian, Theology

Starting Your Own Writer’s Conference

By Dan Balowon June 9, 2015
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No, you don’t need to start your own writer’s conference, but the headline sounded attention-grabbing to me. Every writer needs to intentionally put themselves in a position to learn and be challenged in a variety of areas. The formal environment for that is the professional writer’s conference. Click here for a list, but you need something more consistent and ongoing as well. Not everyone lives …

Read moreStarting Your Own Writer’s Conference
Category: Conferences, The Writing LifeTag: Challenge Group, The Writing Life, writers conferences

When Your Book Becomes Personal

By Steve Laubeon June 8, 2015
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I wish every writer could see what we see as agents and editors with regard to proposals. I wish they could experience the sheer variety of book ideas presented at writers conferences and through the submission process. It is breathtaking. And sometimes heartbreaking. I wrote down a selection of the true stories that have recently crossed my desk. This small sampling shows real-life events that …

Read moreWhen Your Book Becomes Personal
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, Personal Stories

Fun Fridays – June 5, 2015

By Steve Laubeon June 5, 2015
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Sometimes you have to improvise with your art.

Read moreFun Fridays – June 5, 2015
Category: Fun Fridays

Your Publishing History: Tell Me Everything

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 4, 2015
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When I review proposals, one element often missing is publishing history. How do I know this? I own a computer. With a Keyboard. And a Search Engine. Guess What? So do All The Editors. Granted, not every proposal piques my interest enough for me to do a search. But when I get that far, I must search your name to see your publishing history whether you have offered it or not. Because believe me, if …

Read moreYour Publishing History: Tell Me Everything
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Get Published

When It’s One of THOSE Days…

By Karen Ballon June 3, 2015
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I won’t ask if you’ve ever had “one of those days.” You’re in publishing. Of course you have. Probably on a far too regular basis. I totally understand. In fact, my most recent “one of those days” is today. You know what it’s like. You have your little “To Do” list all laid out, and you’re up early, equipped with coffee and ready to dive in, when it happens. Life. And suddenly your plans are out …

Read moreWhen It’s One of THOSE Days…
Category: Career, HumorTag: Humor, The Writing Life

Wanted: Authors (Apply Within)

By Dan Balowon June 2, 2015
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A book proposal sent to an agent is like applying for a job as an author. Comparing how applying for a job and pitching an agent for your book proposal are similar is my task today. I think some authors believe that pitching an agent is a mysterious process involving passwords, magical keys or some sort of ceremonial sacrificial offering. It couldn’t be further from the truth. Sometimes a …

Read moreWanted: Authors (Apply Within)
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Get Published

Bidding Completed for Bankrupt Family Christian Stores

By Steve Laubeon June 1, 2015
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This past week a complex and long auction process was completed and a winning bid has been chosen to purchase the bankrupt Family Christian Stores (FCS). If this final bid is approved by the court the FCS will emerge from bankruptcy and resume business as usual. If you have been following this ordeal (our blog #1 and blog #2) you know how complicated it had become. The end game is no less …

Read moreBidding Completed for Bankrupt Family Christian Stores
Category: Book Business, Economics, Legal IssuesTag: Book Business, family christian stores, Legal

Fun Fridays – May 29, 2015

By Steve Laubeon May 29, 2015
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Palindromes: A word or phrase that reads the same backward or forward. Like “we panic in a pew” … perfect for a Sunday sermon! Weird Al, singing like Bob Dylan, did an entire song where the lyrics are totally made of palindromes. It is one of those videos that you want to stop watching but can’t. Creative is one word. Strange is another. But it is all about word …

Read moreFun Fridays – May 29, 2015
Category: Fun Fridays
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