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148 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 7 only child, Tosh, in the creative loop when they co- authored the book, "Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life," when Tosh was still in high school. Being able to save her home and put her son through college was an added bonus of her successful Carmel retreats. Tosh is now a film school graduate. Her own educational background is uncon- ventional. She bailed from the University of Southern California after three years studying psychology, drawn to the subject by her innate curiosity about people. But the prospect of sev- eral more years of school after graduation was a deterrent, so she started a dog-walking business, and some of her clients were major celebrities. She capitalized on her gut and gusto by inter- viewing the dogs' owners, and selling a book called, "Lives Charmed: Intimate Conversations with Extraordinary People." The book's visibility led to Sivertsen being hired as a magazine editor, then ghostwriter and co-author on other proj- ects. It also led her to interact with people, en masse, which she sees as an accidental blessing. "I had a writer's fantasy: cats on the desk, dogs at my feet, everyone leave me alone, I'm in my own head… that's the dream, the quiet office," she says chuckling. The best-pal-you've-never- met runs the Beautiful Writer's Group, which anyone can join, online. Writers have monthly access to Siver tsen when questions are answered on a conference call. She also sends frequent emails to keep members fired-up and fighting for their projects. Somehow, she finds time to stay engaged in her own health, well being and current writing projects. It all comes down to juggling the day's precious hours. "When I gave the TEDWomen Talk on 'Time Debt,' I had to up my A game. I'd long been looking at the issue of time and how I was spending it, but now I brought in the micro- scope. Saw it with new eyes. I asked myself, 'What's next?' My mother was dead at the age of 59. My father at 67. I thought, 'What am I doing here?' The area of life that's always flowed the best for me is when I follow my curiosity around the writing process. So, I'm going with the flow, and finishing up books on writing and Time Debt. Just like everyone—time is of the essence to me." The fairy godmother of writing will contin- ue her life story, one page, and person at a time. And we'll be so fortunate to read about it. Photo: Courtesy TED Sivertsen is particularly proud of her recent TEDWomen Talk on what she's coined "Time Debt." She makes every effort to practice what she preaches, slowing down when in town with her 12-year old dog Merry. Photo: Shelley Paxton