Posts Tagged ‘Wordsworth The Poet’
Coach Teresa, How do I fix my children’s story? Agent says it’s too episodic.
In my previous blog post about how to remedy an episodic storyline . . . here’s an argument from one of my clients who writes children’s books . . .
“But kids aren’t that sophisticated, are they? Shouldn’t stories for that age group be episodic?”
Coach Teresa here . . . Kids know what a good story is, especially if they’ve read the timeless classics (to name a few: The Hobbit; The Wind In the Willows; Charlotte’s Web; The Phantom Tollbooth; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. What are other memorable children’s books? Wordsworth the Poet by Frances Kakugawa is a contemporary favorite of mine )
Also, keep in mind that a children’s story has to hook adults (agents, acquisition editors, publishers, booksellers, reviewers, shoppers). How do you hook adult-readers, even if you choose to be your own publisher?
Answer: Create memorable characters and follow screenwriting teacher Terrel Seltzer’s advice: “Someone we care about wants something badly and is having a terrible time getting it.”
Here’s my post from May 26, 2011 about Terrel
I encourage you to set the stage. Give the reader sensory details—not only sight and hearing but also taste, smell and touch.
To create a story with thematic significance, let your metaphors / similes / inferences move your story forward or provide clues.
Coach Teresa says: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!”
Want to attract agents & publishers? Want to be your own publisher?
Email: writingcoachTeresa at gmail.com
Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan loves to edit:
- novels & memoirs with feisty protagonists and universal messages;
- children’s novels that help young readers understand their feelings and build self-confidence
Another Day in the Life of a Published Author/Presenter/Advocate of Literacy
Dear Writers,
I encourage everyone to finish writing that story or that book and find ways to get your work published in print form. When I first set out to write Love Made of Heart (originally entitled Grace) over 20 years ago, my dream was to someday touch readers the way Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior had touched me.
Since Love Made of Heart got published in October 2002 by Kensington Publishing Corp., New York, I have had the opportunities to make connections with readers not only with the book but also through personal appearances at community events, writers’ conferences, writers’ organizations, schools and libraries. Connecting with people through promoting literacy is my favorite role as an author.
Today I received this email which made me sad, but, I got a chance to offer a piece of me as an author. Thank you, Donna, for emailing me.
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Hello Teresa! My name is Donna Axelson. I am on the board of the non-profit Veterans Memorial that was built in 2007 in Cupertino, CA. I became involved with this project because my son, Matthew Axelson, a Navy SEAL, was killed in Afghanistan in 2005. If you have read the New York Times Bestseller Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell you have read about Matthew and Operation Redwing.
One of my major jobs with the non-profit is to chair the annual golf tournament that supports the Memorial. This is our fifth year to hold the golf tournament and one of the most sought after auction items is children’s books signed by local authors. I’m hoping you would be willing to donate a copy of one of your books this year for the auction. The golf tournament this year is Monday, August 23 @ the Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club. You can reach me at ____ and you can view our website at www.cupertinoveteransmemorial.org
Are you a golfer? We’d love to have you join us for golf or how about coming just for the dinner, auctions, and program. See attachment. http://www.cupertinoveteransmemorial.org/golf_tournament.html
Thank you!
Donna Axelson
This is my reply to Donna:
Tue, Jul 13, 2010
Dear Donna,
My heart is heavy as I read your email about how you got involved with Veterans Memorial.
Donna, I would be honored to donate a copy of Love Made of Heart (to honor your love for Matthew); however my book is not a children’s book. It is recommended by the California Reading Association and the California School Library Association (for high-school and college level); it’s archived at the San Francisco History Center. The main character is in her twenties.
This link has more information about the book:
http://lovemadeofheart.com/Love-Made-of-Heart-journey-of-an-adult-child-of-a-mentally-ill-parent.html
- Do let me know if you still want a copy of Love Made of Heart.
- I am the creator of “Heroes, Tricksters, and Villains” (a writing workshop for children). If you ever want such a presentation for another fundraiser, please invite me.
- You might want to also contact Frances Kakugawa, the author of Wordsworth the Poet and Wordsworth Dances The Waltz. http://www.francesk.org/homepage.html Please tell Frances hello for me if you email her.
- Donna, are you a writer? There must be a branch of California Writers Club near you. http://calwriters.org/
- Lastly, how did you find me?
Sincerely,
Teresa
Teresa LeYung Ryan
The following day, Donna emailed again:
Teresa,
I looked up your book so know a bit about it already. We have at least one foursome of high school and college age golfers plus parents of those same age young people golf. Plus our CEO is involved with the Organization of Special Needs families in our area. I think your book would be a wonderful addition to our auction. Please send it to the address below % CVM Golf Tournament.
I will contact Frances. Thank you for her information.
Last year when I went to the Linden Tree in Los Altos (Dennis and Linda always donate books for the auction.) I purchased a book 2007 Writers and Illustrators Network Guide [Authors and Illustrators Network Guide] and you were in that book.
Fondly,
Donna Axelson
c/o Cupertino Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament
So, I inscribed a hardcover copy of Love Made of Heart to “The Cupertino Veterans Memorial Hearts” and attached a personal note to Donna and mailed the package out.
Dear Writers,
On my wesite is a page “Writers Resources” http://lovemadeofheart.com/Writers-Resources.html I attend many of the events sponsored by Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter.
See you at a community event or on cyberspace!
Sincerely,
Teresa
As an author and community spirit, Teresa LeYung Ryan speaks out for public libraries, honors immigrant-stories, advocates compassion for mental illness, and helps survivors of violence find their own voices through writing.
Love Made of Heart inspires adult-children of mentally-ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas that their parents suffer. http://LoveMadeOfHeart.com
Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook. Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out, when building your writer’s name.” http://WritingCoachTeresa.com
To continue celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and AsianWeek (the voice of Asian America) I’m thinking about these books and authors:
Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
China Boy by Gus Lee
The Jade Rubies by Valerie Lee (I’m looking forward to reading this book this year)
Peony In Love by Lisa See
My Splendid Concubine by Lloyd Lofthouse
Wordsworth the Poet by Frances Kakugawa
My Half of the Sky by Jana McBurney-Lin
This Place Called Absence by Lydia Kwa (Ms. Kwa is Canadian)
Kiyo’s Story: A Japanese American Familys Quest for the American Dream by Kiyo Sato
Farewell to Manzanar: A True Story of Japanese American Experience During and After the World War II Internment by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston & James D. Houston
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan author of Love Made of Heart – an immigrant daughter’s journey to self-forgiveness
Love Made of Heart on-line store & gift shop
Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook by Writing Career Coach Teresa http://WritingCoachTeresa.com
The fair, organized by the AsianWeek Foundation, was packed with nonstop attraction and many firsts this year – including a Mah Jong section, a Wine and Jazz Area, and a balut eating contest.
Also, for first time in AHSC history, the San Francisco Consulates General of Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore in the spirit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) collaboration, jointly participated in the festival, hosting a pavilion that featured their countries’ respective cuisine, arts and craft, tourism and trade.
The crowd, estimated at 100,000 throughout the day, munched on delicious Korean tacos, BBQ, lumpia, and cupcakes, while others could be seen sipping from their commemorative souvenir wine glasses as they scoped out the numerous arts and crafts booths. The most popular item of the day, without a doubt, were the furry Panda hats, which could be seen on fairgoers of all ages and ethnicities.
A much buzzed about exhibit – the giant inflatable 20 feet long Super Colon, presented by the California Colon Cancer Control Program, did not disappoint. Many eagerly strolled in to get a up-close look at healthy colon tissue and various stages of colon cancer. The display was part of a comprehensive health section that also featured hepatitis B screenings and education, liver cancer awareness, HIV rapid testing, body fat screenings, asthma screenings, blood pressure checks, and the chance for people to register to become bone marrow/stem cell donors.
Fresh off their tour recent Japan tour with Lady Gaga, the adorable boys of Far*East Movement all sporting shades, had hundreds of screaming fans crowding the Civic Center stage, bobbing their heads and pumping their fists in the air as they performed a handful of songs, including their hit, “Girls on the Dance Floor.”
“The festival keeps getting bigger and more successful each year.,” said Supervisor Eric Mar. “It is doing a great job of helping revitalize the Little Saigon and Civic Center area.”
Mar also commended the AHSC for their school fundraising program, which provides prizes and administrative support for San Francisco students and school groups to sell raffle tickets, with all proceeds returned to participating schools
A big smash hit of the day, was the Balut Eating Contest sponsored by Mama Sitas and the Filipino America Arts Exposition. Hundreds watched nine contestants all clad in bright orange Lola Sitas aprons, quickly crack their eggs and gobble away.
The annual event stresses the diversity of the Asian Pacific American community with representation from all ethnicities performing live on stage, and offers a huge selection of arts and crafts, plus food. In six years, the celebration has become the country’s largest assemblage of Asian Americans.
The celebration was co-presented by the California Pacific Medical Center and Subaru of America.
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan author of Love Made of Heart
Love Made of Heart on-line store & gift shop
Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook by Writing Career Coach Teresa http://WritingCoachTeresa.com