DLE CULINARY STAR INVITES YOU TO RISE WITH HER THIRD BOOK

June 23, 2021

The DLE is embracing all three connection platforms: in-person, remote and hybrid. This photo was taken during the DLE Advisory Board’s June meeting. Thanks to volunteer board members Aleah Marrow, Cam Besse, Marcus Coleman, Kalee Carmel, Michelle Lopez and Scott Smith for your time and talent. Attending as well were DLE Operations Assistant Nicole Laureyns, DLE Intern Kyle Dutton and DLE President Linda Dulye.

By Dayna Altman, Mental Health Author, Entrepreneur, Advocate at Bake it Till You Make it LLC, Boston, MA

I am currently in the story collection phase for my third book: Watch Me Rise. The concept of this book is similar to my first book: Bake it Till You Make it. The book will feature stories and recipes–however, it will be organized based on life experience, with the overarching theme that we are all connected to one another.

There’s another unique aspect to the book. You can be part of its creation. I am looking for any narrative, artwork, poetry or form of writing you may be willing to share to contribute to an upcoming resilience cookbook. Entries can be published anonymously or with your name, allowing the contributor total control. I also would love to include a recipe that you choose. I am focusing on cakes and breads (or anything that rises) as the title will be Watch Me Rise.

The due date is July 1, 2021. Your submission should include:

A baking recipe: It does not have to be a recipe you created. It can be something you have found on the internet – just “cite” it (attach the web URL) to your submission. Again, working with the ‘rise’ theme.
Your story: There is no limit or guidelines page- or word-wise–but if it would help to work within a word count, anything from 500 words to 1,000 words is ideal. If you need 3,000 words, no worries–still send it! If you only need 250 words (again, amazing), submit that…really no length guidelines.
Format: You can submit your story in any format: narrative/essay, poem, letter, bullet points, drawing or sketch (anything in color may be hard to translate in the book, but we can try!).
Topic: You can write about whatever resilience piece you would like: mental illness, transition, physical illness, moving, marriage, divorce, birth of a child or new sibling, coming out, getting/losing a pet, depression, anxiety, other mental health challenges, change…anything that feels true to you.

Some things to consider:

If your story includes others, make sure it is OK with them that you share. If they are uncomfortable, suggest leaving out names and other identifying details.
If you don’t know what to write about, think about your identity and what has shaped you today. What would you like to hear about?
If you are stuck, ask someone! Find out what they love about you and that they feel you can share.
If you want to tell your whole story from birth to now, please do–but if that feels overwhelming, pick one element of your story and write it in as much detail as you can. What would you do if you were explaining it to an alien who just came to earth? Get that detailed!

If you have any questions, please reach out to me, and we can brainstorm!

I appreciate your willingness to share in the name of helping others. It is so brave!