Annette Mackey's Blog, page 7
November 1, 2011
The Ever-Changing World of Publishing
It's been a little over a year since my first book was published, and I find myself reflecting. Prior to publication, I spent about a year and a half trying to learn how the book business worked. And let me tell you, it turned out to be a lot different than I thought. I guess I was stuck in 1985, thinking in pre-internet terms. I had in my mind this glorious company … the publisher. After all, it had been publishers who had supplied my constant need to read over the course of my entire life. I had somehow associated every great story with these publishers rather than the authors who wrote them. And I did not realize how dramatically times had changed. Drat, you may say. For that's exactly how I reacted. But soon I came to see the changes in this topsy-turvy business work to my advantage. In the past three years I've seen ebook readers and internet publishing change from trends into business as usual. While it is my sincere hope that big publishers are not totally lost, I can't help but join the ranks of authors who feel like they've been trampled by those companies. But that's a post for another time. In the past decade there has been an entire industry grow from the ashes of those who have been burned. John Locke, Amanda Hocking, and about a gazillion more authors on twitter, facebook, and the interent are in the process of changing the world. Even publishing standards like Richard Paul Evans are reserving their ebook rights. And they aren't alone. Executives too see what's happening; such as Ruth Harris who left the publishing houses behind to go out on her own. I could go on and on, and I haven't even mentioned big publisher successes, such as Claire Cook who walked the red carpet when her book Must Love Dogs was set on the silver screen, and still do most of their own marketing work, something the publishers are supposed to do. And yet, even with the writing on the wall, there are still a few determined people claiming that independent authors are more like rejects than the real thing. At the thought I almost start laughing. Simply put, all it takes to find out the truth is to join the industry. It's a whole new world out there. And to tell you the truth, I kinda like it.
October 28, 2011
Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
It may seem like I post a lot of recipes, but sometimes I do it to remind myself of our family favorites. 
Crazy, yes, but that's my middle name.
These sandwiches are really good. The filling is also great on crackers. It's a family favorite, that's for sure.
Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
1 12.5 oz can chicken, drained (hello Costco)
1 cup shredded medium cheddar cheese
1/2 to 3/4 cup fresh ranch dressing. Use more or less depending on how wet you want your filling. Make sure to use FRESH dressing. The kind that sits on the store shelves tastes like preservatives. YUCK. If you don't want to make it, you can buy fresh dressing at Costco.
Mix ingredients well!
Spread between slices of your favorite bread. Butter the outside of bread with REAL BUTTER and grill one side at a time on a griddle at medium heat until golden brown. While cooking, cover sandwiches with foil to help the filling melt thoroughly without burning the bread.
It's so simple, and so good. My family goes crazy for it.
October 26, 2011
I Love Lucy
Because sometimes you just need to laugh.
October 25, 2011
Caesar Salad Made Super Easy
This is probably the simplest recipe you're ever going to see. But honestly, it's really good.
Cut desired amount of chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Cook/fry chicken in 1–2 tablespoons 100% butter.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over crisp lettuce, with fetta cheese, and Caesar Dressing. Add cherry tomatoes if you like.
Talk about easy. Talk about yummy! The butter does something wonderful to the chicken.
October 18, 2011
Ask A Mormon
We believe in the The Holy Bible as well as The Book of Mormon, which is a compiled text assembled and edited by a man named Mormon. Most people refer to us as the Mormons because of our belief in that book. Mormon's name is not the name of our church. We appreciate Mormon as an ancient prophet in the same way we appreciate people like Paul, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The entire Book of Mormon focuses on Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah and Redeemer of the world. We do not rever Mormon. We rever Jesus Christ. We worship Jesus Christ. We pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. It is through His grace that we are saved. That is why we go to church: to learn of Him, and try to become worthy of His great love that He has so benevolently bestowed upon the entire family of man.
The following is an outline of a typical Sacrament Meeting, which is our worship service. The biggest difference you are going to see is that the church is run by its members. There are no paid clergy, and every member of the congregation has a job. In other words, we don't come to church and just listen. We actively participate by teaching, leading, playing the organ or piano, etc. The outline below is the way we do things every Sunday, with the exception of the first Sunday of the month. We call the first Sunday, Fast Sunday. On Fast Sunday, we partake of the Sacrament as usual, but there are no assigned speakers. Those in the congregation who would like to offer their heartfelt spiritual thoughts or personal experiences are invited to speak. This is called bearing testimony.
Welcome to Church. This is the way a typical Sacrament Meeting unfolds.
We start with an Opening Song: Here is a link to our hymnbook. As you can see, we sing many of the same songs as other Christian churches. What a shocker.
Opening Prayer.
Following the prayer, a member of the bishopric (unpaid pastor) stands up and gives the announcements. Following the announcements, we prepare for the Sacrament.
The Sacrament: This is the most sacred part of our worship service, and it is held every Sunday. The congregation sings a Sacrament Hymn. These hymns are chosen between pages 169 — 196. Following the song, the priests bless the Sacrament. They begin by blessing the bread, and then the water. Here is a link to the prayers: Bread Water. Both of these prayers are found in The Book of Mormon. Following the prayer, the deacons distribute the bread and water to the congregation. The Sacrament portion of the meeting usually takes about fifteen minutes, depending upon the size of the congregation. During this silent time, members are asked to focus on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We also consider this a time when we renew our covenant (promise) to follow Jesus Christ.
Following the Sacrament, we have two youth speakers ranging in age from twelve to eighteen. These "talks" usually last less than five minutes each.
A special musical number may follow the youth speakers.
Then we have "talks" from two adults, which last about fifteen minutes each. Those assigned to speak are usually given a conference talk to expound upon. Here is a link to the topics the entire Church is focusing on for the next six months.
After the talks we sing a closing hymn and have a closing prayer. The whole meeting takes about an hour and twenty minutes.
After Sacrament Meeting, we have Sunday School, Nursery, Primary, Young Mens & Young Womens, Priesthood Meeting, and Relief Society Meeting. All classes are taught by members of the congregation. The entire church uses the same teacher's manuals. Here is how it breaks out.
Nursery: Children eighteen months to three years go to the Nursery where they play with toys, have snacks, singing time, and a very short lesson, usually about 2 minutes in length.
Primary: Children ages three to twelve go to Primary, which is an hour and forty minute block. Primary consists of class time, then Sharing and Singing Time, which is when all the children come together. Here is a link to the manual for class time. Here is a link to the things that are taught during Sharing Time 2011. After Sharing Time, we have Singing Time. Here is a link to The Children's Songbook.
Youth: Ages twelve to eighteen go to Sunday School. Here is a link to the Sunday School Teacher's Manual for the youth. After Sunday School, they go to either Young Mens or Young Womens. Here is the link to the teachers manual for those classes. Young Men Young Women.
Men and Women go to Sunday School. Here is the link to the teacher's manual for that class. Following Sundays School, Men go to Priesthood Meeting and women go to Relief Soceity. Here is the link to the teacher's manual for those classes.
From Sacrament Meeting through Relief Society takes three hours. We call this our three hour block.
For more information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, go to their website. This is the same website church members use when they have to teach a lesson.
To read more about my faith, go to my profile on Mormon.org.
October 8, 2011
But I don't want to be a pirate.
This clip was brought to you by Jerry Seinfeld, popular culture icon and maker of American laughs everywhere.
October 6, 2011
Merlin Season 4
If you haven't heard of the TV series, Merlin, you are missing out. Camelot has never been so much fun. You can catch the earlier seasons on Hulu, but unless you live in the UK, you're going to have to wait until March(ish) 2012 to catch Season 4. So, in the meantime, here's the trailer.
October 5, 2011
Goth … Hippie …
I love this and just couldn't resist posting!
September 30, 2011
Pretty Cool Squidoo
I made my first Squidoo lens today. Who knew Squidoo was so cool. There's actually a lot of information there about method books. If you have a music student, or know one, you might want to check it out. Have a great day!
September 24, 2011
Interview with Billionaire David Bastien
In an unprecedented interview with billionaire philanthropist David Bastien
Hosted by Bob Witherspoon
New Year Press: First of all, Mr. Bastien, we appreciate the time you have taken from your busy schedule.
Bastien: No problem.
NYP: What made you decide to go public with your story?
B: That's a good question, Bob. I didn't want someone else to come out with a biography or some other memoir before I had a chance to explain what really happened.
NYP: Did you ever worry that people might misunderstand? See you in an unfavorable light?
B: Sure. Of course. Most people see what they want to see, and when you're a public figure, that's truer than ever. Which is partly why I hired an independent author. I wanted someone who wouldn't be swayed by corporate ideals. Someone who would keep our interviews confidential, and write what happened based upon the facts, rather than sensationalism.
NYP: But why put yourself under this kind of scrutiny? Especially when you so jealously guard your privacy?
B: The scrutiny was there either way. My kidnapping made such spectacular headlines in the thirties, and with my reappearance last year, the constant press and photographers have been … well, let's just say, it's difficult to readjust to the limelight once you've lived an anonymous life.
NYP: I'm sorry, I didn't quite understand your answer. You risked everything to publish your story, which could have been so easily misunderstood by millions. Why?
B: Millions?
MR. BASTIEN SHIFTS UNCOMFORTABLY IN HIS SEAT.
B: I wanted to tell what happened before anyone else did. Call is selfishness, or call it honesty, I'm not sure which, but I needed to be the one to bring my story to light.
NYP: In the time since your return, have you attempted to contact the men who kidnapped you?
B: Actually, yes. Willy, as I'm sure you know, died in prison.
NYP: I heard about that. An electrical accident.
B: You could call it that.
NYP: What about the other one, a Mr. Beez?
B: I did see Beez again. By the time I searched him down, he had been released from prison and was living in Brooklyn. It's strange what time does to a person. He was so much smaller than I remembered. And frail. (He) didn't look like someone who could fill the mind with terror … anymore. He looked old. Broken.
NYP: Do you think he should have been incarcerated for life?
B: That is the sentence he was given.
NYP: I understand that he was released after the court learned you had survived the event.
B: Yes, that's true. Apparently, the portion of his sentence for the kidnapping was considered time served. The rest of his sentence was for my murder. And once it was known that I was still alive ….
NYP: Were you angry that he was released? After all the pain he cause you, and your family? Why should his life return to normal when your family will never be the same?
B: Let's move on.
NYP: Fine. According to the book, Class Collision, to which you have given your seal of approval, your wife was raised on a ranch in Wyoming. Is that correct?
MISTER BASITEN FIDGETS, THEN STANDS AND WALKS OUT OF THE STUDIO.
NYP: That's quite an answer.
MR. WITHERSPOON TURNS TO THE STUDIO CREW:
NYP: Well … I guess that's it, then.
Suddenly an announcer breaks in: NYP has just learned that Mrs. Linda Bastien, wife of the famous David Bastien, has just been kicked out of the Mandolin Mansion this morning. We have a reporter on the scene.
NYP reporter, Megan Callton: Bob, it looks like there has just been a major breakdown in the family. While her husband, David Bastien, was in the studio, Mrs. Linda Bastien has been thrown out of the house by Elizabeth Bastien, the matron of the billionaire family. Reports are coming in from multiple sources, stating that problems arose quickly between the two women shortly after David Bastien's return a year ago.
NYP Bob: It must have started right after the wedding extravaganza.
NYP MC: Exactly. At this point we don't know what has happened, though sources point to the low social standing of Linda Bastien. That combined with the strong will in both women has been a recipe for disaster.
NYP Bob: How soon until we know more?
NYP MC: Several of the servants have left the mansion with Linda Bastien, and as soon as we catch up with them, we'll make the information available. This has been Megan Callton, reporting for New Year Press Radio.
THE PREVIOUS POST HAS BEEN A FICTIONAL ACCOUNT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CLASS COLLISION SERIES BY ANNETTE MACKEY.
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