Episode 43: Avoid Reader Confusion: Naming Rules Every Author Should Know (Story Savvy Series)

In this author education channel episode of the Story Savvy Series, a writing craft podcast for fiction and fantasy authors, Rebecca Hartwell and Agnes Wolfe dive into the art of naming in fiction. They share self editing tips for writerson how to introduce names clearly, avoid reader confusion, and ensure consistency across series and worlds. If you’re ready to polish your manuscript with professional developmental editing advice, this episode is for you.

In this Story Savvy Self-Editing episode, Rebecca Hartwell and Agnes Wolfe break down how to introduce character, place, and title names without overwhelming your reader. You’ll learn a practical checklist: cap new names per scene, pair each with context and a memorable trait, confirm cultural/time-period fit, clarify geography on first use, and keep aliases and titles consistent across a series.

In this episode:
-Keep new-name count reader-friendly
-Pair every first mention with relationship context
-Seed late-appearing characters earlier in the book
-Align names with era, region, culture, and faith
-State what a place is on first use (city, inn, forest)
-Tame aliases and titles so one character stays one idea

Recommended Resources
-Hart Bound Editing: www.hartboundediting.com
-Agnes Wolfe: www.agneswolfeauthor.com
-DragonheartAcademy: dragonheartacademy.com