I’ve learned not to take offense when people call attention to the number of marriages I’ve entered and left. I can’t fault them for being a little shocked and more than a little curious. After all, I seem so normal. And although my Capricorn sun cringes at every indication of my tarnished past, my Leo moon can more than handle the spotlight.
So the other night at a very merry un-birthday dinner with friends (remember Alice in Wonderland) the talk turned to writing as it is wont to do in these circles. My memoir was up for discussion. One of the gents and I made an identical comment in unison and he turned to me and said, “Are we married?”
“Not yet,” was my instant comeback. Being the sharp tack that he is, he got excited.
“That should be the title of your book, Have I Married You Yet?”
After the laughter died down, I have to admit that I gave it some thought. But to me it sounds like the name of a lighthearted, comedic story. Mine is far from that. Out of curiosity I checked Amazon for the titles of best-selling memoirs. Here are a few of them:
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Naked
The Motorcycle Diaries
The Color of Water
Running With Scissors
Coming of Age in Mississippi
Not a shred of humor.
I’m torn. What do you think? I’d like to hear opinions other than my own. Anyone who cares to weigh in with a comment or suggestion, please do. Does Have I Married You Yet? sound like a full-on comedy or could it work for a story that has humor only in moderate doses?
writing for self-discovery 
Feb 11, 2015 @ 01:57:39
I think that is a great title. I think it is a title that will attract buyers mostly out of curiosity, which isn’t all bad! And, it fits your story in a cute but serious way. It’s intriguing!
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 04:30:21
It’s so helpful to get a different perspective. Thank you.
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 02:06:44
And I thought I had a monopoly on never letting the facts get in the way of a good story. What am I saying… your story is all fact!!!! I will be more careful with what I say. No I won’t!
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 04:33:07
I can always count on you to embellish my truth so handsomely that it even sounds more exciting to me!
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 02:21:57
I’m in 100% agreement with Gigi 🙂
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 04:36:20
Gigi has a pretty good handle on a chunk of my history, and you, Lottie, have a great handle on humor so thanks for the thumbs-up vote!
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 02:24:51
How about. My perfect man or the perfect one is yet to manifest but I’m working dam hard on it!
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 04:38:56
Well, Judy, that would have been accurate before. I wouldn’t give up on the fairy tale of the charming prince.
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 02:40:18
I think it is the perfect title. It sounds frivolous in one respect; thoroughly serious from another perspective.
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 04:42:11
Frivolous. That’s the word I detest! But if frivolous and serious can stand side-by-side and tell a story, that’s acceptable.
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 03:30:28
It’s a fun title but I think your life is larger than your marriages. Having not read it yet, it’s difficult to say more. Besides I’m jet lagged in Hong Kong.
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 04:51:28
You’re in Hong Kong…Hurray! Soon you’ll be here! Marriages consumed my life. The story is about why that happened..how a reasonably intelligent blah blah blah woman made so many unhealthy choices. But it’s also a story of growth and transformation, the phoenix archetype.
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 03:37:13
I love that title and I think it is fine that the memoir is not comedy. When people read your book (and it is a must read) they will ‘get’ it. I would have to pick up a book with that title.
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 04:54:23
Shane, you are the best cheerleader anyone could have. Thank you for always having a kind, affirmative word.
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 04:40:51
I agree also that your life is much larger than your marriages and probably much richer especially now that you are in Bali.
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Feb 11, 2015 @ 05:02:20
It is precisely because of the unorthodox nature of my marriages that I have such rich material to write about.
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Feb 12, 2015 @ 08:45:25
I like that title. Maybe because I know you and your history of marriages, but I didn’t think it sounded like a comedy.
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Feb 12, 2015 @ 08:48:46
It’s so interesting to hear the responses from different ones. Overall I’d say it’s a winner.
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Feb 13, 2015 @ 02:10:56
I instantly said in my head, yes she should use that as a title. It doesn’t have to be a full comedy, just a taste of it maybe. Can’t wait to read it. 🌸
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Feb 13, 2015 @ 02:24:06
There are certainly ‘tastes’ of comic relief. Thanks for commenting. I can’t wait to finish the re-write(s)…!
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Feb 13, 2015 @ 09:50:37
“Have I Married You Yet? I Hope Not!” Seriously, though, I think it’s a wonderful title.
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Feb 13, 2015 @ 16:14:19
That’s hilarious! I love it!
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Feb 14, 2015 @ 23:46:45
Hi stranger — A touch a comedy should be fine. Just remember some folks (like kids, even grown up kids) may be a bit sensitive.
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Feb 15, 2015 @ 02:16:34
Hi! Stranger is right! Yes, and my grown-up kids are more sensitive than many! Fortunately, there’s not a lot they don’t already know, but knowing it vs. reading it as a story is a whole different experience.
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