Ask them to come up with a nerdy name as well. Writers often spend a great deal of time finding names for their characters which fit their personalities. Grant Brawley and Marvin Twitchell are two characters. Two other characters are named Kim Summers and Clara Oglethorp. When they have made their lists, remind your students of the story of Beauty and the Beast, stressing that Beast was judged by his exterior, but inside he was a really nice guy.
Writers have to get inside their characters in order to tell their stories.
Now your students will get inside the nerdy characters they have created and write a few paragraphs explaining what they are really like. They should incorporate into their work those five characteristics they listed, and explain what the real story is behind them. Pat Brisson does frequent author visits to schools and conferences.