What is your story?

By Linda Elissalde
The Courage Coach Tammy Stuhr believes that everyone has a story to tell. Tammy is CEO of Author My Day LLC, an award winning author, motivational speaker, trainer and personal coach who empowers people to reach their goals. She winters on Bolivar Peninsula.

Bay Vue Methodist member Marsha Fredenburg discovered Mrs. Stuhr’s many talents. The two ladies collaborated for AUTHOR A CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK workshop to be held February 7 in Bay Vue Fellowship Hall. Tammy provided everything needed for the lessons. Marsha and Sandi Covington provided lunch. Elinor Tinsley added her famous pralines.

Amy, James, Melanie, Tom, Elinor, Diana and I arrived on time at Fellowship Hall. Mrs. Stuhr welcomed each and directed us toward workshop provisions. We also enjoyed viewing displays of her lovely books, other popular children’s books and beautiful board presentations. Then she began the lessons. Her positive step by step presentation showed everyone how to create a story. She gently led us into ideas on how we could create our own stories.

Creating a story was not in my bailiwick. Yet, I took pencil in hand and began. I followed Tammy’s lessons and soon was furiously writing. Time was up. We read aloud the first three sentences of our compositions. Everyone applauded each offering. Then came lunch break. Students compared notes and quizzed Tammy while enjoying a delicious repast.

Our lessons closed with the practicals of getting your book published. Tammy clearly explained pros and cons of various methods. We enjoyed a question and answer period. Mrs. Stuhr shared her journey to becoming a writer. Some purchased selections from her myriad best selling children’s books. Everyone was thrilled by Tammy’s gift of a chosen paperback book. We quickly lined up for this lady to autograph our selections. She added encouraging words with her signature.

Guess what? We all had a story. Marsha Fredenburg delightfully summed it up. “I never thought that I had a story to tell, but I found out that I did.” Tammy Stuhr graciously taught us we could indeed answer that question. WHAT IS YOUR STORY?

Linda

I was born on February 14, 1941 into a family of writers. Schmuckers took pen in hand for thank you notes, news articles, lessons, plays, poetry, birthdays, eulogies, etc. Aquarius prediction in my diary stated, “Has some writing abilities, but too superficial to be important”. Thanks to all who accept my compositions anyway. I come from a family of writers.

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