Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG » The Plot Whisperer http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog Story Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung on Wellness, Themes, Archetypes - Love Made Of Heart ® Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:37:13 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Writing Teacher Martha Alderson aka the Plot Whisperer in San Francisco February 13, 2014 http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/writing-teacher-martha-alderson-aka-the-plot-whisperer-in-san-francisco-february-13-2014/ http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/writing-teacher-martha-alderson-aka-the-plot-whisperer-in-san-francisco-february-13-2014/#comments Sun, 09 Feb 2014 11:23:11 +0000 admin http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/?p=6687 If you or a friend want to create engaging plotlines for your stories/books, go to Martha Alderson‘s class in San Francisco on February 13, 2014  (you do not have to attend the San Francisco Writers Conference for open enrollment classes) at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel.  Even if you are not writing for middle grade and young adult readers, learn how to plot from Martha.  I was trained to write literature for children; the teachers who taught that class were authors of middle grade and young adult book; once you learn how to hook attention from young readers, you’ll hook readers of any age.  Martha Alderson is the celebrated Plot Whisperer; she’s the guru who taught me how to use front story/back story. Thank you, Martha!

 

Writing Teacher Martha Alderson aka the Plot Whisperer in San Francisco February 13, 2014

Thursday, February 13, 2014  6:30 to 9:30 pm

Click here to register

PLOT FOR MIDDLE GRADE AND YOUNG ADULT STORIES:   –  Fee: $99
Plot Your Story Scene by Scene to Move Your Readers

This class will enable middle grade and young adult fiction writers to use their plots to keep their readers engaged. Every scene has to deliver on many levels at once. Compelling characters; exciting dramatic action; meaning, emotion, and depth are essential. You will learn how many subplots is too many and how many characters you need.

You will also learn:

  • Strategies to give your scenes the greatest impact
  • How to turn episodic events into cause and effect
  • Foolproof techniques for developing complex characters
  • What makes for compelling action
  • How to keep the tension constantly rising

Martha Alderson, author of The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master, is known as “The Plot Whisperer” for the help she offers writers worldwide. She is the founder of the award-winning blog The Plot Whisperer; the vlog: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay?; and the International PlotWriMo. Her books include The Plot Whisperer series. She has been teaching for SCBWI members for ten years.

For an additional $30, you may sign up for a 15-minute plot consultation with Martha during the conference.

For a list of all the classes on Feb. 13, 2014 and Feb. 17, 2014 (pre and post San Francisco Writers Conference), click here.  All classes will have handouts.

Sincerely,

 

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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.

As author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW, Coach Teresa helps clients identify their themes and archetypes.

http://writingcoachTeresa.com   Subscribe to  “Coach Teresa’s blog”


 

 

]]> http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/writing-teacher-martha-alderson-aka-the-plot-whisperer-in-san-francisco-february-13-2014/feed/ 1 The Plot Whisperer The Plot Guru The Martha Alderson http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/the-plot-whisperer-the-plot-guru-the-martha-alderson/ http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/the-plot-whisperer-the-plot-guru-the-martha-alderson/#comments Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:01:55 +0000 admin http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/?p=5495 The Plot Whisperer aka The Plot Guru aka The Martha Alderson!

Book Launch PARTY

The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing is here! If you’re NOT in Northern California Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013 to celebrate the official release of latest book in The Plot Whisperer series with Martha, you can still have an autographed copy. See below. You’re invited. Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 7:00pm. Come for the cake. Stay for the plot tips.

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Live PLOT WORKSHOP

California Writers Club (CWC) South Bay Writers Present:

Martha Alderson, The Plot Guru

author of Blockbuster Plots and The Plot Whisperer books

Sunday, January 27, 2013 in San Jose, CA
9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Start the new year out right. Give yourself and your writing the gift of an intense look at the plot and structure and communication your story conveys. Devote a disciplined 5 hours exclusively to the character emotional development plot, dramatic action plot and the thematic significance plot and take your story to the next level of excellence.
To sign up for the plot intensive, visit: http://southbaywriters.com/wordpress/blockbuster-plots-workshop/

 

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For a schedule of upcoming plot events: http://www.blockbusterplots.com/resc/workshops.html

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The Plot Whisperer says:

WRITE A NOVEL, MEMOIR, SCREENPLAY with ME

The latest Plot Whisperer book beckons me from teaching writers how to plan and test a story with a plot to the actual writing a story with a plot from the beginning to the end. Use The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing and write a novel, memoir, screenplay with me one prompt at a time. Join me. Plot support on my blog.

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3 books – the set!  the kit!
The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing
The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories 
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
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Coach Teresa here . . .  My mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart would not have hooked super agent Stacey Glick in 2000 if Martha Alderson had not taught me how to plot and understand the functions of front story and back story.  Thank you, Plot Whisperer Martha!
I advise every writer to consult with Martha Alderson at least one time after you have written your first draft.  Her books = survival kit for writers.

Cheers to The Plot Whisperer aka The Plot Guru aka The Martha Alderson!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”   http://writingcoachteresa.com

As coach and author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW , Teresa says: “Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”

As author of Love Made of Heart, creator of Love Made of Heart gift items and the Talking to My Dead Mom Monologues, Teresa encourages writers to speak out (in print) for those who cannot speak for themselves.

 

]]> http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/the-plot-whisperer-the-plot-guru-the-martha-alderson/feed/ 0 Coach Teresa, what are some December 2011 Events? http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresa-what-are-some-december-2011-events/ http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresa-what-are-some-december-2011-events/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:46:48 +0000 admin http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/?p=3506 I wish Everyone a peaceful and joyful Thanksgiving.

Coach Teresa, what are some December 2011 Events?

Margie Yee Webb author of Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings tells me that:

The Writer’s Yearbook 2012 (by Writer’s Digest) is available now! Read about 100 best book & magazine markets for writers, 101 best websites for writers… Chuck Sambuchino shares 5 facts on book publicity, San Francisco Writers Conference – Michael Larsen is the #17 website, Martha Alderson is the #40 website with The Plot Whisperer for Writers & Readers, and Ken & Dahlynn McKowen has their Publishing Syndicate ad for three new anthology series looking for stories and for the free publishing & writing tips e-newsletter! Happy reading and writing!

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Women’s National Book Association

San Francisco, CA Thursday December 1, 2011 6:00-7:30pm

Yours truly Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan will be at the December 1, 2011 get-together at the San Francisco Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room–see you there!

Los Angeles, CA

Seattle, WA

Nashville

Charlotte

Detroit

Boston

New York

Washington D.C.

 

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California Writers Club  19 branches in the state

Ann Foster of California Writers Club–SF Peninsula Branch tells me:

DON’T MISS THE SF/PEN WRITERS

HOLIDAY PARTY & FAULT ZONE PRE-LAUNCH HULLABALLOO

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011
Peninsula Regent, One Baldwin Street at El Camino, San Mateo, CA
(Baldwin is one block north of 2nd Avenue).

5:00pm – 8:00pm
Donation $10 for members and non-members

RSVP: pres@sfpeninsulawriters.com

Parking in the neighborhood, or go down the ramp under One Baldwin, press the button and tell the attendant you are there for the CWC Holiday Party (Ida Lewenstein is our Peninsula Regent host.) Only park in visitor spaces, please.

No host bar. Coffee, tea, and hors d’oeuvres provided.

Copies of Fault Zone will be for sale for $7.50 (plus tax). Bring your checkbook! We’ll have an autograph party! Bring your camera! Bring your mother-in-law!

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Kim McMillon founder of Arts in the Valley tells me that:

PEN Oakland — 2011 Josephine Miles National Literary Awards

Saturday December 10, 2011, 2:00pm at Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave., Oakland CA  94618

I met Mary Monroe when she received this award for God Don’t Like Ugly.  Later when my novel Love Made of Heart was published by Kensington Publishing Corp. NY, I found out that Mary Monroe was/is a superstar at Kensington. I’ve met so many talented artists through Kim. Cheers to Kim McMillon, Mary Monroe, all the authors who have received the Josephine Miles award, and everyone involved with PEN Oakland.

PEN Oakland “The Blue-Collar PEN”

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Remember to give yourself a gift if you’re going to give presents to loved ones and friends. Here’s one that won’t cost any money. Do the 2 exercises for Day 1 in my workbook by clicking on the book title: Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

Then, if you want to own the workbook, ask your loved ones & friends to chip in $1 each.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://writingcoachteresa.com  Click on Coach Teresa’s Blog

]]> http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresa-what-are-some-december-2011-events/feed/ 1 Coach Teresa’s new format for blog posts – building platform / polishing manuscript / advocating mental health http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresas-new-format-for-blog-posts-building-platform-polishing-manuscript-advocating-mental-health/ http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresas-new-format-for-blog-posts-building-platform-polishing-manuscript-advocating-mental-health/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:56:23 +0000 admin http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/?p=3492 Click on underscored text to jump over to referenced websites. To submit questions/comments to this article/post:

  • Click on the blue header (title bar) of this post
  • Scroll down until you see boxes and fill in the boxes (you do need an email address to submit questions/comments; if you have a website/blog, do promote it  by keying in the address)
  • After you fill in the boxes, you might want to keep a copy of your question/comment before clicking the  “submit comment” button. Thank you!

Coach Teresa . . . starting a new format with my blog posts

Since I wear 3 hats, as writing career coach & author who helps you Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days / editor & manuscript consultant who helps you identify themes and archetypes / novelist of Love Made of Heart who encourages adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families, I wish to divide my post into 3 sections.

As 22-day Platform-Building Coach:

Promote yourselves by linking your names & your projects to these recognized events.  According to Chase Calendar of Events,  November is:

  • Adoption Month, National
  • Alzheimer’s Disease Month, National
  • American Diabetes Month
  • American Indian Heritage Month, National
  • Aviation History Month
  • Banana Pudding Lovers Month
  • Diabetes Month, National
  • Diabetic Eye Disease Month
  • Family Caregivers Month, National
  • Georgia Pecan Month, National
  • Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month
  • Inspirational Role Models Month, National
  • Lifewriting Month, National
  • Long-Term Care Awareness Month, National
  • Lung Cancer Awareness Month
  • Marrow Awareness Month, National
  • Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month
  • Pet Cancer Awareness Month
  • Pomegranate Month, National
  • PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month
  • Vegan Month
  • Today November 16, 2011 is United Nations: International Day for Tolerance
  • the fourth Thursday in November is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.A.
  • November 11, 2011 is Veterans Day

Every month is relevant to marketing your literary work. Day 19 of my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days demonstrates the beauty of linking your name to a date that is celebrated or recognized for the entire month–you’ll have a whole month to re-use one piece of writing.

 

As Editor & Manuscript Consultant:

Give yourself reasons to plot & write and replot & rewrite!

November is National Novel Writing Month (founder is Chris Baty)

Write Nonfiction In November (founder is Nina Amir)

December is International Plot Writing Month (founder is Martha Alderson, The Plot Whisperer)

Read or reread a book – I’m reading Nothing Can Scare Me Now: Managing Breast Cancer So It Doesn’t Manage You by Juliane Cortino (a colleague at Women’s National Book Association)

 

As author of Love Made of Heart:

I found “Veterans and Mental Health: We Owe Them Better”  blog post by Mike Fitzpatrick, NAMI Executive Director

Last year, more than 1.2 million veterans were treated by the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) health care system, about a third for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That is an increase of about 25 percent from four years before, as troops return home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Washington Post reports that approximately 18 veterans die from suicide every day. Yet in survey released in September, the VA reported that 70 percent of its doctors, nurses and social workers believe the system lacks the staff and space to provide adequate mental health care. More than 37 percent said they cannot schedule an appointment for a new patient within 14-days.

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Mr. Fitzpatrick,

Thank you for writing this post to shed light on what we can do to advocate for better care of our veterans and their families. I linked your post to mine dated November 16, 2011 http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ so that my blog fans can get resources for their loved ones. My beautiful mom (not a Veteran but was an orphan during World War II) suffered mental illness all her life and I use my writings to honor her. In September I met NAMI Sonoma County board member Ron Shaw at the Sonoma County Book Festival.  Rosemary Milbrath, Executive Director at NAMI Sonoma County, has contacted me and I hope to deliver my Heroes, Tricksters & Villains interactive workshop to the Sonoma County community in California in 2012. Sincerely, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart; mental health advocate

* * * * *

I hope to see you when I’m at these forums:

  • Thursday December 1, 2011 at Women’s National Book Association get-together at San Francisco Public Library Main Branch
  • Sunday January 8, 2012 at California Writers Club–Redwood Branch “Writing-Career-Make-Over with Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan”

Please click here for details.

“Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

 

 


]]> http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresas-new-format-for-blog-posts-building-platform-polishing-manuscript-advocating-mental-health/feed/ 0 Writing Mentor Mary E. Knippel asks “What gives you sparks in your writing life?” http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/writing-mentor-mary-e-knippel-asks-what-gives-you-sparks-in-your-writing-life/ http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/writing-mentor-mary-e-knippel-asks-what-gives-you-sparks-in-your-writing-life/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:04:43 +0000 admin http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/?p=3421 Writing Mentor Mary E. Knippel asks “What gives you sparks in your writing life?”

Hi, Writing Mentor Mary,
As an author and manuscript consultant I get sparks ( for scenes, plot points, metaphors, foreshadows)  by rereading a favorite book, re-watching a favorite movie, observing and taking notes while riding public transit. My dream world also provides sparks. Martha Alderson’s new book The Plot Whisperer gives me sparks.

I love helping my clients identify the archetypes and themes in their stories. Speaking of themes, your helping job-seekers create their “success story & collage/vision boards” gives folks “sparks” to go after what they really want. I tagged you in these 2 posts: Coach Teresa, what’s happening for business owners on November 5, 2011 in Gilroy, CA? and  Coach Teresa, what happened when you hosted Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson on your blog?

 

Mentor Mary Knippel helps job-seekers create their success stories--cheers from Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan--photo by Anne Campagnet-Reed

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

Writing Career Coach/Manuscript Consultant

author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (print edition & eBook edition)
Author of Love Made of Heart (inspires adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families)

 

]]> http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/writing-mentor-mary-e-knippel-asks-what-gives-you-sparks-in-your-writing-life/feed/ 0 Martha Alderson aka The Plot Whisperer on Blog Tour–to be featured on Coach Teresa’s blog Oct. 18, 2011 http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/martha-alderson-aka-the-plot-whisperer-on-blog-tour-to-be-featured-on-coach-teresas-blog-oct-18-2011/ http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/martha-alderson-aka-the-plot-whisperer-on-blog-tour-to-be-featured-on-coach-teresas-blog-oct-18-2011/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:35:23 +0000 admin http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/?p=3349 Martha Alderson (famous for her book Blockbuster Plots – Pure & Simple, Scene Tracker Kit and DVDs for writers of fiction, nonfiction, screenplays) is on Blog Tour for her new book The Plot Whisperer–to be featured on Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan’s blog– check Coach Teresa’s Oct. 18, 2011 post for chance to blog-chat with Martha and also win prize from Coach Teresa. The Plot Whisperer belongs on every writer’s shelf; the golden contents in  The Plot Whisperer belong to every serious writer’s heart.

Martha Alderson on facebook

 

 

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011,  7:30pm  IN PERSON

Cheers to beloved Martha Alderson – book launch party for her new book The Plot Whisperer !

Capitola Book Cafe, Capitola, CA

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Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan on facebook

 

Love Made of Heart turned 9-years-old this month!

Love Made of Heart inspires adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What else is October recognized for? According to the Chase Calendar of Events:

October

  • Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month
  • Animal Safety and Protection Month, Natl
  • Antidepressant Death Awareness Month
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication Awareness Month, Intl
  • Bake and Decorate Month, Natl
  • Bat Appreciation Month
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Natl
  • Car Care Month
  • Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month
  • Celiac Disease Awareness Month
  • Children’s Magazine Month
  • Chili Month, Natl
  • Chiropractic Month, Natl
  • Church Library Month
  • Co-op Awareness Month
  • Crime Prevention Month, Natl
  • Cut Out Dissection Month
  • Cyber Security Awareness Month, Natl
  • Dental Hygiene Month, Natl
  • Depression Education and Awareness Month, Natl
  • Disability Employment Awareness Month, Natl
  • Domestic Violence Awareness Month
  • Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Natl
  • Dyslexia Awareness Month
  • Eat Better, Eat Together Month
  • Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month
  • Emotional Wellness Month
  • Family Sexuality Education Month, Natl
  • Financial Planning Month
  • “Gain the Inside Advantage” Month, Natl
  • Gay and Lesbian History Month
  • German-American Heritage Month
  • Global Diversity Awareness Month
  • Go Hog Wild–Eat Country Ham Month
  • Go on a Field Trip Month, Natl
  • Halloween Safety Month
  • Health Literacy Month
  • Liver Awareness Month, Natl
  • Long-Term Care Planning Month
  • Medical Librarians Month, Natl
  • Menopause Month, World
  • Month of Freethought
  • Organize Your Medical Information Month
  • Orthodontic Health Month, Natl
  • Photographer Appreciation Month
  • Physical Therapy Month, Natl
  • Polish-American Heritage Month
  • Popcorn Poppin’ Month, Natl
  • Positive Attitude Month
  • Protect Your Hearing Month, Natl
  • Raptor Month
  • Reading Group Month, Natl
  • Rett Syndrome Awareness Month
  • Right-Brainers Rule Month
  • Roller Skating Month, Natl
  • Sarcastics Awareness Month, Natl
  • Self-Promotion Month
  • Spina Bifida Awareness Month, Natl
  • Spinach Lovers Month
  • Squirrel Awareness Month
  • Stamp Collecting Month, Natl
  • Starman Month, Intl
  • Strategic Planning Month, Intl
  • Talk about Prescriptions Month
  • Vegetarian Month
  • Work and Family Month, Natl
  • Workplace Politics Awareness Month

The bold recognition relates to subject matters/themes/issues in Love Made of Heart

Martha Alderson aka The Plot Whisperer on Blog Tour–to be featured on Coach Teresa’s blog Oct. 18, 2011

Remember to check this blog on October 18, 2011 to blog-chat with Martha Alderson about your plotline!

 

Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson flanked by Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan & Memoirist Luisa Adams (author of Woven of Water)

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

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

Love Made of Heart inspiring adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families.

]]> http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/martha-alderson-aka-the-plot-whisperer-on-blog-tour-to-be-featured-on-coach-teresas-blog-oct-18-2011/feed/ 3 October 2011 Events for Writers & Readers & Job Seekers in the San Francisco Greater Bay Area, CA http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/october-2011-events-for-writers-readers-job-seekers-in-the-san-francisco-greater-bay-area-ca/ http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/october-2011-events-for-writers-readers-job-seekers-in-the-san-francisco-greater-bay-area-ca/#comments Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:21:11 +0000 admin http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/?p=3299 Events for Writers & Readers & Job Seekers in the San Francisco Greater Bay Area, CA

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Tues. Oct. 11, 2011 Please tell job-seeker friends Mary E. Knippel presents at SF Professional Career Network. Meet 9:00am at 390 Valencia St., SF. Presentation 9:30-11:00am.  I’ll be there to film Mentor Mary as she guides job-seekers on how to “Create Your Success Story”:

• Learn simple, creative ways to get noticed in a crowd
• Design your vision-board to achieve your dreams
• Convert your passions into valuable connections

If you can’t attend this Meet-Up, visit Mary’s site: http://yourwritingmentor.com/

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October 7 – 15, 2011

San Francisco’s Litquake Literary Festival

WNBA-SF Chapter Members Janine Kovac and Patricia V. Davis are on the Executive Committee! Who else from WNBA is involved?

LitCrawl San Francisco is October 15, 2011

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October 14, 2011, 7:00pm Mary Jo McConahay at Avid Reader, Davis, CA

October 16, 2011,  2:00pm Mary Jo McConahay at the Avid Reader at the Tower,  Sacramento, CA

Maya Roads: One Woman’s Journey Among the People of the Rainforest

http://www.mayaroads.com/mayaroads.com

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October 15, 2011 Ann Foster reminds us that Brooke Warner will be at California Writers Club–SF Peninsula Branch

The Publishing Industry and Opportunities for Women Writers

As an editor at a women’s press that exclusively publishes female writers, Brooke Warner has witnessed what women can achieve when they don’t sit idly by. This workshop will be about getting your voice heard, and how you can parlay that into a book deal if you know what you’re doing.
Brooke Warner is a Senior Editor at Seal Press and a coach who specializes in supporting writers through the completion of their book proposals and manuscripts and helping them get published. Brooke has been working as an editor for over ten years, and has guided hundreds of authors through the completion of their projects. She currently works with novelists, memoirists, screenplay writers, poets, and artists. Find her online at warnercoaching.com. 

For more information about CWC http://www.cwc-peninsula.org/
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October 16, 2011,  2:00pm Mary Jo McConahay at the Avid Reader at the Tower,  Sacramento, CA

Maya Roads: One Woman’s Journey Among the People of the Rainforest

http://www.mayaroads.com/mayaroads.com

 

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October 16, 2011,  1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Women’s National Book Assn-San Francisco Chapter

Invites you to a Free Event

Celebrating WNBA’s 5th Annual National Reading Group Month
Sunday,

Kepler’s – Roy Kepler Pavilion

www.keplers.com Menlo Park, California

Listen to interviews conducted by Linda Joy Myers

In A Life in Stitches, Rachael Herron tells us that when life unravels there’s always a way to knit it back together again.

Touch and Go, Thad Nodine’s first novel and winner of the Dana Award for the Novel, is a rich and rangy story about the careful and careless ways we treat each other—and ourselves—in a fast-paced, changing world. Kevin, the novel’s blind narrator, is one of the most perceptive figures in recent fiction.

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011,  7:30pm

Cheers to beloved Martha Alderson – book launch party for her new book The Plot Whisperer !

Capitola Book Cafe, Capitola, CA

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Saturday, October 22, 2011

National Kidney Foundation San Francisco Authors Luncheon, Marriott Marquis San Francisco

10:00am autographing begins; 12:00 noon luncheon

$125  For tickets or info, call 415-543-3303 ext. 114

Children’s author/illustrator Kathryn Otoshi is one of the featured authors.

Book Passage proud to be part of this event.

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Thursday, October 27, 2011,   5:00pm – 7:30pm
“Design, Divas & Desserts” Book Signing Event

Brenda Novak, NY Times and USA Today Best Selling Author, In Close http://www.brendanovak.com/
Shari Fitzpatrick, creator of Shari’s Berries and author, Berried in Chocolate: How I Built a Multimillion-Dollar Business By Doing What I Love To Do and How You Can Too http://www.facebook.com/pages/Berried-in-Chocolate-by-Shari-Fitzpatrick/126651527402682

 Margie Yee Webb, author/photographer, Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life http://www.catmulan.com/
La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries Roseville 

396 N. Sunrise Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95661
RSVP: design@lazboyhome.com  or call 916-773-8125 

Desserts and more! Free raffle prizes and complimentary desserts and refreshments surrounded by beautiful furnishings!

*********************Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

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

Love Made of Heart inspiring adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families.

]]> http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/october-2011-events-for-writers-readers-job-seekers-in-the-san-francisco-greater-bay-area-ca/feed/ 0 Love Made of Heart Turns 9 Years Old October 2011 http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/love-made-of-heart-turns-9-years-old-october-2011/ http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/love-made-of-heart-turns-9-years-old-october-2011/#comments Tue, 11 Oct 2011 03:18:02 +0000 admin http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/?p=3309 Love Made of Heart Turns 9 Years Old October 2011

To celebrate my novel’s anniversary . . .

Last Thursday I was at San Francisco Public Library for a Women’s National Book Association meeting to shoot one-minute videos of WNBA members and guests so that they can use them to promote themselves. So, there I was, Writing Career Coach Teresa, demonstrating how to create a short video, express yourself, and not have to be in front of the camera.

I am still overjoyed that my novel Love Made of Heart is in public libraries and also archived at the San Francisco History Center.

In this video, I re-declared that I use Love Made of Heart to inspire adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families. Also, I encourage everyone to get a library card.

 

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Look what I received in the mail !

 

card to Teresa LeYung-Ryan from Teacher Sheryl Fairchild and her delightful students

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sweet messages to Teresa LeYung-Ryan from Sheryl Fairchild's wonderful students

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Bette Davis stamps used on envelope sent to Teresa LeYung-Ryan from Ms. Sheryl Fairchild of San Francisco State University. Protagonist Ruby Lin in Love Made of Heart had found her role models in characters portrayed by Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. So sweet of Ms. Fairchild and her students to think about the details! Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and that's no pun.

Ms. Sheryl Fairchild’s wonderful students in First Year Composition at San Francisco State University had asked me these questions when I visited them last month.

Our Conversation with Teresa LeYung Ryan

Nicole:  I would like to ask her why she wanted to share her story to the world?

Erin:  I’d like to ask why she used Hollywood movie starts as Ruby’s “voice”  . . .   why she wrote certain characters like Mrs. Nussbaum or Emily into the story and if they represent someone she knows in her life.

Allison:  I would like to ask her if the events that she described in the novel are synonymous with her real life or if they just represent different things that have happened to her.

Stephen:  Was the story of her mother having mental illness true or was it completely made up?

Rozlynn:  I would like to know more about Ruby’s brother John, he’s a very mysterious character in the novel.

Heather:  I would like to ask her if she wrote her story to help people dealing with similar domestic violence issues or people that have someone with mental illness in their life, feel like they aren’t alone, or if she wrote the story for therapeutic reasons of her own.

Kerri:  How long did it take for her to be comfortable with writing this story?

James:  I would like to know if she overcame her past through therapy or was it a different source that was able to help her like a friend or lover?

Jonathan:  If Teresa’s view on men has changed when going from a traditional Chinese man . . . to her new marriage of 7 years that she talks about on the back cover.

Ashley:  What challenges did you face writing the book? What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Kyndal:  Did she ever find out more information about her grandmother?

Reyanna:  I would like to ask about Ruby’s grandmother. We never really know what happened to her and why she left America. Was it because of the harsh trials immigrants suffered? Also, I would like to know about Ruby’s brother as well. She never mentioned much about him or the grandmother.

Questions for Teresa from our worksheets:
o    Why did you want to share your story?
o    Have you gotten in contact with your brother?
o    Why did you choose not to use any Chinese language in the novel?
o    Why did you use a paper that Emily wrote to tell Ruby’s story at the end of the novel, rather than having Ruby tell the story herself?
o    Why did you choose that specific ending?
o    What did you find out about your culture as you were writing this novel?
o    Is your husband Chinese?
o    Did you ever talk to Vincent again?
o    How did your family react to your writing the book?

The Essence or Meaning of the Novel:
In Our Own Words

*     Do not dwell on the past, if you do, you cannot move forward with the future.

*     Forgive, but do not forget what you’ve learned from that experience.

*      Cannot judge people right away (such with Vincent)

*     Tradition vs. modern

*      Substituting fictional characters’ lives for Ruby’s – the life she wished she had

*     “Different kinds of love”

*     Culture – Culture’s clashing

*      Childhood – How the things you see as a child sculpt your life and views: violence at home,
family values/traditions, family relationships

*      Communication – If it exists or doesn’t

*     Family ties – Loyalty vs. independence

*      The book Love Made of Heart shows how someone’s troubled past affects their present life.

 

What a lovely way to celebrate the birthday of Love Made of Heart !  I’m overjoyed. I’d like to believe that my mom is giggling on Cloud Nine. Thank you, Ms. Fairchild, Allison, Ashley, Chris, Colin, Erin, Heather, Henriikka, James, Joelle, Jonathan, Kerri, Kyndal, Luis, Niki, Reyanna, Roxanne, Rozlynn, Stephen, Teja, Zenia for reading Love Made of Heart and asking thoughtful questions. YOU all are love made of heart!

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Because of Martha Alderson’s plot coaching, my novel Love Made of Heart was transformed into a page-turner. The story grabbed Stacey Glick‘s attention, then Kensington Publishing’s John Scognamiglio‘s [ Thank you to Stacey and all the folks at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management!  Thank you to John and all the folks at and associated with Kensington Publishing NY ].  Fast forward… Love Made of Heart is:

  • used as required reading in colleges and universities
  • available in libraries
  • archived at the San Francisco History Center
  • attracting a steady flow of readers/fans
  • being my passport to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.
  • linking my mission statement to Glenn Close’s BringChange2Mind and NAMI‘s.  I use Love Made of Heart to inspire other adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families.

None of this would have happened if Martha had not taught me how to plot the front-story.

Thank you, Everyone (starting with first Critique Group members Cat, Theresa Stephenson, Evelyn Miche, Olga Malyj . . .) who have played a role in sending Love Made of Heart into the world. You all have my deepest gratitude.

Martha’s new book The Plot Whisperer is inspiring me to write another novel.

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”

 

 

 

 

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