Gimme Shelter (and win one of my books)
If you’re near Wilmington, NC Friday evening June 26th, stop by Two Sisters’ Bookery between 4 and 7. I’d love to meet you!
There is a setting in my work-in-progress, The Lies We Told, that I need to name. You, my readers, have helped me name both books and characters in the past, so I’m turning to you once again for inspiration. If I use the name one of you suggests, I’ll send you an autographed copy of The Courage Tree.
Here’s the setting: Picture a backwoodsy area of coastal North Carolina. In real life, there’s a (much nicer) area called Holland Shelter on a tributary of the Cape Fear River. I like the word Shelter, which fits both the locale and the storyline. So I’m looking for “_____ Shelter”.
_____ Shelter is actually a peninsula of sorts. Like Holland Shelter, it’s on a tributary of the Cape Fear but that’s where the similarities end. _____ Shelter is attached to the mainland by a long, very narrow strip of land, so that when the area floods and that strip is underwater, _____ Shelter becomes an island, cut off from the mainland. If you don’t have a boat, you’re trapped until the floodwaters go down. And of course, my characters don’t have a boat.
The house in the picture (a real house I snapped on a recent trip to the area) belongs to one of the characters who lives in _____ Shelter, so you get an idea of what life is like. Not great. 🙁
The situation is scary from a pyschological perspective and to a lesser degree, from a physical perspective. But it’s also an emotional story. As is usually the case with my books, there’s a little bit of everything! So the blank in _____ Shelter should be a word that evokes trouble and mystery, with a healthy dose of poignancy.
I look forward to your ideas, and may the best ______ win!
Oh, another fun game …
Haint Shelter (as in, the southern colloquialism for ghost or evil spirit)
Deadman’s Shelter
Hangman’s Shelter
Crook’s Shelter
Crook Shelter
Lonesome Shelter
Lost Souls Shelter
Spinster Shelter
Reaper’s Shelter
Shadow Shelter
Hushabye Shelter
Defiance Shelter
Last Mile Shelter
Lost Isle Shelter
Mercy’s Shelter
Infant Isle Shelter
Yonder Isle Shelter
I know I already replied via twitter, but wasn’t sure if you wanted the response here. My suggestion is “Tribulation Shelter.” I know it’s fairly obvious, but at the same time…. it’s just fitting.
Restless Shelter
Floating Shelter
Devil’s Shelter
Troubled Shelter
Satan’s Shelter
Breaking Shelter
What about Raven’s Shelter? Or something else that evokes Edgar Allen Poe (=trouble & mystery)? Poe’s Shelter? Nevermore? Bleak Shelter?
For some reason the only thing coming to my mind is “Willow Shelter”. I can’t get past that one to think up anything clever 🙂
Mine aren’t as poetic as Julie and Donna’s. Lol
Heartbreak Shelter
Misery Shelter
Anguish Shelter
Stormy Shelter
Placid Shelter
Demon’s Shelter
Spirit’s Shelter
Isthmus Shelter
Preservation Shelter
Vulnerable Shelter
Peril Shelter
Precarious Shelter
Salvation Shelter
Wispy Shelter
Haunting Shelter
Good luck, Diane!
Hope view Shelter
Moody Brook Shelter
Moody Shelter
Tidal Shelter
Random Shelter
Shrouded Shelter
Dunes Shelter
Shelter Grove
Secluded Shelter
Dark Shelter
Boondocks Shelter
Shuttered Shelter
Blind Shelter
Secret Shelter
Crumbling Shelter
Backwater Shelter
Remote Shelter
Sad Shelter
Soiled Shelter
Spoiled Shelter
Forsaken Shelter
Spectral Shelter
Suspicous Shelter
Indian Falls Shelter
Lost Shelter
P.S. I absolutely loved your book The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. I couldn’t put it down! In fact, I found myself saying, “Don’t do it!” to CeeCee, willing her not to follow the path she was on. Great writing! I went out and bought as many of your books as the bookstore had. Good luck with the new one!
This isn’t easy but here’s what I came up with:
Chanting Wind Shelter
SpiritDream Shelter
MercyWind Shelter
Whisper Wind Shelter
Echo Moon Shelter
Falling Pine Shelter
SpiritDream Shelter
Moon Fog Shelter
Last Run Shelter
Back Bay Shelter
Sacred Moon Shelter
Edgewater Shelter
MoonWind Shelter
Fallen Bay Shelter
LunaBlu Shelter
LunaWind Shelter
Penitent Shelter
Heartbreak Shelter
SandyCoffin…don’t know where I came up with this one…
Diane, maybe if I could read your manuscript I’d come up with something better (lol) (-O: (-O: (-O:
Crow Shelter
Whirlwind Shelter
Tempest Shelter
Widow’s Shelter
Outbreak Shelter
Fray Shelter
Eternity Shelter
Phantasm Shelter
Phantom Shelter
Fantasia Shelter
Sorcery Shelter
Incantation Shelter
Apparition Shelter
Kerry, I’m so glad you loved CeeCee!
What a great bunch of names for my shelter. I think I may have painted a bleaker picture of the place than it deserves, though. LOL. Haven’t decided yet, so feel free to keep thinking. the one that has made me laugh out loud so far is Boondocks Shelter. 🙂 I’m not using it, but I just thought it was pretty funny.
Refuge Shelter
Hermitage Shelter
Palisade Shelter
Hideout Shelter
Haunted Shelter
Spectral Shelter
Wizened Shelter
Mystery Shelter
Mercurial Shelter
Tranquil Shelter
Celestial Shelter
Homeless Shelter (haha just kidding)
I’m thinking:
Hollow Shelter
Endless Shelter
Phoenix Shelter
Endurance Shelter
Heart’s End Shelter
Blissful Shelter
Life’s Valley Shelter
Shallow Shelter
Whispering Dew Shelter
Phoenix Rising Shelter
Hopeful Bliss Shelter
Blue Bayou Shelter
Lovelorn Shelter
Timeless End Shelter
~Joanie
Helter Shelter (haha)
Eternal Shelter
Bottleneck Shelter (I’m grasping)
Damnation Shelter
Astral Shelter
“Homeless Shelter”!!!! LOL!
Oh…also –
Ghoul’s Shelter
Casket Shelter
Squall Shelter
Trance Shelter
Pulse Shelter
Black Hole Shelter
White Light Shelter
Witch’s Glare Shelter
Dream Catcher’s Shelter
Hell’s Whisper Shelter
Drifter’s Eye Shelter
…okay that’s enough of me. 😉 Good Luck, Diane! I recently discovered your work…and haven’t gone a day without reading one of your books.
Jodi, this is a virtual hug for being a faithful reader! {{{{{{Jodi}}}}}}}
Forgotten Shelter
Unforgotten Shelter
Sinking Shelter
Battered Shelter
Sunken Shelter
Desperation Shelter
Weeping Shelter
Isolation Shelter
Tearful Shelter
Howling Shelter
Molting Shelter (Blue Crabs hard vs soft shell – the process is dangerous for them)
Tidal Shelter
Dying Shelter
Storms of Life Shelter
Life’s Stormy Shelter
Teardrop Shelter
Flowing Tears Shelter
Magical Shelter
Winds of Tide Shelter
Rare Winds Shelter
Rainy Days Shelter
Moody Blues Shelter
Green Acres Shelter
Sandy Dunes Shelter
Usher Shelter (as in Fall of the House of…)
Quaver Shelter
Quail Shelter (with double meaning)
Madcap Shelter
Key Shelter or Shelter Key
Islet Shelter
Freshet Shelter ( my favorite of mine)
Snare Shelter
Snag Shelter
Squall Shelter
Savage Shelter (couldn’t resist)
Torrid Shelter
Gibbet Shelter
Dole Shelter
Dolor Shelter
What fun! Haven’t had my thesaurus out since I retired…good luck, Diane…
Thought of a few more with your clarification! Don’t think I see them anywhere.
Hideway Shelter
Hidden Shelter
Hidden Isle Shelter
Isle of Tears Shelter
Hallows Shelter
And Homeless Shelter and Helter Shelter are hilarious!!!
I came back to add “Whispering Shelter” and I see someone put “Whispering Dew Shelter”, I like that one too. Some of the others that stand out for me upon a quick glance include: Falling Pine Shelter, Fallen Bay Shelter, and Green Acres Shelter— but that’s just a couple because there’s sooo many here for you to consider Diane 🙂 Good Luck finding the name that feels right for the story
Diane-I just left the West Coast-Wash.-flew back to Florida-leaving in a day or so for California–but had to take time to check your site…
Why not Shelter Island–not cutesy…not out there…like Sullivan’s Island…Edisto Island-even though they are not true islands?????
NOT PLEASE NOT GREEN ACRES-that is the name of my street, and I don’t like that name-you would not believe the jokes. I live in nothing like G. Acres.
Welcome home, Brenda!
I’m going to leave this blog post up for a couple more days because I’m off to Wilmington, NC tomorrow to do a little TV, radio, and booksigning. Then I’ll have a chance to seriously sort through all these great ideas! As I skim them, though. . . .I’m starting to think some of them would sound better as “Blank Point” instead of “Blank Shelter.” But don’t worry. If I end up using your idea with “Point” instead of “Shelter”, you’ll still be the winner!
Meanwhile, if any of you are in the Wilmington, NC area Friday between 4 and 7, please stop by Two Sisters’ Bookery and say “hi”!
decaying shelter
Enigma
Could only think of the one! 🙂
Don’t know if these have been given:
Spyglass Shelter
Women’s Shelter 😛
Wish I were going to be in Wilmington…
Diane, I think it’s hard to come up with something that flows easily with the word shelter, but I can understand wanting to use the word if it fits the story…I think ‘point’ might have a few better options…however, here are a few more names:
Somewhere Shelter
Squak Shelter
ShadyPoint Shelter
My first immediate thought was:
Precarious – and I see someone else was with me on that…
I also liked ~
Seldom Shelter
Ok a few more 🙂 I like this:
Nightfall Shelter
Bittersweet Shelter
Break Point Shelter
Breaker’s Shelter
Breaker’s Point Shelter
Legend’s End Shelter
Fastway Point Shelter
End-Of-The-Road Shelter
Soulful Shelter
Sinner’s Shelter
~Joanie
Pine Falls Shelter
Dawn’s Shelter(as in the time of day)
Light Beams Shelter
Loneliness Shelter
Heartbreak Shelter
Blue Waters Shelter
I love your books. I just read “Secrets She Left Behind” How about the name Ivy’s Shelter
Don’t know why I came up with this but it was my very first thought…
Staid Shelter
I think it would also work with Point.
Good luck choosing! You have LOTS of great options!
~*~ Christy ~*~
I promise, this is the last idea (lol) (-O:
H aven Shelter (letter ‘e’ missing or hanging low
and crooked after the H)
H aven’s Shelter (same thing with the letter ‘e’)
Margo, that’s very clever! I’m working on selecting the winner and hope to get the post up tonight.