Gingerheart

Susan Anderson

Susan Anderson

Susan McFee Anderson is a Whistler-based writer. She has lived more than a few lives: as a rock and roll radio broadcaster, a television news anchor, an international award-winning corporate video producer, real estate investor, clothing shop clerk, fish gutter, weather girl, college teacher and property manager. She’s been single, married and divorced.


No surprise, then, that she writes for women who’ve checked off Partner, Kids, Home and Career on their life’s to-do list – only to find the list has a mind of its own.


Susan is passionate about her two sons, extended family and her friendships, some of which are more than forty-years strong. She loves to golf, hike and cross country ski. She swears in the mind, body and spirit-altering benefits of Pilates.


Although she recently de-cluttered her life she is pathologically addicted to bargain hunting. She can’t help it. In fact, Susan delights in paradox and that is why she chose the website name Gingerheart. Ginger is good for the heart. It calms but it also stimulates. In that contradiction – ginger as both chill pill and aphrodisiac – she sees the marrow of life.


You are invited to join Susan as she works on her current project Bounce Off the Rocks which asks the question: What do you do when your life is suddenly a blank slate? When life takes a 180-degree turn it helps to know you are not alone; in other people’s stories we can find inspiration for ourselves. Have you been through a major life crisis? Are you going through one now? Susan would like to hear from you. Check out her July 2010 blog for more details.


Gingerheart was launched in October 2008. At the beginning of every month, Susan details her torturous and exhilarating path toward publication. Each blog is intended to offer inspiration and information to those who love to read and write – and who just might share the same dream. Thank you for stopping by.


Contact: susan@gingerheart.com

Archives

Archive for December, 2008

December 2008 Blog

This month Susan is on holiday. She will be taking notes and waking up in the middle of the night with story ideas.

 

The project that broke my heart

 

I once worked on a project that failed. At one point in the struggle, I told a friend, “God wouldn’t be so cruel as to make me this passionate about something that doesn’t work out.” This is what is referred to as God-as-Santa-Claus syndrome.

 

So pull up a chair, gingerheart reader, and I will tell you the story of the project that broke my heart.

 

In 1997, I came up with an idea for a cookbook.* People loved it! One problem. I wasn’t much of a cook.

 

I researched. I wrote outlines. I chased after a talented cook I respected who was perfect for the project in every way except one. She wasn’t interested. I put the project away.

 

In 2003, I went to cooking school. My old idea shimmered back to life. I re-imagined it as a television show with strong links to the Internet.

 

For more than a year I advanced the idea. As crusaders will, I found adventure. I traveled. I met fascinating characters. At one point I found myself shopping in the luxury grocery store Fox and Obel in Chicago with chef Art Smith. He put me in charge of buying bananas for Oprah’s Thanksgiving flight to Africa. I am not making this up.

 

The project grew. I could see it. The proposal made it to the highest heights of a broadcast network. One executive liked it. Another didn’t. The answer was no. I lost heart. I put the project away.

 

In 2006, I decided to write a book that combined elements of an old screenplay and…the project that broke my heart.

 

This year, I completed the manuscript. I have just submitted it to two agents who requested a look. That’s it. Who knows what will happen next?

 

The moral of the story is: God is so smart to make us passionate about things – whether they work out or not. At least, that’s my take on it. That, or He has quite the sense of humour.

 

However you celebrate this holiday season, I send you my best wishes. Count your blessings. Be glad for opportunities to follow your passion.

 

*See my November 2008 blog entry for how that came about.