In a continuation of last weeks blog post, here is a behind-the-scenes look at something I face in my own editing. Name Changing.

Something I don’t usually notice until I go back and reread my manuscript or start editing is name changes. I’ve had multiple cases where a character’s name got changed halfway through the manuscript by mistake. Or the spelling of a name changed. Sometimes I actually changed a character’s name on purpose and forgot to go back and insert the changes in the manuscript.

In Finding Doom Alexis’s name was originally Alex.

Here’s another example:

In the second book of the T.S.O. series, which I’m currently editing, one of the character’s names was accidentally changed halfway through the story. In my first round of editing I had to go back and change his name.

When things like this happen, it’s not something to get upset about. I realize I did it and laugh at it. I laugh and ask myself; “How did I change that and not notice it?” Of course, there isn’t really an answer.

In one of your first rounds of editing, it’s important to know your characters’ names and how they are spelled. This is one thing you want to make sure you fix somewhere in the beginning of editing. Otherwise, it can confuse you, your editor, and you beta readers!

So, as always, happy writing! And stay safe!

-R.E. Klinzing

Interested in reading Finding Doom? Check it out here!