Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG

Posts Tagged ‘editors’

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)

Coach Teresa here . . . I received an email from Local Hero/San Bruno Patch columnist / Bardi Rosman Koodrin (“The Healing Chronicles”), informing me that Matt Cranford, Fair & Festival Event Manager at the San Mateo County Fair, would like to know how I implemented the writing contest (THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE: NOVEL, MEMOIR, OR SHORT STORY Sponsored by Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of  Love Made of Heart and Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW ) earlier this year and what were its achievements.

Well, the magnificent forum was already in place–the San Mateo County Fair.  In October 2010 when Bardi Rosman Koodrin, Literary Director for the Fine Arts Department of San Mateo County Fair, invited me to create and sponsor a writing contest that would carry a theme close to my heart, I said “Yes.”

I had been a judge for other writing contests before; this was a chance to create a category!

Thanks to Bardi and the other sponsors who had participated in the previous year, my being “the new kid on the block” was an easy job in terms of writing the “ad” for my contest.

In my professional life, I wear 3 hats–an author, a manuscript consultant, and a writing career coach.  Under all those hats and behind my fifty-plus years is also a protagonist who lived/is living the immigrant experience.

What do the Immigrant Experience Writing Contest and a Main Character’s / Hero’s Journey Have In Common? They are all stories about a protagonist leaving or having left a familiar place for a strange new world and how she/he is transformed.

So, immediately after receiving the hardcopy and the electronic version of the San Mateo County Fair 2011 catalog, I began publicizing not only my contest but also all the writing contests under the auspices of the San Mateo County Fair Literary Arts Department.  Then I linked my role in the contest to my role in other causes as well as the roles of my colleagues who were promoting causes close to their hearts. Immigrants. Literacy. Libraries.  Heroes. Wisdom. Mental Health. Mothers and daughters.

Fast forward . . . after I read all the entries, I asked writing mentor Mary E. Knippel to read and rate them too.  We agreed that while all the entries had distinct voices and compelling themes, one entry was exceptional.

Here’s the excerpt (from the first-place winner “My Chinese-American Experience” by Patricia Tsang) that hooked me:

As with most Chinese families, the patriarch, my paternal grandfather, was responsible for giving Chinese names to his grandchildren.  My eldest brother was named Forever Bright; my second brother was named Forever Clear.  Because my grandfather died before I was born, I was destined to be Forever Nameless . . . .

Patricia Tsang first place winner in 2011 Immigrant Experience Writing Contest sponsored by Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Brava to Patricia Tsang!

What was my reward to sponsor the contest? The creation of THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE writing contest gave me a fresh way to celebrate immigrants and descendants of immigrants.

At this time, I wish to say again “Thank you, English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers Victor Turks, Miriam Queen, Patricia Costello and your wonderful students at City College of San Francisco, for having read Love Made of Heart.” http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/The-Immigrant-Experience.html

Thank you, Bardi Rosman Koodrin, Literary Director for the Fine Arts Department!

Thank you, Matt Cranford, Fair & Festival Event Manager!

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)

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan helps fiction and nonfiction writers build their platforms and fanbases before and after publication--photo by MKWL

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Below are the links to my blog posts demonstrating how I broadcast the writing contests and the fair:

June 18, 2011 blog post:

Coach Teresa, how do I build fame as a writer?

Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here to say: “Use what you know to build fame. Use your three intertwining circles. Be yourself. Have fun.”

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/coach-teresa-how-do-i-build-fame-as-a-writer/

June 15, 2011 blog post:

What Do Dr. Andy, Poetry, Technology, Bardi Rosman Koodrin, San Mateo County Fair, Oakland Libraries, and Coach Teresa Have In Common?

Promoting literacy, literary arts and underdogs (a.k.a. libraries) . . .

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/what-does-dr-andy-poetry-technology-bardi-rosman-koodrin-san-mateo-county-fair-oakland-libraries-and-coach-teresa-have-in-common/

June 10, 2011 blog post:

Congratulations to the Writers Who Entered The Immigrant Experience Writing Contest

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/congratulations-to-the-writers-who-entered-the-immigrant-experience-writing-contest/

Dear Bardi Rosman Koodrin, Sue Barizon, Elliotte Mao,

Bardi had invited me to attend the award ceremony on June 11, 2011 (San Mateo County Fair Literary Arts writing contests). I had wanted so much to be there, to thank everyone in the SMCF offices and the writers who entered the contest I sponsored  – “The Immigrant Experience”

A previous commitment prevents me from being there with you on June 11th.

Could you  3 wonderful hearts Bardi, Elliotte, Sue (Sue, I read what you said about Bardi in The Patch) please print the attachment and bring it to the June 11 ceremony and one of you read it for me?

May 12, 2011

Where Do We Find Heroes? They Show Up–Young, Middle-Aged–What They Do–All Inspirational

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/where-do-we-find-heroes-they-show-up-young-or-middle-aged-what-they-do-all-inspirational/

April 8, 2011

Writing Contest, Immigrant Experience, Asian Heritage Street Celebration 2011, Wisdom Has a Voice Anthology, Mothers and Daughters, Mental Health

Writing Career Coach Teresa LeYung Ryan here, looking forward to four related events/projects.

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/writing-contest-immigrant-experience-asian-heritage-street-celebration-2011-wisdom-has-a-voice-anthology-mothers-and-daughters/

April 5, 2011

Our 5^th Annual Local Heroes have been selected and it’s time to celebrate them!

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/5th-annual-local-heroes-have-been-selected-and-its-time-to-celebrate-them/

March 15, 2011

General Rules for 2011 Writing Contests from San Mateo County Fair Literary Arts Dept.

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/general-rules-for-2011-writing-contests-from-san-mateo-county-fair-literary-arts-dept/

March 13, 2011

Is There a Writing Contest for Novels, Memoirs, Short Stories that Invites the Theme of the Immigrant Experience?

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/is-there-a-writing-contest-for-novels-memoirs-short-stories-that-invites-the-theme-of-the-immigrant-experience/

http://www.namw.org/teleseminars/national-association-of-memoir-writers-announces-guest-speakers-for-fall-2011-day-long-memoir-writing-teleconference/

This is a joyful opportunity for those who write memoir and creative nonfiction–no need to struggle writing the truth.

Thank you, Linda Joy Myers and National Association of Memoir Writers. Sign up for the conference here to get a free audio download: http://tinyurl.com/3wkvbjn

Today October 21, 2011 day-long free Teleconference for memoir and creative nonfiction writers

Sincerely,

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

http://writingcoachteresa.com author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

October 18, 2011

Something fun going on right now.  A chance to help drive traffic between your site, my site, beloved teacher Martha Alderson’s (of Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple fame) and her publisher’s. Martha’s new book:   The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

You’ve heard of authors going on book tours?  These days, authors go on blog tours too! Tonight Martha will be at Capitola Book Café, but, DURING THE DAY October 18, 2011, she’ll be touring here at my blog!!!  So, say hello to Martha, ask her a question about your plotline if you like… by submitting a comment to this post.  How to do this?  Follow instructions below photo of Martha.  Be sure to key in your URL to broadcast yourselves. I will conduct a drawing by the end of the week and one of you hardworking writers will win Martha’s new book.

Beloved Martha aka the Plot Whisperer! Thank you so much for gracing my blog today. I’ve been having so much fun inviting writers to join us today. I’m serving cyberspace green tea and brown rice toast with butter. I know you’ll be at Capitola Book Cafe tonight (in body), but, for the next few hours, we get to have you here!!!! Sincerely, Writing Career Coach Teresa

Writers, You go ahead and . . .

• 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.
  

If Martha can’t get to all the submissions on this blog today, I’ll keep track of your submissions and notify Martha so that she can respond within this week. On October 22, 2011 I will put your names in a drawing to win a copy of Martha’s new book!  The winner will get an email from me (at which time you can give me your shipping address).

I am so excited about Martha’s new book; I am a better manuscript consultant for having studied it.

And, Martha’s examples of Energetic Markers have given me the sparks to re-plot and rewrite my second novel.  If not for Martha’s teachings, my first novel Love Made of Heart wouldn’t be where she is today–in libraries; archived at the San Francisco History Center; chosen by teachers in colleges and universities as required reading; attracting a steady flow of readers/fans; being my passport to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves. Because I write about sobering issues (mental illness, stigmas, second-hand violence, physical abuse), my weaving the thematic threads and using the energetic markers to knot the threads result in delivery of a compelling story.  Plot Whisperer Martha, I humbly thank you!

This is the 5-star review I wrote on Amazon:

Whether you’re writing your first book or your tenth, you deserve tools to make your story engaging, from first page to last. Also you deserve to gain such tools from a seasoned teacher who genuinely cares about helping authors. In The Plot Whisperer, Martha Alderson (of Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple fame) shows you how to create a sensational tri-level plotline that carries thematic significance. Obi-wan Kenobi showed Luke Skywalker how to trust The Force; Plot Whisperer shows us (writers & editors) how to grasp Energetic Markers. Alderson says: “Like signposts, Energetic Markers identify four major turning points in every story.”

In every story—be it a novel, memoir, biography, screenplay, essay, or picture book.

I am so excited about this book–for my clients–for myself. I recommend that you gift yourself The Plot Whisperer if:

* You have a story in your heart and want help in seeing the big picture
* You were on a roll writing the first half of your book, but lost energy or feeling overwhelmed in the middle
* You have the first draft or the umpteenth draft of the entire project; and you’re asking yourself “Do I really have a memorable page-turner?”
* You’re ready to pitch to agents or publishers, and, you want that last litmus test

This empowering book helps you acquire secrets of story-structure and gain personal energy in order to survive and thrive the writing journey. The Plot Whisperer gives you hope–after all, aren’t you the protagonist too? May the Energetic Markers be with you!

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Guess what?  Also, I use Martha’s plot methods for my prescriptive nonfiction (how-to books).  Build and sustain page-turning-energy for any genre.

Also visit The Plot Whisperer’s blog – what treasures!

Remember to click on the blue header (title bar) of this post to introduce yourselves to The Plot Whisperer.

You can get Martha’s book for yourself and your dear writing buddies by asking  your favorite bookseller, going to her publisher Adams Media, or from Amazon.  And, when you write reviews on Amazon and other sites, you’re helping yourself build  your platform and fanbase.

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

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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)

This Sunday Oct. 16, 2011 Free event. Fun. Please go 1:00-3:00pm.

WNBA National Reading Group Month event at Kepler’s Books & Magazines in Menlo Park, CA.

Featured authors Rachael Herron & Thad Nodine.

Listen to Linda Joy Myers’s delightful interviews with both authors.

Delightful interview! Linda Joy Myers asks sweet questions and Rachael Herron (author of Wishes and Stitches; A Life in Stitches) is a joy. I was engaged when she said that even at a young age, when she was reading, she was intrigued that someone had to make a book; and she wanted to do that herself. I look forward to reading her novels and memoir and getting inspirations from her narrator’s voice and the art of knitting.

Thad Nodine (author of Touch and Go) says his narrator is a young blind man – wow – I look forward to reading from this particular POV. Interesting to hear from the author that his unusual narrator took over the story and taught him (author) a few things. Linda Joy Myers praises Thad on using clever techniques in writing scenes. Powerful themes: multi-cultures and love; natural disaster; vision/blindness; journey with and for family.

Cheers to both featured authors, WNBA co-president Linda Joy Myers who will be moderating the panel, WNBA co-president Linda Lee, board members and everyone at WNBA & Kepler’s!  Special cheers to Jill A. Tardiff and everyone at all the WNBA chapters involved in National Reading Group Month events.

More info on Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter.

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan,

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

Two fabulous classes (writing & researching) this weekend at Book Passage, Corte Madera store

51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, California  94925

Saturday Oct. 8, 2011,  2:15-5:15pm

Lynn Henriksen – Keep Spirits Alive: Write the Mother Memoir $65

Henriksen demystifies the writing process—making it doable. You’ll find keys to unlock memories and learn to create short, telling tales with energy and honesty. Through exercises, sharing, and feedback you’ll merge imagination, intuition, and truth with all your senses.

If you miss this class, visit Lynn Henriksen’s blog http://telltalesouls.com/blog/

Sunday Oct. 9, 2011, 1:00-2:30pm

Geri Spieler – Super Sleuthing $40
Journalist and investigative reporter Geri Spieler explains Internet research techniques that writers need to know. Learn 11 unique “search engine strings” that go way beyond the typical Google search and cut your research time in half. Discover free over-research tools that include directories, databases, graphics, periodicals, government documents, and references. Spieler is the author of the award-winning Taking Aim At The President: The Remarkable Story Of The Woman Who Shot At Gerald Ford.

If you miss this class, visit Geri Spieler’s site http://www.gerispieler.com/

Coach Teresa here, cheering for Lynn, Geri, and all writers and readers!

Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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

http://writingcoachteresa.com

Also, Teresa is the author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (ebook Kindle edition $9.81 print edition $22)

Who Are the Writers in Marin County and Sonoma County California?

Please introduce yourselves by clicking on the title bar of this post and submitting a comment. Invite my blog visitors to your events. Thank you!

Some Events for Writers & Readers in September & October 2011 in these two counties:

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California Writers Club–Redwood Branch meets at the Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa, CA

Redwood Writers Meeting 2:30-5 PM at the Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa, 2777 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 • Phone: (707) 545-8530

September 11, 2011 Speaker will be Joan Price, “What I Learned about Book Publicity after Wasting
$1000 of My Publisher’s Money.”

October 9, 2011 Speaker  will be Joan Frank “Ideas and Discovery: Protecting and Celebrating the Fictional Dream.”

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Writers Forum of Petaluma (founder: Marlene Cullen) These literary workshops take place on the third Thursday of each month, March through November (no workshops in January, February and December).

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (we start promptly at 7:00 pm); $15 at the door
Location: Petaluma Community Center at Lucchesi Park, 320 No. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, California

September 15, 2011 Christine Walker  “Image & The Senses”

October 20, 2011 Barbara Spicer   “Telling Tales”

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

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

Look for Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Margie Yee Webb, Kate Farrell, Ana Manwaring at their booths 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

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Sunday, September 25, 2011,   2 to 4 pm

California Writers Club–Marin Branch meets at Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA

Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, CA

Traditional Publishing or Self-Publishing:
Which One’s For You?

Our panel of authors and publishing professionals includes April Eberhardt, literary agent; Judith Marshall, author of Husbands May Come and Go But Friends Are Forever; Holly Payne, author of Kingdom of Simplicity, The Sound of Blue and The Virgin’s Knot, and founder of Skywriter Books; and Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, author of Love in Translation, Midori by Moonlight, and Marriage in Translation: Foreign Wife, Japanese Husband.

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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!

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!