when my mom passed away in March, and after family members had what was important to them, slowly but surely, everything went to the yard and garage with a FB video updated every few days show what was left. Anything out there was free. People were so grateful. Would a video speaking directly to your brother serve as instruction for the things he will be responsible for handling? Seems painless compared to filling out a big book. I love someone’s idea of donating your royalties to your favorite charities.
There’s no text for this, so I can’t tell what kind of creations you mean, but if you are referring to rights and royalties from your books, it’s very common to bequeath them like any other intangible property. You can leave them to your nieces/nephews or to your favorite charity — I like the idea of leaving book rights/royalties to your favorite library or library Friends group.
how blessed I was to have been her friend. I’m also a childless widow and don’t know what to do with my friend’s gifts and my many possessions when I die, but I will always be grateful for the innumerable wonderful memories her kindness and thoughtfulness have given me.
Sue. You look wonderful. When my first husband died my kids who live far away didn’t want anything. So I learned to downsize. My second husband and I have also cleared out most of our stuff and last year did our wills etc. it’s good to have most of the stuff cleared away before it gets to be a problem
share. (Sorry! My message sent before I finished.) Although my suggestion has nothing to do with published books and other created works, my wonderful friend wrote the names of her many friends on paintings, books, trip souvenirs, etc. After she died, her brother gave me about twenty-five pictures and other mementos she’d purchased on trips we took together. Every day whenever I look at one of these gifts, I think of what a wonderful person she was, of the many memories we shared, and
I have a colleague who works in copyright and trademark law. If you’d like his contact info, ask me. He’s very approachable and not terribly expensive. Could save you a lot of energy and time, just sayin. 🌞
I was thinking that you could photograph your Mom‘s needle points and make a slideshow exhibit- put it on your Substack on your Facebook and also
find a small venue -like the church coffee area to honor your mom around an anniversary or whenever . Put them up or on tables if you don’t want yo frame & hang, and maybe have a little notes about each or a few anecdotes about your Mom.
Do a bit of a memorializing. This would be sweet.
Then get busy trying to figure out how to categorize your projects.
My husband and I think about this all the time. We lost our only child and I live out of state from my family. We have has lots & lots of paintings. I have a documentary I’m working on. I have a memoir I’m writing. I don’t even think my husband knows how to retrieve some of these files or get into the systems.
I’m working on trying to get these projects done before I die, but you never know! I’m 69 so it’s time to really think about this stuff.
Recently, we went through some of our older paintings -ones we know we wouldn’t be selling or exhibiting and we gave at least 10 to 20 away to Savers, which is a discount store that takes donations in Massachusetts.
I regretted maybe giving away a few of them, but then what am I gonna do with them - they’ve been in the basement for decades and there’s just so much art here. We have lifetime of art & we have sold work, but there’s a lot more and some of it is unfinished or somebody might enjoy it, so we gave them away.
A few weeks later I got an email from a man who bought one of the paintings and wanted to know a little bit more about the girl in the painting. He knew my name -since I didn’t scribble out my signatures.
He googled me, looked at my website, then he emailed me. I thought it was very sweet that he loves the painting and he’s enjoying it -which is an affirmation!!
Now it’s time to raise the anti a little bit. I don’t just want to be giving the paintings away to strangers.
I know where you’re coming from. We all need to do something!
I am sending love and hugs, and I hope that your cardiologist gets to the bottom of the chest pain and that you can feel better soon and that you have many more years ahead -because you are a gift to everyone knows you and reads you on Substack.
Thank you, Susan. I love the slide show idea, not just for Mom's things but also for my own quilted wall hangings that certainly each have a story. I hadn't even thought about the paintings hanging on my walls--and there are many. So much to think about. Step by step, we'll do what we can and let go of the rest.
I agree with John. Sometimes your college library will take your papers, but that's usually because you're famous. But who knows. My friend died with an unpublished book i have been trying to get published at her request. not easy going.
when my mom passed away in March, and after family members had what was important to them, slowly but surely, everything went to the yard and garage with a FB video updated every few days show what was left. Anything out there was free. People were so grateful. Would a video speaking directly to your brother serve as instruction for the things he will be responsible for handling? Seems painless compared to filling out a big book. I love someone’s idea of donating your royalties to your favorite charities.
There’s no text for this, so I can’t tell what kind of creations you mean, but if you are referring to rights and royalties from your books, it’s very common to bequeath them like any other intangible property. You can leave them to your nieces/nephews or to your favorite charity — I like the idea of leaving book rights/royalties to your favorite library or library Friends group.
how blessed I was to have been her friend. I’m also a childless widow and don’t know what to do with my friend’s gifts and my many possessions when I die, but I will always be grateful for the innumerable wonderful memories her kindness and thoughtfulness have given me.
Thank you, Sue, for so candidly communicating your insights and frustrations—most of which I
Sue. You look wonderful. When my first husband died my kids who live far away didn’t want anything. So I learned to downsize. My second husband and I have also cleared out most of our stuff and last year did our wills etc. it’s good to have most of the stuff cleared away before it gets to be a problem
I agree. As much as my health allows, I am hellbent on pruning out anything I don't have use for in the life I'm living now.
Instead of filling out the book you showed just do a video like this with info for your brother.
Of course have the legal paperwork signed too.
It's a good way to be Heard and your wishes known.
Also hope your pain is controlled and you have a good report and encouraging new from your doctor.
I sure Jesus understands your concerns and is grateful for you using your musical gifts.
I enjoy your posts and wish you a long productive life too
Thank you for sharing your life and looking forward to reading your books.
Kind regards,
Mary Cole
Thank you, Mary. I do need to put my info in writing because there are so many names, numbers and links, but it would be good to add a video, too.
share. (Sorry! My message sent before I finished.) Although my suggestion has nothing to do with published books and other created works, my wonderful friend wrote the names of her many friends on paintings, books, trip souvenirs, etc. After she died, her brother gave me about twenty-five pictures and other mementos she’d purchased on trips we took together. Every day whenever I look at one of these gifts, I think of what a wonderful person she was, of the many memories we shared, and
That's beautiful. Excellent idea.
I have a colleague who works in copyright and trademark law. If you’d like his contact info, ask me. He’s very approachable and not terribly expensive. Could save you a lot of energy and time, just sayin. 🌞
Ooh, yes please. Thank you.
https://share.google/PZ1eYTc0t6gywvtXx
https://www.thelegalartist.com/about
Sue, did you read my article? It’s not about my stuff -that’ll be next. It’s about my dead peoples’ stuff.https://susanfuscofazio.substack.com/p/deceased-peoples-stuff?r=z9fo9&utm_medium=ios
I had not read it. It's wonderful. Thank you for sharing the link. I hope lots of people read it and follow your example.
hi Sue,
I was thinking that you could photograph your Mom‘s needle points and make a slideshow exhibit- put it on your Substack on your Facebook and also
find a small venue -like the church coffee area to honor your mom around an anniversary or whenever . Put them up or on tables if you don’t want yo frame & hang, and maybe have a little notes about each or a few anecdotes about your Mom.
Do a bit of a memorializing. This would be sweet.
Then get busy trying to figure out how to categorize your projects.
My husband and I think about this all the time. We lost our only child and I live out of state from my family. We have has lots & lots of paintings. I have a documentary I’m working on. I have a memoir I’m writing. I don’t even think my husband knows how to retrieve some of these files or get into the systems.
I’m working on trying to get these projects done before I die, but you never know! I’m 69 so it’s time to really think about this stuff.
Recently, we went through some of our older paintings -ones we know we wouldn’t be selling or exhibiting and we gave at least 10 to 20 away to Savers, which is a discount store that takes donations in Massachusetts.
I regretted maybe giving away a few of them, but then what am I gonna do with them - they’ve been in the basement for decades and there’s just so much art here. We have lifetime of art & we have sold work, but there’s a lot more and some of it is unfinished or somebody might enjoy it, so we gave them away.
A few weeks later I got an email from a man who bought one of the paintings and wanted to know a little bit more about the girl in the painting. He knew my name -since I didn’t scribble out my signatures.
He googled me, looked at my website, then he emailed me. I thought it was very sweet that he loves the painting and he’s enjoying it -which is an affirmation!!
Now it’s time to raise the anti a little bit. I don’t just want to be giving the paintings away to strangers.
I know where you’re coming from. We all need to do something!
I am sending love and hugs, and I hope that your cardiologist gets to the bottom of the chest pain and that you can feel better soon and that you have many more years ahead -because you are a gift to everyone knows you and reads you on Substack.
Thank you, Susan. I love the slide show idea, not just for Mom's things but also for my own quilted wall hangings that certainly each have a story. I hadn't even thought about the paintings hanging on my walls--and there are many. So much to think about. Step by step, we'll do what we can and let go of the rest.
I agree with John. Sometimes your college library will take your papers, but that's usually because you're famous. But who knows. My friend died with an unpublished book i have been trying to get published at her request. not easy going.
It's difficult even when the author is alive. You're a good friend for trying.