authors
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Great Books and Gratitude ❤️
One of the best things about growing older is the unexpected wave of wistfulness, coming from the music of one’s youth. Even before I read Doug E. Jones’ “Take Me Back to Chicago” I was enchanted – thanks to the title of his book which is also the title of a favorite song, courtesy of Continue reading
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Doing Good…Together!
“It all comes to this: the simplest way to be happy is to do good.” – Helen Keller Inspired by Helen Keller’s beautiful quote, this is a good news post with gratitude galore – times four! First: I’m grateful to a book club for selecting “Surviving Sue” as their summer read recently. They found me Continue reading
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Finding Significance
“Your legacy is every life you touch.” – Maya Angelou Being an achiever can be depleting. I heard from a former client last week, frustrated by his prolonged job search and slow progress with two creative projects. I listened. Interspersed with legitimate career-related laments, he lit up when he shared photos of his children…and the Continue reading
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A Terrific Two-Fer: New “Surviving Sue” Review and a Fabulous Book Recommendation
When someone you admire offers praise, it’s a delicious gift! The talented author, Deborah Brasket’s new book will be available soon AND she found time to review “Surviving Sue”. Deborah’s novel, “When Things Go Missing” tells the story of a fractured family in a way that inspires. Characters I swear I’ve met – flawed and Continue reading
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Hello, Friends!
My talented friend, Edward Ortiz, tagged me in on the “Sunshine Blogger Award” started by Kimberly Vargas Agnese and it’s so much fun! I loved reading Edward’s answers to Kimberly’s questions and was excited to answer those that Edward asked (see below). I can’t think of a better “getting to know you” game than this. Continue reading
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Live Every Minute!
Sounds bossy, I know. Live Every Minute! But stick with me. I’m mulling the enchantment of books…words and creations…illustrations that transport us; nudge us about what matters most. Kindness. Consideration. Love. I won’t pretend to understand how the Universe works, but I am delighted when coincidences appear. I’m delighted when I meet talented people and Continue reading
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Asked & Answered!
I like the whole story. Details. Beginning, middle, end. The problem? So many things in life are interrupted. Slices and segments. Unfinished business. I’m thinking about projects, people, issues, incidents, stories. Loops that don’t close. A wonderful writer friend shared a quote from author Lee Child that I can’t get out of my head; it Continue reading
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Seattle Surprises
“Friendships between women, as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses… swapped back and forth and over again.” -Michelle Obama How much fun is this? Our daughter Delaney had a business trip recently…in Seattle…and knowing how much we adore Wynne…and Miss O and Mr. D, this fabulous foursome (plus Delaney’s Continue reading
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Printers Row Lit Fest – Gratitude!
Hey there! I’m checking in to share some tidbits about my second ever visit to Printers Row Lit Fest in gorgeous Chicago yesterday. Here are some top-of-mind gratitude thoughts the morning after: Listening to stories – discovering connecting threads between strangers about shared experiences, especially the challenges of tending to individual and generational trauma while Continue reading
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Book Club Fun
I had a terrific time last week visiting with a local book club at the beautiful Palatine Library. I’ve said this before, but the unexpected joy that comes from receiving feedback from readers who thoughtfully absorbed my story and took the time to attend a gathering to learn more – about me, the process of Continue reading
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Connection – It’s the Best Thing!
I’m excited about returning to the Printers Row Lit Fest again this year! I’ll be there, in the Chicago Writers Association Tent, on Sunday, September 8 from 10am – 2pm. If you missed my post about participating last year, take a peek because it was an absolute blast. Gorgeous venue, surrounded by readers and authors. Continue reading
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Hopping Genres
I’m in the thick of it, working through another test. This time, the exploration of writing a novel. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was in pursuit, wondering if my previous experience in academic and memoir writing could be tapped to conjure a largely fictionalized story. Along the way, writers will tell you Continue reading
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Dream a Little Dream…
I forget how useful it can be to surrender my troubles to my dream state. It’s not a fail-safe method, but letting my subconscious go forth and fetch a solution or two is like magic. No, it’s not like ordering a pizza. Delivery isn’t assured and the toppings are unpredictable, but it’s worth a whirl. Continue reading
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Just Ask
I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. -Leo Buscaglia I Continue reading
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Podcast Thursday! For the Love of Pets
Featuring Author Pete Springer What’s better than storytelling when the giggling occurs right off the bat? Not much, I say. Our dear friend and author Pete Springer has stories galore. The heartwarming variety, prompting instant laughter. I can use a healthy dose of that tonic every day. You, too? I don’t want to give away Continue reading
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Podcast Friday! Storytelling Mama
It’s Mother’s Day weekend! Remembering…telling stories. There’s no better way to celebrate those who give of themselves, no matter what title they hold. Mother’s Day – for me – will forever conjure thoughts about those who cared for me, regardless of their assigned roles in my life. The best of mothering, at its innermost squishy Continue reading
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Podcast Friday: It’s a Fab Collab
I’ve done a lot of “collabing” over the years. Projects of all sorts, and it’s a treat to work with someone when there’s an ease all around. That’s what it’s like – fun and fabulous – as Wynne and I enjoy our shared projects – writing, workshops, podcasting or occasionally, musing about solutions to the Continue reading
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Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Care & Keeping
I received a wonderful review recently on Amazon and it made my week. Lindsey’s kind words lined up beautifully with my latest project as I continue promoting my book: Lindsey…if you’re reading this, thank you so much. I dunno about being exceptional, but I’m getting comfier with me…being me. Your sweet review was just the Continue reading
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Podcast Friday: Learning to Pitch
No…not baseball. 😉 But I guess it’s baseball season again. I’m thinking about the dreaded “elevator” pitch. Book pitch-style. How to take our brilliant writing ideas and condense the goodness into one fabulous fast ball…enticing all readers, generating interest and enthusiasm. Like hitting a home run! Writing friends…the ‘pitch’ matters. Whether you’re in the exploratory Continue reading
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From the Inside-Out
So much can happen in a year’s time. When I think about my inspiration to write about Dr. James Pennebaker’s book, “Opening Up by Writing it Down” I’d swear I wrote this post just a couple of months ago. Turns out…it’s been a year. Almost exactly. Whoa. Where did that time go? Across the past Continue reading
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Podcast Friday: Sharing a Secret
I’m going to share a secret. I get nervous…really nervous when I’m talking about my book, “Surviving Sue”. Even when I’m chatting with my dear friend Wynne Leon on our podcast. I’m continuing to learn how to talk about the motivation to write my mom’s story… about living with her and persevering. Yes, surviving. The Continue reading
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Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Writing for Resilience
I’m pretty excited. It’s only January 11 and the new year is full of surprises. Good ones! I wrote about Wynne and I being included in the CWA (Chicago Writers Association) Speakers Bureau last week and I’ve already had a nibble on one of the offerings – about navigating elder care. Woo-hoo! Yet another opportunity Continue reading
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Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Speakers Bureau
Two years ago, I’d just finished my experiment. My writing experiment. My audacious and scary commitment to write 500 -1000 words a day as the story about my mom, Sue, poured out of me. What began on October 1, 2021 as a lark, a project about writing for resilience and healing, turned into a book. Continue reading
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Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Heartfelt Feedback
I think one of the reasons I wrote about my mom, Sue, was to receive support and recognition for the effort and triumph of literally surviving Sue. If you’d asked me as I was wrote, I would’ve shrugged off that thought because I wanted to believe I was writing for posterity. To bring clarity for Continue reading
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Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Reasons to Celebrate!
I love reader feedback. Love it. The hardest part about writing, at times, was wondering whether or not I was accurately conveying the intense emotions – the full range of life with my mom, Sue, that bobbed from hilarity to terror. Sometimes in a blink. I worried about giving enough of the backstory – just Continue reading
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Podcast Friday! Hot Tips for Writers
Oh…this was fun! Another visit with our friend and writer Brian Hannon talking about our common interests in writing about families. I love a good ‘tip list’ to keep me on track and inspire my writing and Brian found a gem of a resource, which he shares in this episode. I can’t lie, the tip Continue reading
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Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Thank You, Patti!
One of the biggest blogging blessings…and there are many…is the introduction to fellow travelers in life who share some of the same foibles, fears and triumphs. Connecting with Patti Moore Wilson was a delight – in the exchange of comments as we read each other’s posts and as we enjoy those of fellow bloggers. Continue reading
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Top Three? How Do You Choose?!
Thanks to Cheryl Oreglia and Joy Neal Kidney, I learned about a super cool resource for writers and readers a few months ago. It’s called Shepherd and it’s a wonderful way to learn about beloved volumes. When I decided to participate in Shepherd’s latest project, I had no idea I’d be among 882 other authors Continue reading
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Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Book Clubs!
I have some fun “Peek Inside” news to share! “Surviving Sue” has been picked up by a couple of book clubs – and I’m thrilled. I’m continuing to receive wonderful feedback from readers. Sometimes in the form of lovely praise, sometimes follow-up questions about aspects of the book and nuances about the many characters in Continue reading
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Readers, Writers, Book Lovers? Shepherd Helps!
Thanks to friends Diana (D. Wallace Peach) from Myths of the Mirror and Cheryl Oreglia from Living in the Gap, I learned about a wonderful resource for writers and readers alike, called “Shepherd”. How does it work? Authors showcase one of their books along with five books they recommend. Books that are sources of inspiration, Continue reading
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Getting Out of My Way
The notion of getting out of my own way is nothing new, but when applied to writing, there’s an extra reveal. A greater depth of understanding about how maddening I can be…to me. I put a project on the shelf about a year ago, just when things were coming together, publishing-wise, about “Surviving Sue”. For Continue reading
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Publishing = Panic at the Disco?
No, no. Not the band of the same name, “Panic at the Disco”. I’m referring to a silly moment in my latest podcast with Wynne. What a treat it is – every time I visit with her. Even when the topic’s fairly serious, we find ways to have fun. 😎 In this week’s Heart of Continue reading
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Finding Our People
I’ve been a lucky human. Many times, I’ve had the blissful experience of encountering someone who automatically oozes familiarity. Someone I’ve met before? An acquaintance I’ve forgotten? Often, it’s not that the names or faces that are recognizable, but a person’s loving essence. Well, that and a sense of humor and a knack for not Continue reading
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Misery and Harmony
When my dad died unexpectedly, I lost my partner in navigating issues with my mom, Sue. I’ve written about the dynamic a bit. He provided counterbalance and love, patience, and insight when I needed it the most. His was the one and only voice that could cut through when Sue was out of control. Amidst Continue reading
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Cover Art: The Reveal
This is surreal, still. I did that thing…that ‘write a book’ thing and it’s actually becoming a reality. Last week I received the go-ahead from my publisher to share the cover art for the book (see below) about my mother’s life, “Surviving Sue”. Over the past several months, I’ve dropped a mention here and there Continue reading
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Three Peas in a PODcast
Hmm…which one of us is trying to escape? Wynne…don’t leave us! Continue reading
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Authorship, Gratitude & Fear
I’m almost there… Continue reading
“Surviving Sue”, a special story about resiliency and love: Eckhartz Press (paperback) and eBook on Amazon.
Peek Inside “Surviving Sue“
Visit Resources on Atkinson Group Solutions for more.
Podcasts
Listen to the “Sharing the Heart of the Matter” podcast.
You can find our podcast on Apple, Amazon, Spotify and Pocket Casts. Please subscribe!
Workshops
Chicago Writers Association Speakers Bureau – Writing for Wellness; Navigating Elder Care with Grace & Humor; How to Create a Writing Platform; AI for Caregivers
About Me
Learn about five books that inspired and supported my writing journey by visiting my personalized book review page on Shepherd.
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