Dear Everyone,

Today January 21, 2017  women and men are marching (and rallying, standing, speaking, cheering from home) all over the world to celebrate The Women’s March On Washington. I am so proud of everyone.  I am so proud to be a writer and reader. I am so proud to be a daughter, granddaughter, a niece, a sister, a cousin, a wife, and friend and a neighbor. I am so proud to be an American woman.

I am Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan, wishing everyone abundant joy, excellent health and courage!

Teresa LeYung-Ryan with her Love Made Of Heart tote bag - photo by YBK

Sincerely,

Theme Consultant & Writing Coach & Platform-Building Coach  Teresa LeYung-Ryan

“Where Are YOU On Your Writer’s Platform-Building Journey?”

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “With 32,000,000+ titles already on the market, how do you attract readers and all the folks who can help you compete with authors who are promoters, best-selling or celebrity authors?  The answer is in how you articulate the themes you write about (in your fiction and nonfiction) AND linking your name to your themes through your platform statement—BEFORE and AFTER publication. Reach out, not stress out. You and your intellectual property deserve a joyful journey! ”

For a preview of Coach Teresa’s interactive presentations — visit her website: http://WritingCoachTeresa.com, watch her television interview on CBS “Bay Sunday” with host Frank Mallicoat , read her blog: http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/,  watch her on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TeresaLeYung, and, do the two exercises (see below) for Day 1 from her workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

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Here’s 2 of 2 of Day 1 Exercises from Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

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The workbook:
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW – print edition available at Laurel Book Store http://www.laurelbookstore.com in Oakland, CA and at Book Passage http://www.bookpassage.com in Corte Madera, CA, and, print edition and ebook edition through Amazon.

• SacramentoSuburban Writers Club (July 10, 2017 Fair Oaks, CA)

Please tell your writer-friends who live in or near those counties.

I cheer for YOU!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan cheers for all hardworking writers!

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Teresa LeYung-Ryan is the author of:

• the mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart (used as required reading in colleges)
• the workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
• Coach Teresa’s Blog at http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/
• her monologue series “Talking to My Dead Mom” (her monologue “Answer Me Now” received an award from CWC Redwood Writers)

Creator of:

• the “Immigrant Experience” Writing Contest
• workshops including:
  • “For Theme’s Sake: Edit Your Own Manuscript Before Pitching to Agents or Self-Publishing”
  • “Heroes, Tricksters, Villains – Know Your Archetypes”
  • “Where Are You on Your Writer’s Journey?”
  • “Build/Retrofit Your Writer’s Platform”
  • “Help Your Fans Find YOU!”

  and her trademark Love Made of Heart

Affiliated with:

• Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter (member and past board member and officer)
• California Lawyers for the Arts (member)
• California Writers Club (member, San Francisco Peninsula Branch and Redwood Branch; a past president of the San Francisco Peninsula Branch); a recipient of the Jack London Award for outstanding service to California Writers Club

Advocate for:

• public schools and public libraries!

We’ll always have Paris, my darling friends. And themes.

Blog post by Teresa LeYung-Ryan

The date that Elisa Sasa Southard had written on the first page of the notebook (with drawing of Eiffel Tower on the cover) that she had given me is 20 April 2015. The words she penned in purple ink included pieces from my mental wish list:

“Must See – Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Rodin’s, Sainte-Chapelle, Shakespeare and Company

Must Do – Museum pass, Walking tour

Movies to Watch – Midnight In Paris, French Kiss, Irma La Douce, Populaire, The Closet ”

Aah I had seen Woody Allen’s movie Midnight In Paris in a theater, and, later, rented it several times just to see the first four minutes (shots of arrondissements “neighborhoods”) with 3 minutes and 20 seconds of composer Sidney Bechet’s saxophone magic  “Si Tu Vois Ma Mere”

Then Margie Yee Webb gifted me 3 books – The Most Beautiful Walk in the World: A Pedestrian in Paris by John Baxter; Forever Paris: 25 Walks in the Footsteps of Chanel, Hemingway, Picasso, and More by Christina Henry de Tessan; The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World’s Most Glorious – and Perplexing – City by David Lebovitz

Even if I cannot go...reading David Lebovitz's most beautifully written book THE SWEET LIFE IN PARIS made me smile happy tears.

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The plan was to go to gay Paris (pronounced “Paree”) in 2016.  In May 2015, my papa received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease – that explains his leg weakness, tremors, and freezing, as well as the “shuffling”. As my darling friends were talking dates and flights, I heard myself saying “I can’t go…What if I am in Paris…and Papa falls…” My friends were sympathetic. Trip planning was terminated.

I created a blog series “Parkinson’s Disease, My Chinese Papa, and My practicing The Four Agreements” (you know, the book The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz)

One day, after Papa had assembled a pedal-exerciser (I was so happy for him), he got up too fast…plop.  He fell, right in front of me. His recliner broke his fall. What a lucky fellow! I was in shock for two whole seconds. Gosh, a lot of worrisome thoughts raced through my brain as he popped up to standing position, with a look that said “That did not happen, you did not see that.”

Later that week, I had my epiphany – I could hear my mom telling me “You cannot worry about what might or might not happen.”  She’s been my muse every since she showed up in a mighty healing dream – a dream that inspired my “Talking to My Mom Monologues”.

Here she was again, being the muse.  I started a new monologue “Papa Fell Down, I’m Going to Paris”

I called my darling friends. “Let’s look at calendars. How’s September 2016?”

Teresa LeYung-Ryan here, inspired by the arrondissments we walked in and everyone who have made my 8-day trip to Paris a most remarkable experience. The “everyone” includes my papa, sister, friends (including Margie, Sasa et Will, Linda, Vicki, Lynn, Luisa, Martha, Olga, Kristiane, Cousin Howard, JB, my darling mom of course), colleagues, vendors, and strangers who have given me their well wishes or assistance or greetings of “bonjour” or all the above. Traveling with Elisa “Sasa” Southard (certified tour director and travel writer) who speaks Français and is such a fun and  thoughtful leader and Margie Yee Webb (author, photographer, documentary film producer) who pays attention to details and is also so thoughtful =  joy and delight for me (whose knowledge of magical Paris had been from watching Hollywood, English and French movies…until now).

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Aah, we (Elisa Sasa Southard, yours truly Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Margie Yee Webb) did go. Thank you, lovely AirFrance flight attendant, for taking photo minutes before landing at Charles de Gaulle airport.

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Oui! La Tour Eiffel ("tour" is French word for "tower") is really that beautiful - by day, by night, in sun, in rain! Oui! that is Sasa with Chronicle Books bag (that Margie gifted us) over her right shoulder.

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Parisian architecture, sandstone buildings, trees trees trees, Eiffel Tower!

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The most yummy-looking and truly delicious quiche we enjoyed in Paris was at Café de Flore

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The themes that I got from being in “The City of Light” are:

* sandstone buildings, why maximum height is eight-stories

* what to eat at a boulangerie, pâtisserie, bistrot, traiteur, brasserie, or a restaurant

* art is beauty for all the senses

Forthcoming:

Part 2 What I learned about the Eiffel Tower and the architect

Part 3 Musee d’Orsay, the Louvre, Musée Rodin, museum passes

Part 4 Croissants in Paris and my being wheat gluten intolerant

Part 5 Walked, Walking, Will Walk

Part 6 Airplane, Batobus (ferries), Metro (subway), buses, train, elevators

Part 7 I want to look at everything at the U Express supermarket s’il vous plaît

Part 8 “Make Your Name Stand for Something,” says Writers’ Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Part 9 “I’ll always cherish my time in Paris,” says Teresa LeYung-Ryan

For the slideshow  “We’ll always have Paris, my darling friends,” says author Teresa LeYung-Ryan on Teresa’s Youtube channel, please click on https://youtu.be/LbX50ojbc84

à bientôt!

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Teresa LeYung-Ryan uses her fiction and nonfiction to advocate speaking openly about the stigmas associated with mental illness and the repercussions from family violence.

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She is the author of:

• the mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart (used as required reading in colleges)
• the workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days
• Coach Teresa’s Blog at http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/
• her monologue series “Talking to My Dead Mom” (her monologue “Answer Me Now” received an award from CWC Redwood Writers)

Creator of:

• the “Immigrant Experience” Writing Contest
• workshops including:
  • “For Theme’s Sake: Edit Your Own Manuscript Before Pitching to Agents or Self-Publishing”
  • “Heroes, Tricksters, Villains – Know Your Archetypes”
  • “Where Are You on Your Writer’s Journey?”
  • Build/Retrofit Your Writer’s Platform
  • her trademark Love Made of Heart

Affiliated with:

• Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter (member and past board member and officer)
• California Lawyers for the Arts (member)
• California Writers Club (member, San Francisco Peninsula Branch and Redwood Branch; a past president of the San Francisco Peninsula Branch); a recipient of the Jack London Award for outstanding service to California Writers Club

Advocate for:

• public schools and public libraries!

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “What is a Writer’s Platform, Why Do You Need One, How Do You Get One?”

The blog posts from Dystel & Goderich Literary Management www.dystel.com and Fuse Literary http://www.fuseliterary.com/blog are examples of the level of support that experts give to writers so that you can navigate this dynamic world of publishing.

So, you have a finished manuscript. Oh happy day!  Celebrate!

What next? If you want your book to be more than a personal legacy for your family and friends, there are two sets of tasks to perform on your writer’s journey.

·         Hire an editor who has experience editing your genre.

·         While your editor is busy at work, you are also busy at work taking care of the business side of being a writer. If you haven’t been building your platform, it’s time now (before pitching and sending queries to agents and acquisition editors at publishing houses).

The focus of this post is on platform-building.  What is a writer’s platform? Why do you need one? How do you get one?

The question: “What kind of platform does this author have?” (asked by agents and acquisition editors)  = “How many books can this author sell right now, on her own/his own?” At this point, your manuscript (a polished one) becomes a commodity (whether your book is fiction or nonfiction).

Of course if you are already a celebrity author or a best-selling author, the agent can pitch you to acquisition editors with ease, and in turn, acquisition editor can pitch you to the sales team and publisher with ease. The publisher will then offer you a big advance (because they know that your fans are likely to buy your book); they’ll make money, you’ll make money.

However, what if you do not have a huge fanbase? What can you do to attract the people who have the power to help you and your book go far and wide?

The answer is: Making your name stand for something—to attract target consumers— who are likely to buy what you have to sell (from page 1 of my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days).

Let’s take a look – making your name stand for something –  that “something” is the core theme in your book. If you do not know what your core theme is, hopefully members in your critique group and the editor you have hired will know. You need to know what your book is about.

Example:  the core themes in my novel Love Made of Heart are: daughter-mother relationship; mental illness; family violence.

The core theme in a book is the bait that attracts your target consumers. The target consumers are your fans.

Fact:  Your loyal fans (people who care about you) are likely to buy what you have produced.

Fact:  Your prospective fans (people who care about what you care about / the core themes in your book) also are likely to buy what you have produced.

1.    You know who your loyal fans are. However, do you know how to articulate your themes to them so that they can broadcast for you? I say: “You can ‘train’ them.”

2.    How do you find your prospective fans? I say: “Reach out, not stress out. Help them find you.”

You can accomplish both… through the appearance of your platform statement.

I reiterate: “Make your name stand for something—to attract target consumers— who are likely to buy what you have to sell.”

Example (for my fiction and narrative nonfiction): My name is Teresa LeYung-Ryan. Through my books and monologues, I encourage adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas.

Another example: My name is Teresa LeYung-Ryan. Through my novel Love Made of Heart, I help survivors of family violence speak openly about the stigmas.

Example (for my how-to books):  I am Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan. Through my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days, I teach writers how to attract attention from agents, editors, publishers, media, book buyers, and readers.

Where would you showcase your platform statement?

Email signature block; business card; website; blog; YouTube channel; press releases; social media; query letters; book proposals; your bio; photo file names and photo captions . . .  Where else?

Learn more.  On Sunday, August 28, 2016, 2:00-5:00pm -

Join me (Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan– Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days) and Valerie Haynes Perry–Write the Book You Want: Be Your Own Coach   and Luan Stauss--owner of and book buyer for Laurel Book Store in a three-hour workshop -

“Where are YOU on YOUR WRITER’S JOURNEY?”

for you and your friends who identify yourselves as serious writers

at Laurel Book Store (near the 12th St. BART station in Oakland, California)

We will address the following topics:

• Build your name, platform, and fanbase to hook attention before publication
• Maintain clarity, self-confidence, and motivation to bring your own book into being
• Expand your knowledge of the moving parts that comprise the publishing industry and make savvy choices

Register online: http://www.laurelbookstore.com/event/where-are-you-your-writers-journey $25.00 SKU: EVENT828

I cheer for you!

Reach out, not stress out. I wish you a joyful writer’s journey!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
http://WritingCoachTeresa.com
youtube.com/user/TeresaLeYung
http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com/blog

Dear Writers,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan here wishing you “Happy writing, rewriting, and building your name!” I am teaming up with Valerie Haynes Perry and Luan Stauss to deliver a new version of  my workshop “Where Are You On Your Writer’s Journey?” I remember having fun conducting my monthly class at Boadecia’s Books (I am thinking of you, angel Suzanne Corson) and I am excited now to collaborate with Valerie and Luan.

Please tell your writer-friends about:

Where are YOU on YOUR WRITER’S JOURNEY?

Sunday, August 28^th , 2016,  2:00pm-5:00pm

Laurel Book Store, 1423 Broadway, near the 12th St. BART station in Oakland

COST:  $25.00 with a capacity for 20 writers

Sign up by Wed, Aug. 24^th http://www.laurelbookstore.com/event/where-are-you-your-writers-journey

Valerie Haynes Perry, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Luan Stauss - photo by artist Teresa Norris

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I cheer for YOU!

Sincerely,

Writers’ Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Make your name stand for something—to attract target consumers who are likely to buy what you have to sell. Reach out, not stress out. Rewrite for theme’s sake. Enjoy your writer’s journey.”

Watch Teresa’s television interview and read her blog http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

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

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The novel:  Love Made of Heart: a Daughter Finds Herself Through Witnessing Her Mother’s Mental Illness

http://WritingCoachTeresa.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/TeresaLeYung
http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com/BLOG/

 

 

Dear Writers,

Do submit your work to writing contests run by reputable organizations. Do choose contest categories that match your genre or themes.

Congratulations to all the 2016 Literary Award winners  at the Literary Arts Stage at the San Mateo County Fair, San Mateo, California. To see the list of the many writing contests and the winners -  https://sanmateocountyfair.com/contests/departments/literary-arts.  Bardi Rosman Koodrin (Literary Director, Fine Arts Galleria at the San Mateo County Fair) says: “Winning entries will be displayed during the County Fair June 11-19, 2016. Winners will receive prizes and will be published in our Carry the Light anthology published by Sand Hill Review Press.”

Each year, I, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, sponsor the “Immigrant Experience Writing Contest”

 DIVISION 358 – THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE: SHORT STORY, ESSAY, OR MONOLOGUE

 This contest is to honor immigrants who struggle over language barriers, poverty, stigmas, and injustice. Your entry could be a firsthand account or a retelling of someone else’s experience. Show how your protagonist goes about pursuing what she/he wants while confronting antagonists (persons or circumstances); use authentic details to show protagonist’s recollection or attitude of “the old country”; foreshadow the core theme in the first paragraph. ELIGIBILITY:  Submit a 1,500 word maximum unpublished short story, essay or monologue. Must have a title.

Sponsored by 22-Day Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan www.writingcoachTeresa.com

Love Made of Heart: a Daughter Finds Herself Through Witnessing Her Mother’s Mental Illness (novel); 

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase in 22 Days (workbook);

Talking to My Dead Mom Monologues;

 Coach Teresa’s Blog http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

Judges’ comments to 2016 Winners of the “Immigrant Experience Writing Contest”:

1^st Place: “A Little Water goes a Long Way” by Ellen Six

Poignant. Excellent show of theme – protagonist connecting with faraway relatives solely through letters sent to her mother. Story clearly shows “immigrant experience” from narrator’s point of view. Brava! Thank you for entering Immigrant Experience Writing Contest sponsored by Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan. http://WritingCoachTeresa.com  Judges: authors Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Luisa Adams

 2^nd Place: “Immigrating to America, 1960” by Rosina Weiskopf

Nice job showing protagonist’s determination. Would have liked to hear her voice, know her name, whether she had previous waitressing experience, and what she looked like through dialogue. Engaging story. Thank you for entering Immigrant Experience Writing Contest. http://WritingCoachTeresa.com Judges: authors Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Luisa Adams

 Honorable Mention:  “Belly Dance” by Marcela Dickerson

Enticing hook – widow from Chile becomes newlywed in CA, U.S.A. However, help reader connect with protagonist even though she says she’s a sociable person and that she worked as an interpreter for the UN. Show her reactions to the TV programs and especially interaction with her husband. Stay with your enticing hook. Thank you for entering Immigrant Experience Writing Contest http://WritingCoachTeresa.com Judges: Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Luisa Adams

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Thank you, Bardi Rosman Koodrin (Literary Director, Fine Arts Galleria at the San Mateo County Fair), for helping me refine my contest description.

Thank you, Luisa Adams, for being co-judge this year 2016.

Thank you, Mary E. Knippel, Prof. Sheryl Fairchild, and Margie Yee Webb, for being co-judges in past years.

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by Teresa LeYung-Ryan

This is 4 of 4 of my blog posts entitled “Parkinson’s Disease, My Chinese Papa, and My practicing The Four Agreements”

I didn’t know that I would be enjoying my new part-time job as my father’s exercise coach, appointment escort, and advocate OR that I would be practicing The Four Agreements (from Don Miguel Ruiz’s timeless

Agreement #4 Always Do Your Best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret….

From August to December of last year, I felt a great sense of accomplishment (after reading Dr. Norman Doidge’s book The Brain’s Way of Healing and learning how to ask Papa’s neurologist the right questions). Questions that led Dr. White to  order specific physical therapy to help Papa reverse the Parkinson’s “shuffling” gait and “freezing” gait as well as improve posture. Thank you, Dr. White!

Papa had learned new tricks (to retrain the brain) from Physical Therapist Brenda. I bragged about my being Papa’s exercise/walk coach.

During the same months, at my half-time day job, unbeknownst to me, my right hand was developing acute and chronic tendinitis. By mid-December my right wrist was in great pain, so much so that I was using my left hand for almost every task. Turning a key or a doorknob was asking for torture.

I no longer felt strong enough to “spot” Papa when he did his exercises. Thank goodness Papa’s new helper Mr. Chen walked with him and watched him exercise.

Over the next three months, I would still visit Papa and escort him to his appointments; however, instead of initiating “Papa, let’s walk stairs!” or “How about walking with walker down the block?” or “Show me your strengthening exercises,” I would ask him “May I watch ME TV channel?” Sitcoms like “Family Ties” (Michael J. Fox portrayed son Alex), “The Jeffersons” (Sherman Hemsley portrayed George) and “The Partridge Family” (Shirley Jones portrayed the mom) comforted me while a cold pack relieved pain and inflammation of my wrists.

On more than three occasions, I called Papa to cancel. I just did not feel well

It’s March (four months since Physical Therapist Brenda last saw Papa). She says: “Teresa, even though your father has been doing his exercises and he has good posture, his legs have gotten weaker and he has lost muscle mass.”  I want to cry.

The loving part of me says: “You have been showing up for Papa. You have to show up for yourself too.”

The judgmental part of me says: “You’ve been neglecting your duty as his exercise coach.”

Occupational Therapist/Hand Specialist Susan has taught me tricks to prevent re-injuring both thumbs and wrists. I too am exercising and healing.

It’s April. Wednesday evening I visited Papa. After we ate dinner (lamb and Chinese carrots over white rice for him; chicken meatballs and brocollini for me) and he watched news on a Chinese channel while I filled his pill boxes and updated his medical appointment list, I said, “Let me see your ‘fancy walk’ in the hallway.”

“Fancy walk” is:  his holding onto handrail with right hand; taking three steps forward (pick up feet); putting both hands on handrail to pivot (pick up feet); then, while holding onto handrail with left hand, take three steps backward (pick up feet); then putting both hands on handrail to pivot (pick up feet); repeat sequence until he gets to the end of the hallway. His legs tremor during pivoting; I say: “no hurry, pick up one foot.”

After that, we went downstairs to the mail room. Just a postcard for how to register to vote by mail. I said, “Let’s go to the lunchroom, slowly.” My heart was lifted seeing him pick up left foot, then right (his left leg is stronger than right). We walked through the lunchroom, down to the computer and stationary bike room. “Papa, why don’t you sit and rest? I’ll look at the birthday bulletin board.” To my surprise, he got onto one of the stationary bikes, put his feet into stirrups and began to peddle. I filmed him with my phone. Last year, he would have biked ten minutes. Tonight, three minutes. I felt happy – that he did not push himself.

Slowly we reversed our direction – down the hall, go through the lunchroom, and turn left.  As we neared the mailroom, he took his left hand off the rail and mildly swung his arms. “You go, Papa!”

He is doing his best.  I am doing my best.

To share your comments, please click on the blue title box on top of this blog post, then scroll down, fill in the boxes, and click “submit” . . .  Thank you so much!

Author & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out. Enjoy your writer’s journey.”
http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

https://www.youtube.com/user/teresaleyung

Teresa LeYung-Ryan is the author of:

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

·          Love Made of Heart: a Daughter Finds Herself Through Witnessing Her Mother’s Mental Illness (novel used in college classes, recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association, and archived at the San Francisco History Center);

·          “Talking to My Dead Mom” Monologues (the first monologue received an award from Redwood 10-Minute Play Contest and was staged at the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA);

·         Coach Teresa’s Blog (which attracts tens of thousands of writers) at http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/  helps writers build their platforms before and after publication

Teresa LeYung-Ryan is the creator and owner of the trademark LOVE MADE OF HEART

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 April 10, 2016   9:30am – 3:30pm

California Writers Club – Marin Branch (at Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA)

presents

THE WRITER’S LIFE WORKSHOP

http://cwcmarin.com/writerslife/

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan will conduct her interactive presentation “ATTRACT AGENTS, PUBLISHERS, READERS, FANS, MEDIA… BEFORE AND AFTER PUBLICATION with Platform / Marketing / Promotions”

“Thank you, President Joan Steidinger and board members, for inviting me to speak!”

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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by Teresa LeYung-Ryan

This is 3 of 4 of my blog posts entitled “Parkinson’s Disease, My Chinese Papa, and My practicing The Four Agreements”

I didn’t know that I would be enjoying my new part-time job as my father’s exercise coach, appointment escort, and advocate OR that I would be practicing The Four Agreements (from Don Miguel Ruiz’s timeless book).

Agreement #3 – Don’t Make Assumptions

Extraordinaire Physical Therapist Brenda had taught my papa how to retrain his brain to turn Parkinson’s shuffling into “pick up foot” and “heel first, then toes” walking. Papa works hard at this.  He holds onto the handrails outside his apartment when he practices what I call “fancy walk.” However, when we leave the building with his walker, his walking regresses to shuffling. I assumed that Papa was uncooperative. That is until three days ago…when I put myself in his shoes.

[ According to http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/ Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that progresses slowly in most people … a person’s brain slowly stops producing a neurotransmitter called dopamine. With less and less dopamine, a person has less and less ability to regulate their movements, body and emotions.]

If  Papa is pushing a walker (one type of movement), how does he concentrate on picking up his feet (another type of movement)? I asked Brenda to step out onto the sidewalk with us and teach new tricks.

She said to Papa: “Relax your arms on the walker. No need to strain yourself. Do concentrate on heel first with each step. I’ll put tennis ball slider feet on the rear legs of your walker to reduce the friction.”

This was Brenda’s last session in this round of physical therapy ordered by Papa’s neurologist. What other concerns to tell her?  Oh yes, Papa coughs when he takes his pills. Aiy yah. I assumed he was being Mr. Macho, downing four pills at the same time. Brenda had the answer. “Drinking water when taking pills, coughing?  Water is going down the wrong pipe. Add a thickening agent to liquids to reduce the risk of choking. And, sit in an upright position. Do NOT tilt head back.” I must ask her what kind of thickening agent.

[ According to https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?swallowing-and-parkinson-disease ….  Difficulty swallowing, called dysphagia, can happen at any stage of Parkinson disease. Signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include: difficulty swallowing certain foods or liquids, coughing or throat clearing during or after eating/drinking, and feeling as if food is getting stuck.  As the disease progresses, swallowing can become severely compromised and food/liquid can get into the lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia is the leading cause of death in PD. [....]

Because Parkinson disease is progressive, swallowing abilities can change over time, underscoring the need for early intervention and frequent follow-up. Sometimes the signs of a swallowing disorder can be subtle, so it is important to be vigilant. If you think you have difficulty swallowing, ask your physician to refer you to a speech language pathologist for a swallowing evaluation.]

Gee, Papa is doing hard work. I’m very proud of him.  My practicing the four agreements is also hard work. I do believe that Mom is proud of me, and, if Papa knew how much I’m learning, he would be too.

To share your comments, please click on the blue title box on top of this blog post, then scroll down, fill in the boxes, and click “submit” . . .  Thank you so much!

Author & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out. Enjoy your writer’s journey.”
http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

https://www.youtube.com/user/teresaleyung

Teresa LeYung-Ryan is the author of:

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

·          Love Made of Heart: a Daughter Finds Herself Through Witnessing Her Mother’s Mental Illness (novel used in college classes, recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association, and archived at the San Francisco History Center);

·          “Talking to My Dead Mom” Monologues (the first monologue received an award from Redwood 10-Minute Play Contest and was staged at the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA);

·         Coach Teresa’s Blog (which attracts tens of thousands of writers) at http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/  helps writers build their platforms before and after publication

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan celebrates California Writers Club colleagues