Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Hometown Hero
Last night my baby brother, Greg Shaffer, 8 yrs. younger than I just happened to stop in and say, "HI," before heading home to his family at my parents house. He noticed that the Preacher from out church had stopped by to visit my parents, my dad has been sick for awhile and unable to attend church as he has for years, due to a heart problem. Normally, my mother would have been home alone or with my nephew Joshua, who is 13. Was it a coincidence that both the preacher and my brother stopped by? God works in mysterious ways. My brother saved my dad's life last night, by giving CPR to him after a loud thump was heard and he was found in the family bathroom. He was not breathing, had no heartbeat and was turning cold and blue.
It took paramedics approximately 15 minutes to arrive, by the time they got there, miraculously, my father was breathing and talking. He is in CAMC in the Cardiac ICU, but stable. I am very proud of my brother Greg:) xxox
Greg is married to Melodie Shaffer, he is employed by Toyota. They live in Youngsbottom, and have 2 children, Josh, and Kierstyn.
It took paramedics approximately 15 minutes to arrive, by the time they got there, miraculously, my father was breathing and talking. He is in CAMC in the Cardiac ICU, but stable. I am very proud of my brother Greg:) xxox
Greg is married to Melodie Shaffer, he is employed by Toyota. They live in Youngsbottom, and have 2 children, Josh, and Kierstyn.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!!!
Let The New Year Begin
January 1,2011
This year I have goals instead of resolutions.
I fully plan to motivate myself into achieving
all of the goals that I set for myself this year:)
It is my intention to do my very best to be the best
wife, mother,grandmother and friend, that I possibly can be. I intend to draw closer to God read my bible more, pray more, be more faithful.
I intend to make myself get some exercise at least 3 a week, and hopefully get off my blood pressure
meds. I plan to finish the 6 book projects that I
have started and get them published!!! (The titles
are; The Magical Adventures Of Sissy Stringbean,
Ghost From The Past, Faith Can Move Mountains,
Dodging Silver Bullets, Shades Of Deception,
Noah's World. Ranging from childrens stories to
inspirational,& traditional romance, to thriller. I
also plan to publish my first romance that is already in print on Lulu.com, Longing For December," on Kindle, Inside The Book, & Create A Space on Amazon.com. I plan to venture into the world of songwriting, both country and gospel. I plan to organize my life!!! (a job in itself!!!). I'm sure there is more I'd like to, besides all my writing plans and the major organization project-that I may recruit help for,(hint to those who love me:) I would like to buy a Karaoke machine, and start a song collection. I love to sing, did I ever metion that? Put a stereo in my room and start a nice CD collection without fingerprints and scratched from kids:)Put a DVD in my room so I can watch my new Greys Anatomy collection and start a movie collection:) I think I should learn something new! Do something I've never done before! Finish my scrapbook of postcards from all 50 states:) Step out of my comfort zone and do something fun that makes me nervous. Small things like put pictures on my wall, make photo albums, & pay more attention to my blogs. Well, now, I'm rambling. So, Happy New Year!!! May this new year bring you happiness and joy!!! Shelia Burket:)
January 1,2011
This year I have goals instead of resolutions.
I fully plan to motivate myself into achieving
all of the goals that I set for myself this year:)
It is my intention to do my very best to be the best
wife, mother,grandmother and friend, that I possibly can be. I intend to draw closer to God read my bible more, pray more, be more faithful.
I intend to make myself get some exercise at least 3 a week, and hopefully get off my blood pressure
meds. I plan to finish the 6 book projects that I
have started and get them published!!! (The titles
are; The Magical Adventures Of Sissy Stringbean,
Ghost From The Past, Faith Can Move Mountains,
Dodging Silver Bullets, Shades Of Deception,
Noah's World. Ranging from childrens stories to
inspirational,& traditional romance, to thriller. I
also plan to publish my first romance that is already in print on Lulu.com, Longing For December," on Kindle, Inside The Book, & Create A Space on Amazon.com. I plan to venture into the world of songwriting, both country and gospel. I plan to organize my life!!! (a job in itself!!!). I'm sure there is more I'd like to, besides all my writing plans and the major organization project-that I may recruit help for,(hint to those who love me:) I would like to buy a Karaoke machine, and start a song collection. I love to sing, did I ever metion that? Put a stereo in my room and start a nice CD collection without fingerprints and scratched from kids:)Put a DVD in my room so I can watch my new Greys Anatomy collection and start a movie collection:) I think I should learn something new! Do something I've never done before! Finish my scrapbook of postcards from all 50 states:) Step out of my comfort zone and do something fun that makes me nervous. Small things like put pictures on my wall, make photo albums, & pay more attention to my blogs. Well, now, I'm rambling. So, Happy New Year!!! May this new year bring you happiness and joy!!! Shelia Burket:)
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Some Great Advice
Writing a Query
It is my intention to always be honest with those that take an interest in my writing. For the most part, the only thing I believe I am good at in the world of writing is my gift of telling a great story. You might say, "Well that all any good author is, a good story teller." Wrong! If you want to get published. If you want an agent and publisher to take you serious, you have to be many things, things I'm not.
For example: I am terrible at spelling. In my early years I joked around and would say (paraphrasing Mark Twain) It's a poor, unimaginative mind that can think of but one way to spell a word" In my other life (career) spelling wasn't nearly as important as math so I slacked off in that area.
When I decided to write, I discovered my new best friend, the "spell checker". Time after time I would make the same mistakes. I would change tense in the sentences. I would make so many mistakes, no one but my wife would want to read my work.
The query is your "first impression" to any agent you may want. There are rules to follow. Each agent has their own set of rules that you need to learn regarding your submission. The first thing you need to explore is how Agent A submission requirements differ from Agent B. The information is not difficult to discover, but critical.
Now, you know the rules and you decide to submit. What's next?
This is the fun part. I know how much fun it is because I had close to a hundred rejections before I got my first yes. I know the mistakes. I've made them. Please remember this, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU. That's not me trying to be cute. It's the truth. You are not yet a client and they have way too much to do to worry about hurting your feelings. The odds are, you are going to get rejected. Get over it. The no's don't mean anything. Its the yes you want.
The story: When you do a query, tell your story in two paragraphs. They want to read something that sizzles. They want to see something that isn't the same old crap they get day after day. Stand out and make what you write something they have to see more of.
Spelling/Grammar: Whatever you decide to say, say it right. Again...first impression. I have read horror stories from agents who get queries in manners that would make your skin crawl. They are looking for professionals. The want authors who know what it takes to succeed. Even if you don't know what that means, fake it. They don't know that you are writing in your underwear (or worse). They don't need to know any of your bad habits or that you cuss like a drunken sailor. (Apologies to all drunken sailors reading this.) What they need to believe is that when they get your query, they see the Robert Redford or Betty Gable (really big name movie stars for you youngins) of the writing world.
Ego Check: Here's the really hard part. Keep your ego's in check. Okay, you tell a great story. You have excellent editing skills. You are the greatest thing since sliced bread. For some reason those stupid agents just don't get what you are doing. I know how you feel. When you are good as I am, it's hard to be humble. On the other hand, if they don't like what you are sending them, as stupid as that may be, you need to get someone else's opinion. Get the dang thing checked out by someone else. Someone that won't kiss your butt by the way. If they can't be honest, they are worthless. Find someone that will piss you off if you can find one. That person has to have mad skills in editing and integrity. If they don't like something you've written, fix it, change it, get off you high horse and think about the fact that someone other than you might have a good idea too. Being different doesn't mean being wrong. Their difference may just be the difference between getting rejected and getting to the next step.
If any of this helps, please let me know,
Lannie
For example: I am terrible at spelling. In my early years I joked around and would say (paraphrasing Mark Twain) It's a poor, unimaginative mind that can think of but one way to spell a word" In my other life (career) spelling wasn't nearly as important as math so I slacked off in that area.
When I decided to write, I discovered my new best friend, the "spell checker". Time after time I would make the same mistakes. I would change tense in the sentences. I would make so many mistakes, no one but my wife would want to read my work.
The query is your "first impression" to any agent you may want. There are rules to follow. Each agent has their own set of rules that you need to learn regarding your submission. The first thing you need to explore is how Agent A submission requirements differ from Agent B. The information is not difficult to discover, but critical.
Now, you know the rules and you decide to submit. What's next?
This is the fun part. I know how much fun it is because I had close to a hundred rejections before I got my first yes. I know the mistakes. I've made them. Please remember this, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU. That's not me trying to be cute. It's the truth. You are not yet a client and they have way too much to do to worry about hurting your feelings. The odds are, you are going to get rejected. Get over it. The no's don't mean anything. Its the yes you want.
The story: When you do a query, tell your story in two paragraphs. They want to read something that sizzles. They want to see something that isn't the same old crap they get day after day. Stand out and make what you write something they have to see more of.
Spelling/Grammar: Whatever you decide to say, say it right. Again...first impression. I have read horror stories from agents who get queries in manners that would make your skin crawl. They are looking for professionals. The want authors who know what it takes to succeed. Even if you don't know what that means, fake it. They don't know that you are writing in your underwear (or worse). They don't need to know any of your bad habits or that you cuss like a drunken sailor. (Apologies to all drunken sailors reading this.) What they need to believe is that when they get your query, they see the Robert Redford or Betty Gable (really big name movie stars for you youngins) of the writing world.
Ego Check: Here's the really hard part. Keep your ego's in check. Okay, you tell a great story. You have excellent editing skills. You are the greatest thing since sliced bread. For some reason those stupid agents just don't get what you are doing. I know how you feel. When you are good as I am, it's hard to be humble. On the other hand, if they don't like what you are sending them, as stupid as that may be, you need to get someone else's opinion. Get the dang thing checked out by someone else. Someone that won't kiss your butt by the way. If they can't be honest, they are worthless. Find someone that will piss you off if you can find one. That person has to have mad skills in editing and integrity. If they don't like something you've written, fix it, change it, get off you high horse and think about the fact that someone other than you might have a good idea too. Being different doesn't mean being wrong. Their difference may just be the difference between getting rejected and getting to the next step.
If any of this helps, please let me know,
Lannie
Getting Into The Christmas Spirit
Getting ready for the holiday...Today, I got my tree up with the help of my husband Dave, and my stepson Dylan. We and spent the day decorating the tree and setting up the Christmas city and nativity scene. We wrapped the tree in ribbons of gold and red and hung deliciously flavored candy canes all over the tree for edible decorations, all while "Frosty The Snowman" played in the background. Icycles drip from the tall green well used tree and scatter to the floor, yea! This year we have some "Gremlins" hanging from our tree in Christmas attire:) My kids favorite ornaments every year are the ones my sister bought years ago, hand crafted with their names on them. We need to add two more to the list this year! Most of all we need to remember the reason for the season. God Bless You All, and have a wonderful Christmas!!!
The Birth Of Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25)
The Birth Of Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25) 18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23”The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”-- which means, “God with us.”24When Joseph awoke, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Show Us The Beauty Of Your State
I am making a scrapbook collecting postcards from every state in our beautiful country:) If you would like to participate and/or exchange postcards leave me a comment:) I think it would be a great way to get to know one another and see our beautiful country without even leaving our homes!
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