Archive for the ‘’ Category
Hello Berkeley Branch Members & Friends!
Thank you Everyone for being there today. If you had filled out an evaluation form, you’ll be receiving additional coaching notes from me about building your writer’s name.
Right now, click on the blue title-bar of this post/column to get the comment boxes so that you can tell the world what the themes are in your literary work.
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Example:
(as fiction writer) I am Teresa LeYung Ryan and I use my novel Love Made of Heart to inspire adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas that their families suffer. My motto: “Through my writing, I speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
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Example:
(as non-fiction writer) I am Teresa LeYung Ryan and I help writers with my workbook Build My Name, Beat the Game: 22 Days to Identify & Develop My Writer’s Platform to Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention. I say: “Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name/platform.”
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After you fill in the boxes, copy your message (so that you’ll have your composition for your own websites/blogs/email signature blocks), then click the “submit” button in my blog post. You must fill in the box for “email address” in order to submit comments to any blogs. After you press the “submit” button, your comment will be routed to blog’s administrator. You will see your comment “published” on my blog in a day or so, sometimes sooner.
Also try this, to see how the Internet works. In the Google search box, key in part of a phrase you wrote in your comment and your name (if you included your name in your comment); press Google search key. Look how fast your entry can be found.
To get a free blog (no hosting fees), go to www.wordpress.com. If you’d like to watch a video to see how to get a free blog and how to navigate, go here: http://wordpresscentral.org/ Linda Lee of http://askmepc.com/ created the tutorials.
I Cheer for Writers at California Writers Club October 17, 2010! Happy California Writers Week (third week of October)!
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan
Author / Writing Career Coach / Publisher
As a writing career coach and editor, I, Teresa LeYung Ryan help writers identify themes, issues, and archetypes in their manuscripts, and choose the right publishing routes.
To comment on any of my columns (blog posts), just click on the blue title bar of the post, fill in the boxes and press “submit.” Please click here for other posts in my blog http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

photo by Joe Jackson: Celebrating California Writers Week, Don Hudson, Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan, Lloyd Lofthouse, Jerry Mahoney, Alon Shalev hold up California Writers Club's banner at Oakland Public Library after meeting and presentations
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Yes! Within a 2-hour drive from San Francisco
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If you’re in the Santa Cruz/Capitola/Soquel/Aptos area –
Saturday, October 9, 2010, 10:00AM-3:00PM Capitola Book Cafe, Capitola, California
PLOT PLANNER WORKSHOP for Writers — Plot at the overall story level — with International Plot Consultant Martha Alderson
Plot is a series of scenes deliberately arranged by cause and effect to create the most satisfying DRAMA/ACTION, EMOTION/CHARACTER through tension and conflict and reveal the deepest and most significant THEMATIC MEANING. http://www.blockbusterplots.com/resc/workshop_pp.html
To reserve a spot now, please go to Capitola Book Cafe or call 831-462-4415 with a credit card. $95.00 No on-line registration at this time.
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If you’re in Marin County –
Thursday October 14, 2010 Noon Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA — luncheon with Author Joyce Maynard.
Women’s National Book Association celebrates National Reading Group Month (NRGM) with author Joyce Maynard.
Call Book Passage, Corte Madera (415) 927-0960 ext.1, to reserve. The ticket price of $55 includes an outstanding lunch catered by Insalata’s Restaurant & an autographed copy of Joyce Maynard’s book (The Good Daughters). http://wnba-sfchapter.org/
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If you’re in the Oakland/Berkeley/Alameda/Albany/Emeryville area, CA
Sunday, October 17, 2010 California Writers Club–Berkeley Branch Meets in Oakland
Oakland Main Library, West Auditorium
125 14th Street, Oakland, CA 94612.
There is an entrance directly to the meeting room from Madison Street. Free street parking is available on Sundays. Library is a short walk from the Lake Merritt BART station.
Meetings are open to the public & without charge
- doors open at 1:05, people come in and mingle, and there is a marketing group (anyone can sit in) meeting while club members set up the room.
- the general meeting begins at 2:00
- a club-member author will present her/his work from about 2:15 to 2:45pm
- Main Speaker (Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan) 2:45ish to 4:00pm
CWC Berkeley Branch presents: “Major League Tryouts with Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan to Build Your Writer’s Name”
- understand the need to build one’s name/fame in today’s publishing arena.
- identify advocates, endorsers and fans.
- gain recognition through your words and your community.
Teresa’s books will be available for purchase:
Build My Writer’s Name, Beat the Game: How Do I Create a Platform to Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention? (the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook) $22
Love Made of Heart (archived in the San Francisco History Center; recommended by the CA School Library Assn. and the CA Reading Assn.) — inspires adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas that their parents suffer. http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com
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If you’re in Sonoma County OR if you’re interested in going to a wonderful one-day writers’ conference:
Friday night October 29, 2010 Poetry Evening $35
Saturday October 30, 2010 Redwood Writers Conference $155 for CWC members; $175 for non-members
I (Writing Career Coach Teresa) will be presenting my workshop and exhibiting my books at the Redwood Writers Conference. Elisa Southard will be the morning keynote speaker. Friends from CWC, WNBA, BAIPA, NCPA and other writers’ organizations will all be there to help writers further their careers. Cheers to Marlene Cullen & everyone on the conference-planning team.
Register now: http://redwoodwriters.org/redwood-conference/
Conference Schedule: October 30, 2010 7:30 am to 6:30 pm
7:30 – 8:15 am – Check-in
8:30 – 9:15 am – Morning Keynote Address by Elisa Southard
9:30 – 4:15 pm – Twelve Sessions available
12:30 – 1:15 pm – Luncheon Keynote Address by Sheldon Siegel
Recognition: Winners of the Prose contest
5:00 – 6:30 pm – Networking Session, hosted by your CWC – Redwood Branch Board
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If you’re in the mid-peninsula (Belmont, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Mateo, Burlingame), CA
Saturday October 30, 2010 California Writers Club–SF Peninsula Branch
Author Geri Spieler will present her signature-workshop:
Super Sleuthing: Internet Research Secrets
- How to safely conduct Internet research
- Discover 100 tools that cut Internet research time by 80%
- Don’t get caught with unintentional plagiarism
Takeaway: This workshop is best delivered using a PowerPoint presentation in addition to my handouts. Attendees will gain a high level of understanding on how to effectively research information using a long list of research tools, Internet search strings and skills to recognize bogus Websites.
More info: www.cwc-peninsula.org/ and Geri Spieler
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Are There Especially Fun Events for Writers in October in San Francisco Bay Area California? If you have others to add to the above listings, please submit a comment to this post by clicking on the title-bar of this post to get the comment box.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author, writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing
Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name/platform.”
My beloved friend Olga hosted a Gathering of Women today. It was more than a networking party because during “circle time” each woman was given the stage to talk about herself and her immediate goals. If a listener had recommendations or leads for the speaker, she wrote it on a piece of paper and presented it to the speaker after everyone had a chance to speak.

Twelve Powerful Women, photo courtesy of Margie Yee Webb (left in photo), author of Cat Mulan's Mindful Musings
I humbly thank Olga, Margie, Frances, Kim, Theresa, Neva, Jana, Mary, Chandra, Pat, and Pamela for lovely foods and such beautiful energy (and the marvelous advice you gave me to further grow my business!). Nadia, thank you for hanging out with us. My wish for every woman in the group is this: May you summon the kind of vibrance you shared with the group today when you yourself need an energizer.
I invite you to broadcast your “Want Ads” and “Press Releases” by submitting a comment to this post.
If you like, give out your URLs to your:
Linkedin
facebook
twitter
website/blog
I will “tag” your full names when you comment. To get the comment box, click on the blue title-bar of this post. Before you hit the “submit” button, you might want to copy your comment so that you can use it on your own blogs/facebook.
How do I keep my energy high and healthy? Speaking my wishes and listening to yours.
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author, writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing
Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name/platform.”
http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/
“I’m tagging Olga Malyj, Chandra Garsson, Margie Yee Webb, Frances Kakugawa, Patricia Phillips as these powerful women have commented on this post. Click on their names to get to their links. More tagging to come. Click on ‘comments’ at the bottom of this post to read their comments.” Sincerely, Writing Career Coach Teresa
Happy Birthday to Love Made of Heart! My novel (published by Kensington Publishing, New York) made her debut on October 1, 2002
Thank you to everyone named on my acknowledgment page!
In addition to the folks I thanked on my post http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/first-book-turned-seven-in-october/, I wish to thank everyone else who has kept Love Made of Heart alive and well!
I celebrate the memorable characters who have taught me how to talk to my mother, how to see life through new eyes, how to forgive one’s self.
I celebrate everyone who advocates compassion for mental illness.
- Love Made of Heart inspires adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas that their parents suffer.
I celebrate National Alliance on Mental Illness www.nami.org From its inception in 1979, NAMI has been dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
I celebrate Carmen Lee & everyone at Stamp Out Stigma. www.stampoutstigma.org Stamp Out Stigma is a consumer driven advocacy and educational outreach program designed to make positive changes in the public perception of mental illness and inform the community about the personal, social, economic and political challenges faced by people living with mental illness. Founded by Carmen Lee.
I celebrate Glenn Close and everyone at Bring Change 2 Mind bringchange2mind.org The idea of a national anti-stigma campaign was born of a partnership between Glenn Close and Fountain House, where Glenn volunteered in order to learn about mental illness, which both her sister and nephew suffer from.Glenn Close’s documentary film “Pax” will be featured at the 2nd Annual Lady Filmmakers Film Festival! Oct 8-10, 2010 Click Here http://ladyfilmmakers.com/Home_Page_MV6D.php for more information. At the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, CA

Love Made of Heart inspires adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas that their parents suffer.
Publisher’s Note: Kensington Publishing Corp, NY
“The Chinese word for ‘love’ is made up of many brush strokes. In the center of the word ‘love’ is the word ‘heart.’ Love is made of heart…”
Twenty-seven-year-old Ruby Lin has what many women envy: a beautiful apartment in one of San Francisco’s best neighborhoods, a busy social life, and a coveted position as manager of special events for the tony St. Mark’s Hotel. But it’s Ruby’s personal life that’s become unmanageable ever since the day her mother’s emotional breakdown forced Ruby to hospitalize her, shaming the family. Now, Ruby is caught in the crossroads between two vastly different cultures-one in which she is the American girl, raised on kitschy television shows and black-and-white movies, and one in which she is known only as Daughter, the eldest, fulfiller of responsibilities.
In putting together the pieces of her mother’s life, Ruby finds herself exploring the wounds of her own past. Starting with a forbidden locked tin box and the yellowing photograph inside, Ruby embarks on a startling journey of self-discovery that takes her through a family history rife with violence, betrayal and loss that reaches back through generations, from China to America, and finally to the secret pain of a mother’s sacrifice. Like the Chinese calligraphy that adorns her walls, Ruby comes to see that “life is not a straight road,” but a language drawn with many brush strokes, where every misunderstanding must yield to the simple message of the heart.
Filled with warmth and wisdom, this luminous debut novel heralds the arrival of an exciting new voice in fiction as it explores the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, the choices that divide us, and the love that brings us home.
From http://www.mhprofessional.com/templates/chases/special-months.php
October is:
• Antidepressant Death Awareness Month
• Depression Education and Awareness Month
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart; writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing
Where’s the Sonoma County Book Festival? At Old Courthouse Square in Downtown Santa Rosa, California
Saturday, September 25th, 2010, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Redwood Writers Reading Circle – Come listen to over 50 readers from all across the community read from their works. http://redwoodwriters.org/events-and-activities/readings/
Redwood Writers Village – Redwood Writers want to make a splash. Come to the Redwood Writers Village and get your member badge so that as you walk around the Festival, RWs are everywhere!
![]() www.socobookfest.org |
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A day filled with literary delights! www.socobookfest.org now presents complete information about the Book Festival schedule, authors, poets, children’s activities and more.
“Look for Writing Career Coach Teresa’s friends at the book festival, especially at the Redwood Writers Village and the Redwood Writers Reading Circle http://redwoodwriters.org/ Last year I was there http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/no-writer-is-an-island/ . Writers and Readers, have fun!”
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author, writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing
Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.”
The Jennifer Joseph, Publisher, Manic D Press Books
I met Jennifer Joseph at a writers’ conference many years ago and throughout these years whenever someone asks: “Who should we include on a panel of experts in the publishing industry?” I would reply: “Invite the owner of Manic D Press–Jennifer Joseph. Great energy. Savvy. She cares about her authors’ careers.”
Manic D Press is an award-winning literary press based in San Francisco, California publishing fiction, poetry, pop culture, music, art, narrative-oriented comix, and alternative travel books, representing a diverse group of unique writers and artists,
When I was president for California Writers Club-SF Peninsula Branch 2005-2006, I wanted to give our members a program of publishing experts at the June 2006 meeting–my last meeting as president. That day, I learned from Jennifer Joseph why publishers usually don’t print large quantities of any particular book, and, why publishers “remainder” books (sell a book at a low low price) even when they’ve been only recently published. Here’s the answer: Books are inventory; inventory gets taxed. To have unsold books sitting in warehouses cost money to the publishers.
Last week, at the publishing panel sponsored by Women’s National Book Association at San Francisco Public Library-Main Branch, I learned from Jennifer Joseph to take advantage of the facebook phenomenon. I love writing blog posts to help writers build their names/platforms; Jennifer recommends my using facebook to broadcast new posts.
Also, I learned that she publishes poetry books. On the Manic D Press postcard are thumbnail-size images of 20 book covers with their titles, authors’ names, genres, ISBNs and cover prices; 5 of them are poetry/essays.
Please visit the online Manic D store http://manicdpress.com
On her website, Jennifer says: “If there’s a Manic D book that’s not here and you want it, send an email, okay? Thanks for everything (and especially for reading our books).”
Writers who want to see submission guidelines, go to: http://manicdpress.com and scroll to the bottom of the page OR click here: http://manicdpress.com/submissions.html
http://www.facebook.com/manicd
http://twitter.com/manicdpress
Awards presented to Manic D Press include 2000 American Library Association Stonewall Award for Literature; 1997 Firecracker Alternative Book Award for Art; 2002 and 2000 Firecracker Alternative Book Awards for Fiction; 1998 American Institute of Graphic Arts juried traveling exhibition 50 Books, 50 Covers; Sept/Oct 2003 + March/April 2004 Booksense 76 lists; SF Bay Guardian’s 2004 Best of the Bay: ‘Best Quintessentially San Franciscan Publisher’, Publishing Triangle’s 2007 Thom Gunn Award for Poetry + 2008 Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction; SF Weekly’s “Best of San Francisco 2008″; 2009 and 2010 Lambda Literary Transgender Awards.
Thank you, Jennifer Joseph, for being a hard-working publisher who enjoys sharing your insight with the writing-and-reading community!
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author, writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing
Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.”
http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/
More September Birthdays in My Literary Community
Dear Writers,
Eight years ago when my novel Love Made of Heart was about to “hit the streets,” my publisher (Kensington in New York) had purchased front-store-shelf -space at Borders and Barnes & Noble; Nancy Suib & Anne Shulenberger, the independent sales reps for Kensington, had recommended my novel to their accounts/independent bookstores.
An author is lucky to get shelf-space (and to be “face out” so that customers would see the book cover), but, because new releases from publishers arrive every day, those precious high-visibility shelf-spaces usually cannot be reserved for one particular book for more than what is paid for by the publisher.
And, even if a new book gets into a bookstore, how do customers know about it? One way is for the author to appear at the bookstore. But, bookstore appearance aren’t easy to land because, as I said before, new releases from publishers arrive every day.
Two booksellers gave me my first break. Kate Kelley from Books Inc. on Chestnut Street in San Francisco and Luan Stauss, owner of Laurel Book Store.
Luan says in her wonderful e-newsletter this week:
“Nine years ago, on September 15, 2001 the Laurel Book Store opened the doors for the first time. And yes, it really has been that long. Babies then are now reading. 10 year olds then are now in college. Some of the college students then are now parents. While a whole swath of us haven’t aged a bit.
It’s been quite a ride and I’m planning for bigger and better things for the future. We’re trying hard to roll with the economic punches and it’s made better by all of you who have been here supporting us all this time. And by all the great books that come out each year making it tough to decide what to sell!
Rather than have a party this year, which by the way is the pottery year, we’re going to start planning for the 10 year anniversary. But do come by for a cookie, wish us well, and tell us what you’re reading!
Happy reading, and thank you for 9 years worth of your support.” Luan
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oakland-CA/Laurel-Bookstore/137434275283
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Leigh Anne Lindsey, a new member of Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter, celebrates her birthday. Leigh Anne writes novels, including Futuristic and Suspense-Thrillers. WNBA is lucky to have her in our chapter–she attended our September board meeting, assisted the board members at our Sept. 12 publishing panel at the SF Public Library, and, with Kate Britton (VP of SF Chapter) will represent WNBA at the Redwood Writers Conference on Oct. 30, 2010.
Also, Leigh Anne is a Member of & Social Media Wizard for the Redwood Writers – the second largest branch of the California Writers Club; she’ s a member of San Francisco Writers Community
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To Writers,
Keep writing, keep networking, keep building your name/platform, keep learning about the industry through the experts (including published authors, bookseller, librarians, teachers, literary agents, acquisition editors and folks in publishing houses, members in writers’ organizations, and folks in their circles of influence). Celebrate being a writer!
Hope to see you at October 2010 events!
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author, writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing
Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.”
Same Day in October, Two Events for Writers, Both Career-Building
Saturday October 30, 2010 Redwood Writers Conference
I (Writing Career Coach Teresa) will be presenting my workshop and exhibiting my books at the Redwood Writers Conference. Elisa Southard will be the morning keynote speaker. Friends from CWC, WNBA, BAIPA, NCPA and other writers’ organizations will all be there to help writers further their careers. Cheers to Marlene Cullen & everyone on the conference-planning team.
Register now: http://redwoodwriters.org/redwood-conference/
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Saturday October 30, 2010 California Writers Club–SF Peninsula Branch
Geri Spieler will present her signature-workshop:
Super Sleuthing: Internet Research Secrets
- How to safely conduct Internet research
- Discover 100 tools that cut Internet research time by 80%
- Don’t get caught with unintentional plagiarism
Takeaway: This workshop is best delivered using a PowerPoint presentation in addition to my handouts. Attendees will gain a high level of understanding on how to effectively research information using a long list of research tools, Internet search strings and skills to recognize bogus Websites.
More info: www.cwc-peninsula.org/ and Geri Spieler
Meanwhile, see you on Sunday Sept 12, 2010 at SF Main Library for the Publishing Panel http://wnba-sfchapter.org/ and/or Oct. 17, 2010 at California Writers Club-Berkeley Branch (meeting and program at Oakland Main Library); I’ll be the guest speaker http://calwritersclub.wordpress.com/
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan, author, writing-career coach, founder of GraceArt Publishing
Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention
is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.”
Hello, Everyone,
I have exciting news. Today I registered my own publishing company – GraceArt Publishing. I thank my dear mastermind buddies who have encouraged me these past two years to re-invent myself again. Thank you, author Luisa Adams, for coming up with “GraceArt.” Thank you, plot consultant, author & publisher Martha Alderson, for trail-blazing.
I’m proud to be a publisher. I can better support bookstores, booksellers, schools, libraries, and the entire book community now.
Since January 2010 I have been updating my 22-minutes for 22 days workbook to help authors build their names/platforms to attract agents, acquisition editors and publishers. Printing and shipping my workbook have been time-consuming and costly. After reading The Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Publishing for Profit! Start a Own Home-Based Publishing Company and Publish Your Non-Fiction Book with CreateSpace and Amazon, I have decided to use the CreateSpace program for my workbook.
Now I am not only the author but also the publisher and owner of the ISBN (the book’s I.D. number); Amazon will print-on-demand, produce the e-book version of my workbook, distribute, and fulfill orders. As the publisher, I will continue to promote my book; also I can update it as often as I want.
So, I have changed the title of my workbook from Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published to: Build My Writer’s Name and Platform: Attract Agents, Acquisition Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention. I like “Build Your Name, Beat the Game ” though (love the rhyme–thank you Elisa Southard); I can use it as my workshop title.
May the force be with you, Writers & Publishers!
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan
“Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name/platform.” http://WritingCoachTeresa.com
In an interview with Connie Martinson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8uw51nrstA&feature=PlayList&p=39831ED1778A99A7&index=0&playnext=1 Pat Conroy http://www.patconroy.com (author of The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, South of Broad, and many other spellbinding novels) said that not only does he remember his dreams but also he weaves his dreams into his stories.
I was pleased to hear that because I too use dreams to show character growth in my novels. Interpreting dreams and understanding personal dream-symbols enriches my life and my writing. Thank you, talented Angie Choi author of My Dreams: A Simple Guide to Dream Interpretation http://alivehypnosis.com/mydreams.htm , for teaching me a most valuable skill.
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan
author of Love Made of Heart
To comment on any of my columns (blog posts), just click on the blue title bar of the post, fill in the boxes and press “submit.” Please click here for my blog’s most current post http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/
As an author and community spirit, Teresa LeYung Ryan speaks out for public libraries, honors immigrant-stories, advocates compassion for mental illness, and helps survivors of violence find their own voices through writing.

