I don’t always remember character names.
I’m more likely to remember the novel or their character than their actual name. As such, I don’t necessarily have any names I can think of as particular favourites.
But I can think of two, for different reasons:
In The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate, the narrator rents a house from Iola Anne Poole. Unfortunately, the first scene shows the narrator finding ninety-one-yar-old Mrs Poole’s body lying on her bed, as though she’d laid down for a nap and didn’t wake up. For obvious reasons, I like that name 🙂
Another name I remember is Paul Ingatius Greatorex from the After the Fire series by English author John Lockley, written in the 1990s. The novels are set in England, and tell the story of a group of misfits brought together after they are some of the few survivors of a global pandemic that kills more than 99% of the world’s population in under a week. Paul’s name stuck with me because of the initials – PIG, which he used to get teased about at school – and because I once saw a book review for After the Fire written by a Paul Ingatius Greatorex, who read the book when he realised he had the same name as one of the main characters.
Sharon Garlough Brown is an author, spiritual director, and retreat leader who is passionate about shepherding others deep into the love of God. She and her husband, Jack, have served congregations in Scotland, Oklahoma, England, and West Michigan, and currently direct Abiding Way Ministries, providing spiritual formation retreats and resources. Sharon enjoys all things British–especially tea–and loves when her son says, “Mom, would you like me to put the kettle on?”
My name is Melinda and this has been the worst year ever … We had to leave our family farm, Mum is in hospital, Dad is losing it and my freak-out-and-run arachnophobia is getting worse.
Courtney Walsh is a novelist, artist, theater director, and playwright. Change of Heart is her fifth novel and is set in the same town as Paper Hearts. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists and was a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. She has written two additional books in the Sweethaven series, as well as two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives in Illinois where she and her husband own a performing and visual arts studio. They have three children.
Kelli Stuart is a writer and a storyteller at heart. A graduate of Baylor University with a degree in English Professional Writing, and a minor in the Russian language, Kelli has honed her skills in the written word through editing, ghostwriting, blogging, and traveling the world.