HOW TO WRITE | tips & advice

nicknames

here's another thing that either works really well for your story, or will turn readers off completely; nicknames.

nicknames can add something to your character, but it can be easy to overdo it. too many nicknames can confuse your reader. and a nickname (or multiple) is not always needed.

here are the different types of nicknames and how to use them so you don't confuse your readers:

1. THE SHORTENED NAME- what the character goes by, which is just a shortened version of their full name. alexander who goes by alex or alec, penelope who goes by penny, abigail who goes by abby, and so on. these kinds of nicknames should be introduced early on and used throughout the entire book.

2. THE FAMILY/ BEST FRIENDS ONLY- this is the nickname that the character isn't known by, except to their parents or siblings or maybe best friend. for example, someone named francesca might go by that around their school, but may go by chess around their family. these nicknames should be introduced when the people the character is close to talks to them. people your character is not close with shouldn't use this kind of nickname.

3. THE MUSHY GUSHY- these are the nicknames romantically involved characters may refer to each other as. babe, baby, honey, doll, pumpkin, lover, sweetie, angel, etc. keep these between the character and their significant other, obviously (unless there's a reason for someone else to call them that).

4. ONE TIME COMEDIC EFFECT- this is the nickname a character is called, usually to push their buttons. occasionally, it's based off a trait or something they do, but most of the time, it's a one time thing, and doesn't catch on to anyone besides whoever originated the nickname. like how kristoff called anna "fiestypants" after she trash talked a snow monster. these should be used for the purpose of pushing the character's buttons or comedically pointing something out. don't bring this nickname up too much, or else it's not as funny.