Life of A Writer

Good 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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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It's now 10:26 p.m. where I live, and my family and I had our traditional Thanksgiving festivities at noon today. To be honest -- even this many hours later -- I am still stuffed to the gills! I hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving and got your fill of turkey and all the trimmings. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty certain the majority of us will be eating turkey for the next few days :) Plus, most of you guys out there will probably be taking left-overs in your lunch boxes for a week or more ;)

Now that the Thanksgiving festivities are over, many are preparing for their annual shopping trip tomorrow. That's the day when several do their Christmas shopping, because stores all around have bargains galore! I'm not one of those people, though. Personally, I'm not much for shopping. I don't really care for large crowds, and this year, I've decided to do my Christmas shopping on the Internet. I can find lots of bargains online, and I don't have to fight the crowds, long lines, and people fighting over silly stuff. I can have everything shipped to my front door. Of course, I still have to wrap everything and place it under the Christmas tree, but at least I'll avoid the rest of the mess :)

If you're like me and thinking about doing your Christmas shopping online, then you may want to check out a few of the places I shop for bargains: Best Buy, Amazon and Overstock. All three of these places usually have some great bargains!

Join me Monday as I talk about my very first book, "Help From Above." Many have raved about how similiar it is to "Touched by an Angel" and "It's a Wonderful Life.", and they all usually e-mail to ask the same question: how I came up with the idea. So, I've decided to reveal the answer to everyone. Come back and visit me Monday to find out how "Help From Above" was born!

Never give up on your dreams -- work toward them,
Misti Sandefur

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My writing keeps me pretty busy these days. Of course you can tell this from my previous posts I'm sure. Anyway, because most my time is spent in front of my computer writing, I don't have a lot of time for college :( I've been thinking about taking a few writing courses, but I don't think I could go by the schedule my local college would set-up. Sure, I could re-arrange my writing schedule, but I'm not sure I would get everything I need to write done if I did this. However, I think I found the solution to my problem yesterday. I ran across an online university called Capella University. According to the press release, Capella University was founded in 1993. It says they offer programs in business, information technology, education, psychology, marketing and others. I've read about taking courses on the Internet before, and I have been thinking about it. However, I've read and heard on the news that there are many companies like this scamming people. They say they'll give you a degree, but later a lot of people find out the degree is fake -- a piece of paper the company printed from their computer. This kind of made me wonder, and I haven't thought about it since, until now.

I figure since I'm a writer I can research these places first, so I think that's what I will do, and I believe I'll start with Capella University. Since they were founded in 1993, that tells me they've been in business quite a while. Plus, I've found out they currently serve over 14,000 students from 50 states and 63 countries. This should say something, right? My next step will be to contact the attorney generals office in their state, to find out if there has been any complaints against them. In addition, I can Google their name and see what else comes up. But so far, I'm leaning in their direction, and one reason, other than those mentioned above, is because Capella University is also accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, and they are a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

I guess I may get to take some courses after all. Besides, how can I pass up the chance to earn a master degree in something online. By taking the course online I'll be able to study when I can -- set up my own schedule instead of trying to juggle a schedule my local college would set up for me.

I got some research to do now. Off I go! Until next time, never give up on your dreams -- work toward them!

Hugs,
Misti Sandefur

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For all you ATWT fans, yesterday I completed an article about the holiday pre-emption dates for ATWT. If you would like to know what dates ATWT will not be seen during the holidays, then read my article "ATWT Holiday Pre-Emption Dates" at Soaps.com. This article not only gives you the dates, but it also tells you what some of the shows are that will be replacing ATWT on those dates.

In addition to "ATWT Holiday Pre-Emption Dates," I also completed an article about Jennifer Landon's (Gwen) new single, "Slide." Find out where you can download the song she recorded by reading "Discover Jennifer Landon's (Gwen) New Single!"

Well, it's back to writing for me. Enjoy the articles, and, as always, never give up on your dreams -- work toward them!

Hugs,
Misti Sandefur

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Been a while, so I thought I'd better let you know what I've been up to. As always, I've pretty much been a busy little bee writing the updates and news for Soaps.com. I just recently interviewed Matthew Morrison (Adam) from "As the World Turns," and tonight I will be putting the interview together. Watch for the interview at Soaps.com! (You should find it in the "news" section.)

Other than the interview, I'm still working on the second edition of "On the Net Resource Guide for Writers," and I'm also working on a few articles with gift ideas for teenagers, gift ideas for teachers, etc. Once these are published, I will post a link to them on my blog at MySpace. If you don't want to continue checking my blog at MySpace for articles, you can always go there and click on "subscribe to this blog." Then, everytime I make a new entry there, it should notify you via e-mail. A whole lot easier than checking back on a daily basis ;)

Well, it's back to work for me. I've got to get that interview ready for publication.

Never give up on your dreams -- work toward them,
Misti Sandefur, freelance writer/editor

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Well, it seems after a long month I have finally gotten everything caught up. With everything caught up I can finally take a breather from things, but now my problem is I'm at a loss for words. I don't even really know what to blog about, and I'm sleepy so I think after I blog I will snuggle up to my hubby and visit dream land :) It's cold here in these early morning hours today, and I know my hubby's all nice and toasty warm, so if I get off here soon and snuggle to him I'll be warm in no time ;)

I'm sure you want to read something other than "I'm sleepy" and how I'm going to snuggle to my hubby in bed, so I'll tell you a little about my weekend. On Sunday, my hubby and I went out to eat. We had Chinese food again; boy, am I ever getting tired of eating Chinese on Sunday. Anyway, after we ate, we walked down to Radio Shack, and there I priced some laptop computers. After Christmas, I plan on investing in a laptop. I need a back-up, and the laptop will also come in handy when I write the daily updates on "As the World Turns." It will be so much easier to type the update instead of writing it on paper.

My husband and I shop and buy things from our local Radio Shack often. We choose them over Wal-Mart, because their customer service is excellent! Anytime we have a problem with something we buy from there they exchange it with no questions ask, and it doesn't matter how long we've had the item either. Plus, the sales associates seem to know the products they're selling, and since I don't know much about laptops, other than what I need, I was able to tell the sales associate exactly what I needed and she helped me find a laptop that would be just right for me. She printed out the paper for me to take home, and I told her when I return to buy it I would make sure she was the one I bought it from (I think they get a commission on what they sell).

If I go to the Wal-Mart in my area, I don't get customer service like this. One time my cousin and I waited 45 minutes for help carrying out a folding table. We requested assistance, and they said they would send someone right over to furniture, but after 45 minutes no one showed, and the lady that told us she would send us help kept walking by and looking at us. We finally got tired of waiting so I carried the table up to the check-out myself. By the time I got to check-out, I couldn't hardly breath (I have asthma). My cousin told them what just happened in the back, but they didn't seem to care. This wasn't the only time I've had problems with my local Wal-Mart store. I bought a printer there one year ago, and when I got it home it broke. The very next day I took the printer back, and I was happy because they did exchange it with another one, however, that same printer broke and done the exact same thing the last one did. I couldn't get back to the store for a week, but one week later I did return the second printer, and I told them what it had done. I wasn't a happy camper this time around, because they refused to exchange the printer, and they wouldn't refund my money either. They told me I would have to pay the shipping to send it to the manufactuer for repair. Needless to say, I stated my opinion and told them I would not buy any more from their electronics department ever again (other electronics we had bought there messed up too). I kept my word, and to this day I still have a brand-new printer that will not work, because it costs more to ship it to the manufactuer than I paid for it. And that my friends is why my husband and I make our major purchases from Radio Shack. Radio Shack is the only place in my area, so far, where I have found we can go and get excellent customer service! I know if Sam Walton was still alive, Wal-Mart would still have customer service, but as of this date they have poor customer service. Maybe not all Wal-Mart stores are this way, but the one in my area is.

I guess I found words, huh? I will go now and cuddle up to hubby. Until next time, never give up on your dreams -- work toward them!

Hugs,
Misti Sandefur

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I would like to take this time to tell you about a special discount offer I currently have in place. What am I offering? A savings of 30% off your purchase on any of my books! You can invest in as many copies as you like at this reduced price. Also keep in mind, Christmas is just around the corner, and both books make a fantastic gift!

How much are the books at this special price? Glad you asked! Both books retail for $12.95 each, but today you can get your hands on them for $9.00 each. This offer is only available through me. So, to take advantage of the offer you MUST obtain your copy or copies from me, and every copy will include my autograph. Claim your discount today! Act fast, because this offer will end soon (November 29,2006)! Don't miss out!

Never give up on your dreams -- work toward them,
Misti Sandefur

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Within the next couple days, I will be doing an interview with Eileen Fulton (Lisa). Eileen Fulton plays Lisa on CBS's "As the World Turns." But wait, I have some good news for you regarding this interview... I would like to give all her fans a chance to participate. If you have a burning question you'd like to ask Ms. Fulton, just comment and include your question in your comment, or send it to me at services @ mistisandefur . com (remove spaces). You can even ask Ms. Fulton a question about the latest charity auction she just done on Ebay if you'd like.

I can't guarantee that all of your questions will be in the interview, but I will do my very best to include the great questions. To get your question in before the interview, you must post the question in your comment or e-mail it to me before Monday, November 6, 2006.

Keep watching my blog for a link to the interview once it's complete!

Never give up on your dreams -- work toward them,
Misti Sandefur, freelance writer/editor

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