Thanks everyone...it's great to get several view points. Mine actually was closer to the two anonymous ones...I think it works if you've read it or really want to read it, but isn't a great motivator for people who've never heard of Mom's Cancer. Just motivates me more to get the word out so the cover doesn't scare people off.
JDC, thanks for defending us, but actually I don't think that was meant as an unconstructive comment. It's okay to say you don't like the cover...everyone here loves Mom's Cancer.
Truth is okay here people, whatever that truth is for you! Whole point of the poll.
I think my only issue is that so much of the book addresses how cancer impacts not only the afflicted, but also the person's entire family -- the cover doesn't really reflect that. I'm not a cancer survivor, but I went through hell with a best friend who was diagnosed in 8th grade...not sure whether this would draw people in unless they were dealing with older relatives who had cancer. It's hard for me to articulate, but it's just my perspective as a young person: if it contained some allusion to the presence of other characters (even silhouettes in the window?), it might make *anyone* with a connection to cancer pick up the book. It's an awesome drawing, but somehow it doesn't quite fit to me.
I think my concern and Nurse Sis' concern is that this is exactly how Mom feels right now...She's been in the hospital five weeks now, and well, things aren't great. So we're not showing her this cover, because it would completely bum her out. her favorite image from the book has always been Hero on her lap with her saying "Let's Go For it." That's how she wants to be remembered...with that upbeat, unbeatable spirit. And I think that's what she wants to impart to others with cancer. But, she's just a quasi-fictional character in the book.
Meg, totally get that now. Thanks for articulating that...I was feeling it, too. Cancer effects the whole family; that's one of the main components readers respond to is the ricochet/echo/interstices documented by Bri.
I agree -- though I haven't been through the experience of taking care of a loved one with cancer, I imagine I'd want to see a family group represented, to make me feel like there were others were like me. And if it were me with cancer, I wonder if I wouldn't want to see someone with family around them -- to counteract the feeling of being alone in the battle. You know?
The dissertation is getting done. Slowly. But. Surely. Just the introduction to go, plus revisions on two of the chapters.
Had a major relapse with the hives. Spent today 1) at the allergist answering three hours worth of questioning, with another appointment on Monday; 2) having my veins drained for a series of tests, which caused fun bruising on my arms, so I now look not just like a leper but a heroin-addicted leper; 3) taking a new medication that makes me soooo sleepy that I came home from all this and promptly fell asleep until just now (9pm). The good news: I had a dream about my childhood in which I began terrorized but then ran in to all my old ghetto high-school teachers and told them how wonderful they'd been to me, how they'd pretty much saved my life, and they were all happy.
But on to more important things: your blog entry about mom is very sad, but you write about it with the upmost aplomb. How are *you* doing?
I feel for Brenda. I imagine it's a terrible feeling to feel helpless to help her own mother when she's trained to help people as a nurse.
I'm so sorry for your mom. This is terrible news. I hope you're at least able to sneek Hero in again.
Sending good vibes your way, m'Lady. And a good quote, from W. Churchill: "If you're going through hell, keep going!"
13 comments:
Not too much of a downer?
You got it! I'll pass your info on to Brian (and your hello to mom)
As a child of a surviving Cancer parent, that image is just frightening...
-Christine
Looks like an alien. Hate it.
Thanks everyone...it's great to get several view points. Mine actually was closer to the two anonymous ones...I think it works if you've read it or really want to read it, but isn't a great motivator for people who've never heard of Mom's Cancer. Just motivates me more to get the word out so the cover doesn't scare people off.
JDC, thanks for defending us, but actually I don't think that was meant as an unconstructive comment. It's okay to say you don't like the cover...everyone here loves Mom's Cancer.
Truth is okay here people, whatever that truth is for you! Whole point of the poll.
Good point, Lynne!
I think my only issue is that so much of the book addresses how cancer impacts not only the afflicted, but also the person's entire family -- the cover doesn't really reflect that. I'm not a cancer survivor, but I went through hell with a best friend who was diagnosed in 8th grade...not sure whether this would draw people in unless they were dealing with older relatives who had cancer. It's hard for me to articulate, but it's just my perspective as a young person: if it contained some allusion to the presence of other characters (even silhouettes in the window?), it might make *anyone* with a connection to cancer pick up the book. It's an awesome drawing, but somehow it doesn't quite fit to me.
I think my concern and Nurse Sis' concern is that this is exactly how Mom feels right now...She's been in the hospital five weeks now, and well, things aren't great. So we're not showing her this cover, because it would completely bum her out. her favorite image from the book has always been Hero on her lap with her saying "Let's Go For it." That's how she wants to be remembered...with that upbeat, unbeatable spirit. And I think that's what she wants to impart to others with cancer. But, she's just a quasi-fictional character in the book.
Meg, totally get that now. Thanks for articulating that...I was feeling it, too. Cancer effects the whole family; that's one of the main components readers respond to is the ricochet/echo/interstices documented by Bri.
I agree -- though I haven't been through the experience of taking care of a loved one with cancer, I imagine I'd want to see a family group represented, to make me feel like there were others were like me. And if it were me with cancer, I wonder if I wouldn't want to see someone with family around them -- to counteract the feeling of being alone in the battle. You know?
NN
NN, so wise. How are you doll? Thesis done? If not, WRAP...IT...UP! I'm James Brown, bitch!
The dissertation is getting done. Slowly. But. Surely. Just the introduction to go, plus revisions on two of the chapters.
Had a major relapse with the hives. Spent today 1) at the allergist answering three hours worth of questioning, with another appointment on Monday; 2) having my veins drained for a series of tests, which caused fun bruising on my arms, so I now look not just like a leper but a heroin-addicted leper; 3) taking a new medication that makes me soooo sleepy that I came home from all this and promptly fell asleep until just now (9pm). The good news: I had a dream about my childhood in which I began terrorized but then ran in to all my old ghetto high-school teachers and told them how wonderful they'd been to me, how they'd pretty much saved my life, and they were all happy.
But on to more important things: your blog entry about mom is very sad, but you write about it with the upmost aplomb. How are *you* doing?
I feel for Brenda. I imagine it's a terrible feeling to feel helpless to help her own mother when she's trained to help people as a nurse.
I'm so sorry for your mom. This is terrible news. I hope you're at least able to sneek Hero in again.
Sending good vibes your way, m'Lady. And a good quote, from W. Churchill: "If you're going through hell, keep going!"
XOXO
NN
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