Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Posts Tagged ‘Frances Kakugawa’

Coach Teresa, How do I fix my children’s story? Agent says it’s too episodic.

In my previous blog post about how to remedy an episodic storyline  . . . here’s an argument from one of my clients who writes children’s books . . .

“But kids aren’t that sophisticated, are they? Shouldn’t stories for that age group be episodic?”

Coach Teresa here . . .  Kids know what a good story is, especially if they’ve read the timeless classics (to name a few:  The Hobbit; The Wind In the Willows; Charlotte’s Web; The Phantom Tollbooth; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. What are other memorable children’s books? Wordsworth the Poet by Frances Kakugawa is a contemporary favorite of mine )

Also, keep in mind that a children’s story has to hook adults (agents, acquisition editors, publishers, booksellers, reviewers, shoppers).  How do you hook adult-readers, even if you choose to be your own publisher?

Answer:  Create memorable characters and follow screenwriting teacher Terrel Seltzer’s advice:  “Someone we care about wants something badly and is having a terrible time getting it.”

Here’s my post from May 26, 2011 about Terrel

I encourage you to set the stage.  Give the reader sensory details—not only sight and hearing but also taste, smell and touch.

To create a story with thematic significance, let your metaphors / similes / inferences move your story forward or provide clues.

Coach Teresa says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

Want to attract agents  & publishers?  Want to be your own publisher?

• Get your manuscript professionally edited
• Build your writer’s platform NOW

Email:  writingcoachTeresa    at    gmail.com

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

Coach Teresa  LeYung-Ryan loves to edit:

• novels & memoirs with feisty protagonists and universal messages;
• children’s novels that help young readers understand their feelings and build self-confidence

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/

http://lovemadeofheart.com

“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

Colleague Margie Yee Webb told me about a fun event that happened this past Tuesday night.  I believe in post-event cheers for my colleagues.  If you’re in the Sacramento area, go meet these authors at events. What do these authors have in common?  They’re all vibrant members at the Sacramento Branch of the California Writers Club. I have worked with them (Margie Yee Webb, Steve Liddick, Bob Quinlan, Frances Kakugawa, Kiyo Sato, Susan M. Osborn) at various literary events and I think they are all delightful!  Margie, Bob, Frances and I are WNBA members

September 21, 2010-An Evening With Authors-Open to the Public

6-8 p.m. Luna’s Cafe, 1414 16th St., Sacramento, CA

These authors (they’re nice people too) read from their works and autographed books:

Bob Quinlan of Earn It: Empower Yourself for Love (Authority Publishing, $19.95, 252 pages)

Frances Kakugawa of Mosaic Moon: Caregiving Through Poetry (Watermark Publishing, $16.95, 232 pages)

Kiyo Sato of Kiyo’s Story: A Japanese-American Family’s Quest for the American Dream (Soho Press, $25, 352 pages)

Susan M. Osborn of The System Made Me Do It: A Life Changing Approach to Office Politics (Lifethread Publications, $19.95, 176 pages)

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/

Another Day in the Life of a Published Author/Presenter/Advocate of Literacy

Dear Writers,

I encourage everyone to finish writing that story or that book and find ways to get your work published in print form.  When I first set out to write Love Made of Heart (originally entitled Grace) over 20 years ago, my dream was to someday touch readers the way Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior had touched me.

Since Love Made of Heart got published in October 2002 by Kensington Publishing Corp., New York, I have had the opportunities to make connections with readers not only with the book but also through personal appearances at community events, writers’ conferences, writers’ organizations, schools and libraries.  Connecting with people through promoting literacy is my favorite role as an author.

Today I received this email which made me sad, but, I got a chance to offer a piece of me as an author. Thank you, Donna, for emailing me.

Hello Teresa!  My name is Donna Axelson. I am on the board of the non-profit Veterans Memorial that was built in 2007 in Cupertino, CA. I became involved with this project because my son, Matthew Axelson, a Navy SEAL, was killed in Afghanistan in 2005. If you have read the New York Times Bestseller Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell you have read about Matthew and Operation Redwing.

One of my major jobs with the non-profit is to chair the annual golf tournament that supports the Memorial. This is our fifth year to hold the golf tournament and one of the most sought after auction items is children’s books signed by local authors. I’m hoping you would be willing to donate a copy of one of your books this year for the auction. The golf tournament this year is Monday, August 23 @ the Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club. You can reach me at ____ and you can view our website at www.cupertinoveteransmemorial.org

Are you a golfer? We’d love to have you join us for golf or how about coming just for the dinner, auctions, and program. See attachment.  http://www.cupertinoveteransmemorial.org/golf_tournament.html

Thank you!

Donna Axelson

This is my reply to Donna:

Tue, Jul 13, 2010

Dear Donna,

My heart is heavy as I read your email about how you got involved with Veterans Memorial.

Donna, I would be honored to donate a copy of Love Made of Heart (to honor your love for Matthew); however my book is not a children’s book. It is recommended by the California Reading Association and the California School Library Association (for high-school and college level); it’s archived at the San Francisco History Center. The main character is in her twenties.

This link has more information about the book:
http://lovemadeofheart.com/Love-Made-of-Heart-journey-of-an-adult-child-of-a-mentally-ill-parent.html

• Do let me know if you still want a copy of Love Made of Heart.

• I am the creator of “Heroes, Tricksters, and Villains” (a writing workshop for children). If you ever want such a presentation for another fundraiser, please invite me.

• You might want to also contact Frances Kakugawa, the author of Wordsworth the Poet and Wordsworth Dances The Waltz.    http://www.francesk.org/homepage.html Please tell Frances hello for me if you email her.

• Donna, are you a writer?  There must be a branch of California Writers Club near you. http://calwriters.org/

• Lastly, how did you find me?

Sincerely,
Teresa
Teresa LeYung Ryan

The following day, Donna emailed again:

Teresa,

I looked up your book so know a bit about it already. We have at least one foursome of high school and college age golfers plus parents of those same age young people golf. Plus our CEO is involved with the Organization of Special Needs families in our area. I think your book would be a wonderful addition to our auction. Please send it to the address below % CVM Golf Tournament.

I will contact Frances. Thank you for her information.

Last year when I went to the Linden Tree in Los Altos (Dennis and Linda always donate books for the auction.) I purchased a book 2007 Writers and Illustrators Network Guide [Authors and Illustrators Network Guide] and you were in that book.

Fondly,

Donna Axelson

c/o Cupertino Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament

So, I inscribed a hardcover copy of Love Made of Heart to “The Cupertino Veterans Memorial Hearts” and attached a personal note to Donna and mailed the package out.

Dear Writers,

On my wesite is a page “Writers Resources”  http://lovemadeofheart.com/Writers-Resources.html I attend many of the events sponsored by Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter.

See you at a community event or on cyberspace!

Sincerely,

Teresa

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.

Love Made of Heart inspires adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas that their parents suffer.  http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com

Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook.  Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.” http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

To continue celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and AsianWeek (the voice of Asian America) I’m thinking about these books and authors:

Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

China Boy by Gus Lee

The Jade Rubies by Valerie Lee (I’m looking forward to reading this book this year)

Peony In Love by Lisa See

My Splendid Concubine by Lloyd Lofthouse

Wordsworth the Poet by Frances Kakugawa

My Half of the Sky by Jana McBurney-Lin

This Place Called Absence by Lydia Kwa (Ms. Kwa is Canadian)

Kiyo’s Story: A Japanese American Familys Quest for the American Dream by Kiyo Sato

Farewell to Manzanar: A True Story of Japanese American Experience During and After the World War II Internment by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D. Houston

15 May 2010  Delightful people and guardian angels made Asian Heritage Street Celebration a sunny day for me.

If you were at today’s AHSC, I welcome your comments to this post. Just click on the title of this post to get the boxes. After you compose your comment, save a copy, then press the “submit comment” button. Thanks!

Even last night I wasn’t sure whether I’d make it to the event today.  I believe Marisa and my mom must have sent me a dose of energy.

Thank you, Margie Yee Webb, creator of Cat Mulan, for orchestrating the California Writers Club booth at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration.  We were in front of the San Francisco Main Branch Library on Larkin Street, between the Public Library booth and Kara’s Cupcakes–what could be better?  Margie Yee Webb, Lloyd Lofthouse, Frances Kakugawa and I had fun with dear fans and friends.  Thank you, Margie’s beautiful sisters and niece, Frances’s sweetheart, all the kind folks at AHSC, and of course my hubby Lyle Ryan who dragged a second suitcase of books onto BART with me. Guardian Angels brought us sunshine in the afternoon.

Margie Yee Webb, Lloyd Lofthouse, Frances Kakugawa, Teresa LeYung Ryan at AHSC 2010

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Margie Yee Webb and her darling sisters at Asian Heritage Street Celebration

Annie Yee & Teresa LeYung Ryan at Asian Heritage Street Celebration

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Jennifer & her mom Susan & Teresa LeYung Ryan

Annie & Tony still newlyweds

Teresa LeYung Ryan & Roberta

*****

author Teresa LeYung Ryan & Katie

Teresa LeYung Ryan & Lyle Ryan show Love Made of Heart Tshirt at AHSC 2010

Peggy a Lowell graduate & author Teresa LeYung Ryan

author Teresa LeYung Ryan & Carl the dog trainer

Poet David will be reading Love Made of Heart

Thank you! to Everyone who have read or will be reading Love Made of Heart. You have the power to be Book Critics. Please write reviews (can be short) on Amazon.com  or email Reviews@LoveMadeofHeart.com

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

As an author and a community spirit, I, Teresa LeYung Ryan, use my novel Love Made of Heart to:
• shed light on stigmas suffered by immigrant women, men, and children
• advocate understanding of mental illness/traumas to the mind
• help survivors of violence find their own voices through writing

http://lovemadeofheart.com/

*******

author Teresa LeYung Ryan & Jane

Margie Yee Webb, Angela Pang, Teresa LeYung Ryan at Asian Heritage Street Celebration 2010

Hello Writers of Fiction and Non-Fiction,

I’ll be at these events in May and June, 2010:

This Thursday May 13, 2010 I will be attending the Effie Lee Morris Lecture at the San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Saturday, May 15, 2010  11 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST

Asian Heritage Street Celebration (starts at Larkin and McAllister Streets in San Francisco, in front of the Asian Art Museum in Civic Center, leading up to the Little Saigon District)

Look for Teresa LeYung Ryan (author of Love Made of Heart), Margie Yee Webb, Frances Kakugawa and Lloyd Lofthouse  at the California Writers Club booth.

The fair features Asian American artists, DJs, martial arts, today’s Asian pop culture, j-cars, a Muay Thai kickboxing ring, scrumptious food, children’s area, cultural procession, anime, free hepatitis B screenings and more! www.asianfairsf.com

The event is free and open to the public.   Teresa will post location of  their booth; please check: http://writingcoachteresa.com

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Tuesday, May 18, 2010  11:00am – 12:45pm PST

Blockbuster Plots Consultant Martha Alderson http://blockbusterplots.com &  Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan on Kim McMillon’s “Writers’ Sanctuary” Blog Talk Radio Show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onword/page/3 If you miss  the live show, you can listen to the archive at:   http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onword/2010/05/18/writers-sanctuary-with-kim-mcmillon

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Friday June 18, 2010

Time: 11 AM PDT |12 PM MDT | 1 PM CDT |2 PM EDT

Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan  on Linda Joy Myers’s Teleseminar for The National Association of Memoir Writers (NAMW)

[June NAMW Member-only Teleseminar] Join Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan as She Helps Memoir Writers Use What They Know to Build Fame!  Fun & Simple Steps for Memoir Writers to Thrive
Not already a member of NAMW? Visit http://www.namw.org now!

How do writers thrive in the fiercely competitive industry? Find out for yourself in this delightful session with Coach Teresa who created Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published (the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook).

She will help you:

* 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.

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Saturday, June 19, 2010 2:00pm PST

San Mateo County Fair / Peninsula Festival

Four Bay Area novelists discuss their writing experiences and offer tips for aspiring fiction writers.

Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart. www.writingcoachteresa.com

Margaret Davis, author of Straight Down the Middle. www.margaretdavisbooks.com

Judith Marshall, author of Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever.  www.judithmarshall.net

Jon Corey, author of A Plague of Scoundrels

Moderator:  Tory Hartmann  http://toryhartmann.com/

Bios

Teresa LeYung Ryan uses her novel Love Made of Heart to shed light on secret agonies suffered by mothers and daughters in domestic violence. She is also a writing career coach and creator of Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published.

Margaret Davis (Straight Down the Middle) is a sociologist who is also the author of Families in a Working World and A Practical Guide to Organization Design. Her second novel, Katie Carlisle, will be available soon.

Judith Marshall (Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever) is the owner of Kelso Books, a publishing house. Husbands has been optioned for the screen and her second novel, Staying Afloat, will be available soon.

Jon Cory (A Plague of Scoundrels). Retirement enabled Jon to return to creative writing after a career in business. His debut novel received the 2009 Independent Publishers’ Silver Medal award for popular fiction.

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Coach Teresa here.

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.

Teresa LeYung Ryan says: “You are the expert of your experiences whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction. When you make your name synonymous with the themes/subject matters/issues in your writing, you beat the game. You too can be happily published.

Coach Teresa’s 22-day playbook Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published has arrived.  $22

Grab a few writer-friends or ask your writers’ club to invite me and I will conduct:

“Major League Tryouts with Coach Teresa– Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published”

Cheering for all writers!

Coach Teresa

http://WritingCoachTeresa.com