Life of A Writer

Good evening friends,

I know it's been a little while since I've last posted here, but I've been working my rear off to meet my upcoming deadlines. God has been wonderful to me lately. He's blessing me with many writing jobs and I'm thankful. Not only am I thankful but I love every minute of it. Writing is something I enjoy very much -- I honestly don't know what I would do without it. It is the one thing in my life that I know I will NEVER give up.

The way I work on my writing jobs...I begin with the ones that are coming due first, and then I work my way down the list. And right now the next one I have due is on April 7, and so I'm working on it. The editor told me this one would be fun, and she was right, it is fun. I'm writing about cooking, and cooking is also another thing I enjoy doing. When I was 16-years-old I got my first job cooking in a restaurant, and I continued that career for a long time. When I begin cooking I didn't know a whole lot, but I was trained and learned a lot. Cooking became fun to me, and now I'm writing about it, and that's fun too.

Now I'm going to change the subject and talk about spring. Yes, that's right, I'm still on the spring kick and I'm sure it's going to get old, but I just can't help myself. Spring did finally arrive here, and the other night I sat in my yard and enjoyed the spring temperatures. It was during the night, and it was about 50 degrees that night, but it was so peaceful. The whole time I was sitting out there I just let my mind go. I can't wait until my husband and I start camping this year. If you haven't already figured it out, I love everything about the outdoors -- camping, fishing, staring at the stars, and yes, I love hunting too.

Spring makes me think about many things, and one thing I think about is weddings. I think spring is a great time for outdoor weddings, don't you? Hey, if you're making wedding plans and trying to set a date why not set it for the springtime. Of course it's your wedding so you plan it the way you wish, I was just throwing ideas out. By the way, if you are planning a wedding you could check out Wedding Shop, they have many wedding reception ideas.

I've got some more writing to do so I'll let you go. Until next time, never give up on your dreams -- work toward them. Enjoy the beautiful weather!

Hugs,
Misti Sandefur
Author & Freelance Writer
www.mistisandefur.com

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I can't wait, tomorrow is suppose to bring the spring weather back. According to the news it's suppose to be in the 50s. Yes, you'll remember my last post where I said I couldn't wait, and now I only have one day to go. I've decided that I'm going to get my rose bushes and plant them, and I'm also going to buy some spring flowers and plant those as well. If the spring weather sticks around and my rose bushes and spring flowers bloom I will take a picture and post them for you to see.

While I've been sitting here waiting on the spring weather to return, I've also been catching up on all my writing. I've done some more updates to On the Net Resource Guide for Writers, and I'm getting closer to the finished product. I may actually get it done before 2007 rolls around; boy how time flys. Each time I go to work on the book I always come up with new resources to add, and this last time I've decided to add paying distribution services as well. That's right folks, when this second edition comes out you can expect even more -- paying distribution services, markets for screenwriters, markets for young adults, greeting card markets, courses for writers and much more. I'm so excited, I can't wait to get this next edition done and out there!

Well it's going to be another short post today, but I have a lot more writing to do, and it's almost time for me to take a break and start supper for Hubby, he'll be getting homemade burritos tonight. Burritos are simple and quick to fix, and besides, I've been having a craving for them for a month now, so I'll satisfy that craving while I'm at it. Until next time, never give up on your dreams -- work toward them.

Hugs,
Misti Sandefur, Author/Freelance Writer
http://www.mistisandefur.com

Freelance Writing for Writers:
http://freelancewritingforwriters.blogspot.com

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Spring is not only my favorite time of the year, but it is also the time of year where I seem to write more. This year though, I wonder where spring is. It's already begun, but the weather sure doesn't feel like spring. Just the other morning I looked out my window and there were patches of snow on the ground. What! I thought it was suppose to be nice sunny weather. Last night I heard on news we were due for cold temperatures, and that's exactly what today was -- cold. I even asked my husband tonight when spring was going to finally arrive, and he told me Wednesday -- I can hardly wait!

You see, in the springtime I can open my window and door (yes, that's singular, because I only have one window and door to open) and let the sun shine in. I can also breathe in the scent from the spring air. The smells of spring is what relaxes me, and the relaxation helps get my creative juices flowing really good, but here lately my door and window has been closed, and my furnace running overtime. Man, a furnace in my neck of the woods should not be running in March! You know, I even wanted to plant some yellow rose bushes this year (I love flowers and yellow is my favorite color), but I'm afraid to buy any and plant them, because I'm afraid the frost and cold will kill them. I don't know a whole lot about gardening, but this is one subject I plan to research and study soon. If spring does actually come, and it continues to stay that way, then I'm hoping it won't be too late for me to get a couple rose bushes and plant them -- this will be my first study on gardening. If my grandma was still with us she could help me out, Grandma had a knack for gardening.

Well I'll go now and hope and pray for some spring weather. I can't wait for Wednesday -- my door and window will be open and I'll be tapping away on my keyboard; guaranteed!

Hugs & Best Wishes,
Misti Sandefur
http://www.mistisandefur.com

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Well, it's been a while since I received a rejection, but this evening I opened my e-mail and what did I find? That's right, a rejection to an article I submitted. I was grateful there were no bad comments attached; all it said was my submission didn't fit their editorial needs at this time. Rejection is a part of the writing process, and I guess I was due for one since it's been a while. That's okay; I'll just update my files, re-submit the article to another publication, and hope for the best next time around.

I would like to thank everyone who commented on my computer frustration. Wendy suggested I invest in a laptop, and this is something I have been pondering for a while now. I have even shopped around and I must say, Wendy, you were right on target when you said, "laptops are not cheap." Besides having a laptop for back-up, it would also come in handy when I'm on the go. Right now I'm saving for my husband's birthday present, but once I get that I think I'll take Wendy's advice and save for a new laptop. I don't run on dial-up anymore, instead I have DSL, so I'm not certain if there are laptops out there that hook-up to DSL. If any of you know about laptops feel free to let me know if there are any that I can hook-up to DSL, and also what would you recommend for a writer?

I must get back to my writing now, but I will write again soon. Until that time, take care of yourself, and never give up on your dreams -- work toward them.

Best Wishes & God Bless,
Misti Sandefur, Author/Freelancer
http://www.mistisandefur.com

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Well, if it isn't one thing it's another. This weekend I was unable to get on my computer due to the bad storms which moved through my area, then, to top it all off, my computer ended up in the shop yesterday. It took a few hours for them to fix it -- turns out my video graphics card went out and I had to have a new one put in.

When I returned home with the computer I got it all hooked back up, and sit down to get caught up on the writing I missed out on over the weekend. But to add to my trouble I could not do this. I had trouble getting it to connect to the Internet. So I called up Computer Zone, and they tell me it may have something to do with the new video card he just put in, that if I bring in back in tomorrow (it was a few minutes to closing time when I called) he would have a look at it. By this time I wasn't a happy camper, I had just forked out $80 to have the thing fixed, bring it home and it still don't work. Not only did it not work, but some of my programs wouldn't open either. I asked the gentleman on the phone if he could make a house call to get it running right (since I live 15 miles out of town and have spent over $1000 with the company in the past). He tells me to call back in the morning and speak with his "boss man," he said the "boss man" schedules the house calls and etc..

I spent another night not getting any writing done, and first thing in the morning I called the "boss man" and spoke with him. I explained what the gentleman had told me the previous day, and asked if he could do a house call. Needless to say, he said they don't do house calls out of town, and that they didn't have enough people in the shop, that if they did do a house call they would have to shut down the whole shop (three people work in there). I figured, "okay, I guess I can bring the computer back in to let them look at it," after all, I had to have it fixed so I can begin working again, and who better to know it than the ones who built it (I bought the computer from them, it was custom built). But what really upset me was the "boss man" tried his best to pin the problems on me --basically, he said was my fault it wasn't working right. I proceeded to tell him it worked just fine when it left my house.

To make this long story short, I did take the computer back, and the gentleman I spoke with on the phone the day before fixed it, apologized to me telling me it was his fault and not mine. Apparently, he assumed I didn't want my Norton Virus Protection Software and disabled it, and he said when you do this it will sometimes do just what it did. I did tell him I wanted Norton back into my system, because this was my preference, and he placed it back into the system, and when I got home with my computer it finally worked.

I guess all of this mess could have been avoided if they had left my program alone, and not assumed I didn't want it. If I didn't want it, why would I have it there in the first place? Oh well, I'm just venting here I guess, because I'm still not too happy with the place. One reason, because this is not the first time this has happened. Every time I take my computer there to be fixed, when I get it home something usually ends up not working right. I doubt that I return to Computer Zone in the future; it would be one thing if this was the first time (I believe in second chances), but it is not the first time. The one gentleman treated my kindly, but the so called "boss man" was not too kind over the phone, and didn't have a whole lot to say to me when I came in. I guess I'm going to have to call around in my area to find another computer repair service that provides better customer service. My Mom referred me to one that done her well, he even made a house call to help her fix the problem he had caused, and this was only her first time using his service. If you know of any GOOD computer repair service in the Harrisburg, Illinois area, please, let me know. Keep in mind, I will need someone who can get my computer back to me within 24 to 48 hours if at all possible, and the reason is because I make a living from this computer. Or, if they can't get it back to me within that length of time, a loaner would be great.

Thanks for letting me vent. I guess I'll go now, as I have lots of work to catch-up on. Oh, one more thing before I go...if you've ever taken, or are currently taking, the drug called Vioxx (for pain I believe), you need to contact a vioxx attorney.

With Warm Regards,
Misti Sandefur, Author/Freelancer
http://www.mistisandefur.com

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I have found another writing opportunity and would like to share it with you -- this opportunity puts a little extra money into my pocket. As a matter of fact, it's income I can use to buy writing supplies, and even pay a few of my smaller bills. What's even better is this opportunity doesn't call for a whole lot of writing, and it doesn't take much time -- allowing me more time to focus on my other deadlines. All I have to do is post a link to sites that are given to me, and these links are placed on my blogs. Later, the company has plans for not only allowing bloggers to make money posting a link in their blog, but they will allow bloggers to make a little more by writing for some of their clients. The writing will be about the client, and it must be placed in your blog.

Do you have a blog that you write in often? Then you too can make money blogging. It's really simple to do, and you make $5.00 for every link you place (paid weekly). I've been doing this for about a month now, and I can say that so far the company has paid promptly. They do pay through PayPal, so a PayPal account is something you need to have. When you sign-up, in the comments field of their sign-up form, say the following: "I was referred to you by Misti Sandefur, and her e-mail is mistis@articledistributionservices.com" (be sure to mention both my name and e-mail).

If you have any questions at all about the opportunity just ask me -- I'll be glad to tell you about my experience. Like I said, it can put extra money into your pocket, and the company, so far, has paid promptly. Best of luck to you. Until next time, don't give up on your dreams -- work toward them.

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I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Over the weekend my husband and I traveled about 50 miles to Paducah, Kentucky to pick up my birthday present from him -- my new desk. Remember me telling you he was getting me a new desk for my birthday? Tonight I'm writing to you from that new desk, and I must say I LOVE IT!

My husband is so sweet to me, I couldn't have asked for a better man. But now I have my work cut out for me. I have to work even harder to sell many more articles in order to pay him back -- his birthday is June 7. I'm going to have to pull up my list of article ideas that I haven't started writing yet, and not only am I going to have to write them, but I'm going to have to create my potential market list for the articles so I can sell them to earn the money for his gift. I already have one in mind too, and since I know he doesn't read my blog (he's not much for reading on the computer) I'll tell you what it is. I plan on saving to buy him a new recliner for his birthday. The recliner he has now is badly broken down and ripped in a few spots. I've even sewed the recliner up for him, but the stitch didn't hold too well. He says its comfortable, and it must be because he falls asleep in it the minute his butt hits it, but just the other day he did say he needed a new one. Of course I took it as a hint and that's what I'll be shopping for. He took me with him to pick out my own desk so that he would be sure it would suit me. I'm going to do the same, take him with me to pick out a recliner that will suit him. Besides, he likes to sit down and test them out in the store before buying them. Though he already has a specific one in mind. He said he wanted a recliner that gives a massage and heats too (I guess they make them). Now I know he'll fall asleep in that kind of recliner for sure. As a matter of fact, I told him, "instead of falling asleep in this one you probably won't even sleep in the bed anymore." I was just joking when I said it, but I do wonder if the recliner would be his new bed.

I'll go now, I've got lots of writing to do before June gets here, and it will be here before I know it; boy how time flys. Until next time, take care of yourself!

Never give up on your dreams -- work toward them,
Misti Sandefur, Author/Freelancer
http://www.mistisandefur.com

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We all like freebies don't we? Sure we do! And I have a free offer for you! This offer will only be available for a limited time only (it can end at anytime, without notice), so be sure to act on it real soon! Okay, okay, shut up and get on with it, Misti -- see I can read your mind :-)

How would you like a free one year subscription to the Writers Digest magazine? Here's the deal: For a limited time only, you can receive a one year subscription to the Writers Digest magazine -- free of charge! Yes, there is a catch, but not much of a catch, you do get something good out of it, and I'm not talking about the free subscription either. Here's the other good thing you get, my book, yes, that's right any one of my books, or both of my books (yourchoice)! All you have to do is buy one copy of either of my books, or you can buy both books if you like -- links to where you can buy the book(s) are on my Web site. This offer will only apply to paperback purchases, buying the e-Book will not qualify.

Once you've purchased your copy, send me a copy of the invoice that shows the proof of your purchase, and once I see the proof I will e-mail you to confirm that your invoice is valid, and the next step will be mine -- I'll pay for your one year subscription to the WritersDigest magazine. I'm not done yet. If you buy more than one copy of the same book (buy one for a friend), or if you buy a copy of Help From Above, and also a copy of On the Net Resource Guide for Writers you will get a two year subscription for free. In addition, if you buy three or more copies then I'll offer you even more free gifts (contact me for these if you plan to buy three or more copies of any of my books (state how many copies you're planning to buy). Your invoice must reflect the copies you've purchased, and the quantities as well. The only time an invoice will not be needed is if you buy the book or books directly from me, and if you do buy them directly from me, each book you buy will be autographed.

A one year subscription to the Writers Digest magazine is valued at $19.96. Again, this is for a limited time only, so act now before it's too late! Sorry, but this offer is only available to U.S. residents. To send me your invoice showing proof, you can either e-mail (msks04 @ shawneelink dot net -- leave out the spaces, and replace the word "dot" with a period) the copy of the invoice to me (PDF format only, all other formats are automatically deleted by my e-mail program), or you can fax it to me at 618-672-4386.

Later I will have more free offers to bring your way. The next free offer will not require a purchase -- it will be 100% free, so keep checking my blog to find out what it is. One more thing before I go, are you into arcade games? If so check-out Golden Tee Complete.

That's it, I'm done for today. Until next time, remember, never give up on your dreams -- work toward them. May God bless you and yours!

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Today's March 1 and that means I have 10 more days until I turn another year older -- YIKES! I remember when I was younger, I couldn't wait until my birthday, and now I dread my birthday, I wonder why....LOL.... Of course in seven more days my baby (the youngest) will turn 10. And yes, now I really feel old, all my babies are growing up -- it doesn't seem like they should be that old. And to top it all of, on December 9 my oldest, and my only girl, turned 13. I have one other son, and he is 11. Like I said, it doesn't seem like they should be that old yet, and as they grow older I tend to feel my age more and more. I have to live with it though, that's life -- kids grow up and the parents grow older. I just hope when I'm really old my kids remember what I done for them so they will take care of me if I need it...trying to avoid that one if I can.

My husband is being very thoughtful this year (he always is), he's buying me a new desk for my birthday. He's getting me a pretty fancy desk, he says he wants me to keep bringing in the bucks from my writing so he can stay home and not have to work anymore. I told him I would love that, and I also asked him if he was going to cook and clean while I write. Believe it or not he said he would. I'll keep working hard to bring in more money, and just hopefully he can stay at home like he wants, and then I'll see if he keeps to his word on the cooking and cleaning (*winks*).

Is there someone special in your life that's having a birthday soon? You're in luck, I'll share a few gift ideas with you. For the women, you can always send flowers, buy some expensive perfume, or instead of sending her flowers that will die, have the florist arrange a beautiful bouquet of artificial flowers in her favorite color; she should love them, and they'll never die.

For him, flowers probably aren't a good idea since men don't seem to appreciate them as much as we women do. However, you could buy him some expensive cologne, a new electric or even cordless razor, a set of tools, jewelry (if he wears it), a watch, or if his recliner is worn out you could buy him a new recliner chair (he'll soon wear it in and being falling asleep in it too).

When your shopping for that special someone, remember, the gift doesn't have to cost a lot, a gift comes from the heart. And no matter how old we get, everyone loves gifts!

I guess that will do it for today. I must go now and prepare for another year of getting older. Until next time, never give up on your dreams -- work toward them.

God Bless You & Yours,
Misti Sandefur, Author/Freelancer
http://www.mistisandefur.com

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