Creative Memory

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Posted on September 9, 2014

A memoir takes some particular threads, some incidents, some experience form a person’s life and gives an account of it. ~ Richard Hell

Yesterday’s blog was all about using images, songs, adages, movies to elicit memories of times gone-by to help write life stories.They all serve as great writing prompts.

When I saw the image of this widely-used household item from my childhood it triggered powerful memories. Below are the words that I associated with this picture. The words became basis for writing the preface to my memoir.

Once I recorded my thoughts it was easy to compose the preface to the book. Then my words became complete sentences and a little organizing to make sure the writing became a well- developed composition that conveyed what I wanted to share with my readers.

Here are the free association words that immediately came to mind when I saw the image:

First day of school
lunchbox
socks with wrinkles
foreign speaking doctor
bus stop
saddle shoes
odd odor
six years old
my mother
fear and anxiety

If you want to write your life story but are stumped and having a hard time getting started, dig out some old pictures from the past and see what happens. Here is a great article about the power of creative memory. http://huff.to/1pNAOvL

If you are interested in this thing called “independent publishing” there are many, many blog writings on All Things Fulfilling about the subject. Basically, I recorded my journey as I went through my own publishing process. On the right-hand side of this page, you can search by category – enter words such as independent publishing, writing, memoir, marketing independent publications, e-book publishing, writers, creativity.

That is all I’ve got for today! This blog brought to you by the award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For -information on her book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected which won 2 EVVY book awards, please visit this link. http://amzn.to/1rOmKUp.

Stirring the Memory Pot

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Posted on September 8, 2014

Welcome Back, and Happy Monday from All Things Fulfilling.

Today we are going to take a trip down memory lane with some images. These pictures are meant to be writing prompts for baby boomers who are thinking of writing their life stories. When I was writing my memoir, certain images, songs, movies, adages from the past stirred up recollections that became entire of chapters of content.

When you see these images – begin writing whatever first comes to mind. What words do you associate with the images? Perhaps you will link the images with another person, a place or a thing that you encountered throughout your lifetime. Hopefully the pictures will stimulate your writing. For now, skip the complete thoughts. Full sentences, whole paragraphs or entire stories about the image may not come together until later. That’s ok – nothing wrong with that.

Here we go – have fun! I’ll bet if you were born during the baby boomer years or before that one or more of these pictures will have you saying “I remember that!”

Thanks for joining us today. Come back tomorrow and I will share an image that inspired me to write the preface for my memoir, an anthology of stories, and what words the writing prompt stirred up.

This blog brought to you by the EVVY award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For information on the award winning book “Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected” please visit this link.http://amzn.to/1AaBpYp

Stories Filled with Heart

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Posted on September 5, 2014

“The greatest treasures are invisible to the eye but found by the heart.” ~ Unknown
Today’s blog will put a good end to this week’s theme which has focused mostly on medicine and the miracle of life.
If you like the Ben Carson story, http://www.biography.com/people/ben-carson-475422#synopsis, a Detroit boy who went from marginal beginnings to world class surgeon, you will enjoy these other success stories of people who have made a huge differences in our world because of their dedication to saving lives through “pioneering” medicine and research.
All of these titles can be purchased through the posted links:

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story http://amzn.to/1unzEGE

King of Hearts: The True Story of Open Heart Surgery http://amzn.to/1lAcs7v

Something the Lord Made http://amzn.to/1vOWWZ0

Partners of the Heart http://amzn.to/1qd8Jgs

100,000 Hearts http://amzn.to/1xcoLw5

Have a great weekend everybody! See you on All Things Fulfilling on Monday!

This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For information on her EVVY book awards for Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, follow this link. http://amzn.to/1nXZjkc

Influential People

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Posted on September 4, 2014

“A leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” ~ John C. Maxwell

Have you ever known that someone was influential to your life story yet, you have never met them before?

These two people pictured impacted my life, I do know that. Without the lessons they taught others in the medical field, I probably would not be here today.Here is a book which features top early medical research doctors from the past. The woman pictured in the blog today, Helen Taussig, is among them http://www.amazon.com/Doctors-Illustrated-History-Medical-Pioneers/dp/1579127789

Sometimes there are certain facts that are absorbed through the growing-up process that we recognize that without a doubt, has significance to our outcome in life. Such is the case of my life story.

As far as I understand it, The work of these two “pioneering” physicians had an important impact on my life due to their contributions to medical research and development.

I am eternally grateful for their leadership in the medical world. They helped save my life and the lives of many others.

This blog brought to you by the EVVY award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard and her memoir “Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.”

Welcoming the Miracle of Life

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Posted on September 3, 2014

“Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” ~ Rumi

Today’s blog writing will be very short. I want to share a video with our readers that continues my thoughts about doing what we love and finding fulfillment in it.

This news story warmed my heart. It has obviously struck a chord in the hearts of others as well because it is being widely shared on the internet, but you may not have seen it. Welcoming the Miracle

And although we are not always in a position that can make a big difference in other’s lives, there are ways that ordinary people can make a difference in their own communities. Here is an article that shares 65 things that can make an impact on the world in small but noticeable ways. http://generationon.org/teens/make-your-mark/65-ways-make-difference

Tomorrow’s blog is about two people whose careers changed the lives of many including my own. I hope you’ll join us on AllThingsFulfilling.com.

This blog brought to you by the award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For more information on the award-winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, please visit this link.http://amzn.to/1lC6Bys.

Between Spaces and Relationships

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Posted on September 2, 2014

“Irish blessing – May the memories that you hold be your precious true pot of gold.” ~ Tom Baker

My dad was a custom home builder, as was my grandfather, my great grandfather and now my two brothers and my nephew.

When I came across these vintage home pictures from the 1950s and 1960s, they stirred nostalgic feelings of an era past. The images reminded me of all the times my Dad came home with a new set of blueprints, and unrolled them on the kitchen and dining room table and explained the layout of the different styles of houses to us kids. I was always interested in seeing them and tried to envision the houses when completely constructed.

I came to know what markings were used to show where the doors and windows would be placed and whether they’d swing in or out. Other sets of plans showed where the beams and the roof trusses ran, and kitchen layouts. It makes me happy that my Dad took time to explain all that, because now I have a basic understanding of what I am seeing when I look at a set of building renderings.

Back when I was a child then there were no CAD (computer assisted designs) or drawings. Each set of blueprints were painstakingly hand sketched using drafting tools such as protractors, rulers, t-squares, tracing paper and more. Trying to make changes to features in rooms and design was so tedious.

The reason I am sharing this information today is because many baby boomers might find fulfillment in seeing these home designs of the 1950s and 1960s.You or a neighbor may have lived in a house just like them!

Enjoy, and do return to All Things Fulfilling tomorrow. We often dig into the archives and find things to talk about that stir fulfilling memories for other people. Whether your childhood was spent in a big home or a little home – what unites happy families are the relationships that exist between the spaces.

This blog brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For more information on her memoir Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, please visit this link. http://amzn.to/1vFJw1u

Chill Out and Listen In

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Posted on September 1, 2014

Happy Labor Day, everybody.

Soon we will be sliding into winter! So take those few last plunges into the pool, have yourself a tasty Labor Day cook-out, relax and enjoy the long weekend.
Today I am wishing we are at the beginning of the summer rather than at the official end. So, I have a special treat for our readers. I have posted a new audio chapter about the national holiday that we celebrate at the start of the summer rather than at the termination.

Listen in and enjoy the chapter “A Memorial Day to Remember” from the EVVY award winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected. For more information on this book, please visit this website. http://amzn.to/1pdjsCb.

Do come back tomorrow. I am going to kick my shoes off and lounge around outdoors on this Labor Day because in the mountains of Colorado we can be faced with the onslaught of winter any day ! It could even happen tomorrow…..please, please no, not yet. I am not ready.

Channeling Creative Kids

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Posted on August 29, 2014

“True forgiveness is when you can say, “Thank you for that experience.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

When I came across this image, I couldn’t help but ponder “Why didn’t I think of that?” when I needed to rest after chasing my overly active son all over the place when he was little? It would have given me great relief. Holy Cow, those child rearing years nearly did me in. Of course, to him this would not have been punishment. It would have been great fun and challenge. The little Houdini could get himself out of any situation that took brainpower and physical maneuvering!

Active children are often very creative children. Here is a book that might be useful for parents of children who are in perpetual motion. http://www.amazon.com/The-Active-Creative-Child-Parenting/dp/189077247X.

Ah…well, once we directed his energy in the right and positive direction, he became a different kid, so absorbed in his interests. As a twenty-something, our son has given me more than enough compensation for what we went through in raising an extremely active child. Now he lends a hand as my tech support person unless he is too busy with his own projects. http://www.marcrleonard.com. Thank goodness he’s had my back in coming to my aid and rescue whenever I struggled with certain stages of publishing my memoir due to generational inequities in computer skills.

In spite of myself I successfully completed my own independent desktop publishing project. Not everyone can put that accomplishment under their belt. Now I have an award-winning paperback, e-book and audio book to my credit!

I think I did OK for an ole gal who is more comfortable with a card catalog in a library than e-book technology. I need to give myself more brownie points than I do!

I am now an award winning author! Yipe!!! Yikes!!!

For more information on Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, please visit this link. http://amzn.to/1opTrPS. The audio book won 2nd prize in the EVVY book awards and Merit Award in the anthology category.

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard

Behind the Narrative

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Posted on August 27, 2014

“Don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams.” ~ Unknown

I sat on my friend’s couch one day a few years ago, so very discouraged.

“My computer is not cooperating, I’ve got writers block so I can’t seem to get this chapter right, I can’t get the pictures I need for the book since they are in Vermont……” on and on I went, stating a litany of challenges I faced with my publishing project.

“Why would you do something like that, Sue, leave behind pictures you knew you needed for a book ?” my friend asked.

“Because I didn’t know then what I know now. Who would have ever thunk, I was going to follow my “someday” dreams and write a memoir when I moved to Colorado!” I said in a grumpy tone.

“Why are you bothering to do it then if it’s stressing you? I could never do that -write about my life!” my friend stated with conviction.

“Sure you could, if you felt strongly enough that you wanted to share it.” I said

At this point I was nearly bashing my head on the hard wooden walls that surrounded her living room. She was not telling me what I wanted to hear. I needed someone to assure me that “Everything will be alright. It will all come together.”

I was beginning to think I ought to give up my pie-in-the-sky idea as I went through the list of obstacles that I was facing that week in writing and publishing my memoir.

If you are wondering why my need to write a memoir was so strong, this song by Nat King Cole explains it. It’s the basis of what’s behind the narrative. I’d had the making of the book inside of me my whole life. It was dying to get it out.

This blog brought to you by the award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For more information on the EVVY award winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, please follow this link. http://amzn.to/1nz4veb.

Book Award Results!

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Posted on August 25, 2014

“Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.” ~Alexander Pope

“Sue,” my sister said, peaking out of our guest room door yesterday morning, “what are you doing up at this hour?”

I was sitting on the sofa with the computer on my lap. “It’s 4:30 in the morning. I thought we had agreed that you’d wake me at 5:30 to leave by 6:00 am to go to the Denver airport. Go back to bed!” my sister said, not too pleased that she had been awoken when she heard the teapot whistling.

“I couldn’t wait any longer to check my email,” I said to my sister. “I want to see the results of the EVVY Book awards.” My twin sister was visiting from Maryland and we were spending our first birthday in more than 30 years together. Since family rates first in my book, I decided to give my twin sister the gift of not shortchanging her vacation by trekking into Denver for the EVVY book awards over the weekend. My publisher Joe McDaniel of http://www.bookcrafters.net had promised to email me after the book awards were over with the results.

“Did you win anything?” my sister asked, peaking over my shoulder, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she looked at my computer.

“Yep!” I said, as I read directly from Joe McDaniel’s email. ” Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected was awarded 2nd prize in the Audio book category and Merit Award in the Anthology category.” Of course, hugs followed.

“That’s so, so great, Sue, two prizes!” My sister said.

“I can’t believe it!” I replied, “I am so glad I decided to publish the story.” What started as recording just a few childhood memories to send to my family somehow became a full-fledged anthology of published stories contending among 274 other entries in the 20th annual Colorado Independent Publishers Association EVVY book award contest!

Although I wrote the story, I’d like to say “Congratulations to my twin sister Jan, and the rest of my family too” because in part, it’s their life story too! My life and the tale would not be nearly as fulfilling without all of them in it.

And then, there’s the real star – Fanny. What a character. She left an indelible mark on my life and is leaving the same kind of impression on the readers’ hearts. The voice in this award-winning memoir holds the real treasure. But I am more confident than ever that if you prefer to read the paperback or e-book format, you’ll still enjoy the story!

This blog is brought to you by the award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. Please return tomorrow. I will be posting some information about people who were very instrumental in helping me to publish a high quality publication, worthy of merit and two awards. I wish to say thank you.

Finally! A birthday together after more than 30 years! (Jan on left, Sue on right).

This blog brought to you by the award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For more information on the memoir “Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected,” please visit this link http://amzn.to/1tIG0PI

All Things Fulfilling

Writing Focused on Fine Art & The Humanities

Category Archives: Learning

Creative Memory

Stirring the Memory Pot

Stories Filled with Heart

Book Award Results!