So, I've been surfing around fanfictions and forums, and I realized that a lot of tributes are not exactly up to par. They were too perfect, or too much like a Mary-Sue. Now, probably a lot of people wouldn't even notice them. But I do, and I know some people that certainly do.

Your tribute may not have that many problems. Your character may actually be perfect. But I think that a lot of people could benefit from reading something like this.

This may also turn in to a rant of mine on the imperfections of tributes, actual characters, and plot holes. But I'm going to try to avoid that.

Another note: This does not necessarily apply only to Hunger Games tributes. Most of it could probably be applied to different characters from different fandoms. But, here, it will be for the Hunger Games.

So, my basic plan is to go down an average tribute submission form. Therefore, my first chapter will be on names.

Names can vary throughout the Districts or place the character comes from. In the Hunger Games, it seems as though a large part of the names depend on the principal industry of the District. For example, a District 1 tribute would have a glitzy name like Jewel or Star or Glow. Someone from 11 would have a more plantsy or naturey name, say, Mallow or Rye. Naturally, there would be some exceptions to this, but the majority of the names follow this rule.

District Twelve seems fairly exempt from this rule. Then again, there aren't many names associated with coal mining. Mine cart? Pickaxe? Headlamp? Yeah... no.

For the Career Districts or the Capitol, a safe bet is usually a name from mythology or Shakespeare, as long as it's not overused. Since District 1, 2, 4, and the Capitol are so extravagant, the tributes can have fairly ridiculous names. Even so, there are some rules you should follow.

1. Never use more than four names. Even three names is annoying. Only use more than three names for the Careers and the Capitol. Titles are an exception. Even so, even in a Career district, no one really wants a name like Glitz Sparkle GlowGlow Junior. You should never include the middle name at all unless the tribute goes by that as a nickname.

2. Never use animals in the tribute's name. Parker Lonewolf. George Falcon. Panther Smith. They sound kind of stupid, they're completely unrealistic, and some poor panther somewhere is going to be hiding in shame because Panther Rainbowdash Lily the Fifth is fighting in the Games somewhere.

3. It is a very bad idea to give a character a super "powerful" name. No Stryker, no Red Eagle, no Thunderfist, no Moonblast. They look even stupider then the animal names. No real parent would name their child something like that.

4. While on the subject of Thunderfist and Moonblast, you should never give your character a double name. Unless they so happen to be a Warrior cat, in which case that's a bit of a requirement. But in the Hunger Games, I beg you not to give your character a name like Sunglow, Blossommagic, Lilyrosedew, et cetera. This extends to duplicate names, like the Glowglow mentioned above.

5. Try not to make a first or last name longer than ten letters.

If you follow these basic rules, then we won't end up with any Glitter Kitten Purplefrost Moonheart Helvetica StarStar Queenie Chrysanthemum the Eighteenths. God forbid.

Now, I'm not saying that your character can NEVER have a name like this. But I seriously suggest that you steer clear of such names.

And please, never name your poor tribute Headlamp.

I guess that concludes my Names section. I might add more later as I think of it. Next time: Appearance! I'll also do a short part on Age and District, which aren't really very important.

I hope you found this enlightening. Reviews? Comments? Flames? Anything?