Oils & Spoils

What’s in a name? that which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Balcony Scene

Two weeks ago, I finished my non-fiction book proposal, something I started after my last blog months ago and would never have finished without the help of my friend, Rea, who is an incredibly talented writer and writer whisperer. I’ve shared the CliffsNotes of my story in Grateful to be Here and Grateful to be Here 2.

Initially, the book was entitled, Inconvenience Journal, after the same name of the journal/planner I put together to keep track of All The Things involved in battling colorectal cancer. I thought I was on to something when my oncologist remarked that, in all his 25 years of practice, he had never heard anyone refer to cancer as an “inconvenience.” Butt (see what I’m doing here?!) this work in progress is not just about colorectal cancer or even cancer, in general. It’s not just about the journal/planner (which, along with the book, is in production). It didn’t have that ring, as in it don’t mean a thing if it don’t have that ring.

So, late one night, while working on the proposal, which I swear may be harder than writing the actual book, I threw out some crazy titles, and well, one of them stuck. If you are easily offended, I suggest you stop reading. The working title of the book is (drum roll, please) Are You Shitting Me?! How to Survive, Thrive and Transform Through Colorectal Cancer. On the cover, the title would look like this: Are You 💩ing Me?! to protect young eyes, unlike some of the books on this end cap I spied at a bookstore a couple of months ago:

Aside from the obvious attention-getting nature of the new working title, there were other considerations:

• The book is targeted to the largest demographic in the U.S. who, even so, are disproportionately experiencing the highest rate of colorectal cancer – millennials, cancer patients and their families in need of a guidebook and system to deal with All The Things, and those wanting to prevent cancer.
• Talking about colorectal cancer is more taboo than talking about sex.
• Among other things, my twisted, dark, inappropriate sense of humor helped me get through my battle with colorectal cancer. This set the tone for the book, an irreverent, yet relevant book that is my story, along with tips and what the reader needs to know during, after or as prevention.

So, what do you think about the working title, Are You Shitting Me?! How to Survive, Thrive and Transform Through Colorectal Cancer? Drop a comment here and on any of my social media which are linked to this website and be entered to win a cool prize. I’m thinking an essential oil and a handcrafted piece of diffuser jewelry. Be sure to follow me on social media, as well. For every 100 followers on any Oils & Spoils social media, a randomly selected follower will win a nice something something from my essential oil or handcrafted or vintage jewelry stash, and when they’re published, my book or journal/planner.

While a rose by any other name may smell as sweet…That’s all I’m saying for now. Except that is exactly why we need to have this conversation in this unique way.