Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG

Archive for the ‘’ Category

Everyday I’m reminded of this truth: No one is “self made.” No writer is an island. In the fiercely competitive book industry, a writer needs a circle of colleagues, friends and loved ones to survive and thrive.

Case in point:
On Sept. 19, 2009, I was one of the exhibitors at the Sonoma County Book Festival in Santa Rosa, CA.

Teresa LeYung Ryan, Amy Gorman, Kate Farrell, Rita Lakin, Pat Windom, Marcia Canton having fun together at Sonoma County Book Festival

“Sonoma County Book Festival was a testament of positive attitude and team effort.  Shyne, Kate Farrell, Marcia Canton, Rita Lakin, Amy Gorman and I chipped in to buy two 10’x10’ booths.  We had to bring our own tables, chairs, and canopies though. Linda L. lent us her canopy; we dusted off our card tables and folding chairs.

“My sister Maria helped me design a lovely poster.  My hubby Lyle found a second canopy through Craigslist, packed a cooler for us, and schlepped a carload to the festival. (Shyne, we missed you.)  Pat Windom and Marcia’s hubby Joe sat at the booths while the five of us got stage time (Thank you, Kate Farrell and Linda Loveland Reid!). B. Lynn Goodwin was our
neighboring exhibitor.  So many other folks to thank–calendar editors; CWC & WNBA colleagues; Marlene Cullen’s writers’ forum; book festival organizers and volunteers (led by Nadja); readers who stepped out to support the event.  Networking, meeting fans, being out in the community. Glad we were together, having fun.” Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart and writing-career coach http://www.WritingCoachTeresa.com

“Calling ourselves the Fab Five, our group talked books all day to a
constant stream of eager readers interested in literature and in meeting
authors. The Fair was splendidly organized and the spirit warm and
inviting. Thanks for offering this day to the community.”  Amy Gorman,
author of Aging Artfully: 12 Profiles of Visual and Performing Artists
85-105 http://www.agingartfully.com

“What an opportunity the SoCo Book Festival was for me and my young adult
novel, Girl in the Mirror ! I sold books; gave out postcards; networked
with teachers and librarians in the community; and spoke to some teenage
girls. There is no substitute for speaking directly to your audience
(sorry, Twitter).”  Kate Farrell, author of Girl in the Mirror
http://www.girlinthemirror.info Workshop Leader http://www.wisdomhasavoice.com

“And what an interesting, intelligent, talented group of women we are,
including dear Pat Windom who will make it Fab Six (and others who might
beg to join us) for next year’s appearance. I bet Booths 75-76 had more
fun than anybody.” Rita Lakin, author of the Gladdy Gold mystery series
http://ritalakin.com

“Can’t stop thanking you for a special day!” Marcia Canton, Ph.D., author
of Mentoring in Higher Education: Best Practices http://www.cantonassociates.com

Writing colleague Pamela Reitman had emailed me the invitation to this half-day symposium. The words on the flyer hooked me. “Building a Caring Community for Mental Illness,” “open to everyone,” “this conference is FREE,” and “light refreshments will be provided.”
And, I didn’t have to be Jewish to attend this event at Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco August 30, 2009 Noon-5:30pm.  “Open to everyone” said the invitation.  I would go with my mom watching over me.
In my first novel Love Made of Heart, I had fictionalized my mother’s story, her battling with mental illness, my role as a witness to her suffering. Whenever I give talks on the book, I make the statement: “I advocate compassion for mental illness.”  The conference would give me an

Pam Reitman greets community of mental health advocates

opportunity to meet a spectrum of advocates for mental health.

My impressions and memories of the day:
2 friends carpooled with me.  It was already minutes past noon when I drove up to 301 14th Ave. at Clement St.  I dropped off my friends.   Scanning down the street, I was ready to park many blocks from the Beth Sholom. I couldn’t believe my eyes when half a block down the street, there was a space!  Mom! My parking angel!
Who drives by looking for parking but another friend I had shared the invitation with.
The first person I encountered was a volunteer who opened the glass door and greeted me with a smile.  “Here for the conference?” he asked.  “Up the stairs to the Koret Hall.”
My friends were signing in.  A volunteer handed me a program and welcomed me. I chatted with another volunteer who asked me “Teresa, what do you do?”  “I write stories for those who cannot speak for themselves.”  She told me about her son’s experience at camp—how the one activity he could connect with was story-telling.
A female voice from stage announced the start of the conference. Pam Reitman looked lovely in a black/white/sage Piccaso-ish dress. She welcomed us, told us about the committee’s dedication to making the conference a reality, the history of Bay Area Jewish Healing Center, her personal story. It was hearing Pam’s personal story several years ago that had attracted me to her writing about mental illness.
Rabbi Hyman greeted us with “Nachamu, Nachamu” (Comfort, Comfort).”  He and Rabbi Kukla did in fact create an atmosphere of comfort.  I even sang along a simple song in Hebrew.  A cello player.

Rabbi Hymand and Rabbi Kukla say: "Nachamu, Nachamu"

6 panelists shared personal stories.
“I didn’t know we had mental illness in the family until my father suffered from depression, then I found out that his father had mental illness. I had clinical depression after I gave birth.”
“Friends and neighbors bring food when you have a broken leg. They don’t when you have mental illness.”
“There’s stigma on mental illness even among physicians. When I was in medical school, I knew I wanted to be a psychiatrist, but, my classmates looked down at me because they were going to be general practitioners and surgeons.”
“I thought that what I was going through was typical teenage misery. Then in grad school I was feeling happy and confident for the first time, but, I wasn’t sleeping, I wasn’t eating, and I was talking to myself. I thought I was the reincarnation of the person that I was writing about in a research paper; that’s when I knew that something was strange. The book An Unquiet Mind catapulted me to call my friend and seek help. Ten years later, I went back to grad school and became a doctor.”
“Stigmas.  We hide behind the illness, knowing other people would ostracize us. We wouldn’t have to hide behind other illnesses.”
“Psychic history.” “Holocaust survivors… intergenerational healing.”
The audience was given index cards to write questions for the 6 panelists. After several questions were addressed, and the volunteers were collecting more cards from the audience, there was silence. Rabbi Hyman said there was no hurry to fill the moment with words. Filling the moment with silence was lovely.
More questions and responses.
“Isolation.”  “Shame.” “Hope.”
“Some people think we have to find meaning in every experience. What about finding leap of faith instead?”
“Stigma.”
“When I don’t hear from my son, I double-up the efforts to call him.”
“You can continue communicating even though your loved one is not.”
“There’s no distinction in the way I treat this person and that person. I treat everyone with respect.”

Pam Reitman & Teresa LeYung Ryan write about loved ones with mental illness

Refreshments. Pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, strawberries. Danishes, glazed donuts.  I chatted with a yoga teacher. We talked about our moms—how much we miss them.
Breakout sessions.   I was in the group facilitated by Steve Foreman and Sharon Roth. In the library. 11 in the group. We sat in a circle. “What would you like to suggest to the planning committee to make this conference more assessable?” “How to connect with folks who are isolated?” “Volunteerism.” “NAMI” “Why is it when I read a news item about a violent crime, there’s mentioning that the suspect has mental illness as though it’s implied that mental illness leads to violence…?”
“What else can we do to help build a caring community for mental illness if we don’t have time to volunteer?” “Call or email legislative representatives and remind them to include mental health in healthcare reform.” “Share stories.” “Create a blog and invite everyone to tell their mental illness story. Offer resources on the blog.”
Then we gathered in the Main Sanctuary to hear reports from all the breakout sessions. Closing ritual that included prayers and songs.  During prayers, I saw my mom on a swing!  That was the first time I pictured her in that playful act.
A lovely day indeed.
It’s Wednesday, Sept. 2nd, and I Googled “An Unquiet Mind” (the book that had helped Dr. Karin Tamerius, one of the panelist on Sunday).  YouTube had “Personal Reflections on Manic-Depressive Illness” from the Research Channel series.  Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison told her personal story. Such courage to open up about her disease (mania, suicidal depression) and her struggles with medication (side effect that were severely debilitating) that ultimately helped her. Stigmas. Personal and professional reprisals.  Who else could really understand what the patients are experiencing?  She ended her speech about the role of love in recovery.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxRLap9xLag
I’m thinking about Carmen Lee’s organization:  Stamp Out Stigma  http://stampoutstigma.org/
and National Alliance of Mental Illess   http://nami.org/
and my mom.

Last week while my husband was at a music workshop, I started a new writing project–a guide for writers to build their names so that they’d have the competitive edge when pitching to an agent or an
acquisition editor at a publishing house  or pursuing the independent publishing route. The guide will serve my clients as well as writers who prefer to learn from written instructions.

The catalyst for my coaching came from their reports:

• “I landed a big acquisition editor. He helped me with the book proposal over months. Everything looked promising until he pitched my book to the sales people at the publishing house and they asked him: ‘What kind of platform does this author have?’ Just like that I was rejected. I hope they won’t take my idea and let a big-name author write it before I build my fame.”
• “I’m tired of getting rejection letters from agents. They tell me I’m a fine writer, but, they also tell me that fiction is very competitive . . .”
• “I’m an expert in my field, and, still I can’t get a publisher to take my book. They asked me: ‘How big is your readership?’ Isn’t that their job, to find the readers?”
• “I was a ghost writer for a celebrity. He got the big advance from the publisher. I got paid one time, a small sum, and, I’m supposed to keep my mouth shut that I did the work.”

Writing-Career-Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan

Here’s a tip from my upcoming guide:  Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, identify the themes in your work.  In my all-time -favorite story, Charlotte’s Web, the themes included: cycle of life; friendship;
self-esteem; courage; loyalty. In Love Made of Heart, the themes included: daughter wanting mother’s approval; woman carrying guilt; traumas from domestic-violence and effects on children; stigmas with mental illness; struggles and courage of immigrants.

When you’re describing your book to anyone, focus on the themes. When  you’re calling in a talk show, make your comment or question relevant to the themes of the program as well as to your book. Be sure to say your full name.

What is fame, really?  Fame is when people hear or see your name, again and again.

Are you writing letters to newspaper editors? Read the paper and see what your community is most concerned with; then write the letter and offer a solution. Pure complaints usually don’t help; succinct proposals offering resources often do help (and get published).

I hope to see writers and readers in the next few months, at these events:

Sunday, August 23, 2009 1:00-3:00pm
Three Stories, Three Writers, Three Paths.

Teresa LeYung Ryan, Martha Alderson, Luisa Adams at San Mateo County Fair/Peninsula Festival

with Luisa Adams, author of Woven of Water; Martha Alderson, author of Blockbuster Plots—Pure & Simple; Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart; Moderator: Tory Hartmann, author of The Ghost of Harvey Milk and president of California Writers Club-SF Peninsula Branch
Expo Hall–Creative Arts Stage (west of #13 on festival map)—-at San Mateo County Fair/Peninsula Festival

www.sanmateocountyfair.com/event-info/fairgrounds-map
They met through the Jack London Writers Conference and the California Writers Club over 10 years ago.
How are they inspiring the reading and writing community today?

http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/Teresa-LeYung-Ryan-s-Events.html

Thank you, CWC SF Peninsula Branch President Tory Hartmann, Bardi Rosman Koodrin and Alexandra King,  for orchestrating this fun gig for us!  Other CWC members at the festival will include:  Tory Hartmann, Christopher Wachlin, Laurel Anne Hill, Joyce Robins, Geri Spieler, Inés Villafañe-León, Jo Carpignano, Lucy Murray, and Linda Okerlund.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thursday, Sept. 3rd, 2009  6:00-8:00pm
Library Advocates MEET!
Oakland Main Library – West Auditorium
125 14th Street, Oakland, CA

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com

Teresa LeYung Ryan and fellow library advocates show up at Save-the-Libraries meetings

Find out how we can help the folks who have lost Book Mobile.

Find out how we can help the learners and tutors at Second Start-the adult literary program in Oakland.

Find out how our might voices can influence city council members.

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Saturday,  September 19, 2009,  10:00am–4:00pm in Santa Rosa

Sonoma County Book Festival,  Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA  http://socobookfest.org/

Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart www.LoveMadeOfHeart.com

Mary Lunning, aka “Shyne” the poet, author of My Human Heart www.shynespoems.com

Kate Farrell, author of Girl in the Mirror www.girlinthemirror.info

Marcia E. Canton, Ph.D., co-author of Mentoring in Higher Education: Best Practices
www.cantonassociates.com

Stop by and say hello to these 4 authors and members of Women’s National Book Association.
http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/Teresa-LeYung-Ryan-s-Events.html

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11, 2009

Jack London Writers Conference http://jacklondonwritersconference.org/Event-Schedule.html
Saturday October 10, 2009  11:00-11:45am

Map Out Your Career NOW:
3 Easy Steps for Fiction and Nonfiction Writers
with Author and Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan

Learn how to:
• identify advocates, endorsers and fans.
• gain recognition through your words and your community.
• build your platform by reaching out, not stressing out.

How do writers thrive in the fiercely competitive industry?  Find out for yourself in this fun

interactive session.

http://www.lovemadeofheart.com

Student Intern Nadia helps Teresa

Teresa LeYung Ryan is delighted

As a writing-career coach, I advise my clients to find interns to help them with research, correspondence, and sending out press releases so that they can free up time to launch new projects. I am happy to say that I have found a reliable student intern to help me this summer. Nadia is her name. While I’m busy with library advocacy in Oakland, CA, Nadia is compiling a mailing list for me so that I can let folks know that my publisher, Kensington Publishing in New York, has lowered the price of the hardcover of Love Made of Heart from $23 to $16.10. I am so pleased to have this dependable young lady in my corner. Thank you, Nadia!

The novel:  Love Made of Heart (archived in the San Francisco History
Center)

Teresa LeYung Ryan uses her mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart to:
•    shed light on stigmas suffered by immigrants
•    advocate compassion for mental illness
•    help survivors of family violence find their own voices

www.LoveMadeOfHeart.com

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=6274&secid=83&linkon=subsection&linkid=1793

Teresa LeYung Ryan has been helping writers since her mother-daughter
novel Love Made of Heart was published. As a manuscript consultant and
writing-career coach, she helps her clients identify themes and
archetypes, polish their manuscripts, and map out their careers. As a
community spirit, Teresa advocates compassion for mental illness and she
helps survivors of family violence find their own voices through writing.
Her website www.LoveMadeOfHeart.com offers resources for readers and
writers.

Librarians Cannot Live On Love Alone

What’s so wonderful about a public library? A library houses books, CDs and DVDs for you to borrow, reference books and magazines for you to read on the premise, computers for you to use, Internet for you to access; it offers quiet space and specialists who can help you find the information you need. I love libraries.

Did you know that many of our public libraries are in trouble? Because librarians and other library staff members are employees of their city, they cannot even tell patrons when their libraries are negatively impacted or when their jobs are in jeopardy. However, we, the patrons, have the power to advocate on their behalf.  We can fuel library power.

One example: In Oakland, CA, all library branches (except for the main branch) will be open only 5 days a week. Their material budget has been cut. Librarians are forced to take furlough days. The adult literacy program Second Start is in jeopardy. Come to a Save-the-Libraries meeting and take an active role. http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com

Library advocates are nice people. We have mighty voices to ask questions that city council members need to answer.

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com

Yesterday I went to San Francisco General Hospital’s Carr Auditorium to see the premiere of LIFE IS…4 LIVING!, presented by the Araceli Theater Project.

I smiled, cheered, got choked up, laughed, applauded for each person on and off stage.  A “feel good” experience.

Araceli Signifies ARt As CElebration of LIfe in CARE Program of SFGH

The Araceli Theatre Project is a unique program offered by the Cancer Awareness, Resources and Education (CARE) program of San Francisco General Hospital.

The primary objective of this multi-lingual (English/Spanish/Cantonese) project is to provide patient-guided self-expression and awareness for medically underserved cancer survivors through an innovative, experiential theater arts program.

LIFE IS…4 LIVING! written and directed by Donald E. Lacy, Jr.
Producer Blue Walcer and Co-Producer Angela Alvarez
Performances:

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009, 5 PM
SF General Hospital, Carr Auditorium,
1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco
The July 15th program at SF General Hospital was free to the public.

Friday, and Saturday, July 17 & 18**, 7:30 PM
Mission Cultural Center
2868 Mission Street, San Francisco
**A $15 donation is requested at the door for Mission Cultural Center performances
(no one will be turned away because of lack of funds)

http://www.caresfgh.org

Library Advocates MEET!
Thursday July 9th, 2009  6:00PM to 8:00PM
Oakland Main Library West Auditorium
125  14th Street, Oakland  (refreshments will be served)

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

Oakland Library Advocates meet to help Library Patrons and Librarians

My dear friend Sue R. forwarded this interesting bit of history about the first library in the United States of America… from June 30 Writer’s Almanac   http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org :

“It was on this day (June 30) in 1731 that Ben Franklin founded the first circulating library, a forerunner to the now ubiquitous free public library. He started it as a way to help settle intellectual arguments among his group of Philadelphia friends, the Junto, a group of civic-minded individuals gathered together to discuss the important issues of their day.

“Each of the 50 charter members bought an initial share into the company (40 shillings), which helped fund the buying of books, and then paid a smaller yearly fee (10 shillings) that went to buying more books and maintaining the library. In exchange, the members could borrow any of the books. Donations of books were gladly accepted.

“They called their charter the Library Company of Philadelphia, and the next year, Franklin hired America’s first librarian, Louis Timothee. At first, the books were stored at the librarian’s house, but by the end of the decade, they were moved to the Pennsylvania State House, which is now known as Independence Hall.”

http://www.youtube.com/savethelibraries  Click on “Chandra’s Story”

Beloved libraries are homes and community centers for kids, teens, seniors, job-seekers, you and me–anyone who needs a place to access books, resources, the Internet, and, especially librarians’ expertise.
Visit: http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

We can all help and have fun at the same time.

In Oakland, CA?

1.  Attend any portion of the June 30, 2009 meeting, 5:00pm–late evening

Oakland City Council Meeting
Check   http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com   for change in meeting time

City Council Chambers at Oakland City Hall
1 Frank H Ogawa Plaza
1 City Hall Plaza (the building with clock tower)
Oakland, CA 94612

2.  Tell friends about:  http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

3.  Attend the next Save-the-Library advocacy meeting:

6:00 to 8:00 PM, Oakland Main Library-West Auditorium.   125 14th Street, Oakland, CA

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

Please act now.  June 2009

Who Needs Our Mighty Voices? Library patrons everywhere:

• Kids who go to these safe places to read and do homework
• Seniors who make communities solid
• Unemployed adults using resources and the Internet for job-search

Visit: http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

Example:  In Oakland, CA

Elmhurst, Lakeview, Temescal, Golden Gate, Martin Luther King and Melrose branches would only open 2 or 3 days per week!

77.2% of Alameda County voters had voted YES to Measure Q to increase library hours and services, not cut them.

Time sensitive. City of Oakland is scheduled to adopt the two-year budget June 30, impacting 6 libraries.

Council members working hard to do “the right thing” by all Oakland residents. Library advocates say “Thank you!”

HOW CAN WE HELP ?

1.  Attend the Library Advocacy meeting on Thursday, June 25th, 6:00PM to 8:00PM, Oakland Main Library West Auditorium (125 14th Street, Oakland)

2. Sign the on-line petition on http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

3.   Email or call  the mayor and council members and tell them to keep all Oakland libraries open at least 5 or 6 days a week.  Their names, phone numbers and email addresses listed below.

4.  Bring friends and neighbors to public meetings about the proposed budget and tell  City of Oakland Council Members in person.  Next meeting  Tuesday, June 30, 2009   Check   http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com for meeting dates/times, how to sign up to speak, and print a sign: Save the Libraries.

City Council Chambers at Oakland City Hall
1 Frank H Ogawa Plaza
1 City Hall Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612

Mayor Ron Dellums (510)238-3141 officeofthemayor@oaklandnet.com
Larry Reid (510) 238-7007 lreid@oaklandnet.com
Nancy Nadel (510) 238-7003 nnadel@oaklandnet.com
Jean Quan (510) 238-7004 jquan@oaklandnet.com
Ignacio De La Fuente (510) 238-7005 idelafuente@oaklandnet.com
Desley Brooks (510) 238-7006 dbrooks@oaklandnet.com
Jane Brunner (510) 238-7001 jbrunner@oaklandnet.com
Patricia Kernighan (510) 238-7002 pkernighan@oaklandnet.com
Rebecca Kaplan (510) 238-7008 atlarge@oaklandnet.com
Director of Library Services Carmen Martinez (510) 238-3141 cmartinez@oaklandnet.com
Karen Boyd, PR Contact (510) 449-4401 KBoyd@oaklandnet.com

Tell your neighbors, friends, co-workers, colleagues about http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

Tell your favorite television, radio, newspaper, on-line celebrities about   http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

Library Advocates Patrick Camacho, Lakshmi Kerner, Olga Malyj, and author Teresa LeYung Ryan

Background:

77.2% of Alameda County voters had voted YES to Measure Q in 2004. http://www.smartvoter.org/2004/03/02/ca/alm/meas/Q/

Let’s remind our mayor and council members that Measure Q was passed to:
(1) maintain and expand neighborhood branch library services, days, and hours; (2) maintain after school homework and tutoring programs; (3) maintain literacy and children’s programs; (4) increase librarian services to schools; (5) increase computer and technology access and (6) acquire new books and materials.

Please keep all Oakland libraries open 5  or 6 days a week!

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

March 26, 2009

This evening, two colleagues and I went to 4 by 4 Plays produced by extraordinarily gifted and hard-working Kim McMillon. Powerful plays:  “Under Burning White Sky” by Boadiba; “The Murder of Mother Mike” by Claire Ortalda; “Jack In Ghost-Town” by Gerald Nicosia; “Bathroom Graffiti Queen” by Opal Palmer Adisa.  Carla Blank directed three of the four plays; Hal Gelb directed ” Jack In Ghost-Town”

From the 4 plays, respectively,  I learned something about the people of Haiti; related to the simple question “How are you?”; appreciated Chuck Heinrichs’s portrayal as the aging Jack Kerouac; touched by the messages of a homeless woman.

I am so glad I went. The actors all did a fine job.  Great fun seeing Teasha Gable (related to author Alice Wilson-Fried) and Ayodele “Wordslanger” Nzinga in lead roles in “The Murder of Mother Mike” and “Bathroom Graffiti Queen”

www.penoakland.org

Catch a performance!

Support literacy and theatres.

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/