Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG

Archive for the ‘Mental Health’ Category

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!”

Coach Teresa here.  I was looking for dates in September on the Chase Calendar of Events (because I have several friends who were born in September) when I found this:   National Suicide Prevention Week begins (Sept 4-10, 2011). 37th annual. See www.suicidology.org for history, factsheets and media kits. The goal of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is to understand and prevent suicide.

Chase Calendar for September 4 says:  Happy Birthday! Mitzi Gaynor, Judith Ivey, Beyoncé Knowles, Mike Piazza, Ione Skye, Tom Watson, Damon Wayans

Coach Teresa is adding “Happy Birthmonth! to Jonathan, Lakshmi Kerner, Marie Elena Gaspari and all friend & colleagues born in September!”

On Saturday September 24, 2011 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

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

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. She uses her workbook Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW to help writers of all genres gain a competitive edge before and after publication.

Margie Yee Webb is author/photographer of Cat Mulan’s Mindful Musings: Insight and Inspiration for a Wonderful Life, a gift book for cat lovers and their finicky friends!

Kate Farrell is editor of Wisdom Has a Voice: Every Daughter’s Memories of Mother, an anthology that conveys the wisdom and meaning of the deeply bonded relationship.

Coach Teresa here also celebrates September as:

Animal Remembrance Month, World

Be Kind To Editors and Writers Month

Happy Cat Month

Library Card Sign-Up Month

Self-Awareness Month, Intl

September Is Healthy Aging Month

Women’s Friendship Month

Hispanic Heritage Month, Natl (Sept 15-Oct 15)

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 (customers of the workbook are saying that it’s useful for anyone who has anything to promote)

author of  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 YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

Look for Teresa on facebook!

Coach Teresa here.  Recently I received happy news from dear Yolande Barial; she said: “Just to let you know that I am now officially a part of the Tracy Press. Photo and all.  Woo hoo!!!!”

Here’s a recent article from Yolande’s column:

Her Voice:  Invest in teens’ transition sooner rather than later

Yolande Barial's energy reminds me of Oprah's.

Who is Just-A-Mom speaking on purpose about God, children, life and love? Poet / Essayist / Author / Anthology Contributor / Columnist Yolande Barial!

Almost two years ago, Yolande was one of the talented writers who helped me test-market my workbook Build Your Name Beat the Game: Be Happily Published.

She said: “Coach Teresa, my brain has been on fire since our meeting. There is so much I want to do with my blog and the ideas keep on coming. Thank you!” Yolande Barial, a sensually spiritual writer who knows that with God all things are possible! A contributing author in If Women Ruled the World and Oakland’s Neighborhoods

August is “Happiness Happens Month” and Yolande’s birth-month.  Happy birthday/birthmonth wishes to my friend who has been a voice-of-wisdom “Don’t let anyone’s gossiping taint your relationship with anyone else.”

A thousand blessings to Yolande!

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

Author Mary Jo McConahay says:

“I wrote Maya Roads after thirty years of traveling in the rainforest region of southern Mexico and northern Guatemala, not only as a journalist but also because I am deeply taken by all culture Maya, ancient and modern. I don’t avoid the violence that has ripped that part of the world with revolution and civil war, describing what I have seen; but I travel too in order to find the sacred Maya sites, and to wonder at the ancient cities that speak even in ruins.”

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

http://www.mayaroads.com
For book clubs write:   mayaroads@gmail.com

Saturday August 20, 2011 Mary Jo McConahay will be featured at Left Coast Writers at Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, CA 94925

Talking about Maya Roads Aug. 27, 2011 on Peter Greenberg Worldwide  Tune in!  http://www.petergreenberg.com/

For a complete list of author’s appearances:

Sept. 7, 2011 7:30pm The BookSmith, 1644 Haight St, San Francisco, CA

Taos, NM – Sept. 10, 2011

Los Alamos, NM – Sept. 13, 2011

Albuquerque, NM – Sept. 15, 2011

Santa Fe, NM – Sept. 17, 2011

Washington D.C., DC 20009 – Sept. 27, 2011

Davis, CA 95616 – Oct. 14, 2011

Sacramento, CA 95818 – Oct. 16, 2011

Bates College, Lewiston, ME 04240 – Oct. date to be announced

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA – Oct. 26, 2011

University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ – Nov. 16, 2011

Harvard Club, Tucson, AZ – Nov. 17, 2011, 12:00 noon

Holy Trinity Church, Tucson, AZ – Nov. 17, 2011, 7:00pm

http://www.mayaroads.com/mayaroads.com/Author_Appearances.html

“Every once in a while I stumble upon a book that is so beautifully written and infused with so much intelligence and heart that it leaves an indelible mark on me. Mary Jo McConahay’s Maya Roads is such a book. In its hungry passion and wide-eyed wonder, it’s an extraordinary literary journey and a moving testament to a region and a life.” —Don George, National Geographic Traveler, Trip Lit blog

August 21, 2011 Coach Teresa here. I had asked Juliane Cortino to email me some photos of her book launch (yesterday). Here’s her report:

“We were 54 altogether at my book party. Really nice people. Novato City Councilwoman Pat Eklund stopped by and talked a few minutes about Relay For Life. The community mission director for the American Cancer Society, Joan Houkum, stopped in and spoke about a cancer fighting initiative on the ballot next June. I gave a short reading and sold 39 books! Very exciting for me. We stayed an hour longer that I’d booked the room for. They had to kick us out, and some people kept chatting on the sidewalk by their cars. The food was great. I really recommend Homeward Bound in Novato, CA for special events. They are the best!

Take care,

Juli C.”

I met Juliane Cortino at the Women’s National Book Association’s 2009 National Reading Group Month event at Book Passage. Since that meeting I have witnessed her kindness at planning meetings.

Author Juliane Cortino says:

“As a girl, I often said I would like to die at age forty. That way I would not have to grow sick or old. As a somewhat mature adult, I came to know the wisdom of growing older. Becoming sick was not in the plan. Illness struck without notice and showed itself during a routine exam. I share my experience in Nothing Can Scare Me Now: Managing Breast Cancer So It Doesn’t Manage You. The book is meant to comfort while it informs. I hope it will help you in your journey.

Born in Tokyo and educated around the globe, I remain devoted to exploring my world through the written word. I’ve been a reporter for United Press International, editor for Information Week magazine, and freelance news writer for ABC-TV. Subjects covered over the past thirty years range from food to health and technology. My articles have appeared in PC Week, The San Francisco Examiner, and The San Jose Mercury News.”

To read Juliane’s posts: http://novato.patch.com/blog_posts/where-is-my-normal-life-2

I cheer for Juliane, her book, and her advocacy work!

Sincerely,

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 and Love Made of Heart.

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

August 25, 2011  Coach Teresa here, adding the link to Lori Hope’s humorous/serious article at  Huffington Post:  Lori Hope: Direct Mail and How to Help Someone with Cancer

It was a lucky day for me when Vicki Weiland (dear colleague at Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter) called me to say: “Teresa, Lori Hope is looking for you!” Lori was the Managing Editor for Bay Area Business Woman News at the time; she invited me to talk about the themes in my novel Love Made of Heart.  When the interview (entitled “Bleeding Heart Bleeds Love” ) was published under the “Off the Shelf” column, I read Lori’s words and cried and cried. My mom would have been so proud.

What I had learned about the publishing industry was this:  busy people giving their time and energy to help newbies are walking-angels. Lori Hope was reviewing the galley proofs of her own book Help Me Live: 20 Things People with Cancer Want You to Know.  We know how thrilling and time-consuming that task is.  So, that’s how I remember my first meetings with Lori–she was generous, kind, and inspiring.

Recently, when I saw that Lori Hope commented on my post about Anna L. Marks, I was tickled to hear from her. But,  then I read Lori’s words: “Just recovering from cancer treatment . . . ”

I got very sad (this news meant a recurrence of lung cancer for Lori?). I read on. Lori said: ” . . . expanded and revised edition of Help Me: 20 Things People with Cancer Want You to Know comes out Sept. 13!   With love and always hope,  Lori”

“Always hope.”  Lori’s last name is also her gift to the world. She is a dear powerful spirit.

Lori’s “author’s journey” is her Hero’s journey.

Lori Hope says: "What do you say to someone with cancer — how do you show how much you care?"

I recommend Lori’s blog:  What Helps. What Hurts. What Heals.

Lori’s post “Dance With Me” where she says: “No sign of metastasis…” is truly music.

Is Lori Hope the WonderWoman behind “how to help, heal, and keep hope alive” ?   YES!

The second edition of Help Me Live: 20 Things People with Cancer Want You to Know, which includes a new foreword by Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, new sections on gender, childhood and young adult cancers, and a survey of 600+ survivors, will be available September 13, 2011. News about appearances/fundraisers will be available soon. Please visit Lori’s website

Sincerely,

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 and Love Made of Heart.

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

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, what are you reading, watching and writing?

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I’m reading my clients’ manuscripts – I love quirky protagonists and compelling themes.

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I’m still reading Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible. Ms. Kingsolver is a brilliant storyteller – 5 points of view (Orleanna Price, wife of evangelical Baptist minister Nathan Price; 4 daughters Rachel, Leah, Adah, Ruth May) – one family’s experience when they arrive in Belgian Congo in 1959.  Who is Methuselah?

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I started reading Dr. Patricia Tsang’s Optimal Healing: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine. What is Qi? Such helpful information and explanations.

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Michael Moore’s film Capitalism: a Love Story

What is a “dead peasant” life insurance policy?

Who said: ” . . . fight fight fight for the basic things in life.”

How did President Franklin Roosevelt end his speech (Second Bill of Rights)?

Episodes of Columbo–I’ll blog about the themes later.

Episodes of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.–I’ll blog about the themes later.

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I’m writing editorial memos for my clients; assignments, tailored to their needs; blog posts; and my next workbook for writers.

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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.