Debbie Fuller Thomas's Blog

We are excited to announce that six pre-published manuscripts have been cut from the herd and are now in the agent's corral. And if Wendy Lawton of Books and Such Literary Agency likes what she sees, she will most definitely ask for more. And if you give a mouse a cookie...or an agent a very promising work...it could possibly lead to a yummy contract for some lucky author. Congratulations and best of luck to the six winners! You can see our results at http://www.novelmatters.blogspot.com.

Do you have a manuscript that you'd love to get into the hands of an agent? Check out our 'Audience With an Agent' contest at http://www.novelmatters.blogspot.com to see how you can submit your YA or adult Christian fiction manuscript for consideration. We are accepting entries that fit our contest guidelines (see 'Promotions') through July 31, 2009. The top five entries will be considered by one of the fab agents at Books and Such Literary Agency. Polish off that manuscript and consult our guidelines for a chance to wow an agent!

Hello! I've turned in my final edits for Raising Rain and I've started working on my next book idea, including creating character descriptions, names and locations. So today I posted at Novel Matters about the importance of choosing just the right name for your characters, and I explored how well thought-out names can be used for overt description or as subtle tags. It's interesting that Harper Lee chose the name Boo Radley to describe a potentially creepy guy, and Dorothy's last name in The Wizard of Oz is Gale. It fits how much Hannibal (Lechter) rhymes with cannibal, and how Merry and Pippin start out as innocent, fun-loving hobbits and occasional comic relief. Their names just fit!

Visit us at http://tinyurl.com/b7vvum to read more and to add your comments about your favorite names. Do you have a great resource that helps generate names? Let us know!