I guess I'm lucky, character names usually just come to me. Occasionally I'll need to do a bit of research, though.

For example recently I had the idea for a character of Russian descent who operated a bar. I knew I wanted to have the bar named after him, so I googled 'russian surnames' and came up with this page:

http://www.gaminggeeks.org/Resources/KateMonk/Former-Soviet-Union/Russia/Surnames.htm

I then went through and tried out each surname as a bar name until I finally settled on Zubov for the character's last name, and Zubov's for the bar. The character's full name is Anton Zubov. The Anton part just came to me and it sounded right so I kept it.

Maybe I'm odd, as characters usually spring into my head mostly formed. For example I knew as soon as I thought of this guy what he looked like, what he acted like, generally who he was, I just didn't have a name for him.

I'd say the real question here is why are you writing? Personally I'm writing because I enjoy writing. If I get published that's great, but if not I'm still doing something I enjoy. Now if you're writing becuase you have dreams of seeing yourself in print and of making a living at it, then your answer may be very different from mine.

Don't get me wrong, I'm currently working on a novel because I want to get published. However, for the last twenty years I've found myself periodically writing something because I have an idea that I feel compelled to put down on paper. I have never gotten anything published (nor have I tried to very hard, I think I have a total of three rejection letters to my name). Just the simple act of writing gives me satisfaction.

Another example is playing guitar. I'm not very good, and I'll never have a record deal or make any money from it, but it is something I enjoy.

* Take a five minute break and stretch every hour that I'm at the computer.

+1 problem solved. I'm a software developer and spend TONS of time on a computer. Take periodic breaks or your body will make you regret it.

Hi, name's Steve Walizer. I'm currently in the process of world development and plotting for an urban fantasy novel. I'm tentatively setting things in Seattle. My current plan is to come up with 3 plot outlines using the characters and world I'm developing and run with the one that seems strongest after some feedback. This will also give me additional material to fall back on for sequels should I manage to find an agent and publisher that wants more than one book

I've wanted to be a novelist since I was 15, and I'm now 35, so I figured it's about time I put my nose to the grindstone and do it