The Daily News

LFCA Latest Issue: Friday, September 25, 2009.

Latest Post on BlogHer: Parenting after Infertility.

My Status: Fed Josh's almonds to the squirrels. They needed them very badly.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Houston, We Have a Title

We have a title for the book:

The Land of IF: Understanding Infertility and Exploring All Your Options

I love the play on IF--all the what ifs inherent in infertility, the iffiness of treatments or adoption, the online abbreviation for infertility.

I am about halfway through the writing of the book--I have ten chapters complete and about seven more to write, but three of those seven are huge, worrisome. I know that the chapter on treatments also felt unwieldy until I tamed it into order. But right now, those three chapters look like a huge jangle of knots that I have to painstakingly work apart.

Emotionally, it feels a little like the end of spring break. Maybe only another teacher will understand this analogy (or someone who loved school as much as I loved school), but that period of time after spring break was always a little bittersweet. There was definitely still time left to the school year, though summer vacation was close at hand. Vacation meant a break from waking up early and grading papers and lesson plans. But it also meant a loss of structure and it had a "what next" quality to it. With school, there was always the knowledge that fall brought a new class. With writing, who knows what happens after this manuscript is turned in. Will the next book sell? Will I continue to freelance? Is this it with the writing--is it on to something else? I know it will all unfold in due time, but I'm the sort who always likes to know the next step. Just throwing that out there since it's in my head.

So...back to writing right now--untangling those knots--but I wanted everyone to know that the title had been set. What do you think? Can we have a little celebration?

49 comments:

kate said...

Hey, hey! A title! Very cool.

I think a celebration is definitely in order!
*throws confetti*
*pops a cork*

CHEERS! and CONGRATULATIONS!

Jendeis said...

Ooh! I love the title! Surely one of those chapters is "Where to Get the Special Water and Baby Dust," right? Right?

Is it just me or does baby dust sound not only dirty but something out of a nightmare? Who wants dust made out of babies sprinkled anywhere near them?

Meghan said...

Great title! I like the play on "IF" too. Celebrations are most definitely in order, maybe the lushuary could have a special opening for the day???

Congrats on all your hard work!

Searching said...

LOVE it!!!

ms. c said...

Mazel tov on the title. I think it's great. Life wouldn't be life without all the "what ifs", and your bok will certainly help folks navigate the a very difficult one.

Let's totally celebrate. Can't wait till the book comes out and I can buy a hundred copies (and keep them all to myself cuz I don't want anyone to have to need it, but I DO want to support you!)

Anonymous said...

Hooray!! That's very exciting. I think you deserve a glass of wine for your progress so far! :)

IdleMindOfBeth said...

WOOHOO! There's a title!

Congrats!!!

AwkwardMoments said...

Congratulations on the title. I also am a big fanof hte play on "IF" For the same reasons you mentioned

Heidi said...

That is a wonderful title...I really like the IFness of IF!!!

And like jendeis, I'd like to know if one of the titles is "If you just relax...."

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you're making progress! As an editor, I would leave out the "all" and make it "Understanding Your Options" -- it's also a bit easier to say aloud (important for a book tour). But that's just my unsolicited opinion. : )

Anonymous said...

That is a FAB title!
CONGRATS!!!

Does it feel more real?

So, so effing proud of you!

Serenity said...

I love it, Mel. GREAT title.

Celebration is DEFINITELY in order!! (Hey, any excuse to drink is a good one to me!)

:)

So proud of you. Well done.

Lori Lavender Luz said...

Most excellent.

Last weekend in Portland (OR), my friends took me to Powell's, an amazingly huge bookstore.

I spent almost 2 hours doing research in the IF and adoption section, seeing what titles are out there and what each offers.

I think this title will really stand out.

I am so proud of you, Mel.

SarahSews said...

Congrats Mel! The title rocks. Can't wait to read it!

Anonymous said...

Love it!

JJ said...

Love the title!

Party on Wayne, Party on Garth!

HereWeGoAJen said...

That is a terrific title! When can we pre-order? :)

Rian said...

I love the title. I would pick it up and read it!!!

One hurdle down!

SAHW said...

I think it's perfect! I would definitely be drawn to it by the title in a bookstore/library. Looking forward to reading it when it comes out!

loribeth said...

I'm always up for a celebration! Great title, & who better for a tour guide??

luna said...

BIG celebration! congrats! hope you can take a big breath to acknowledge all your hard work so far before diving in to the rest. and yes, a big old drink from the actual lushary!

Tash said...

Me Likey.

I can even see it on a tshirt or mug, if you're so inspired.

Barb said...

Love it! :D Congrats!

deanna said...

Celebration, indeed! I like it!!!!

beagle said...

Love it!
(lifting my drink in a toast)

AnotherDreamer said...

I just anted to say that I ove that title. I always se the abbreviation and think to myself.. IF, and that's what it is... a borage of if's.
Kudos.

JuliaS said...

Awesome title - love it!

Congrats and hooray!

Natalie said...

I like that the title plays on the word IF, and it plays on how we talk in blogland. Nicely done.

..Soo.See.. said...

Woohoo!!! Yay!! :doing the wave: that's awesome!

Love you're using "IF"! It's totally part of our 'language'. Bookreaders, im sure will appreciate it too.

Jamie said...

I love things that are clever, yet not too clever that I don't "get it." Perfect title!!

I think I'll head over to the Lushary and celebrate for you!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant! I love it. Let's celebrate!

Summer said...

Love the title!

K @ ourboxofrain said...

I'm loving the title. Congrats on coming up with one!

Rachel said...

If there's something to celebrate, let's do it. I find a lack of things to celebrate.

The title sounds great and I think the whole "IF" thing is spot on.

Denise said...

Love the title and the word play!

Jamie said...

I love the title! Congratulations!!

And I can totally relate to your spring break reference. :)

Unknown said...

LOVE the title. Very cleaver!

Kim said...

Congrats! Absolutely love the title. I never realized the connection between if and IF!

Lyrehca said...

Mazel tov!

Samantha said...

Celebration!

I think finishing this thing is going to be more akin to finishing a dissertation, it will be quite an accomplishment, but I can understand the bittersweet after pouring so much time into it.

Esperanza said...

I am so happy and proud of you. What a beautiful legacy (including your beautiful children) to leave to the world.

Personally, I think everything else would be gravy. :) Wishing you a path - because I know that it is also good to know what lies ahead - but you have to admit it can be exciting not knowing as well.

TeamWinks said...

Yay! I can't wait until it's completely written (even if I'm done with treatment and such,) and I can buy a copy! :-)

Bea said...

Congrats on a title!

Well done. I don't know how you fit everything in sometimes, but I hope you do, because I can't wait to see the book come out!

Bea

niobe said...

Others have said it: but that title is genius.

Ms. Perky said...

Awesome! I LOVE it!

Sunny said...

I am so proud of you! I totally understand your feelings! But WOW to your accomplishment!

Anonymous said...

That's a great title.

Julia said...

I am way late to this, but I wanted you to know that I dig the title and the spring break analogy.
Good luck!

Pale said...

Sorry I'm so late. Just catching up comments. Love the title! Congratulations!

What a wonderful thing to have a *product* ... something of weight that you can hold in your hands ... something that you can be proud of that is a blessing to yourself and even more so -- to others ... solid evidence that you transformed your experience and your angst into something original and excellent.

You go, Mel!

Cheers,
D.