NEW RELEASE
I am pleased to announce the release of my newest project, Before You Were YOU. You become the writer, storyteller and narrator of your family's legacy. It becomes a living, breathing keepsake to be passed from one generation to the next. I simply provided the intro and prompts. This is not a book about ancestry but a glimpse into the heart and soul of your family. Anyone can jot down dates and names, but facts do not reveal the things that made you laugh, cry or even roll your eyes. Family sayings and jokes from long ago. You know the kind. No one knows how they started but have continued. Memories and quirks that no one else could understand except for your family. Woven into its’ pages are treasured memories, joys, and trials that have shaped who you are today. As you write, some memories will become crystal clear, whereas others have been softened by time, but each one matters, because they are yours.
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About the Author
Who is Tammie Tuley? I am a mom, wife and yes, a writer with an incurable case of genre gymnastics. Fiction, nonfiction, instructional, humor, romance, you name it. I am pleased to announce the release of my newest project, Before You Were YOU. This is a legacy written by you! I simply provided the intro and prompts. This is not a book about ancestry but a glimpse into the heart and soul of your family. A keepsake to be passed down from one generation to the next. Woven into its’ pages are treasured memories, joys, and trials that have shaped who we are today. As you write, some memories will be crystal clear, others, you'll find, have been softened by time, but each one matters, because they are yours.
Growing up, I was a just a plain Jane masquerading in a Barbie doll mindset escaping reality through words. As a pre-teen, I would disappear into my room scribbling short stories, poems, and songs. As a teenager, I believed achieving writing success meant a California beach house, endless drinks with paper umbrellas and financial security. Turns out, the real reward was the writing itself.
Sure, there were times I wanted to quit, throw in the towel and swear off writing for good. But the lonely blinking cursor on a blank page always called me back. I caved every time, unable to resist the pull. Writing isn't just something I do; writing is embedded deep into my DNA.
Whether fiction or non-fiction, each genre has its’ own rules, nuance, and style. My storytelling, most often, leans toward a soliloquy style. Through writing, I can do anything, be anyone, and pull off the impossible. I have no doubt that somewhere along the way, my guardian angel must have taken a wrong turn, completely missing the Debutante Lifestyle exit. That said, derailment is not destruction. The scenic route I have taken has provided me with experiences and stories I would never have found otherwise.
Throughout this fascinating journey called life, I have found that truth and reflection provide the best comedic platform for laugh-out-loud humor. Circumstances are rarely funny in the present, but often hysterical when in the future. Life is merely a short-lived exercise of survival, humility, and learning to live beyond the happenstance of instances.
Life experiences are often very funny. (Mostly in hindsight, but nevertheless, funny.) So let your hair down, laugh a little and forget the outside world, even if it's just for a moment. Age, experience and plain exhaustion have tamed the rebel in me, somewhat anyway, but my learning curve is far from complete.
If I were to impart a bit of wisdom, it would be this: Life's highway is short, tough and difficult to navigate. We think we have to jump over all of them! We can't! Sometimes, the smartest move is to simply go under or around them. Stop focusing on the obstacles and embrace the possibilities that lie beyond them.
Certified Grant Consultant (CGC)
Through workshops, speaking events, books, social media and blogs, I share my expertise, tips and often (subjective) hilarious adventures to help others navigate this maze we refer to as life. More than 25 years ago, I made the leap from grant writer to consultant. As I became more involved with helping raise funds for many nonprofits, the more involved I wanted to be. Serving as a grant writer, I soon recognized my reach was limited. However, as a consultant, I have the ability to help more organizations increase the likelihood of receiving grant funding. As part of the process, I always stress the importance of having a balanced stream of revenue including fundraising, individual donations, sponsorships, partnerships, direct mail, awareness campaigns, and of course grant funding.
Professional Speaker
Public speaking is really just something that happened as a result of workshops, training and leadership roles held at my former 8-5 ritual. Let's just say that public speaking wasn't on the list of "what I wanted to be". In fact, my first stage appearance was a total debacle. Ironically, I felt at home on that stage. I can't explain it, but there is something about the adrenalin rush that comes from public speaking and especially when comedy becomes an added bonus. My warped sense of humor, combined with my love of audience interaction, is just fun. Laughter is healthy and can be incorporated into most topics. I love to teach, and I love to laugh. If others laugh with me (not at me); well, that's what I call a win-win. Just like writing, my speaking style isn't locked into one category. Whether serving as lecturer on grant writing, business leadership or team motivation, to performing comedic entertainment for a fundraiser, or special event; I'm in my element.