Back in June I asked readers for their suggestions for my book title. I want to thank everyone who took the time to comment. Believe me, I thought deeply about each and every suggestion, and agreed with all of them, which is the absolute truth. I thought long and hard about whether having “schizophrenia” in the title was a plus or a minus. It can be both, I reasoned. Someone else thought having “holistic” in the title was off-putting, and another reader was of the opinion that “schizophrenia” and “holistic” in the title would limit my market. Make no mistake – I’m all about making sure that the most number of people will want to read my book.
My moment of clarity in choosing a title came from the reader who made this suggestion:
“On the other hand, maybe there’s a catchy way to distill what the book’s about. Like Susannah Cahalan’s book title. She had anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, an actual physical illness of the brain, but it would be a mistake to put THAT in a book title. ha ha. Her book is titled:
Brain On Fire: My Month of Madness. That title really grabs you, it’s really descriptive of what the story is about, and it WAS a NY Times bestseller.“
and from another reader who made this one:
“Somehow, I think a title that speaks more to the lessons learned rather then the “backdrop” might be best.”
With visions of a NY Times bestseller dancing around in front of me, and mindful that just about all the bestselling memoirs on “major mental illness” favor a more poetic description of the specific diagnosis, here’s what I came up with that comes closest to capturing the flavor of my book and the message I want to put across:
The SCENIC ROUTE: A Way through Madness
Again, thanks to all who took the time to respond.
Brilliant! I love, love, LOVE the title. The “scenic route” sounds like a euphemism for something potentially treacherous, but then looking back on the trip, maybe it was better described more colorful, vibrant, meaningful, ALIVE than your average, run-of-the-mill journey. Still, having traveled the “scenic route” with my (late) son, for me the title conjures up images like this:
http://www.atlasandboots.com/crazy-roads-from-across-the-world/
which I think is a good thing!
Well done, Rossa!!
You’ve nailed it, Suzanne. The images you linked to are definitely part of the journey, especially the early part. I can’t say it wasn’t scary. In fact, it was awful. I’m wanting to cue people from the title that later, when more growth/understanding has had a chance to happen, a parent should simply sit back and enjoy the scenery. It’s spectacular. Seen from the right viewpoint, the journey is, as you write, “more colorful, vibrant, meaningful, ALIVE than your average, run-of-the-mill journey.” This is the only viewpoint, IMO, that allows us to keep hope alive and to grow within ourselves, and to ultimately break through. Thanks so much for your enthusiastic support.
I hope everyone will consider the “Holistic” approach. We went down the road of antiphyscotics which was the worst thing we ever did for my son. It took six months of no sleep and sick everyday to get off these. We discovered a DO and he has been cured for 2 years now no meds and leads a normal life. I would help anyone going thru this with a teen so that they will not make the mistakes we did which everyone suffered greatly. Best of luck on your book and the great news is you can be cured!
Hi, Kevin,
Delighted to hear that your son is well. If you would like to share, I’d be interested to know what mistakes you say you have made. Also, what is a DO? Doctor of Osteopathy? I don’t know this abbreviation.
Best regards,
Rossa
Will your book be available in Spanish as well?
Not yet. I’m hoping that one day it’ll be an international bestseller.
I love the title too and am so looking forward to reading the book! I would also like to know what a DO is!! This blog is so good, Rossa, such a valuable resource. All the best, Louise.