Victoria Ponders

motivation

December 7, 2025

How “Surviving Sue” Inspired a Novel

I know. I’m still kinda shocked about it, but if not for feedback and input from readers of “Surviving Sue”, I’m not sure I would’ve been inspired to write a novel. In large part, I have the delightful Wynne Leon to thank. My dear friend is wildly talented and I dare say…fearless. She inspires me… Continue reading

podcast, Surviving Sue

Inspiration, motivation, novel, podcast, Surviving Sue, writing, writing tips
October 26, 2025

Lightening Up

Goodness landed in my lap this week as I work through the final round (she said hopefully) of edits to my work-in-progress and I can’t help but share. I revel and rejoice when heartfelt and timely input arrives. Blessed are the readers – beloved beta readers and members of my writing workshop – offering invaluable… Continue reading

Wellness, writing

author, editing, Inspiration, motivation, poetry, W.B. Yates, writing, writing tips
October 19, 2025

Resisting the Urge to Write?

I had conversations with three talented authors recently and they all said the same thing in their own unique, evocative way. Writers need to resist the urge to write. Yup. You heard me. That’s me paraphrasing, but the message was the same, three times over: Exercise patience and don’t start writing until you’ve wrapped your… Continue reading

writing

author, Inspiration, motivation, passion, patience, research, writing tips
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 10, 2025

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

Family, Wellness

authors, Celtic Knot, community, Inspiration, kindness, legacies, life goals, motivation, psychology, self-care
July 27, 2025

Don’t Play it Safe

I received the loveliest bit of feedback recently about my demeanor as a writer. The educator in me knows that very often we’re driven for concluding remarks when we seek input from others. Hoping for high fives and praise… hoping for thoughtful queries conveying interest and approval. But I learned something new last week that… Continue reading

writing

author, courage, feedback, Inspiration, motivation, vulnerability, writing, writing tips
June 26, 2025

Deep Places

I can’t keep track of how many times the talented Elizabeth Wickham has pointed me to a terrific writing resource. She did so recently when she mentioned, “Writing Down the Bones” by Natalie Goldberg, first published in 1986. I dunno why, but it sat around, unread. I can be pretty shallow when it comes to… Continue reading

Surviving Sue, writing

author, gratitude, Inspiration, motivation, novel, Wellness, writing, writing tips
June 12, 2025

Change Your Mind

Where did the time go? The band, Sister Hazel released “Change Your Mind” twenty-five years ago this month?!? When I looked it up, I was in disbelief. So, I checked and checked again, feeling windburn from the emotional rush. I bet you – or someone you hold dear – got a lift, a motivational boost… Continue reading

kindness, Wellness

Change Your Mind, empowerment, Inspiration, kindness, love, melancholy, motivation, music, selfcare, Sister Hazel
January 9, 2025

Legal Pad Love

I love writing prompts. I hate writing prompts. But I recognize their utility. I see them as neat and tidy nudges, reminding us to put in the time – to work on our craft. Same for, musicians, carpenters and artists…creatives of all types. The more you do, the more fluid your unique process and the… Continue reading

writing

author, encouragement, humor, Inspiration, motivation, writer, writing tips
January 5, 2025

Unexpected Encouraging Words: “You Might Fail”

My dad, Sonny, always had plenty of advice to offer but he wasn’t the type to pipe up with unsolicited input. If you wanted to know what he thought about something, you needed to ask. His face gave away little unless he wanted you to see what he was thinking. It was a vocational asset… Continue reading

Family, Surviving Sue

advice, author, encouragement, fathers, goals, Inspiration, motivation, new year, Surviving Sue, wisdom, writer
November 25, 2024

Keep Going!

Every time I provide an update on my “big project” and the editing in progress, I feel like I’m punching a writer’s time clock. Marking time, paying dues. Chronically the adventure? Or the pain? I’m pleased to say I’m in flow and a couple of new ideas have surfaced in this…oh, I dunno…ninety-ninth re-read. The… Continue reading

writing

author, editing, encouragement, friendship, motivation, readers, writing, writing tips
November 14, 2024

When to Detach…When to Lean In

You might think this is going to be a post about relationships, but it’s not. Well, at least not in the conventional sense – meaning one’s relationships with others. I’m thinking about numero uno. Our relationships with ourselves. I don’t know about you, but I need a healthy nudge every now and then. A kick… Continue reading

Wellness, writing

author, autumn, gratitude, love, motivation, nature, reflection, self-care, walking, Wellness, writing
September 3, 2024

You Were Right

Being a decisive one, I run on conviction most days. Unafraid to take a position on the field yet I need to remember to yield. Give my fellow players…in the game of life…their due. I love a meditative moment when awareness peaks. Across the day, I get swept up in all the “other” but… Continue reading

Wellness

apologies, forgiveness, insight, kindness, lifestyle, meditation, motivation
July 18, 2024

Write On!

The other day a dear friend – a fellow writer asked, “How’s it going?” I immediately knew the ‘it’ she spoke of. We’ve become something akin to accountability partners, checking in about our projects. Me? I periodically blog here on WP about my writing adventures, sometimes posting on FB, IG and LI, too. My friend?… Continue reading

writing

author, books, encouragement, Inspiration, motivation, quote, writer
June 17, 2024

Worthiness Reminders

I attended an author event this past weekend and it was fabulous. I love learning from accomplished writers – especially when they share their secrets for maintaining motivation. But while I was there, in a room full of fervent fans and aspirational writers, my intuitive, introverted self was overloaded from the jump. Choosing a seat… Continue reading

writing

author, book signings, books, friendship, gratitude, motivation, wisdom
May 15, 2024

In it…to Win it…With Gratitude

I hate to exercise. Hate, hate, hate it. Except…I always feel better after. Everything I know about endorphins and ‘happy chemicals’ from a therapeutic point of view – often helping athletes with sports performance issues – applies to me. It always has, but to get the benefit, like most things that are worthwhile in life,… Continue reading

Wellness

consistency, exercise, friendship, lifestyle, motivation, self-care, Wellness
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
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
October 13, 2022

One Foot…in Front of the Other

Moving through the middle is the hardest part… Continue reading

Wellness

confidence, hope, love, motivation, self-care, stress, Wellness
September 30, 2022

The Yodas Don’t Lie

My Yodas have spoken: Do it Anyway. Encouragement when I needed it the most. Continue reading

Wellness

blogging, confidence, encouragement, gratitude, humor, motivation, resilience, self-care, writing, Yoda

“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.

Workshops

Chicago Writers Association Speakers Bureau – Writing for Wellness; Navigating Elder Care with Grace & Humor

BLOG ARCHIVES

motivation

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue“

Workshops

Recent Posts