Thread: Novel Title

Hello,

I'm writing my new novel which centers around a man with the ability to manipulate shadows in various ways, but I am struggling to come up with a title for this work (mainly because I'm terrible at naming things). I origionally had it titled "From the Darkness," but then changed it to "From the Shadows," but now I am thinking about making it more direct and calling it "Shadow Shifter." I was just wondering what anyone thinks about these names or has any suggestions of their own.

Thanks!

Kelley

Well, try to base my titles off of the events or personalities of the characters in the story.

So, you might want to dig deeper and go for a less obvious title. I can't really give much as far as suggesting a title, because I really don't know anything about the story other than what you've told me here.

The "From the Shadows" title has a more in-depth meaning because he partially emerges from a "dark" place to play his role as the main character, but the name isn't very catchy and is somewhat of a mouthful to say. It is of course a fantasy story that takes place in a different world, but I intend to focus on the concept of war and how even a previously unimportant person can pop out and make a difference. I haven't finished it yet, but honestly even if I had I would still be struggling to come up with the name. My fiancee had to name my poetry collection because I couldn't think of one myself, haha.

I'd write the story and let the title come naturally. Forget about it. It'll pop into your head when you're least expecting it. Titles are important, but they're no good to you without a story.

Each title has slightly different implications. 'Darkness' brings images of the night, and is often associated with evil. 'Shadows' only occur when light is present, in many cases they are not evil themselves, but definitely secretive. Both are the absence of 'light', another term you may wish to consider. Titles are a good place to use the thesaurus.

- Shadowdancer
- Shadow mage
- Shadower
- Shadowesque
- Out of (the) night
- The other side of light
- The craft of darkness
- Enemy of the the light

I've always been terrible with naming too, but are you committed to a title that includes 'shadow' or your character's ability? Those titles are fine but if you're having trouble choosing a title, how about shifting the focus to something else? For instance a common theme, characteristic or something. Good luck!