Please know that I did not write this quote that you will find on the publisher's website:
"After more than three decades of living with serious illness, Tiffany Christensen still isn't dead! Sick Girl Speaks! explores the world of this illness warrior."
Isn't that terrible? And hysterical?
My first chapter is called Still Not Dead. That's where they (the publishers) got it from but, the way it's written, it sounds like we are all impatiently waiting for Tiffany to die already. She still isn't dead? My Lord, how much longer do we have to wait??
Funny and a little embarrassing.
Here's the question: it's shocking and will grab someone's attention but is it just too crass? It's a balance between having something bold that will set me a part and having something so out there that it will turn people off. Which do you think it is? Should I keep it or should I request that they remove it from the website? I need your input, please!!!
To make a private comment, you may email me at tiffc73@gmail.com
Thanks!!!!
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10 comments:
Hi Tiffany!!!
I think it's a good attempt at humor and irony... It does have some shock value -- but I think it's worthwhile shock value...
It's not simply about a "sick girl"... What you've been through with your cystic fibrosis and your two transplants, each individually have caused the deaths of many... You're a survivor and you've got a story to tell... You've got the ability to tell people how to get through some of these things -- and the ability to tell those who care for us, or love us, how to deal with us -- because you've been there... Several times...
You've faced off with death at least three times... I'm thinking that "After more than three decades of living with serious illness, Tiffany Christensen is doing pretty darn well" might be accurate -- but it doesn't give a hint of where you've been and what you've seen...
I don't think it will turn people off... And yes, I can imagine feeling a little embarrased -- however, when people who learn about us, and care for us, start speaking about us in front of us -- and start speaking of our strength and our courage -- and of what they perceive as heroism -- and how we care for our fellow human... Well, we see us as just us -- we've been given some gifts and the bestest gifts are those that can be shared -- kinda like love given away multiplies... And you blush and get a little embarrased -- but I think what they say, and what they said are good things...
They aren't saying we are all impatiently waiting for Tiffany to die -- they're saying, "HOLY CRAP!!! Look what this chick has been through! And here's what she was thinking while she was going through it!"
Those are just my two-bits... You take care, Tiffany -- I'm proud of you...
Love,
Steve
Personally, I love it as a chapter title and hate it as wrods to use for the promo. I can't put my finger on why exactly - "crassness" doens't bother me usually - I guess it just sounds wrong. And certainly nothing to put an exclamation point after. Hey! Read this book! The author is not dead! Woo hoo! Just strikes me wrong - but I'm just one person...
I think I agree with you, Jen. It just doesn't sit right in that context.
I have asked them if I can change it and they said yes. I will send them a new quote but it probably will take a few weeks to get it switched out!
Oh well...it still makes me laugh!
Truthfully, if I read that comment...then I would want to see what it meant. I'm curious that way, it sparks curiosity.
And I love reading about people who are walking miracles; as Breathinsteven said, you are a survivor with a story to tell! ;)
And as an added thought; you are very inspirational!
I agree with Jen, Tiffany. It is a great title because the context will be provided in the chapter. But I don't like it as much in a promo--because it defines you today in terms of death, not in terms of your life. This is not a death watch we are having; it is a celebration of a miracle of your life.
Yeah, "illness warrior" while perhaps apt to your journeys sounds like something out of a TV show. It sounds forced to me. I think there is a softer way to say it with equal punch. I'll put some brain power to is (with all my vast knowledge of promotional selling power). I'm getting all excited about the whole process. Rock on, sistah!!!
"Not dead yet" makes me think of you just hanging on by a thread. Promote your spirit, your will and your effort to teach and share these life skills to others. See, it's about life.
Hi Tiffany!
I guess I can understand many of the persepectives here -- I guess it's like the concept of the glass being half empty or half full... The title and book seems to be about you dealing with illness for many years -- I see "not dead yet" as still alive and fighting... Others may look at it as close to death, or "hanging by a thread"...
Like jc said -- I see it as an attention grabber... And marketing and selling this book is partly what this is about... Unfortunately, "miracles" are a dime a dozen when it comes to books about overcoming illness -- and a vanilla description / promo isn't going to make people take a second look...
You title "Sick Girl Speaks" implies a book about illness -- I think you want something in the promo to show an idea of just how sick... When you wander through the illness and self-help sections at Borders or Barnes & Nobel there are hundreds of books dealing with miracles and survival -- you want something that will make someone want to open up the book -- I would think playing on that first chapter title might make them want to continue investigating instead of passing it by...
I hope in the brainstorming, you come up with something attention grabbing and powerful... Something that speaks to your journey...
Love,
Steve
Thanks for all of your feedback. I ultimately decided to change the quote. After the small blurb there is a longer blurb that I wrote that says "Surprise! I'm still not dead!" etc.
I think that was plenty "still not dead" stuff and didn't want to overdo it with that line.
Plus, I got 4 great quotes for the back of the book that had to be dropped due to lack of space--this was an opportunity to use one of them.
Thanks again for your opinions! You guys are the best!
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