I was 100% dead certain this superduper learning experience was in my book. It’s not!
Ooops.
Beginning writers constantly (and irritatingly) give characters numbers instead of “names”. You know, COP 1, COP 2, COP 3, or TEACHER #1, TEACHER #2. It’s soooooo boring. A name with a number tells us nothing but “Lookit, three cops!”
Even a tiny addition will boost the read. How’s about GENTLE COP, TWITCHY COP, SAD COP?
AWESOME TEACHER, PSYCHO TEACHER
SO SO BOWLER, WRETCHED BOWLER
SCARRED THUG, MUSTACHIOED THUG, OPERA-LOVING THUG
Give us something and create an image in our mind other than people bopping in who are identical except for numbers on their chests.
I refer you to my all-time-favorite Functional Character Names (which are in Your Screenplay Sucks!)… the guys in ANIMAL HOUSE who say, “Do you mind if we dance with your dates?”
BIG DUDE… BIGGER DUDE… GIGANTIC DUDE
THING 1 and THING 2 worked fine for Dr. Seuss, but 1.) they were supposed to be exactly alike and, 2.) you’re not him.
Your Screenplay Sucks! 