Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The Times They Are a-Changin' ..with 2 add'l notes!

Changin'? Oh yeah! After discussing the sample of my cover today with Lou Turner, my publisher, she and I both envision a new direction....for both the cover....and the title! Instead of humorous...we're going to go with a nostalgic look.

I can't even remember how many years it's been since I chose the title for my memoir: That Crowbar Changed Everything! I was so sure IT was the one and only title I would ever want....Hmmm....just goes to show you (and me!) that sometimes what seems like THE only way to do something....ISN'T.

So, here's the fun part. I was thinking about what kind of contest I'd have for January....and now I know! Please help me with a new title for my memoir! I may not choose any of the suggested titles, but for each one, you'll be entered in the contest. The more titles, the more chances of winning. You don't even have to be a follower. Just leave a genuine possible title. The time frame of the book is from the 1950s til present, and it's both humorous and bittersweet.

I'll choose the winner a week from today, at midnight CST on January 25th, by random.org. The winner will win prizes yet to be determined! (My book title will not necessarily be the one suggested, either.)

Oh, and this little detour has not slowed down my determination or my happiness. In fact, I'm even more excited than I was yesterday! I just hope I can sleep tonight!

**Note: Added Wednesday, Jan 19th, morning. Thanks for all the suggestions already! This is so much fun! I wanted to mention that yesterday before I posted this, I looked on Amazon to check if there were any books already "out there" that had titles I was considering. And guess what?? There were some with the exact titles, and some with similar ones. I then looked just in the memoir section, and there were some that I thought had really strange or just plain bad titles! So, what did that teach me? I'm not really sure yet! But I think when THE title hits me.....I'll know it!!

**2nd Note: Added Wednesday, Jan 19th, afternoon:  It occurred to me that maybe I should provide a little more information about myself and my memoir, too! (I really didn't think that up myself. Someone e-mailed and asked!) So, here's a brief summary:

It will be short stories, in no particular order, about instances in my life....both childhood and adult. Some humorous, some sad...and maybe a little of both in the same story. Childhood vacations at grandma and grandpa's in Iowa. Schools. Jobs.Watching old TV shows in the 1950s & 60s. Parents. Siblings. First marriage "issues". Pet dog stories. My sons. The Ronald. Bus rides. Train rides. You know.....just life!! Oh, and my dad left us when I was about 8 years old. It was very devastating and it was honestly due to him that I became a writer...in my late forties!!

How's that?! I've had this all in my head and on paper for soooooo long, that I forget that not everyone knows all about it, or all about me, etc!
(image courtesy: boxshot3d.com)

"We don't know who we are until we see what we can do." -- Martha Grimes, Writer's Handbook

74 comments:

  1. How about: The Long and Winding Road to Bliss.

    How exciting to be discussing cover images!

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  2. Oh wow! A new title.

    The Journey To Now.

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  3. My suggestion: Living Between the Lines.

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  4. I'm excited for you, Becky. I bet this will help you to really focus in and finish up the writing. I will suggest, "Looking Back, Moving Forward" as a title.

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  5. A new title and cover? Wow, you must be on pins and needles. The first thing that popped into my head, given the time frame, was "From Bobby Sox to Birkenstocks" Kat

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  6. The first thing that popped into my head, (which I know you can't use) when you said from the 1950s until today, I immediately thought "Back To The Future" the old movie with Michael J. Fox. LOL..

    "Rockin' Round The Years With Becky"

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  7. Thanks everyone! This is so much fun! I'm loving all your ideas!

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  8. This is hard! I like Janel's title though - seems to fit you with her using the word Bliss. And Kat's title is pretty catchy too! Well, everyone's suggestions are good. I've got nothing.

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  9. Off the top o' my head....

    How about,"Time. Will tell."

    I'll pop back in if I think of something more.

    Ciao Bella
    Creative Carmelina

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  10. The DAZE of my Life!

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  11. Getting To KNOW Me.

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  12. My BECK and Calling

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  13. Povich Poisons and Passions: A Personal Memoir

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  14. Dancing Through Life's Notes

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  15. I'm off to bed now...maybe I'll dream up something more in my sleep tonight.

    You should email me with a run down of the gist of your book...people tell me I'm clever with puns all the time....and I'd love to brainstorm and help out where I can! Even if only to get your own creative wheels turning!

    Goodnight!
    Creative Carmelina

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  16. One last thought....I knew I shouldn't have had a cup of coffee at 10:30PM!


    How about something simple, like...

    BECKONING

    ???

    Ciao Bella!
    Creative and overly Caffeinated Carmelina

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  17. Becky, consider leaning on your favorite quote. (It is mine too.)
    Light From the Cracks...then tie the chapters together where you faced cracks in your life with how the light helped you find your bliss.

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  18. Hi Becky,
    Wow! So many great suggestions. I'm stumped right now, but I'll put on my thinking cap and see if I can come up with anything.
    Donna
    http://donnasbookpub.blgospot.com

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  19. Wow! This is so much fun. Thanks everyone. I can't wait to see what other titles will be suggested!

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  20. Okay, I've spent the last 20 minutes trying to think of something. Guess my creative juices went missing. I'll try again later. I'm so excited for you!

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  21. This is so exciting! Nothing ever is the only way for anything.
    I can't wait to see the end result :)
    I'll have to think about other title suggestions, but for now, how about: "Straight from the dream"?

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  22. A semi-play on words:

    Not At Your Beck and Call: A Life Lived In My Own Voice

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  23. wow... what a challenging contest Becky! the only titles that come to mind so far are...

    The incredible adventure of living

    Pulp Non-Fiction: short stories and other ramblings

    True living

    watcha think?? I particularly like #2!!

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  24. How about a few more:

    Along the way

    From Here to There

    I like the other ideas above too!

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  25. Thanks so much, everyone! This is really fun and I can't wait to see what other suggestions everyone comes up with. Feel free to post something on your own blogs, too, and ask your other blog buddies!

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  26. Hey Becky! I'm going to leave my comment before reading all the others. My first thought, as I was reading your post, is to look in the narrative of the memoir itself for a particular phrase that pops out. That exercise may surprise you. Then, as I read the end of your post, I thought, how about "Dear Dad"? Regardless, you'll know it when you've got the title because you'll no longer be looking for one! I can't wait to read your memoir (whatever you call it!).

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  27. Wow--what good ones! Here's my contribution.

    From Crowbar to Bliss: Autobiography of Bea-Boppin’ Bec

    Or

    That Crowbar and Other Stories: Autobiography of Blissful Becky

    (I was so used to the crowbar that I can't get it out of my head!)

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  28. Titles! They are tricky. Publishers like something that stands out and makes a customer want to pick it up. I'll try and think about it over the weekend. I do like Janel's "Long and Winding Road to Bliss", and it looked like you've gotten many other good suggestions here.

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  29. I was at the bookstore the other day and walked past a book called, "Why Men Date B*tches." Naturally, I picked it up. I've wondered about that for YEARS.

    So I think you should give your book a title that's irrestible. Like "Irrestible Me." I mean, I'd HAVE to pick that up.

    Or maybe just go with "Crowbars, Bliss and B*tches." I'd definitely pick that one up, too. :-)

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  30. Okay, I'm pretty sure I left out an -ist somewhere...irresistable. Is that right?

    I'm gonna write a book one day and call it, "I'm MUCH Funnier When I Wear my Glasses."

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  31. Thanks again to all of you! I hope I'll still get a few more suggestions and I'll be posting something today about the PRIZES!

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  32. First I had to scroll around and learn a little more about you...I guess I only see on Saturdays - perhaps I need to change that...I am writing too, after a very tough thing in my life (well, and during to be honest) and I am hoping to get it all out someday...

    in the meantime - here is what is coming to my mind

    The Tunnels Light
    - and how I found it

    Kicking Berries

    Finding home

    Now maybe you can help me title a children's book I am publishing this fall...I am STUCK!!!!!

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  33. 'random ramblings'
    too fun contest, Becky :)
    luving this ~
    will add more & thx for being open for that !

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  34. How about: This Chick's Life: My Journey to ME

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  35. i think i've been my own valentine for a looong time !
    FuN to see another-YOU-say it :))
    ok, bk title...
    'Off the Wall & Onto the Page'

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  36. or: Dreams Don't Expire: The Road To Bliss

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  37. How did I miss out on this fun? How about.....
    Since humor is more my style how about...
    The days before I could look behind me and see my back fat....
    Ok, so I'm sitting by a mirror right now....
    Hmm, genuine title...

    A broken clock still doesn't stop time

    All this and I'm still young

    Wrote it down so I don't forget

    Clearly I can't think of anything serious!

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  38. or: No I'm Not Related to Maury: The Life and Times of a Povich
    ;)

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  39. OK, Becky,
    Here are my titles:

    "Bliss:
    A User's Manual"

    or
    "Bliss:
    A User's Guide

    I might try to come up with something else. Looks like you have lots to choose from. Good luck!!!

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  40. Bliss THIS: Finding my Authentic Voice


    ..ok, I'll stop now ;)

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  41. 'The Dance of My Life...'
    or add whatever style of dance that matches your memoirs whether salsa, waltz, etc..

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  42. My entry:

    Getting to Here: Memoir of a Late Bloomer

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  43. purely in response to Cathy C Hall's comments ~ 'Becky's B*chns'

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  44. 'it's my life'
    with the byline
    'take it or leave it...'

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  45. anyway you look at, you've got a fun thing going here, Becky!
    'Becky's BEST'! go for it :)

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  46. It's Monday, so bear that in mind...:P

    How about:

    This is My Life

    Becky's Road to Blessings and Bliss

    Have a good week,
    Karen

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  47. I love these and agree with the one suggestion of "Light From the Cracks". Before I saw that, I thought of A Bittersweet Life Journey and All the Spices Thrown in for the Ride. A bit long but I want to get in the running for the prize! I'm really looking forward to reading it, Becky. I love that it will be a compilation of short stories. Best of luck to you.

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  48. I still love my Light from the Cracks best, but for fun, how about....Blissful Blab from Becky!

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  49. hi! I saw your e mail to me but didn't respond as I wasn't certain when or if I would continue blogging.Alot of busy work, but blogging stays. love your contest idea.sugg. title Reminisce, Before My Mind Goes. take care rose

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  50. the road taken.

    i really like kat's, too. :]

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  51. How I Got Here

    or

    From the Fields of Iowa (I'm assuming it was field-like where you grew up!)

    or

    Doo-Doo on a Stick (because no matter what you name it, it will be fabulous!!!)

    :)

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  52. Oh gosh...titles are so wickedly difficult.

    Ummm....

    Why do you want to know?

    Laughter is better than any medicine?

    I stink at this!

    But I wanted to tell you how cool you are!

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  53. Hi Becky: Okay, how about:

    "A Trip Into Yesterday: Laughs, Memories, and Other Nostalgia

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  54. Oh my, it's so fun to read these! I love No I'm Not Related to Maury: The Life and Times of a Povich!!! Hee HEE!!!

    How 'bout Be-Boppin' Bec's Blissful Book?

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  55. if you've any scottish in you, this will work well "))
    "blather on bliss"

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  56. how about
    "Becky's Blissful Blether"
    your choice as to blether or blather "))
    same scottish fave word [having just returned from the highlands!]

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  57. with a followup in your series
    'Becky's BIGGER Book of BLISS!'
    hoping you're LOL "))
    this has seriously been the MOST FuN contest yet - you're the BEST!

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  58. Oh My GOSH!! I am cracking up reading all of these...some for the 2nd or 3rd or 4th times...and then a WHOLE BUNCH of "Faith Hope Cherrytea" for the first time!!
    If I'm still awake at midnight, I'll do the drawing then...if not...first thing in the morning. I'm going to have to print all the suggestions, too, because I really love quite a few of them! Thanks, everyone! You're all the best!..AND there's still 2 hours and 45 minutes left...at the time I post this comment!

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I'm still getting quite a few spam comments that are Anonymous, so I'm trying "User with Google Accounts." If anyone tries to comment that I know, and it won't let you, send me an email, okay? Thanks so much.