creativity

November 16, 2025

Embrace the Detour

I love a fabulously well-timed quote. Inspiration arriving in my in-box as I’m editing and working my way to the finish line with my novel. Have you heard this one? “The backstory isn’t a detour – it’s the past pressing in.” -Joyvity Joyvity is a site offering writing tips, one I’d never heard of but Continue reading

kindness, writing

advice, creativity, encouragement, gratitude, nature, storytelling, wildlife photos, writing, writing tips
September 21, 2025

“Surviving Sue” – On the Radio!

Wow. Wow. Wow. Do you know about John Busbee’s “The Culture Buzz“? If you don’t, you need to catch up! It’s my new favorite program on the award-winning, independent radio station, KFMG 98.9. John refers to his listeners as “cultural adventurers” – members of a club and membership is free. Just tune in! With content Continue reading

Surviving Sue, writing

author, book promotion, creativity, intergenerational healing, interview, John Busbee, radio, resiliency, Surviving Sue, The Culture Buzz, Wellness, writing
September 14, 2025

Tell Your Story 💝

Whenever a reader offers praise for “Surviving Sue”, it’s a swoon-worthy moment. Pushing the boundaries of joy. Wynne Leon and I had the pleasure of visiting with Pia Mailhot Leichter on the “How to Share” podcast recently and meeting Pia was electric. Her energy and enthusiasm for life and her candor for the cause – Continue reading

Surviving Sue, Wellness, writing

author, bookreviews, creativity, healing, Inspiration, motivation, Pia Mailhot Leichter, purpose, self care, storytelling
August 17, 2025

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

Wellness, writing

authors, belonging, community, creativity, gratitude, lifelong learning, podcasts, Wellness, workshops, writing
May 18, 2025

Two Hot Tips!

I have Elizabeth Wickham to thank for this post. Not that long ago, she mentioned her love of the book, “Writing Down the Bones – Freeing the Writer Within” by Natalie Goldberg. I’m ashamed to say I’ve had a copy for years – only thumbing through it. Tsk, tsk. When I realized a 30th Anniversary Continue reading

writing

advice, author, books, creativity, editing, flow, writing, writing tips
February 23, 2025

Power Boosts? Yes, Please!

While doing some routine, desktop maintenance recently (but not nearly as much as I should be doing when I think about the periodic decluttering inspiration I receive from my talented friend, Michelle Oram) I found something that made me grin. Michelle has a knack for encouraging a good tidy-up and let’s just say my digital Continue reading

Wellness

author, creativity, Inspiration, quotes, selfcare, Wellness
February 2, 2025

Finding Joy…In Friendship

Have you heard about Dave Williams’ inspirational project? I should say his latest inspirational project, “Joy Is…”? Dave is a multi-hyphenate writer, author, artist, designer and content creator extraordinaire. The best descriptor I’ve come up with – to describe Dave’s artistry across genres and mediums – is this: Dave’s work enchants. The “Joy Is…” project Continue reading

Family, Surviving Sue

creativity, Family, gratitude, Inspiration, joy, relationships, Surviving Sue, writers
October 24, 2024

Draw Me a Picture

I love absorbing advice from fellow writers – hoping I’ll find a secret… A shortcut that will make my process more fluid. The truth? No such nirvana exists. Everyone who writes is cranking it out, one way or another. On occasion, I’ve experienced a mountain-top moment of clarity where the journey and the destination culminate Continue reading

writing

author, creativity, doodle, Inspiration, writing, writing tips
September 19, 2024

Hand in Hand

I’ve returned to Yeats. William Butler Yeats, that is, because of “The Celtic Twilight” – first published in 1893 yet resonant for me today. A volume that’s comprised of Yeats’ early morning reveries. They speak to me, especially as autumn approaches. Stoking my sense of wonder, my belief in possibilities… Hand in hand. I love Continue reading

kindness, writing

creativity, Inspiration, kindness, love, poetry, William Butler Yeats, writer
May 23, 2024

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

podcast

authors, creativity, educators, humor, pets, podcast, relationships
March 24, 2024

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Word Cloud Wisdom

Have you done any ‘textual analysis’ lately? Yup. That’s a big phrase for Word Cloud-making. Playing in the clouds…with words. In my higher ed days, creating word clouds was fun and purposeful. Presentations, teaching, leading teams and groups. There’s something invitational about a word cloud. Come closer, let’s peek. Maybe it’s the connection I make Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, creativity, Inspiration, motivation, visual arts, writers
March 22, 2024

Podcast Friday! Chilling Out & Warming Up

What I know for sure? You’ll enjoy. Here’s a sneak peek: Peace out…chill out…Happy Friday! Vicki 😎 Anchor Episode 59: Creative Balance with Todd Fulginiti Episode 59 transcript Todd’s Wise & Shine post about creative balance: Is My Problem Age or Stress? Todd site where you can listen to his latest album and find out more: Todd Fulginiti Continue reading

podcast

creativity, friendship, gratitude, musicians, podcast, writers
March 15, 2024

Podcast Friday! Writing Inspiration

I know a podcast is worth my time when I listen and learn – in digestible nuggets. Take-aways which inform and inspire. That’s what happened recently when I chatted with Wynne Leon and Brian Hannon as we discussed Brian’s abundant talents as a writer. Brian pivots from corporate communications to personal storytelling with an ease Continue reading

podcast

communication, creativity, Inspiration, podcast, writer
March 10, 2024

I’d Like to Thank…

I don’t know how it happened. One thousand designs? I mean…I know I’ve been busy creating promo materials for “Surviving Sue” and posting on my personal blog – right here on Victoria Ponders and partnering with my writer friends on Sharing the Heart of the Matter but 1000 designs? Wow. I took a gander and Continue reading

Design

Academy Awards, creativity, Design, graphics, humor, Inspiration, writers
March 1, 2024

Podcast Friday: Skip the “Filigree”

In the second part of our delicious podcast with Jack Canfora, Jack uses a word that made me light up. Sparks of recognition for having erred in a way he described. Mistakes made from putting too fine a polish on an unworthy sentence or an entire, misguided paragraph. Jack’s simple term which encompasses all of Continue reading

podcast

author, creativity, learn, podcast, writer, writing
February 16, 2024

Podcast Friday: Super Stylin’ Edition

I loved talking with Wynne’s sister-in-law Lindsey in the most recent Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast. Lindsey’s a talented creative person who has mad, crazy skills in curating wardrobes, helping clients to simplify and feel good about themselves by honoring their bodies when it comes to styling and apparel. This isn’t JUST a Continue reading

podcast

creativity, Design, fashion, lifestyle, self care, self confidence, sensory awareness, styling, Wellness
February 2, 2024

Podcast Friday – Plus!

Being vulnerable is a tough thing. Having a buddy to travel with as you peel back the layers and engage in self-disclosure is a joy and a blessing and those two words describe my friend, Wynne Leon perfectly. She’s a joy and a blessing, for sure! This week, not only did we have a thoughtful Continue reading

podcast

courage, creativity, Family, podcast, relationships, resilience, vulnerability, writing
January 26, 2024

It’s a Magical Podcast Friday!

Wynne and I had a delightful chat in our most recent podcast as we talked with writer Dave Williams about his family’s love of books and his sources of inspiration as he writes gorgeous, imaginative stories – often including his own artwork. I hope you’ll give the episode a listen because we’re gonna fill your Continue reading

podcast

author, creativity, Family, imagination, Jung, lifestyle, podcast, writer
January 19, 2024

Podcast Friday: Pancake Edition

I’m not sure how it happened, but Wynne and I are celebrating our Golden Podcast Anniversary. No, silly people. Not 50 years of podcasting – 50 episodes – and we’re a little thunder-struck: We have a wonderful episode on deck next week. You will love it… a delightful conversation with one of our favorite creative friends, Continue reading

podcast

community, connection, courage, creativity, gratitude, lifestyle, podcast, writers
January 16, 2024

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

Surviving Sue

authors, courage, creativity, free workshop, love, resilience, writers
October 8, 2023

A Little Spark

My dear blogging buddy Deb wrote a fabulous post this week about courage and singing. It was enchanting and enjoyable and reminded me of a silly chanteuse moment, years ago where I embarrassed myself but lived through it. Here’s the post: Falling in Avignon. If you read, promise you won’t think less of me. And Continue reading

Wellness

creativity, humor, lifestyle, love, self-care
April 23, 2023

Heart Songs Within

Every day I DO want to change the world. My ‘to do’ list often starts with what everyone else should be doing because I sometimes fancy myself brighter and better able to see opportunities for improvement in others. I’ve learned…such a fool’s gambit. Instead, lead by example. Do…what’s right…demonstrate that which matters most in actions, Continue reading

Wellness

creativity, gratitude, poetry, self-care, Wellness
April 16, 2023

Rippling Wonder

A few months ago, I wrote about a favorite professor and his unique brand of creativity and one of the resources I shared at the time is worthy of a second mention. It’s a short piece about the ‘science of creativity’ and I return to it often – sharing with clients and family members as Continue reading

Wellness

bloggers, creativity, science of creativity, wonder, writers
April 6, 2023

Picasso Knew

Where do creative sparks come from? I’d say they come from everywhere and everything, if we’re as aware as we can be, given the daily, relentless distractions. I need moments of pause to connect head and heart but slowing down to do so is often the first thing I’ll toss overboard and disregard when life Continue reading

Uncategorized

creativity, Inspiration, mind palace, Picasso
December 10, 2022

You Win…My Admiration AND a Cupcake!

Yes, YOU! Keep creating…don’t stop! Continue reading

Design

admiration, artists, creativity, gratitude, humor, motivation, musicians, poets, writers
December 9, 2022

Vicki in Wonderland

Get in there girl, you’ve got stories to tell! Continue reading

Wellness

Alice, believe in yourself, creativity, humor, motivation, Queen of Hearts
October 26, 2022

The Truth I Tripped Over

The road to insight is bumpy, but I get there… Continue reading

Wellness

artists, creativity, family history, humor, legacies, meditation, motivation, T.S. Eliot, writers
September 29, 2022

Better Ideas

Friendship with a side order of honesty…always the best. Continue reading

Family

creativity, friendship, gratitude, honesty, Inspiration, resilience
September 7, 2022

Creativity and Professor Plum

Wisdom from a beloved professor…’write or die’… Continue reading

Wellness

confidence, creativity, expression, inner critics, mentors, writing

“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.

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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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