Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG

Archive for the ‘Art / Craft / Teaching’ Category

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

Lynn Scott, the author of the memoir A Joyful Encounter: My Mother, My Alzheimer Clients, and Me, says: “My book is not about the disease, but about the spirit that exists in us all as long as we live. I led my clients in singing the old familiar songs (“Take Me Out to The Ballgame,” “As Time Goes By,” “I Love You Truly”), and I reveled in the love I received and gave.”

I met Lynn Scott over ten years ago when she received writing awards from the California Writers Club and the Jack London Writers Conference. Her fiction and nonfiction are most engaging.  When she asked me to join her critique group, I said “Yes!” Judith Marshall and Marcia Naomi Berger were the other members. More about those two authors in future posts.

What is Lynn up to these days? She’s being an inspiration as always!

Visit Lynn Scott’s website to find out how [singing the old familiar American songs; turning grief and loss into catalysts for the next creative step; Boston Women’s Health Collective; a unique set of unlikely healers] all relate to this wise author/editor.

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, are there any writing groups in or near Pinole, California?

Friday Morning  Writing Group with teacher Marie Elena Gaspari

Fridays  10:30am -1:15pm

2011 – Sept. 16,  23,  30;  Oct.  7, 14

Five-week Series: $150.00      Drop-In : $35.00

Pinole , CA 94564
Contact: Marie Elena GaspariRiverOFDreamsWriting.weebly.com

Sincerely,

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 and Love Made of Heart.

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

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.

Author & Publisher Leigh Anne Lindsey introduced me to Beth Barany‘s impressive work and in turn Beth introduced me to what she calls two cool women’s groups in the East Bay, California–The Goddess Collective and the Ripe Paradigm.

Marta Maria Marraccin, founder of Goddess Collective, says:

“The Birthing of The Goddess Collective was inspired from pure joy. As a business woman, I have been in a successful private practice known as Quantum Belief for almost 12 years now. In my practice, I help women overcome limiting beliefs, concepts, ideas of self, and much more.”

Last month, the Goddess Collective had a gathering at the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club, 1650 Mountain Boulevard Oakland, CA 94611

Ripe Paradigm is a Women’s Online Community:

“Our network is a collection of women: mothers, teachers, artists, musicians, counselors, healers, dancers, life-lovers and much, much more. Many of us live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We share generously, transparently with all the different parts of ourselves and trust that we will be given the gifts of engaged presence and respect. We hold space for this with our own curious exploration, empathy and openness to all possibilities; being ever inspiring and inspired by one another.”

Thank you, Leigh Anne and Beth, for introducing me to these forums.

What  literary and cultural-wealthy cities we have in Oakland & Berkeley, CA!

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.

Is Kathryn G. McCarty teaching a Creative Writing Class to Kids and Teens?

I just received an email from Kathryn G. McCarty who says:

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

August 24, 2011

Laura A. Novak launches her new e-book Novel on Scribd Float

I just received this wonderful news from colleague Laura A. Novak (Laura is the new co-vice president and yours truly Teresa LeYung Ryan is the secretary for the of Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter).

Laura says:

“I am thrilled to report that I launched my e-book novel on Scribd  just as they launched their new iphone app yesterday at Fortune Tech in Aspen – and made Finding Clarity: A Mom, A Dwarf and a Posh Private School in the People’s Republic of Berkeley a feature!

Coach Teresa, what is a typical day as a Writing Career Coach?

I responded to my emails. I asked California Writers Club-SF Peninsula Branch Newsletter Editor Linda Okerlund to help broadcast the Sonoma County Book Festival on September 24, 2011.

Even though I had emailed a client my editorial memo to his new first 50 pages (his thriller with magnificent themes!), I wanted him to see my notes on his manuscript pages, so, I went to the post office and used priority mail. I enjoy going to the post office in person especially when it’s in an beautiful old building.

I returned a library book – Saving Your Library: A Guide to Getting, Using and Keeping the Power You Need, by Sally Gardner Reed.

In the mail was a promotional offer from Poets & Writers.  Check out their  Writing Contests, Grants & Awards. Look for this year’s opportunities.

While my laptop is uploading videos on my Amazon Author Central page, I’m writing this post and watching (studying actually) 2 episodes of  Columbo (Peter Falk as Lieutenant Columbo). I study films and I advise my clients to study films. Why?  Translating what you see and hear into words is a major feat. Try it. Use words to show show show.

Here’s the review I submitted to Amazon for Saving Your Library:

Our Beloved Public Libraries Can’t Speak for Themselves But We Can
I learned that no matter how busy a library appears to be (patrons reading, doing research, using computers, receiving help from librarians, borrowing books), we still need to be routinely asking about its “welfare.” Why? Whenever there is a budget crisis, underdog libraries are among the first to be targeted. Our public libraries can’t speak for themselves, and, librarians (city employees) cannot jeopardize their jobs; we the patrons can speak up, with our mighty voices! This book helped me understand what happened when our federal government “offered” cities and towns “local control” of public libraries (by pulling away funding). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_libraries says: “Public libraries exist in most places in the world and are often considered an essential part of having an educated and literate population.” Our beloved libraries… Chandra Garsson, thank you for showing me this book–Saving Your Library: A Guide to Getting, Using and Keeping the Power You Need by Sally Gardner Reed. Ask your librarians about the book. Here’s the website for the American Library Association http://www.ala.org

Got to check my emails again.

Sincerely,

author/writing career coach/library advocate

Teresa LeYung Ryan

Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan helps writers & authors build their platforms and fanbases and polish their manuscripts by identifying their themes and archetypes.  Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW Coach Teresa says: “Reach out not stress out when pursuing your dreams!”

Novelist Teresa LeYung-Ryan 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.

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

Teresa LeYung-Ryan on facebook!