As a journalist, procrastination is an evil trait. Once the excitement of gathering facts, interviews, notes, and observations dwindles, procrastination often sets in. The only thing left to do? Write the damn story.
Blog/Sample Work
A Family’s Journey of Life and Death Tests, Strengthens Faith
Every night, Jamie Detmer clutches a teddy bear as she sleeps. A recorder inside the bear allows her to hear the heartbeat of her baby who died suddenly this summer. The crib is packed away in the basement and the baby clothes are no longer hanging in the closet – yet the teddy bear remains.
Weathering the Storm with Rainbows
Sitting at a small table in a school cafeteria, approximately 10 students gather to talk. One student expresses anger, another expresses disbelief, while a third says she is finally at peace. Though their feelings drift from one extreme to the next, all of these students have one thing in common – they have experienced a significant loss through divorce or death.
A Twist(er) of Fate for Tornado Survivors
The silence was eerie. No one screamed, no one cried and no one spoke. Crowded among 25 people in a frigid meat cooler, Mark Philpott said a prayer. At that moment, a tornado plummeted through the County Market in Canton, Mo. as the building shook, beams crashed to the ground and winds up to 230 mph caused the walls to cave. No one screamed, no one cried and no one spoke. Mark Philpott kept praying.
Adoption Brings a Dozen Bundles of Joy
Though recent movies like “Cheaper By the Dozen” and “Yours, Mine, and Ours” portray fictional families acting out everyday chaos with 12 or more children, the action within this Millstadt, Ill. family’s household is very real.
Single Parenting With F-A-I-T-H
As a single mother, it is sometimes difficult to see faith within my daily routine, much less life. I’ve been through the stress of separation and divorce. It would be much easier to delve into what is wrong in life, rather than let faith adjust my focus to what is right in life.
Okawville Farmer: A Mentor For the Poor, Hungry in Times of Need
Norbert Zinck has already begun to travel in later life as most retired folks do; but the 69-year-old Okawville farmer has yet to retire. In between manning more than 300 acres on his family farm, Zinck, a member of St. Barbara’s in Okawville, travels near and far to give of himself.
SEO: To Be A Kid Again
The truth hurts. I found this out first hand this week. After four hours chasing three eight-year olds through the City Museum, I realized that I'm not a kid anymore.
Don’t be a Visual Showroom Only: Showcase the Text, Too
Ever think about what attracts consumers to a website? More often than not, it is photos, multimedia elements such as video, audio, and flash effects, and colorful graphics. But, after the glory of these components wear off in a mere 30 seconds, most consumers move on if the copy doesn’t measure up.
All Consumers Want is Colorful Love this Valentine’s Day
In a world where commercialized expressions of love surround the month of February, consumers now have a natural way to express random acts of kindness. Ideas for gifts have included chocolate and jewelry in the past, but now lovebirds are looking for colorful keepsakes to present messages of joy, hope and faith for a peaceful future.
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 