Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Archive for the ‘Being an ESL Student / Speaker’ Category

Coach Teresa, what’s happening for business owners on November 5, 2011 in Gilroy, CA?

Remember that being a writer is being a business owner.

After seeing Mary E. Knippel http://yourwritingmentor.com/ help job-seekers create their “success stories” and “vision boards/collages” at San Francisco Professional Career Network, I am convinced that everyone needs an expert like Mary E. Knippel to COAX  the writer in us and that everyone needs to build their platforms/fanbases.

Mary & I are members of a mastermind group–cheering each other on, having fun helping our clients. Thank you, Mary!

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://writingcoachteresa.com author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

Here’s another member of our mastermind group… Rebecca Martin!

Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 9am-4pm

Reserve your seat today – http://www.FacebookandYourBusiness.info

Learn the secrets most business owners will never know about creating their business identity online and marketing on Facebook.

Saturday, November 5, 2011
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Lizarran Tapas Restaurant
7400 Monterey Street, Gilroy, CA 95020
http://www.FacebookandYourBusiness.info
(This is a “hands on” and interactive workshop so bring your laptops – WIFI included)

This day long workshop is only $147.00.
Lunch is Included – Parking is Free

Presented by – Rebecca Martin http://dearjane.info/ & Jenn Beninger http://jennben.com/

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

http://writingcoachteresa.com author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

Love Made of Heart Turns 9 Years Old October 2011

To celebrate my novel’s anniversary . . .

Last Thursday I was at San Francisco Public Library for a Women’s National Book Association meeting to shoot one-minute videos of WNBA members and guests so that they can use them to promote themselves. So, there I was, Writing Career Coach Teresa, demonstrating how to create a short video, express yourself, and not have to be in front of the camera.

I am still overjoyed that my novel Love Made of Heart is in public libraries and also archived at the San Francisco History Center.

In this video, I re-declared that I use Love Made of Heart to inspire adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families. Also, I encourage everyone to get a library card.

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Look what I received in the mail !

card to Teresa LeYung-Ryan from Teacher Sheryl Fairchild and her delightful students

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sweet messages to Teresa LeYung-Ryan from Sheryl Fairchild's wonderful students

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Bette Davis stamps used on envelope sent to Teresa LeYung-Ryan from Ms. Sheryl Fairchild of San Francisco State University. Protagonist Ruby Lin in Love Made of Heart had found her role models in characters portrayed by Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. So sweet of Ms. Fairchild and her students to think about the details! Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and that's no pun.

Ms. Sheryl Fairchild’s wonderful students in First Year Composition at San Francisco State University had asked me these questions when I visited them last month.

Our Conversation with Teresa LeYung Ryan

Nicole:  I would like to ask her why she wanted to share her story to the world?

Erin:  I’d like to ask why she used Hollywood movie starts as Ruby’s “voice”  . . .   why she wrote certain characters like Mrs. Nussbaum or Emily into the story and if they represent someone she knows in her life.

Allison:  I would like to ask her if the events that she described in the novel are synonymous with her real life or if they just represent different things that have happened to her.

Stephen:  Was the story of her mother having mental illness true or was it completely made up?

Rozlynn:  I would like to know more about Ruby’s brother John, he’s a very mysterious character in the novel.

Heather:  I would like to ask her if she wrote her story to help people dealing with similar domestic violence issues or people that have someone with mental illness in their life, feel like they aren’t alone, or if she wrote the story for therapeutic reasons of her own.

Kerri:  How long did it take for her to be comfortable with writing this story?

James:  I would like to know if she overcame her past through therapy or was it a different source that was able to help her like a friend or lover?

Jonathan:  If Teresa’s view on men has changed when going from a traditional Chinese man . . . to her new marriage of 7 years that she talks about on the back cover.

Ashley:  What challenges did you face writing the book? What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Kyndal:  Did she ever find out more information about her grandmother?

Reyanna:  I would like to ask about Ruby’s grandmother. We never really know what happened to her and why she left America. Was it because of the harsh trials immigrants suffered? Also, I would like to know about Ruby’s brother as well. She never mentioned much about him or the grandmother.

Questions for Teresa from our worksheets:
o    Why did you want to share your story?
o    Have you gotten in contact with your brother?
o    Why did you choose not to use any Chinese language in the novel?
o    Why did you use a paper that Emily wrote to tell Ruby’s story at the end of the novel, rather than having Ruby tell the story herself?
o    Why did you choose that specific ending?
o    What did you find out about your culture as you were writing this novel?
o    Is your husband Chinese?
o    Did you ever talk to Vincent again?
o    How did your family react to your writing the book?

The Essence or Meaning of the Novel:
In Our Own Words

*     Do not dwell on the past, if you do, you cannot move forward with the future.

*     Forgive, but do not forget what you’ve learned from that experience.

*      Cannot judge people right away (such with Vincent)

*     Tradition vs. modern

*      Substituting fictional characters’ lives for Ruby’s – the life she wished she had

*     “Different kinds of love”

*     Culture – Culture’s clashing

*      Childhood – How the things you see as a child sculpt your life and views: violence at home,
family values/traditions, family relationships

*      Communication – If it exists or doesn’t

*     Family ties – Loyalty vs. independence

*      The book Love Made of Heart shows how someone’s troubled past affects their present life.

What a lovely way to celebrate the birthday of Love Made of Heart !  I’m overjoyed. I’d like to believe that my mom is giggling on Cloud Nine. Thank you, Ms. Fairchild, Allison, Ashley, Chris, Colin, Erin, Heather, Henriikka, James, Joelle, Jonathan, Kerri, Kyndal, Luis, Niki, Reyanna, Roxanne, Rozlynn, Stephen, Teja, Zenia for reading Love Made of Heart and asking thoughtful questions. YOU all are love made of heart!

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Because of Martha Alderson’s plot coaching, my novel Love Made of Heart was transformed into a page-turner. The story grabbed Stacey Glick‘s attention, then Kensington Publishing’s John Scognamiglio‘s [ Thank you to Stacey and all the folks at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management!  Thank you to John and all the folks at and associated with Kensington Publishing NY ].  Fast forward… Love Made of Heart is:

• used as required reading in colleges and universities
• available in libraries
• archived at the San Francisco History Center
• attracting a steady flow of readers/fans
• being my passport to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.
• linking my mission statement to Glenn Close’s BringChange2Mind and NAMI‘s.  I use Love Made of Heart to inspire other adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families.

None of this would have happened if Martha had not taught me how to plot the front-story.

Thank you, Everyone (starting with first Critique Group members Cat, Theresa Stephenson, Evelyn Miche, Olga Malyj . . .) who have played a role in sending Love Made of Heart into the world. You all have my deepest gratitude.

Martha’s new book The Plot Whisperer is inspiring me to write another novel.

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

I grew up with a beautiful mother who suffered mental illness; I’ve witnessed her overwhelming sadness, the stigmas, the not-so-visible scars.

Recently at the Sonoma County Book Festival, I met Ron Shaw, a board member of NAMI-Sonoma County.  Thank you, Ron, for wearing the brilliant NAMI  T-shirt.  Thank you, Rosemary Milbrath, for contacting me. I look forward to presenting my signature writing workshop “Heroes, Tricksters & Villains” at NAMI Sonoma County in 2012. This fun workshop is for all ages–there’s a writer in all of us.

Love Made of Heart inspires adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families

Last week was Mental Health Week.  I believe that Every Week is Mental Health Week.

National Alliance on Mental Illness —- At the heart of NAMI’s mission is our grassroots and the sharing of information with people with mental illness, their families, friends, mental health professionals, and the general public. NAMI strives to offer hope, reform and health to our American community through support, education , and advocacy efforts. Research is constantly providing us with new information about the brain and the nature of mental illnesses and, consequently, more effective treatments.

To find a group near you, go to http://nami.org/ Information Hotline: (800) 950-NAMI

http://nami.org/ Click on “Find Your Local NAMI”

You’ll see the state organization’s contact info.  Scroll down to find a group near you. If you do not see a group in your local community please contact the state organization.

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

Love Made of Heart inspiring adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families.

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

As a manuscript consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan loves helping writers identify their themes and archetypes.

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

Teresa on facebook!  She’s also involved in Women’s National Book Association and California Writers Club

Thank you, author Margie Yee Webb, for reminding me to share news:

Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the CHSA Museum

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Author Teresa LeYung-Ryan uses Love Made of Heart to inspire adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families.

author Teresa LeYung Ryan about to visit SFSU Sheryl Fairchild and her wonderful students

SFSU teacher Sheryl Fairchild & author Teresa LeYung Ryan happy to be reunited

SFSU Sheryl Fairchild’s First Year Composition students read opening scene “5150″ from the novel Love Made of Heart with author Teresa LeYung Ryan on September 26, 2011

Kyndal, Teresa, Henriikka, Allison, Chris performed dramatic reading of 5150 from Teresa's book Love Made of Heart--filmed by Colin Sutton

Video of the dramatic reading on Teresa’s YouTube channel.

The Cast:

Ruby Lin—Henriikka (Nicole had rehearsed lines too)

Ruby’s mom—author Teresa LeYung Ryan, offstage

Mrs. Nussbaum—Allison

Police Office—Chris

Susan, Social Worker—Kyndal

Filmed by Colin Sutton

SFSU Sheryl Fairchild's First Year Composition delightful students with author Teresa LeYung Ryan 2011 Sept 26

Thank you Ms. Fairchild, Allison, Ashley, Chris, Colin, Erin, Heather, Henriikka, James, Joelle, Jonathan, Kerri, Kyndal, Luis, Niki, Reyanna, Roxanne, Rozlynn, Stephen, Teja, Zenia for reading Love Made of Heart and asking thoughtful questions which I’ll add to Amazon discussion topics!

Fabulous teacher Sheryl Fairchild invites author Teresa LeYung-Ryan to answer questions from her thoughtful students - photo by Colin Sutton

Which character did you relate to?  Which theme/issue engaged  your attention? I’d be honored if you would write a short review for me by answering those 2 questions. If you have an Amazon account, please click here… Look at reviews from other readers and click on the box “Create Your Own Review”   Please “tag” with keywords “mental illness”   “mother”  “father”  “daughter”   “son”   “brother”   “sister” and other keywords you can think of from reading Love Made of Heart.

If you don’t have an Amazon account, you can just email me your short review. I’m at    gmail.com    and my user name is   writingcoachteresa

Ms. Sheryl Fairchild at SFSU motivates her First Year Composition Students - photo by Colin Sutton

SFSU fabulous teacher Sheryl Fairchild and her thoughtful students are “Love Made of Heart.”

I’d like to thank other caring educators and their students too–Mr. Victor Turks and his students at SF City College; Ms. Miriam Queen and her students at SF City College; Ms. Patricia Costello and her students at SF City College;  Professor Dan Haytin and his students at UC Berkeley; Ms. Barbara Whittaker and students at Stanford University.

SFSU Sheryl Fairchild's students delight Teresa LeYung Ryan with their thoughtful questions 2011 Sept 26 - photo by Colin Sutton

When I got home, I filmed a personal “Thank You” to you.  Here it is…

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

“Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams.”

http://writingcoachteresa.com

Also, Teresa is the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (ebook Kindle edition $9.81 print edition $22)

Margie Yee Webb, author of Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life , just informed me that:

What, When, Where is the Big Book Sale that Friends of San Francisco Public Library Orchestrates?

September 21-25, 2011

Join us for the largest book sale on the West Coast, the 47th Annual Big Book Sale!

Held at Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion, the sale features over 500,000 books, DVDs, CDs, books on tape, vinyl and other forms of media in over 100 categories.

Everything is $4 or less and items on Sunday are $1. The Big Book Sale is free and open to the public and all proceeds go to the San Francisco Public Library’s literacy programs for children, teens and adults.

Member Preview Sale & Reception
Tuesday, September 20, 2011   4-8 p.m.

Friends Members at any level are invited to the Member Preview & Reception for a first look at over 500,000 books and media before the sale opens to the public the next day.

Join online today or at the door.

Friends of San Francisco Public Library
391 Grove Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 626-7500 |  Fax: (415) 626-7525 |  Email: friends@friendssfpl.org

Thanks, Margie!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

$9.81 for ebook; $22 for print edition

Love Made of Heart inspiring adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families.

As a manuscript consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan loves helping writers identify their themes and archetypes.

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

Teresa on facebook!  She’s also involved in Women’s National Book Association and California Writers Club.

Are You a Writer Who Wears Many Hats?

Please introduce yourselves by clicking on the title bar of this post and submitting a comment.  Thank you!

Coach Teresa here to say that my colleagues and I are writers who wear many hats too.

Elisa Southard–Travel Writer, Talking Tagline & Marketing Expert, author of Break Through the Noise: 9 Tools to Propel Your Marketing Message , wears a  new hat / new name– SASA–Smart And Savvy Adventurer, helping young women gain Big City Travel Skills.  Here’s the video I produced of SASA who says: “Learn public transportation systems when traveling.” Elisa aka Sasa is also involved in Public Relations Society of America, Bay Area Travel Writers, Left Coast Writers, and Women’s National Book Association.

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Birgit Soyka–author of To Drink the Wild Air: One Women’s Quest to Touch the Horizon –wears these other hats:  female motorcycle adventurer; the loving human at the San Francisco Bird Hotel who says:”I understand Amazonian, Cockatilian and Toucanian and I am proficient in Budgie talk and African-grey slang. I love them all and I can relate to their moods, desires and needs.” Birgit just acquired Squawk & Howl (pet-sitting). Birgit is also involved in Women’s National Book Association.

Birgit Soyka uses her book to help people recognize their “Personal Transition Recipe” to create a joyful life and inner happiness.

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What does Elisa Southard aka Sasa and Birgit Soyka have in common:  travel, motorcyles, birds, dogs, and Women’s National Book Association colleagues including Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

Coach Teresa is the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

$9.81 for ebook; $22 for print edition

Teresa is the author of Love Made of Heart inspiring adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families. Teresa looks forward to each school visit. On September 26, 2011   2:10-3:25 p.m. Teresa LeYung-Ryan will be meeting Sheryl Fairchild’s students (First-Year Composition course in the English Dept. at SF State University, San Francisco, CA).  Thank you so much for reading Love Made of Heart.

As a manuscript consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan loves helping writers identify their themes and archetypes.

Coach Teresa’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

Teresa on facebook!  She’s also involved in Women’s National Book Association and California Writers Club.

What Do Writing Platform Coach Teresa, Cat Mulan Author Margie, Wisdom Voice Kate, and Maxine Hong Kingston Have In Common?

Maxine Hong Kingston’s book The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts inspired Teresa LeYung Ryan to write Love Made of Heart; Maxine is also a “main character” in Teresa’s workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

In The Woman Warrior, young Maxine’s role model came from the Ballad of Mulan; Margie Yee Webb’s book is Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life

The first line in The Woman Warrior -  “You must not tell anyone,” my mother said, “what I am about to tell you.”  Kate Farrell’s anthology Wisdom Has a Voice: Every Daughter’s Memories of Mother conveys meaning to this deeply bonded relationship.

On Saturday September 24, 2011, 10:00am – 4:00pm, please stop by and say hello if you are in or near Santa Rosa, CA.

The Sonoma County Book Festival,  Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA

Please visit us at our booth

Also,  come by the Redwood Village Stage at the festival:

1:00pm Redwood Writers Vintage Voices

1:45-2:00pm Margie Yee Webb & Teresa LeYung-Ryan

2:00-2:45pm Kate Farrell

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Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams."

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Maxine Hong Kingston will be on the main stage sometime between 2:30-4:00pm.

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Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Author, Writing Career Coach, Manuscript Consultant.

Teresa’s blog http://writingcoachteresa.com for resources.

Teresa uses Love Made of Heart to inspire adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families. (the novel is available in libraries, archived in the San Francisco History Center, and used by teachers in college and universities).

She’s also the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (a workbook to help writers of all genres gain a competitive edge before and after publication. Available as ebook Kindle edition $9.81! Customers of the workbook are saying that it’s useful for anyone who has anything to promote.)

Coach Teresa, are there any writing groups in or near Pinole, California?

Friday Morning  Writing Group with teacher Marie Elena Gaspari

Fridays  10:30am -1:15pm

2011 – Sept. 16,  23,  30;  Oct.  7, 14

Five-week Series: $150.00      Drop-In : $35.00

Pinole , CA 94564
Contact: Marie Elena GaspariRiverOFDreamsWriting.weebly.com

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

Coach Teresa is the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days and Love Made of Heart.

Coach Teresa’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

What Is So Important About Public Libraries?

Public libraries (also called “circulating libraries“) exist in most places in the world and are often considered an essential part of having an educated and literate population.  Then, why is Mayor Jean Quan proposing to close Oakland (California) public libraries?

Please please call, write to or email Mayor Jean Quan’s office, City Councilmembers, and Oakland City Administration.
Libraries help keep a city “safe” and literate… 

Mayor Jean Quan’s Office – officeofthemayor@oaklandnet.com

* District 1 – Jane Brunner    jbrunner@oaklandnet.com
* District 2 – Pat Kernighan  pkernighan@oaklandnet.com
* District 3 – Nancy Nadel  nnadel@oaklandnet.com
* District 4 – Libby Schaaf  lschaaf@oaklandnet.com
* District 5 – Ignacio De La Fuente  idelafuente@oaklandnet.com
* District 6 – Desley Brooks  dbrooks@oaklandnet.com
* District 7 – Larry Reid  lreid@oaklandnet.com
* At-Large – Rebecca Kaplan  atlarge@oaklandnet.com

Oakland City Administration – cityadministrator@oaklandnet.com

What else can we do?  http://www.saveoaklandlibrary.org has suggestions:

http://saveoaklandlibrary.org/act-now/

• Keep libraries open. Don’t close branch libraries or reduce service hours at any library.
• Don’t violate the public trust by throwing away Measure Q funds
• Closing libraries hurts all of Oakland’s citizens.
• Libraries give everyone, regardless of income, free access to books and the Internet.
• Libraries have already sacrificed by limiting service to 5 days/week at all of the branches.
• These cuts are unfair. The Library represents only 2% of the general fund monies but the “All Cuts” proposal calls for 198 full time library jobs to be eliminated out of 367 citywide. The library’s share of jobs lost equals more than 52% of the total positions eliminated.
• Measure Q supplies the library’s entire budget for buying books, DVDs, CDs, downloadable audiobooks and e-books, and other popular materials. Locations which remain open will not have new materials to offer the public.
• The “All Cuts” budget proposal suggests that there will be limited or no programs, including adult literacy, children’s storytimes and the Summer Reading Game.

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan “Let’s use our mighty voices for public libraries!’

Author, Manuscript Consultant,  Writing Career Coach