Names are important. Names give clues about us, where we live, who we are. In some cases they can even tell what we do! There is a certain ring about George W. Bush, you just know he's American! You can almost feel the Texan, and taste the oil

When selecting names try and make them suit the person and place, you might not think it but the name tells a lot about a character - think of Scrooge, of Judas - call someone by those names and people will just know what you mean. Location. Location. Location.

If you are writing a story set in the 1950's then check what names were been used then. A useful tip rent an old film and watch carefully the names in the credits at the end. Listen to what people are called in the film.

I like American gangster movies and get some of my names from popular movies of the day. I'll rent a Humphrey Bogart film and watch the credits. It's surprising the names you can come up with!

Pick names that ring true to the place you're writing about e.g. you would hardly have a Padrig in Spain - it's an Irish name. Tarquin Fortesque-Smythe could be from an American working class background, but you wouldn