Tag Archives: RIP

Pennsylvania

25 Jul

So I’m back! And I’m really glad everyone kept my blog going while I gone on family business. I am really busy right now–I just got back, but I have my final this Friday. It’s all great, but I thought today I’d simply share my trip with everyone :]

Pennsylvania Sunrise

My dad and I drove from Kansas to Pennsylvania–about a 17 hour drive–and this was the sunrise we were met with upon arrival.

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Gettysburg 

My dad and I decided to visit Gettysburg while we were there since I’ve never been there, and my dad hasn’t been there since he was young. Fun fact: it was the 150th anniversary.

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Everyone knows how historical this battle was in U.S. History, especially in the Civil War, but I didn’t know just how large (or how perfectly preserved) it is. We took a two-hour bus tour and we still didn’t see the entire thing. I think the most interesting part was how the survivors actually returned and built all of the monuments exactly where important events happened, so the fields have these statues throughout the miles of history.

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I think another story that really stood out to me was how many people died AFTER the battle simply because they’d walk across the fields and leftover ammunition would explode and/or injure someone. They also believe up to 1,000 bodies of Confederate soldiers are left in the fields. Crazily enough, they found one of these bodies partially unburied in the 1960’s–over one hundred years later.

National Soldier Cemetery  

Another part of Gettysburg is where every Union soldier was buried. There are more memorials for certain groups, and this one was New York’s:

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Hershey Park

I LOVE roller coasters, so two of my cousins, my uncle, my aunt, my dad, and I went to the amusement park that smells like chocolate! There were lots of roller coasters, but I think my favorite was Storm Runner or Sky Rush. Lots of fun. Lots of chocolate.

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Finally

We headed home after a couple of days, and this was the sunset we were met on an Indiana highway.

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Basically 

I had a really good time visiting my family in the state I was born in. I regret to say that the reason for our trip was a death in the family. My grandmother, L. Noreen Thompson, passed away July 13, 2013. She was a wonderful woman, and I’m proud to be a part of her lineage. Below is the last family photo I was able to be a part of. You might recognize it from a previous post since I shared it November, 2012, but I wanted to share it again, because–although it doesn’t have the entire family in it–it was the last time I saw my grandmother, and the photo means a lot to me!

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So I’m back, and I will be continuing ShannonAThompson.com! 

Thank you for your support 😀

~SAT
….

I regret to announce the book signing event has been canceled. 

Minutes Before Sunset is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, Diesel, Sony, and Apple.

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To My Mother

15 Mar

“Writers seek to create order out of the chaos of everyday life, and to extract meaning from both the tragic and the mundane.” ~Hope Edelman

This quote has always struck a deep chord within me, not only because I am a writer, but because this was my mother’s philosophy. On top of that, Hope Edelman is the author of Motherless Daughters: A Legacy of Loss, and her collection truly guided my understanding of loss when my mother suddenly passed away in 2003.

This is almost every picture I have of my mother. She was always reading. And she didn't like to get her picture taken, so we had to sneak them when she wasn't looking.

This is almost every picture I have of my mother. She was always reading. And she didn’t like to get her picture taken, so we had to sneak them when she wasn’t looking.

My mother’s love is exactly what I wanted to post about today–and only this.

March 16 (tomorrow) will be the 10-year-anniversary of her death, and I have to admit hitting such a mark is very surreal along with emotionally challenging. At such a time in my life, I have moments where I begin fighting my dream, because I wish I had her to share it with (as I did when I was a child.) However, on other days, this emotion possesses me to strive forward, and I remember how that’s exactly what she’d want me to do. Being an avid reader, writer, and lover of stories, she worked hard everyday, and I work every day to cherish her memory.

I remember, specifically, one time in Barnes & Noble. I was in fourth grade, and I was obsessed with the Dear America series. She let me pick four or five out every time we were there. This added up to a lot of money, considering that the series was all hardcover at the time, and I asked her why she let me get all of them.

“Because,” she said. “if a parent should spend extra money on anything for their kids, it should be books.” She later added anything that encouraged the passion of a child. For instance, my older brother was an artist, and they got him drawing supplies.

And, of course, there are pictures of me doing the exact same thing (in the same room too!)

And, of course, there are pictures of me doing the exact same thing (in the same room too!)

To this day, my memories of the bookstore are some of my favorites, and I have numerous reasons for this:

1. I was doing something I loved.

2. I was doing something I loved with someone I loved.

3. I was doing something I loved with someone I loved, and those moments are the most important moments to love.

So do something nice today with someone you love, whether it be a spouse, child, friend, or lover. Support each others’ dreams and truly dedicate time to say, “I love you.”

My mom reading with my older brother on her back. She loved her family and her books.

My mom reading with my older brother on her back. She loved her family and her books.

~SAT

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Writing Tips: Being an Author: Pros & Cons

18 Jan

Yesterday would’ve been my mother’s 54th birthday if she hadn’t passed away on March 16, 2003.

My mother and I in 1992.

My mother and I in 1992.

Today, I’m dedicating this post to her, because she is the reason I have become so passionate about my writing dream. Her memory has pushed me forward, time and time again, ever since 2003, and my passion is very much driven by my inability to give up (as I want to succeed for myself and her) even when my career was looking nonexistent.

As a writer, you’ll have pros and cons, even after publishing. (In fact, this list will increase.) Some days, one outweighs the other, and that’s perfectly okay—temporarily—but don’t allow one to destroy the other.

So I’m going to share how I manage my pros and cons.

Writer’s Block: It happens. In this case, I truly believe there’s something wrong with your writing piece. It’s a matter of finding it. The best way I’ve solved it is to have conversations with my characters (or even the setting.) Figure out why they’d be unhappy, because your characters are very much your stream of subconscious, so if you’re unwilling—they probably are too.

Finding the Time: YOU CAN. I manage two websites. I’m a full-time college student, and I have family, friends, relationships, life, and my kitten to take care of on a regular basis. However, I still find time to write (a lot) and you can too. It takes sacrifice. You have to be willing to give up that Friday night every once in a while.

Overwhelming Passion: I’ve literally worked so hard on editing, writing, and organizing my vision was blurred. I’ve forgotten to eat, because I was so focused on writing (or too busy managing schoolwork with writing business), so it’s sometimes an art to put necessity before your passion (although you will learn quickly when you can’t see after staring at a computer screen for a week.)

Rejections/Criticism: Love it. I’m serious. There’s a difference between a “hater” and a “critic.” If someone doesn’t like YOU, they probably won’t EVER like your work. Don’t pay them any attention. However, a CRITIC is someone who gives you a fair chance. Even if you don’t like what they have to say, mentally take their side for a moment. Put yourself in their shoes to see if you can understand where they’re coming from. Chances are, you will, and you’ll learn SO much. Don’t feel hurt, because they’re essentially building you up to succeed in a better place.

Writing/Editing: Writing a novel isn’t easy. Writing an intelligible novel isn’t any easier. Writing will take a rigorous amount of passion. If you don’t have that, don’t write, because you’re writing for the wrong reasons. In regards to editing, it’s NECESSARY. End of story. A publisher won’t look at an unedited piece. It’s unprofessional and gives them a heavier workload. Edit to the best of your ability, have friends/family help you, and if you have money, consider hiring an editor.

Money: Not every piece of your writing will get published or make you money (Even if you’re already published.) In fact, you might write a 125,000 word novel, and your publisher doesn’t think there’s an audience. That’s OKAY. Concentrate on what you learned from writing it. Did you realize your characters aren’t differing much? Did your descriptions become more magical? If you can’t figure it out, give it time before returning. You’ll learn what that novel taught you.

Fellow Authors/Fans: This is MY FAVORITE PRO. You will meet so many bright and inspiring writers and readers to push you forward in your dream. The saddest part, for me, is running out of time to speak with all of you individually, but I try very hard (especially by e-mail), and I always will! By publishing, I’ve met authors: Elizabeth C. Bunce, Stephanie Meyer, Jodi Reamer, Greg Kincaid, Rosemary-Clement Moore, T.L. McCown, and more. I couldn’t be more thankful.

Writing Again: Have you ever read a book that was so good you almost couldn’t move on to the next one? This happens to writers too, except with their own work. You’ll get attached to your characters so much that it’ll be hard to let them go (whether you’re moving on to another piece or the next in a series.) Don’t be too hard on yourself. Write a small fun-piece in between. Give yourself a “writer’s vacation.”

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If you have any others you’d like me to address, let me know!

~SAT

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Inspirational Meet: Kristine Andersen

10 Oct

I know I haven’t posted the past few days even though I’ve promised to post every day, but I’m grieving at the moment. Unfortunately, this week, I lost a very dear loved one. My roommate since 2009, Kristine Andersen, passed away Sunday, and I thought I could dedicate this post to her wonderful life and her lovable memory.

Kristine loved rugby, her cat Iona, and, most of all, her friends and family. She touched everyone around her with her spunky attitude and endearing personality.

So I ask for you all to take a moment and remember the loved ones in your life. Tell them you love them—hug them—anything. In the memory of Kristine, love as much as you can, because those memories become treasures.

Rest in Peace, Kristiney.

August 13, 1991—October 7, 2012

Memorials are suggested to your local Veteran’s Service Organization.

~SAT

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