Crafting a character is one of the key elements in writing a novel. Most authors usually have a personality in mind for a character long before they begin piecing the story together. Once that personality is in place a writer faces the daunting task of naming their character. Sometimes a run-of-the-mill name will do the trick, but more often than not you need a name that will encompass not only the character's identifying traits but the time period they live in.

Sometimes that blank page in front of you can be overwhelming, intimidating even and can keep a writer from experiencing their true desires. Enter in the story starters, writing prompts or writing exercises. These tools have been used for years to jump start a writer's brain and help release the flow of creativity waiting just behind the scenes, eager to flow onto the pages and create worlds and wonders for those who dare to read them. When you finally have the opportunity to sit down and write, you want absolutely nothing to get in your way. In an ideal world, the ideas would flow from head...