Teresa LeYung Ryan

Posts Tagged ‘CA’

Yesterday February 2, 2010 turned into a strange yet motivating day for me as a writer.

A dear friend said yes to driving down to Palo Alto with me to attend the 7:00pm Other Voices TV  “Why Did Haiti Collapse? More Than an Earthquake” at Community Media Center.  I got onto North 101 instead of South 101, so, lost 15 minutes there. Then, relying on MapQuest wrong directions, we lost another 20 minutes. Asking people for directions to 900 San Antonio Road [Community Media Center] led us to the Jewish Community Center instead.
So we did “follow the numbers.”.  I drove to the 800 block of San Antonio and got onto the side of the street with even numbers and headed in the direction of higher numbers than 800.  900 San Antonio Road was tucked away in a strip of buildings partially hidden behind a sound wall.

We made it!  20 minutes late but we made it!  Paul George of Peninsula Peace and Justice Center http://www.peaceandjustice.org was moderator.  His articulate speech on KZSU 90.1 FM http://kzsu.stanford.edu/ on February 1, 2010 had propelled me to attend this program.
The 2 panelists gave compelling eyewitness accounts and the audience learned how we can really help Haiti right now (right now to help lessen the suffering).

Seth Donnelly, a longtime Haiti solidarity activist, has visited Haiti many times, assisting grassroots projects and documenting human rights abuses by the UN occupation forces, was a calm eloquent speaker.

Walter Riley, a longtime civil rights attorney, peace activist, and Haiti Solidarity activist, was in Port-au-Prince when the devastating earthquake struck Haiti.  For three days, he and his family aided in the frantic rescue efforts and witnessed the scope of the devastation.  Walter is the Chair of the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund.

What did I learn from Mr. Donnelly and Mr. Riley?  Many organizations are raising money. Great. Is that money really going to the Haitian grassroots agencies? Is the money to buy food, medical supplies, and building material waiting for red tape (supplies and materials sitting on tarmacs while Haitians are dying)?  Apparently, Haiti’s grassroots (women’s groups being a huge component) are the ones who can help most effectively because they’re right there helping neighbors; they know their infrastructure. What else did I re-learn?  Natural disaster on top of abject poverty = brutal suffering. Medical personnel, disaster relief workers, and compassionate souls are all heroes.

Channel 27 Mid-Peninsula, California http://www.communitymediacenter.net/

Haiti Emergency Relief Fund   http://www.haitiaction.net/About/HERF/HERF.html

I don’t have the means to write big checks; I do have a big voice as a writer though.

Writers, keep on writing!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

If you were there today, click on the title of this post so that when you scroll down this page you can see the boxes to submit your comment and tell the world what number you are (on back cover, lower right corner of the 22-day playbook if you bought one for yourself)

I am so elated that you and 40 other writers from California Writers Club showed up today at Belmont Library, CA for the first “Major League Tryouts with Coach Teresa– Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published”

Let the world know that you were there . . . by filling in your name, email address, website or blog address (if you have one).

In the big rectangular box, tell the world what your “tags” are. If you bought a Build Your Name 22-day playbook, let the world know what number you got.

Review what you typed, because, as soon as you press the Submit Comment bar, your comment will appear on my post for the world to see. You won’t be able to edit it after you press the Submit Comment bar.

My blog alert will send me an email, notifying me that there’s a new comment waiting for me to view. For You Fabulous Writers Who Were There Today, if you press the Submit Comment bar by accident and want me to delete your comment, I will do that for you. Ask me . . . by submitting another comment. This is good practice for writers who have never submitted a comment on a blog before.

Also, if you have a quick question for me, submit a comment. Even if you don’t have a question, submit a comment anyway. I want to hear from you.

I’m cheering for you!

Coach Teresa

Teresa LeYung Ryan

Coach Teresa wants you to have a blog. Why? You can showcase your writing style, “tag” the keywords and key phrases in your blog posts — to attract agents, publishers, more fans.

Ann Foster, on CWC Peninsula Branch executive board, writes historical fiction set in Texas

Apala G. Egan (Apala, check out http://wnba-sfchapter.org)

Arnette Bourla (Arnette, where were you sitting yesterday?)

Bardi Rosman Koodrin, a visionary communicator! Bardi is Publicity Chair for CWC Peninsula Branch

Bel M. Rennels, author of A Gift Not Wasted – organ advocacy, joy of gifting life

Carmen Lee, founder of Stamp Out Stigma. Read about famous people with mental illness http://www.stampoutstigma.org

Catherine Byrne (Where were you sitting?)

Christopher Wachlin writes fiction, scripts, poetry. (Chris, thanks for helping Coach Teresa yesterday!)

Darlene Frank (Do you have Playbook #12?)

Darlene Rose DeMaria, spiritual mentor, Catholic Buddhist Wisdom

David Hirzel writes about Arctic, Antarctic, explorations, Tom Crean http://davidhirzel.net

Diane Warner is NOT a clown anymore.

Eve Visconti says “Personal growth through movies!”

George Jensen writes engaging stories.

Georgia Platts writes about “Having it all without doing it all” for moms whose careers are at home or outside the home.

Geri Spieler, author of Taking Aim at the President, is an investigative journalist and award-winning speaker http://gerispieler.com

Ida Lewenstein, author of a delightful children’s picture book.

Inés Villafañe-León salutes immigrants; she’s fluent in Spanish; author of 2 books http://inesalicia.com/

James Hanna writes about prison riots.

Jess Roat (Where were you sitting?)

JO

Joyce Robins, author of Aunt Lydia’s Trousseau

Kimmelin Hull was there.

L J Anderson specializes in writing about health http://LJANDERSON.com

Laurel Anne Hill, author of Heroes Arise, writes about forgiveness, inner turmoil, unlikely heroes http://www.laurelannehill.com

Lenny Robins is Joyce Robins’ adoring husband.

Linda Okerlund, VP of CWC Peninsula Branch. (Linda, thanks again for inviting Coach Teresa to deliver “Major Leagues Tryouts for Writersto Build Your Name”)

Lisa Meltzer Penn, author of The Siren Dialogues http://LisaMeltzerPenn.com

Margaret Davis, author of Straight Down the Middle – surrogate parents http://MargaretDavisBooks.com

Martin Shane Dowd (Martin, always a joy to see you!)

Mary E. Knippel helps busy women rediscover their creative-selves http://openuptoyourcreativity.com

Mary Hanna, author of You May Already Be a Wiener! and columnist – Second Half is a running commentary on everyday life for Baby Boomers and those who love them. http://maryhanna.com/ (Mary, thanks for telling me about tags revealed or in cloud!)

Ollie (what is your last name?)

Patricia Costello writes crime fiction, with an American female protagonist in Latin America. (Patricia, thanks for asking questions.)

Riley Costello (Thanks for attending with Patricia!)

Ruth Silnes says: “Education through art.” 2 books http://RuthSilnes.com

Tia Creighton, female social satirist http://tia-creighton.livejournal.com

Tory Hartmann, a cool leader, engaging story-teller, writes about Catholic humor http://ToryHartmann.com

Valerie Lee, author of The Jade Rubies – about slave girls (Wow, Valerie!) http://ValerieLeeWorks.com

Virginia W. Thomson, author of history, Bible, Judgment Day

Everyone who was there yesterday . . . I’ll add your name if you submit a comment to this post. Let the world know you were there yesterday.

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.

Writing Coach & Manuscript Consultant Teresa LeYung Ryan who helps writers 22 pages at a time.

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

A tree that didn't give up

Dear Writers,

My husband and I were in Forestville, CA this past weekend. We came upon this tree–the trunk was hollow; two of the three major limbs were broken; one limb survived, bearing fruit. What a magnificent sight to behold.  A tree that didn’t give up.

That tree is a metaphor for our endeavors.  Keep writing. The publishing arena is fiercely competitive. If your dream is to be happily published, then, keep writing and rewriting.

Cheering for you!

Writing Coach Teresa