Articles written by Sandra Fikes - Page 3

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About me - Sandra Fikes

I am a freelance writer and full-time family caregiver living in Alaska. I like to write magical realism fantasy, but I write a little of everything to try and make ends meet.

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Hobbies & Games > Role Playing & War Games Understanding the appeal of Dungeons & Dragons: 14 of 20
You may also ask to understand the appeal of reading a fantasy novel - or any novel really since most role playing games (RPGs) tend to be mass lumped under the term "Dungeons & Dragons" by people that do not know there is in fact a wide variety of different role playing games out there.When a person reads a fiction book it i... More..
Home & Garden > Houseplants Free houseplants from your kitchen groceries: 3 of 4
Growing your own houseplants from things you can find in your kitchen is a fun and rewarding way to fill your house with greenery. Over the years I have had good success with quite a few different plants grown from seeds that were collected in the kitchen, it is simply a matter of choosing the right seeds and understanding th... More..
Local Guides > Jersey City The top places to go for a jog in Jersey City, NJ: 3 of 4
Getting out and Moving is one of the best forms of exercise. Rather you walk, jog, or run, there are places all over Jersey City that let you get out and enjoy the day. If you are looking for some new places to explore, then hopefully this small guide will be of some use in locating a new favorite or a few challenges, and m... More..
Hobbies & Games > Model Building & Radio Control Why HO model trains are the most popular: 9 of 11
The HO scale started in the United Kingdom in the 1930's as an alternative to the established 00 gauge. It failed to find its place until 1950's America, when the HO scale of model trains gave enthusiasts an element of realism that the growing hobby was seeking.Half the size of the then very popular O scale, HO gave the enthu... More..
Food & Drink > Baking Buyer's guide to cake mixes: 10 of 12
While packaged cake mix can trace its start back to the 1920's, it was in November of 1947 that Betty Crocker made it famous with the introduction of their Ginger Cake to American consumers. When test marketing proved the "Just Add Water and Mix!" idea would be at least marginally accepted by consumers, Betty Crocker's Ginger... More..
Arts & Humanities > Fantasy & Science Fiction Best fantasy websites: 5 of 6
How do you define what constitutes the best fantasy website? Is it a site that features discussions on fantasy? One where you can find great fantasy literature? A site filled with fantasy artwork? I had a hard time deciding what defined the best in fantasy websites for me, so I decided the best I can do is to share a few site... More..
Local Guides > Anchorage Zoo reviews: The Alaska Zoo, Anchorage, AK: 5 of 6
As an Alaskan I take great pride in our zoo, however, I also must admit that I was not exactly impressed with my first visit to the Alaska Zoo. You see, when I was a child, my parents took us to the San Diego Zoo on a regular basis. How could memories of such a magnificent and large zoo as the 100 acre San Diego Zoo ever be... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Bible Study Outrageous or contradictory quotes from the Bible: 24 of 28
If you want an outrageous and contradictory quote why not start at the beginning? You always hear how Adam and Eve are the first man and woman, but what about the men and women that God made on the sixth day?-Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: .....27 So God created man in his own ima... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips Improving as a blogger: 18 of 21
Blogging is a widespread phenomenon on the Internet. In general bloggers fall into two broad categories:Those who use blogs as a personal diary for friends and family - and -Those who blog to share what they know with othersIn recent years blogs have stepped out of the realm of casual logs and into the realm of small newslett... More..
Arts & Humanities > Fantasy & Science Fiction Characteristics of fantasy literature: 20 of 23
Terry Brooks attributes most of what he knows about fiction writing to Lester del Ray, including the lesson that "...it was harder to write good fantasy than any other form of fiction." Most who will read this article might consider that to be a silly statement, after all, fantasy writers are free to do anything in their nove... More..