Marcia, I so enjoyed your comment on my 99% Gertrude Stein blog! Thank you -- and yes, I much much loved Midnight in Paris, too!

I love historical fiction. I need to take more time to write fiction and spend less time on news. Marcia and Jane sound wimpy, I agree! I just noticed some of your posts on big horn sheep, an issue I'm following closely in Texas. Must go read...

An entire class on names? I agree, very important, but I think that class time should be offered to new parents, as well! I don't think a dorky name would bother me, but if my name was something like Cannot Write For Beans I would probably choose a nom de plume. I name all of my female characters Sarah, then change the name when a new one comes to me, one more appropriate to the character's personality. I've tried using the names of my children, but found that the characters started to change to resemble the personalities of my children. Have you considered teaching a class on choosing names, or writing an article on choosing names? I would be interested in your opinions and advice on this matter. I can't say that names are easy for me. I tend to change them often as the story takes shape.

And while I have your attention...do you belong to a writer's group that encourages writers to produce? Or do you have a writing partner? I write nonfiction nonstop, but I'd like to spend more time on my fiction work. I partnered with a man while I was in the MFA program and we met once a week to exchange chapters, not so much to critique, but to inspire.  

That is funny! Darla from Little Rascals, perhaps? I was named after her character. I always write under my real name. I like the way it sounds.