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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?

0 comments

1 kate { 05.07.08 at 7:36 am }

Hey, hey! A title! Very cool.

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

CHEERS! and CONGRATULATIONS!

2 Jendeis { 05.07.08 at 7:40 am }

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?

3 Meghan { 05.07.08 at 7:42 am }

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!

4 Searching { 05.07.08 at 7:44 am }

LOVE it!!!

5 ms. c { 05.07.08 at 7:57 am }

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!)

6 alison { 05.07.08 at 8:02 am }

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

7 BethH6703 { 05.07.08 at 8:17 am }

WOOHOO! There’s a title!

Congrats!!!

8 Fertilized { 05.07.08 at 8:26 am }

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

9 Heidi { 05.07.08 at 8:26 am }

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 Ellen K. { 05.07.08 at 8:29 am }

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. : )

11 calliope { 05.07.08 at 8:31 am }

That is a FAB title!
CONGRATS!!!

Does it feel more real?

So, so effing proud of you!

12 serenity { 05.07.08 at 8:32 am }

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.

13 Lori { 05.07.08 at 8:33 am }

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.

14 SarahSews { 05.07.08 at 8:39 am }

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

15 Cathleen { 05.07.08 at 8:40 am }

Love it!

16 JJ { 05.07.08 at 8:51 am }

Love the title!

Party on Wayne, Party on Garth!

17 Jen { 05.07.08 at 8:52 am }

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

18 r_is_moody { 05.07.08 at 8:53 am }

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

One hurdle down!

19 SAHW { 05.07.08 at 9:09 am }

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!

20 loribeth { 05.07.08 at 9:39 am }

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

21 luna { 05.07.08 at 9:54 am }

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!

22 Tash { 05.07.08 at 9:57 am }

Me Likey.

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

23 Barb { 05.07.08 at 10:22 am }

Love it! 😀 Congrats!

24 deanna { 05.07.08 at 10:29 am }

Celebration, indeed! I like it!!!!

25 beagle { 05.07.08 at 10:36 am }

Love it!
(lifting my drink in a toast)

26 AnotherDreamer { 05.07.08 at 10:46 am }

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.

27 JuliaS { 05.07.08 at 10:56 am }

Awesome title – love it!

Congrats and hooray!

28 chicklet { 05.07.08 at 11:08 am }

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

29 **susy** { 05.07.08 at 12:35 pm }

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.

30 JamieD { 05.07.08 at 12:38 pm }

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!

31 Isn't it pretty to think so { 05.07.08 at 12:55 pm }

Brilliant! I love it. Let’s celebrate!

32 Summer { 05.07.08 at 1:26 pm }

Love the title!

33 K @ ourboxofrain { 05.07.08 at 2:33 pm }

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

34 Rachel { 05.07.08 at 4:02 pm }

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.

35 Denise { 05.07.08 at 6:16 pm }

Love the title and the word play!

36 Jamie { 05.07.08 at 6:22 pm }

I love the title! Congratulations!!

And I can totally relate to your spring break reference. 🙂

37 Anjali { 05.07.08 at 7:48 pm }

LOVE the title. Very cleaver!

38 Kim { 05.07.08 at 10:59 pm }

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

39 Lyrehca { 05.07.08 at 11:41 pm }

Mazel tov!

40 Samantha { 05.08.08 at 6:04 am }

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.

41 Dianne/Flutter { 05.08.08 at 7:49 am }

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.

42 TeamWinks { 05.08.08 at 5:18 pm }

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! 🙂

43 Bea { 05.08.08 at 7:20 pm }

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

44 niobe { 05.09.08 at 8:09 am }

Others have said it: but that title is genius.

45 Karen { 05.09.08 at 12:14 pm }

Awesome! I LOVE it!

46 Sunny { 05.10.08 at 9:56 am }

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

47 Laura { 05.11.08 at 7:23 am }

That’s a great title.

48 Julia { 05.12.08 at 5:26 pm }

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

49 PaleMother { 05.14.08 at 1:29 pm }

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.

(c) 2006 Melissa S. Ford
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