AN Book ...

[msuscottie]

As some of you know, I've been toying with the idea of writing an AN book about my experience. As I write each page and get closer to the end, I've started thinking about possible titles. Anyone have any ideas?

[Kaybo]

If you use it, do we get a cut of the profits!!      Just kidding...had to beat Jan to it!!  I'm SURE that Lori can think of something good...

K

[Debbi]

How about "I'm (not) All Ears?"  ...  okay, that was just silly - sorry. I haven't even had surgery yet and apparently the anesthesia has already gotten to me...

Seriously, I love the idea of a book! 

Debbi - blogging in NJ...

[Dana]

How about "The Story of an AN"  :-)

[sgerrard]

Lorenzo (or his friend) gets credit for the best AN pun, which I think would make an excellent book title:

One Lump or Two?

Steve

[leapyrtwins]

Actually I like the name of Deb's blog - Deb's AN Adventure.  I think it's very clever and it has a nice ring to it 

Obviously, you'd have to substitute your name for Deb's since it's your story not hers.

As for me - I think I should write a book about BAHAs - hopefully Lori will join me unless she's too busy assisting her husband with that garage/surgery business 

BTW, nice new picture Scott.  I notice you've aged since the last one, though LOL

Jan

[Debbi]

Maybe we could all contribute a chapter?   

BTW, has anyone read "The Brain Changes Itself?"  I'm just starting it and it seems pretty amazing what out little old gray mass can actually do.

Scott - are you thinking of self publishing or getting a publisher?  I have a couple of clients who are in the process of writing books right now, so may be able to come up with a name or two on the publishing side if it would help.

Hey, in less than a week, I'll be a postie...

Debbi - trying not to jump right out of my skin in NJ

[Brendalu]

Scottie,

Good to see you back!  I hope all is well with you and your family.  Your little girl must be doing amazing things now! (Does she like the water in the toilet bowl or the garbage better?) 
My suggestion for your book title is " My Journey from Within"
Good luck,
Brenda

[msuscottie]

Well, I'm going back and forth with two different book ideas ...

One would be a personal memoir of my journey ... I've written close to 100 pages through all of my experiences so I was thinking of doing something with that.

The other idea (which I'm leaning towards) would be like some of you have mentioned and take 10 or 15 "stories" from AN folks like you and me, and compile them all in to one book. If you take people with 15 different experiences/cases, it might make for an interesting read for someone newly diagnosed ... there is bound to be at least one story that each person could relate to.

I'd be happy to write a chapter and coordinate the other chapters and actually put the book together. The tricky part is with publishing ... It's expensive to self publish, but that is an option. At the very least, a "book" like this would be something that we could share with newbies.

I brought this up on here about a year ago and things got too intense when people wanted me to supply contracts to them for writing their story and guarentee them a certain % of profits. That's when I let it go. I don't know that anything like this would make a penny, especially if self-published, but it would help people who are facing this AN crap and thats what I'm interested in. Obviously, if the book blew up we would share any profits, but until that happened, I think any money made would go back into any publsihing fees. This is all beyond the point. Way ahead of ourselves.

I guess the first thing to do would be to determine if there is enough interest from people on here with unique stories that would actually be willing to write 10 or so pages about their experience. Last time I brought this up, there was a lot of interest, but only two or three people that would actually commit to writing anything. I would think each chapter/writer would have a unique experience and write about something different. 

Mine would, for instance, tell my story of having two microsurgeries AND GK

Just throwing it out there again to gauge interest   

Oh, and Brenda, my little one (Addison) is almost 2! I can't believe it. She's growing like a weed and is no longer a baby. She's a little person now. It's crazy   

[leapyrtwins]

I like the idea of input from various people, since we all know that everyone's AN experience is different.

You could have my story for free - no contract or royalties.

Jan

[msuscottie]

You're hire Jan      What would be the focus of your "chapter"?

[Debbi]

Me again.  I'd commit to writing a chapter - of course, I need to get through the surgery first in order to know how it ends... 

I'd probalby want to take a humorous approach since humor has been much of what has helped me get through the tough days.

I actually am a contributing author to a business marketing book that is coming out later this year - not getting paid a dime for it, but that's not why I did it.   I think your approach is right on target - let's write something that might help others who are going through the AN experience.  Maybe a "chicken soup" approach?

Let's not lose this idea, okay?

Debbi

[msuscottie]

Awesome, that's 3 chapters commited. I figure we need about 12 chapters, 10-ish pages each, 120-ish page book.

[Kaybo]

Scott~
I have an Addison too -- she is 10 now -- I can't even believe it!

I would definitely commit to chapter -- I don't want to scare anyone off though -- I had it kind of rough, but I think (& the surgeon the other day said) I have a good attitude!!     That should count for something!  I don't want anything in return unless we're on Oprah -- I'd have to be included in that!!!

K

[msuscottie]

You're in. I think it's important to show what a textbook surgery is like and what a rough one is like. I've had one of each, so my story won't be all roses either. I think above all, new folks want to hear the truth. I did when I was new. I think this could be a very valuable thing if we can make it happen.