Posts Tagged ‘archetypes’
16:22 July 16, 2024 Tuesday California USA
mardi 16:22, 16 juillet 2024 Californie États-Unis
Hello Readers / Bonjour Lecteurs
I wish you and your family excellent health.
Je vous souhaite, à vous et à votre famille, une excellente santé.
I wish you much happiness.
Je vous souhaite beaucoup de bonheur.
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I am at dear Sabine’s home in Oregon, USA… thinking about everyone who has sent me messages about their health challenges.
I send prayers as I meditate with photos of gardens and flower boxes at homes and other places I have been in since March 1st this year, in FRANCE and in the USA.
Je suis chez ma chère Sabine dans l’Oregon, aux États-Unis… en pensant à tous ceux qui m’ont envoyé des messages sur leurs problèmes de santé.
J’envoie des prières en méditant avec des photos de jardins et de jardinières de maisons et d’autres endroits où je suis allé depuis le 1er mars de cette année, en FRANCE et aux USA.
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Wishing You Excellent Health and happiness with photos of vibrant plants from Paris, Apt, Nice in FRANCE and from California and Oregon in USA.
Je vous souhaite une excellente santé et du bonheur avec des photos de plantes vibrantes de Paris, Apt, Nice en FRANCE et de Californie et d’Oregon aux États-Unis.
Sincerely,
Sincèrement,
Teresa Jade LeYung
http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog on Wellness, Themes, Archetypes
Published author, blogger, lover of Paris (France), Writing Coach, Photo Historian Teresa Jade LeYung says:
“I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”
Love Made Of Heart ®
2024 June 4, 12:54pm; June 5, 10:43am; June 6, 19:46 California (Mille merci, chere Sabine!)
Dear Readers
I wish you a good day and night, always.
Thank you, Mr. Roald Dahl, for having written ESIO TROT ( esiotrot is “tortoise” spelled backward)
Thank you, screenwriters Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer, for the movie ROALD DAHL’S ESIO TROT
When depression robs my creative energy to write, I look for “happy movies” to lift me which then inspires me to write about the themes in the movie which then leads me to resume working on my own projects.
Yesterday (June 3), the names (“tags”) of these two actors helped me find the movie ROALD DAHL’S ESIO TROT
Judi Dench (as Mrs. Silver) and Dustin Hoffman (as Mr. Hoppy) and James Corden (as Narrator)
Soundtrack includes Louis Armstrong’s singing “A Kiss To Build A Dream On” composed by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby and Oscar Hammerstein II.
https://genius.com/Louis-armstrong-a-kiss-to-build-a-dream-on-lyrics
This is a movie I want to watch again and again… it’s like re-living a joyful day.
In the movie… Narrator tells us:
“Mr. Hoppy, the hero of our story, lived in a nice flat in an apartment block in London. There are three things you should know about Mr. Hoppy. He’s kind, he’s shy, and, most importantly, he’s not that guy in the hat.”
(Mr. Hoppy is the man holding the elevator door for Mr. Mavrokoukoudopolous the old man with the hat and cane. By the way, since the setting is London. Elevator is called a “lift”)
At the fourth viewing of this movie … I see just how wonderfully the story is crafted.
At two minutes into the movie – first foreshadowing of Mr. Hoppy’s door which is crucial for the “climax” scene.
He turns on his CD player – Louis Armstrong’s singing “A Kiss To Build A Dream On”
Mr. Hoppy reaches into his satchel and places into his fruit bowl – one apple, one orange, one banana. He opens his refrigerator, we see one tomato.
Narrator tells us “It’s [This story is] going to be full of passion, surprises… as indeed is our Mr. Hoppy.”
As the volume of the musical instrumental increases, we see Mr. Hoppy affectionately tending to his balcony-garden; his irrigation system drips water onto the colorful plants.
Narrator says:
“The truth is, there were two loves in Mr. Hoppy’s life. One was his flowers. The other was his secret love that he kept all to himself. Like so many secrets, it was the most important thing of all about him. Because Mr. Hoppy was in love… with the girl downstairs.”
(“the girl” is the vibrant Mrs. Silver, a widow,, probably in her seventies. Mrs. Silver’s balcony is on the floor below Mr. Hoppy’s. We hear her at around four minutes and thirty-three seconds into the movie when she says “Good morning, Mr. Hoppy.” Then we see her. Her main love is her tortoise named Alfie.)
By the end of the first five minutes, I am pulled into the story world.
By the end of the first seven minutes, I am completely hooked with these two characters.
At 13:36 when Mr. Hoppy has the courage to say something personal to Mrs. Silver, he can’t see from his balcony that Mrs. Silver (in her wide-brimmed straw hat) has just inserted earbuds and couldn’t possibly hear him.
At 28:57 we see the second foreshadowing with Mr. Hoppy’s door.
At 54:38 we see the third foreshadowing with that door.
LAUGHING LIFTS DEPRESSION
In the scene where Mr. Hoppy is approaching the lift in the lobby with THE gadget, Mrs. Silver (wearing happy colors) is coming out of the lift. She tells him that she’s going to a dance marathon to raise money for charity and that they need sponsors. Mr. Hoppy says he would like to be a sponsor, would donate a pound. When Mrs. Silver reminds him that this is for charity, he says:
“A pound a minute”
(I laughed out loud; laughing shifts energy, lifts depression. So does smiling for one’s self. For me, laughing is a stronger elixir.)
I learned these British phrases:
“very good news” - In the lift (elevator), Mrs. Silver says: “What a quiet lift. It’s very good news.”
She calls herself “a silly sausage”
“a good old knees-up” means “to dance”
The little boy’s mother says to her son: “I’m doing dinner.”
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In the children’s book, Mrs. Silver never finds out about Mr. Hoppy’s using deception to win her affections; in the movie, her finding out that he used trickery serves as the climax of the story.
In the children’s book, there is no Mr. Pringle; in the movie, this character serves as archetypes Herald and Trickster and is the person who creates complications for protagonist Mr. Hoppy.
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https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3205394/
Directed by Dearbhla Walsh
Writing Credits:
Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer
Based on the novel by Roald Dahl
Stars (in order of appearance in the movie)
- James Corden
- Salo Gardner
- Dustin Hoffman
- Richard Cordery
- Judi Dench
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination
Thank you for reading my blog post: “Roald Dahl’s story ESIO TROT, Judi Dench, Dustin Hoffman, Balcony Garden, Love, Kindness Themes…Lift Depression”
Wishing you all the happiness that a vibrant garden would bring.
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
My short short movies of Paris 2024
https://m.youtube.com/@teresajadeleyung/videos
Love Made Of Heart ®
2024 May 29, 17:55; May 30, 12:04 – at Chez SGC, California USA
Dear Readers,
Bonjour.
The suffering in this world … the enormities of disasters … what can I do to ease the pain?
I have faith that if I share information relating to health which I’ve been fortunate to gain, surely the energy would help someone who would help someone else, on and on.
I am staying at dear friends’ home, however, not near wonderful chiropractor Dr. Jae Reed, D.C. https://azureskychiro.com/ to get treatments – Neuro Integration System and Neuro Emotional Technique…
Luckily, I found another wonderful chiropractor – Dr. Kerry Lilley, D.C. https://chiropracticbenicia.com/
Why do I need a chiropractor?
The apartment in Paris I was in from March 1 – 26 was beautifully furnished, however, the person (who lived in the apartment above the one I was in) did not honor “Apartment-Living Rules”. She would come home at all hours… walk in clunky shoes (fast walking too), and, she probably had removed floor rugs. The vibrations rolling across parquet floor when the entire building is quiet = unhealthy energy over my head.
Around 3:00am on March 4th, my brain so tired from the disturbance… I thought taking a shower would do me good.
I forgot that the high-wall bathtub … I would need to “ride side saddle” going in and coming out.
I fell.. coming out of the tub.
The distance from the rim of the bathtub to the floor is 22 inches while the distance from my knee joint to the bottom of my foot is about 16 inches. If I were a horse in a steeplechase … my legs didn’t clear the extra 6 inches. So, I fell. BAMM.
[ Thank you, Marisa, for having taught me how to fall safely (Aikido wisdom) https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/mountain-turtle-marisa/ While falling, time went into slow motion for me to stretch out both arms to minimize injuries. ]
At the time, I thought only my right knee sustained minimal impact. Wrong.
During my last two weeks in City of Light… my wanting to join my friends, I used Le Métro (Paris subway) … oh the stairs and more stairs … I realized that the right side of my body had been injured.
Last week, I learned from Dr. Lilley what the Psoas muscles are.
Today (May 29), during treatment, I asked Dr. Lilley to examine my wrists. Why are they achy with heat?
She said:
“Your smart body knows what to do. The heat you’re feeling in your wrists is your body’s way to release the trauma. Drink water. When exhaling, release the out breath twice. Release the trauma. Increase vitamin C for the time being.”
I thank Dr. Kerry Lilley https://chiropracticbenicia.com/, Dr. Jae Reed https://azureskychiro.com/, Stephanie Wilger, NC https://stephaniewilgernc.net/,
Dr. Amy Grace Lam https://www.vibrationalenergywellness.com/, Marie-Christine Cornet https://www.mariechristinecornet.com/,
Gilles Marin https://www.chineitsang.com/, and all the healers who have taught me how to listen to my Brain-Body communicate… how to continue fostering the Smart Body.
I thank everyone who has encouraged me to seek help.
I thank everyone who plays a role in helping me find ways to Wellness.
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“The Essential Role of the Psoas Muscle”
By: Stephen Falatyn, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon
https://www.spine-health.com/blog/essential-role-psoas-muscle
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2024 July 6 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/psoas-muscle
What does the psoas muscle do?
Your psoas muscles link your spine to your lower body and connect muscles deeper inside your body to ones closer to the surface of your skin. They’re like a bridge in the center of your body that connects lots of parts and helps you perform motions that use your abdomen and legs at the same time.
Your psoas muscles work with other muscles to stabilize your posture and move your hips and upper legs. Their functions include:
- Holding your lower back still when you’re sitting down.
- Pulling your abdomen up from a prone position (picture doing a sit-up).
- Helping you flex and move your hips when you’re standing and lying down.
- Lifting your upper legs (which lets you walk and climb stairs).
- Stabilizing the top of your femur (thigh bone) when you move your hips.
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This month, the writer who is supplying inspiration is Mr. George Carlin.
About humanity… he said that if there were only ten people, dropped off onto this planet… the ten people would ask each other:
“Is every body okay?” “Let’s get something to eat.” “That’s what any society says, but we don’t. Property rights over people’s rights.”
Stewart Interviews George Carlin
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nCGGWeD_EJk
Did you know he had a sitcom The George Carlin Show (1994-1995)?
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This morning, while thinking about dear NN and her soothing phone voice perfect for customer service … I believe that Mr. George Carlin inspired me
to search:
“Are there programs to train seniors to work from home?”
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Story Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “When illness takes us onto a Hero’s Journey”
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BOOKS, Our Immune System, Our Beautiful Ever-Changing Brain, Our Internal Organs, Our Body and Vitality!
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Thank you for reading my blog post: “Paris Bathtub, Aikido Safe Fall, Apartment Neighbor, Le Métro Stairs, Psoas Muscle, Chiropractors, the George Carlin Show”
May beautiful food, clean water, clean air, laughter and quiet always be yours to enjoy!
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
Love Made Of Heart ®
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2023 Oct 19, 16:56 Thursday; Oct 21, 00:25; Oct 22, 14:23; Oct 23, 20:22; October 26, 12:52pm California
Hello Everyone,
I wish you total wellness.
I am grateful to all the people who care about my wellness / who teach me how to look for the goodness in obstacles / who inspire me to be happy, in spite of illness.
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So many people suffer silently – their illnesses don’t display overt signs like wearing a cast or a splint. Whenever someone asks me the question “How are you doing?” … I feel gratitude and I reply “Thank you for asking.” (That’s all… I don’t go into details except with close friends. Just grateful that the person asked) Whenever I ask someone that question… I am prepared to stop and listen.
Thank you, YouTube channel “Film Courage”, for posting the 11 videos of Mr. Christopher Vogler. Mr. Vogler is the author of The Writer”s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers.
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLez8jOvskc-OFbFPTf03N8PZBwcjK5VJt
Christopher Vogler’s 12 steps of the Hero’s Journey:
Ordinary World
Call To Adventure
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Refusal Of The Call
Meeting Of The Mentor
Crossing The Threshold (Launch Into The Special World)
Tests, Allies, Enemies
Approach To The Inmost Cave
The Ordeal
Reward
The Chase
Resurrection
Return With Elixir
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Illness propels us to all the stages of a Hero’s Journey, whether we want to go or not; for me, the stages are repeating – I would feel better, then worse, then better… My Body knows so much more than my conscious Brain.
As Dr. Amy Grace Lam’s poem says: “Maybe we only need to ask, ask our remember bones.”
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All the cells in our body perform as archetypes on our journeys / in our stories.
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Thank you, Philipp Dettmer, for your book Immune: A Journey into the Mysterious System That Keeps You Alive. Mr. Dettmer is the creator of the popular science YouTube channel “Kurzgesagt—In a Nutshell” https://www.youtube.com/@kurzgesagt/videos
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Christopher Vogler’s 8 types of Archetypes/Characters
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Hero
Herald
Mentor
Threshold Guardian
Ally
Shapeshifter
Shadow
Trickster
The person who introduced story-telling to me was my mother who was a school teacher in Hong Kong before she immigrated to the USA; she told me stories – translations of Aesop’s Fables. Even though I don’t remember details of the fables, I do recall how a character’s “cleverness” or “perseverance” can get one out of trouble.
(Thank you, the folks at https://www.umass.edu/aesop/fables.php, for showing Aesop’s Fables.)
The person who told me about the book that would inspire me to write about my experiences is Dr. Susan Thackrey, Ph.D. who taught me compassion.
The author who wrote that book (The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts) is Maxine Hong Kingston.
In 1998 award-winning writer Martha Alderson (who would become The Plot Whisperer https://marthaalderson.com/books-and-ebooks/) introduced me to Christopher Volger’s book The Writer”s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers.
Fast forward to 2023…
To my client, compassionate author Edward C. Hartshorn, I am cheering for you and all your characters in your new book. May you gain more aha moments listening to the interviews with Christopher Vogler.
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Thank you, YouTube channel “Film Courage”https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLez8jOvskc-OFbFPTf03N8PZBwcjK5VJt for posting the 11 videos of Mr. Christopher Vogler
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Joseph Campbell (author of The Hero with a Thousand Faces) was Mr. Vogler’s mentor
Carl Jung https://www.britannica.com/biography/Carl-Jung (Angel Suzanne, I am thinking of you)
Archetypes
Characters
Mythology
Gods and Goddesses
Fairy Tales
Stories
Movies
Films
Books
Metaphors
Symbols
12 Stages Of The Hero’s Journey – Christopher Vogler 22:48
8 Common Character Types Writers Should Know – Christopher Vogler 17:31
The Hero’s Journey Is Not A Formula – Christopher Vogler 12:33
This Is Why It Doesn’t Matter If Every Story Has Been Told – Christopher Vogler 11:23
How Writers Can Use Symbols To Improve Their Stories – Christopher Vogler 11:01
How The Hero’s Journey Helps Writers With Their Characters – Christopher Vogler 12:13
Impact Of Myths And Fairy Tales On Modern Stories – Christopher Vogler 11:01
You Don’t Have To Suffer To Be An Artist But You Should Understand This – Christopher Vogler 13:38
The Big Problem With American Movies – Christopher Vogler 9:03
How To Write A Character’s Death – Christopher Vogler 16:05
A thousand thanks to Mr. CHRISTOPHER VOGLER and his book THE WRITER’S JOURNEY: Mythic Structure for Writers
I am grateful to beloved LAH who directly / indirectly led me to many of these remarkable healers:
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Stephanie Wilger, NC for Chi Nei Tsang, Breast Wellness, Nutrition https://stephaniewilgernc.net/
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Dr. Jae Reed D.C. for Neuro Integration System (N.I.S.) and Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) https://azureskychiro.com/
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Amy Grace Lam, Ph.D. https://www.vibrationalenergywellness.com who taught me how to ask my Body questions.
Amy’s artist website https://www.amygracelam.com/ Her poem “The Remember Bones” https://www.kalw.org/show/bay-poets/2023-02-06/the-remember-bones-by-poet-amy-grace-lam
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Loduskia “Dusky” Pierce, MFT http://www.duskyswondersite.com/about/ who taught me EMDR and EFT and gave me grief counseling numerous times.
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Gilles Marin, master teacher and practitioner of Chi Nei Tsang, who gave me new hope on my journey.
USA: https://www.chineitsang.com/ France: http://chineitsang.marin.free.fr/
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Marie-Christine Cornet in France who taught me to be gentle with self wherever I am http://www.mariechristinecornet.com/
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Stephanie Doucette, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. OM, for her kindness and acupuncture treatments
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Danielle Rosenman, M.D. for coaching me in Neuroplasticity (I achieved success in training my Brain to stop sending chronic pain signals) at the beginning of my journey in the autumn of 2020;
Dr. Michael Moskowitz’s and Dr. Marla Golden’s workbook, webinars, brain graphics, and more..
TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION
http://www.neuroplastix.com
https://shop.neuroplastix.com/Neuroplastic-Transformation-Workbook-92-W8PZ-LIIY.htm
Thank you for reading my blog post:
Story Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “When illness takes us onto a Hero’s Journey”
I wish YOU total wellness!
Sincerely,
photo of Teresa by Teresa’s beloved mentor Lynn Scott
Teresa Jade LeYung
(formerly Teresa LeYung-Ryan)
author Love Made of Heart - the mother-daughter novel (archived at the San Francisco History Center)
author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days
author of the Talking To My Dead Mom monologues
author of all the blog posts at https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/
Writing Coach Teresa says:
“I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”
Love Made Of Heart ®
http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog
Dear Writers/Caregivers/Advocates for Loved Ones,
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here . . . I see how helping a loved one/being an advocate is so much like writing a book.
My papa has been diagnosed with Parkinsonism by his neurologist. If Papa is telling his story, he would be the first-person narrator; if I’m telling the story about him, then I would be the third-person narrator.
A book (story) consists of one main character (also known as “hero” or “protagonist”) or multiple main characters and other characters (other archetypes), a subject matter that is discussed repeatedly (“theme”) and at least one plotline (“what happened?”). The merging of these elements helps the writer show the hero’s journey.
Helping a loved one/being an advocate consists of at least 2 protagonists (YOU and the loved one) and other archetypes (physicians, healthcare and social service providers, other family members and friends, neighbors, coworkers, vendors, . . . the stranger who gives up her/his seat on the train for you), themes (the cause for help and advocacy and the related issues), and plotlines (the interconnected events associated with all the characters). Who will be the most transformed in the story? The loved one? You the caregiver/advocate? The person who is most transformed would be the main character/hero/protagonist. Perhaps both people will go through great transformation. Two protagonists!
I am writing – I keep a notebook for whenever I visit my papa or when I do something on his behalf- gosh, there are so many little “subplots” to keep track of! (Is this Papa’s third or last session with the physical therapist? Mary and I need to witness the exercises so that when the P.T. closes the case, we would be able to coach Papa. Did he say he wanted another heating pad? Oh my, there are at least 18 model to choose from. Gotta review friends’ advice about what is a comfortable bed and also Consumer Reports. Then Papa has to “test drive” some beds. You just can’t shop for a mattress the way you shop for a pair of shoes.
MATTRESS SHOPPING TIPS (from Sealy’s website)
- Plan to spend at least one hour in the store.
- Wear loose clothing and easily removable shoes.
- Test out mattresses in groups of three for easier comparison.
- Lie on each mattress for 5 to 15 minutes to let it fully adapt to your body.
- Don’t feel rushed. It’s ok to ask for privacy.
I would add: Bring your own pillow so that your neck is supported while trying out mattresses; maybe bring an extra pillow case too.
And, I am reading the book The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity by Norman Doidge, M.D. Chapter 2 is titled “A Man Walks Off His Parkinsonian Symptoms” . . . how John Pepper has been able to reverse the major symptoms, the ones that Parkinson’s patients dread most, those that lead to immobility. He’s done so with an exercise program he devised and with a special kind of concentration . . .
All the “characters” in Dr. Doidge’s books (The Brain’s Way of Healing and The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science) and in Dr. Victoria Sweet‘s book (God’s Hotel: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine) are guiding me on my journey as an advocate for my father. And, I just know that my mom plays a huge role in helping me.
I thank everyone who has given me her/his time, energy, and prayers.
Here are links to websites I’ve relied on lately:
https://franceskakugawa.wordpress.com/category/caregiving/ Frances Kakugawa
http://www.writeradvice.com/ywmtdw.html B. Lynn Goodwin
http://www.normandoidge.com/ Norman Doidge, M.D.
https://www.michaeljfox.org/ Michael J. Fox Foundation
Special thanks to Margie Yee Webb, Frances Kakugawa, Penny Manson, Debbie Ramos and her daughter Melanie who went out of their way to help me research specific items and to Mary, my sister Maria Leung, Linda Harris, Sue, Janet, and Elaine for being there in person.
Sincerely,
Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan
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
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,
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.)
***
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, what books are you reading this month?
Two weeks ago I reported to jury duty. Before leaving my house that morning to catch bus and BART, I went to my bookcases to look for volumes of Greek Tragedies (I’ve had those books since college days).
Why did I want to reread translations of Greek Tragedies? To study literary works that engaged me decades ago and have been in my memory since. In Greek Tragedies, oftentimes the villains are the parents, with help from the gods and goddesses. My studying these classics helps me gain examples of plotline structuring and archetypes for my clients whose manuscripts carry similar themes–what if a family member is the wicked antagonist?
So, I re-read Aeschylus: The Libation Bearers (translated by Richmond Lattimore) and Sophocles: Electra (translated by David Greene), and, I’m re-reading Euripides: Iphigenia in Tauris (translated by Witter Bynner).
Did I get selected as a juror? That is another story which I will tell later.
Liz Bittner just finished reading Barbara Kingsolver’s novel The Poisonwood Bible and she lent me her copy. I am enjoying it immensely.
Writers, I’ve updated my post “Coach Teresa, what should I do before hiring an editor?”
Happy writing and rewriting!
Sincerely,
Writing Career Coach; Manuscript Consultant; Author
of Love Made of Heart; Author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days
This blog post is to encourage my clients and all the writers who are on their umpteenth rewrites.
When you’re writing a novel, a memoir, or any lengthy story, keeping track of the elements (plotlines, character arcs, archetypes, themes, hooks, foreshadows, metaphors, dialogue, front story, back story, internal monologue, exposition, irony) becomes a monumental task.
My analogy: The elements in your story make up the pieces of a ten-thousand-piece puzzle. Revising a piece of the puzzle could mean adjusting all the other pieces, especially when you’ve been rewriting and rewriting. Has your overall puzzle become a fuzzy picture?
Here’s my advice: Work in sections. Start with the first quarter of your story. Print your pages and read them out loud, chapter by chapter. As you read, take notes; use color coding to track each element. Example: you might use yellow highlight to track your “hooks.” Whatever method you choose to track, ask yourself these questions: What’s my intent to introduce this hook? Am I going to keep the reader engaged by re-baiting this hook in successive chapters? At what point will I satisfy the reader by releasing the hook (delivering the “aha” moment)?
Happy rewriting and tracking!
I salute you!
Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan
author / manuscript consultant / writing career coach
author of Love Made of Heart (the story that inspires adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and to gain resources for their families)
author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW
Motoko Rich’s article in The New York Times got me running to my bookshelves to look for my copy of The Portable Jung that was edited by Joseph Campbell. Jung’s text was translated by R.F.C. Hull.
On the same shelf is The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler–this book (about archetypes and stages of the hero’s journey) is one of the secret tools in my Writer’s Tool Box.
When I edit a manuscript, I always look for ways to help my client identify the archetypes in his/her story. Memorable characters make for a good read.
Rich says that The Red Book is considered the Holy Grail by many Jungians. Speaking of the Holy Grail, I saw Angela Berquist, Ph.D. and her husband Michael Betts at the California Writers Club party in San Mateo this month. Angela is the author of The Grail Reclaimed: A New View of An Old Symbol.
Motoko Rich’s article in The New York Times “Dreamy Sales of Jung Book Stir Analysis”
Published: December 24, 2009
Excerpts from the article:
As online and big-box retailers hustle to outdo themselves in discounts, “The Red Book” by Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychology, has surprised booksellers and its publisher, W. W. Norton & Company, by bucking the economy and becoming difficult, and in some cases impossible, to find in bookstores around the country.
“We were absolutely amazed,” said Elaine Petrocelli, an owner of Book Passage, an independent company with bookstores in San Francisco and suburban Corte Madera, Calif. “Here you have a $195 book in what’s supposed to be a bad time, and we have many, many orders for it. I think we have over 20 orders for it.”
The book is considered the Holy Grail by many Jungians, who for years had only heard rumors of its existence. For decades Jung’s descendants kept the original, leather-bound volume, which Jung worked on between 1912 and 1928, locked in a bank vault.
Full article on: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/25/books/25jung.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=cm_dly_lnk
New Year’s approaching, new year to give your writing project a new look.
Ask me, Writing Coach Teresa, to edit 22 pages at a time.
Gain tools from my coaching with each installment of your manuscript. Affordable too.
Learn how to use archetypes, themes/universal messages, metaphors, hooks, foreshadows, pivotal plot points, seamless transitions, and poignancy to make your story a page-turner.
I like to edit fiction and narrative non-fiction with strong and quirky protagonists, memoirs, young adult fiction, and short stories.
Visit http://WritingCoachTeresa.com home page to find out what it means when an agent or editor tells a writer that his/her story is episodic.
California Writers’ Club–SF Peninsula Branch Presents
“Build Your Name While You Write”
with Writing-Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan
January 16, 2010, 10am to noon
Belmont Library, 1110 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Belmont, CA
Cost: $15 CWC members; $18 non-members
Reservations are advised:
Call 650-615-8331 to leave a message or email Chris Wachlin at <reservations@sfpeninsulawriters.com> with your name and the meeting date.
More info & PayPal available on: http://cwc-peninsula.org
Can you relate to any one of these statements?
* Agents and acquisition editors say publishers prefer to work with authors who are already celebrities or have established platforms (i.e. means to build fan base). How do I compete?
* I am published. There aren’t enough hours in a day to write, let alone run around and network.
* I believe in my writing and I’m committed to building my career, but, my budget is limited.
Optional exercises before January 16: http://cwc-peninsula.org/
On January 16, 2010 Teresa will debut her guide Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published
Teresa LeYung Ryan’s bio: http://WritingCoachTeresa.com