Savannah Hendricks's Blog, page 19

January 18, 2016

Why I Didn’t Make Resolutions for 2016

This year was a the first time in many years that I didn’t make any resolutions for 2016.  Don’t we all make them and by February hate ourselves for not really following them? Beating ourselves up for something that we would not do had we not made a resolution of things to change.


This year I decided to go with a TO DO LIST for 2016.


A TO DO LIST represents things that I want to complete this year. It represents a “less harsh” idea to remind and encourage me what is important, without the stigma of failure. A lot of us make TO DO LIST for the weekend chores and we do not tell ourselves we have failed if we don’t complete it. More or less we just add it to the TO DO LIST for next week. It’s less pressure in my mind and thus a feel good thing. Also a TO DO LIST is a reminder, a suggestion on what needs to happen this year. I like the idea of a suggestion, because we all know life does not go the direction we want every time.


My main focus this year will be finalizing several stories that I have been putting off in favor of creating new stories. Editing will become the theme of my 2016. I hope that I not only shape my stories into the best they can be, but also sharpen my editing skills. When it comes to writing increasing your skill set is the most valuable thing you can do for your career path.


Happy 2016 ALL!


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Published on January 18, 2016 07:57

January 6, 2016

A Few Notes About MAKING A MURDERER

If you have internet or watch any media news coverage over the last two weeks then you have heard the buzz behind Making a Murderer. If you have Netflix I’m willing to bet you have watched Making a Murderer or at least have it on your List. If you have yet to finish the series stop reading and come back when you  do. (SPOILERS BELOW).


First there are a few updates that you may or may not know.



Avery’s former girlfriend Jodi appears to remain in constant trouble with the Wisconsin law; clearly not making good choices regardless of her distance from Avery.
Avery appears to still be with his girlfriend Sandy Greenman. (Whom appeared at the end of the documentary).
Regardless of what you believe after watching Making a Murderer Avery has a slew of people on his side from change.org (go here to read about the petition and sign if you wish regarding a pardon) and The White House Petition Page (which includes a pardon for Brendan Dassey).
In additionm news has been reported that The Innocent Project is claiming to be re-visiting Avery’s case.

A few of my own personal notes about the Avery and Dassey case as represented/not represented in Netflix’s Making a Murderer:



Yes, those court room clothes Avery wore were most likely his “fancy” clothes.
Why were the Verizon cellphone records between Jodi and Avery not mentioned in court like we saw the Cingular cellphone ones were?
The prosecutor (Ken Kratz) is claiming (recently, with the Netflix release) that there is key evidence missing from the series, but has yet to come out to say what evidence is missing. (New reports say the police cannot comment on this).
The claim (by prosecutors) about the sexual abuse to Teresa Halbach that took place in Avery’s bedroom (with claimed Dassey’s assistance) were not show in all its horrifying claims. (A bullet with DNA in the garage that they had to search and research, does not represent horrifying).
Avery and Dassey were noted to have lower than average IQ scores. If smart people get caught killing people then how is it even possible for these two men to hide evidence or even pull off any type of collaborating stories (the bonfire)?
What happened to the deleted phone messages from Halbach’s cellphone?
Why was Halbach’s ex-boyfriend helping with the search for her? (And appeared to be a head organizer for it too).

If you have watched Making a Murderer, I would love to hear your thoughts!


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Published on January 06, 2016 06:12

January 3, 2016

See Me ~ Book Review

bppp Maybe Nicholas Sparks has run out of excellent story ideas…I questioned this as I read his last SEVERAL novels. Yes I do compare all his works to The Notebook (don’t we all?). Which was written with pure perfection. See Me felt like a different spin on The Longest Ride . It also felt like an attempt to match Safe Haven , which has been the last good read if his since The Notebook .

See Me threw in the first ever cultural diversity that I can recall of Sparks. Yet it shown as forced and as a last thought. The story read as what writers refer to as telling over showing, a no no. See Me also didn’t make me cry, something Sparks books are known to do. Maybe I’m getting less emotional in my adult years (not).

See Me follows a lackluster relationship of Colin and Maria. Colin’s lower level MMA fighting appears as a page filler to match his past. Maria’s character as a lawyer (of sorts) does not match in tone, and the story loses its authenticity for me here. While the climax of the story provides some excitement, it comes so late into the story that there is not much care to be had.


Maybe Sparks stories don’t fit well with me because I’m not 25 anymore. Maybe I’ll switch to just seeing the stories unfold on the big screen from now on, since they all are made into movies. If nothing else it teaches me what to avoid in my stories.

2 out of 5 stars


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Published on January 03, 2016 08:18

December 16, 2015

End of the Year

Christmas lists to Santa are a staple of childhood. I remember making one each year. I soon discovered that I was only receiving about two items from my list. I don’t remember the age when I so-called wised up, but I had grown rather disappointed that every year I made a big list and barely got anything off it. So, I made my request shorter, going from maybe 13 items to about 5. In doing so when Santa visited I felt like I received “more” of what I wanted. I guess it’s like cookie experiment they do with children, the option of 1 cookie or one cookie broken into 3 pieces, the child usually picks the 3 pieces even though it’s the same size, because it looks like more.


A special thank you to all my visitors in 2015 for having me on “your list”and the support you have shown by reading, liking and sharing the topics I post.


Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year. See y’all in 2016 :)


*****With a New Year is upon us that means the look of my blog will change. I simply love having this change every year. Of course the content of my blog will remain the same, a little bit of everything.


 


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Published on December 16, 2015 06:20

December 8, 2015

My Favorite Things – 2015

It’s that time of the year again, when I name what I loved in 2015



Pulled Pork Sandwich at Wendy’s


(It was a limited time and oh-so-good)


Pizza Pups


(homemade dog treats with excellent customer service, my dog’s favorite is well all of them! Treats are 100& organic & are soy/gluten/corn and preservative free)


Screenshot_2015-12-01-09-26-15-1 Screenshot_2015-12-01-09-25-26-1 Screenshot_2015-12-01-09-25-18-1


KIND Health Grains


(My favorite is the Peanut Butter Berry)


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Hospice for Pets


Prior to losing my sweet Charley this fall I discovered that there are Hospice services for pet owners. While I did not need to use the service for Charley, I was delighted to know that the service is available through out the United States. A simple internet search can locate a Hospice near you to help make the transition of losing of your pet.


Mandia Frozen Pizza


(Literally an amazing brick oven pizza that doesn’t taste like frozen pizza)


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Chatbooks


These photo albums (now available in hardcover too) take pictures from your social media accounts and turn them into a nice little book. You are able to pick which photos you want and can leave the original caption or change it to your liking.


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ZenCollars


The alternative to the “cone of silence” or “cone of shame” – a portable pillow of sorts (it’s even machine washable)


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*Please note that these are my favorites, and I have not received payment or gifts to support the products.


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Published on December 08, 2015 06:26

November 30, 2015

Wide Open Spaces…For Your Manuscript

October 2015 - western Arizona

October 2015 – western Arizona


The Dixie Chicks recently announced they are going on tour and every time I hear The Dixie Chicks mentioned I think of their song Wide Open Spaces. This song paints a vivid picture of beautiful land and happiness. Thus it also reminds me how important writing is to me, as well as how easy it is to fall into writing pitfalls.


When I think of wide open spaces in terms of writing I picture a well crafted manuscript that is a beautiful space for readers.  I find that taking breaks from normal life and visiting a creative space obtains this very thing, even if you can/not make it to some “wide open spaces.”


I find scrolling through sites like Goodreads, Pinterest, and Instagram (using key searches such as flowers, fall, landscape) help with this, and to avoid any “writer depression places” that are gained when visiting forums, reading writer based magazines, articles or books. I even spend time with adult coloring books to help find some wide open spaces in my relaxed mind.


Beyond this, I like to print out my manuscript, thumb through them, and spread them out chapter by chapter. Taking the time to pause and think about the story as a whole. Thinking of my manuscript sitting alone, separate from everything else can help me find flaws that I didn’t see before.


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Published on November 30, 2015 05:39

November 23, 2015

Thanksgiving Week Wishes

Foliage 2013 - Cactus Park 053It does not matter the amount, it only matters the flavor.


It does not matter the traditions, it only matters the love.


It does not matter the distance, it only matters the company.


It does not matter the trouble, it only matters the thought.


Wishing y’all a wonderful Thanksgiving week, and Thanksgiving.


 


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Published on November 23, 2015 06:11

November 9, 2015

How to Properly Watch PARKS AND RECREATION

parkIf you have Netflix or Hulu you can watch the entire series of Parks and Recreation. You can also rent the DVDs.


Here is my tip for how to properly stream this show.


Add PARKS AND RECREATION to your list.


Now using your phone/laptop/computer, look up cliff notes for Season 1 of Parks and Recreation – or read below:


SEASON 1 – There is a pit. There is a couple that lives by the pit. There is still a pit. No one likes the pit. The couple break up. Yep the pit is still there.


Okay, you are all caught up!


Now skip to Season 2 and enjoy.


You’re welcome.


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Published on November 09, 2015 06:59

November 2, 2015

Making Time to Read and Write – An Author’s Guide

Fall colors from 2013 – Phoenix – © S. Hendricks


I have been working on a system over the last several months, maybe unknowingly longer, to carve out time for both reading and writing. As an author I must stay up-to-date with current market trends and what is out there regardless of the age level.


Working full-time or/and having children can limit the time you have to do both and most often neither of them (writing and reading) are accomplished.


When writing a story one needs to focus and remove all distractions. Yet how can this be done when you know you have to read this, or that, make dinner, scrub the toilet, walk the dog, pick up the kids, go to work, exercise, and see that movie you have been wanting to see???


I have worked out a system that works quiet nicely, and I hope that it works for my writing friends that are struggling with finding time to do it all.


I set a goal to write or edit one chapter a day. I don’t set what story it needs to be or a time limit or word limit. I simply remind myself that today I need to work on the next chapter. Once that chapter is done I can be done. I also set a one chapter rule for reading a book (for children’s picture books, it equals one book). This allows my wandering mind to focus, even if for a short time!!! Some of my chapters are 100 words, some are 1,200 words.


I know that I must push through the chapter whether I am reading it, writing it, editing it, or just starting it. Some days/evenings I get both a chapter of my story done and a chapter of a story read.


What things do you do to reach your daily goals?


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Published on November 02, 2015 06:12

October 28, 2015

Dog Crazy ~ Book Review

Char 2012I was not sure how I would go about dealing with the loss of my dog Charley back in September. Turns out I am still not fully aware. My anxiety in what would be Charley’s final months was unrealized until she passed. Turns out I was also worried about how my other dog Bayou and I would handle the emptiness even before Charley’s passing. After the first week went by I was surprised how well he and I were doing. Turns out that even a month and a half later tears can come out of nowhere. I find the most difficult time is when people ask me if I have dogs and I have to reply “a dog”…verses “dogs.” That seems to be the hardest and most frequent reminder, going from plural to singular.


So about a week ago when I saw Dog Crazy by Meg Donohue on a corner spot of books and without even reading the description knew I wanted to read it. I mean who can resist puppies on the cover of a book? (Puppies should be on every book cover even if a book isn’t about a puppy, think of the increase in sales!) With my coffee cup in hand I started reading Dog Crazy.Dog-Crazy


Unlike most dog themed books that drag and drag over nonfiction facts trying desperately to make them sound fiction, Dog Crazy was the opposite. Ms. Donohue’s ability to make the reader focus on the main character’s (Maggie) OCD and anxiety issues while shadowing people’s abilities to deal with a dog’s passing was outstanding. Dog Crazy reads like a story you hear over tea with your best friend.


On the cover it reads: A Novel of Love Lost and Found. For once a book that shows this concept and doesn’t tell you by shoving it down your throat in an after-school-special kind of way.


Five out of five stars: DOG CRAZY by Meg Donohue


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Published on October 28, 2015 07:32