"Help From Above" -- How it Was Born
November 28, 2006 Labels: help from above, special discounts on my books 1 commentsGood evening! I know I said I would post this yesterday, but unfortunately, I had computer problems last night and an emergency that morning. However, now that things are back to normal I will reveal the answer to the question I am asked often... how was "Help From Above" born?
Around 1998 I took a course on Basic Novel Writing through Writer's Digest School. When my course materials arrived, my instructor informed me that the first thing I needed to do was come up with an idea for a novel. At the time, I had a basic idea of what I wanted to write, but didn't know for sure how I was going to put it together. You see, I always enjoyed shows about angels helping other people, and the TV drama "Touched by an Angel" was my favorite show; I watched it faithfully. With that said, I knew I wanted to write a novel about an angel helping someone.
While growing up, I watched my first cousin suffer with alcoholism and drugs. I seen -- first-hand -- how the drugs and alcohol affected her. I decided I wanted to help others by showing them what drugs and alcohol can do. Thus, using some of the course materials, I outlined my story and created my main characters. Then, for about a week I brainstormed until I came up with what I thought would be a good title. I questioned many titles, but "Help From Above" kept coming back to my mind, and I finally chose to stick with "Help From Above."
As I began writing "Help From Above," I knew I wanted to write it to help adults and young adults. So, I wrote the book for an adult and young adult audience. My hopes were that both adults and young adults would learn from George's experience by seeing the effects of drugs and alcohol. I wanted them to see it is an addiction, and I wanted them to learn about the bad things that could come from it. Because I wanted my novel to include an angel, I created Ronald as George's guardian angel.
The book is dedicated to the memory of my first cousin, because later, while still writing "Help From Above," I got a phone call that my cousin has passed away. Her addiction with drugs and alcohol over the years messed up her liver, which resulted in her death. I was devastated when I learned about her death, and I decided to dedicate the book in her memory.
In conclusion, "Help From Above" was written to show adults and young adults the effects of drugs and alcoholism. Throughout the book, you'll discover how drugs and alcohol can effect a person's life, and you'll also learn about some of the withdraw symptoms, as well as how hard quitting can really be.
If you haven't invested in a copy of "Help From Above" yet, now would be a great time, as I'm currently running a sale. Normally the book is $12.95, but today you can get it for $9.00! The sale ends on Nov. 30, 2006, so don't miss out! "Help From Above" would be a fantastic gift for any teenager! Maybe after they read about George's experience they'll say "no" to drugs and alcohol!
Hugs,
Misti Sandefur
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It always makes me happy when someone can turn such a sad - and then tragic - event in their lives and try to help people with it. Writers, of course, are excellent at doing this :)
I'm so sorry about your cousin. From the time I started high school until right now, there hasn't been one person in my life who hasn't been addicted to drugs - or toying with them too close for comfort.
I hope your book grabs hold of many needful people.