Where has your writer’s journey led you?

I met Kim McMillon when we were both in our late twenties.  She [Kim] entered the offices where I was working looking like a fashion model.  Soon I found out she was a playwright.  Her plays Voyages: A Multi-Media Excursion to Reincarnation was staged at U.C. Berkeley’s Zellerbach Auditorium and Confessions of a Thespian: When Spirit and Theatre Collide at the Julian Morgan Theater in Berkeley.

I went to see both plays at least twice. After all, a stage play is not something one can pause, reverse, and playback on one’s remote control.  Kim McMillon’s scripts contained messages I wanted to experience again and again and again.

Listen to Kim McMillon's radio show Arts In the Valley http://artsinthevalley.wordpress.com/

Kim was the first person who made it safe for me to say “I’d like to write . . .” She was the friend who gave me stage time at community events to articulate the messages in my novel Love Made of Heart before I had found my agent.

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "YES! to education on mental health and illness." . . . "NO! to domestic violence and child abuse."

Fast forward.  My mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart is published.  2002, 2003, 2004. At bookstores, I delivered “dramatic readings” where I would read the part of Vivien Lin (protagonist Ruby Lin’s mother) and a young actress would read the part of Ruby Lin.

Whenever I’m invited to speak at schools (including Stanford University, U.C. Berkeley, San Francisco State University, City College of San Francisco, Lowell High School), the dear teachers and lovely students read scenes from Love Made of Heart. Here’s the blog post and video of teacher Sheryl Fairchild and brilliant students in her First Year Composition class at SFSU.

Kyndal, Teresa, Henriikka, Allison, Chris deliver dramatic read of "5150" from Teresa's novel Love Made of Heart--filmed by Colin

Fast forward again.  It’s December 2009 Women’s National Book Association colleague Carol Sheldon invites me to see her play at Fringe of Marin Festival — One-Act Plays and Solos.  I’m mesmerized by L’Amour or Less (written and directed by Carol Sheldon).

I am a novelist, a speech writer, an editor, a writer’s platform coach, an author of prescriptive nonfiction (how- to) books for writers.

The desire to write a play is not a whim. First of all, I like reading plays and watching plays.  In addition to plays written by Kim McMillon, Kathryn “Kathy” G. McCarty, Carol Sheldon, Patricia Morin . . .  I also like: The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams; Lost In Yonkers by Neil Simon; Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon;  Electra by Sophocles; King Lear by William Shakespeare; Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose; Crossing Delancey by Susan Sandler; The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler.

Travel writer & certified tour director Elisa Sasa Southard was instrumental in getting Teresa LeYung-Ryan a part in director Kathy McCarty's production of Eve Ensler's play The Vagina Monologues; thank you to all friends who cheered for Teresa and supported the fundraiser for Community Violence Solutions; author Mary E. Knippel (right) drove 50 miles to the event---photo by Ellen Gailing

It is January 2012. I’m presenting “Writing Career Make-Over & Building Your Platform” at California Writers Club-Redwood Branch. After my presentation, I hear members talking about Linda Loveland Reid’s sponsoring the annual Redwood Writers Playwriting Contest and that this year’s guidelines are as follows:  plays have to be 10 minutes short.

That evening I dined with colleague Kate Farrell, editor of the anthology Wisdom Has a Voice: Every Daughter’s Memories of Mother. The next day I saw colleague Lynn Scott, author of A Joyful Encounter: My Mother, My Alzheimer Clients, and Me. I believe that being with these two empowering women gave me the inspiration to turn a memorable dream (of my mother) into the centerpiece for a short play.

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Festival Director Lennie Dean hugs Playwright Teresa LeYung-Ryan at awards ceremony---photo by Jonathan Hayden

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Elisa Sasa Southard videotaped Lennie Dean telling Teresa LeYung-Ryan why her 10-minute monologue was selected as a winner by judges.

Teresa LeYung-Ryan‘s Answer Me Now (a monologue) is about a middle-aged woman asking her dead mom a question.

Teresa’s play and eight colleagues’ plays will be performed on June 29, 30 and July 1st, 2012 at the Redwood Writers & 6th Street Playhouse Play Festival in Santa Rosa, CA.

$16 per person for all 9 short plays

Tickets on sale now!!      707-523-4185

June 29, Friday at 8pm;

June 30, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm;

July 1, Sunday at 2pm.

July 1^st   4:30-5pm, following performance, free panel discussion with winning playwrights

Teresa says: “I’d love to see my friends there.  Click here for more information. Please email me too and let me know which show you’ll be attending.  I’m at     gmail.com  My ID is:   WritingCoachTeresa ”

Festival Director Lennie Dean, Playwright Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Certified Tour Director Elisa Sasa Southard cheer for Redwood Writers & 6th Street Playhouse

The writer’s journey has led me (Teresa LeYung-Ryan) to editing clients’ manuscripts and coaching writers on platform-building.  And, playwriting.

Listen to Kim McMillon's radio show Arts In the Valley http://artsinthevalley.wordpress.com/

Kim McMillon’s writer’s journey has led her to producing and hosting her radio show Arts In the Valley.

Where has your writer’s journey led you?

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Editor, Story Consultant, Platform-Building Coach

http://writingcoachteresa.com

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan has helped over 1,000 writers.

“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

If these events are not in your locale, Google the names of the people and subject matters in this post to see if similar programs are available in your area.

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Tuesday May 15, 2012 at San Francisco Main Library

Effie Lee Morris Lecture

5:00 pm Reception and Book Signing: Lower Level Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room
6:00 pm Lecture: Koret Auditorium
A rare opportunity to hear an award-winning illustrator!
Jerry Pinkney, Guest Lecturer
“A Sense of Place Real and Imagined”

Look for these board members of Women’s National Book Association–San Francisco Chapter

Kate Farrell (editor of Wisdom Has a Voice: Every Daughter’s Memories of Mother)

Teresa LeYung-Ryan (manuscript consultant/story consultant; author of  Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days and Love Made of Heart–mother/daughter novel, and Answer Me Now–a short play).

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Saturday May 19, 2012 Larkin Street (from Grove to Ellis) San Francisco, CA

11:00am – 6:00pm  http://asianfairsf.com

Celebrate Asian Pacific American heritage

Civic Center to Little Saigon District, San Francisco, CA
Look for Margie Yee Webb, author/photographer, Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life http://www.catmulan.com/  Margie will be at the California Writers Club (CWC) booth # E24 on McAllister Street (between Larkin St. & Hyde St.)

Margie Yee Webb, Author-Photographer of Cat Mulan's Mindful Musings--photo by Coach Teresa

For map of street fair:   http://asianfairsf.com/events/celebrationguide/

 Teresa LeYung-Ryan (manuscript consultant/story consultant; author of  Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days and Love Made of Heart–mother/daughter novel, and Answer Me Now–a short play) will attend this event to cheer for Margie Yee Webb.

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Saturday, May 19, 2012   10:00AM at Belmont Library, CA

California Writers Club (CWC) San Francisco Peninsula Branch

$15 Members   $18 Non-Members
$5 Student   $10 Student Non-Member

Fred Setterberg, author of Lunch Bucket Paradise is intrigued by the dotted line between fiction and memoir, and the hybrid forms that emerge from their meeting. He will cover:
The use of research and interviewing when building a base for fiction.
The limitations of memory in writing about personal events in a fictional form; and how to overcome them.
How, when, and why one should cling to the facts but allow yourself to invent in some instances.
Join us! Non-Members are welcome and the first meeting is free!

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Sunday, May 20, 2012

California Writers Club (CWC) Redwood Branch Meeting

Registration, Meet and Greet 2:30 p.m.

General Membership Meeting 3-5 p.m. – Meeting starts at 3 p.m. sharp!

Flamingo Hotel, Empire Room

2777 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95405-4795

Members $5, non-members $8. 

Mythologist Valerie Estelle Frankel will take us on a tour of the heroine’s path through classical and modern literature, examining these sometimes overlooked, yet endlessly fascinating, leading characters.

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Teresa LeYung-Ryan -- Playwright; Author; Editor; Story Consultant; Writers Platform-Building Coach

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Tuesday, June 12, 2012   5:00–6:00pm

“PLAYWRIGHTS PRESENT short excerpts from their plays”

California Writers Club in the Literary Arts stage area in the Fine Arts Department at the San Mateo County Fair, San Mateo, CA

Teresa LeYung-Ryan (Answer Me Now), Ollie Welch and Dave Hirzel.

These are not performances; they are “on-book” readings of excerpts from longer plays.

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 Saturday, June 16, 2012  2:00-4:00pm  Authors Day at the San Mateo County Fair, San Mateo, California

Meet Teresa LeYung-Ryan (writing coach; author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW and Love Made of Heart ) and her colleagues at California Writers Club in the Literary Arts stage area in the Fine Arts Department at the fair. https://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/ The fair runs from June 9 – 17, 2012. Writing Contest winning entries will be displayed in the Literary Arts area; Teresa LeYung-Ryan sponsored the 2nd annual Immigrant Experience Writing Contest. Good luck to all contestants!

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June 29, 30 and July 1st, 2012

Teresa LeYung-Ryan‘s Answer Me Now (a monologue) is about a middle-aged woman asking her dead mom a question.

Teresa’s play and eight colleagues’ plays will be performed on June 29, 30 and July 1st, 2012 at the Redwood Writers & 6th Street Playhouse Play Festival in Santa Rosa, CA.

$16 per person for all 9 short plays

Tickets on sale now!!      707-523-4185

June 29, Friday at 8pm;

June 30, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm;

July 1, Sunday at 2pm.

July 1^st   4:30-5pm, following performance, free panel discussion with winning playwrights

Teresa says: “I’d love to see my friends there.  Click here for more information. Please email me too and let me know which show you’ll be attending.  I’m at     gmail.com  My ID is:   WritingCoachTeresa ”

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Hold this date:

2012 PUBLISHING PANEL  Saturday, September 15, 2012    3:00–7:30 p.m.

O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, 616 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA

WNBA Members $25 per person;  Non-Members $30 per person

PANEL 1:  “Faces in the Book Publishing Game” Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan will be on this panel

PANEL 2:  “Creative Collaborations”

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Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Editor, Story Consultant, Platform-Building Coach

http://writingcoachteresa.com

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan has helped over 1,000 writers.

“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

2012 May 13

Happy Mother’s Day to mother-archetypes all over the world! To honor my MaMa today, I’m watching the movie Garbo Talks (written by Larry Grusin; directed by Sidney Lumit) about a son who takes action to get the one thing his dying mother really wants–to meet the movie star.

One of my favorite scenes in this movie is the conversation (at the beach) between Gilbert Rolfe (the son, portrayed by Ron Silver) and the gay man/kind stranger Bernie Whitlock (portrayed by Harvey Fierstein).  The dialogue shows not only what Gilbert wants but also what Bernie wants.  What Gilbert wants is specific; what Bernie wants is universal.

A photographer who has spied on Garbo before tells Gilbert “. . . she’ll disappear if she sees you . . . ”

When Gilbert finally finds the movie star (after 3 months of doing), he knows that he must make every word count to hook her attention before she runs away.

Then, the monologue by the mom (Estelle Rolfe, portrayed by Anne Bancroft) in the hospital bed as she speaks to Garbo . . . oh my goodness.

Lines are beautifully written, directed, delivered, and edited.  What a story! And the music! I will study the script again.

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Speaking of what a protagonist wants, mothers, meetings, monologues . . . I’ve written a 10-minute play (Answer Me Now–a monologue) about a middle-aged woman asking her dead mom a question.

My play and eight colleagues’ plays will be performed on June 29, 30 and July 1st, 2012 at the Redwood Writers & 6th Street Playhouse Play Festival in Santa Rosa, CA.   I’d love to see my friends there.  Click here for more information. Please email me too and let me know which show you’ll be attending.  I’m at    gmail.com  My ID is:   WritingCoachTeresa .

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Writers, go through your manuscript and look for the “want” on every page. Who wants what in this scene, in this conversation, or passage? How does each character go after (or not) what she/he wants?

Click here for my webpage to get guidelines and editing advice.

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Editor, Story Consultant, Platform-Building Coach

http://writingcoachteresa.com

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan has helped over 1,000 writers.

“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here, wishing all writers new vitality to write and promote your work.

On the evening of May 2nd, 2012, I received my sister’s text-message “Nayati is home!” (kidnapped boy had been released, thank God!) I text’ed back “Get some rest” because I knew she must be  exhausted (joining forces and taking action to help find Nayati, conducting class, and comforting her own students).

That evening I got onto facebook to broadcast the news of Nayati’s safe return, called friends who don’t use facebook, and updated my webpage and blog posts. Thank you, Everyone, for your powerful prayers.

The next day (after a long sleep), I went about my day with a lighter heart.

So, I wrote cards (created by Rosemary C.) to Elaine M. (retired teacher), Luisa Adams (author of Woven of Water), Vicki Weiland (developmental editor of nonfiction books) and Lori Hope (author of Help Me Live)

I sent Bardi Rosman Koodrin scoring sheets for the “Immigrant Experience Writing Contest” which I created and sponsored. I understand that winners from all the writing contests through the San Mateo County Fair Literary Arts Division will be published in Carry the Light San Mateo County Fair Literary Anthology 2012.

And, I continue to read Mary Jo McConahay‘s mesmerizing memoir Maya Roads: One Woman’s Journey Among the People of the Rainforest.

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Linda Joy Myers made it possible for me (Teresa LeYung-Ryan) to attend Lynn Cook Henriksen's book launch at Joyce Turley's, and, when we arrived, I was tickled to see Patricia Morin and my dear friend Lynn Scott (right)!

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Another dear friend to me and my sister!  Jonathan was able to go to Norway Day Festival to cheer for my client Carla Danziger too.

Jonathan and Teresa LeYung-Ryan at Fort Mason Center for Norway Day in San Francisco. Cheers to Carla Danziger!

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authors Irene Berman and Carla Danziger talk to fans at Norway Day Festival--photo by Coach Teresa

Carla Danziger, Julie K. Rose, Astrid Karlsen Scott, Norman Ronneberg at Norway Day Festival

Karin Stahl with Carla Danziger author of Hidden Falls

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Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan with featured author Carla Danziger and journalist Cindy Warner at Norway Day Festival

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Jonathan and Teresa LeYung-Ryan cheer for authors Irene Levin Berman and Carla Danziger at Norway Day

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Italian French Baking Company in North Beach, San Francisco

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Teresa LeYung-Ryan and pal Michelle enjoy dining at North Beach San Francisco

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   I emailed my publicity sheet to colleague Laurel Anne Hill who is helping Bardi Rosman Koodrin.  “Teresa LeYung-Ryan and California Writers Club colleagues will be at Author Day June 16, 2012 at the San Mateo County Fair“

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My pal Elisa Sasa Southard (travel writer and certified tour director) called to schedule our next work session. Our conversation reminded me to post these links:

http://valerieleeworks.wordpress.com Valerie Lee is the author of Jade Rubies. Here’s a book review of The Jade Rubies by Robert A. Garfinkle.

Jonathan Fung‘s film Hark is a powerful story that will raise awareness of human trafficking and change lives.

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/index.html Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex or forced labor. They are young children, teenagers, men and women. Trafficking in persons occurs throughout the world, including in the United States.

http://www.polarisproject.org   Polaris Project’s client services department has been providing survivors of human trafficking with the support necessary to rebuild lives and regain hope for the future.

NPR’s Talk of the Nation

Polaris Project’s Executive Director Bradley Myles discusses human trafficking in the United States, the NHTRC and what you can do if you suspect some one is being trafficked.

Here’s my webpage with links to The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Stamp Out Stigma, and BringChange2Mind.org

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says:
“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”
http://writingcoachteresa.com
Coach Teresa has helped over 1,000 writers.

As editor/story consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan identifies themes, universal archetypes, front-story & back-story in clients’ manuscripts.

• As author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she says: “Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”
  

• Teresa has built her own platform happily. Her first novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes; recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association; and archived at the San Francisco History Center

• Teresa’s 10-minute play Answer Me Now has been selected to be part of the 2012 Redwood Writers Play Festival. Tickets to June 29, 30 and July 1 performances will be on sale as of May 1st through the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA

Coach Teresa’s Blog is abundant resources for you.

A long long time ago (or fifteen years ago in the publishing industry in this country), a writer could get by with talent and perseverance once he/she gets that first break.

How are you doing?  Are you thinking What is this being a writer all about?

Remember that delightful song “Don’t Worry Be Happy” (written and performed by Bobby McFerrin)?  If we are lucky enough to have writing instruments and not having to worry about coercion or persecution from any source, then, let’s don our writers’ hats.

Writing is art-form / mode of expression / choice of work-form, and, its partner is reading.  I wear my multiple hats too; I am:

• writing the second edition of my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days

• reading entries from the writing contest which I am sponsoring (“Immigrant Experience Writing Contest”)

• May 2, 2012 Best News!  Nayati is HOME!  http://www.mkis.edu.my/  has updates  

• April 29, 2012 (with heavy heart) writing emails, updating my website, blogging, posting on facebook—to broadcast call-for-help related to abduction of 12-year-old boy Nayati Shamelin Moodliar on April 27, 2012. Everyone, please go to Mont’Kiara International School’s website http://www.mkis.edu.my/ to get updates and their contact info, and, use your worldwide social media to help.  http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/43429-international-school-student-abducted-this-morning.html   has YouTube video of Nayati Shamelin Moodliar’s parents’ plea to help find their son.  The horrifying truth is that it could take only a short time to transport a person out of a country. Please use your mighty circles on cyberspace–to circulate NAYATI MOODLIAR’s photo & URL http://www.mkis.edu.my/. Please use your mighty “facebook” voices & mouse clicks to help 12-year-old boy NAYATI MOODLIAR return safely to his parents.
  

  HELP find 12-year-old Nayati Shamelin Moodliar

  KIDNAPPED on 27 April 2012 on his way to school.
  NAYATI MOODLIAR
  from Mont’Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  12 years old, 1.5 m height, dark brown hair and eyes,
  mixed origin of Indian and Caucasian. http://www.mkis.edu.my/ Thank you!

• reading Mary Jo McConahay’s riveting memoir Maya Roads: One Woman’s Journey Among the People of the Rainforest

• writing to writers who attended my sessions or received coaching from me at 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference to let them know that I’m here to help them polish their manuscripts and build their writers’ platforms and fanbases.

• reading clients’ manuscripts and helping them identify their themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story. 

• writing coaching notes for platform-building clients.

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here to encourage you to wear your many hats as a writer — work on the craft and your platform at the same time.  Pursue more and more resources . . . by visiting my website and this blog on a regular basis.  If you are not in the vicinity of the events I blog about . . . please look at the names of the people who are referenced in my posts, go to their websites by clicking on the links I provide or your keying their names in a search engine.  The people  I blog about will lead you to their colleagues, and so on.  More ways to build your platform?  See the exercises in Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days.  I can help you polish your manuscript (identify themes, universal archetypes, front-story & back-story) AND coach you on platform-building – click here.

 http://www.mkis.edu.my/  has updates

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0DOd47zFTQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlEi7rrVtaw

http://www.nst.com.my/top-news/gutsy-nayati-insists-on-walking-home-1.80924

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/5/4/nation/11230701&sec=nation

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/nayati-those-kidnappers-cant-beat-me

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/5/5/nation/11238032&sec=nation

Everyone,

Could you please please use your social media networks to help 12-year-old ( 7th grade) boy Nayati Shamelin Moodliar who was abducted April 27, 2012.

Even if you don’t know anyone in Asia . . . your friends may; your friends’ friends may.  Please Circulate NAYATI MOODLIAR’s photo & URL http://www.mkis.edu.my/.  Please use your mighty “facebook” voices & mouse clicks to help 12-year-old boy Nayati.

contact Mont'Kiara Int'l School Kuala Lumpur--HELP Nayati Shamelin Moodliar return to his parents

KIDNAPPED on 27 April 2012 on his way to school.

NAYATI MOODLIAR

from Mont’Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

12 years old,  4ft. 11 in. (1.5 m) height, dark brown hair and eyes

mixed origin of Indian and Caucasian.

Please circulate NAYATI’s photo, description and this URL: http://www.mkis.edu.my/

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/43429-international-school-student-abducted-this-morning.html   has YouTube video of Nayati Shamelin Moodliar’s parents’ plea to help find their son.

http://www.mkis.edu.my/  has photo of Nayati Shamelin Moodliar

“If you have seen this child, call Malaysian Police 999, or Mont’Kiara International School, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia +60 3 2093 8604.

“In the abduction of Nayati Shamelin Moodliar (12-year-old boy, 7th grade student)  in Mont’Kiara, the auto used was a black Proton Gen 2. The tag number is WNH 1356. There were two Indian male occupants.

“Another Facebook post said that, at the time of the abduction, Nayati was wearing green shorts and a white polo t-shirt with the school’s emblem. It also said that Nayati was “on the way to school, corner of Jalan Kiara 1 & Jalan Kiara, white van took him. Any info to rescue him? Contact his parents Sham 019 233 3065 and Janice 012 365 6202.”  http://www.mkis.edu.my/

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://www.facebook.com/Teresa.LeYung.Ryan

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Jodi O’Donnell-Ames, founder of Hope Loves Company, says:

“Hope Loves Company is the result of raising three children who have learned about ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s Disease) as young children. This video . . . created in love and hope–in memory of my late husband and hero, Kevin Gerard O’Donnell–who taught me everything about love and whose smile and courage are forever in my heart. Please share and help spread Hope Loves Company, thank you!”

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Carole Bumpus, author of A Cup of Redemption, says:

“Like the braiding of three strands of buttery brioche, three women’s lives become inextricably intertwined while sharing recipes and childhood stories over casual cups of coffee. No one realizes that these conversations—about love and loss, war and tragedy—will lead to a cross-the-world journey in search of answer to mysteries surrounding a long buried past.”

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Carol Dussere’s blog: Turning East – Stories of living, working, and traveling in Asia.  Carol Dussere was a professor of English at Xiamen University in Fujian, China in 1984-86 and at Dongguk University in Seoul, Korea from 1989 to 2006. The interviews and photos were collected as a result of her life abroad.

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Carla Danziger, author of Hidden Falls, says:

“I’d known about the Norwegian Resistance to the Nazi occupation ever since I was a kid, but very little about the situation of Norwegian Jews at that time.  I researched both to understand my older characters.  As I wrote Hidden Falls, I brought in “current events” such as the controversial trial in Israel of John Demjanjuk, an alleged concentration camp guard; the brilliant expose of Nazi Eric Priebke by ABC T.V. journalist Sam Donaldson, and also the hopeful Oslo Accords facilitated by Norway between the Israelis and Palestinians. After the tragic assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in November 1995, I decided my story had to be set in August 1995, when both the peace process and Mr. Rabin were alive and seemingly well. . . Tusen Takk.”

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

As editor/story consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan identifies themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story for her clients.

As author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she says: “Make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”

Teresa has built her own platform happily; her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. She says her novel and her play Answer Me Now carry the theme closest to her heart: mother-daughter relationship.

http://writingcoachteresa.com for Coach Teresa’s Blog and other resources.

“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

Hello, Everyone!

I am proud to announce that my short-short-play Answer Me Now has been selected as one of the nine short-short-plays for this year’s festival and fundraiser June 29-July 1, 2012.  Tickets will be on sale  through the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA.

$16 per person for all 9 short-short plays

Tickets on sale now!!      707-523-4185

June 29, Friday at 8pm;

June 30, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm;

July 1, Sunday at 2pm.

July 1^st   4:30-5pm, following performance, free panel discussion with winning playwrights

Answer Me Now is a 10-minute monologue (middle-aged woman asking her dead mom a question). Autobiographical?  Please see the play and decide for yourself.  I hope you’ll be able to attend a performance.  Festival Director Lennie Dean is lining up directors. Who will be directing my play?

I can’t wait to see the other 8 plays written by fellow playwrights.

Festival Director Lennie Dean says: “More than 20 roles to cast and we will use 12 actors for these 20 some roles…. I have been working to firm up all of the events planned for the festival and will also send the line-up of the different events to all very soon.”

(Teresa here . . .  I’ll update my Events page on my website as I receive more info).

If you’re planning to catch a performance, please email me (I’m at gmail.com  My ID is: WritingCoachTeresa).  I’d like to greet you in person before and after the show. Santa Rosa is a lovely town; perhaps you can support the festival and visit other attractions too.

Playwright Teresa LeYung-Ryan cheers for everyone involved in the Redwood Writers & 6th Street Playhouse Play Festival 2012

Malena Eljumaily                             Special Delivery

Nancy Lockard Gallop                   There There, Now                     

Gene Griffith                                   Gravediggers

Teresa  LeYung-Ryan              Answer Me Now

Amanda McTigue                           Turn The Other

Elaine Maikovska                           The Play Is the Thang

Harry Reid                                       GPS

Elizabeth VanPatten                      Dream Girl

Jean Wong                                      BFF

I look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

As editor/story consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan identifies themes and universal archetypes for clients.

As author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she says: “Make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”

Teresa has built her own platform happily; her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. She says her novel and her play Answer Me Now carry the theme closest to her heart: mother-daughter relationship.

http://writingcoachteresa.com for Coach Teresa’s Blog and other resources.

“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

Poetry Reading
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 7pm. Join us for a poetry reading benefiting the Food Bank and celebrating the publication of the anthology “Broken Circles: A Gathering of Poems for Hunger”, by Cave Moon Press. Hosted by Dan Brady, the reading features poets Joan Gelfand, Mary Mackey, and Rachelle Escamilla. An open mic follows the main presentation.
Sacred Grounds Coffeehouse, 2095 Hayes Street, San Francisco
If you would like to donate, bring cash or checks made out to SF Food Bank.
In honor of this wonderful event, I will be giving away three free download cards for my CD and one broadside.
Hope to see you there,
Joan Gelfand

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April 21, 2012. Learn from 3 pros. How to create and use your WordPress BLOG with cyberspace genius Linda Lee of Askmepc; how to be your own publisher with literary agent & publishing expert Laurie McLean and adventure travel writer & self-publishing expert Carla King. April 21, Stanford University http://wordpressbootcamp.net/wordpress-bootcamp-sign-up/ Bootcamp and Self Publishing Bootcamp. * Linda Lee is my cyberspace coach; she’s a wizard. I recommend her classes and services.

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Today the premier of Birgit Soyka‘s To Drink the Wild Air music video performed by Sassy Kool was uploaded on You Tube.

Check it out.  www.todrinkthewildair.com

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Mary E. Knippel says:  ” . . . I know how you feel and I founded The Unleashed Homemaker^tm to help you along the journey from the woman you no longer recognize to the woman you want to become.  One of the goals I am no longer putting off is writing my book.  I am the author of The Secret Artist: Give Yourself Permission to Let Your Creativity Shine.”

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http://www.bethsholomsf.org look for meetings after April 18, 2012

Mental Health Support Group will be meeting on Wednesday evening, April 18, 2012 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Congregation Beth Sholom, 14th Avenue and Clement, San Francisco, CA.  We look forward to seeing you and encourage you to invite anyone you know who has mental illness as well as their family and friends who would benefit from the group.  As always, our facilitators provide a safe comfortable place to get support and to share.  Everyone is welcome and need not be Jewish to participate. 

We look forward to seeing you.

Warmly,
Maureen Samson
Member of the Nachamu (Comfort) Project of Congregation Beth Sholom

http://www.bethsholomsf.org/get-involved/groups.html

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April 27-29, 2012 Martha Alderson, aka The Plot Whisperer, will be keynote speaker for Romance Writers of America Conference in Arizona.

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May 3, 2012  6:00-7:30pm WNBA Silent Work Session in Stong Conference Room at SFPL”

No talking; work on individual projects; library has wifi; bring your laptop or print-out of your project; work together/work quietly.

First 7 WNBA members or prospective members to email Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan will get table space.

at SF Main Library Stong Conference Room (first floor, no food allowed).

Coach Teresa’s email address is:  WritingCoachTeresa (use @ sign)  gmail.com

Put in your subject line:  RSVP  May 3 WNBA.

Want to be a member of WNBA-SF Chapter?  http://wnba-sfchapter.org/

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Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

As editor/story consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan identifies themes and universal archetypes for clients. As author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she says: “Make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.” Teresa has built her own platform happily; her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. She says her novel and her play Answer Me Now carry the theme closest to her heart: mother-daughter relationship.  http://writingcoachteresa.com for Coach Teresa’s Blog and other resources.  “Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

]]> http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/what-coach-teresas-colleagues-are-doing/feed/ 0 http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresa-says-you-can-write-any-genre-that-hooks-you-just-write/ http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresa-says-you-can-write-any-genre-that-hooks-you-just-write/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:15:15 +0000 admin http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/?p=4282 Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here to encourage you to wear your 2 hats as a writer — work on the craft and your platform at the same time.  Pursue more and more resources . . . by visiting my website and this blog on a regular basis.  If you are not in the vicinity of the events I blog about . . . please look at the names of the people who are referenced in my posts, go to their websites by clicking on the links I provide or your keying their names in a search engine.  The people  I blog about will lead you to their colleagues, and so on.  More ways to build your platform?  See the exercises in Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days.  I can help you polish your manuscript and coach you on platform-building – click here.

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Coach Teresa says: “You can write any genre that hooks you. Just write.”

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Just recently I remembered that in a college English class, the teacher gave us this assignment… to write about any book or story we had read in class. She had said: “No rules. Just give me a 3-page paper.”  I didn’t want to write a summary or a book report, so, I wrote a monologue (a speech–what I would have said if I were Othello on Judgment Day). The teacher gave me a B and wrote next to it “Creative.”

That was three decades ago.

Since then . . . I have:

• taken a 10-week course “Writing Children’s Literature” and have written 2 children’s stories; someday I’ll publish them. [ rewards: learned how to craft a story for any age group; formed a critique group with 3 classmates--we met twice each month for 10 years ]

• taking my counselor’s recommendation to read Maxine Hong Kingston’s memoir

• received an award for my fiction [ rewards: joined California Writers Club which opened my networking world ]

• found my agent for my novel Love Made of Heart and she landed a contract for me with Kensington Publishing Corp. New York [ rewards: being represented by respected experts in the book industry and receiving advance praise from celebrated authors before publication of my novel]

• written and delivered keynote speeches for Denim Day and Take Back the Night during Sexual-Violence-Awareness-Month on behalf of the folks at Community Violence Solutions [ rewards: making my name synonymous with subject matters I write about; speaking out for folks who cannot speak for themselves;  ]

• writing President’s Message for monthly newsletter of California Writers Club-San Francisco Peninsula Branch [ rewards: building my name as writing-career-coach and advocate for writers  ]

• sold my signature article “The Perfect Pitch” to Writer’s Digest [ rewards:  gaining recognition as an expert on how to pitch to agents, acquisition editors and publishers ]

• submitting short pieces and getting published in San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle [ rewards: making my name visible to general readership ]

• started my own publishing company and launched my workbook Build Your Name Beat the Game which a year later became Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days [ rewards: being Coach Teresa who provides a 22-day program for writers to make their names synonymous with issues they write about ]

• on January 8, 2012 when I presented “Writing-Career-Make-Over with Coach Teresa” at California Writers Club– Redwood Branch, I heard that  Linda Loveland Reid was sponsoring the 3rd annual Redwood Writers Playwriting Contest.  The entries had to be 10-minute pieces.  Hmm… I would like to write a 10-minute play.  So, the following week . . . I wrote the play in 30 minutes, but, it took several weeks to rewrite (after receiving critique from Lynn Scott).  Answer Me Now (a 10-minute monologue) is about a middle-aged woman asking her dead mom a question. [ rewards: I will get to hang out with directors, actors, producers, set designers, theater folks and theater supporters ]

Playwright Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Creator of Redwood Writers Play Contest & Festival / Playwright / Novelist Linda Loveland Reid. Thank you, Linda!

 

 

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Thank you, Elisa Sasa Southard, for going to awards ceremony with me even though you have so much to do after having led Washington D.C. and New York City tours for students!"

Thank you, Sasa!  I’m on Cloud Nine and I plan to stay there/here . . .  long after the performances at the Redwood Writers Play Festival of  June 29, 30 and July 1, 2012.

The 4 shows will be at the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA:

June 29, Friday at 8pm; June 30, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm; and July 1, Sunday at 2pm.  Tickets will be on sale starting May 1st, 2012.  $16 per person.

the 9 contest winners: Elaine Maikovska, Harry Reid, Jean Wong, Amanda McTigue, Nancy Lockard Gallop, Malena Eljumaily, Elizabeth VanPatten, Teresa LeYung-Ryan; Gene Griffith was not at awards ceremony

 

Again, thank you, Linda Loveland Reid, contest judges Lennie Dean, Natasha Carter-Yim, Michael Fontaine (who couldn’t attend the awards ceremony), Redwood Writers, fellow playwrights, Lynn Scott, Elisa Sasa Southard, my MaMa, and my friends who send me good wishes.

Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Redwood Writers Playwriting Contest Judge & Playwright Natasha Carter Yim. Thank you, Natasha!

**

Redwood Writers Playwriting Contest Judge & Festival Director Lennie Dean tells Teresa LeYung-Ryan which symbolism in Teresa's play touched her. Thank you, Lennie!

**

Redwood Writers Play Festival Director Lennie Dean with Playwright/Writing Coach/Story Consultant Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Travel Writer/Certified Tour Director Elisa Sasa Southard

 

 

Teresa,

Congratulations! Answer Me Now is a beautiful sojourn of the mother/daughter soul affinity. I continually seek to be the best of the best of my mother: your play is a tribute to that ongoing relationship of mind, heart and healing spirit. Thank you.

As Festival Director, I am thrilled at the announcement of the collaboration between Redwood Writers President Linda Loveland Reid  and 6th Street Playhouse – Craig Miller, Artistic and Education Director. This match will bring the best of both worlds to serve in the enrichment of our community. It is sure to be an event of the year!

I will update as the process of the creation of this event unfolds!

Lennie Dean

Thank you so much, Lennie!

Thinking back to that monologue (Othello on judgment day) I had written for that English class. . . I wonder where that paper is.

You can write any genre that hooks you. Just write.

 

Thank you, Elisa Sasa Southard, for helping me (Teresa LeYung-Ryan) do advance publicity for Redwood Writers Play Festival at 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

As editor/story consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan identifies themes and universal archetypes for clients. As author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, she says: “Make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.” Teresa has built her own platform happily; her novel Love Made of Heart is used in college composition classes. She says her novel and her play Answer Me Now carry the theme closest to her heart: mother-daughter relationship.  http://writingcoachteresa.com for Coach Teresa’s Blog and other resources.  “Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

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