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Alumni Spotlight: Susan P. Ryan Transforms Chronic Pain into Powerful New Book
by Writing Workshops Staff
A month ago
When Susan P. Ryan enrolled in Elissa Bassist's How to Write a Comedic Memoir Zoom Seminar, she brought with her a lifetime of experiences battling chronic migraine and a determination to help others navigate this invisible disability. Today, we're thrilled to celebrate the publication of her book, Brainstorm: Navigating Life with Chronic Migraine, released on June 23, 2025.
Susan's unique background positioned her perfectly to write this comprehensive guide. Growing up in Detroit as one of eight siblings, she initially dreamed of a medical career before finding her path through pharmacy and eventually spending twenty-five years at Medtronic pitching pharmaceuticals, sutures, and heart valves. This scientific foundation proved invaluable as she became, in her own words, "a human guinea pig" experimenting with treatments for her escalating migraines.
Brainstorm isn't your typical medical memoir. Drawing on the comedic memoir techniques she honed in her WritingWorkshops.com class, Susan infuses her narrative with wit and humor while tackling serious subject matter. The book reads as an adventure story—a treasure hunt through the complex world of migraine treatment.
Dr. David Sherer, who wrote the foreword, praises the book's remarkable breadth, noting: "I cannot think of another book available that deals with migraine so completely. If you suffer migraine, or know someone who does, this book will be an invaluable resource."
What sets Susan's work apart is her ability to illuminate the migraine experience for both sufferers and their loved ones. She explores how factors like weather, stress, and even odors can trigger episodes, and addresses the unique challenges women face with this condition. Rather than presenting a dry clinical account, she weaves personal anecdotes with practical insights, arming readers with information to become better advocates for their own health.
After retiring from her medical sales career, Susan pursued her MFA from Spalding University and has continued to write from her home in West Olive, Michigan, where she lives beside Lake Michigan with her 62-pound companion, Vinny Van Poodle. Her essay "Proper Equipment" previously won first prize for nonfiction sports writing at Winningwriters.com, demonstrating her versatility as a writer.
Susan's journey from pharmacy counter to published author exemplifies the transformative power of finding your voice through writing. Whether you're looking to share your own health journey, craft a comedic memoir, or simply develop your creative writing skills, WritingWorkshops.com offers online classes taught by accomplished authors who can help you transform your experiences into compelling narratives that resonate with readers.
