Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG

Posts Tagged ‘adult-children of mentally-ill parents’

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Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says:

“What is the purpose of creating a writer’s platform?  Your writer’s platform hooks attention from readers who care about the issues, subjects, themes that you write about.  What does your name stand for? When you make your name synonymous with what you care to write about, you are helping your fans find you.”

Example – Here’s my platform statement:

“I, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, use my novel Love Made of Heart, essays, short plays/monologues to encourage adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their loved ones.”

My friends, colleagues, and fans know this about me and my work.  These wonderful people think of my name when they see or hear the words “mental health,” “mental illness” and “stigmas.”

Recently, author and documentary movie producer Margie Yee Webb gave me a print edition of an article written by Julie Samrick because Margie saw some keywords in Ms. Samrick’s piece (“Community partners work to end mental health stigma”) that are also in my platform statement. Thank you, Margie dear.

Ms. Samrick hooked my attention with a subject matter that I deeply care about.  And, her first line included the name of a powerful advocate whose messages I wholeheartedly support — actress Glenn Close who uses her international fame to shed light on  “ending the stigma of mental illness.”

Here’s an excerpt from the online edition of Ms. Samrick’s article.   http://www.villagelife.com/news/community-partners-work-to-end-mental-health-stigma/

Community partners work to end mental health stigma

Posted by Julie Samrick on Jul 7, 2014 Village Life is a weekly publication covering the communities of El Dorado Hills and Folsom, CA
Filed under Featured Stories, News.

“One out of four families will experience mental health challenges. My family is one,” narrates actress Glenn Close at the start of the documentary A New State of Mind: Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness, which was shown to residents at the El Dorado Hills Community Services District pavilion earlier this year in an effort to get more people to seek help when they or their loved ones are suffering with mental illness. Fifteen such forums were held throughout El Dorado County so far this year.  “My sister Jessie wasn’t diagnosed with bipolar disorder until she was 51 and her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 19,” Close continued.

From Olympic diver Greg Louganis to retired congressman Patrick Kennedy, high-profile individuals spoke openly about their struggles with mental illness in the Mental Health Services Act sponsored film.

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here with another example. 

Ms. Glenn Close’s platform statements for her organization BringChange2Mind  are:  “Change A Mind About Mental Illness” and “Start the conversation. End the stigma.”

You see how simple building one’s platform is? 

For me . . .

• I write about and I read about “speaking openly about mental illness and stigmas” because I have a personal connection with the subject. I broadcast what I write about and read about with this blog, in social media, my YouTube channel, and in interviews.

• My friends, colleagues, and fans connect my name (Teresa LeYung-Ryan) with the subject I deeply care about.

• With help from my friends, colleagues, and fans, I continue to connect with other advocates who also speak openly about mental illness and stigmas, thus, my platform grows bigger and bigger.

Links to Ms. Close’s http://bringchange2mind.org/ and many other helpful organizations are listed on my blog page http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/helpful-websites-resources-for-mental-health-mental-illness-depression/

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Author Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s platform statement connects with Ms. Glenn Close’s mission statement

Teresa’s book Love Made of Heart: a Mother’s Mental Illness Forges Forgiveness in Daughter Ruby is used in college courses and archived at the San Francisco History Center.  Please ask your public librarian to find a copy for you.

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan helps writers transform email signature blocks, photos, website descriptions, and YouTube videos into platform statements . . . before and after publication.

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW. Click here for print edition. Click here for Kindle edition. “Reach out, not stress out.”

Subscribe to  “Coach Teresa’s blog” Click here to start.

Click on underscored text to jump over to referenced websites. To submit questions/comments to this article/post:

• Click on the blue header (title bar) of this post
• Scroll down until you see boxes and fill in the boxes (you do need an email address to submit questions/comments; if you have a website/blog, do promote it  by keying in the address)
• After you fill in the boxes, you might want to keep a copy of your question/comment before clicking the  “submit comment” button. Thank you!

Coach Teresa . . . starting a new format with my blog posts

Since I wear 3 hats, as writing career coach & author who helps you Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days / editor & manuscript consultant who helps you identify themes and archetypes / novelist of Love Made of Heart who encourages adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families, I wish to divide my post into 3 sections.

As 22-day Platform-Building Coach:

Promote yourselves by linking your names & your projects to these recognized events.  According to Chase Calendar of Events,  November is:

• Adoption Month, National
• Alzheimer’s Disease Month, National
• American Diabetes Month
• American Indian Heritage Month, National
• Aviation History Month
• Banana Pudding Lovers Month
• Diabetes Month, National
• Diabetic Eye Disease Month
• Family Caregivers Month, National
• Georgia Pecan Month, National
• Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month
• Inspirational Role Models Month, National
• Lifewriting Month, National
• Long-Term Care Awareness Month, National
• Lung Cancer Awareness Month
• Marrow Awareness Month, National
• Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month
• Pet Cancer Awareness Month
• Pomegranate Month, National
• PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month
• Vegan Month
• Today November 16, 2011 is United Nations: International Day for Tolerance
• the fourth Thursday in November is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.A.
• November 11, 2011 is Veterans Day

Every month is relevant to marketing your literary work. Day 19 of my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days demonstrates the beauty of linking your name to a date that is celebrated or recognized for the entire month–you’ll have a whole month to re-use one piece of writing.

As Editor & Manuscript Consultant:

Give yourself reasons to plot & write and replot & rewrite!

November is National Novel Writing Month (founder is Chris Baty)

Write Nonfiction In November (founder is Nina Amir)

December is International Plot Writing Month (founder is Martha Alderson, The Plot Whisperer)

Read or reread a book – I’m reading Nothing Can Scare Me Now: Managing Breast Cancer So It Doesn’t Manage You by Juliane Cortino (a colleague at Women’s National Book Association)

As author of Love Made of Heart:

I found “Veterans and Mental Health: We Owe Them Better”  blog post by Mike Fitzpatrick, NAMI Executive Director

Last year, more than 1.2 million veterans were treated by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) health care system, about a third for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That is an increase of about 25 percent from four years before, as troops return home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Washington Post reports that approximately 18 veterans die from suicide every day. Yet in survey released in September, the VA reported that 70 percent of its doctors, nurses and social workers believe the system lacks the staff and space to provide adequate mental health care. More than 37 percent said they cannot schedule an appointment for a new patient within 14-days.

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Mr. Fitzpatrick,

Thank you for writing this post to shed light on what we can do to advocate for better care of our veterans and their families. I linked your post to mine dated November 16, 2011 http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ so that my blog fans can get resources for their loved ones. My beautiful mom (not a Veteran but was an orphan during World War II) suffered mental illness all her life and I use my writings to honor her. In September I met NAMI Sonoma County board member Ron Shaw at the Sonoma County Book Festival.  Rosemary Milbrath, Executive Director at NAMI Sonoma County, has contacted me and I hope to deliver my Heroes, Tricksters & Villains interactive workshop to the Sonoma County community in California in 2012. Sincerely, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart; mental health advocate

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I hope to see you when I’m at these forums:

• Thursday December 1, 2011 at Women’s National Book Association get-together at San Francisco Public Library Main Branch
• Sunday January 8, 2012 at California Writers Club–Redwood Branch “Writing-Career-Make-Over with Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan”

Please click here for details.

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

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

September 5, 2011

Dear Lynn Henriksen,

I miss my mom so so much. Your inviting me to guest-blog is a huge gift and I thank you. Today is Labor Day. I salute you, your mom, my mom, and all moms who labor/labored with love and hope for their families.

Sincerely,

Teresa

“What Does Your Protagonist Want?”

By  Teresa LeYung-Ryan, aka “Writing Career Coach & Manuscript Consultant Teresa”

“If you’re writing a novel or memoir, what does your protagonist want?”
“What are your themes and who are your archetypes?”
“If you’re writing a how-to book, what are the issues?”
“Do you want to build your platform to attract agents, publishers, and fans/readers?”

These are the questions I ask when writers hire me as their coach.

For many writers, the first question (“What does your protagonist want?”) is not an easy one to answer. What does your main character want when the story opens? As the story moves forward?

For memoir authors, the protagonist is the Self. You the author lived your story and you know the outcome; now is the chance to engage readers via story-telling techniques and show them what you wanted and how you went about getting (or not getting) what you wanted.

For novel authors, oftentimes the protagonist (or another major character) is modeled after the author; what the protagonist wants is also oftentimes a recurring theme for the author.

In the opening scene of Love Made of Heart (my autobiographical novel about an adult-daughter struggling to understand her mother’s mental illness ), protagonist Ruby Lin asks herself: What have I done? (as she watches police officers escort her mother from her apartment).

Ruby wants her mother to get well; she wants to return to her routines; she wants to forget her past; she wants a wise elder who listens and doesn’t judge. As we get to know Ruby, we find out what her “big wants” are—to find love and forgiveness.

I, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of the novel, did not have a maternal grandmother. How I used to fantasize about a kind and wise Grandmama to run to! Writing fiction gave me the luxury to give my protagonist something I never had, so, I created the elderly neighbor Mrs. Nussbaum (embodying the mentor and ally archetypes); she would listen to Ruby and not judge her.

In the introduction of Lynn Scott’s memoir A Joyful Encounter: My Mother, My Alzheimer Clients, and Me, the author reveals: I needed money. I was sixty-seven and living thinly on Social Security… As we read on, we meet the other characters/archetypes and see how they help the author get the “big want” (what money can’t buy) . . .  a spiritual journey to her mother’s love.  Lynn Henriksen’s review of this same book ends with “… Scott’s book made me laugh, cry, and wish I could have my mother back for just a day, even one more hour.”

Aah, to have Mom back for just a day, even one more hour. That is exactly what yours truly wants right now.  I’ve been ill (coping with symptoms from wheat-intolerance) and I yearn for my mom’s hugs and encouraging words: “All will be fine, my darling daughter.” But, I can’t get what I want on a physical level; Mom died over ten years ago of metastasized breast cancer.

My biggest angel is my mom, and, I ask her to help me on a daily basis. “Mom, I want to feel well.”  My muscles and sinuses were hurting; fatigue overwhelmed me; then, when depression moved in . . . I knew that I needed to be an active protagonist. I stopped eating breads and anything made with wheat flour (and that include flaky pie crusts, almond tea cakes, Challah, tortilla that hold a burrito together, Pad Thai, and pasta).

My mastermind colleague Lori Noack reminded me that wheat is in soy sauce (gosh I eat a lot of Chinese food too) and in marinades and salad dressings (yikes).  LN, thank you for your encouraging emails!

Next, I went to see a Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioner. Heather Richmond said “Teresa, the foods you’ve been eating are ‘damp.’ To treat the ‘dampness’ so that you’ll feel better, not only am I advising eliminating wheat from your diet, I’m also recommending eliminating soy as in tofu and corn.” No tofu and corn, in addition to no wheat?  Oh my.  Heather had explained that wheat, soy and corn are the top three most genetically-modified foods in this country.

Mrs. Nussbaum’s voice (my inner Wise Self) stepped into my head.  “Making a lifestyle change calls for perseverance. Go easy. Go gentle.  I’m proud of you.”

I tell my clients “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams.” I too have been reaching out—by telling my friends about what I want—to feel energetic again. I will need their moral support (to cheer for me when I turn down a slice of bread, a fresh croissant or homemade pizza crust).

At a meeting, Linda Joy Myers, author of 3 books and founder of National Association of Memoir Writers, gave me delicious rice crackers, wild salmon, and green beans when she found out about my wheat intolerance. Thank you, LJM!

Thank you to all my friends and family members who are supportive of my goals!  My sister sent me a gift card for shopping sprees in “organic produce” aisles.  Thank you, Maria!

These books continue to be helpful as I want to live well in spite of food allergies:

• Eating Gluten Free: Delicious Recipes and Essential Advice for Living Well Without Wheat and Other Problematic Grains by Shreve Stockton

• Optimal Healing: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine by Patricia Tsang, M.D.

Heather Richmond is recommending I stop eating rice in the next phase of treatment.  Oh oh . . .

I still want hugs from my mom.  I feel them.  Every morning and every night, in my prayers.  And I give hugs back. “Thank you my Main Angel.”

Lynn Henriksen aka The Story Woman, thank you so much for asking me to guest-blog. You’ve given me a lovely gift—a chance to talk about my mom, knowing what the protagonist wants, and how to reach out not stress out!  I cheer for you, your books, blog, and classes!

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 too! Customers of the workbook are saying that it’s useful for anyone who has anything to promote.)

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

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Lynn Henriksen wrote: “Teresa – it was my pleasure placing your guest post on The Story Woman blog! Thank you for an interesting piece and for speaking from your heart as you always do.”

Kate Farrell, Wisdom Has a Voice wrote: “Teresa–What a great post that speaks to how writers think, yearn, and write for themselves, to connect and to share in a way that makes the world a community!”

Coach Teresa here.  I was looking for dates in September on the Chase Calendar of Events (because I have several friends who were born in September) when I found this:   National Suicide Prevention Week begins (Sept 4-10, 2011). 37th annual. See www.suicidology.org for history, factsheets and media kits. The goal of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is to understand and prevent suicide.

Chase Calendar for September 4 says:  Happy Birthday! Mitzi Gaynor, Judith Ivey, Beyoncé Knowles, Mike Piazza, Ione Skye, Tom Watson, Damon Wayans

Coach Teresa is adding “Happy Birthmonth! to Jonathan, Lakshmi Kerner, Marie Elena Gaspari and all friend & colleagues born in September!”

On Saturday September 24, 2011 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

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

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. She uses her workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW to help writers of all genres gain a competitive edge before and after publication.

Margie Yee Webb is author/photographer of Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life, a gift book for cat lovers and their finicky friends!

Kate Farrell is editor of Wisdom Has a Voice: Every Daughter’s Memories of Mother, an anthology that conveys the wisdom and meaning of the deeply bonded relationship.

Coach Teresa here also celebrates September as:

Animal Remembrance Month, World

Be Kind To Editors and Writers Month

Happy Cat Month

Library Card Sign-Up Month

Self-Awareness Month, Intl

September Is Healthy Aging Month

Women’s Friendship Month

Hispanic Heritage Month, Natl (Sept 15-Oct 15)

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan, writing career coach, manuscript consultant, and

author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (customers of the workbook are saying that it’s useful for anyone who has anything to promote)

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

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

Look for Teresa on facebook!

What Is Practice Aloha?

In May at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration, I had shared a booth with authors Margie Yee Webb and Dr. Patricia Tsang. Our neighboring exhibitors were the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. Today while putting away my files, I found their promotional material. Seeing those souvenirs inspired me to tell  you about a new book Practice Aloha: Secrets to Living Life Hawaiian Style — Stories, Recipes and Lyrics from Hawai’i's Favorite Folks, compiled & edited by Barbara Santos & Mark Ellman

How do you practice Aloha? Go to the Practice Aloha website and share your story.

Two other books that go well with Practice Aloha:

Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life

Optimal Healing: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan helps writers & authors build their platforms and fanbases and polish their manuscripts by identifying their themes and archetypes.  Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW Coach Teresa says: “Reach out not stress out when pursuing your dreams!”

Novelist 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.

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

Teresa LeYung-Ryan on facebook!

How Do Authors Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Birgit Soyka Celebrate “Rebuild Your Life Month” in June?

Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 7:00-9:00pm

BookShop West Portal, 80 West Portal Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127 415-564-8080

Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) members celebrate June’s “Rebuild Your Life Month” featuring books by members Birgit Soyka and Teresa LeYung-Ryan. Join us for a fun evening— reception; authors’ presentations; meet the new board and members of the San Francisco Chapter. Please RSVP by emailing BookShopRSVP@wnba-sfchapter.org

Birgit Soyka (author of To Drink the Wild Air: One Woman’s Quest to Touch the Horizon)

and

Teresa LeYung-Ryan (author of Love Made of Heart and Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days)

Birgit Sokya celebrates Rebuild Your Life Month

Teresa LeYung Ryan celebrates Rebuild Your Life Month

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Teresa LeYung-Ryan uses Love Made of Heart to inspire adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and gain resources for their families. As Writing Career Coach Teresa, she helps fiction and nonfiction authors gain a competitive edge before and after publication with her workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days. Visit Teresa’s blog at http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

Birgit Soyka (author of To Drink the Wild Air: One Woman’s Quest to Touch the Horizon )was the only female breaking into the male dominated sport of motorcycle racing in California, showing courage and determination to win a championship against all odds and encountering injuries, destitution, homelessness, and the threat of deportation. Visit Birgit’s blog at http://todrinkthewildair.com/

The Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that fosters professional development and exposure of our members (women & men) through a variety of book-related programs, workshops, and hands-on opportunities to make valuable contacts and connections that are beneficial at any stage of one’s career. WNBA-San Francisco Chapter (founded by Effie Lee Morris) is part of a National network promoting the value of books and reading throughout ten chapters stretching from coast to coast. Annual Membership is $45 http://wnba-sfchapter.org

San Mateo County Fairgrounds

1346 Saratoga Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403

Expo Hall, Fine Arts Galleria, Literary Stage

Will There Be Fun Programs for Writers and Readers at the San Mateo County Fair?

Yes! Yes! Yes!  Laurel Anne Hill and David Hirzel had led workshops this past weekend. You’ll see them again this weekend.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

5:00-6:00pm Audio-­book workshop with Kathy Garver!

Have you ever wondered how to find new markets for your writing project?
Do you want to find out more about how audio books are created?
Would you like to learn how to record the audio version of your book?

KATHY GARVER might be best known for her role as Cissy on the hit 60’s
TV show Family Affair, but she’s also an Audie Award winner for narrating books (An Audie is like the Oscar for audio narration).

Excerpts will be read from Kathy’s The Family Affair Cookbook. Visit Kathy’s website:  www.kathygarver.com

6:00-7:00pm Author Anna Booth

7:00-8:00pm Pacifica Poetry Forum

8:00-9:00pm Green Tea Band musical act

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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2011   4:00-9:00pm (5 hours of fun)

(30 minute mini-workshops – 4:00pm; 4:30pm; 5:00pm; 5:30pm )

Creativity Mentor Mary E. Knippel

Free Family Fun for ages 10 and up! Let’s Play!

• unleash your creative side
• meet your inner artist
• catch yourself having fun
Mary E. Knippel, writer, Creativity Mentor, speaker and workshop leader, conducts workshops on California’s beautiful San Mateo coast in which participants connect with their creativity, focus on fun, and pursue play as a proven method to de-stress and cope with life’s challenges. Mary will help workshop participants discover the secret of journal writing along with experiencing the magic that happens when bits of paper are infused with imagination.  http://www.coaxingcreativity.com

6:30-­8:00PM
THE SAN FRANCISCO/PENINSULA BRANCH OF THE CALIFORNIA WRITERS CLUB LAUNCHES THEIR ENDLESS SUMMER TOUR OF FAULT ZONE: WORDS FROM THE EDGE

an anthology of stories and poems to be read by the authors

Scheduled to present:
Lisa Meltzer Penn, Editor, Fault Zone: Words from the Edge
Ann Foster
James Hanna
Carole Bumpus
Linda Newman
Laurel Anne Hill
Ida Lewenstein
Darlene Frank
Bardi Rosman Koodrin, Literary Director, San Mateo County Fair

8:00-9:00pm

DON’T MISS THIS POWERFUL FICTION AND PRESCRIPTIVE NONFICTION MINI WORKSHOP BY ONE OF THE BAY AREA’S LEADING MANUSCRIPT CONSULTANTS, WRITING CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, AND BLOGGER EXTRAORDINAIRE!

Teresa LeYung Ryan will show you how to gain name recognition, fans, and advocates BEFORE and AFTER publication.

As manuscript consultant and platform-building coach, Teresa LeYung-Ryan helps her clients identify themes, issues, and archetypes in their fiction and nonfiction books and choose the right publishing routes.  Coach Teresa’s motto: “Reach out, not stress out, when building your career.” She’s the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW http://writingcoachTeresa.com

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

Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan helps fiction and nonfiction writers build their platforms and fanbases

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SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011

1:00-2:00 Science Fiction/Fantasy Open Mic with author Laurel Anne Hill

2:00-4:00PM AUTHOR BOOK DAY

WE HAVE PAGE-TURNING THRILLERS, COZY MYSTERIES, MEMOIRS, HISTORICAL NOVELS, CONTEMPORARY NOVELS, POETRY, COOKBOOKS, DELIGHTFUL CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG ADULT STORIES, AND MORE.

BETH BARANY
EZRA BARANY
ANASTASIA BLACKWELL
PAUL CARLSON
JON CORY
MARGARET DAVIS
PATRICIA V. DAVIS
ELIZABETH FAJARDO
VALERIE FRANKEL
CHUCK FROST
KATHY GARVER
JAMES HANNA
LIAN GOUW
LAUREL ANNE HILL
SCOTT JAMES
F.M. KAHREN
BEVERLY KALININ
LI MAIO LOVETT
LISA MELTZER PENN
EMERIAN RICH
TERESA LEYUNG RYAN‘s books will be available – please visit author BIRGIT SOYKA’s table
JOANN SEMONES, PH.D
BIRGIT SOYKA
KAREN STANTON
DR. PATRICIA TSANG
LEIGH TOLDI
DR. NORMAN E. TUTOROW
MATT WEBER
ANN WILKES

4:00-5:00PM THE WOMEN ON WRITING “WOW” GROUP WILL PRESENT READINGS OF POETRY AND PROSE IMMEDIATELY AFTER BOOK DAY
WOW WOMEN ON WRITING, Skyline College, annually hosts  Women on Writing (WOW), a festive literary event in early March that inspires creativity and celebrates community among writers and readers of all ages. Six dynamic WOW leaders will read original poetry and prose .
Participants include:
WOW founder Marijane Datson, coordinator Kathleen McClung, keynote speaker Li Miao Lovett, and ambassadors Georgia Gero, Lisa Melnick and Ellen Woods.

“Coach Teresa, why is it important to show up to network? I don’t like mixers or meet-ups.”

screenwriter Terri Bertini, author Birgit Soyka, creativity mentor Mary E. Knippel and writing career coach Teresa LeYung Ryan at WNBA-SF Chapter Meet Up at San Francisco Public Library

June 2, 2011

Here’s my response:  Take care of yourself; take care of your career. I don’t even like the word “network” so I get creative. Speaking of getting creative, tonight was an example of how to network and have fun.

Leon Veal, a WNBA member and outreach coordinator for Project Read San Francisco, calendared meeting space at the San Francisco Public Library main branch for us once a month.  I asked fellow member and Creativity Mentor Mary E. Knippel to co-lead a WNBA Meet Up with me.

Members Birgit Soyka and Janine Kovac RSVPed.

Mary and I showed up early.  I helped Mary re-configure her business card to read: You’ve been thinking about writing your book? Let me (Mary E. Knippel) help you. Mary showed me her Google Voice phone number. I want to create a YouTube channel for WNBA-SF Chapter–I provided the format and Mary came up with great idea–”Let’s create a how-to video tutorial for our members!”  Mary is indeed the Creativity Mentor.

Birgit Soyka arrived, looking vibrant.  She and I will be showcasing our books later this month:

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Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 7:00-9:00pm

BookShop West Portal, 80 West Portal Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127 415-564-8080

Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) members celebrate June’s “Rebuild Your Life Month” featuring books by members Birgit Soyka and Teresa LeYung-Ryan. Join us for a fun evening— reception; authors’ presentations; meet the new board and members of the San Francisco Chapter. Please RSVP by emailing  BookShopRSVP@wnba-sfchapter.org

Birgit Soyka (author of To Drink the Wild Air: One Woman’s Quest to Touch the Horizon)

and

Teresa LeYung-Ryan (author of Love Made of Heart and Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days)

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

Mary and I were telling Birgit about using YouTube to promote our work and Birgit was telling us about her wanting to identify her biggest target audience. Would that be readers of spiritual growth, world travels, women’s issues or motorcycle racing?

Then Terri Bertini (screenwriter, producer and director) showed up!  I had met Terri at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration last month.  When Birgit showed her book to Terri and started talking about her motorcycle racing and world travel . . . Terri said she remembers meeting Birgit in Los Angeles fifteen years ago at a race and that it seems like just yesterday. Voila!  Birgit (in her motorcycle gear) is memorable and attracts attention.

I asked Terri if she has a blog and she told us the blog name she is considering. When her blog name is official I will broadcast on my blog.

Birgit is interested in showcasing her book at more venues.  Mary and I will be at the Literary Arts/Fine Arts Department at the San Mateo County Fair on Friday 17, 2011 (please see http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/Teresa-LeYung-Ryan%27s-Events.html for details) but we cannot be at the fair the following day for Bardi Rosman Koodrin’s Author Book Day June 18, 2011, 2:00-4:00pm because Mary is giving a workshop in Half Moon Bay and I had promised to take photos and film her.

Here’s an idea:  I would email Bardi and pitch Birgit. Mary suggested to Birgit that if she gets table space on the 18th to showcase her books that she might also showcase my books.

Aah, helping each other, helping ourselves and having fun at the same time! This is why it is important to show up to network.

Janine Kovac, we missed you. Check out Janine’s blog. See you real soon.

Terri Bertini, thank you for joining us at the library.

Cheering for all hardworking writers!

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Hope to see you on June 17, 2011!  at the Literary Arts Dept. Stage at the San Mateo County Fair in California

4:00-6:00pm Mary E. Knippel presents “Coaxing Creativity” workshop

6:30-8:00pm readings by California Writers Club–San Francisco Peninsula Branch members including contributing authors in the anthology Fault Zone: Words from the Edge.

8:00-9:00pm Author Teresa LeYung-Ryan uses Love Made of Heart to inspire adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and gain resources for their families. As Writing Career Coach Teresa, she helps fiction and nonfiction authors gain a competitive edge before and after publication with her workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days.

Thank you Everyone for being there.  If you had filled out an evaluation form from my session, you’ll be receiving additional coaching notes from me about building your writer’s name.

Right now, please click on the blue title-bar of this post/column to get the comment boxes so that you can tell the world what your mission statement is (how you help a particular group of people with the themes/subject matters/issues in your literary work). Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, building your name is a breeze when you have your mission statement.   Here are examples . . .

* * * * * * * * *

(as fiction and narrative non-fiction writer)

I,Teresa LeYung Ryan, 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.

* * * * * * * * *

(as prescriptive/”how to” non-fiction writer)

I, Teresa LeYung Ryan, help writers create their mission statements 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.

* * * * * * * * *

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 my blog’s administrator for approval.  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.

How was the pre-conference poetry evening? How was the conference?  Redwood Writers Conference was pure joy! I’ll be posting photos and more links during the week.

I cheer for all writers who want to touch lives with their words.

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/

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.

* * * * * * * * *

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.”

* * * * * * * * *

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.”

* * * * * * * * *

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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