Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG

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Author and Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan celebrates “Library Card Sign Up Month” in September. She says: “Writers who want to write better, read more books. Go visit your local library. I have library cards from San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda County and Contra Costa County. I love libraries.” This video was filmed by author Birgit Soyka.

If you love libraries too, please click on title-bar of this post, scroll down and fill in the boxes, then press [submit]. Thank you!

Teresa LeYung-Ryan speaks out for public libraries

What else is happening in September?

Saturday, September 24, 2011, 10:00am–4:00pm

Sonoma County Book Festival

Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter members and California Writers Club-Redwood Branch members at Sonoma County Book Festival, Santa Rosa, CA

Look for Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Margie Yee Webb, Kate Farrell at their booth and on the Redwood Village/Readers Circle Stage.  Leigh Anne Lindsey, Linda Joy Myers, Zoe FitzGerald Carter, Laurel Anne Hill. Who else?     Ana Manwaring orchestrates Redwood Writers Village Stage! Stage times: 1:00pm Redwood Writers Vintage Voices; 1:45-2:00pm Margie Yee Webb & Teresa LeYung-Ryan; 2:00-2:45pm Kate Farrell and anthology contributing authors

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

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

Coach Teresa is the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

$9.81 for ebook; $22 for print edition

Teresa is the author of Love Made of Heart (available at public libraries) –the book inspires adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families.

As a manuscript consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan loves helping writers identify their themes and archetypes.

Coach Teresa’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

Teresa on facebook!

She’s also involved in Women’s National Book Association and California Writers Club.

Are You a Writer Who Wears Many Hats?

Please introduce yourselves by clicking on the title bar of this post and submitting a comment.  Thank you!

Coach Teresa here to say that my colleagues and I are writers who wear many hats too.

Elisa Southard–Travel Writer, Talking Tagline & Marketing Expert, author of Break Through the Noise: 9 Tools to Propel Your Marketing Message , wears a  new hat / new name– SASA–Smart And Savvy Adventurer, helping young women gain Big City Travel Skills.  Here’s the video I produced of SASA who says: “Learn public transportation systems when traveling.” Elisa aka Sasa is also involved in Public Relations Society of America, Bay Area Travel Writers, Left Coast Writers, and Women’s National Book Association.

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Birgit Soyka–author of To Drink the Wild Air: One Women’s Quest to Touch the Horizon –wears these other hats:  female motorcycle adventurer; the loving human at the San Francisco Bird Hotel who says:”I understand Amazonian, Cockatilian and Toucanian and I am proficient in Budgie talk and African-grey slang. I love them all and I can relate to their moods, desires and needs.” Birgit just acquired Squawk & Howl (pet-sitting). Birgit is also involved in Women’s National Book Association.

Birgit Soyka uses her book to help people recognize their “Personal Transition Recipe” to create a joyful life and inner happiness.

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What does Elisa Southard aka Sasa and Birgit Soyka have in common:  travel, motorcyles, birds, dogs, and Women’s National Book Association colleagues including Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

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

Coach Teresa is the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

$9.81 for ebook; $22 for print edition

Teresa is the author of Love Made of Heart inspiring adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families. Teresa looks forward to each school visit. On September 26, 2011   2:10-3:25 p.m. Teresa LeYung-Ryan will be meeting Sheryl Fairchild’s students (First-Year Composition course in the English Dept. at SF State University, San Francisco, CA).  Thank you so much for reading Love Made of Heart.

As a manuscript consultant, Teresa LeYung-Ryan loves helping writers identify their themes and archetypes.

Coach Teresa’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

Teresa on facebook!  She’s also involved in Women’s National Book Association and California Writers Club.

Where Can We Find Literary Entertainment in Sausalito and San Francisco?

Wherever you are, check out your local library calendar, coffee house, community events calendar.

Linda Joy Myers founder of National Association of Memoir Writers tells me that Why There Are Words takes place every second Thursday evening of the month in Sausalito, CA!  

“Welcome! This is the place to learn about Why There Are Words, the literary reading series that takes place every second Thursday of the month, at Studio 333 on Caledonia Street in Sausalito, CA, 7 PM, $5 donation at the door.

Each prose (defined as narrative writing other than poetry) reading presents six (6) readers, a combination of those who have published books and those who have not yet. All share the criterion of excellence.

Interested in reading?  Please go to Why There Are Words for please contact Peg Alford Pursell“

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I couldn’t remember the venue where my poet friends performed in San Francisco, so I Googled the words:  poetry reading san francisco russian hill

Look who is on first page of search results! Joan Gelfand’s website address

Then I Googled:  poetry reading san francisco gallery cafe
There she is again! Joan’s working cyberspace magic!  Go, Joan!!!!!

Kit Kennedy produced the fabulous poetry series at Gallery Cafe. Kit, what are you up to these days?

Coach Teresa here cheering for Kit, Joan, Linda Joy, Peg and all literary entertainers!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

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

Coach Teresa is the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

$9.81 for ebook; $22 for print edition

Teresa is the author of Love Made of Heart

Coach Teresa’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

Teresa on facebook!

Joan Gelfand says: “Teresa LeYung-Ryan has paid her dues – as a writer, an organizational genius, and a community member. This book Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days is a gift to any writer who wants to know ‘how did you do that?’ or, ‘how do I get there?’ Teresa’s book is supportive, generous and easy to follow. Stop wondering how to make your name in the writing world – buy this book and follow the steps.”

What Do Writing Platform Coach Teresa, Cat Mulan Author Margie, Wisdom Voice Kate, and Maxine Hong Kingston Have In Common?

Maxine Hong Kingston’s book The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts inspired Teresa LeYung Ryan to write Love Made of Heart; Maxine is also a “main character” in Teresa’s workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

In The Woman Warrior, young Maxine’s role model came from the Ballad of Mulan; Margie Yee Webb’s book is Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life

The first line in The Woman Warrior -  “You must not tell anyone,” my mother said, “what I am about to tell you.”  Kate Farrell’s anthology Wisdom Has a Voice: Every Daughter’s Memories of Mother conveys meaning to this deeply bonded relationship.

On Saturday September 24, 2011, 10:00am – 4:00pm, please stop by and say hello if you are in or near Santa Rosa, CA.

The Sonoma County Book Festival,  Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa, CA

Please visit us at our booth

Also,  come by the Redwood Village Stage at the festival:

1:00pm Redwood Writers Vintage Voices

1:45-2:00pm Margie Yee Webb & Teresa LeYung-Ryan

2:00-2:45pm Kate Farrell

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

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Maxine Hong Kingston will be on the main stage sometime between 2:30-4:00pm.

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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 Kindle edition $9.81! Customers of the workbook are saying that it’s useful for anyone who has anything to promote.)

September 5, 2011

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!”

Good Day to Everyone! Kindle (ebook) edition of my workbook is now available. $9.81 Please help a friend who has a business (being a writer is a business) to promote.

Click on bookcover to get to Amazon. See customer-reviews from print edition.

Thank you, Everyone, who have helped make my workbook useful for writers and anyone who has anything to promote!

$9.81 ebook edition ISBN: 9780983010012

Thank you, CreateSpace Team!  Ebook / Kindle edition of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days looking good!

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan, writing career coach, manuscript consultant, and

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

Coach Teresa’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

Look for Teresa on facebook!

Author/Publisher/Coach Teresa here to say:  I am happy with the customer service at CreateSpace.com for print edition and ebook.  I retain all rights to my intellectual properties (I had bought the ISBNs from Bowker); CreateSpace does the printing, file-conversions, distributing through Amazon.com and other channels.  In January 2011 the print edition of my workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW was released . I am thankful for the customer-reviews.

$22 for 10"x8" print edition ISBN: 978-0983010005

If you wish to support independent booksellers, you can ask them to contact me and order copies of my workbook from me.

This week, CreateSpace completed the Kindle-ready conversion. Because of the tables and the graphics in my workbook, the conversion required extra attention/costs. The team at CreateSpace Member Services did a superb job!  Thank you!

So the ebook edition of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW should be available in a couple of days! $9.81

$9.81 ebook edition ISBN: 9780983010012

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan, writing career coach, manuscript consultant, and

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

Coach Teresa’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

International plot consultant Martha Alderson reflects on the development of plot and structure for writers to achieve maximum reader connection and enjoyment. Home of: INTERNATIONAL PLOT WRITING MONTH: December AKA PostNaNoPlot Perfection

Martha Alderson’s blog post: 17 August 2011

Backstory versus Front Story

Watch your delivery of backstory ~ the story of what, in the past, made the character who they are today (in story time).

Dear Plot Whisperer Martha,

Your advice “Not telling everything makes the reader curious. Curiosity draws the reader deeper into the story world.” is golden.

When I edit my hard-working clients’ manuscripts, I see their desire to ‘inform’ (especially in the first quarter of the story);  and I give them this analogy: “Engaging the reader within the first 5 pages is so much like hooking attention on a first date, the next five pages on a second date, and so on, and so on. Intrigue the reader, not overwhelm her/him.”

Martha, I am so excited that your new book will be available in October! Lucky us writers and manuscript consultants!

Cheers to you!

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Coach Teresa’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

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

Coach Teresa, Does the Hero/Protagonist Always Want to Go Home?

In a classic tale, yes, the Hero wants to go home. Home represents familiarity, perhaps where loved ones are, perhaps safety. Warriors want to go  home; sailors want to go home; children want to go home.

But, what if Home doesn’t provide any of those comforts?

What about homeless people?  Where/What is home for these folks?

As a writing coach/manuscript consultant, I ask my clients this question: What does your Protagonist want?  You have to show me within the first five pages (if you’re writing a book) what he/she wants.  If you can show the initial “want” on page 1, that’s even better.

In The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, which characters want to go home? Who wants to go home, real bad.

August 8, 2011

Tonight, I was among thousands of protagonists in the San Francisco Bay Area who wanted to go home.  We were having a terrible time getting what we wanted, not because of a natural disaster or an accident.

I had gone into San Francisco to attend a wake. Oh I had the evening all plotted out. 1. Get to the mortuary by 5:00pm; sit in the back of the room and honor my friend’s father; give my friend a token of my prayers; have quiet time with my biggest angel-my mom.  2. Have dinner with my ex-sister-in-law.  3. Be on BART by 8:00pm, home by 9:00.

8:00pm came.  I was sad for my friend and her siblings; I was sad for my ex-sister-in-law. I wanted to go home.

On the BART platform, the digital signs weren’t showing the schedules.  A male voice from the P/A system announced: “Due to a problem with the central computer system, all trains are on hold at stations. We apologize for delays.”

I thought . . .  Oh well, I have a great book (I’m reading The Poisonwood Bible). They’ll fix their computer system, we’ll all be home late, but we’ll get there.  I am so tired, I just want to go home.

Every couple of minutes, the message about their computer system was repeated. Half an hour had passed.

I drank water with my dinner. I’m sure glad I’m not on a train.

Then, a thought crossed my mind–what if they can’t fix the system tonight?  And the people who are sitting/standing inside trains, stuck between stations–what would happen to them?

I talked to two other patrons.  “Maybe they’ll have maps and more information upstairs,” I said.  I left the platform and headed for the escalators to find a station agent. About thirty fellow BART patrons were doing the same thing.

There was no agent on duty.  I want to go home!

Sincerely,

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

Coach Teresa’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

Coach Teresa is the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days and Love Made of Heart.

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

If you’re looking for my blog posts pertaining to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity… https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog  look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get those posts.

Literary & Trademark Attorney Robert G. Pimm says “Creative People Make Great Clients”

I had met Bob Pimm at a writers conference. Was it the Jack London Writers Conference?  Or the East of Eden Writers Conference? Bob had delivered a helpful session– “Anatomy of a Book Publishing Contract.”

I was already a published author at the time.  My contract with Kensington Corp. NY had been reviewed by my agent Stacey Glick and the in-house attorney (both at Dystel Literary Management, now Dystel & Goderich Literary Management).

I was so impressed with Bob’s presentation that when I found out he was also an expert in trademark laws, I sought his advice for registering my Love Made Of Heart.

Check out Robert G. Pimm’s website and benefit from his resources page.

Contracts are written in “complex languages” (not to mention keeping track of renewal dates and proof of use–with trademarks) so be sure to seek an expert’s advice.

Bob Pimm’s areas of expertise include:

Literary and Publishing Law

More than 20 years experience in the book industry working with authors, publishers, book distribution, book production, book retailing and literary agency.

Entertainment Law

Serving visual artists, playwrights, filmmakers, producers, and performers. Currently Book Publication Chair of the American Bar Association’s Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries and former Editor-in-Chief of the Forum’s quarterly publication, Entertainment and Sports Lawyer.

Intellectual Property Law

Registration and management of copyrights and trademarks, licensing of intellectual property, rights of privacy and publicity, and management of trade secrets for arts and technology.

Corporate Law

Formation of California C-Corporations, S-Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Partnerships, Non-Profits and ongoing management issues for arts and technology companies.

Sincerely,

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

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days