POETS  & WRITERS Magazine names Martha Alderson‘s The Plot Whisperer as one of the Best Books for Writers.

Best Books for Writers

The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master by Martha Alderson Published in 2011 by Adams Media The author provides insight on how to create works of fiction with powerful stories and focuses on how to devise a Universal Plot, plot lines and subplots, compelling scenes, and character transformation. ** **

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Sincerely,

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

author of:

Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (the workbook)

Love Made of Heart (the mother-daughter novel used in college composition classes; book is archived at the San Francisco History Center)

Answer Me Now  (the award-winning short play)

and speeches advocating mental health and end violence against women and children

Click here for a list of Coach Teresa’s event.

http://writingcoachTeresa.com  for more resources.

Coach Teresa says: “Wear the dual hats of writer and promoter. Reach out, not stress out.”

Book Launch PARTY

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Cheers to The Plot Whisperer aka The Plot Guru aka The Martha Alderson!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”   http://writingcoachteresa.com

As coach and author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW , Teresa says: “Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, make your name synonymous with the issues you write about.”

As author of Love Made of Heart, creator of Love Made of Heart gift items and the Talking to My Dead Mom Monologues, Teresa encourages writers to speak out (in print) for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Then there’s Miss Olsen. She is secretary to Jeff Sheldrake who is head of Personnel. Miss Olsen appears in only a few scenes, yet, she personifies multiple archetypes—shape-shifter; herald, but also threshold guardian; antagonist, but also ally. Her character fascinates me. Baxter’s and Kubelik’s heroes’ journeys would not have begun if not for the action of this not-so-minor character.

For more information about the movie http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053604/

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C.C. Baxter -  portrayed by Jack Lemmon

Miss Kubelik – Shirley MacLaine

Jeff Sheldrake – Fred MacMurray

Dr. Dreyfuss-  Jack Kruschen

Miss Olsen – Edie Adams

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May your major and not-so-minor characters be memorable!

I recommend your studying The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler and The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master by Martha Alderson.

Happy writing and rewriting!

Editor / Manuscript Consultant / Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

http://writingcoachTeresa.com

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

Teresa is author of Love Made of Heart

Coach Teresa edits manuscripts (contemporary novels; thrillers; children’s novels; memoirs) for authors who want to attract agents  & publishers  OR  want to be their own publishers.

Linda Lee is busy writing her book, being co-president of Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter, getting ready for San Francisco Writers Conference, creating beautiful websites for her clients that reflect their businesses.

Mary E. Knippel is busy helping her clients create their vision boards / collage / success stories and perfect content for their websites, facilitating events at Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter and getting ready for San Francisco Writers Conference .

Lori Noack is busy with her new company Vintage San Francisco (women’s clothing and accessories 1950-1980) and managing the Italian Garden Flat.

Luisa Adams, author of Woven of Water, is busy with Spanish class, her book group, being celebrity author at her grandchildren’s school and everywhere she goes, and inspiring your truly and many other fans.

Martha Alderson is busy consulting her clients and promoting her wonderful new book  The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master.

Rebecca Martin and her staff at Dear Jane Inc. help people find jobs!  Cheers to global workforce! Sign up for her helpful newsletter. Watch Rebecca’s videos on her website.

Teresa LeYung-Ryan (yours truly) is practicing  my own mantra: “Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams.”  I’ve listed my services at Thumbtack.com & Craigslist.org and updated my website http://www.WritingCoachTeresa.com

• Ask editor / manuscript consultant Teresa to help you identify themes and archetypes in your manuscript, book proposal, query letter.

• Ask Coach Teresa to show you shortcuts on your PC; how to crop photos and add captions; create signature block in email setting, a blog, facebook page, YouTube channel, online press room, and more.

• Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (a workbook for anyone who has anything to promote—available in print edition $12.96  and as an E-book $9.81).  You can sneak preview the 2 exercises for Day 1 on Amazon. Customer reviews (from writers and entrepreneurs) also on Amazon.com Please support your local bookseller: http://www.indiebound.org

Meet Coach Teresa at an event; details:  click here

• Thursday Dec. 1, 2011 6:00-7:30pm at WNBA meeting at San Francisco Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Room

• Sunday, January 8, 2012, 2:30-5:00pm at California Writers Club—Redwood Branch
  • networking; general meeting; “Writing-Career-Make-Over with Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan”

• Thursday, January 12, 2012  Teresa LeYung-Ryan will be Linda Joy Myers’s guest on  National Association of Memoir Writers (NAMW) teleseminar

• February 16-20, 2012 at San Francisco Writers Conference

• March 24, 2012 at WNBA’s “Meet-the-Agents/Speed Dating”

Happy Writing and Platform Building!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

• Click on the blue header (title bar) of the 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.

Coach Teresa here to announce that I have changed the cover price of the print edition of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW from $22 to $12.96

Why? When the workbook was $22, folks had to pay for Amazon.com’s shipping or buy another item to reach $25 for free shipping.  If you already have my workbook (Thank you! And please tell me how you’re building your platform by submitting a comment to this post!). . . . maybe as holiday gifts for yourself and a friend . . .  get another book on writing (like The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master or Blockbuster Plots: Pure & Simple — both books by Martha Alderson or any of the books I recommend click here to see or a movie to study dialogue as I discussed in my post of Nov. 12, 2011) for yourself and Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days for a friend who needs to reach out, not stress out, to build platform/fanbase/client-base.

If your friend prefers Ebook edition it is $9.81

A note to folks who shop only at brick-and-mortar bookstores . . .  I support independent bookstores and encourage writers to do the same. Independent booksellers order books through their distributors and if their distributors do not list the book you want, then your independent bookseller can’t order the book for you. BookShop West Portal in San Francisco carries my workbook and my novel Love Made of Heart.

Example:  If you go to http://www.laurelbookstore.com/ (one of my favorite booksellers) and key in my name [ Teresa LeYung Ryan ] in the search box, you’ll see both my workbook and my novel in their database because Laurel Book Store’s distributor lists the titles.

A note to writers:  If there are bookstores near you, do visit them.  Study new releases (front cover, back cover, jacket copy, table of contents, read the first page) whether you are considering self-publishing or not; let booksellers know you support them; attend readings, meet other folks who are interested in what you’re interested about. The feature-author at a reading could turn into a mentor/advisor; everyone you meet could turn into your fans.

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

Please tell your friends who live in the San Francisco Greater Bay Area that I will be at these forums (click here for full schedule and details):

Dec. 1, 2011 San Francisco Public Library-Main Branch

Jan. 8, 2012 California Writers Club-Redwood Branch in Santa Rosa  “Writing-Career-Make-Over with Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan”

Jan. 12, 2012 teleseminar for National Association of Memoir Writers

February 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference

March 24, 2012 Women’s National Book Association presents “Meet the Agents/Speed Dating with Agents”  Teresa LeYung-Ryan will coach registrants on how to pitch.

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Please visit my website http://writingcoachteresa.com

If you wish to email me, I’m writingcoachTeresa at gmail.com

Reach out, not stress out, when pursuing your dreams!

Manuscript Consultant/Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here, visiting dear pal Karyn in Australia . . .

I wish to remind all writers to please reward your work with authentic details. Your story deserves thorough research (yes, even for memoirs).

Example: The first time I stepped off the sidewalk to cross a street in Sydney, I was “reminded” by a moving-vehicle where I was (my setting). You see . . . folks here in Australia drive on the left side of the road (What does that mean for pedestrians? What does that mean for other drivers?).

What else about “left” ?  Walk on the left side when possible; on escalators, stand to the left and pass to the right.

Utensils:  fork in the left hand and knife in the right while eating.

What’s the big deal?  It’s a big deal if you have your protagonist as a stranger in Australia or if you set your story in the U.S.A. but your character is Australian (then the U.S.A. would be foreign territory for her/him).

I encourage everyone to conduct research and get proofreaders for your manuscript (yes, even for memoirs). Authentic details hook readers.

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06 November, 2011 I’m back in California. As I think about the messages in this post,  I remember when Luisa, Martha and I conducted:

“Write Your Compelling Story—the Power of Authentic Details”

with Luisa Adams, Martha Alderson, Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Luisa’s memoir Woven of Water is a beautiful example of employing authentic details and plotting nonfiction.

By the way, please check out Martha’s new book The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master

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 the novel Love Made of Heart (inspires adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their families)

Martha Alderson is one of the seven members of our mastermind group; my previous post included two other members–Job Seeker’s Writing Mentor Mary E. Knippel and Employment Counselor Rebecca Martin.

Hosting an author who is on blog tour (even when the author is beloved Martha Alderson) requires a series of publicity outreach, special invitations, and, of course being present on the day of author-arrival to my blog.

22 writers showed up for Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson!  Please read their wonderful questions about story plotlines and the Plot Whisperer’s helpful answers to authors of novels, memoirs, creative nonfiction.

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/writers-invited-to-camp-out-here-the-plot-whisperer-martha-alderson-to-arrive-october-18-2011-on-blog-tour/

Each writer who participated was eligible for the drawing.  The winner would get a copy of The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master. I had each participant’s name on a piece of paper, and all the entries went into a red bag.  After a few shakes . . .  one entry was pulled out.  The winner is Janet Kerr in Canada!  Congratulations, Janet!  Thank you, Everyone, for making my blog a fun place for The Plot Whisperer.

Coach Teresa here to say that  Martha’s new book The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master has motivated me to the point that I’m writing my second novel on public transit. Last night I even missed my stop because I was engrossed reading Martha’s “Some Final Thoughts” in her book. I am on fire writing and dreaming my next novel. Thank you, Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson!

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)

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)

First . . .  Please tell job-seeker friends — Tues. Oct. 11, 2011 Mary E. Knippel presents at SF Professional Career Network. Meet 9:00am at 390 Valencia St., SF. Presentation 9:30-11:00am.  I’ll be there to film Mentor Mary as she guides job-seekers on how to “Create Your Success Story”:

• Learn simple, creative ways to get noticed in a crowd
• Design your vision-board to achieve your dreams
• Convert your passions into valuable connections

If you can’t attend this Meet-Up, visit Mary’s site: http://yourwritingmentor.com/

My list of  To Do included:

• respond to clients’ emails.

• respond to Martha Alderson’s publicist regarding my playing a role in Martha’s blog tour for her new book THE PLOT WHISPERER: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Adams Media, a division of F+W Media) scheduled for the week of October 17^th, 2011.  Senior Publicist Bethany Carland-Adams had asked: “Teresa, I would love to coordinate a review, interview, or guest article around this time on your blog.”

• use facebook to broadcast Writing Mentor Mary‘s appearance tomorrow.

• critique Mary‘s material for her presentation tomorrow.

• blog about October events for writers and anyone who needs to express themselves through writing.

• upload videos (the ones I shot for Women’s National Book Association members and guests at San Francisco Public Library last week; the one I shot of Yolande Barial last month)

• gather photos for a new brochure for my signature workshop “Heroes, Tricksters, Villains”

• blog about getting more mileage after you’ve posted a comment on someone’s blog.

• connect with http://www.shewrites.com

• blog about Love Made of Heart turning 9 years old this month October!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

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

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

Love Made of Heart inspiring 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.

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

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

My Plot A was sabotaged–the antagonist was the TransBay bus not showing up in Oakland.  I had to go to Plot B

While I was in San Francisco, living out my Plot B, I filmed the TransBay Terminal and shared advice about using everyday setbacks to plot drama & tension for your protagonist.  Her / His character growth is revealed when you show how she / he reacts and what steps she /he takes to get what she / he wants.

http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung#p/a/u/0/VIBkQtieMzA

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

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

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

Love Made of Heart inspiring 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.

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

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