Deborah asked Nicole Sager:

How do you pick your characters names?

Nicole Sager With most of my books having a medieval feel, I always try to pick a name that sounds true to the era (or at least one that could have been).While fantasy does allow a small bit of elbow room in coming up with something new, names like Bob or Nancy have the distinct sound of a later era, so I don't use them.

Sometimes I think of a name and then build a character around it. This actually happened with Druet, the hero in The Heart of Arcrea, as well as Dainger in Burdney. Thinking of a name first can sometimes help with deciding on a character's personality (a person's name usually fits them well).

Other times I think of a character (nationality, personality, quirks, etc.) and then try to place a name that adds to their character. Sometimes a name just sounds right, other times I might look for a specific meaning. There are many sources online that list hundreds of [medieval] names and their variations. These lists will get your wheels turning, even if you don't pick one that's listed.

Still other times, a character will simply "walk into a scene" already pieced together. All I have to do is accept the challenge of unraveling their story. This happened in Burdney, when a young woman named Kara walked up studying the world with an empty gaze, and unwilling (or unable) to say a word.

There really is no special formula to finding a name. Each time is different, like a parent finding a name for their next child. Just explore! Find one that you like, one that's special, and one that fits your character like a glove.

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