Hi Satan_Klaus,

Some great suggestions have been raised here and are quite valuable for longer works. There are a great many stories here on the library that are easily novel length. Here's a quick summary of and a few new suggestions.

* Naming characters with different, but not outrageous names. Yet, it's okay to have a Jane, Jewel, and Jessie, if say they are sisters or something. Parents can be like that.

* Give each character a distinct personality, a clear description and a role.

* If the role isn't important to the story, and/or the character won't be in the story again, less description is fine.

* If a character has been "missing" for a few chapters, when that character "returns" a few subtle phrases will help the reader remember that character. For example,

Taking her sub Nat's hand, Ruby guided him to her favorite with a wicked grin on her face. He nodded his head, yes, as he walked. His long blond hair covered his grey-blue eyes and she laughed with delight. She'd brush that long hair to tease him after he was secured to the chair.

We are reminded that Nat is Ruby's sub and the story goes forward.

* Outrageous names are distracting and can often prevent a novel/novella from selling. Common mistakes are mispelled names, names that are overly cute or descriptive - like your Mr. Masters, or names that are jarring because of their spelling. Think Mr. Mastaars or Mr. Mastters. Spell checks and many editors hate them and Readers often don't identify with them.

Why are so many men named Michael or John? Because they are common names, which are easy to say, spell and remember.

* Names should also be appropriate for the location, period and genre of the story.

Keep up the great work on your "novella", which is rapidly becoming a full length novel.

Ruby