Dear Readers / Writers

I am visiting brilliant Olga Malyj in Oregon… enjoying her beautiful energy, her sweet home and garden.

Two evenings ago, I had a delightful conversation with Kristiane McKee Maas whom I met through author / teacher / The Plot Whisper Martha Alderson https://marthaalderson.com/ close to 19 years ago at a writers’ conference hosted by the South Bay Branch of the California Writers Club https://southbaywriters.com/.

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Kristiane McKee Maas is a writer, artist, and the owner of Bar 46 Ranch and breeder of Longhorn cattle.

She says:

“My paternal grandmother homesteaded Bar 46 Ranch in 1899 and is a continuing source of inspiration for me.”

https://bar46ranchlonghorns.com/about-bar-46-ranch-2/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF6pLi8kAWE

Kristiane McKee Maas is author of Table Affairs, contributing author of Seasons of our Lives: Spring

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Through Kristiane, I met  Matilda Butler – Author/Memoir Coach/Social Psychologist

Matilda Butler  is the award-winning author of Rosie’s Daughters: The “First Woman To” Generation Tells Its Story, Writing Alchemy: How to Write Fast and Deep, and a collection of award-winning anthologies: Tales of our Lives.

https://womensmemoirs.com/contact/about-the-two-women/

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Also through Kristiane, I met  artist and author Gale Henshel

Gale’s beautiful book:  Dyslexia, My Gift, My Story

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145870337197

https://www.abebooks.com/9781611702392/Dyslexia-Gift-Story-Henshel-Gale-1611702399/plp

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Teresa Jade LeYung thanks Olga Malyj, Martha Alderson, Kristiane McKee Maas, Matilda Butler, and Gale Henshel.

Sincerely,

Story Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung wishes Everyone – Beauty, Total Wellness, Peace and Joy!

—   photo by Nan and MEK

Published author, blogger, lover of Paris, FRANCE, photo historian, Writing Coach 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.”
https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

Love Made Of Heart ®

2022 October 1, California;  October 3, 22:22

I, Teresa Jade LeYung (formerly Teresa LeYung Ryan), celebrate the 20th anniversary of my mother-daughter novel LOVE MADE OF HEART.

This is just the first of a series of Thank You as I continue celebrating LOVE MADE OF HEART and the kindhearted souls (teachers, librarians, booksellers, media folks, community leaders, friends and colleagues, mentors, readers and more readers) who have helped me speak up about:

– honoring courageous immigrants 

– inspiring adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas

– helping survivors of family violence find their own voices

– speaking from the heart

What does “love made of heart” mean?

In the Chinese written language … the word “heart” is inside the words “grace,” “forgiveness,” “perseverance,” “compassion.”

The word “heart” is inside the word “love”…   one of the themes in my mother-daughter novel.

I shall dedicate the entire month of October to thank everyone who has helped me delivered my first novel into the world and all the readers. Many people have helped me but have never broadcast their kindness; I don’t know who they are; I thank everyone from my heart.

then Teresa LeYung Ryan, co-presenter with Elisa Sasa Southard and Kathi Kamen Goldmark at San Francisco Writers Conference - photo by Cheri Eplin 2004

Love Made of Heart: a Daughter, a Mother, a Journey Through Mental Illness
http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/Love-Made-of-Heart-a-Daughter,-a-Mother,-a-Journey-Through-Mental-Illness.html

I begin my thanks to:

My mother and all family members, and, the characters (Ruby Lin, Vivien Lin, Mrs. Nussbaum, Dr. Thatcher) who inspired my story.

The teachers who taught the 10-week course “Writing Children’s Literature” where I met critique group members Evelyn Miche, Cat (before she moved to Maine), Theresa Stephenson, Olga Malyj (who joined us for a few months).

To Kim McMillon who believed in me … way back when, long before I started writing. Dr. Kim McMillon, poet, activist, with over twenty years of experience producing theatre, is now an author and Black Arts Movement historian.

Everyone who orchestrated the 1997 Jack London Writers’ Conference, members at the California Writers Club and the Women’s National Book Association.

Everyone at East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) where I had a full-time job at headquarters; to my boss at the time – Robert Doyle – who said “yes” to my request for a 6-week leave-of-absence to complete one last rewrite of my manuscript.

Susan Canale (at EBRPD), Luisa Adams (author), Martha Alderson (author) for reading my last rewrite and giving criticism and praise.

Everyone at Regional Parks Botanic Garden when I got a transfer to a part-time position, especially my boss Steve Edward, Ph.D.

To my then spouse Lyle Ryan for supporting my decision to take a part-time position.

To literary super agent Stacey Glick (now VP at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC) who said that my manuscript LOVE MADE OF HEART was the gem she had rescued from the slush pile.

To acquisition editor/director John Scognamiglio, president Steven Zacharius, publisher Laurie Perkin, art director Louis Malcangi, and everyone at Kensington Publishing Corp. in New York

To artist Linda Christensen for giving me a lovely author-photo.

To my sister (author Maria Kawah Leung) and all my friends who gave me courage to NOT hide behind the book.

To everyone who has “pitched” me to folks at their favorite libraries, book stores, groups, clubs, organizations, radio, TV, online programs … so that I could deliver the messages the themes in my book Love Made of Heart.

Thank you, Maria, for making Love Made of Heart birdhouse wind-chime.

Thank you, Claire Lomax, for handcrafting bookmarks that had my book cover and book spine on them.

Thank you, artist Chandra Garsson, for painting your rendition of the book cover onto my bookcase – one of my most cherished treasures. (attention-grabbing book cover that Louis Malcangi at Kensington Publishing Corp in New York had created)

Thank you, dear California Writers Club fellow-member, for gifting me your gorgeous Chinese robe which I have worn to many book events.

Thank you to all California Writers’ Club members!

Thank you to all Women’s National Book Association members!

Thank you, Elisa Sasa Southard, for teaching me how to create talking-points and talking-taglines, attention-grabbing press releases, memorable bios, and, how to have fun in the crazy world of book promoting!

More thanks to Elisa Sasa Southard, Margie Yee Webb, Luisa Adams, Martha Alderson, Angie Choi, Linda Joy Myers, Mary E. Knippel, Lynn Scott, and all the other talented and kindhearted authors who have co-presented with me since 2000.

Thank you, everyone, for reading and also buying Love Made of Heart for your friends, and, inviting your friends to my events, and for going to my events more than once.

Thank you, everyone, for writing reviews.

Thank you to the teachers / educators, including Professors Victor Turks, Miriam Queen, Patricia Costello, Dan Haytin, Sheryl Fairchild and their delightful students.

Thank you to each reader!

Publisher’s description of LOVE MADE OF HEART

The Chinese word for ‘love’ is made up of many brush strokes. In the center of the word ‘love’ is the word ‘heart.’ Love is made of heart…” Twenty-seven-year-old Ruby Lin has what many women envy: a beautiful apartment in one of San Francisco’s best neighborhoods, a busy social life, and a coveted position as manager of special events for the tony St. Mark Hotel. But it’s Ruby’s personal life that’s become unmanageable ever since the day her mother’s emotional breakdown forced Ruby to hospitalize her, shaming the family. Now, Ruby is caught in the crossroads between two vastly different cultures–one in which she is the American girl, raised on kitschy television shows and black-and-white movies, and one in which she is known only as Daughter, the eldest, fulfiller of responsibilities. In putting together the pieces of her mother’s life, Ruby finds herself exploring the wounds of her own past. Starting with a forbidden locked tin box and the yellowing photograph inside, Ruby embarks on a startling journey of self-discovery that takes her through a family history rife with violence, betrayal and loss that reaches back through generations, from China to America, and finally to the secret pain of a mother’s sacrifice. Like the Chinese calligraphy that adorns her walls, Ruby comes to see that “life is not a straight road, ” but a language drawn with many brush strokes, where every misunderstanding must yield to the simple message of the heart. Filled with warmth and wisdom, this luminous debut novel heralds the arrival of an exciting new voice in fiction as it explores the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, the choices that divide us, and the love that brings us home.

The above is book jacket text written by author Libba Bray for Kensington Publishing Corp. New York for my novel LOVE MADE OF HEART

In my blog posts of October 1, 2013 and November 29, 2013, I said:

“Thank you to authors Frank Baldwin, Carol Schaefer, Lydia Kwa, and Gus Lee for writing lovely advance praise for my book cover. I am so grateful!”

“Special thanks to Martha Alderson, Luisa Adams, Susan Canale, Elisa Sasa Southard, Margie Yee Webb, Kim McMillon, Vicki Weiland !”

“I thank powerhouse Stacey Glick (VP at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management) who found insightful acquisition editor John Scognamiglio (at Kensington Publishing Corp. New York) who guided my mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart to the Sales Team, good-energy publisher Laurie Perkin, president Steven Zacharius, Debbie Tobias was Sales Director, Lou Malcangi was art director, by the way . . . booksellers do judge a book by its cover, Libba Bray, who is now a New York Times bestselling author of young adult books, for book jacket copy, Jacquie Edwards for copy editing, marketing team, production team, Jessica in Sales, Michelle who was Webmaster,and EVERYONE at Kensington and their associates, especially Nancy Suib & Anne Shulenberger, and Kensington Publishing Corp.’s superstars Lydia Kwa, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, Mary B. Morrison, Mary Monroe, Carl Weber . . .

If not for these people, I would not have had the opportunity to experience the publishing industry from the author’s perspective . . .  which then gave me the credentials to talk about “who” really is the most qualified person to build the author’s platform and fanbase.

Author’s Note to Reader on the last page of LOVE MADE OF HEART

Thank you for letting me share Ruby Lin’s story with you.  Many readers have asked me what the characters in the novel have done for me.  My answer is this: I’ve learned that behind every face is a compelling story.

Please remember me as a writer who says YES! to compassion for mental illness and NO! to domestic violence and child abuse.

Who is Mrs. Nussbaum?  She lives in all our hearts.  Just as we have the “child within,” we also have the “wise elder within.”  May you always embrace your compelling story and allow your Mrs. Nussbaum to embrace you.

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan (now Teresa Jade LeYung)

Happy 48th anniversary to Kensington Publishing Corp in New York!

https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/pages/about/ says:

“2022 marks Kensington Publishing Corp’s 48th year in business, and it is one of the last remaining independent U.S. publisher of hardcover, trade and mass market paperback books. From the time our very first book (Appointment in Dallas by Hugh McDonald), became a bestseller, Kensington has been known as an astute and determined David-vs.-Goliath publisher of titles in the full spectrum of categories, from fiction and romance to health and nonfiction. In addition to the close to 500 new books, the company releases through its diverse imprints per year, it has a backlist of more than 5,000 titles. Kensington is considered a leader and innovator in such areas of publishing as African-American, cozy mysteries, westerns, and of course, romance.”

Author and Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung--photo by author Lynn Scott

Love Made of Heart:

– a 2002 nominee of the Asian American Literary Awards

– recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association

– used in Women in Psychology, First-Year Composition college course, Advanced Composition English-as-a-Second-Language classes

– read by students at Stanford University, U.C. Berkeley, San Francisco State University, City College of San Francisco, City College of Sacramento, Lowell High School, and many other wonderful institutions

– archived at the San Francisco History Center

– available at public libraries

This is just the first of a series of Thank You as I continue celebrating LOVE MADE OF HEART and the kindhearted souls (teachers, librarians, booksellers, media folks, readers and more readers) who have helped me speak up about:

NO to domestic violence and child abuse!

YES to kindness and compassion with mental illness!

YES to speaking from the heart!

I wish everyone wellness, kindness, happiness!

Sincerely,

Teresa_Jade_LeYung__photo_by_Nan_and_MEK_2019

Teresa Jade LeYung

Story Theme Consultant / Photo Historian / Author / Public Library and Public School Advocate

http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa’s Blog

Writing Coach 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 ®

These 3 movies – Here Comes Mr. Jordan, Heaven Can Wait, Down to Earth – serve as an example.

THEME [ Be true to yourself and everything will be all right.] + PLOTLINE [a man who is sent to heaven before his time (due to an error by an angel) wants his old life back]  =

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Here Comes Mr. Jordan  1941  protagonist Joe Pendleton (a boxer) portrayed by Robert Montgomery

Writing Credits: Sidney Buchman & Seton I. Miller (screenplay); Harry Segall (from the play Heaven Can Wait)

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Heaven Can Wait  1978 – protagonist Joe Pendleton (a quarterback) portrayed by Warren Beatty

Writing Credits:  Elaine May and Warren Beatty (screenplay); Harry Segall (from the play); Robert Towne

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Down to Earth (2001) protagonist Lance Barton (a stand-up comedian) portrayed by Chris Rock.

Probably to honor the original script, the name (and body) that Lance Barton will use at the end of the movie is “Joe”

Writing Credits:   Chris Rock & Lance Crouther & Ali LeRoi & Louis C.K.

Above data regarding writers’ names are from http://www.imdb.com

I, Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan, recommend:

* Martha Engber’s book and workshops on how to write scenes

* Christopher Vogler’s book The Writer’s Journey (about Hero’s Journey and Archetypes)

* all books and workshops by Martha Alderson on plotting

* your rereading your favorite books and studying that authors’ techniques

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan aka Coach Teresa teaches writers how to transform their email signature-blocks, photos, videos, social media, website/blog descriptions into platform statements . . . to attract target audience/readers/fans . . . before and after publication.  http://WritingCoachTeresa.com and  https://www.youtube.com/user/teresaleyung

*

She is the creator of:

• classes, including:
• *For Theme’s Sake: Edit Your Own Manuscript Before Pitching to Agents or Self-Publishing
• *Heroes, Tricksters, and Villains – What Do These Archetypes Want in Your Story World?
• *

• Immigrant Experience Writing Contest
• *

• interactive presentations, including:
  • *Help Your Fans Find YOU
  • *Build & Retrofit Your Writer’s Platform

*

the author of:

• Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (workbook);
• *
• Love Made of Heart: a Daughter, a Mother, a Journey Through Mental Illness (novel used in college classes and archived at the San Francisco History Center);
• *
• “Talking to My Dead Mom Monologues” (the first monologue received an award from Redwood 10-Minute Play Contest and was staged at the 6^th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA);
• *
• her blog (which attracts tens of thousands of writers) at http://WritingCoachTeresa.com helps writers build their platforms before and after publication

*

and a proud member of:

• California Writers Club (3 branches! And a past president of the San Francisco Peninsula Branch); and a recipient of the Jack London Award for outstanding service to California Writers Club;
• *
• Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter (a past board member).

Writing Coach Teresa asks: “How do you hook your reader at the middle of your book?”

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here . . . recording notes . . .  energized from co-teaching with Mary E. Knippel today – Day 2 of “For Theme’s Sake: Edit Your Own Manuscript Before Pitching or Self-Publishing”.

Our students / hardworking authors supplied plenty of inspiration for their own protagonists as well as for fellow-classmates.

Today we focused on the middle of everyone’s manuscripts. Why the middle?

Before I take on the role of the writer, I put on my reader’s hat.  For me, reading a book is like going for a hike on a trail that I’ve never been on before.  By looking at the signs at the trailhead, I know how long I would have to walk in order to get to the end . . .  just as I know how many hours it would take to read a book by seeing the page count.

That hike I’ve started – the sign posts on the first half of the trail are clear and helpful. I know that if I follow the arrows, I will reach the end, and feel great as I always do after a “good” long walk.

I’ve started reading a book. The author hooks me from page one – sometimes that hook is the narrator’s voice/language, other times it’s the subject matter (a topic that I do relate to or one that I would like to know more about).  By page 5 (oftentimes, even sooner) I know what the main character/protagonist wants or needs, and, I want to see what’s going to happen next. So I turn the page.  I am in the story world.

The author had planted “sign posts” to guide me. Those sign posts are called “themes”.

By the middle of the book, that core theme/sign post better be there.  If the story has stopped hooking me, I will put the book down and probably not open it again.  (On my hike, if at midpoint the trail seems to have disappeared, the marker has fallen off its post, and I’m all alone  . . .  do I continue on? By the way, I am not interested in getting lost today. My dinner awaits me at home.)

Such is the task for an author – how to guide the reader with that core theme, scene after scene.

To the dear authors in our class,

That big sheet of paper that Mary gave you today?  Tape the class handouts from Day 1 and Day 2 onto that sheet. Look at those aids every time you meet with your protagonist.  And, ask your protagonist these questions:   “Where are you today on your Hero’s Journey?”  “What do you want ? … in this scene.”

Speaking of “scene” –

Writing Coach Teresa says: “A scene is a compilation of paragraphs that creates a “movie” in the Reader’s mind.  Which means:  action, dialogue, sensory details, and authentic details.

A sequence of scenes guides the Reader in your Story World, and, is a vehicle to show the Hero’s/Protagonist’s transformation.  Go into scene whenever you want to show us what your protagonist is made of.

In real life, if someone says “I’ve changed. Take my word for it.”  . . .  wouldn’t you be thinking . . .  Hmm….    I’ll believe it when I see it.  Instead of telling us how your protagonist has grown, show us through scene, not through summaries.

Summary cannot spark the same emotional responses as a scene would . . . because summary either recaps what has happened or jumps over time in order to get to the next scene.

I recommend:

* Martha Engber’s book on how to write scenes

* Christopher Vogler’s book The Writer’s Journey (about Hero’s Journey and Archetypes)

* all books by Martha Alderson on plotting

* your rereading your favorite book and studying that author’s techniques

The fabulous authors in our class have mighty themes:

* make my own decisions and change my circumstances (author of YA science fiction)

* move on with my life in spite of unanswered questions and a broken heart (author of women’s fiction)

* speaking my truth transforms shame into courage and forgiveness (author of memoir)

* embracing my past and loving myself feed my spirit as well as my marriage’s spirit (Diana Lynn, author of women’s fiction)

Their readers will surely stick by their protagonists and be there at the end of the book.

Cheering for YOU!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

on behalf of

“For Theme’s Sake” teachers Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Mary E. Knippel

May 2, 2015 Teresa LeYung-Ryan ( Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days – workbook; Love Made of Heart: a Daughter, a Mother, a Journey Through Mental Illness – novel) celebrates Independent Bookstore Day / California Bookstore Day  with other local authors at Laurel Book Store, Oakland, CA  http://WritingCoachTeresa.com  and http://www.laurelbookstore.com

Saturday June 6
Teresa LeYung-Ryan (Fanbase-Building Coach and “Immigrant Experience Writing Contest” sponsor) joins California Writers Club colleagues for Writing Contest Awards Ceremony and Writers Helping Writers Through Mentoring;

June 13, 2015  for Authors Day

June 6 and June 13, 2015  at Literary Stage, Fine Arts Galleria, San Mateo County Fair (Cheers to Bardi Rosman Koodrin, Boris Koodrin, Laurel Anne Hill, David Hirzel, Margie Yee Webb, Wini McCaffrey, et al)  http://WritingCoachTeresa.com http://cwc-peninsula.org/fair.html

February 12, 13, 14, 15, 2015  http://sfwriters.org

“If you’re going to the San Francisco Writers Conference, I’ll see you there!  With smiles.”

Thursday Feb. 12, 2015   I (Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan) be on the 4:45-5:45 panel  MAKING YOUR WORK REJECTION PROOF: Advice from Freelance Editors – Nina Amir, David Colin Carr, Tanya Egan Gibson, Stuart Horwitz, David Landau, Heather Lazare,  Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Mary Rakow, Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, Annie Tucker, Ricky Weisbroth.  Moderator: Mary E. Knippel.    At the end of the session, you can sign up for a free consultation.

Friday Feb. 13 & Saturday Feb. 14    I (Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan) shall be in the Garden Room giving 8-minute consultations, so, please sign up early in front of the Garden Room on Friday or Saturday OR after the Thursday panel.

If all my 8-minute slots are filled, not to worry… If you see me sitting in the lobby or conference registration areas or near the conference bookstore, come by to ask me questions about your manuscript and how to pitch. Reach out, not stress out.

My books will be at the conference bookstore. Cheers to Bookseller Neal!

Love Made of Heart (mother-daughter love story) by Teresa LeYung-Ryan Love Made of Heart the mother-daughter novel that inspires adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about stigmas - use in college courses - http://writingcoachTeresa.com

Build Your Writer's Platform & Fanbase in 22 Days - workbook Ask to see Coach Teresa  for an 8-minute consultation  Fri. or Sat. in Garden Room  Go to  http://writingcoachTeresa.com to see Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan  interviewed on CBS Channel 5

And, I recommend your getting this book for a friend. Break Through the Noise is also available at conference bookstore Go to: http://breakthroughthenoise.com to watch Elisa Sasa Southard demonstrate “the talking tagline”

Author and Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Identify the themes and archetypes in your intellectual properties and articulate your platform statement, simultaneously with ease. Show up for the writing, show up for the promoting. I cheer for you.”   

Take a look at the impressive list of speakers, presenters, freelance editors, agents, acquisition editors, publishers, and publishing experts. http://sfwriters.org/2015-sfwc-speakers/

Take a look at the impressive list of volunteers http://askmepc.com/sfwc-volunteers/

And of course the superheroes:

Mike Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada, SFWC Co-directors

Barbara Santos, Marketing Director/SFWC Newsletter

Richard Santos, Registration Director/SFWC website

Frances Caballo, Social Media Manager

Joan Gelfand, Poetry Track;    Carla King, Self-Publishing Track

Linda Lee, Volunteer Director;    Jane Glendinning, Volunteer Manager

Mary E. Knippel,  “Conductor!” of One-on-One with Independent Editors

Writing Coach / Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Colleagues at San Francisco Writers Conference 2015

Conference bookstore will be open Friday 8:00am through Sunday midday; stop by – say hello to Neal (from Bookshop West Portal, San Francisco) – take a look at novels, memoirs, biographies, how-to books for writers, children’s books, Y/A, graphic novels, romance, historical fiction, science fiction, thrillers, mysteries, photo/gift books, and more.

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Developmental editors & story consultants Mary E. Knippel & Teresa LeYung-Ryan use classics to draw examples for their class "For Theme Sake! BE YOUR OWN EDITOR" -photo by author Margie Yee Webb

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Developmental editors & story consultants Mary E. Knippel & Teresa LeYung-Ryan use classics to draw examples for their class "For Theme Sake! BE YOUR OWN EDITOR" -photo by author Margie Yee Webb

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Cat Mulan's Mindful Musings author/photographer, editor of Not Your Mother's Book on Cats anthology, FEMME: Women Healing the World documentary movie producer Margie Yee Webb

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Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson flanked by Writing & Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Memoirist Luisa Adams

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Cyberspace Genius Linda Lee empowers writers at SFWC--photo by Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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Women's National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter members-authors-presenters at past years' SFWC

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Then, on Sunday February 15, 2015, 12:00pm-2:00pm

Free and open to the public – Peacock Court, Lobby level

JOINING THE WRITING COMMUNITY: Connecting with Writers

Members of writer’s organizations, some national, will bring literature and speak about their organization and meet with attendees. Nina Amir, National Nonfiction Writing Month; Cara Black, Mystery Writers of America; Pat Brown, Goodreads; Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, San Francisco Writer’s Grotto; Stephanie Chandler, Nonfiction Authors Association; Gennifer Choldenko, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators; Randy Dotinga, American Society of Journalists and Authors; Grant Faulkner, National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo); Lee Foster, Bay Area Independent Publishers Association, Bay Area Travel Writers Association; Jane Glendinning, California Writers Club; Anne Hill, Bay Area Bloggers Society; Scott James, Litquake; Linda Lee, Women’s National Book Association; Kerry Lonsdale, Women Fiction Writers Association; Kirk Russell, International Thriller Writers

Reach out, not stress out. I’m cheering for you!

Teresa LeYung-Ryan is “Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa” and Manuscript Consultant and  . . .

author of:

Love Made of Heart: a Mother’s Mental Illness Forges Forgiveness in Daughter Ruby (novel used by college professors)

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (workbook)

Coach Teresa’s Blog at http://writingcoachTeresa.com

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http://writingcoachTeresa.com

https://lynnscott.wordpress.com

https://feministteaching.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/MargieYeeWebb

Lynn Scott, Linda Harris, Sheryl Fairchild, Teresa Jade LeYung, Margie Yee Webb

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author Luisa Adams  http://www.rp-author.com/Adams/

author Teresa Jade LeYung (formerly Teresa LeYung-Ryan)   https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog    http://writingcoachTeresa.com

author Martha Alderson  https://marthaalderson.com/

authors Luisa Adams, Teresa Jade LeYung, Martha Alderson

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https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

http://yourwritingmentor.com/

Writing Coaches Teresa Jade LeYung and Mary E. Knippel prepare outline for Teresa's "For Theme's Sake" class for writers and editors

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http://margaretdavisbooks.com

http://winifredmccaffrey.com

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

https://www.facebook.com/diane.warner.948?fref=ts

Carmen Lee of Stamp Out Stigma http://www.stampoutstigma.net/  I look forward to seeing you soon!

Margaret Davis, Ray Davis, Winifred McCaffrey, Teresa Jade LeYung, Diane Warner

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http://lovemadeofheart.com/Love-Made-of-Heart-Online-Store-&-Gift-Shop.html

Teresa Jade LeYung with her Love Made Of Heart trademark - photo by YBK

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Yolande Barial Knight is:

http://just-a-mom.us

http://www.goldenstatenewspapers.com/topic/?q=%22yolande%20barial%22&t=&l=25&d=&d1=&d2=&f=html&s=&sd=desc&s=start_time

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Elisa Sasa Southard (Certified Tour Director) is creator of Big City Travel Skills http://elisaonassignment.com/

https://www.facebook.com/elisa.southard?fref=ts

Sasa Southard and Teresa Jade LeYung brainstorm over breakfast at Sunrise Bistro

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Theme consultant, author, photographer Teresa Jade LeYung   http://writingcoachTeresa.com   https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

Professor Sheryl Fairchild  https://feministteaching.wordpress.com

Author and photographer Margie Yee Webb  https://www.facebook.com/MargieYeeWebb

Teresa Jade LeYung, Professor Sheryl Fairchild, Margie Yee Webb meet in Berkeley

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I met with filmmaker / artist Chandra Garsson and had a lively discussion about a new book cover for Love Made of Heart, commenting on facebook to support our colleagues, and movie recommendations.

Chandra Garsson takes photo of the bookcase she was commissioned to paint for author Teresa Jade LeYung (formerly Teresa LeYung-Ryan)

https://www.facebook.com/chandra.garsson?fref=ts

http://flyingpaintproductions.blogspot.com

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Dear Vicki Weiland, I wish to see you soon!

https://vickiweiland.wordpress.com

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Theme consultant and author Teresa Jade LeYung wishes everyone excellent mental health!

http://youtu.be/glj79Mb0ZaM

http://youtu.be/MPD_4PrDiSE

Teresa Jade LeYung (formerly Teresa LeYung-Ryan) is  “Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa” and Manuscript and Theme Consultant and  . . .

author of:

Love Made of Heart: a Mother’s Mental Illness Forges Forgiveness in Daughter Ruby (novel used by college professors)

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (workbook)

Coach Teresa’s Blog at https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

Thank you, writer and poet Michelle Wing, for inviting me to the “My Writing Process” blog tour. Hearty congratulations to you and your collection of poetry, Body on the Wall, debuted just yesterday on May 15, 2014!  Everyone, please check out Michelle’s blog www.thepoemwhisperer.com  (about finding the words!), and http://michellewing.com/ . And, here’s her post http://thepoemwhisperer.com/my-writing-process-blog-tour/

Michelle Wing

Author & 22-Day Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Work on your craft and build your name at the same time, with ease."--photo by author Lynn Scott

I am delighted to be on this blog tour. My turn to answer the 4 questions about my writing process.

1)      “What are you working on?” 

Teresa LeYung-Ryan:   I’m smiling as I answer this question.  I am working on two projects.  A prescriptive nonfiction project – Build Your Writing Life In 22 Days (the second workbook in my 22-Day series); and a narrative nonfiction project – I’m actually writing my first memoir.  No more hiding behind the protagonist in my first novel Love Made of Heart: a Mother’s Mental Illness Forges Forgiveness in Daughter Ruby.  By the way . . . the working title of my memoir is Moon Crone Driving Without a Steering Wheel: How this Writer Journeyed Through Early Menopause, Depression, and Love.

Looking at my own blog posts, I see that the muse for my memoir first appeared in October 2012:

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresa-says-please-do-not-give-up-on-yourself-and-your-writing/

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/authorwriting-coach-teresa-leyung-ryan-says-talking-about-depression-and-mental-illness-does-not-scare-me-anymore/

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/author-teresa-leyung-ryan-says-transforming-depression-into-my-writers-muse/

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/helpful-websites-resources-for-mental-health-mental-illness-depression/

2)      How does your work differ from others of its genre? 

Teresa LeYung-Ryan:   There must be other authors who have written/are writing about being a writer, surviving menopause, and living with depression. Probably my work carries a distinctive voice because I am a female Chinese-American immigrant from Hong Kong with these experiences  – lived with a beautiful mother who suffered mental illness and the cruel stigmas; escaped from violence when I was a young woman; worked in a government agency, a public agency, as well as in the private sector; blessed with a caring community of extended family members, colleagues and friends; use all my literary works (fiction and nonfiction) to inspire adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their loved ones AND to speak out against injustice and violent behavior.

3)      Why do you write the subject matters you write about? 

Teresa LeYung-Ryan:   How can I not write about mental illness, stigmas, rejection, joys and sorrows, the immigrant experience, poverty, and saying NO to everyday meanness, injustice, and violence?  The act of writing is the way I express my memories, observations and intentions.  An artist might employ paint, canvas, wood, and metal to do her/his work. I am a writer; therefore I employ words (choice and placement of words) to do mine.

4) What is your writing process? 

Teresa LeYung-Ryan:   As I tell my friends . . . I am pregnant with a memoir.  I write every day.  At bus stops, on public transportation, in waiting rooms (including jury assembly room). I journal to track authentic details, sometimes at the beginning of the day, sometimes at the end.  With the help of Martha Alderson and her Blockbuster Plots and Plot Whisperer books, I am replotting my story. I’ve begun writing scenes and rereading memoirs (including Woven of Water by Luisa Adams)  [ A note to self and all memoirists:  when writing nonfiction, we cannot change the sequence of events for dramatic effect; we cannot embellish or diminish the details; if we do not follow these rules, then we cannot label our work nonfiction. ]

Also, I write editorial memos for manuscript clients and coaching notes for my fanbase-building clients.  I blog as the 22-Day Writing and Platform and Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa. http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/  I love the act of composing/rewriting/restructuring/more rewriting –  these practices help me to really “reach out, not stress out.”  http://writingcoachTeresa.com

And, I rewrite/update my presentations.  For example, on June 10, 2014, 4:00-5:00om I’ll be in California at the San Mateo County Fair’s Literary Arts Stage  as a feature guest on “3 Short Plays with 3 Playwrights hosted by Darlene Frank” with the other two feature guests Ollie Mae Trost Welch and David Hirzel. I’ll be performing “What Am I Going to Do Now?” which is a new monologue for my “Talking to My Dead Mom” series.

Then on Saturday, June 21, 2014  I morph into Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan when I present “Build/Fortify Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase” at California Writers Club – Tri-Valley Branch in Pleasanton, California.

Soon, I shall be working on presentations for the San Francisco Writers Conference!

Please click here for more info about my events. Please click here for resources for writers – including links to California Writers Club and Women’s National Book Association.

My darling friends/colleagues give me writing retreats – I get so much done when I’m with dear hearts, especially the past two years with Elisa Sasa Southard, Margie Yee Webb, Vicki Weiland, Mary E. Knippel, and Lynn Scott. Thank you writing-sisters!

Also, in June, I’ll be with California Writers’ Club colleagues/mentors including Winifred McCaffrey, Margaret Davis, Diane Warner, Darlene Frank, Bardi Rosman Koodrin, Laurel Anne Hill, Christopher Wachlin (president of SF Peninsula Branch), Mary E. Knippel, and thirty other talented writers. Click here for schedule of literary events with CWC members at the San Mateo County Fair.

Click here for a list of my appearances/workshops (including June 10, 2014 at San Mateo County Fair’s Literary Arts Stage;  June 21, 2014 at California Writers’ Club Tri-Valley Branch in Pleasanton, CA)

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Now I pass the torch to two fabulous colleagues – Mary E. Knippel and Yolande Barial – who will be on the “My Writing Process” blog tour, so, please visit them at their blogs on and after Friday, May 23, 2014.

Yolande Barial

Yolande Barial is the proud mother of three remarkable children. She is known as the sensually spiritual poet/writer/blogger and columnist, and, has performed spoken word in venues (including Starbucks) throughout the SF-Oakland Bay Area from 2003 to present. Yolande is a contributing author in 3 anthologies – If Women Ruled the World; Oakland’s Neighborhoods; More of Life’s Spices: Seasoned Sistahs Keepin’ It Real.  Also, she is playwright and director of “Images of the King: A Child’s Dream” (a children’s play), a Red Room author, and contributor to the “Stockton Motherhood” column for Examiner.com. Yolande’s column “Mothers Corner” appears monthly in the Tracy Press newspaper. Visit Yolande Barial’s blog http://just-a-mom.us/

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Mary E. Knippel

Mary E. Knippel, author, speaker and writing mentor, is fiercely committed to guiding aspiring authors and entrepreneurs to polish their words so that they sparkle and shine; her clients come to her to get help when they feel paralyzed about where to begin, what to say, and how to make sense of the life-changing messages. A journal writer since the age of eleven, Mary knows the enormous power of the written word. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, she herself relied on writing in her own recovery. Her upcoming book, The Secret Artist: Give Yourself Permission to Let Your Creativity Shine, chronicles the healing results. Check out her online writing classes, writing tips, workshops, upcoming book, and blog http://yourwritingmentor.com

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan is the author of 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.”

Teresa’s novel 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.

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

22-Day Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says:  San Francisco Writers Conference is a 4-day event – February 13-16, 2014. Attending a conference of this caliber leads to happiness. http://sfwriters.org

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan has been invited again to co-present 2 sessions (one with Mary E. Knippel; one with Elisa Sasa Southard); esteemed members from a master-mind group that Teresa LeYung-Ryan and Mary E. Knippel belonged to (Martha Alderson, Linda Lee)  will be presenting too.  These experts look forward to seeing their colleagues (especially Margie Yee Webb and Lori Noack) at SFWC!

Cheers to SFWC SuperTeam (Elizabeth Pomada, Michael Larsen,  Barbara Santos, Rich Santos, Linda Lee, Frances Caballo)!

Writing Mentor Mary E. Knippel and Manuscript Consultant Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Talking-Tagline Teacher Elisa Sasa Southard and 22-Day Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan say: "Help your own platform by helping other writers"--photo by Tessa Bertoldi

San Francisco Writers Conference