I’m in the midst of planning and scheming my next book series. In fact that’s what I’ll be spending the bulk of today doing.
There is so much that goes into that process. I have to create characters. Heroes. Heroines. Supporting characters. Pets. Churches. Jobs. Places they work. And towns.
Sometimes I use real places. Other times I’ve used fictional. Both work and can be fun. But for this new series I want to create a new small, bedroom community outside Washington, D.C. Think of it as a commuter community. That means I need a name, and a couple weeks ago on Facebook I got my readers involved in generating ideas. It was so much fun reading their 80+ ideas. Now I wanted to give you a chance to join the fun!
Below you can vote for your favorite of my eight favorite names. I’d also love to know what businesses you think should be in this community. Feel free to elaborate on what it should be called. I’m imagining a picturesque small town courthouse square that has its own flair that attracts outsiders (anyone not from around there). Want to play along?
I’ll be mailing some books to randomly selected folks, and your vote is your entry. I’d love to have you join in the fun!
I’d also love to know: what’s one thing you love to see in new series? What draws you to opening the first book?
Latest posts by Cara Putman (see all)
- Book Recommendations in Time for Summer and a Giveaway - May 22, 2025
- Cara’s Favorites - May 18, 2025
- What’s pulling you down? - May 8, 2025
Naming people and places is a wonderful process. Sometimes no name seems to suit a character and sometimes a name pops up and I feel I have to create a character for that name and sometimes I have to choose between a few names I have come up with and I would be sorry to let any of them go!
Anna, it is a fun — and challenging — process, isn’t it? I try to keep a list of names, but I could do better at that.
Cara, thanks so much. We’ll never meet, but on a despondent day, the energy of this concept has helped me see more of the possibilities in the idea I’m working on right now. None of the real towns in my Borders ( England/Scotland area really fit, aspects of three do – Solution – Give my characters a town of their own…
Off to visit the swans
I’m so glad! Delighted this gave you some energy to move forward. Keep me posted on how it goes!
This is fun!
Honestly, the first thing that draws me to a book is almost ALWAYS the cover! It’s so important. I love unique characters. I also love stories with small town settings, close-knit communities, and elements of faith and spirituality.
Covers are so key, Cheryl. I couldn’t agree more!
This is so cool! I live in Leesburg, so I’ll be looking forward to reading this! And if you decide to visit to look around the town while writing, I’ve got guest rooms!
Jacinta, that is AWESOME! It’s been so long since I’ve been to Leesburg. I really want to come visit. Maybe in the spring if COVID stay clear.
Thanks for letting us be a part of your creating your series! So fun! For me, a series is most enjoyable and compelling when, in the first book, I really get to know the main characters of second and third books. It must be very tricky as a writer to do that, but as a reader I love to come back to and spend more time with characters that I’ve already gotten to know really well. Have fun today creating your new town!
It is tricky, but I know as a reader I value getting to know the characters, too!
If you want a real-life picturesque town, check out Woodstock, IL. The movie, “Groundhog Day,” was filmed on location in Woodstock’s square, and people from miles around visit for multiple events, especially its farmers market. The old courthouse is right on the square, as is the former city hall, now the Woodstock Opera House. As Woodstock is just the next town over, we go there often. Currently there are a number of restaurants (including my daughter’s favorite vegetarian place), an organic chocolate shop, a bookstore, a Starbucks, banks, realtors, lawyers offices, our favorite movie theater, quaint shops, etc., all of which you will need in your town. At Christmas, the Square glistens with thousands of lights, and couples have been seen dancing to music heard only in their hearts in the gazebo. Truly magical. Have fun!
Janice, what a great idea! I’ll check it out for inspiration!It sounds like a great town to model mine off of.
Please do! Would love to know what you think! Orson Welles got his start there, and Dick Tracey’s creator lived outside town.
Thank you for this amazing Post Cara and for the giveaway!
You’re welcome, Sarah!
I’m like many others who posted here. I want to get to know the characters that will populate the series of books. It would be fun to have an old-fashioned ice cream shop in your town and maybe a mom and pop hardware store or something like that. Generational and refusing to be kicked out by the chain stores. The owners survive by featuring creative services that the people who live there love. I’m brainstorming right now, too, and the beginning of a series is certainly daunting. Here’s praying innovation and light bulb moments your way!
I like the name Hamilton because we have a small community fairly close to us that’s Hamilton, MS. But there is a small city that joins our small city that has a beautiful tall clock in the downtown area and I love that. I would love to see a picture of that on the front of a book with an older type town in it.