LuAnn's Library

Lu Ann Staheli Wins Utah Best of State Educator K-12

2008-06-19T16:04:00.003-06:00

Lu Ann Brobst Staheli has been named as the Utah’s Best of State Educator K-12 at a recent Gala. Staheli graduated from Alexandria-Monroe H.S. in Alexandria, Indiana, in 1972, and the Indiana University Blooomington School of Education in 1976. She taught English and psychology at Rockville Jr. Senior High School in Rockville, Indiana, for five years before moving to Utah. In 1984, Lu Ann joined the staff at Payson Jr. High School in Payson, Utah. For the past twenty-three years she has taught English, Writing for Publication, and Reading Options. In May she earned a Masters Degree in Instructional Technology with a Library Media endorsement through Utah State University’s School of Education.

Lu Ann is a teacher of teachers. Two of her former students teach with her at Payson Jr. High, one is an administrator there, and numerous others have entered the education field. She has been a mentor to four students teachers, all of whom have continued in the field. In addition to helping students become teachers, she also has moved students to careers in creative writing and journalism, but perhaps the most successful thing she has done is encouraged a generation of lifelong readers.

During her twenty-nine years as an English teacher, Lu Ann has shared her love of reading and writing with over 4,000 students, and it doesn’t look like she is ready to stop teaching them anytime soon. “Once my student, always my student” is her personal philosophy, and her students seem to know that without ever being told. They come back to visit her classroom years later, stop her in the local grocery, and track her down via the Internet to ask her for book recommendations, tell her about their latest writing project, or share a favorite memory from a long-ago class she taught. Through shared literacy, students develop a sense of connection to Lu Ann that leads them into an adult world where books and writing are important. The fact that many of her own students have become teachers, and that she also mentors student teachers, broadens her influence even farther across the state and perhaps the world.

“Until I’ve given them a million words, I can’t teach them how to write,” describes the beginnings of an English program under Lu Ann’s tutelage. “So many students come to me—even in my Honors programs—with a limited view of reading and a fear of writing. A boring book or a single blood-red paper returned from a well-meaning teacher can halt a student’s progress toward engagement in reading or improvement in writing for years, sometimes even a lifetime.”

To help her students overcome those fears, Lu Ann begins her school year with reading. She teaches strategies and tips to improve reading skills, no matter what level a student currently tests, then she gives them plenty of time to practice those skills. She reads high interest books aloud to them, lets students read in small groups, and includes time for plenty of independent reading, providing audio books for students who need additional reading support. “The more words I can put in front of them, the more likely they will discover something—a book, short story, poem, or piece of non-fiction—anything that will hook them, giving them a reason get excited about reading and hopefully leading them to reading on their own. If it takes giving a student something new to try every day, then I’ll do it. All it takes is one book—the right one—to make a lifelong fan of reading.”

In addition to reading, Lu Ann leads her students into writing fluency. “Getting words down onto the page is hard for most people, but this is especially true of junior high students who are already a little insecure. I believe in letting students feel comfortable with writing, validating their efforts and ideas, long before I make corrections and suggestions.” A professional writer herself, Lu Ann teaches the craft of writing rather concentrating during early draft stages on the skills of editing. “Editing is the final process in writing. Too many teachers seek perfection from their students long before the work is ready. Editing too early can ruin voice, stop the flow of fresh ideas, and squelch any student desire to attempt, let alone perfect, a piece of writing,” she says. This process of building readers, then teaching the craft of writing, has found Lu Ann’s students of all ability levels not only among the highest scores on a variety of state and standardized tests, but also eventually following career paths that allow them to use these skills without fear.

“People who read succeed, or so the slogan goes. If a student reads well, school is easier for him or her. The information disseminated via teacher lectures, textbooks, and other materials becomes accessible and interesting,” Lu Ann states. “Eventually my students leave the junior high school. Most of them graduate from high school. Obviously, those who leave with reading and writing skills will move on to successful careers that add to the economy,” something Lu Ann herself does through the various employment and volunteer opportunities she follows beyond her work in the classroom.

In addition to teaching, Lu Ann has long served her local community. As a member of the staff at Alan Osmond Productions, Lu Ann was an Associate Producer for Stadium of Fire, a member of the Spanish Fork Arts Council, State Coordinator for the National Council of Teachers of English’s Promising Young Writers program, on the Speaker’s Bureau for the League of Utah Writers, and has been on the Middle Level and Young Adult Book Selection Committees for the Children’s Literature Association of Utah. Lu Ann served as coordinator for the Spanish Fork City Arts Council Writer’s Workshop and the Nebo Young Writer’s Conference. She is often called upon by church groups, book clubs, and other members of the local and state community to present workshops on literacy, give book reviews, or serve as a judge in writing contests. She has worked on district and state textbook and media adoption committees, as well as helping to write the previous state CORE for Secondary English Language Arts. Past-President of the Utah County League of Utah Writers and freelance editor for WriteWise, Deseret Book, and Covenant Communications, Lu Ann edits for several local and nationally published authors. She is currently a member of the Payson Jr. High School Accreditation team, and works for the One Heart Foundation and TheFamily.com.

Lu Ann has earned several awards and recognitions through her teaching career, including Nebo Reading Council Reading Teacher of the Year 2006, Christa McAuliffe Fellow Utah 1999, Utah English Language Arts Teacher of the Year 1999, Excellence in English/Language Arts Instruction 1999 from the Utah Writing Project, and Celebrate Literacy Award 1996 from the Utah Council IRA. She was selected for the USWest/UtahLINK Teacher Network Project 1995, the Marquis Who’s Who in American Education for several years, and has previously been nominated for both the Disney Hand Award for Outstanding Educators and the Huntsman Awards for Excellence in Education.

Beyond the classroom, Lu Ann continues to teach reading and writing to former students and the community at large. Through her two weekly newspaper columns, "Read All About It" and "Out of the Best Books," Lu Ann shares her love of books and her expertise when it comes to literacy issues. In addition, she writes two subscriber-based e-zines, several blogs, and publishes book reviews in three national educator magazines, Library Media Connection, The SIGNAL Journal, and The ALAN Review. She has taught classes and workshops for her school, district, and state organizations, including her popular workshop “Recipe for the Reluctant Reader.” As a Senior Editor for the Precision Editing Group, she teaches Mastery Writing classes for BookWise Publishing. Her own publication record in the area of education includes an invitational chapter in Teaching Ideas for 7-12 English Language Arts: What Really Works (Christopher-Gordon Publishers), Books, Books, and More Books: A Parent and Teacher’s Guide to Contemporary Adolescent Literature, and Teaching Secondary English: One Day at a Time, as well as featured articles in the Utah English Journal.

Past-President of the Utah Council of the Teachers of English Language Arts and the League of Utah Writers, Lu Ann currently serves on the board of the Nebo Reading Council and the UVSC Forum on Children’s Literature. Through her newspaper column and personal donations, she helped the Nebo Reading Council build a library collection for the Nebo School District Young Mother’s School in 2008.

Joey and Rory Finish Third, but . . .

2008-06-16T12:42:00.003-06:00

So, Joey and Rory finished in 3rd place on Can You Duet, but that may turn out okay. I've heard through the grapevine that a record company exec may already be talking contract with them, and the exposure was certainly good for Rory's already established song writing career. I expect we will be hearing more from this duo in not too much time. Here's what Naomi Judd had to say about them:

I must say that I could have never predicted how this competition was going to turn out. Not that I’m unhappy with the final choice. In fact when you look at it purely from inside the music business, the duet with the best chance of establishing themselves and making a long career as artist were the winners.

It’s no secret that Joey and Rory were my favorites. To me they were the most authentic duet on the show and I loved practically everything they did. After the filming of the last episode I found out that my masseuse, Richard Valdez and family, is their next-door neighbor and never told me. It must have been difficult for him to have kept that secret, but knowing that it could have impacted the show, he knew it was best not to tell me. My husband Larry and I just had lunch a few days ago at Joey’s little restaurant, Marcy Jo’s, outside of Columbia, Tenn. Pork Chops, mashed potatoes and green beans. (http://blog.cmt.com/2008-06-13/can-you-duet-naomi-judd-surprised-by-finale/#more-945)

BEA for Booklovers

2008-06-14T12:59:00.004-06:00

I had the best opportunity in the world for a bibliophile like me: FREE BOOKS! I spent a day in Los Angeles the end of May, meeting with agents, editors, booksellers and hundreds of authors who were at this annual trade show, ready and willing to give away and autograph copies of their books. You’ll be hearing more about some of these authors and books in the coming weeks, but I wanted to give you an overview that might make some of you salivate to attend the one scheduled next year in New York City.

BEA stands for Booksellers Expo America, and it is the place to be if you have anything to do with the book industry. In addition to the open trade show and author autographing areas there are workshop sessions, special breakfast and luncheon presentations, in-booth one-on-ones with authors, illustrators, editors, agents, book publishers, and others involved in the industry. Some of these opportunities are geared toward specific audience members such as librarians, educators, book buyers, booksellers, and those who are building and renewing contacts with others in the industry.

You’ll have the opportunity to meet just about anyone and everyone at BEA. While standing the line to meet Peter Walsh (Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?), I chatted with an agent who handles Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, one of the many things I write. She handed me her card so I could send her sample chapters. Walking from the trade show to the autographing area, I ran into T.A. Barron (Merlin’s Dragon) who I had met several times at conferences in Utah. We talked about doing an interview for one of my blogs. Back at the autograph tables, I met George Hamilton (Don’t Mind if I Do) most recently of Dancing with the Stars fame, who was just as good-looking, tanned, and suave as ever.

Sometimes the encounters I had there were almost comical, like when I tried to find the end of the line to meet Slash, a member of the heavy metal group Guns and Roses who was there giving out copies of his forthcoming autobiography. The line wound out of the autograph area, and halfway around the building, yet I still hadn’t found the end! Then there was meeting Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn) and realizing as we talked that I had taught his wife at Payson Jr. High School. And I loved the moment when a publicist chased me through the line to get my card so she could add me onto her list of advance copy reviewers.

It’s easy to forget these people are famous or critical to my writing career when I have authors like R. A. Salvatore (The Orc King) stop in the middle of autographing my book to introduce me to Heather Graham (The Death Dealer) whom I had actually met last fall at the WriteWise conference in Salt Lake; the head of Roaring Press Books take a minute to introduce me to one of her favorite agents while we were discussing my review of one of their recent publications; And New York Times best-selling authors like Richard Paul Evans and Robert G. Allen giving me advice on how to pitch to an agent or editor while at the conference.

All in all, going to BEA was a great experience for me, as I’m sure it was for the rest of those who went from here in Utah. And it’s one I plan to have again, only this time I hope it’s me sitting at the table autographing copies of my book. Target date: Las Vegas 2010.

Lu Ann Meets Her Favorite Organizer at BEA

2008-06-06T18:43:00.004-06:00

Anyone who read my article at Desert Saints about Clean Sweep knows how much I love Peter Walsh. I admire the genteel way he works with people to overcome their clutter habits and obsessions. When I saw that Peter was going to be signing copies of his latest book, Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? I knew I had to get there early to be in his line. I wasn't disappointed. Peter was funny, he was kind, he posed for this photo, gave me his email address so I could contact him about doing an interview, gave me a hug with a kiss on the cheek, and declared that I was hysterical, meaning in a funny way not like a super-fan gone crazy. I told him how I was training my boys to clean house the clean sweep way, and his publicist through that was great, too. Okay, I know my house has a long way to go to be as neat and clean as the ones Peter does for his stint on Oprah, but at least the memory of this day will help keep me on the right path when I battle the mess that I call an office. Speaking of which. . . I guess I should get started now or it will take me all summer to do. In the meantime, if you want to read more about another one of Peter's books, visit my Book Review blog about It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Leading a Richer Life with Less Stuff.

Can You Duet - Top 8

2008-05-10T14:02:00.004-06:00

Just finished watching this week's episode of Can You Duet, and I was excited to find that Joey and Rory have made it into the Top 8.

If you haven't yet had a chance to visit their website, I encourage you to do so. And while you're there, listen to some of Joey's music. She's great.

www.joeyandrory.com

Clay Aiken's New CD

2008-05-06T21:54:00.004-06:00

Say what you will about him, Clay's still got one of the best voices around!
While I wait for the CD to arrive, here's a link to his new single.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00130973W

WINNER 2008 Best of State Education K-12

2008-05-03T09:43:00.002-06:00

I just found out this morning that I have been named the winner of Best of State K-12 Education.
You can see my name listed at: www.bestofstate.org. Just scroll down to the Education section.

Precision Editing has posted this blog about my win: http://writingonthewallblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/editor-wins-2008-best-of-state-award.html

Yesterday I participated in the hooding ceremony for my Masters of Education in Instructional Technology, with a Library Media endorsement from Utah State University.

It's been a great weekend!

Smalltown U.S.A. Goes to Nashville

2008-04-26T17:38:00.004-06:00

I grew up in Alexandria, Indiana, a small farming community that was once made famous as it was chosen for a brochure during World War II that depicted what life was like in Smalltown, U.S.A. This booklet featured photographs of my brother-in-law as a small child on his family's farm.

I've been to that farm many times. It sits right next to the house where my sister raised her family. Today, the old homestead and farm are owned by Jack & June Martin. I've known June since I was a kid. She used to sing gospel music in the church my mother took me to, and her younger sister Mary Ann was a friend of mine in school. June had the voice of an angel, and I loved to listen to her sing.

All that family history and knowing how beautiful June could sing, made it a natural choice for me to buy a CD, songs unheard, by her daughter Joey Martin when I heard about it in 2005. I was not disappointed! This CD is my absolute country favorite. It's downloaded on my computer and my iPod. I keep the CD in the car where I can listen on my commute.

Like her mother, Joey, too, has the voice of an angel.

Today I discovered that Joey and her songwriter-husband Rory are contestants on "Can You Duet," the country music contest from American Idol producers on CMT. Soon America will know how great Joey can sing, too!

If you've got time, in between voting for David Archuleta, I'm here to invite you to send a few votes Joey's way too.

If you'd like more information about Joey and Rory, visit their website JOEY AND RORY
(You can even download a copy of Joey's solo CD while you're there.)
or YOU CAN DUET.

Updating

2008-04-26T16:31:00.002-06:00

Today I've been a busy bee.

I've updated all of my blogs, made sure everything I needed to do for my graduate classes was done, and folded a ton of laundry. I also wrote both of my newspaper columns, something I've been on a two month vacation from because of all the graduate assignments I had to get done.

Of course, I still have lots to do before the day is done. There are two manuscripts sitting on my computer that I need to finish editing for clients, three chapters of one of my own novels to polish and get submitted to the editor who requested them, and a screenplay to continue work on.

The likelihood of getting everything finished before sleep and exhaustion overtakes me? Slim to none.

Tonight my husband is taking me out to dinner. The momentous occasion is that tomorrow is my birthday.

On Monday, I'll be back at work, trying my best to get everything done. Yesterday was midterm at the school where I teach, Friday I walk in graduation for my Master's degree, and fewer than twenty school days until summer vacation.

And this bee can't wait until she has more days of the week to spend in her hive, getting her personal writing goals done!

It's Not on the Test

2008-04-21T14:56:00.002-06:00

As my classes were frustrated this morning while the school computer system froze during the state U-PASS tests, I checked my email and found this little ditty from a friend of mine. If you are a teacher, you'll probably appreciate the sentiment.

Click on this link to to watch IT'S NOT ON THE TEST

Coming Soon! Season of Salvation: The Movie

2008-04-18T12:17:00.002-06:00

Lu Ann Staheli is currently under contract to write the film adaptation of Seasons of Salvation, a novel by Dennis Mangrum. With principal photography to begin early in June, producers plan to release the film in time for the 2008 Christmas season.

“The students piled the packages high on the porch, rapped quickly on the door, and then secreted themselves nearby. Finally, a sleepy-eyed little boy opened the door and stared wide-eyed at the mountain of Christmas presents. Santa's sleigh crashed right here on my porch! In this heartwarming, feel-good story based on an actual event, distrust, abandonment, and lack of hope give way to love and service in an early morning seminary class full of problem kids who help their teacher pay an overdue debt of gratitude.”

Farworld: The Blog Tour

2008-04-07T11:38:00.003-06:00

My friend, and a member of my writer's critique group, J. Scott Savage has a new YA fantasy novel, Farworld: Water, that will be released September 5, 2008, from Shadow Mountain.

As part of the promotion for this introductory book in a great new series, Scott and his publisher are preparing to send the ARC (advance reader's copy) of the book to bloggers who would be interested in reading it and writing a review on their blog.

I've already read Farworld: Water in manuscript form and loved it. Participating in this blog tour will allow you to get a copy and read it too. Plus, Shadow Mountain is willing to send along a second copy for you to give to one of your blog readers!

If you're interested, visit the instructions on Scott's blog at: http://jscottsavage.blogspot.com/2008/04/marketing-part-ivthe-blog-tour.html

Be sure to tell him I sent you, and we'll both see you in FARWORLD.

If you want to know more about J.Scott Savage, you can read more from his blog at:

http://jscottsavage.blogspot.com, read his entries on http://sixldswriters.blogspot.com/ or listen to the podcast interview I did with him in The Author's Corner at http://luannslibrary.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Author%27s%20Corner

WriteWise and Me

2008-03-30T19:26:00.003-06:00

As some of you know, I'm one of the instructors and editors for the WriteWise program. This week they launched a new website, and it was fun to see my photo there, right along with Richard Paul Evans and Robert G. Allen. Go check it out, and maybe you'll want to read more about WriteWise while you are there.

http://bookwisewritewise.com/?page_id=10

Books, Books and More Books: Parent & Teacher's Guide

2008-03-26T23:37:00.006-06:00

Special Offer
Books, Books and More Books:

A Parent and Teacher's Guide to Adolescent Literature, Vol. 1
CD-ROM version

Successful Teaching Strategies
100 Novel Study Guides
Reading Assessment Chart
Additional Suggested Books

Includes Book Guides on Novels by:

David Almond; Laurie Halse Anderson; Avi; Lois Thompson Bartholomew; Joan Bauer; Gary Blackwood; William J. Brooke; Bruce Brooks; Meg Cabot; Orson Scott Card; Eoin Colfer; Ellen Conford; Caroline B.Cooney; Sharon Creech; Chris Crutcher; Christopher Paul Curtis; Paula Danzinger; Kate DiCamillo Sharon M. Draper; Alane Ferguson; Paul Fleischman; Susan Fletcher; Gail Friesen; Jack Gantos; Amy Gordon; Margaret Peterson Haddix; Mary Downing Hahn; Bruce Hale; Betsy Hearne; Sid Hite; Will Hobbs; Kimberly Willis Holt; Betty Horvath; Kathy Kacer; Ron Koertge; Gail Carson Levine; Ann M. Martin; Norma Fox Mazer; Joyce McDonald; Lois Metzgher; Carolyn Meyer; Walter Dean Meyers; Claudia Mills; Phyllis Reynolds Naylor; John Neufeld; Naomi Shihab Nye; Gary Paulsen; Richard Peck; Rodman Philbrick; Randall Beth Platt; Phillip Pullman; Kristin Randle; Louise Rennison; Ann Rinaldi; John H. Ritter; J. K. Rowling; Pam Muñoz Ryan; Louis Sachar; Gloria Skurzynski; Lemony Snicket; Jerry Spinelli; Todd Strasser; Ross Venokier; Will Weaver; Gloria Whelan; Carol Lynch Williams; Virginia Euwer Wolff; Jacqueline Woodson; and Lawrence Yep.

Special Sale Price: $15.00 plus $2.50 postage/handling
Regular Price: $25.00 SAVE $10.00 while supplies last.
Limited Number Available
Paypal: allstars@prodigy.net
For check or money order, send me an email and I'll send you my address.
luann@luannstaheli.com

Whitney Awards Announced

2008-03-22T21:32:00.006-06:00

Tonight was the 1st Annual Whitney Awards for LDS writers, and I'm excited to say my critique group was well-represented.

The first award of the evening, Best Romance/Women's Fiction went to Michele Paige Holmes for "Counting Stars." Michele was up against such heavy-hitters as Rachel Nunes and Stephenie Meyer (yes, the one from Twilight fame). Michele was also a finalist in the Best New Author category.

Next was H. B. (Heather) Moore who won Best Historical for "Out of Jerusalem Book 4: Toward the Promised Land." Annette Lyon (Spires of Stone) was also a finalist for this award, and Heather was also a finalist for Book of the Year.

Congratulations to you all!

To see photos and read the blog about the rest of the evening, visit:
The Whitney Awards.

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a published author?

2008-03-16T19:31:00.003-06:00

As some of you know, I'm part of the Precision Editing Group. One of our biggest clients is the WriteWise program from BookWise Publishing. I also teach the teleconference Writing Mastery Classes for those who are currently enrolled in the Austen class of authors. PEG will also be editing, and I'll be teaching the next group of participants. If you are interested in becoming part of that class, read below to see what benefits you will receive from signing up, then see my bookstore link to join the upcoming class of new authors.

Have You Ever Dreamed of Becoming a Published Author?

You´re not alone. It might surprise you to know that thousands of people share that dream. However, few ever make that dream come true. Now you can realize your aspiration of writing, publishing and marketing a bestselling book through the most amazing writing program ever created; WriteWise™ from BookWise Publishing.

WriteWise™ offers 5 major advantages you´ll be hard pressed to find anywhere else.

1. Experienced Mentors

You´d never trust your life on a jungle safari with someone who had never actually been in the jungle. Yet, every day, aspiring authors travel the treacherous jungles of the publishing world with guides who have never actually launched a bestselling book. The WriteWise™ mentoring curriculum was designed by two #1 New York Times bestselling authors who have a combined total of more than twenty bestselling books and have sold tens of millions copies worldwide. This is our guarantee: Every WriteWise™ faculty member has been involved in launching a major national bestselling book.

2. Unique Industry-based Approach.

The publishing business is, well, a business. No surprise there, right? Actually, few writing programs even acknowledge the importance of understanding the publishing business. The WriteWise™ program offers extensive marketing and business training unparalleled in the industry, including InfoPreneuring, media preparation and public relations. It´s okay to make money with your passion.

3. Bestselling Endorsements

When your book is accepted into the WriteWise™ program, you become part of the family. Your book will be strongly endorsed by New York Times bestselling authors Richard Paul Evans and Robert G. Allen. You will receive a cover introduction for your book as well as a Foreword by Robert and / or Richard.

4. An introduction to a major agent and/or publisher

This benefit alone puts WriteWise™ miles ahead of any other program in America. WriteWise™ guarantees that not only will a major literary agency or publishing house review your book but that you will receive feedback from that meeting.

5. Remarkable Price

There are programs offering a fraction of the WriteWise™ benefits sold at triple, quadruple even ten times the price. We hope you will take the time to compare the WriteWise™ program with others. We also invite you to speak with our former students. We're confident that you´ll find no other program in America compares in value.

What you receive:

3-Day intense Boot Camp.*
Guided BEA (Book Expo America) Field trip*
A Guaranteed introduction to an Agent and/or publisher.
Endorsement from a New York Times bestselling author.
A Foreword from a New York Times bestselling author.
Lifetime Admission to the WriteWise™ annual national writer´s conference.
Photograph with Robert and/or Richard.
WriteWise™ education, an intense and impressive series of tele-mentoring courses, each live (and recorded for later review) and backed up with weekly tele-conference help sessions where you can ask WriteWise™ faculty individual questions.

Courses are:

Weekly Orientation and Book Industry Overview (Weekly, one class)

Monthly Masters Call (Once a month call featuring some of the biggest authors, publishers and agents in the world.)

BookWriting 101 (4 week course)

Publishing Essentials, includes legal clarification, (8 week course)

Dian Thomas´s Getting a Million Dollars of Publicity for Free (4 week course)

(Your fee also includes Ms. Thomas´s 6 book and 6 CD set.)

InfoPreneuring and Marketing Course and Help Sessions (8 weeks)

(Your fee also includes Robert Allen´s 8 DVD and three book set.)

Getting Ready for BEA (4 week course)

*Participants are responsible for individual travel, hotel and BEA admission expenses.

For more information or to sign up, visit my bookstore at: http://www.mybookwise.com/luannstaheli/

Click on: I have a book and I am interested in becoming published. If you decide to sign up, please enter my # as Enroller ID: 109818.

Feel free to pass this information on to anyone you know who might be interested. Thanks!

2008-02-26T22:59:00.000-07:00

Finding my Name One More Time

I couldn't sleep, so I logged onto my laptop. After checking my email, I scanned the bookmark list on the side of my screen. My regular computer doesn't have this list showing, so tonight when I looked at the list and saw Six LDS Writers and a Frog, I thought, "I haven't read that one for awhile." So, I hopped on over (Frog---hopped. Get it?) and found that Jeff Savage has been talking about me again!

If you want to read what he has to say this time, click on the link and read his message about the need for critique groups at http://sixldswriters.blogspot.com/

By the way, Jeff, I loved the last line, and I did catch the reference.

2008-02-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

Awarded to Writing on the Wall

I'm a member of the Precision Editing Group, and we've been given two blogging awards as a recognition to what we do over there. If you are interested in becoming a published author, may I invite you to visit the Precision Editing Group at http://www.writingonthewall.blogspot.com/.

2008-02-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

Another Guest Appearance

I really need to do a better job at finding time to read my friends blogs more regularly. Now I find that J. Scott Savage is talking about me over on his blog. I'm going to have to watch myself and be sure I only doand say helpful things. If people are going to talk about me behind my back, I at least want to make sure it's all good!

To read what J. Scott had to say read the entry titled Questions About Questions.

2008-02-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

Personal Visit to Michele Holmes' Blog

Last night at critique, Michele told me she was talking about me on her blog. That junior-high mentality I sometimes find myself stuck with (perhaps because I TEACH Jr. High) thought, "Oh, no! What did she say about me?"

So, I cruised on over there this morning and found the entry titled True to the work. It wasn't anything bad about me, but I had to feel sorry for Michele. As one who knows the pain of rewrite, I also felt lots of empathy for her as well.

The good news for her is, the book is great and the polishing only makes it better!

2008-02-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

Nebo Young Writer's Conference a Success!!

Thanks to James Dasher (The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters), J. Scott Savage (Farworld: Water), Julie Olson (Hip Hip Hooray for Annie McRae!) and acquisitions editor Chris Schoebinger (Shadow Mountain), the 6th Annual Nebo Young Writers Conference was fabulous. This year found the largest crowd ever. Attendees were excited by the presentations and the opportunity to meet with the authors, have autographs signed, pose for photos, and take home door prizes from the Nebo Reading Council, author Richard Paul Evans, Bookwise, and Shadow Mountain who also brought free posters of The 13th Reality for every participant at the conference. Here are photos from the conference, including some of my 7th grade English Honors students---Carlie B., Grace H., Mikayla W., and Austin B.---who James dubbed "my posse." These students have been listening to the book in class and LOVE it!

2008-02-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

Mitt Romney Suspends His Campaign

I can hardly believe it, but Mitt Romney just delivered a speech at CPAC in which he announced he is dropping out of the race for President of the United States. His speech was presidential; his ideas overwhelmingly received by these conservatives, but Mitt said he fears that, in this time of war, the Democrats would win the White House if he didn't withdraw. He feels John McCain is the man who will help us win the war on terrorism. Much of his speech sounded like The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
What will now happen? Where will Mitt serve the country? Who will John McCain choose as his V.P. candidate? Why do the news articles refer to Mitt as "suspending" his campaign instead of saying Mitt "drops out" like they have with other candidates? If we want Mitt Romney to be that Vice-Presidential candidate with McCain, then we must stand up NOW and let John McCain know!

2008-01-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

Dare I Say It?

Super-Tuesday is only six days away. I've done pretty good at keeping my mouth shut in school and even on this blog about politics. My family knows who I support for the presidency, even though not all of them agree. (My brother thought Fred Thompson was going to ride in and save the world.) At one time, I was pro-Guillani---after all, he WAS America's mayor, and a pretty dang good one in my opinion. So as Republican candidates drop like flies (well, except for Ron Paul, but is he really a Republican anyway?), I have to tell the truth and explain why I will NOT be voting for John McCain.

For my entire life, I have been a good judge of character. Maybe that's part of the gift of discernment I was blessed with. Who knows. But the fact remains, I can't think of a time my initial gut feeling toward someone I have met has turned out to be wrong.

In 1996, I attended a rally for Senator Bob Dole at the Salt Lake City airport. John McCain also appeared at the rally. I had the opportunity to meet them both, just for a handshake, but that was enough. I felt an immediate sense of connection to Senator Dole. He was warm and genuine in the way he spoke to everyone as he passed through the crowd. He looked people in the eye and spoke directly to them as he shook each person's hand. His speech was brief, yet heart-felt.

Senator John McCain was another story. His speech was that of an uncaring politician. It was obvious he was here not to promote Senator Dole, so much as to make himself look good during a election year, where he hoped to be picked as a vice-presidential candidate. A cold chill passed over me as I shook his hand, and I felt like I had just touched something slimy. His eyes darted around, never focusing on anyone, including me as he shook hands. My gut reaction was: "Avoid!" I was fearful that Dole would choose him as a running mate and I would be forced to vote for this man , even though I had such a negative reaction to him at our brief meeting. (Thankfully, Dole chose Jack Kemp, a man for whom I had much more respect.)

Here we are twelve years later, and I might face yet another difficult choice. Can I make myself vote for McCain if he wins the primary? Will I really be voting for his running mate, hoping that person could actually hold the country together? Will I be forced to look at another four years of a Clinton in the White House if I don't vote at all? I certainly hope not.

I've never met Mitt Romney, but I know his values. I know the values of his family. I know people with whom he associates, and they are people I like and respect. That's why my vote will be going to Mitt. He is a man I can trust. He is a man who respects the Constitution. He is a man who will lead our country toward a better tomorrow. He is a man who isn't afraid to look at both sides of an issue, admit when he was wrong and change his mind.

I hope you will take the time to truly study the history of these two men, then decide for yourself which one you would rather have lead our country for the next four years. If you follow your gut like I do, you'll know which choice you have to make.

2008-01-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley Passed Away January 27, 2008

For the official announcement, visit
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/

A news report with details of his life can be found at:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=2560344

Our family has been blessed enough to hear him speak several times in person. What a great man, and how he loved not only the members of the Church, but all peoples of the world. He will be greatly missed.

2008-01-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

Life Full Speed Ahead, Despite the Overload!

It’s a brand new year, and I have some incredibly wonderful opportunities facing me. Let’s just hope this semester’s graduate school classes are not as frustrating as last term’s were, or I’m dead in the water! Here’s a quick review of what’s going on with me right this minute. Maybe some of you will be there and I’ll get to meet more of my readers. Some of us are already friends so it will be great to see everyone again.

1. January 18-19, 2008 WriteWise Conference Presenter

As a Senior Editor for the Precision Editing Group, I will be joining Editing Director Heather B. Moore , and Senior Editors Annette Lyon, Julie Wright, Josi Kilpack, for a presentation titled “The Nuts and Bolts of Writing.”

2. February 2008 Teleconference Presenter WriteWise

Throughout the month of February I will be teaching more in-depth classes on “The Nuts and Bolts of Writing” to those authors who are part of the first class enrolled in WriteWise, the publishing arm of the Bookwise company. In addition, the entire Senior Editing staff will be working with new writers who hope to publish with Bookwise.

3. My Bookwise Bookstore

Of course, I’ll continue to build my clientele for my own Bookwise Bookstore. If you’re interested in becoming one of my preferred customers, please visit: http://www.mybookwise.com/luannstaheli/

4. The Osmond Family Blog

I’ve returned to work once again with Alan Osmond after a twelve-year absence. I’m doing the updates for family blog at http://strengtheningfamilies.blogspot.com and handling the email at OsmondStrengtheningFamilies@gmail.com. If you know anyone who loves the Osmond family, but sure to pass along those addresses and ask them to sign up to be on our email list.

5. The rest of my life includes: teaching English at Payson Jr. High, finishing my MEd in Instructional Technology through USU, both my newspaper columns, as well as the other writing projects I have in the works, serving on several boards and committees, being in charge of the Nebo Young Writer’s Conference, doing publicity for the UVSC Forum on Children’s Literature Conference , and on and on. That’s not counting trying to be a wife and mother, or the million other obligations that seem to swirl around me at any given time.

Overall, it’s a wonderful life, even when I am over-booked and over-scheduled. If I get a little bit behind, please know that I’m doing my best and will get everything done that I need to, eventually. Thanks for all the support everyone gives me in each of these endeavors.