Start By Writing What You Know But Keep Learning

John DeDakis (pronounced dee-DAY-kiss) is a former editor on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.” DeDakis is the author of six novels in the Lark Chadwick mystery-suspense-thriller series. In his most recent novel, Enemies Domestic, Lark is a pregnant White House press secretary forced to make an abort-or-not-to-abort decision in a highly toxic and polarized fishbowl while dealing with an attack on the presidency. DeDakis, a former White House correspondent, is also a writing coach, manuscript editor, and podcaster.

CNN

Prolific Writers Life

PodMatch

Some affiliate links below.

PodMatch

If you are a podcaster, or have a message or fantastic product you want to share with the world, I encourage you to check out PodMatch. I call them a dating service for podcasters. Use the affiliate link and tell them, Lucinda sent you. Then contact me so we can set up a Story-Power chat.

Prolific Writers Life

My husband, Barry and I recently joined Prolific Writers Life which offers members a variety of free online work sessions and discounts on coaching sessions with industry experts. They offer opportunities to hone your writing skills, develop your author brand, and connect with a supportive community in live events. You can participate in group chats or send private messages to members through Prolific Writers Chat. If you’ve got a writing project, or are an expert who can help members finish their writing projects, come join the community.

They also have fun events like Films for Writers, which is free for anyone who wants to attend. It’s like a film club. We watch the movies about writers often with tidbits about their writing life, and then come together on the last Friday evening of every month to discuss the movie. You can check out Prolific Writers Life with a free 14 day trial to see if this the community you have been looking for.

Story-Power on Patreon

I’m so passionate about stories that I created the Story-Power Patreon Community so I’d have an excuse to talk story with other story lovers. Patreon is $5 a month for content not found on the Story-Power podcast, or on my Sage Woman Blog. They have recently instituted a free tier so you can try it out before you buy. If you’re passionate about stories, and want to talk about what you’ve learned from your favorites, come join me at patreon.com/StoryPower. Let’s share what we’ve learned from the stories we love.

Classic Cinema With the Sage Sisters

Stories are a huge part of the way humans communicate with each other. We think all stories are allegories where we can learn all kinds of important things, not the least of which is how to understand ourselves and others better. The best stories can be told over and over from one generation to the next and still teach great lessons. Emotional Intelligence and critical thinking are two of those lessons. Celeste and I think there are many classic movies that show us the progression of where humanity is today and we want to share them with you.

Shakespeare was right, “All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.” The stories we tell and consume are us trying to figure out who we are, why we’re here, who we want to be, and the kind of world we want to live in.

Come join the conversation on YouTube and our Facebook group.

Classic Cinema With the Sage Sisters: People Will Talk

My favorite movies have many layers of meaning. People Will Talk (1951) is one of those movies. It’s based on a German play titled, Dr. Praetorius by Curt Goetz and is about an unusual doctor who believes that there are many ways to help his patients get well. Which is very progressive thinking for the time period. To him, his patients, mostly women, are human beings who deserve dignity and to be a part of their own healing process.

Because of Dr. Noah Praetorius’s (Cary Grant) unusual healing methods, some of his colleagues are jealous of his popularity. One in particular, Dr. Rodney Elwell (Hume Cronyn) is out to prove he’s a fake and hires a private detective to dig into Praetorius’s past to see if they can dig up any nefarious practices. Part of the investigation involves Mr. Shunderson, (Finlay Currie) who is Praetorius’s mysterious constant companion. Who is he? Does he have a dark hold on the good doctor?

Another layer of the story involves Deborah Higgins (Jeanne Crain), a student at the university where Drs. Praetorius and Elwell teach. Praetorius meets her in Elwell’s anatomy class while he’s waiting on Elwell to give him the lab results on a tumor of one of his patients. While waiting for Elwell to show up, Praetorius gives an impromptu lecture about the cadaver, which would make Elwell cringe where he there. Deborah faints and Praetorius suggests she see a doctor to find out why she fainted. She, of course, goes to his clinic to see him and finds out she’s pregnant and in a precarious situation since her fiancé has died. How are unwed mothers treated? And what can she do given her living situation?

Then there is the layer of deep friendship between Prof. Barker (Walter Slezak) and Praetorius. As well as university politics. Elwell has stirred up the negative rumors so much so that at the climax of the story, Praetorius is called before a faculty committee to answer the charges against him.

If you haven’t seen People Will Talk, Celeste and I highly recommend you see it since the debate about the best medical practices is still going on today.

Red Bird: A Soothing Sign After the Loss of a Loved One

Diandra Ford-Wing is a passionate storyteller and dynamic Sales Director who discovered the healing power of writing during a period of profound grief. Growing up as an Army Brat, Diandra’s formative years were spent in culturally diverse settings, including Germany, which shaped her unique narrative style.

After the loss of her mother, Sandra, Diandra embarked on a transformative journey that inspired her debut memoir, Red Bird. Through this work, she shares her personal reflections on love, loss, and resilience, hoping to inspire others facing life’s trials. Diandra lives with her husband, Ben, and their two cherished doodles, CoCo and XuXa. When not writing, she enjoys the simple joys of life and continues to explore storytelling as a path to connection and healing.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/diandrafordwing

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/diandrafordwing

Website: booksbydiandra.com

There are affiliate links below.

Story-Power on Patreon

I’m so passionate about stories that I created the Story-Power Patreon Community so I’d have an excuse to talk story with other story lovers. Patreon is $5 a month for content not found on the Story-Power podcast, or on my Sage Woman Blog. They have recently instituted a free tier so you can try it out before you buy. If you’re passionate about stories, and want to talk about what you’ve learned from your favorites, come join me at patreon.com/StoryPower. Let’s share what we’ve learned from the stories we love.

PodMatch a Dating Service for Podcasters

If you are a podcaster, or have a message or fantastic product you want to share with the world, I encourage you to check out PodMatch. I call them a dating service for podcasters. Use the affiliate link and tell them, Lucinda sent you. Then contact me so we can set up a Story-Power chat.

My husband, Barry and I recently joined Prolific Writers Life which offers members a variety of free online work sessions and discounts on coaching sessions with industry experts. They offer opportunities to hone your writing skills, develop your author brand, and connect with a supportive community in live events. You can participate in group chats or send private messages to members through Prolific Writers Chat. If you’ve got a writing project, or are an expert who can help members finish their writing projects, come join the community.

They also have fun events like Films for Writers, which is free for anyone who wants to attend. It’s like a film club. We watch the movies about writers often with tidbits about their writing life, and then come together on the last Friday evening of every month to discuss the movie. You can check out Prolific Writers Life with a free 14 day trial to see if this the community you have been looking for.

Classic Cinema With the Sage Sisters

Stories are a huge part of the way humans communicate with each other. We think all stories are allegories where we can learn all kinds of important things, not the least of which is how to understand ourselves and others better. The best stories can be told over and over from one generation to the next and still teach great lessons. Emotional Intelligence and critical thinking are two of those lessons. Celeste and I think there are many classic movies that show us the progression of where humanity is today and we want to share them with you.

Shakespeare was right, “All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.” The stories we tell and consume are us trying to figure out who we are, why we’re here, who we want to be, and the kind of world we want to live in.

Come join the conversation on YouTube and our Facebook group.

Story-Power Celebrates Fifth Year of Sharing Inspiring Stories

Celeste is a certified massage therapist for 30 years mostly working with people who have been injured in some way. But before that she loved stories of all kinds beginning with the family movie nights instituted by the parents she shares with Lucinda. Celeste got hooked on reading in 7th grade. 

Lucinda is a retired theatre instructor at the high school and college levels. She was a late bloomer to becoming an avid reader. During her Senior year in high school, she fell in love with Classic British Literature. But the love of stories sustained both Celeste and Lucinda and taught them valuable lessons, as they explain in this fifth year anniversary of Story-Power.

THE Podcaster Nation, Rory Paquette

Story-Power on WordPress

Classic Cinema With the Sage Sisters on YouTube, Facebook

Barbara Cartland, (9 July 1901 – 21 May 2000) British author of contemporary and historical romance novels publishing 173 book over 72 years

Centennial, James Michener, novel, (1978) TV Mini-Series

The Kent Family Chronicles, John Jakes

Sports Illustrated,(1954 – present) 

Wooden: A lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court, John Wooden

Barbie (2023), Greta Gerwig, Director

The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare

Good Will Hunting(1997), Gus Van Sant, Director

Dead Poets Society (1989) Peter Weir, Director

A Summer Place (1959) Delmer Daves, Director

Films for Writers, a free once a month movie club on Prolific Writers Life

Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC graphic novels and movies 

Virginia Pfau Thompson, Cochise College instructor, Story-Power episode 18

Disney Studios

Medea, Euripides

Les Misérables, Victor Hugo

Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien

Pedro Pascal, Actor

Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry, Creator

Star Wars, George Lucas, Creator

Comic Cons, Renaissance Festivals

Ted Lasso, (2020 – ) Developed by, Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Bill Lawrence 

There are affiliate links in the posts below.

Classic Cinema With the Sage Sisters On YouTube

Stories are a huge part of the way humans communicate with each other. I think all stories are allegories where we can learn all kinds of important things, not the least of which is how to understand ourselves and others better. The best stories can be told over and over from one generation to the next and still teach great lessons. Emotional Intelligence and critical thinking are two of those lessons. Celeste and I think there are many classic movies that show us the progression of where humanity is today and we want to share them with you.

Shakespeare was right, “All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.” The stories we tell and consume are us trying to figure out who we are, why we’re here, who we want to be, and the kind of world we want to live in.

Come join the conversation on YouTube and our Facebook group.

Prolific Writers Life

My husband, Barry and I recently joined Prolific Writers Life which offers members a variety of free online work sessions and discounts on coaching sessions with industry experts. They offer opportunities to hone your writing skills, develop your author brand, and connect with a supportive community in live events. You can participate in group chats or send private messages to members through Prolific Writers Chat. If you’ve got a writing project, or are an expert who can help members finish their writing projects, come join the community.

They also have fun events like Films for Writers, which is free for anyone who wants to attend, even non-members. It’s like a film club. We watch the movies about writers often with tidbits about their writing life, and then come together on the last Friday evening of every month to discuss the movie. You can check out Prolific Writers Life with a free 14 day trial to see if this the community you have been looking for.

PodMatch for Podcasters


If you are a podcaster, or have a message or fantastic product you want to share with the world, I encourage you to check out PodMatch. I call them a dating service for podcasters. Use the affiliate link and tell them, Lucinda sent you. Then contact me so we can set up a Story-Power chat.

15 Epic Core Beliefs to Transform Challenges into Opportunities

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Andy Campbell is a resilient survivor and inspirational author who has overcome numerous life-altering challenges – a victim of childhood sexual abuse and bullying, the loss of his mother at an early age and the eventual estrangement from his father, his battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and the loss of his youngest son to suicide. Despite enduring multiple surgeries, grueling chemotherapy treatments, and the tragic loss of his youngest child, Andy has demonstrated remarkable strength and perseverance. Through his experiences, he has developed a unique perspective on resilience and the power of his 15 core beliefs.

Andy lives with his wife and remains actively engaged in the lives of his three remaining adult children as he continues to support his family while managing his own health challenges. His book Overcoming Life’s Toughest Setbacks shares the principles that have helped him navigate life’s darkest moments, offering hope and guidance to others facing adversity.

You’re not alone, so let’s redefine your journey. Overcoming Life’s Toughest Setbacks: 15 Breakthrough Core Beliefs to Transform Challenges into Opportunities! is your practical guide to resilience, peace of mind, and unshackling your potential.

Website

Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl

King Solomon, Biblical Figure

Some of the following paragraphs have affiliate links.

PodMatch for Podcasters

If you are a podcaster, or have a message or fantastic product you want to share with the world, I encourage you to check out PodMatch. I call them a dating service for podcasters. Use the affiliate link and tell them, Lucinda sent you. Then contact me so we can set up a Story-Power chat.

Story-Power on Patreon

I’m so passionate about stories that I created the Story-Power Patreon Community so I’d have an excuse to talk story with other story lovers. Patreon is $5 a month for content not found on the Story-Power podcast, or on my Sage Woman Blog. They have recently instituted a free tier so you can try it out before you buy. If you’re passionate about stories, and want to talk about what you’ve learned from your favorites, come join me at patreon.com/StoryPower. Let’s share what we’ve learned from the stories we love.

Classic Cinema with the Sage Sisters

Stories are a huge part of the way humans communicate with each other. I think all stories are allegories where we can learn all kinds of important things, not the least of which is how to understand ourselves and others better. The best stories can be told over and over from one generation to the next and still teach great lessons. Emotional Intelligence and critical thinking are two of those lessons. Celeste and I think there are many classic movies that show us the progression of where humanity is today and we want to share them with you.

Shakespeare was right, “All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players.” The stories we tell and consume are us trying to figure out who we are, why we’re here, who we want to be, and the kind of world we want to live in.

Come join the conversation on YouTube and our Facebook group.