1. What Does It Take to Become an Author? Phyllis Ayman, MS/SLP, CDP, CADDCT, CDCM, CMDCP 56:27

If you’re anything like Jerry Strayve and have had a passion for telling stories, you have a book inside of you, likely more than one.

Jerry regaled in telling stories to his children from the time they were young. As much as his young children enjoyed their father’s colorful stories, Jerry found a joy in letting his imagination wander in order to weave these tales. He found that the stories which captaivated his children’s attention fueled his own imagination.
The more his children soaked up these tales, Jerry’s thirst for telling them grew.

In his adult years, Jerry came to the realization that his stories could be told in a way that could serve the common good. His characters could reflect his own journey but also provide a social commentary that could open up people’s eyes to issues and points of view that they may have not previously considered.

The stories and characters in Jerry’s novels are both complicated and compelling. He’s developed an audience that craves his stories just as his children did when they were young.

Jerry’s success as a novelist is a valauble lesson to us all. He encourages all of us to share our stories and experiences. It can enrich our own lives, serve as a legacy, but also enrich the lives of others.

Phyllis Ayman Ambassador for Conscious Aging Life Management and #1 WSJ and USA Today Best Selling Author, Podcaster

Phyllis Ayman is the Ambassador for Conscious Aging Life Management, and founder of Mindful Longevity Solutions. She coaches individuals to develop their Personalized Longevity or Wellness Care Plans so they can live as healthfully, happily ,and fulfilled as they possibly can. As an aging life careplanning coach and mediator, she guides families to make decisions and mediate challenging conversations around aging care issues. She conceived and owns the trademark IMpathy®, essentially the inner game of empathy, which the hallmark of her proprietary programs.

Ayman is a #1 WSJ and USA Today Best Selling author, featured speaker, panel moderator, trainer, advocate gerontological speech/language pathologist and dementia care specialist. She spent over 40,000 hours working with thousands of individuals and families in long term care. Her writings have been featured in Next Avenue, McKnight’s Long Term Care News and McKnight’s Senior Living, and the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioner Newsletters.