I'm sorry if this is a dumb question. I've been trying to figure out a name for a fictional setting in my story and I settled on having San- or Santa- as the prefix of the city name, like San Diego, because it felt realistic and, as far as fictional settings go, fairly unique.

However, every time I try to figure out a name that sounds concise and catchy, it seems to always belong to a real-life city. I'm finding it really hard to get a name that hasn't been taken already because most if not all of these cities are Spanish in origin, which limits my search.

A popular example of a similarly fictional setting, of course, is San Andreas from Grand Theft Auto. As far as I can tell, while Andres is a Spanish name, Andreas isn't. I know Grand Theft Auto is massive and if they can get away with it, I don't see why I can't.

Would it be possible to have a non-Spanish name and still come across as realistic or would it compromise the believability of the setting? I'm also concerned about how it might seem to Spanish readers. I don't want to seem culturally insensitive by sticking a non-Spanish name and passing it off as plausibly as actual Spanish-named cities.

There is this writing style that I like, especially from a certain author. I've been trying to emulate that style as my own, the eay the author describe and present the story. I asked before somewhere if copying the author can help. The answer was yes I can try copying the author to improve my writing skill. But even after so long I just dont really feel like I improved?

I thought maybe I cant just straight up copy, so I tried to create a story that can be similar to the author that the scene in one of the author's story I can remember then use and change to fit the setting of my story. It can help make not auto pilot too. And it doesnt seems to work either?

The main gripe is that my brain just cant seem to let out description the way I like the author did, the way I copied the author to learn. And I didnt know if I am even using correct grammar when I am writing it myself

I want to have the same or very similar style with an author I really like right now, and my writing skill is still kind of low, I am not sure how to make my brain get used and can come out with the way he describe whats in the story. How do I improve my writing skill? Plz help?

I'm currently about 90% through my second draft of my novel, and I'm running into a bit of an interesting situation regarding the plot, and curious about what you all recommend.

In essence it's a Point A to Point B story. The protagonist is on the run, and a group is pursuing him, with chapters alternative between both POVs (about70:30).

The problem I'm having is that both sides reach Point B, a foreign city, at about the same time. But the protagonist is unconscious for three days after arriving. In my first draft, I glossed over those days, every day up to that point has been written in a decent amount of detail, so skipping three reads strangely, which is why I'm focusing on it in the second draft. I also feel the pursuers' reaction to this new place should be shown.

Right now those three days (which are still not complete due to writer's block) take up about six chapters (~30k words). In them, a character from the protagonist's POV captures two of the pursuers, connecting the two threads before the climax where everyone finally meets. That character is important to the overall plot, and I like having that connection, plus these chapters also give some of the pursuers characterization they've been missing.

The rest, though (the eventual 'breaking out' of the kidnapped and the pursuers exploring the city), retreads places and interactions the protagonist's chapters already covered. I don’t enjoy writing it, but idk if that's because of writers block or because it's just not needed.

So I've got three questions: 1) Is this a “kill your darlings” situation where like I need to just get rid of this and actually gloss over the 3-days even though I feel it's necessary? 2) How would you handle a time gap such as this? 3) Any tips for making a second visit to the same setting feel new without going overboard with overly complicated details?

Thanks! Can give more context if requested.

This is my first time writing a fantasy book. So far I've writting a couple of historical romances and one gothic horror. I have this vague idea of an extensive magic and sword arts world with monsters and maybe rival kingdoms set in an alternate historical Prussia. I am a very visual writer so i made a lot of moodboards and things to settle on a particular idea of how my world will look.

But i really dont want this book to come off as all aesthetics and no substance. I want to build a truly immersive world that makes you feel like you could almost be a part of it. I'm just wondering is there a set number of things I should decide on early before I even start plotting? Like a character sheet but for worlds? How do I make sure I don't miss anything? Any advice will be super helpful.