writers

December 14, 2025

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

Surviving Sue, writing

authors, chicago, Eckhartz Press, gift ideas, gratitude, great books, podcast, Surviving Sue, writers, wynne leon
March 31, 2025

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

writing

authors, blogging, friendship, gratitude, kindness, writers
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
January 26, 2025

“Staying Strong in Turbulent Times”

I’m honored and humbled by author Lauren Scott and her recent review of “Surviving Sue“, on Amazon and Goodreads…especially these words about my book: Heartwarming and inspirational… Insight for others… What it means to love and forgive… Staying strong in turbulent times… It was as if Lauren encapsulated the essence of my writing intentions with Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, book review, gratitude, Lauren Scott, resilience, Surviving Sue, Wellness, writers
September 30, 2024

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

kindness

authors, connection, friendship, gratitude, kindness, love, writers
August 10, 2024

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

Surviving Sue

authors, book club, event, feedback, friendship, gratitude, writers
July 1, 2024

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

Surviving Sue, writing

authors, humor, Inspiration, plot, storytelling, writers
May 30, 2024

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

podcast

authors, books, Family, love, memories, storytelling, writers
May 3, 2024

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes…

Changes. Being the new guy…I think it’s a tough role and it’s one I played over and over again as a child – moving a lot because of my dad’s job. When Wynne and I chatted with the wonderful Mark Petruska in this week’s podcast, I remembered there’s joy to be found when we step Continue reading

podcast

careers, change, humor, lifestyle, resilience, vulnerability, writers
April 5, 2024

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

podcast

authors, book pitch, books, bravery, friendship, writers
March 29, 2024

Podcast Friday! The Next Good Thing

Wynne and I love a thought-provoking chat with our friend, Dr. Gerald Stein. This – our 60th episode – marks the sixth time we’ve enjoyed learning from one of our favorite podcast guests. Maybe it’s the introspectiveness that arrives when Spring dances before us in the Northern Hemisphere. Opportunity and new life; longer days and Continue reading

podcast

friendship, gratitude, podcast, purpose, relationships, Wellness, wisdom, writers
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 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
February 20, 2024

Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Strength Sammie

I love chatting with readers and in a recent encounter, my brain was on fire with loads of terrific input, insight and observations. It’s hard to put into words, the wave of wonder that a writer feels when ‘knowingness’ is conveyed. Message received. I hear you. Even better? Those delicious moments when unexpected praise rolls Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, humor, insight, lifestyle, memoir, praise, readers, Wellness, writers
February 14, 2024

I LOVE Reader Input 🥰

I’ve said this before…and I’ll ask for forgiveness in advance because I probably won’t stop. Reader input is the most wonderful, unexpected joy in writing. My mom’s story IS complicated, and a dear reader recently wondered if I could challenge myself to create a new graphic – one that might depict the messy ‘soup’ that Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, Design, feedback, infographic, love, mental health, writers
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
January 12, 2024

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

Surviving Sue

authors, books, courage, gratitude, love, personal narrative, vulnerability, writers
January 11, 2024

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

Surviving Sue

authors, gratitude, healing, learning, resilience, teaching, writers
December 19, 2023

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

Surviving Sue

authors, disabilities, elder care, healing, memoir, mental health, personal narrative, writers
November 27, 2023

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

Surviving Sue

authors, feedback, gratitude, joy, perseverance, promotion, readers, writers
November 17, 2023

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

Surviving Sue

authors, books, elder care, friendship, Inspiration, mental health, podcast, publishing, writers
November 6, 2023

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

Surviving Sue

authors, bloggers, friendship, gratitude, lifestyle, love, thank you, writers
November 2, 2023

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

writing

authors, community, gratitude, publishing, Shepherd Three Faves, writers
August 28, 2023

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

Surviving Sue

authors, bloggers, books, gratitude, publishing, Shepherd for Authors, writers
August 16, 2023

“Surviving Sue” – On the Road!

I am so excited! I’ve been invited to participate in the Midwest’s largest literary showcase, “Printers Row Lit Fest” coming up on September 9 in Chicago. The Lit Fest is held in a historic neighborhood, once known as the bookmaking hub of Chicago. The two-day event is in its 38th year and typically Continue reading

Surviving Sue

author, book fair, book signing, Chicago Writer’s Association, Printers Row Lit Fest, writers
July 2, 2023

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

Family

authors, Inspiration, love, writers
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
February 28, 2023

Authorship, Gratitude & Fear

I’m almost there… Continue reading

Family

authors, family memoirs, gratitude, love, publishing, 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
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

“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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