Dear Readers,

I wish you vibrant health and happiness always.

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Love Made of Heart (mother-daughter love story) by Teresa LeYung-Ryan

October 2023 marks the 21st anniversary of my mother-daughter novel LOVE MADE OF HEART

Written by Teresa LeYung-Ryan (now Teresa Jade LeYung)

In loving memory of Rita Leung (Yun Yuet Kwai), Yun Gim How, Yue Shue Ngun, Leung Tai Oy, Carmen Ryan, Lisa Craft, Angie Hu.

My deepest gratitude to everyone who has been supportive of my work.

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

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October 2023 marks the third anniversary of the delightfully illustrated children’s book

LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET: And How They Stay Strong in an Unhappy Home

Written by Maria Kawah Leung; Ilustrated by Maria Kawah Leung, Sandra Elyse Chavez, Maren Sleire Aasgaard

Dedicated to: Rita Yuet Kwai Yun and Pak Chung Leung

https://mariakawah.com/

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These past weeks, while my nervous system is learning  from Neuro Integration System (N.I.S.) treatments and Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) treatments from Dr. Jae Reed, D.C. and is continuing to learn from Chi Nei Tsang treatments from Stephanie Wilger, NC … watching / listening to these two British TV series written by Bob Larbey have given me much joy.

Bob Larbey wrote all 26 episodes of

A FINE ROMANCE

British TV series 1981-1984 (starring Judi Dench as Laura;  Michael Williams as Mike; Susan Penhaligon as Laura’s sister Helen; Richard Warwick as Helen’s husband Phil)

Thank you, YouTube channel users, for posting episodes https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=A+FINE+ROMANCE+full+episodes

According to  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083416/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ql_1

Series Directed by

Series Writing Credits

Bob Larbey wrote 67 episodes of

AS TIME GOES BY

British TV series  1992–2005  Judi Dench as Jean Pargeter; Geoffrey Palmer as Lionel Hardcastle; Moira Brooker as Jean’s daughter Judith; Philip Bretherton as Alistair (Lionel’s book publisher); Jenny Funnell as Sandy (Jean’s employee)

According to https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105943/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm

Series Directed by

Series Writing Credits

Thank you,  Thinking Out Louder,   for posting  As Time Goes By | BBC RADIO DRAMA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKJ2lXmVWz4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf05x9jwDGY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMq46ByWxLM

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While on https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094452/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm  looking up writing credits for British TV series DOUBLE FIRST  1988 (Michael Williams as N.V. Standish) . . . a trailer of the movie EDUCATING RITA appeared.

Esmonde & Bob Larbey wrote DOUBLE FIRST

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Willy Russell wrote the stage play and screenplay  EDUCATING RITA

(the movie – starring Michael Caine as Dr. Frank Bryant and Julie Walters as Rita/Susan; Michael Williams as Brian).

The name “Rita” carries precious symbolism for me and my sister.

“Educating Rita” – what better inspiration for me as I am being educated on what clear communication is between Brain and Body.  Neuro Integration System (N.I.S.) treatments and Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) and Chi Nei Tsang treatments remove obstacles and let my Body repair itself the best way possible -  naturally.

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I am grateful to these healers and to the folks who led me to them:

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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

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Loduskia “Dusky” Pierce, MFT  http://www.duskyswondersite.com/about/

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Gilles Marin, master teacher and practitioner of Chi Nei Tsang
USA: https://www.chineitsang.com/   France: http://chineitsang.marin.free.fr/

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Marie-Christine Cornet in France:  http://www.mariechristinecornet.com/

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Sincerely,

Teresa Jade LeYung

Teresa Jade LeYung wishes everyone peace and wellness!

photo_by_Nan_and_MEK

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

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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 ®

Please click here for a short movie of:  Teresa LeYung-Ryan filmed by Elisa Sasa Southard filmed by Margie Yee Webb

This is the kind of fun we create for ourselves to continue building our platforms and fanbases.

Thank you, dear Margie and dear Sasa!

author Teresa LeYung-Ryan with Love Made of Heart Chinese word and her book - photo by author Margie Yee Webb - calligraphy by author MKWL

http://lovemadeofheart.com/

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/

Thank you, author MKWL, for creating the Chinese calligraphy “love” for yours truly author Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s trademark.

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan at FEMME movie screening orchestrated by FEMME producer Margie Yee Webb

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author Teresa LeYung-Ryan celebrates Love Made of Heart book and trademark - photo by Margie Yee Webb

Click here for 42-second movie of  Author Teresa LeYung-Ryan celebrates Love Made of Heart (mother-daughter novel) and her trademark.

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Author of Break Through the Noise Elisa Sasa Southard celebrates new career as Travel Writer and Certified Tour Director--photo by Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Click here for one-and-a-half minute movie of:  Elisa Sasa Southard celebrates the tenth anniversary of her book Break Through the Noise and her new career as Travel Writer and Certified Tour Director.

Author and documentary movie producer Margie Yee Webb celebrates Cat Mulan book, FEMME, and cat anthology - photo by Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Click here for one-minute movie of:  Margie Yee Webb celebrates her book Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings, her anthology Not Your Mother’s Book . . . On Cats, and documentary movie FEMME: Women Healing the World.

Thank you to all my dear friends and colleagues!

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

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

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

Author Teresa LeYung-Ryan celebrates 12th anniversary of  Love Made of Heart – the novel she uses to encourage adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas.

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

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author Teresa LeYung-Ryan with her trademark Love Made of Heart and her book - photo by author Margie Yee Webb - Chinese calligraphy for "love" by author MKWL

Please click here for Teresa’s  post “Author and 22-Day Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan thanks Stacey Glick, John Scognamiglio and the Folks associated with Kensington Publishing Corporation New York.”

Author & Playwright Teresa LeYung-Ryan Takes the BringChange2Mind Pledge to Stand Up Against the Stigma of Mental Illness

One in four families are affected by mental illness.

I pledge to follow the Bring Change 2 Mind principles.

http://bringchange2mind.org/get-involved/take-the-pledge/

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please call the Crisis Hotline: 800.273.TALK (8255)

In San Mateo, California, Stamp Out Stigma Director Carmen Lee says:

“Welcome to Stamp Out Stigma, a community advocacy and educational outreach program dedicated to eradicating the stigma associated with mental illness. Stamp Out Stigma is unique in its anti-stigma approach, by creating a forum in which individuals with mental illness share their personal experiences with the community at large.”  http://www.stampoutstigma.net

I wish everyone a world of love made of heart.

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://www.LoveMadeOfHeart.com

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Dear Lynn Henriksen,

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

Sincerely,

Teresa

“What Does Your Protagonist Want?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Author, Writing Career Coach, Manuscript Consultant.

Teresa’s blog http://writingcoachteresa.com for resources.

Teresa uses Love Made of Heart to inspire adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families. (the novel is available in libraries, archived in the San Francisco History Center, and used by teachers in college and universities).

She’s also the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (a workbook to help writers of all genres gain a competitive edge before and after publication. Available as ebook too! Customers of the workbook are saying that it’s useful for anyone who has anything to promote.)

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

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

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

Readers can learn about other cultures, other times, and even experience events through the “safety” of pages.  Readers who are also writers can learn how to craft stories from authors who contribute their work to anthologies.

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On May 5, 2011 while I was at the San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch, getting ready for the Women’s National Book Association-SF Chapter celebration, I received a call from Christopher Wachlin of California Writers Club-SF Peninsula Branch. Chris is one of the talented authors in the anthology Fault Zone.  His news was that Kepler’s Books and Magazines (in Menlo Park, CA)  has sold out the anthology and Chris would be delivering more books.

“For readers who love engaging stories and poems, Fault Zone fits the bill.” –Teresa LeYung Ryan, author of the mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart and the writer’s guide Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fan Base in 22 Days

I look forward to seeing the contributing authors, editor Lisa Meltzer Penn, and all the champions who made the anthology a reality.  Bravi! See you at the San Mateo County Fair-Literary Arts Department events June 11-19, 2011 (I, Teresa LeYung Ryan, will be presenting on Friday June 17, 8:00-9:00pm)

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Here’s my email to Editor-in-Chielf  Kate Farrell regarding her anthology Wisdom Has a Voice: Every Daughter’s Memories of Mother

May 11, 2011

Dear Kate,

I’ve read your beautiful introduction, Amber Lea Starfire’s and Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg’s, and the stories by Pat Jackson-Colando, Diane Hurles, Marilyn J. Curry,  Nancy LaTurner, Barbara Toboni, Ana Manwaring, and Laura McHale Holland.

The stories touched me deeply.

My praise:

“How daughters remember mothers’ lives, resurrecting maternal hold or finding courage through translations of their sorrows, dreams and triumphs.  Daughters answering the haunting question: ‘To be or not to be like them?’ The words and pages in the anthology Wisdom Has a Voice (Edited by Kate Farrell) touch the sometimes fragile oftentimes vibrant heart. Beautiful.”  Teresa LeYung-Ryan–author of Love Made of Heart and the Build Your Writer’s… workbook series

Too long? Let me know.

Thank you for including me in your labor of love; I predict great success for this anthology.

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

May 13, 2011 Kate emailed back. She transformed my three long sentences into two concise ones.  Thank you, Kate!

So, now my praise reads:

In Wisdom Has a Voice daughters answer the haunting question: ‘To be or not to be like mother?’ As they remember their mothers’ lives, they discover courage in touching translations of her sorrows, dreams, and triumphs. Beautiful.”               —Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart and Build Your Writer’s…workbook series

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Cheers to all the hearts in these two anthologies!

Coach Teresa

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What does protagonist Ruby Lin want?

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