Reese Dunklin - Morning News

How to Write an Article So Well to Receive 1000s of Visitors

2007-08-01T11:19:00.001-07:00

It is the dreaming of every article seller to be able to compose articles well to have one thousands of visitants each day. Article authorship can either do or interruption your online business. Bash the right things and your article selling attempts take off well, but make it incorrect and you stop up wasting your cherished time. Are it possible to compose articles so well that everyone would pay attending to? The reply is Yes and I am going to demo you a simple to follow measure by measure method to zigzag out articles that are eye-catching and draw in dozens of targeted traffic that is ready to purchase your merchandises and be your subscriber.

Every well-written article necessitates proper preparation. Stay focused on your purpose to pull in traffic to your website and pay a batch of attending to a few factors that would assist you to compose an article well.

1. Keyword Research

Keyword research is so of import for respective reasons. A well researched keyword states you that your readers are looking for information related to it. So there is demand. A keyword with some demand but low competition do it easier for your article to rank well in the hunt engines. Bent around forums and read the inquiries people have got concerning the subject related to the merchandise and service you desire to sell. Check out Overture and Google and happen one chief keyword and a secondary keyword with less than 1000 hunts a calendar month for each keyword and less than 5000 hunt consequences for the keywords in quotes, for instance, "how to compose an article". Targeting such as keywords would acquire your article ranked in hunt engines in a substance of few days.

2. Attention-Pulling Title

Your possible reader only have a few secs to make up one's mind if he or she desires to read your article. Brand them make so willingly with an eye-catching title. Since you already have got your mark keyword, frock it up with call-to-action words. For example, "10 Secret Tips to Successful Article Writing" or "5 Article Selling Secrets Gurus Are Keeping Mum About" would definitely catch your attending more than "Article Writing Success" and "Article Selling Secrets". Bash not bury to include the chief keyword at the start of the title. I repeat, include it for SEO love!

3. Useful Content That Presells

Stay on path to give utile content. It maintains your readers excited about reading your article and instantly increases the chance of them following the resource nexus to your website. At the same time, you are establishing yourself as an expert. People would be following your articles as you compose more. Dainty the article as your gross sales page as well to presell your website or product. It warms your readers with a intimation that the resource nexus would direct them to the solution to their problems.

Work on these 3 countries and you are well on your manner to high acting articles that pulling in dozens of visitants that convert to sales. Anyone acute to begin a successful article selling political campaign should travel rapidly to read my article selling blog for more than slayer tips .

The Writing Format - The Heart of a Policies and Procedures System

2007-07-31T07:14:00.001-07:00

The authorship formatting is a critical constituent of any successful policies and processes system. And more than importantly, the authorship formatting must be consistently applied across both policies and processes and must put out content in an easy-to-read and understand format. Using the adage, "Practice do perfect" uses in this situation. Practice makes not do perfect unless it is right practice. Given the same logic, the authorship formatting is not acceptable unless it rans into all the criteria of being a successful and effectual authorship format.

A "writing format" is a construction or lineation formatting for presenting policies and processes in a logical order that is easily understood by readers. The authorship formatting put out the content of any policy or process written document and shows a logical reading sequence. The section-formatted construction can guarantee consistence among policy and process documents.

The ideal authorship formatting is when there is no differentiation made between a policy and process document. As the reader might guess, this would work out many jobs and do publication, communication, and preparation easier. How is this done? Write a single document, e.g., traveling disbursal study or purchase requisition, and don't name it as a policy or a process document. Rather, usage a authorship formatting that incorporates a policy statement as one of the pre-defined, core sections; now, the guidelines of the written document are directed by the embedded policy statement. The readers are pleased with this solution because now they don't have got to mention to divide policy and process manuals for similar content. In the illustrations below, the policy statement is the 3rd subdivision of the preferable "pre-defined sections" authorship format.

There are three popular authorship formatting styles, one of which stand ups apart from the others: (1) pre-defined sections; (2) free-flowing role construction or Playscript; and (3) free-flowing writing. The 3rd authorship format, free-flowing writing, is really no formatting at all. And unfortunately, many companies today usage this "free-flowing writing" formatting (probably owed the deficiency of knowing that a authorship formatting templet might exist). In this format, the content is written in a random, inconsistent manner. The reader is never certain about the starting or ending point of the policy or process document. This method is often referred to as the "Paragraph-style" of authorship and generally go forths the reader guessing the intent and importance of the policy or process document. This is NOT the behaviour the policy and processes author desires from the reader.

The 2nd authorship format, the "free fluent function structure," is often referred to as "Playscript." Literally, "Playscript" mentions to dialogue, a dramatic composition, or a screenplay. Policy and process authors utilize the "role" method adapted from the Book formatting where the function is stated in the first column and the action is stated in the 2nd column of a two-column layout. The advocates of this formatting reason that the reader doesn't necessitate to cognize everything about the "who, why, what, where, and how" of every policy or process document. The oppositions reason that the Book method is cumbrous and go forths the reader clueless as to the purpose of the policy or process document. This is simply not a good formatting for documenting concern processes.

The first authorship format, "Pre-Defined Sections" is the easiest authorship formatting for the reader to understand because the formatting dwells of pre-defined, pre-approved sections that are used in every policy or process written and published. Consistency is quickly achieved. The seven core subdivisions of the "Pre-Defined Writing Format" are Purpose, Scope, Policy, Definitions, Responsibilities, Procedures, and Revision History. Content, properly added into these sections, supply the "who, what, why, where, and how" of concern processes and assist to do up the matter of policies and procedures alike. Depending on the industry, the policy and processes author might add sections, e.g., background, references, or disciplinary actions for non-compliance.

A policy and process system without a consistently designed, and applied, writing formatting is probably broken, obsolete, or ignored by its readers. The authorship formatting includes the chemical mechanism for capturing ideas, workflows, solutions, forms, and any auxiliary information about concern processes, in one place. An effectual authorship formatting templet incorporates the same core subdivisions each and every time; there is never a deviation.

How to Write Book Proposals Like Jean-Paul Sartre

2007-07-30T10:19:00.001-07:00

Biographers of Jean-Paul Sartre have got universally acknowledged that he was a multi-talented author who wrote philosophy, fiction, nonfiction, and drama. They have got also pointed out that he had two secrets which few other authors used in their calling with such as success. His first secret was an improbable one. In a word it was Simone Delaware Beauvoir, his long-time lover.
HOW TO use Type Type A friend arsenic A COLLABORATOR
Simone Delaware Simone De Simone De Beauvoir constantly critiqued Sartre's work. In fact she claimed she wrote big parts of Being and Nothingness. Jean-Paul Sartre got all the credit, but there is no uncertainty that she helped him in many ways. According to biographer Annie Cohen-Solal, Simone De Simone De Beauvoir "provides Jean-Paul Jean-Paul Jean-Paul Sartre with day-to-day support; he never prints a ms that have got not first passed through her hands, that have not first been criticized and approved by her." (Sartre: A Life, p. 378.)
You don't have to trust so completely upon a confederate as Sartre relied upon Beauvoir, but having person to resile thoughts off of tin certainly be helpful. It can do your book proposal easier to compose because you'll acquire contiguous feedback. I urge asking a friend or concern associate to read over your work before you direct it to a literary agent.
SARTRE'S 2nd SECRET
Sartre's second secret can be even more than helpful to a author workings on a book proposal. Remember that your book proposal will never be read by anyone except your literary agent, editor, and the in-house team at the publisher. It will never be published. Also, it is not your book, it is simply a verbal description of your book and its market. For this reason, authors are not usually very enthusiastic about book proposals. They often experience ambivalent about them.
"It's not my best work," they state to themselves. "I experience like I'm wasting my clip when I work on it. I wish I could just work on my book, not on this #@!^&* book proposal."
That feeling is apprehensible and universal, but expression what Jean-Paul Sartre did. In many of his books he wrote horrid prose. It was his thoughts that electrified the world. The prose he used in Being and Nothingness, for example, is often convoluted and turgid. It makes not flow, it is awkward, and it sounds atrocious when read aloud.
Sartre's secret was that he wrote it anyway, as the thoughts came into his head, putting them down on paper like a bricklayer constructing a wall. Brick by brick, word by word, with hardly a idea as to style, meter, music or beauty. The thoughts were the beautiful thing. And that is his secret. Forget trying to compose beautiful prose. Put aside your poetic nature. Axial Rotation up your arms and dip right in, writing the thoughts that you happen meaningful and important.
SARTRE'S STYLE
Sartre would typically sit down in coffeehouses and write. Often he was distracted by yak from other frequenters and the noise of traffic. A batch of this crept into Being and Nothingness. Many of his anecdotes, for example, are put in a cafe, and he constantly composes about waiters. Because of these distractions, he often wrote sentences that would do a composition instructor outcry -- really pathetic prose. But he always managed to come up up with some superb ideas. And this should be your attack to the book proposal. Don't concentrate on style, focusing on ideas. That doctrine will put you free. Then when you finally make acquire a contract, you can decelerate down and take your time, making certain the book sounds much better than the book proposal.
SARTRE'S book PROPOSAL
Sartre had a 3rd secret for authorship a book proposal, but it's not one Iodine would recommend. He was working on a proposal for a book about the human imagination, and he decided to look into the delirious mind. In order to make this he wanted to seek mescalin. Instead of smoke it like most people, he had a physician shoot it into his arm. He promptly had a bad trip and concluded that the experimentation didn't work for him. (Cohen-Solal, p. 102.)
It's heartening, though, to believe that Jean-Paul Jean-Paul Sartre also worked on book proposals, isn't it? And it's good to cognize he used two techniques that helped him with the process: working with a confederate or critic, and authorship for the thought not for the style. By using these two secrets you'll happen that your work on a book proposal travels much faster and is completed in record time.
Copyright © 2007 William Cane

Article Marketing - My Top 7 Tips for Writing Great Quality Articles Fast

2007-07-28T17:43:00.001-07:00

Article selling necessitates that you compose great quality articles. Here are my top 7 tips for authorship more than than great quality articles.
Tip 1 - Write often - Simply stated, to compose more often you have got to compose more often. No, I'm not trying to smack some Zen-like statement on you. When you compose often you remain in the flowing of writing. You also avoid having to acquire started again. It's been said that authorship isn't hard, it is sitting down to compose that is hard.
Tip 2 - Use sketches - Many modern times I will have got the outline, or the skeletal system as I like to name it, of an article in my caput for a few days. I compose down the skeletal system and salvage it as a draft. Then I come up back and simply set meat on the skeleton.
Tip 3 - Use templets - Use mine, usage person else's, make your own. A templet supplies you with a construction in which to put your content.
Tip 4 - Capture your thoughts - When your article thoughts come, you must have got a speedy and easy manner to capture them. Write them down, talk into a recorder, something. Bash not depend on remembering later.
Tip 5 - Article Eyes - When you compose often, you get to see your human race through "article eyes." You cognize you are doing this when you get to see article thoughts everywhere.
Tip 6 - Find Your Time - Most authors have got a best favourite clip to write. Mine is in the morning, it's 8 am as I complete this article. In general you are most productive during this time.
Tip 7 - Write with Your Heart, Edit with Your Head - Write your first bill of exchange from the heart. Bash a encephalon shit and a bosom dump. Then travel back and redact with your head.
Bonus Tip - Write in the article organic structure field of your Article Directory. Every clip you jump the transcript and paste measure you have got more than than clip to compose more articles.

Physician Writers and Book Proposals -- The Ethical Duty to Publish for the General Public

2007-07-26T15:31:00.001-07:00

What if you discovered some utile medical information or invented a discovery treatment for an unwellness but told no 1 about it -- could you warrant that? The quandary posed by this inquiry was anticipated more than than 2,000 old age ago by Hippocrates. His curse for doctors was based on an ethical codification of behavior and, with some updating and modernization, is now incorporated into the Code of Checkup Ethical Motive of the American Checkup Association. That Code states docs have got got an affirmatory duty to share their knowledge.
WHY doctors WRITE books
Physicians have an duty to share their cognition with other doctors and with the public. When you halt and believe about it, this do sense. From the clip of Hippocrates, and even before, doctors have got had an ethical duty to share cognition because by doing so they profit humanity. Withholding new knowledge, research findings, or utile wellness information is contrary to the Code of Checkup Ethical Motive of the American Checkup Association (Section E-9.08).
One of the grounds doctors compose books is to share cognition with other doctors and medical professionals. Another ground is to share cognition with the general public. Both intents are embraced by the AMA Code of Checkup Ethics. So maybe writing the wellness book that's been on your head is more than than a tobacco pipe dreaming -- maybe it's an ethical responsibility.
Some docs experience that they shouldn't seek to compose a book because they were trained to supply medical aid not write. This mightiness actually be an repeal of responsibility. Your book doesn't necessitate to be great literature to acquire published today -- the lone thing that's critical is that the book be based on a good idea. Most doctors have got more than than adequate ability with the English linguistic communication to acquire a nonfictional prose book published by a major publisher. In some lawsuits a ghostwriter can be called in to assist with the manuscript. Sometimes a co-author tin help you with the mechanics of putting the book together.
Whatever your degree of authorship skill, docs who have got book thoughts -- and what doctor doesn't -- may wish to carry through their duty to their community and to the public by authorship a book.
THE PHYSICIAN'S duty TO EDUCATE
The physician's duty to educate and inform the public appears in numerous other ethical codes. For example, it is portion of the Code of Ethical Motive of the International Federation of Sports Medicine, which states, "Sports medical specialty doctors are obligated to educate people of all ages about the wellness benefits of physical activity and exercise." (Section 7). Many athletics doctors have got fulfilled their duty to educate the public by authorship articles and books. But there certainly is room for more than airing of the thought that physical activity and exercising are valuable.
The AMA's separate Declaration of Professional Responsibility, adopted in the wake of 9/11, incorporates yet another mention to the physician's duty to educate the public. It says that docs have got a duty to "educate the public and civil order about present and future menaces to the wellness of humanity." (Section VII).
HOW doctors can WRITE book PROPOSALS
Once a doctor recognizes that there is an ethical duty to share cognition with the public, especially cognition that is not well known, it goes easier to contemplate the thought of putting together a book proposal. After all, a book proposal is the best manner for a doctor to acquire his or her ft in the door of the publication world. And putting together a book proposal demand not interfere with your other responsibilities. It can be done in a trim hr here and there. But there are three things a physician must maintain in head when scene out to compose a book proposal for a wellness book.
First, there may be competition, so it's important to research similar books on Amazon before you begin. Second, even if there are comparable books on your subject, it may still be possible to sell your book thought if your attack is significantly different or if your information is more than up-to-date and utile for a modern audience. And third, you're going to have got to tone of voice down the medical linguistic communication for your audience. Put the more than hard conceptions in footnotes.
Physicians who have got written inspirational books recently include Dame Ellen Terry Grossman (Fantastic Voyage: Dwell Long Enough to Live Forever, co-authored with Beam Kurzweil), Sir Leslie Stephen Frank Sinatra (The Coenzyme Q10 Phenomenon), and Cyril Burt Berkson (Alpha Lipoic Acid Breakthrough). If you have got an thought for a book, maybe now is the clip to begin putting together a short book proposal that mightiness alteration your life and the lives of your readers.
Copyright © 2007 William Cane

To Self-Publish or Not? That is the Question

2007-07-18T17:18:00.001-07:00

To self-publish or not? That is the question
Should you self-publish or acquire a publisher?
That inquiry used to be easier to answer. Having person else print you book gave you credibleness and prestige. There was person else who had vetted your book thought and the quality of the authorship and decided it was deserving publishing. Self-published books typically looked inexpensive or were badly edited or laid out. In addition, creating, distributing, merchandising and selling your book was a full-time job, with small likeliness of earning back the investing you made in clip or money. (The norm self-published book sells about 100 copies, according to the Print-on-Demand publishers).
All that changed with the coming of the Internet. Suddenly, statistical distribution and gross sales became a batch easier (can you state Amazon.com?). Selling was still a challenge, but again email, websites and the Internet made it easier and more than doable. And outsourcing editing, screen design, book layout and promotion is much easier because you can easily happen competent, low-cost aid for each of these functions.
Still, unless you are the sort of individual who would be a good full general contractor if you were edifice a house or remodeling your existent home, self-publishing (at least the black and white variety) may not be for you. It still takes a batch of work (and a significant investing of money) to do it go on and the likelihood of success are not good. Having said that, some people do all in the likelihood and make a self-published book that is of good quality and sells well adequate to make back their investment. Having a book out mightiness also assist addition your speech production calling and fees or convey in more than clients to purchase your services. So it may be deserving it even if you dn't interrupt even on your initial investing with book sales.
Much easier to make is to print an e-book. I self-published somes few black and white books some old age ago and, to acquire a good price, I had to purchase about 4,000 copies. Even though I can sell my books at workshops and online, it took me a twelvemonth or two to sell all those books. Meanwhile, they sat in my garage. Some got damaged in transportation and distribution. I did do money on them (more money than I would have got if person else had published them). All in all though, it was a hassle.
But in recent years, I have got e-published. This is much easier. You still have got got to have a quality merchandise and make marketing, but you salvage the fuss of printing tons of books and putting out tons of money up front. You don't have got the physical harm of black and white books. Customers can acquire your merchandise instantly and you don't have got to pack or ship a thing. If you put it up right, the whole thing is automated. I do good money with my e-books. Not as good as some of my black and white books, but better than some.
Creating and merchandising e-books is not that hard. It's especially easy on a Mackintosh computer, which have a built-in ability to make PDFs (the most common word form e-books come up in) from an option in the Print menu. Selling is easy with online shopping carts and land sites that specialise in merchandising digital products.

Choosing the Right Type of Article Writing to Generate More Traffic

2007-07-17T20:30:00.001-07:00

No 1 would make bold to contend the fact that one of the best tools used by sellers and advertizers to bring forth traffic on one's land site is by unleashing the powerfulnesses of article marketing. Thru article writing, a land site proprietor is capable to perforate assorted "holes" on the nett where they can publicize and promote. Sadly, not many of these people are able to keep that thrust because they are not able to prolong the necessity of article stuffs to go on with this mission. Below are some tips on which type of article authorship stuff will best suit an event so it can bring forth more than traffic.
• If you are targeting to print your articles on land sites that are relatively providing table of contents on a listing some tips, then it is best that you compose a listing type of an article. This type of article authorship is one of the most common and easiest stuffs to do. All you necessitate to make is to come up up with a powerful introduction, then enlist the items, then reason it.
• If you are targeting to print your articles on a land site that are working on giving table of contents on a fiddling perspective, the HOW TO article is the right type to use. This type of an article primarily explicates the stairway or series of stairway to carry through a process.
• If you are targeting to print your articles on a land site where merchandises are being sold, the reappraisal article might be the best type of article stuff to use. It gives the consuming populace some overview on which merchandise is wiser to purchase and purchase.

9 Effective Tips on Article Writing

2007-06-21T07:08:00.001-07:00

Internet is filled with amazing articles that are informative, useful, and timely. But still the demand for articles does not cease. All web sites need to be updated on a regular basis, that's why web site owners are always in need of articles. If writing is your talent, you can earn heaps from it. Here are some tips on how you can make it big in article writing:
1. Like any other process, article writing needs careful planning. Choose your topic and decide what information you would like to present and how.
2. Do your homework and research. The great source for information is always the Internet. Before you write, gather all the information and summarize them in a way that your readers will understand the topic the first time they read your article.
3. Do not copy and paste. People now have the means to know if you have directly copied your content from another site. This is a no-no in article writing. Come up with original, interesting articles that is truly yours.
4. Master keyword density requirements. In article writing, it is very important that you follow keyword density requirements to make your articles search engine friendly.
5. Avoid long sentences. Be direct and concise.
6. Come up with catchy titles.
7. Break down your article to 3-4 paragraphs so it's easy on the eyes.
8. Use words that are easy to understand. Readers do not appreciate the need to look up for the meaning of the words just to understand what you are trying to say.
9. Proof read. Before you submit your article, make sure that it is error-free, from grammar, spelling, to the information presented.

Hero's Journey, Monomyth (188 Stages) Screenwriting Tools, Structure Secrets

2007-06-20T01:53:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)
*****Ultimate Boon*****
The Ultimate Boon is not necessarily for the Hero only. In Straw Dogs (1971), Janice kisses Henry.
*****Origin of Backstory*****
The Hero embarks on the Journey and Transformation, not to gain a capacity, illumination, power or balance, but to regain it. It is not the attainment of a capacity that helps the Hero conquer his (or her) challenges but the reattainment of it. The backstory should be viewed as the moment when that capacity was lost and everything that led up to this point.
As such, the backstory is often where the Hero's Inner Challenges are made explicit. In Silence of the Lambs (1991), Clarice's story really begins with the lamb (which she recites to Lecter). In Midnight Cowboy (1969), Joe Buck's story begins when he is abused and his girlfriend is raped. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1983), Zach's story begins when his mother commits suicide.

The Power of Internet Presence for Writers - Beware the Writing Gurus

2007-05-26T10:49:00.001-07:00

Often writing Gurus who have had minimal success go onto the Internet to find new writers to coach in order to make a little extra money, but beware of such writing Gurus, as the chances are they are full of bad advice and gimmicks. If a published writer needs to go onto the internet and start posting in forums, create pod casts and set up a blog to write on everyday to attract new writers to help coach or sell too, you should be suspicious of their expert status.
Does that mean all writers with a web presence are fraudulent or mis-representative of their abilities and expert status? No, but a huge number of them are. One writing guru goes around bragging about a 100,000 word novel and how it sold 350,000 copies? Well that is barely a break even point for most publishers, hardly a best seller or award winning novelist.
Even if it were an award winning work, do you realize how many silly clubs and writer's guilds there are giving awards these days? I bet you could get an award for a book on how to fix a toilet, seriously folks. Just do not be so gullible. Just because an author self-help, self-proclaimed writer has a website, social networking page, Blog or pod caste means nothing, unless their writing is successful, why would a newbie writer bother to listen?
It is amazing that new writers fall for these self-help writing gurus, perhaps it is because most writers have such low self-esteem, but leave it to the self-help writing scam artists to take their money. When it comes to writer self-help experts, keep a watchful eye out and do not be so quick to fall for their BS.

Article Writing - How to do the Research (Use Books Too!)

2007-05-25T08:14:00.001-07:00

Article writing, when you do a lot of it, it becomes more difficult to think of original topics and original questions, so sometimes you might think you can get away with some rewriting. Here is my answer:
You can do research on the internet, but I wouldn't rewrite anything. I would start from scratch, either on the internet, or go to books – you can use books at home, buy them from a bookstore, or borrow them from the library – just don't copy anything.
If you go to books you're going to get a wealth of information that you may not be able to find on the internet. I think most of the time we talk about getting the research off of the internet because we of it as being so readily available.
But if you've got several books that are on your niche area then certainly you can use that for research and then that's certainly going to be original content. If you're writing fresh articles based on research you do from books that you have, or that you buy or borrow or whatever the case is, then you're going to have original content and that's a great idea
I think that's a great idea. Purchase a couple of books on your niche topic.
Go to garage sales, go to rummage sales. Go to second-hand book stores.
And then you're not even getting near that online content, so when you write it's going to be one-hundred percent original.

Planning A Simple Newsletter - 10 Tips To Get You Started

2007-05-24T15:59:00.001-07:00

Most people with a computer can whip up a newsletter in minutes with whatever word-processing or desktop publishing software they happen to have installed in their hard drive. But coming up with a readable and interesting paper is more than filling a page with "bells and whistles". Create a newsletter that people will want to read by keeping it simple and following a few easy tips.
1. Purpose: presumably you already have a purpose for producing newsletters be it a sporting club or team, keeping in touch with family, work, any other interest or community group. Defining the purpose before you start will help keep the newsletter focussed and streamlined.
2. Content: This is the news, articles and announcements you are going to fill your newsletter with. You can write your own, request contributions or "borrow" from other sources. Note that if you borrow, then you also have to credit the original author and source, and obey any copyright restrictions they may have placed on their work. "Not for reprint" means Not For Reprint.
3. Images: Use only print quality images [300dpi], ensure they are related to the content they are placed beside and avoid overkill. Printing images uses up much more ink than text and too many on a page make it too busy for the reader to enjoy properly. Keep it simple. Copyright also applies to images you borrow. Plus, if using people as the subject, they may not want their picture published for all to see. Get their permission first and you'll save yourself headaches later.
4. Layout: On an A4 size page, two columns are better than three. Only one column, especially if the article is long or your font size is small, can strain the eyes. White space, the space between columns, lines, images, headings, is important for the overall look and readability of your pages. You're after balance of text, images and blank space not a page crammed full of information.
5. Headers, fonts & formatting:No more than two different fonts is the general rule for any kind of publication. Arial and Arial Black [etc] are the same font so you could use both of these and, say, Curlz. However, simplicity and readability is the key for a professional look. Fonts like Curlz have been done to death so go for one that's modern, classic, and suits the topic of the newsletter. Beware of overdoing text formatting. Sub-headings are fine in normal case and bold, or small caps and bold. Main headings such as article titles can be larger, but still normal case. All capitals is harder to read and slows down comprehension. Avoid using italics, except when referring to titles of books, journals or any other sort of artwork. Note that if you start your newsletter on one computer using a fancy font and then switch to another computer, the second one may not have the same fonts.
6. Printing: Unless your distribution is going to run into the hundreds [over, say 400] and/or you have a thick newsletter, photocopying is probably the easiest and cheapest option for printing. Consider the trees [and your budget] and copy on both sides of each page. Colour copying is more expensive than black and white. On a good photocopier, black and white will come out fine, but avoid using dark images if this is the option you are going with. Keeping your newsletter to as few pages as possible will also contribute to keeping printing costs down. Turning the whole thing into an electronic newsletter will make printing costs and concerns, null and void.
7. Distribution:For electronic versions, you can either send via email or post it to your website. The most common way to send a newsletter of this sort is as a .pdf file. Most people have .pdf readers and you can make your newsletter as colourful and creative as you want. You can also use the body of your e-mail as the newsletter, but this can have formatting problems. Keep your files small [you have a choice of small, standard, press and high quality files during their creation] to avoid blocking email boxes or using up precious web space. Print versions can be posted or hand-delivered depending on the distribution area of the newsletter. To help keep costs down when posting, request that recipients pay a postage fee or even send in stamps to cover postage.
8. Record keeping:Always keep a list somewhere of who you are sending your newsletter to and keep it up-to-date. Start a file to keep past issues. Keep track of article subjects, titles and sources.
9. Extra bits: Quotes, jokes, handy weblinks, resources, public notices all help to add extra interest and variety to your newsletter. They also make great fillers!
10. Practice makes perfect: As can be said for anything we undertake, practice, practice and then practice some more. Don't be scared to try new techniques or improve on old ones, to streamline clunky formatting or to use a great hook that will catch and hold your readers from one issue to the next.
People love to read newsletters; bite-size chunks of news tailored to their interests and in their hands because they want it there. Your readership is out there waiting for you. Get publishing!

Be Careful as a Writer to Not Misquote History

2007-05-23T09:41:00.001-07:00

If you are going to discuss history in an article or a novel, be sure to not miss quote the reality. If you make a mistake on an Internet Blog, or forum someone is sure to know the difference and set you straight. Thus often if you do not know what you are talking about it is best to be quiet rather than prove yourself a fool.
Let me give you a recent for instance, where a gentleman made a statement about Orange Orchards between Los Angeles and Santa Monica, CA in the 1950s and how those beautiful trees were cut down and the fragrances are no longer? Sounds romantic right? Well, sure but it is incorrect.
You see, the Orange Groves and Jail fragrances in Los Angeles were only temporary and not so prolific (started in 1882), and they were not the natural sage brush of the coastal desert there, they replaced the habitat of desert turtles, rats and locusts, which were killed to make way. Later as the Chandler Family brought in water with the help of engineers like Mullholland, as much corruption was proclaimed to have occurred to bring the water in and buy up the land on the cheap, yes a few groves were planted there, not many.
Much of the Fragrances of the Orange Groves came from Orange County and the Valley. The very few around Los Angeles would not have been able to have been smelled from Santa Monica, as the constant 15 mph offshore breeze was blowing the other way into LA and they could hardly smell of orange groves, as there were bean fields in Beverly Hills and oil fields in past that. Today Hyperion (super sewer treatment plant) is the smell of the day, but perhaps it beats the smell of the oil fields back then.
Nevertheless, today 460 square miles of concrete and 16.5 million people cannot be wrong in Southern CA, they have chosen a different life and way of living, one they enjoy and they do not wish to change and they vote. They prefer this to the desert rats, rodents and locusts that were once there before Los Angeles became known.
It was the Owens River Bond project, the Chandlers and Mullholland who made the difference ask Upton Sinclair. Any orange trees in LA were pretty much gone by the 1950s, although there where hundreds of thousands in Orange County, Corona, etc. The dairy cows replaced the trees and now the cows are gone too, and isn't it a shame they do not have that smell any more. What fragrance was lost?

Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Screenwriting and Story Structure 210507a

2007-05-22T08:43:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)
*****Pulled into the Final Battle*****
Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. Following a final pull (Norman tries to rape David), the hero is pulled into the final battle and the shape shifter is forced to overcome his (or her) period of dissonace. In Straw Dogs (1971) , Charlie shoots Norman.
*****Journey to Trial 2*****
The Journey to and from one physical location to another must be undergone. Each location represents a new element of the psychological transformation. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Moss makes Clyde pull over by the river.

Freelance Writing - Promote Your Name As A Writer And Get Famous

2007-05-20T10:40:00.001-07:00

For a freelance writer, your name is everything: it's becoming known for what you do, and the quality of your work. When you build your name, you become known not only to editors and publishers, but also to your readers.
Name-recognition is money in the bank for a writer. When I wrote about "getting famous" and promoting your name as a writer in my writers' ezine, I was startled by the amount of feedback I received.
The gist of the feedback was - "I've never thought of it that way." So please, start thinking of it now. You must promote your own name as a writer, because if you don't, you'll always be an unknown quantity not only to the people who can hire you, but also to readers.
One of the first things a literary agent will tell you is that you must build your "platform" - this is the people who know you by name. A platform means that publishers are more likely to look favorably on you, because they known you know how publishing works. Name-recognition is EVERYTHING to any writer.
It's vital. Until that knowledge becomes a part of the way you operate as a writer, you'll always be a dabbler, not a professional. Publishers will not take you seriously, and will be hesitant about committing to you, because you don't seem serious about your writing.
Name recognition is also a matter of security. The waters you swim in as a writer are full of sharks, who will think nothing of ripping you off. They'll take your time and your energy. I've written about writing scams before many times, because they're so common. You make it less likely that you'll be ripped off if people know your name.
Becoming Known Costs Nothing - But It's Essential For Your Writing Career
I'm constantly amazed by the writers' Web sites I see on which there's no mention of the writer's real name. There's either a nick name, or no name at all.
If your full-time job is not writing-related, then perhaps you might want to keep your name a secret... but why? Your employer isn't likely to fire you because you moonlight as a writer. And not publicizing your name takes away from any credibility you have.
If you're not promoting your own name, start doing so today.

Article Writing - An Effective Tool for Internet Marketing

2007-05-19T13:36:00.001-07:00

Online marketing has become a widely used way to market one's business and website. Due to the increase in this practice, lots of tools and ways have been devised to effectively market online, in comparison to the traditional ways of marketing, online marketing tools differ greatly from conventional ways of marketing. Search has become one of the most frequently used ways for customers to find what they want.
It has become a common practice by business owners with websites to get articles written for marketing sake. These articles usually contain all the relevant information about the company and the product or services it offers. Whereas, search engine optimization and pay per click also are widely used as online marketing tools, article writing for website promotion also serves the same purpose. While writing articles for website marketing, it is very important to bear in mind what exactly is the relevant target message which would drive more and more traffic through your website. The articles serve the purpose of marketing by raising traffic to the website; create sales leads and improving sales. The articles written specifically to create responsiveness and awareness for the website help as an effective marketing tool.
Searching and browsing online is the most common activity nowadays, in consequence, search marketing is an extensively recognized way of reaching out to customers on the internet. A number of people when looking out for a particular product or service use search as an initial tool, therefore, article writing serves the purpose in a very cost effective and valuable method.

188+ Step Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Screenwriting and Story Structure Secrets 140507

2007-05-16T09:16:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)
*****Night Sea Journey subplot*****
Just as the Hero suffers a Near Death Experience, so do subplot characters. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Alma runs from Ennis and the house and finda another postcard from Jack. Lureen doesn't say anything when they insult Jake; didn't that piss ant used to ride bulls; he used to try.
*****Overcoming the Hero Guardians*****
Though the Heralds are blocked from the Hero by Guardians, overcoming them is not the most daunting task. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Joe justtells Jack and Ennis to "get your scrawny asses in here, pronto."
*****Trial 2 - Antagonising the Antagonism*****
One apsect of the Trial 2 is the Antagonism of the Antagonist. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Frank spits on Bonnie, Clyde beats him up and puts him in the boat.
*****Innate Suitability*****
Trial 2 often sees the Hero demonstrate innate suitability to the New World and Self. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack Twist hits on the guy in the bar.

Working With Dialogue

2007-05-14T09:42:00.001-07:00

Dialogue.
It's a tricky thing, getting it right, getting it realistic, getting it paced and tagged in just the right way. And yet it can be one of the most powerful elements of writing. It can deliver character, conflict, backstory, emotion, all in the span of a few short exchanges and utterances.
So how do you get it right? Well, I'm not claiming expertise, by any means, but today I'm offering 5 tips that I try to keep in mind when writing dialogue in my own stories. It's pretty much a compilation of what I've learned over the last decade or so of writing. Some of it may be more applicable to novice writers, but I hope you find some use for yourself, no matter where you are in the writing or publishing journey.
And by all means, leave me some of your best tips and advice as well!
1. Don't over-tag. If you have 2 people talking in a scene, you can get away with a back and forth exchange that doesn't require you to tag every comment:
"So what happened to you last night?" Jenna asked.
Paul shrugged. "Missed my flight."
"How?"
"Weather. Taxis were all tied up. Couldn't find one that would come out to the hotel."
"Uh huh. So how did Marty manage to make it home on time?"
"Dunno. Why don't you ask him?"
Did you have a hard time following who was speaking? Probably not. And yet I only added tags to the first two lines of dialogue. Of course, if you have more than 2 people talking, you'll have to add tags more frequently. Still, don't over-tag. Trust that your reader can follow you. A lot of novice writers think they have to spell out every line. Believe me, you don't.
2. It isn't necessary for characters to refer to each other by name as they're speaking. Please take this one seriously. I see many novice writers in my writing groups who include something like this in a scene:
"Emily, please come downstairs. We have something we need to discuss."
"Mom, I already told you I was doing my homework last night. I wasn't online. I promise."
"Then why did Mr. Rooney call me from school today to talk about an IM you sent to Darla Green, Emily?"
"I don't know, Mom. He must have mixed me up with someone else."
"Emily, we aren't finished talking about this. Wait until your father gets home."
Again, trust that your reader can follow who's speaking, and to whom. It's normally not necessary to repeat the name of the person to whom the line is spoken, unless for emphasis.
3. Use beats, or action tags, as often, or more often, than you use regular taglines. I have found this to be one of the most useful guidelines. You don't need to accent every comment with a "he said/commented/uttered/shouted." Instead, insert an action. Here's a great scene from a Jennifer Crusie novel (Tell Me Lies) I'm currently reading:
"You really do feel okay?"
"I feel fine," Maddie said. "Stop worrying."
"Then can I spend the night at Mel's?" Em bit off a corner of her toast. "If you're not okay, though, I can stay with you. I don't mind at all."
"Oh." Maddie swallowed. "Have I mentioned that you're the perfect child?"
"Thank you. Can I stay with Mel?"
"Did you ask Aunt Treva?" Maddie bit into her toast carefully and chewed. Her head didn't come off in pain. So far, so good.
Em shook her head. "No, Mel's going to. Can I?"
"Call and find out."
Em scraped her chair back.
"After breakfast."
Notice how you can insert a great deal of action/character/setting by using action tags instead of dialogue taglines.
4. "Said" is still the best dialogue tag to use. Every once in a while, you can get creative and thumb through the thesaurus, tossing in a "ordered," "barked," "pleaded," and so on. But don't overdo it. For the most part, you want the reader's focus to be on the words spoken, not the verb illustrating how they're spoken.
5. Read your dialogue out loud. This was a great tip I received from a conference presenter early in my career. Written dialogue generally won't mirror actual conversation. People aren't too eloquent in real life; they have way too many "ums" and pauses and restarts as they speak. But you can still get a general feel for how authentic dialogue sounds if you read it aloud. Case in point:
"Sara, just watching you pull off that dress is enough to make me lose control," Duke said as his roommate slipped from her drenched clothing.
Would an adult male, all riled up from a female getting naked close by, really talk that way? None that I know would.
"Jesus, you take that shirt off in front of me, and I'm not making any promises about what does or doesn't happen next," Duke said as his roommate slipped from her drenched clothing.
Better, but not great. I still don't think he'd talk that much.
"Jesus," Duke said as his roommate slipped from her drenched clothing, "are you trying to kill me?"
Bottom line: play around with your dialogue; try different tags and read it out loud. Have other people read it as well and give you their feedback. Dialogue can be challenging, but it can also be a writer's best friend.
Good luck!

Article Writing - If You Can Write a 7 Item Grocery List, You Can Write a Great 7 Tips Article

2007-05-13T09:12:00.001-07:00

Got an odd question for you to start off this article - What do grocery shopping and article writing have in common?
Answer - If you can write a 7 item grocery list then you can write a seven tips article that can bring you more traffic, prospects, publicity and profits.
Some people don't like this idea
I've taken some flack for this idea. Some who consider themselves "serious writers" say this is making article writing and any kind of writing too easy and not simple enough.
I guess I could make it complicated for you, but why?
My best response to that criticism is simply this - let's hope your competitors and my competitors keep thinking that way, while we write up a storm!
Keeping it simple
One of most simple, quickest, and yet most powerful ways to write articles is to use lists. You can use lists of tips, suggestions, rules, laws, mistakes to avoid, things to do, etc.
Here is my list of the steps involved -
Step 1 - Make your list - Simply list out your suggestions, tips, rules, etc.
Step 2 - Write two or three sentences for each item on the list - Explain each tip, rule, suggestion, item on your list.
Step 3 - Write an introduction and a conclusion - Just a few lines here too.
Step 4 - Submit your article - You now have an article. Submit it to the article directories.
Using this simple four step process over and over with topics from your niche allows you to consistently write more and more articles.

Enhancing an Article

2007-05-12T17:45:00.001-07:00

When someone indulges into article writing, one must remember that you are writing because you would like the readers to believe or at least be motivated to believe on what you have written. With this vision with you, it is going to be easy for you to write from your heart. By doing so, it will be then easier for your to make your readers believe on what you write. Creating an article requires that you write with compassion. Some few experience-based tips below can help you achieve that.
I have come across one article I read, and his first tip in terms of article imposes that it is not bad to spill the beans and tell trade secrets. I told myself when I read that, "he must be joking". But realizing what he said, it is true that at times, if you really want to gain trust and eventually build a relationship with your clients, telling them your trade secrets can actually initiate this.
Since the purpose of the article is to sell your product or your services, it will be best if you include on your article some of the benefits or advantages of the products. It is a proven fact that most often it is the product's benefits rather than the product's features that are being sold by the thinking consumer. So it is best that you include good benefits of the products.
Get some feedback on your article material. It can be your friends or your relatives. Make them read first your article material prior to posting or publishing it on the internet. I am telling you, friends and relatives can really give you true feedback.

Three Simple Rules To Help You Succeed In Writing

2007-05-06T09:43:00.001-07:00

If you ever want to succeed in writing the first rule is don't stop until you get enough. You have to determine how much enough is. For me, enough is when I get my goal accomplished. This is a very important rule because there will always be times when you will feel like quiting or feel like not writing. But a writer must write, just like a teacher must teach and a singer must sing. For a true writer, writing is not something that you do, it is who you are.
Creating a constant writing environment is really essential to giving you the "enough factor." This is tied into the goal factor which we will discuss shortly. Create enough speaking and writing channels. This can come through things as simple as developing a reading circle at a local library, developing a seminar series for your book, writing for different freelance associations or magazines. Another tip is to create works that have ongoing factors - like a saga. These type things keep your writing sharp.
The second rule is to set goals. Goal setting can begin with simple thoughts like this:
I am going to write about ...
This writing will help to get this accomplished for (express your purpose)
My goal is to have this (express where it is headed - personal, blogged, published, submitted for reviews)
I want to have this done by (set a specific time)
The more specific you are the better. Being specific about your goals will make you feel more accountable to get them done. You should have long term goals, short term goals and daily goals. The best way to set these goals is to establish the long term goal first. This will anchor where you are headed, then set your short term and daily goals on course to reach your long term results. Many people do just the opposite and do not get anywhere, because they never established where they were headed to begin with. You have to envision your realm of success before you get there. This is a principle that has really helped me over the years.
The third rule is always write. Even if it is just one sentence, it will keep your creative juices flowing. These are some things that have helped me:
Keep a journal by your bed and write before you start your day
Keep a pad and pencil and every room in your house, you never know when an inspiration will hit
Keep a writing pad in your car and if an inspiration comes write it down at a stop light
Mentally look for writing inspirations for example when I ride my bike I look at nature and come up with religious inpirations that I write for my weekly web articles when I go grocery shopping
I look for silly things people do and use these for blogging
Learn to listen and be extremely observant this creates a world of writing opportunities
Look for oddities and see if you can create some twist on it
Write with other writers - associate your self with other writers, writing networks, writers groups etc.
If you are a writer, it would be good to consider the task as essential as breathing. It is something that you must do. Invest in simple strategies like the ones listed above, they will keep you progressing. Every year you will become a better writer from doing simple things. Begin to keep a lot of different thought that impress you. You will never know when that thought might become the next highly sought after work.
You can go on and on with this. Those tips will keep you from getting writers block and will increase your sensitivity to the world around you. So get busy and don't stop writing.

Creative Writing Exercises & Creative Writing Prompts - What They DON'T Give You And How To Get It

2007-05-05T12:19:00.001-07:00

Even the most experienced and seasoned creative writer can benefit from creative writing exercises and prompts.
The key to continuing to grow and develop as a creative writer is to keep experimenting, trying new techniques, ideas and exercises to challenge yourself.
Using a variety of different approaches and starting points in your creative writing will help you to explore your potential as a writer and keep pushing the boundaries.
But although creative writing exercises and prompts are a great tool to use, they assume one thing.
They assume that you are willing and able to write.
Give a writer a creative writing exercise or prompt and they won't necessarily come up with some interesting creative writing.
In fact many times, however ingenious, stimulating and brilliant the exercise is, the writer won't produce a single word, let alone a wonderful piece of writing.
So why is this? What's missing?
There are a number of different factors that stop us from writing, however gifted and talented we are.
Perversely, often the more naturally capable we are of writing creatively, the more we struggle to write.
Here are some of the crucial elements a creative writing exercise or prompt on its own WON'T give you, and how to get it:
1. The confidence to write creatively. Talent and ability amount to very little if you simply lack confidence in your writing.
Build your confidence by starting small and writing little and often. A few paragraphs of a story, a short poem, or a blog entry every day will help you get into the habit of writing consistently. Then you can just increase the amount and frequency as your confidence builds.
2. The "set up" to write creatively. If you don't have somewhere you can go and start writing within a couple of minutes, you'll lose motivation and inspiration.
Have a designated place for you to write. If you don't have your own room or study, at least have a desk or chair where you can have your creative writing equipment to hand and ready for you to start writing at a moment's notice.
3. The permission to write creatively. Even if you think on the surface you're willing to write, often on a deeper level, you're not allowing yourself to. Not giving yourself permission to create is an often overlooked creative block.
Write out for yourself some positive affirmations, such as "I deserve to be able to create", "I have as much right to create as anyone", "The world needs me to be creative" and simply "I give myself permission to be creative". Practice reading them out loud regularly.
4. The time to write creatively. Many of us claim we don't have time to spend on our creative writing. The truth is, we don't make it enough of a priority.
Start by giving yourself just 10 minutes at the same time each day to spend writing. Get up a little earlier, go to bed a little later, fit it in wherever you can. By practicing this routine, you'll find it soon becomes easier to extend it to a larger chunk of time each day, without impacting the time demands of the rest of your life.
5. The motivation to write creatively. Even if you have everything else in place, if you're not motivated to write, you just won't write.
Keep your motivation high by reminding yourself why you write creatively. What are the top 5 benefits? What are the 10 things you love about being able to write creatively? What are your ambitions as a creative writer? Write these out and pin them up somewhere prominent to keep you motivated.
Spend a little time and effort on each of these 5 key areas and you'll soon find there's no limit to how much you can write.
Then, using those creative exercises and prompts will add the extra dimension you need to explore your creative writing even more.

C-SPAM - Government at Work!

2007-05-03T11:15:00.001-07:00

I think it's fair to say, that most of us, don't think we will get screwed by our own government, until it happens! And, when it happens, it's a lonely and helpless feeling of desperation, and a battle you probably will not win! You complain to your Congress person, and all you get for your troubles is a nice letter and tokenism to get your vote, etc.
The bone I have to pick with the VA Medical Center here is Albuquerque, New Mexico (where I live), and it involves three issues. I put a booklet together of 60+ pages for an attorney and for those in the need to know, and so for the purpose of this article, I will have to summarize the material in this matter.
1) Hate crime:
FIVE job lay-offs for me in a decade or so, and I had finally had it, and I couldn't pay the rent after the fifth job loss, etc. I was evicted from my apartment and was homeless for the first time in my life! Being a veteran, I learned about a work program at the VA Medical Center, which helps veterans get back on their feet, so I enrolled in the program and I lived on the VA grounds during a four month period. During that time, I saved my pennies, got my own apartment, and moved from the VA Medical Center. I continued my search for a permanent job in the community.
I was given a three month extension in the work program, by my vocational counselor at the VA, which I was very pleased about. But, it wasn't to be! The following week, and for some unknown reason, I was slashed from my job in an evil and hostile way, by my own vocational counselor, and thrown out of the work program! With perfect attendance in six months, everything I had built in the past six months was lost! The reason for my termination was never given, and I could only guess that it was racially motivated...a hate crime! This is the worst thing that has happened to me in my entire life-time!
When I arrived at the VA four months earlier, I was already in a depressed state because of all my job lay-offs, and I was taking anti-depressants to help me cope. At 60 years of age, I could not find a job in the community over the next four months...I couldn't pay the rent, and again I was evicted from my apartment, and became homeless for the second time in a year! Calls, letters sent to the VA pleading my case fell on deaf ears! I never got a response from anyone at the VA. I ran out of money, will and time, and I faced the same judge for the second time, and I knew I would not make it!
A suicide attempt, brought me back to the VA Medical Center (ambulance), and I would now spend the next three months in a lock-down psychiatric ward. I was not able to make arrangements to get my possessions out of my apartment, and I suffered my "Katrina," as I lost everything!
2) Experimentation/guinea-pigging?
All of us have to place enormous trust in our doctors and medical people who take care of us while we're in the hospital. One of our biggest fears is that of "experimentation" and/or research with the medications given to us. For the last 6 weeks of my hospitalization, I was sick as a dog with nausea! I suffered nausea from 2-8 hours a day, and I think it was from something they were giving me. There were days, when I didn't even get out of bed until late afternoon, missing breakfast and lunch! During the six week period, I lost 16 pounds, and I pleaded with the staff, to let me go to the G.I. Clinic to find out what was wrong with me, and I was denied all requests!
When I was discharged, I requested a referral to the G.I. Clinic and was denied. I went across the patio to check into the emergency room to get the care I didn't get in the Ward. Have you ever heard of such a thing?
Because of so much stress, anxiety and depression in my life, I had heart failure in 2006, and a pace-maker was implanted in June, 2006. Because of this, all of these matters were placed on the back-burner in my life, as several of my worst enemies are stress, anxiety and depression. Throughout the fall and by the end of 2006, I did not have the inspiration and/or motivation to fight back...to make a terrible wrong...a right! The months slipped by, and I thought I could never get a hold of that emergency room document I needed to fight back.
In January, 2007, I learned I could get my own medical record, and I got it, and it was about 750 pages and I would be looking for a needle in a hay stack! Amazingly, I found the document in the first 20 pages of my search! My discharge papers would show I was discharged on 9-16-05 and the date I entered the ER was the same date...9-16-05. There has to be a good reason for this, and now I had something to work with. I had to be believable...credible...and this document would help! I was on Cloud 9 at the time!
I knew at the time, that any suspicion of "experimentation" while I was at the VA hospital, would result in sending the information to the F.B.I. and to the members of the New Mexico Congressional delegation, and after my booklet (60 pages) was finished, that's exactly where this information went. When I sent the VA Director and the VA Chief of Staff a copy of my booklet, and they saw that I had sent this information to the F.B.I., you would not believe the speed in which they called me from the VA to set up an appointment to come. It happened in less than 24 hours! For two years, all I got was stone-walling and side-stepping from the VA...everything fell on deaf ears! And, now they wanted to talk...this is the difference the ER document made! I had something of substance now!
3) Tampering with the mail?
All of us rely on our mail everyday whether it be by snail-mail or email or a combination of the two. Receiving our mail is one of the top priorities in our lives, etc. When I moved from the VA grounds in November, 2004, I went to the post office, like most people would do, and filled out the transfer of mail information to my new place. About a month went by, and I received no mail. When I lived at the VA a got mail on a regular basis...bills and responses from potential employers answering my resumes and job applications, etc.
I submitted a written complaint to the VA Patient Relations office, with copies of the complaint to the work director and the social worker in the program. NOTHING! I got no mail. About a month later, I submitted another written complaint to the Patient Relations office, with copies to the work director, and I checked with the post office, and transferred the mail again. NOTHING...everything fell on deaf ears!
The Postal Inspector's office told me that they didn't deal with the VA...that the VA handles their own mail. There may have been a job opportunity in the mail...if I had received the mail. Over several months, I tried everything I could to get my mail...and all failed. NOTHING!
By the end of 2005, I had given up all hope in ever seeing my mail again. All of 2006...no mail. FINALLY...in March, 2007....28 MONTHS after I transferred the mail from the VA, I received a piece of mail with my name and address at the VA on it. There was no date stamped on the envelope and somebody from the VA placed a label and blocked out part of the address. I was on Cloud 9 when I received this letter, and now I had TWO documents to help my cause, and now my story would be more credible, etc.
This is what I was looking for in my battle against the VA. In a three page letter, along with my booklet, I sent it all to the F.B.I office, where I think it belonged. Remember, the Postal Inspector didn't do business with the VA. Over this long period of time, Senator Pete Domenici; Senator Jeff Bingaman and Congresswoman Heather Wilson have all been involved in this matter in one way or another, and I sent them all copies of the information I had received including my booklet. The same packet went to Governor Bill Richardson, who is one of the eight candidates who is running for President of the United States. I received a letter from him on April 28, 2007 informing me that he had assigned somebody on his staff to the case.
Before I got those two documents...that is...the ER document and the letter...I only had a sob story to tell and nothing more! I had not heard from Senator Bingaman in a long time, and after I sent him the information I had, he told me to keep him informed about what's going on. My VA disability was terminated in 2006, and Congresswoman Heather Wilson has been helping me get it back and helping with other Social Security issues.
1) Hate crime; 2) Possibility of "experimentation"; 3) Tampering with the mail
* * *
This story will not be complete, unless I tell the reader about a couple of other stories of government intrusion in our lives, etc.
Here, in Albuquerque, the fireman and the police department have been putting on a boxing match, to raise money for under privileged children. The police vs. the firemen in the ring. Last year, the event raised over $75,000 for the children. Well...well...well...here comes the Mayor of Albuquerque, who doesn't like what's going on with this event. He says it has a bad image on the city and is not good for kids and young people, etc.
The Mayor threatened the police and firemen with job losses unless the event was stopped, and who stepped in as the referee in the matter...the ACLU! The government cannot tell any of us what we can do with our off-duty time, as long it is not illegal, etc. With egg on his face...the Mayor stepped back and allowed the boxing event to continue. I'm not a boxing fan, but boxing is legal in this country, and like it or not, the government cannot tell us what to do with out personal time. By the way, the boxing event raised $75,000 more dollars for the children! (pooh-pooh on the Mayor)
* * *
Another big stink in New Mexico in April, 2007, has been uncovered in the U.S. Army National Guard unit that had been deployed to the Middle East. The Guard unit is mostly comprised of Hispanic soldiers. During their tour in the Middle East, the solders were ordered by the Army to strip down, and the Army was looking for some kind of gang tatoos or markings on the soldiers! Appalling! Nothing was found, and the Army did this while the unit was overseas! This is clearly profiling and racism on the part of the Army! This is 2007, and things like this are still going on, which is repulsive!
The governor, the Congressional delegation of New Mexico, and Hispanic organizations have all been critical of this incident by the Army, and there is plenty of hate mail in the Letters to the Editor by outraged citizens. Hispanic soldiers do their part for the American Flag, and fight side by side with everyone else, and there was no reason for this profiling by the Army!
* * *
Many of you may remember, during hurricane Katrina, the news people showed people running for their lives in New Orleans, as the water was rising, and many people tried to cross a bridge into a little town near New Orleans to safety. But, they couldn't cross the bridge, because the police from the little town, would not let them into the town. This is a clear violation of these people's civil rights, and the police were breaking the law by blocking the bridge! Another case of government wrong-doing!
* * *
As I write this piece in May, 2007, I am 62 years young, and I have lived through the rebellion and protest years of the 1960's and 70's. America is a better place because of the protest years of the 1960's! The 60's were not just about Viet Nam. It was a time of change in America...change for the better. It was a time of too much intrusion by the government at all levels, etc. The government of the United States does not belong to the White House; or the Congress; or the Republicans or the Democrats...In a democracy, the government of the United States belongs to the PEOPLE of the United States! And, during the 1960's, ownership of the United States government was slipping away from its rightful owners...the PEOPLE! As it stood, constitutional rights were being violated by the government all the time, and this had to stop!
In order to keep this from happening, Americans all across the country had to protest, and they did it in different ways. Many marched on Washington, D.C. and on the Congress; others wrote letters to government officials; others carried signs and marched in various cities and towns, and others threw gasoline bombs and cities burned year after year, in what was known as the "long hot summers" in the 60's! Tens of thousands of American's were injured during the rebellion and many lost their lives as well.
* * *
In the year 2007, I am still trying to get justice in my case at the VA (aka GODZILLA), but now I have a few heavy-weights helping me and the two documents I spoke of. In September of 2006, I joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and I was amazed in their newsletter, as to how much the government interferes in all of our lives. (I sent all my complaints to this organization)
Having lived through the 60's and 70's,,,in the year 2007, I think American's are too complacent and apathetic and do not protest the government enough. As I said earlier, there are many ways to protest, and I think I've done all of them over the years. I've been in the humor business for over 50 years, and another way to protest, is to spoof someone or something, and that's why I created my C-SPAM Government at Work page on my website. (See Resource Box)
DING...DING...DING...LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE...
The firemen and police have now cleared the boxing ring, and it's now time for the main event...
David vs. the VA (GODZILLA)
I'll keep this article updated in the future and let the reader know how the fight between me and the VA aka GODZILLA is going. Wish me luck...I'll need it!

188 Step Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Story and Screenwriting Secrets 010507a

2007-05-02T07:43:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ for full details)
*****Overcoming Doubt (into the Road of Transformation and Trials)*****
Pulled In. Though doubtful, the Hero is pulled into the Transformation. In Shawshank Redemption (1994), the library and helping the guards with their taxes pulls Andy in.
Encouragement. Mentors or some other force may encourage the Hero. In Dances with Wolves (1990), the Indians meet and decide to engage with John. In Scarface (1983), Frank helps Tony's maturation into dealer. In Gladiator (2000), Juba attempts to persuade Maximus to fight. And Proximo is intrigued by him.
*****Final Conflict: Unbearable Antagonism*****
Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. An Unbearable Antagonism pushes the hero to the stage of the Inner Resolve. In Straw Dogs (1971), David is surprised that Amy really doesn't care....but he does...and keeps Henry in the house.
*****Antiheroes in the Final Conflict - Devolution*****
Heroes evolve and Antiheroes devolve. During the Final Conflict, devolution is expressed in a number of ways. For example, In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the papers say that Clyde left his brother. This is not how he wants to be remembered.
*****New Self at the Seizing of the Sword*****
By the time the Hero is about to Seize the Sword, he (or she) has further incrementally Transformed. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack has a new car now.
*****Reward*****
Post every Rebirth there is a Reward, and there are a few Rebirths post Near Death Experiences in the Hero's Journey and Transformation. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie kisses Clyde in the car.
*****Romantic Challenge Polarized*****
The Romantic Challenge is just that - a challenge that has to be resolved. As such, the Hero and Romantic Challenge are, at first meeting, highly polarized. In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Marion argues with Indy outside her bar. In The Deer Hunter (1978), Michael is a world away from Linda. In The English Patient (1996), Laszlo and Katharine have the problem of her husband.

Why a Killer Video Game is the U.S. Army's Best Recruitment Tool

2007-05-01T09:41:00.001-07:00

Since the last draftee reported for duty in December 1972, Uncle Sam has had to hustle to staff an all-volunteer armed force. In the case of the U.S. Army, that meant recruiting 80,000 new soldiers every year -- essentially replacing more than the entire workforce of BellSouth every 12 months.
Advertising did the trick initially. After "Today's Army Wants to Join You" fizzled, in January 1981, "Be All You Can Be" became the battle cry. For two decades, wrapped around ads that made this branch look as adventurous as an Outward Bound course, it resonated with 17-to-24-year-olds (of whom the Army is the nation's largest employer). Then, in 2001, that was scuttled for an "Army of One." ("Even though there are 1,045,690 soldiers just like me, I am my own force . . .") Critics scoffed that the new tin slogan was misguided (isn't conformity more valued than individuality in the barracks?); the Army countered that it was effective.
Then Iraq exploded.
Despite adding thousands of additional recruiters, upping the enlistment bonus and funding for college, fattening the ad budget, and ratcheting up the patriotic appeal, the Army could not fill its boots.
So the Army added more marketing weaponry. It hosted town hall meetings where civilians could meet soldiers and hear about their accomplishments. It tried product placement: Army mechanics on the Discovery Channel's Monster Garage tricked out a Jeep. And it launched a thoroughly engaging computer video game that quickly became a gold standard of "advergames" for its effectiveness and realism. Gamers take such real military roles as Intelligence (18F), Engineer (18C), Communications (18E), and Combat Medic (18D), and fire the same weapons the Army has. And when they fire on the run, their aim is less accurate.
Before it was released on July 4, 2002, many expected the $7.3 million game would join the ranks of the $436 hammer and $640 toilet seat as a study of excess. Few predicted "America's Army" would become the artillery's most effective marketing tool, conveying the authentic military experience in a voice that prospective recruits want to hear.
More than seven million users have registered (anonymously so as to squelch any fear of recruiter harangues) with 10,000 to 50,000 new ones downloading the shoot-em-up daily. In a dozen running and gunning missions, players advance through the stages of soldierhood -- drilling in basic training, target practicing with an M-16, learning about basic emergency medicine, and, finally, diving into combat. The game has been downloaded more than 16 million times, 20 percent of entering cadets at West Point have played it, and between 20 and 40 percent of new Army recruits have played it as well.
"They seek it out rather than the other way around," noted Chris Chambers, deputy director of the Army Game Project within the Army's Office of Economic and Manpower Analysis. At an average cost of 10 cents per hour versus $5 to $10 per hour for a TV commercial, it delivers immersion rather than mere impression.
"America's Army" has proven to be such powerful weaponry that an official game store does brisk business selling collectible action figures, clothes, coffee mugs, and other doodads emblazoned with the logo. The Army builds parties and tournaments across the country around it. A wireless version and sequels including "America's Army: Special Forces," where players try to earn a Green Beret by completing Special Forces missions, have been released. Apple created a knockoff: Boot Camp. And the Army now even uses it extensively in training.
Uncle Sam Wants You . . . to play . . . and he's not the only one. Everyone is getting in on the virtual action. Some, like the Army, create a whole game that functions as a sales brochure. Just as the Army promoted its pro-military message through gameplay, the United Nations World Food Program aims to educate about its mission to combat hunger worldwide. In "Food Force," players steer a helicopter over the war-torn island of Sheylan, (a fictional cross between Sri Lanka and Somalia) and drop relief supplies to a population with little shelter and less food. Or they create food rations, schedule shipments, or take a supply truck through hostile terrain.
In the racing game, "Volvo Drive for Life" (playable on Microsoft's Xbox), players are rewarded not for finishing first, but for avoiding accidents. Wander in for a test drive at a Volvo dealer and you can try it in the showroom. Dealers can bestow game cartridges on select prospects and customers. After its royal mascot tromped through "Fight Night Round 3" (on Xbox 360), Burger King created action games around its bizarre king and made them available for just $3.99 to customers who bought a value meal. (Most games sell for at least 12 times that). Nike went beyond athletes wearing its shoes in the video game NBA 2K6: Tournament players are given different pairs of virtual footwear and choose which to put on from their Nike shoe locker depending on the task. They can also personalize the shoes with the same customization feature that's on Nike's iD web site.
In other advergames, marketers hitch a ride. In "CSI: 3 Dimensions of Murder," Visa's fraud-monitoring capabilities shine when a suspicious charge on a victim's credit card triggers investigation by a forensic-sciences team. In Tom Clancy's "Splinter Cell Chaos Theory," the protagonist, secret agent Sam Fisher, scales a bright neon sign for Axe deodorant and quietly enters a lunchroom inhabited by a Diet Sprite Zero vending machine. (Axe also created Mojo Master, an online game about picking up women.) In "Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow," Fisher retrieves a message from a Sony Ericsson smart phone to learn who the villain is. In "Burnout Revenge," players drive and crash a Carl's Jr. delivery-truck. And players in Activision's 'True Crime" titles take a break from fighting gangs to recover stolen Puma sneakers.
Some marketers install games on corporate web sites or designated URLs, like "Life Saver Candy Stand," or FiletoFish.com, the web site where a division of McDonald's posted "Shark Bait" (in English and Spanish). Players must protect the filet-of-fish sandwich from attacking sharks. For Wachovia, Carat's Fusion recreated the tricky 17th-hole par 3 at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Players evaluate distance and wind conditions on this 217-yard hole to pick a club: Crowd noise lets them know if they've made a good virtual swing. Wachovia has sponsored the annual PGA championship since 2002: The game was fashioned to promote that, sell tickets, and create viral buzz. H&R Block's "Deduct-A-Buck" game at the deductabuck.com web site is tax-time seasonal. Players who correctly answer questions about what they can legally write off in this Seventies-TV-quiz-show-style game win prizes.
Hollywood and Nashville hardly launch a movie or song anymore without serving up a side of game. And despite hefty royalty rates for movie titles, an action hit will almost certainly be reincarnated on a console. Turner's "Witchblade" promoted the TV series, and games built around Men in Black II, Spider-Man, and Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course were meant to promote the new releases. Along with ads for Sprite, the sci-fi game "Planetside" featured ads for the movie Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, and in the free version of "Anarchy Online" a 15-second trailer for V For Vendetta played in a continual loop. Ads for Batman Begins in "Splinter Cell" were timed to its release in local markets.
The Da Vinci Code got its own PS2 game. Paramount Pictures crafted a Mission: Impossible III game for cell phones while Miami Vice had an accompanying game to play on Sony's handheld PSP.
This is about more than fun and games. Yankee Group estimates that by 2007 a serious gamer will lurk in every fourth home in America. Nielsen says three out of four residences with guys under age 34 have a game system. More people slay orcs in the medieval-style quest for virtual gold and power, "World of Warcraft," than live in Denmark. In 2006, gamers across the globe owned more than 100 million PlayStation2s and 40 million Xboxes. In the United States, video games already raked in more money than the movie box offices, and Yankee Group says the industry will top $8.3 billion by 2008. PricewaterhouseCoopers says globally it will reach $55 billion by 2009. That explains why a cottage industry in Los Angeles builds game consoles into the backs of Lincoln Navigators.
Collectively, interactive ads embedded in quizzes and games made up more than $1 billion of the $12.5 billion in online ad revenue in 2005, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau. Nielsen (which now measures the industry) expects advertising spending within games will jump from $75 million in 2006 to $1 billon by 2010. Mitch Davis, CEO of Massive, thinks it could be almost twice that -- and account for about 3 percent of all media spending, just shy of what advertisers spend on the Internet.
Copyright © 2007 Carat North America, Inc. from the book Watch This, Listen Up, Click Here by David Verklin and Bernice Kanner Published by John Wiley & Sons Inc.; April 2007;$24.95US/$29.99CAN; 978-0-470-05643-1

How to Prevent Ezine Writer's Block

2007-04-30T04:05:00.001-07:00

Clients ask me every week, "Fabienne, HOW do you come up with new content for your ezines every single week!? I can barely make the time to write one newsletter a month and I just don't know what I'd talk about if I wrote it weekly or every other week! I'm busy enough networking, following up on prospects, setting up speaking gigs, and seeing clients that I just don't have the time to create a brand new article each week!"
I don't blame them. I used to think the exact same thing. When I first started with my ezine ("enewsletter" was the common term when I started doing one 7 or 8 years ago). I wrote it monthly, at best! Sometimes, MONTHS would go by without me working on one. And when I had my first child, I took an entire year of hiatus from my ezine.
To tell you the real honest truth, it wasn't because I had a new baby that I didn't want to write an ezine more often. The real story was that I knew writing one worked so well in attracting clients to me that I was afraid I would attract MORE clients than I could handle. I already had the clients I could handle, and I just didn't want to be overwhelmed and feel I didn't know if I couldn't handle what new ones came my way. (Ever feel that?)
But since I rarely admitted that to others, I used the excuse that coming up with content each week was too hard; I just didn't have the time that I needed to work on it. I imagined it taking hours and hours to work on one issue and I thought once a month would satisfy my subscribers. But I noticed one thing.
I was utterly FORGETTABLE when I wrote to my subscribers only once a month or every two months. My list wasn't growing fast and I certainly wasn't turning more prospects into paying clients with it. I realized that if I wanted to make this ezine thing WORK, then I had to commit to providing high-value, high-content credible ezines on a regular basis and more often.
Today, my ezine is responsible for bringing me the largest majority of my private clients, group clients and purchasers of my home study manuals. I believe it's a combination of a lot of little things. 1) Creating the Know-Like-Trust factor; 2) being authentic about the struggles I have or have experienced and 3) hands-down, it's deciding to send it bi-weekly at first, and then after a few months, taking the plunge and going weekly.
So, writing so often meant I had to figure out SYSTEMS for coming up with content and doing it every single week, because NOTHING is worse than sitting there, in front of your computer screen, being on deadline and not knowing what to write about.
With my many clients who are first-timers to writing articles more often, I ask them to make a list of topics for the ENTIRE year. So, if they're writing bi-weekly, that means coming up with 26 topics by our next session, all in one fell swoop. Then, each time they sit down to write the article, all they have to do is pull out the list and write it, not have to futz around wondering what to write about. Much easier.
This gets them in the habit of writing regularly and we all know that once a habit is formed, it's hard to break. (I actually look forward to writing my ezine each week. It feels like I'm talking directly to you and that feels like I'm creating that relationship even further each week.)
To be honest, I actually don't write out a formal list for the year any more. That worked in the beginning for me. Instead, I keep a running list of possible ezine topics on my desk. Some months it's an actual list on a piece of paper. Right now, I'm into these colorful sticky notes and I have a series of them posted to the right of my computer, each with a topic idea. When I use one idea, like today's; I simply take the sticky note and throw it in the trash. One down!
The ideas come from a few different places, mostly from my work with private clients. For example, today's topic came to me because I talked to several clients last week about finding content for their own ezines. If it's something that they ask me about in private sessions, and it's coming up often, then it's probably something my readers who aren't clients yet are interested in too.
Another source for content is more personal. I find that if I'm learning something new, working on a particular project, or encountering a specific obstacle in marketing, then you probably are too. So I write about that. I talk about the struggle or challenge, and then I share what my process was for solving it. Readers really seem to enjoy that and can relate more to me, even if we haven't met in person yet.
The idea is to get over the fact that coming up with content is a struggle. Whether you write the list ahead of time for the entire year or you keep a running list of ideas that you add to each time you get inspired in the moment, it doesn't matter. The key is to write it down and then create the article later.
Your Assignment:
Commit to reaching out to your subscribers more often. And once you do, start writing down some topics ahead of time, so that you don't ever have to stare at a blank page, wondering what to write about, as the deadline looms. Create systems for this each week, using my ideas above or your own. Whatever's going to work for you, as long as you systematize it. When you do, you'll attract just the clients you need, without much effort at all. That's what happened to me. :)
© 2007 Client Attraction LLC. All Rights Reserved.

How To Write In The Children's Market (Part 3)

2007-04-29T05:09:00.001-07:00

This is going to be my third article of many to come. The article series is the how to when it comes to writing in the children's market. It is going to be a considerably long series so keep checking back for new updates.
Children hate it when they can't check out the book they want because it's going to be too hard for them to read. That as why as writers we write what's called easy readers. There for kids that are in the in between stage of reading. There still developing their skills but they want to read. So we have to get them reading a good story through easy readers and then we will have them reading for life.
Easy readers are books that are a step up from picture books. Even though adults are still the primary buyers of easy readers the books themselves are intended for children in kindergarten to grade 3. An easy reader usually runs about 64 pages long and is formatted very differently. The story is usually divided into sections that are meant to resemble chapters.
There are some pictures in easy readers but they don't mean as much as they did in picture books. Plots are kept simple by focusing on one main character and only one event. It is important to know that the characters must be children and children will always solve all conflicts. Kids at this age don't mind reading cross gender stories.
You have to use humor, suspense or action to keep the children interested and keep the stories moving. You have to remember that these kids are just starting school so there is a whole new world opening up to them. There are so many topics to write about at this point. All you have to do is open your eyes and you can write about what you see.
Dialogue is used very freely when it comes to easy readers. Dialogue is a very important way to keep the story moving. It also helps to keep a lot of whit space on the page thus making it easier for the children to get through a page. You have to still use proper sentence structure but you have to keep them simple. There are no specified vocabulary lists because children are learning how to sound out words at this age. However you don't want to make things too difficult.
To sum it up while developing an idea for your story make sure you keep the plot simple and limit your main characters to no more than 2. Once you are done your manuscript should be 20 to 25 double spaced pages.
Dale Mazurek

Here Is Why You Should Not Reveal That Your Innermost Secret

2007-04-28T10:47:00.001-07:00

You know that many lies have been told and keep being told in the name of God.
Why? Because there is nothing wrong with it. God gave everyone the right to either lie or tell reality by keeping your thoughts hidden.
Truth is a misnomer for reality or fact left unguided by fools or loved ones who have vested interest in whom they make known the fact of a matter. God in his infinite wisdom keeps your thoughts secret from others, so what you do with them is your choice.
From the foregoing you can garner the fact that "Secrets and lies" are sacred rights of all. Anyone who tells you "The Secret" favors you. You have no right to know, so can be disfavored with a lie. The choice is the teller's.
A child at a very tender age realizes that you have no way of knowing what it thinks and decides to let you know or not. Desiring to be in control, you cajole and threaten it into believing that you have the right to know the secrets of its mind, where actually you have no right.
Therefore, be grateful to anyone who lets you into "The Secret." You have no right to know. The greatest injustice is to force one through cajoling, intimidation or torture to divulge a Secret.
Lies are very interesting. Do you also know that in respect of books, fabulous lies make "best sellers?" In parting, do not forget that if you tell all your truths you become predictable and inconsequential. However, don't get labeled a liar, that is not a good name. I should like to hear your views on this matter of the sacredness of " Secrets and lies of your mind."

7 Easy Tips to Better Article Marketing

2007-04-27T06:37:00.001-07:00

These tips may be obvious to you but have you been constantly putting them into practice when you are developing your article marketing plan? The 7 tips mentioned here when put into practice will enable you to write better quality articles and achieve your objectives, whether be it, increased revenue or traffic to your website.
1. When posting your article, make sure you include a link to your site in your resource box. If people have no place to go to, your article is basically meaningless, no matter how educated it makes someone. Your goal is to get a visitor to your site. So DON'T forget the link in your resource box, or author bio.
2. Try to write at least 2 or 3 articles a week. If you can write 1 a day, that would be great. It's only going to take you about 30 minutes to do this so there is no reason not to be able to. Can't find the time? Make the time. After doing this for a year and seeing how many visitors you're getting, provided you haven't chosen Internet Marketing as a niche, you'll be glad you put the time in.
3. Concentrate on your writing when you're most alert. I am speaking from experience. Trying to write when you're tired is a bad idea. Your articles won't be good and you won't get them accepted by the various directories.
4. Do NOT use article writing software. The search engines understand how these algorithms work and they will recognize an article generated by one in a heart beat and not only will your articles not be accepted, they will end up killing your reputation. It's just not worth the risk.
5. Do NOT use sites that ghost write articles for you. For one thing, they're going to charge you more money than what the article is worth. Also, don't use PLR articles as they are. If you're going to use them at all, which I don't recommend, you better plan on rewriting them extensively. Original work is your best bet.
6. Space out your article submissions. That's the one good thing about Article Marketer is that it will automatically do this for you. Just set the delay and your articles will be submitted over the course of so many weeks. They really do provide a great service. Of course, if you're organized, you can control this on your own using Article Announcer or with manual submissions.
7. When rewriting an article that you found on the Internet, the easiest way to do this without copying is read it, write down the main points and then write YOUR article from these main point. Doing this will make writing any article a breeze.

Reviewers vs. Bloggers- The Controversy

2007-04-26T04:41:00.001-07:00

Reviewing has been a hot subject among kidlit bloggers lately, ever since the magazine n+1 came up with an article about a week ago which criticized—though not in such direct terms—bloggers of not being objective, honest enough with their reviews, of not posting enough negative reviews and of lacing their positive reviews with facile praise. The main question seems to be: is it possible to be unbiased in a cozy environment where the people who post friendly comments under the bloggers' posts are often the same people who request reviews from these bloggers? In other words, is it possible to be objective in the blogosphere, where authors, publishers, publicists, reviewers and librarians are in friendly terms with each other in such blog communities as Live Journal?
In a perfect world a reviewer should never review a book by a person he/she knows. But, as usual, more often than not, what is ideal in theory is not realistic in the real world, and this 'sin' is not only committed by bloggers, but also by legitimate reviewers who write for online and print review publications.
Another issue seems to be the lack of format which many (maybe most?) bloggers have when writing reviews. Unlike the 'legitimate' reviewers who seem to have a preference for a 'standard' structure—an interesting lead/opening sentence, a short summary of the plot without ever giving away spoilers or the ending, and an intelligent, fair, tactful evaluation—the bloggers write about books anyway they want. They have the freedom to write in any length or style without a thought to format—even to the point of giving away spoilers or relating the ending of a book. This freedom comes with the territory of being a blogger. But then, the questions arise… Are bloggers 'real' reviewers? What defines a review? After all, there are many types of reviews—academic and long, light and short, and snippets like those in such publications as Library Journal. Different review sites and publications have different guidelines. Are blogger reviews a new, different type of review? Should we draw a distinction between bloggers who are simply readers and post 'reader reviews' and 'legitimate' reviewers who post 'real' ones on their blogs? After all, just like on Amazon, there are reader reviews and reviewer reviews. Are bloggers the lowly counterparts of legitimate reviewers? Is this an elitist attitude?
I find these questions fascinating because I think there are no easy answers. As usual, opening a discussion about what is right and wrong is like opening a can of worms.
A couple of years ago, this dilemma started with the emerging online review sites... I remember how librarians and bookstores often dismissed them as 'not legitimate'. Online review sites have come a long way. Now it's the bloggers who are being attacked.
Ultimately, I think we're not giving enough credit to the discerning reader of reviews. It's so easy to tell a good review from a cheesy one guilty of facile praise! There are good and bad reviewers everywhere. Serious blogger reviewers aren't going to be stupid enough to post overly positive reviews because if the reader buys a book based on that review and then finds that book to be poorly written, that blogger will lose all credibility and that reader won't come back to this blogger for more reviews. Honesty and fairness go with our job as reviewers, without it, we're nothing but weak, cheap publicity. That is not to say we should be nasty or mean... which brings me to the writing of negative reviews...
I personally think there are too many good books out there to be spending time writing about the bad ones (even negative reviews are a type of publicity!). Unless it's a book that has been written by a famous author and/or heavily hyped, I won't bother posting negative reviews on my blog and newsletters (this wouldn't be the case, however, if the book was assigned by a review site/publication, in which case I wouldn't have a choice but to write the negative review).
One thing the blogging technology has done is bring books and literature closer to the public and, let's face it, the average person is so busy and/or has such a short attention span that long, insightful reviews are not the most practical thing in the world. Blogger reviews are like quick tasty treats of information for people on the run who enjoy reading about books. In the end, and in spite of the 'slippery' questions mentioned above, I'm all for anything that brings literature closer to the public.

Advanced Ways to Create More Money In Article Writing

2007-04-25T05:13:00.001-07:00

Freelance and contract lucrative article writing can be a great way to create a larger supplemental income for yourself. However, you may have found that trying to create additional money in article writing is more difficult than it may seem. This having been said, there are some advanced ways that you can improve your lucrative article writing.
First, it is important to manage your productivity. Although you may have been contracted for several jobs at once, it is important to keep up with deadlines and minimize distractions. If focusing on your article writing at home is an issue, try a nearby coffee shop or a local library. Working in these environments ensures that you will not be distracted when a television show comes on. Also it ensures that your family and friends are not able to encroach on the time you spend writing.
Another important step to lucrative article writing is to look out for freelance topics that suit your personal knowledge base. It may seem obvious, but if you have a significant background understanding of a particular topic, it will be much easier to write a good article in a short amount of time. This can make lucrative article writing a breeze by helping you maximize your time and by making it much easier for you to be motivated to write. It is, of course, easier to write an article on a topic you enjoy and know a lot about, rather than one that seems boring or uninteresting.

How to Write a Job Description

2007-04-24T04:43:00.001-07:00

If you're an employer that is trying to find a perfect employee then you need to create a stellar job description. You see, a job description not only explains what the employee's roles and responsibilities will entail but will also clarify those unique qualifications that you are seeking from an employee. By failing to create a stellar description and hap hazardously drafting a poor description, you'll likely end up with unqualified candidates that will waste your precious time and hiring resources.
In this article, we will discuss how to write a stellar job description that gets prospects motivated and interested in working for your company while carefully weaning out unqualified people.
1. Brainstorm about the position.
Take some time and think about the skills and qualifications that your perfect employee would possess. For instance, would they be able to handle various tasks, be able to use certain software or office equipment, have specific training, skills or personality? Once you have the vision of the type of person you're seeking, write down those qualifications on paper.
2. Next, evaluate your list in terms of those skills which are in fact realistic. For instance, if you're expecting someone to handle multiple tasks then are you willing to compensate them commensurate with their efforts? Good people will generally cost more money. Its just a fact of life.
3. Consider your current and future hiring needs. For instance, if you plan on opening up a new position in the future and may need your new employee to travel or relocate, then make a note to include this in the description. Its no good hiring an employee today, that can't fit in with your plans for the company.
4. Do a little market research to evaluate how other employers have written job descriptions. What type of terminology did they use? Were there descriptions clear and to the point? If you were an employee searching for a position, would you be interested in their position? Why or why not?
5. Next, start writing. Craft your job description while being extremely detailed. For instance, include the expected performance, required skills, job duties (include all tasks), etc. Also, make sure that you include a descriptive narrative on any additional shared job responsibilities and how you'll evaluate, measure and reward performance.
6. Be crystal clear about what you expect on a daily basis. For instance, what specific tasks and responsibilities will the person need to be successful? Are you open to paying for training courses? If so, how much? Do you require any specific licenses or degrees or work experience? Will you trade professional experience for these attributes? For instance, if the educational background is preferred then say so,
In conclusion, writing a stellar job description isn't difficult but it requires a bit of thought and effort on your part. By visualizing your dream employee, being clear about your needs, conducting market research, writing a detailed description, you'll find the perfect employee.

Socialising

2007-04-19T18:05:00.001-07:00

Although it might appear so, being sociable doesn't come easy to everyone, but if you are one of these people, there are many things that you can do in order to help have a better social life. It's important to remember that self confidence goes a long way. Being able to let go of your fears and thoughts of what others think of you can help build your confidence.
Take opportunities when they arise, if friends or housemates ask if you want to go for a drink etc, say yes, don't shy away. The more you socialise the more relaxed your feel and this in turn will show to others around you. Perhaps you can also initiate a social gathering yourself. When you first meet others, remember that they may be just as shy as you around new people, and chances are if you liked being asked to do something, then they will too!
Observing others behaviour can also help you, try to watch other peoples body language, and mannerism. Although you don't want to make it obvious and imitate others exactly, add subtle changes to your social behaviour, and monitor how others act to this. If they seem to become friendlier and smile a lot more etc, chances are it's a good change.
Talk to as many people as possible, even if the situation appears to be good or bad. Something can be learnt and taken from each situation, and the more you do it, the easier it will become, and ultimately more enjoyable for you!

Article Writing- Using the "Time to..." Article Writing Template So You Can Write More Articles

2007-04-19T03:05:00.001-07:00

Article writing and marketing is the absolute best free method for driving traffic to your web sites. The trouble is how in the world do you find the time and come up with enough ideas to write articles as often as you would like.
I've found that using article writing templates helps you to come up with ideas and write more articles in less time.
One very useful article writing template is the "Time to...." template. Let's take a closer look at this article writing template.
The "Time to..." Article Writing Template
In this template you give an amount of time to accomplish something the reader wants to do. This kind of title pulls people in because it is benefit rich and tells you how quickly you can get the benefit. You then lay out the steps to the process.
Title Examples
5 Days to Your First Web Site
15 Minutes to Save $15 on Your Car Insurance
5 Minutes to Create Your Email Signature
The Template
Write about how great it would be to accomplish something. Put a time limit on it. Then list the steps and/or tell the story about how to get there.
Tell the story
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Bonus Tip - It is especially powerful if you can take something that typically takes a long time and show the reader how they can accomplish it in less time. This quickly increases your perceived expert status.
I invite you to use this article writing template to write more and more articles.

Your Unlimited Freelance Writing Opportunities - Which Will You Choose?

2007-04-18T07:15:00.001-07:00

The writing world is changing fast. If you're limiting your opportunities to a single writing market, like magazines, you're missing out. In this article I'll give you an overview of opportunities for writers, both new and experienced. Remember, this is only an overview. It would take a book to cover all the opportunities.
Let's Start With Your Hourly Rate - Place A Monetary Value On Your Time
I know many writers who never consider their hourly rate. They have no idea how much they're earning for the hours they spend writing. Yes, some of them love writing, and would do it for nothing anyway, but this is scarcely the way to develop as a writer, or to become successful.
Everyone's time is limited, we all get the same 24 hours. Therefore, you need to set a monetary value on your writing time. When you're starting out, you can set a minimal rate, like $30 per hour. With some writing experience, and writing credits, you will be charging more, anywhere from $100 to $300 an hour.
Once you take your hourly rate into account, you soon realize that there's lots of time for which you can't charge. If you're writing queries and proposals for example, this is unpaid writing time, and that time is gone forever. Writing queries and proposals to markets like magazines therefore cuts severely into any writer's income.
I like to be paid for the work I do, with a retainer before I start. I hate writing fruitless queries and proposals, and doing work "on spec", so I don't do it, ever. If you're like me and hate no-profit busy-work, there are two opportunities which pay you a retainer before you start writing - copywriting and Web writing.
Copywriting Opportunities: Writing For Business - An Ever-Growing Demand
Every business needs to market itself, or it won't be in business for long. Copywriters write for businesses, chiefly marketing collateral, which can be anything from product descriptions to brochures and newsletters. The best way to start out as a copywriter is to write for local businesses, because you'll usually be the first copywriter who's ever approached a business. When you've built your writing credits, you can write for businesses across the globe.
As stated, I enjoy copywriting because this is paid writing - a business establishes its bone fides by paying a retainer, and most businesses have work for you several times a year. With some clients, you become a de facto member of staff, writing for them weekly.
Web Writing: Explosive Growth, High Demand - Great Opportunities
Web sites are vital to a business because they lower a business's costs. Since Web sites need writers - the Web is built on words - you can see that the writing opportunities are massive, and they continue to grow. If you can write for the Web, you can name your price as a writer.
Web writers are divided into Web copywriters, who write Web sales material, and Web content writers, who write everything else. You don't need to choose between these two opportunities, you can write both copy and content for the Web.
Take Advantage Of The Massive Opportunities In Copywriting And Writing For The Web, And Prosper
Copywriting and Web writing are packed with opportunities for you, even as a new writer. Once you become known for what you do, you'll have clients who eagerly approach you to work for them. This is the best of all possible worlds for a writer - great money, fun writing opportunities, and no rejection, ever.

Article Writing - How to Use "The Most Common Mistakes" Article Template When Writing Articles

2007-04-17T03:43:00.001-07:00

Article writing is a great way to market your business. And it is free!
At the same time, truth be told, it is labor intensive.
I've found that using article writing templates can make article writing both easier and faster.
One of my favorite article writing templates is the "Most Common Mistakes" template. Let's take a closer look at how to use this template.
The Most Common Mistakes Article Writing Template
Every niche or field of endeavor has it's most common mistakes. When you name those mistakes you become an expert in the eyes of your reader. When you then show how to avoid these mistakes and what to do instead you become a hero in the eyes of your reader.
Title Examples
The 5 Most Common Mistakes Made on the First Date
The Top Mistakes Made When Building Your Own Home
The 3 Favorite Mistakes of Online Marketers
The 10 Most Common Pitfalls for New Parents
The Template
"The (pick a number) Most Common Mistakes in……"
Write an opening about the typical struggles involved in your topic. Play up the dangers and suggest you have some answers. List the most common mistakes:
Mistake 1
Mistake 2
Mistake 3
Mistake 4
Mistake 5
What to do next So now you have listed the most common mistakes and what to do about them. Now write a brief introduction and conclusion and there is your article.
Bonus Tip - Make sure you include tips on what to do instead. That is the most important part of your article.
Use these tips to make the job easier and quicker when writing articles.

Writing Tid Bits

2007-04-16T05:08:00.001-07:00

As novice writers we are always looking for little things to help our writing. In this article I am going to stray away from the serious side of the business and provide a number of tidbits that have to do with writing. Some are humorous, some are not. Some are useful and some are not. I hope you find them interesting.
1. Dewey Decimal
When using the Dewey Decimal System make sure you copy down the call number exactly as it appears in the card catalogue. Failing to do this will make it tough to find your book. It might even make it impossible.
2. Longest Sentence
What is the longest sentence in the world? In 1957 George Andrezeyevski wrote a book called Gates Of Paradise with no punctuation so technically this could be one long sentence. But Sylvester Hassel had a 3153 word sentence in the book History of the Church of God.
3. What is Writing
Writing is as much process as product. As a result, people often write to discover what they want to say. The process of writing can be an act of discovery, start out knowing where you're going and get there just fine.
4. Study, Study, Study
It's so important to study everything you read. Study opening paragraphs in newspaper and magazine articles. You might be surprised to discover that topic sentences such as statements of purpose often appear in the middle and end of paragraphs as well as in the beginning.
5. Speeches
Okay now you have to write a speech so this will help a little. When you write a speech, use punctuation not only to indicate the usual sentence breaks, but also to allow you to pause for emphasis when necessary.
There are hundreds of little points out there to help would be writers or even veteran writers. From time to time I will put out an article like this one and hopefully someone can take some of these tid bits and use them in their writing.

Freelance Writing - Make Your Own Freelance Writing Jobs

2007-04-15T06:09:00.001-07:00

Although there are unlimited opportunities for freelance writers, most freelance writers are looking in the wrong places. They focus on the few "jobs" which are posted online for freelancers.
Although some of these jobs are legitimate, many are not. There are thousands of other writers all applying for the same freelance jobs, which pay measly rates. That's the reason they're posted online - because (often) the advertisers are looking for freelancers who are naive enough, or desperate enough, to accept minimal rates.
It's easy to lose your self-respect if you play this game.
If this describes your experience when you're looking for freelance writing jobs, take the path less traveled. Realize that the best freelance jobs, as with all other jobs, are never advertised.
Realize that you can make your own freelance writing jobs.
When you do, a new world will open for you. A world where you decide what your writing is worth - and shock, horror - people pay it. Yes, that's right. People pay you decent (and in some cases large) sums to write for them... and best of all, they come to you.
Your Writer's Web Site: The Key To Making Your Own Freelance Writing Jobs
Successful freelance writers rarely look for work, because they have more work than they can handle. Their clients contact them through the freelancers' Web site.
Think about it. If you wanted to hire a writer, what would you do? Would you advertise and open the floodgates to hundreds of applicants? Would you have the time and staff to wade through all the resumes and letters? Genuine buyers looking for freelancers don't have the time to do that. They find freelancers on the Web, by typing "freelance writer" into a search query box. They're looking for freelancers' Web sites.
When someone finds you on the Web, they look at your site, and get a fair idea of your writing style, your expertise, and your experience. If your qualifications match what they're looking for, they will contact you. And because you advertise your rates, you get the writing fees that you want, every time.
As a veteran writer and writing teacher, I'm in touch with writers every day. It amazes me that many writers say they have "no time" to create their own Web sites. And yet, these are the same writers who say that they can't find writing projects which pay well.
Create a Web site. When you do, you're making your own freelance writing jobs.

Three Key Points To Consider Before You Write That Book!

2007-04-14T06:12:00.001-07:00

According to recent surveys, over 70% of people questioned said they would like to write a book. This article touches on three key points that just might help them - and you - do just that!
First key point: willpower. Although 70% of people questioned may well have said they would like to write a book, figures aren't available for the number who actually did anything about it. It's an unfortunate truth that wanting to do something and actually doing it are very often a long way apart from each other. Part of this problem lies in the fact that, for the vast majority of people, writing a book is something they have no idea how to start.
It's all very well having a great idea for that blockbuster novel but turning that idea into a finished book is normally quite an undertaking. A writer must have the willpower to carry it through to a conclusion and even the strongest will can fail if the writer does not have a clear plan of what lies ahead.
Writing a book is a big task. Having your end in mind at all times enables you to focus on the task before you and, perhaps surprisingly, can bolster your willpower significantly.
Second key point: planning. There's an old saying - 'fail to plan, plan to fail'. Originally found in books on positive mental attitude back in the 1980's, this sort of mantra-style catchphrase still has plenty of validity in all sorts of situations, not the least in writing a book.
A book - be it a novel or factual book - must be planned from the outset. It's very tempting to start off willy-nilly, trusting to luck that all will be well and that, at the end of a writing frenzy, your magnum opus will be finished, polished and ready for the reading public. Maybe it will - if you have a truly massive slice of luck.
In reality, you will in all probability manage to get to about 10,000 words before running out of steam altogether. How do I know this? Easy - it comes from painful experience. The realisation that your story has fallen apart can come as a crushing blow - in fact, it can lead to your giving up on the idea of writing a book entirely. Don't be caught out by lack of planning!
Third key point: Marketability. An awkward word for a possibly awkward concept - especially if you have never considered the fact that your book (when finished) must be a saleable product. I'm not for one minute trying to stifle the creative outpourings of any writer but, come to crunch-time, it has to be accepted that what you write has got to sell; if it is not saleable then, as a commercial proposition, you have failed in your endeavour.
Consider this: is the book you propose to write targeted at a specific audience? If not - why not? It has been said that writing for a target market stifles 'the creative mind'. Well, I'm sorry but I do not agree. Emphatically. In my opinion, it is much easier to write a book on any subject you fancy than to write one that fits snugly into a market niche. The real task is writing for your reading public - after all, they are the ones who part with their hard-earned cash to read something they like to read!
To write a book that is marketable and will sell is very much part of a writer's skill portfolio. The vast majority of published writers are those who, whilst creating entirely original and valid work, conform to very tight and targeted publishing guidelines within their chosen genre or book type. If you can master this skill you are, believe me, well on the way to being published.
So what can be learned from this brief article? In a nutshell, it can be realised that commercial creative writing is written for a target audience; that planning is all-important if you wish to finish what you have started and - not least by any means - iron willpower is a prime requisite for the committed novelist. Put these three together and this 'writers triangle' can be the foundation for a professional approach to your writing career.

Writing Articles For Profit

2007-04-13T05:08:00.001-07:00

I find it hard to believe that I have been writing articles for profit for 30 years now, long before the Internet was a thought in most people's minds. The offline world was a real gold mine for earning an income with your article writing if you have the skills and can catch a break. Well, the Internet is a great place for a new writer to break into article writing. In this particular article, I'm going to share some of the top places online to write for pay and finally, the ONLY thing you need to know in order to do this successfully.
Probably one of the top places to write articles for profit is Associated Content. The site pays its authors between $3 and $50 per article written and there is no limit to the number of articles you can write. Plus, Associated Content just recently started a program where you get additional payment once your articles reach a certain number of page views. This is a great opportunity for the new writer, provided you know how to write articles in a quick and efficient manner. More on that later.
Another great place to submit your articles for profit is Constant Content. This site works a little differently than most other sites. You can get paid via a number of different ways. One way is when a person is interested in your article for what is called non-exclusive use. This means that if he buys it, others can buy it as well. These contracts usually don't pay that much but are the most common and in this way, your article can be sold over and over. Another way is when a person asks for an exclusive contract. This means that only he will get your article and the pay for this is a lot greater. Finally, you also can get residuals on your articles depending on how many times they are requested or viewed. Constant Content is a relatively new and exciting site for submitting articles for payment.
There are many other sites online as well and they're easy to find by just going to any search engine. The key to doing this, however, is that you have to know how to write an article that will fit the criteria of these sites. In my signature is a resource you might want to check out that will help you greatly with your article writing. It will explain to you the basic steps for profit making articles that I have been following for over 30 years now.
There is no question that there is good money to be made from writing articles. You simply have to search out all the best places and understand what they expect from you in your writing.
To YOUR Success,
Steven Wagenheim

188 Stage Hero's Journey - Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

2007-04-12T06:06:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)
*****Antiheroes and Romantic Challenges*****
Where the Hero evolves, the Antihero devolves. So it is not unusual to find that the Antihero starts off with a close personal relationship that devolves (whereas the Hero most often starts off with a polarized Romantic Challenge that gradually evolves). In The Godfather (1972), Michael and Kay are initially close but their relationship devolves toward the end. In Scarface (1983) Tony and Elvira ultimately separate.
*****New Creatures of the New Domain*****
Arrival in any New World involves being unfamiliar with the creatures of that world. In Straw Dogs (1971), David and Amy arrive in town, only to be watched and smirked at.

Article Writing - Easily Read Articles - Benefit #6 of a 7 Tips Article

2007-04-11T14:35:00.001-07:00

Articles on the internet simply must be easy to read. If an article is not easily read, it does not get read.
Get it?
The Three Most Common Mistakes
There are three mistakes writers typically make that causes their article to be difficult to read on the internet.
Mistake 1 - Trying to convey too much information in one article - You do not have to say it all in one article. 300 - 550 words should do the trick. Much more than that and you give the impression to your reader that this will take too long to read.
Mistake 2 - Too many large paragraphs - If you have a paragraph with more than five sentences in it, break it in half. Large chunks of text are difficult to read on the screen.
Mistake 3 - No sub-headings - When the reader looks at an article and sees just one hunk of text, it gives the impression that it will take too long to read.
Why a 7 Tips Article is So Easily Read
1) A 7 tips article is naturally broken into 7 chunks - 7 small chunks of text are much easier on the eye than two or three large chunks of text.
2) The title of each tip becomes a sub-heading - With a 7 tips article you do not have to create sub-headings because they are already there.
3) Visually pleasing to the eye - In this article you are reading right now, I could have easily delivered it in a way that bunches these mistake and tips into just 2 - 3 sections. Instead there are several sections that are visually pleasing to the eye which results in your article being read more easily and thus more often.
You can avoid all these mistake and get all these benefits with a 7 tips article.

188 Stage Hero's Journey - Brokeback Mountain (2005)

2007-04-09T07:21:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)
*****Push to the Inner Cave*****
Pushes and Pulls are underestimated, even symbolically. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack doesn't mind switching, "...We both ought to be in this camp...."
*****Final Conflict: Unbearable Antagonism*****
Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. An Unbearable Antagonism pushes the hero to the stage of the Inner Resolve. In Straw Dogs (1971), David is surprised that Amy really doesn't care....but he does...and keeps Henr
*****Belly of the Whale*****
This is a place where the Hero confronts who he is, what he must do or become. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis says, "...You know I ain't queer...." And then goes to bed with Jack in the tent.
*****Antagonist's True Nature*****
The Antagonist, who ultimately is not unlike the Hero, reveals himself. In the Bond Franchise, this is often where the villain reflects on his motivations.
Mirror Image. It often turns out that the Antagonist is known to the Hero; is a shadow or mirror of him or similar. In Spiderman (2002), the Green Goblin reveals himself to Peter Parker - he is Harry's father. In Return of the Jedi (1983), Vader takes off his mask to reveal his true self to Luke. In Scooby Doo, we always knew the Antagonist was amongst us.
Deceit. But the Antagonist (normally) is naturally evil and intends on certainly vanquishing the Hero. He (or she) commits a deceit that will result in the Hero's death (or wrestle control from him). In Spiderman (2002), the Green Goblin deceives Peter and plans the final kill.

Writing - Can I Write?

2007-04-08T07:28:00.001-07:00

I think everyone has a book in them and you've probably heard that cliché before. But in fact it is true. I'm now the Author of six books and counting and I flunked high school English. A couple of years ago at my first high school reunion, our thirty fifth, we were standing around talking and the conversation was about my book when a lady classmate walked up excitedly and said, "oh my, did someone in our class write a book?' And one of the others said, "Yea, Ed did!" She immediately responded, looking at me and said, "Oh no, you couldn't have written a book!"
Now I'd have to admit it was a long shot. My junior year I skipped fifty-five days of school and my senior year I got it down to thirty-five so her response was funny and warranted. But what no one counted on was that I became an avid reader. I have been reading a book a week for over thirty years. And of all places it started while I was serving two straight years as a Marine sniper in the Vietnam War. To the question, "can I write?' The answer is a resounding yes!
It was about twenty, maybe twenty five years after Nam when I began stirring to write about my experiences. I was working in the executive ranks of a major corporation and doing a lot of traveling so that meant nights alone in hotels. I began trying to write my story. After four or five chapters I'd proudly share me work with my wife and she would say, "That's awful". And I would dutifully go back to work and lick my wounds after healing I'd begin all over again. This went on for ten, countem', ten years of rejection.
Everyone talks about rejection in the business and that's a fact, but my rejection was coming from the person closest to me, but oh how important it was. One day in the mid-nineties I proudly produced my latest five chapters for her consideration and got that standard, "Honey, it's awful". But this time, amid her household chores she said, "You're a great storyteller, quit trying to be a writer and just tell people your story". A light bulb went off and I was on my way.
I finally got it. Great writers are storytellers. As I took a better look at the books I read every week I realized she was dead on. I didn't have the skills to write the way the learned taught, I was never in school thank goodness. But I lived my life story in the midst of war and I could tell it. My writing life officially began.
My book proposal was purchased by Ballentine Books and I wrote Dead Center – A Marine Snipers Two-Year Odyssey in the Vietnam War. That was about seven years ago and it is still selling in the top ten percent on Amazon, its in Barnes and Noble and all the big stores and has sold over one hundred ten thousand copies to date. I don't have a college degree, I did graduate from high school, they must have just moved me along. Can you write? You bet you can and here are a few things I learned about the process.
1. Be an avid reader. That will make you comfortable with words and styles and the whole process. You'll be more comfortable.
2. Be a storyteller not a writer. When you write sit down and pretend someone is there and just tell your story.
3. Be committed. Write everyday, even if it is a paragraph, be committed to the process.
4. Be real. By that I mean, tell it like it is, bare your soul and go for it. The best feedback I get is that my books are so honest. That is what people want whether it is fiction or non-fiction.
When I wrote Dead Center I completed it in four months end-to-end and I was working full time. Now it is a work of non-fiction so here is the process I used. I went in my office with a pad of those sticky notes, the ones about three inches by three inches and started writing down every event of significance I could remember from my two years in Nam. I started at the beginning and it took a couple of long evenings.
Then I took the events on the sticky notes and filled in some details. Next, I arranged the notes in chronological order as best I could remember. Then I called my former teammates and verified the times and events. I arranged the events on my office wall in chronological order and organized them into what became chapters. Then I wrote. It all started with writing from end-to-end just like I was telling my computer a story. It worked for me like magic.
One last point … each of us has a 'voice', a particular way of storytelling that makes us who we are. You must have an Editor that does not ruin your voice in the process. You are 'you' so don't let anyone edit that out. You can do it; for goodness sake I did and am having the time of my life along the way. You can too … if you will!

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Story, Screenwriting Structure - Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

2007-04-07T16:20:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)
*****Final Battle of the Final Conflict*****
Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. It is during the final battle during the final conflcit that the hero experiences a disadvantage. In Straw Dogs (1971), Charlie points a gun at David but it is empty.
*****First Threshold Marker*****
This is a physical barrier between the Hero's Ordinary World and the New World. It is the first of many New Domains the Hero will cross but it is significant as it represents that place where the Hero physically and psychologically fears to tread (initially). Characteristics include:
Journey. The Hero Journeys to the First Threshold, perhaps with Allies.
Overview. The Hero stop here and overview the world into which they are about to enter. In Red River (1948), they stop before crossing the river.
Distance. The Physical Marker is some distance from the First Threshold. In Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Lawrence et al stop before and overlook the desert.
Emotional Reaction. The vista of the New World causes an emotional reaction. In Dances with Wolves (1990), we see the majesty of the prairies.
Danger. The Hero is warned of the dangers of the First Threshold. In Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Omar Sheriff warns Peter O'Toole of the dangers of the "suns anvil."

The Future Of War

2007-04-06T07:13:00.001-07:00

Historians and military experts, when they discuss the evolution of warfare, usually refer to the introductions of new technologies, from the airplane to the smart bomb, and point with hope to the growing influence of the confraternity of nations, usually expressed by the toothless United Nations. I believe that, for several reasons, the use of military force to express and resolve disputes between nations will diminish over the next century or two.
Democracy and capitalism are natural political and economic states for humans, and the world has been evolving toward those states over the last few centuries. Witness the irreversible changes happening since China has accepted capitalism, even in the face of stubbornly Communistic leadership. Most wars throughout history were caused by tyrants justifying their existence and inspiring their people by conquering their neighbors. Democracies, on the other hand, are naturally introspective and care little for conquest. In spite of the current experience in Iraq, it has been rare for any democracy to initiate a war, invade its neighbors or take preemptive action against another nation. As more nations evolve toward some form of true democracy, they will be all the less likely to contemplate attacking others.
There will always, however, be disputes between and among nations. What will change will be that it will be less and less effective and rewarding to attempt to resolve those disputes with military action. As we have learned, to varying degrees, from imposing economic sanctions, there are other ways to impact your foes that are increasingly more effective. For one, the powerful and ubiquitous news media can be influenced to demonize the opposition, an increasingly persuasive tool. Likewise, aggressive public relations drives can significantly undermine another regime. OPEC learned years ago to use their oil to influence world opinion and dealings, and more and more nations will use their economic power against foes. If you have something someone else desires, withholding it can make a difference. And, perhaps the most powerful weapon of all, the Internet, will increasingly be used to influence others, even those who live under dictators. Today, only North Korea has managed to keep their people unaware of the Internet, but even that cannot last forever. If people can see how others think and live, and especially if they can freely talk with each other, it's difficult to maintain hatred for very long.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Straw Dogs (1971) Deconstruction

2007-04-05T10:11:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)
*****Danger of the Sword*****
The Journey to the Sword and the Journey itself is dangerous. This is expressed in a number of ways. In Straw Dogs (1971), David nervously looks out the window.
*****Four Core Challenges*****
Hero's often have to resolve Four Core Challenges: the Inner, Outer, Romantic and Greater Antagonism.
For Example, In Titanic (Academy Award Winner Best Film 1997; No. 1 All-Time USA Boxoffice with receipts of over $600,000,000), Rose's Inner Challenge is to overcome her committment to her mother as well as Jack's lower status, her Romantic Challenge is Jack, her Outer Challenge is Cal and the Greater Antagonism is escaping the sinking ship.
Each Challenge is made explicit and resolved in a very specific order - Transformation is only successful if the Hero passes through the correct processes; Dramatic Structure requires that catharses are made explicit and resolved in a particular manner.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Annie Hall (1977) Basic Deconstruction

2007-04-04T06:18:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to http://www.screenplay-structure.com/ or http://www.story-structure.org/ for full details)
ANNIE HALL (1977)
FADE IN: Hero's Inner Challenge and Character: Woodie Allen Monologue.
Hero's Backstory [Personality]: Alvy worrying about the universe; [Ordinary World]: Coney Island, father ran the bumper car concession; [School]: " I used to be a heroine addict, now I'm a methadone addict…"
Hero's Inner Challenge and Meeting the Mentor: Alvy swore he heard the word Jew; talking to Rob.
Mentor encourages the Hero out of his Ordinary World: "we should go to California…."
Hero's Status: "are you in Television…"
Meeting the Romantic Challenge and their relationship: meeting Annie outside the movies; Alvy can't go in after the start of the movie.
Developing the Hero and Romantic Challenge: Alvy and Annie in the queue.
Developing the Hero's Inner Challenge: watching "The Sorrow and the Pity."
Developing the Romantic Challenge: Annie doesn't want to have sex.

Article Writing - Learning The A - B - C Of Article Writing

2007-04-03T09:47:00.001-07:00

Would you be writing an article for schoolwork, for a newspaper, for a newsletter or a site in the Internet? Whichever medium you would use for your article, it is better to learn the basics of article writing. Article writing has become an important part of Internet commerce. You can drive traffic as well as profit with writing good articles.
Here are important tips for a writing a content rich article.
1. Provide Reasons. Give reasons why you are writing this article. Of course, this is the main thing why people will pay attention to your article. Give them good reasons why they need to read this. Make it a point to share useful and specific information so that they will read along until the end of the whole article.
2. Give Good Story. You need not be the best storyteller but if you can convince your friends with a thing or two when you talk to them, then you can give a good story. Proceed with your article as if you are just talking with your friends. Be simple and natural while maintaining a rather very informative article.
3. Consider your Readers. Right now, everybody seems so busy that they want things quick and easy. Give your readers an easy read with your work by providing them bulleted text and subheads so that they can easily browse through your article.
Remember that you need to write an article that would catch great number of people that would read the article from start to end. And after reading, they would say, "Oh, now I know".

News Writing - How To Write A Sports Report In 4 Steps

2007-04-02T13:47:00.001-07:00

News writing style is just as important for sports reporting as it is for general news, business stories or any other journalistic work.
The advantage of sports writing is that you are allowed a little it more leeway in your choice of words. In crime or business writing, you are restricted in your use of adjectives and adverbs and are encouraged to focus more on nouns and verbs.
Sports writing, however, allows you to go to town in describing plays, the atmosphere, fans and other colorful aspects of a sporting event.
For this article, we will go through, step by step, how to write a straightforward sports report using quotes.
Ideally, any sports story would have quotes from the winners and losers. Indeed, many sports articles are written around what athletes say rather than what they have achieved on the field of play.
However, you also have sports articles written without quotes. When rookies learn how to write like a journalist, especially in sport, they are likely to come across the structure that we will show you here.
We will adapt the NBA game between Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers on April 1 as our example article.
1. Intro – the most important news aspect of a sports game is the score. Who won? How did they win and what effect did the victory have? Also important is whether we are writing from a Boston perspective or Cleveland. In this case, we will go with Cleveland.
"Cleveland Cavaliers lost 98-96 to the Boston Celtics after Delonte West's sank two free throws in the final seconds, dropping three and a half games behind the Pistons for the best record in the Eastern Conference."
2. More info – The above is enough for those who have a passing interest in the sport. However, NBA fans would want more information and you could give it to them in one or two paragraphs.
"The Cavaliers were without star player LeBron James, suffering from a knee injury, while the Celtics were minus Paul Pierce. Gerald Green led the way for Celtics with 25 points while Kendrick Perkins had 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Cavaliers, for whom Larry Hughes scored 24 with Sasha Pavlovic scoring 17, have already qualified for the play-offs while Boston are out of the running."
3. Quote – This is where you can provide a quote from the coach or a key player from both teams. You can precede each saying with a lead-in paragraph or go straight into the quote.
"Celtic forward Al Jefferson, said: 'They were missing their best player and we were missing our best play. We just stuck in there.'
Cavs coach Mike Brown said James' absence was a key factor in their loss.
'We miss LeBron. We miss LeBron every time he doesn't play. He's our guy,' said Brown."
4. The rest – Once you got the main information and key quotes out of the way, you can go on to describe the game. Even better would be to describe just one or two plays and include more quotes.
The thinking behind sports articles is that people would have watched the game on TV anyway and would not want boring game description. Therefore, quotes from the people who matter, such as athletes and coaches, would offer better reading value.
There are many types of sports news writing that is offered around the world everyday. We have merely showed you its simplest form. Certainly, it is a rewarding form of news writing for journalists who love their sport. And the structure they use allow them to adapt their skills to any type of journalism writing.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Screenwriting Structure 2

2007-04-01T11:07:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to www.clickok.co.uk for full details)
*****Time Pressure*****
The Hero (and the story) has no time for the Hero's procrastination (stage of the Lack of Commitment post the Sacred Meeting with the Supernatural Aid ).
Some form of Time Pressure is initiated, which manifests itself in various forms, including.
Antagonism Strikes. Often, an Antagonism will increase the urgency of the Journey and resolution. In The Matrix (1999), Neo is pursued by the agents, interrogated and implanted. In Lord of the Rings (2001), the demon army are born.
Challenge Imperative. Or one of the other challenges will come to the fore. In Spiderman 2 (2004), MJ is moving on.
*****Near Death Experience*****
Post the Seizing of the Sword, a Near Death Experience that results in a birth is common. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), whilest driving at night, the kidnapped man reveals he is an an undertaker.

Marketing Your Web Writing - Self-Promotion Is Not Bragging

2007-03-31T04:45:00.001-07:00

To become a highly paid Web writer, you need to spend some energy on promotion. Unfortunately, this is difficult for some writers.
Many Web writers are self-conscious and shy. There are a million and one reasons for this, but to write successfully - that is, to get paid what you're worth - you need to become comfortable at promoting your Web writing. If no one knows what you do, you'll always be scrabbling for the next paycheck, when you could be turning away Web writing clients because you're booked solid.
Here's a snippet (quoted with permission) from an email message I received this week:
"I've tried the out-sourcing sites, but it's ridiculous - 100 articles for $250. Come on! I'm getting discouraged. I don't think I'm cut out to be a writer at all... I know you said I need a Web site, but aside from the effort of learning how to do that, and the time it takes, I don't like bragging. It's just not me."

I'm not against $2 articles - some writers are happy to write for $2, and why not? Web writing is a global occupation, and $2 goes a lot further in India than it does in Europe, the US or Australia. I also know a lot of writers writing for these amounts are college students, earning some extra money.
This is fine - but these people are not professional writers. There's a lot more to professional writing than writing, so to speak.
No one, least of all me, is suggesting that you churn out $2 articles. However, to get paid reasonably well, you do need to put effort into self-promotion.
Self-Promotion Is Not Bragging, It's Marketing, And It Works
All businesses market themselves. Whether it's a local store hiring a sign-writer to plaster the week's specials across a window, or a giant fast-food operation buying blocks of TV advertising time and spending millions in the process, it's promotion, which is a form of marketing. It's not bragging. It's business.
I know that many writers suffer under the impression that they shouldn't need to market their writing. You're an excellent writer - so why should you hustle? It's demeaning.
Well, it's not demeaning. When you know how to do it, it's a lot of fun. I used to be a writer with a "self-promotion is bragging" attitude. So I took a marketing course at my local college. It was the best time and money I ever spent. Of course you don't have to go back to school to learn marketing, you can visit your local library and take out books on marketing.
It's really up to you. There's a lot of money to be made in writing for the Web, and many writers have already made the switch because Web writing has huge benefits. But yes, you do need a Web site, and you do need to do some self-promotion.
Try it - you have nothing to lose, and much to gain. Once you do, I promise you that you'll have a lot of fun. I went from a person who hates all forms of self-promotion to someone who loves it, and you can too. Put some time into self-promotion, and your Web writing income will rise - it really is that simple, and that easy.

188+ Stages Of The Hero's Journey (Monomyth) You Need To Know About- Return Threshold

2007-03-30T12:40:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:
(simply go to www.clickok.co.uk for full details)
*****Trial 3 Reward*****
Post Trial 3, the Hero is often given a reward. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack meets and marries Lureen.
****Crossing of the Return Threshold*****
Engagement in the Final Conflict has certain characteristics, including:
Indirect Engagement. The Hero will engage with some alternative to the Antagonism. For example, the Antagonist's Armies. In Star Wars (1977), Luke engages with the Empire's fighter pilots.
Increased Intensity. The battle will be intense with many soldiers on both sides dying.
Seeming Weak. The Antagonism will seem stronger, many of the Hero's minor allies, innocents or similar will perish.
Threat Acknowledged. The Hero's threat will be acknowledged, but it will seem minor.
Antagonist Confident. The intensity of the antagonist's attack and the seeming weakness of the Hero give the Antagonist hope.

Creating A Compelling Plot Using The Hero's Journey - Part 2

2007-03-29T07:14:00.001-07:00

As I previously mentioned, our Hero may be reluctant about leaving the Ordinary World and answering the Call of Adventure. A mentor may be provide moral support to the Hero and give her the necessary impetus to finally answer the call which leads us to the next step in the Hero's Journey:
Crossing the First Threshold:
Hero agrees to face the challenge of problem posed in the Call to Adventure
Crossing into the Special World is an act of will
Often illustrated by showing the hero crossing a physical barriers, i.e. door, bridge.
Crossing the Threshold is generally the turning point in which the adventure actually begins. It's when the hero has overcome her basic fears and reluctance and decided to proceed on the journey. For example, think of the very funny fight scene in Miss Congeniality. We've seen Sandra Bullock's character in her Ordinary World — that of a rather unkempt and unappreciated female FBI Agent. When presented with the opportunity to go undercover, she balks at the prospect. She is goaded by Benjamin Bratt's character who serves in part as a Mentor (Bratt plays a shapeshifter, actually, but more on that later). During the fight scene, Bullock finally accepts the Call to Adventure and agrees to go undercover. She crosses the threshold and begins the journey.
So what happens along this journey? Miss Congeniality follows the Hero's Journey with the next few scenes which develop. How? Bullock's character finds:
Tests, Allies and Enemies:
Hero is presented with challenges and tests
Makes allies and enemies
These tests show us the hero's character as she and her companions respond to the tests
Tests prepare the Hero for greater ordeals ahead
This is our first view of the Special World which should be very different from the Ordinary World the hero has just left
"Getting to know you" scenes common at this point
Think about all the people Miss Congeniality now meets. People who prepare her for the Adventure (a true mentor in the Michael Caine character), put up barriers, become her allies and/or show their colors as enemies.
The section of the journey during "Tests, Allies and Enemies" will show us how the hero responds to others around them and by doing so, will help us develop the hero's character. Each encounter with an ally or enemy and each test will demonstrate either something good or bad about her. Is she loyal? Is she compassionate? Is she bitchy or nice? Think of Miss Congeniality and each encounter with one of the beauty queens or as she prepares for each of the events during the pageant. Each test and encounter demonstrates something about her character.
Now that we know more about our character (and in reality, the character knows more about herself), we need to take that knowledge and have the hero:
Approach the Inmost Cave:
Hero confronts and prepares for achieving her goal
May suffer setbacks or reversals of fortune
The hero now understands what is the purpose of the journey and prepares to reach that ultimate goal (for example, finding out who has threatened the pageant). Even though the hero understands the goal, the challenges and tests are not yet over. In fact, the hero may find that while she has taken 3 steps forward, she is now forced to take two back. Think of the information that Miss Congeniality has gleaned from the beauty queens and how none of the FBI agents believe her because they think the Bomber has been caught. She has achieved the goal of finding all the information she needed, but her investigation is set back by the arrival of her director and his news.
What does a hero do in this situation? The hero must now face the Supreme Ordeal.

News Writing And Feature Articles - 5 Ways They Differ

2007-03-28T12:43:00.001-07:00

News writing and features are different styles of writing that you find in any publication around the world, whether they are newspapers, magazines or websites.
There are many distinctions between the two sets of writing genres because they perform different functions.
The factors that determined whether an article is fit for news or features include: time, writing style, the writer, location and length. There are other differences but these are the main ones.
When you learn how to write like a journalist, you would come across both types of writing styles. All journalists are expected to be competent at news writing and crafting features, though some do specialize, as we shall see later.
1. Time: news articles are time-dependent and must therefore be released as soon as possible after an event, speech, occurrence, interview or incident that has news value. Features, however, are more refined articles and are written to be
timeless. For instance, if a runner breaks the 100 meters world record, the news should be sent out within minutes, if not seconds, after his achievement. One or two days later, it would no longer be news. However, a profile of the runner
with his background, interests and life story would still provide interesting reading weeks or months after his record performance.
2. Writing style: a news story is written fast and therefore uses simple, effective words, focusing on nouns and verbs to tell the story. There is no flowery content. All you find is straightforward sentences with words at a premium.
Features offer you a bit more license to expand your writing with color, adjectives and vignettes.
3. The writer: Some writers are more comfortable bashing out news stories in a matter of minutes and struggle to sit down for more than half an hour writing long prose. Conversely, feature writers are more at ease processing their words
before spending up to three or four hours writing their article. Sometimes, it is possible to tell when a news story has been written by a feature specialist, or vice-versa, just by looking at the first paragraph. Of course, you do have writers
who are experts at both forms of writing.
4. Location: by location, we mean where in the publication do you find the article. In a newspaper, you would have a section dedicated to feature stories while news articles can be found sprinkled throughout the publication. Magazines
are made up mostly of feature-type articles while websites also have a section for features.
5. Length: A news story can be anywhere from one sentence to 600 words, though that is stretching it. News writing involves punchy articles that tell the story as soon as
possible. Features are generally long articles that can exceed 2,000 words in a magazine. Features require more words because they go into more depth and personal detail than news stories.
Remember, for news writing, you must have a suitably strong angle for the article to qualify as a news story. Features, however, are not necessarily
instruments of news, although they could be. In fact, they are there to supplement the news and take the reader deeper into the story.

Article Writing - How To Use Article Writing For High Response Rates III

2007-03-27T10:36:00.001-07:00

You should write a number of articles, not just the one, and the combined effect of these is what you are looking for. Any individual one article might not provide you with the required response, but the cumulative effect of article upon article should result in a high overall response to the campaign in general. While any individual reader can miss any of a number of individual articles, it is the campaign in general that results in a steady flow of traffic to your website which is the ultimate response you want.
One individual ant makes little difference to the colony, but the combined effect of thousands makes it work. I am not suggesting that you write thousands of articles, but you should get my drift. One article submitted to a hundred different directories will have more of an effect on the response to your article than were it submitted to only one, and twenty articles submitted to these hundred directories even more so. Each article, however, must be given as much care and attention in the title, content and biography as if it were the only one.
Take that much care and attention in your article writing, and you will eventually succeed in achieving the high response that you want.
You have learned alot in these articles about article writing, but one of the biggest things that you can get out of this is that you have to have a massive mindset. You have to write a massive number of articles if you are going to get massive results.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Screenwriting Tips And Tricks 3

2007-03-26T11:44:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES (188+ stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about...):
(simply go to www.clickok.co.uk for full details)
*****Demonstrating the Magical Gift*****
One often missed stage of the Hero's Journey is the demonstration of the Magical Gift. In the Bond franchise, Q also demonstrates the gadgets. In Star Wars (1977), Ben fires up Luke's light sabre. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie dares Clyde to use the gun.
***Book of Law***
An Authority Figure will guard the entrance to the Great Cave of the First Threshold and dictate the rules of this New Domain. In Spartacus (1960), this is where Lentulus tells the slaves that they are to become gladiators and that, if they do well, may become free men.
*****First Trial Inner Cave - Inner Challenge*****
A number of things happen in the Inner Cave of the First Trial. One element is the expression of the Inner Challenge. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie complains about Clyde's lovemaking.
*****Inner Challenge / Inner Cave*****
It is in the Inner Cave of the First Threshold that the Inner Challenges is most often made explicit. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Clyde pretends to snore in bed; Bonnie wants sex.
*****Push to the Inner Cave*****
Pushes and Pulls are underestimated, even symbolically. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack doesn't mind switching, "...We both ought to be in this camp...."

Our Struggles

2007-03-25T13:49:00.001-07:00

The other day I was walking down the street here in Chicago and I noticed a woman holding up a sign to drivers as they were stopped for a red light. I've been seeing this happening more and more lately on different street corners and I wondered what exactly she was doing.
Her sign seemed to be another plea for help from an ever expanding lower class of individuals. It said the following: "I have 5 children. I don't have a job. Please I ask for help with anything you can help to pay for rent and get food for my kids. GOD BLESS YOU. Have naici day."
Reading her sign I began to question whether she really has five children and needs money to pay for food and shelter. The sad thing is that the neighborhood is full of people who truly need help, while others want to avoid working and make a living solely by begging on street corners. By talking to the woman, I found it hard to tell in which category she belongs. I gave her some money and thanked her for the picture.
Whether she is really needy or just a con artist doesn't really matter, because in either case the culture of big corporations and a ever increasing bureaucratic government is clearly the blame. The "corporate aliens" as I call them are making it hard for everyone.
What does it take to be successful these days?

White-collar crooks are successful. Just look at the politicians: Some have already been to jail or are currently serving time. Most of the rest just haven't been caught yet. They all have nice homes and drive late model cars.

Those who are greedy and highly unethical are successful. Most CEOs and top corporate managers care little about their employees. They move their factories to third world countries to exploit cheap labor. They ruthlessly downsize to increase profits. They overwork their employees and raid employee pension funds. They get outlandish salaries and live their lives in luxury.

People who are lucky are successful. People who win the lottery or get discovered as singers, actors, models, sports figures, and so on. There's millions of good, or even great, actors or singers out there, but only a few get fame and fortune if they're lucky enough to get noticed.

Children of rich and connected individuals become successful. How successful would Paris Hilton be if she wasn't an heiress? In many cases success runs in the family. The success of "rehab" hospitals largely depends on the empty-headed habits of the spoiled offspring of the wealthy.
What about the rest of us, the middle and lower classes. We have to work very hard just to survive. Aristotle believed in moderation, and this is what I feel should be the plight of the majority of human beings. Reasonable work for reasonable pay. But this is far from being today's norm. These days middle class individuals must not only be over stressed at work, but must suffer traffic jams and crowded trains while getting there and coming home. Then they all are forced to pay part of their salary as protection to the syndicate, or in other words, taxes to the government. With food, housing, and utility bills steadily rising, almost every middle class individual faces some form of dept.
But it's really not so bad here, if you consider countries where people spend their waking hours working for a few pennies a day and starvation is rampant. These are the nations whose citizens are exploited by corporate aliens from the U.S. and other richer countries.
Can you really blame people if they become white collar criminals to survive? As long as wealth is so unevenly distributed, the struggle for survival amid the middle and lower classes will continue.
There are people all over Chicago holding up signs like the woman mentioned in this article. The people who drive on these streets are mainly middle class. The rich live in gated communities that aren't very tolerant of beggars and pan-handlers. What happens when the middle class hasn't anything more to give? What happens when the middle class is a civilization that is "gone with the wind?"

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Abbreviated Info 14

2007-03-24T19:46:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES (188+ stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about...):
(simply go to www.clickok.co.uk for full details)
*****Near Death Experience*****
The Hero's Old Self must die before his (or her) New Self can completely be born. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Zack Maya is beaten to near death by Sgt. Foley - this happens in the martial arts gym, which is representative of Zacks old world - and it happens after his argument with Paula. In Unforgiven (1992), the Sheriff beats Clint Eastwood to a pulp - in the bar that is, in effect "his territory." In A Fistful of Dynamite (1971), John sees Dr. Villega give away his compatriots.
Serpent Battle. It is not unusual for the battle to occur with a serpent like creature and for it to occur underwater. The serpent is representative of the evil and the submergence underwater is symbolic of a baptism. In War of the Worlds (2005), Ray Ferrier is submerged as an Alien sinks the ferry and everything in it. He battles the "serpent like" tentacles of the Alien underwater. In Star Wars (1977), Luke follows the Princess down into the garbage compartment on the detention level where he is submerged by an underwater, tentacles, serpent like creature.
*****Evolution*****
The First Threshold has distinct phases of evolution. When the Hero first arrives in the First Threshold, he (or she) is a Fish out of Water, by the time he (or she) leaves, he is less so. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack learns to control the horse.

Breaking Writer's Block

2007-03-22T12:19:00.001-07:00

There comes a time when a writer sits down at the computer and the creativity grinds to a halt. You may find yourself dissatisfied with your text. You may be unable to find the right words. Worse, you could end up staring at a blank page. Writer's block happens and it brings freelance writing to a stop. What do you do? How do you break through writer's block?
Here are some ideas for overcoming the struggle to write when nothing comes to mind:
Take a break. When you can't find a great idea or words just aren't coming easily to mind, take a break from the computer. Step away from the word processor for at least 10 minutes. A 20-minute break is even better. You'll come back to the keyboard refreshed and with new thoughts.
Take a vacation. Everyone needs some time to himself or herself to enjoy activities, so take a day off from your job. Get out of the house, and go have fun doing something else unrelated to writing. Your brain will appreciate the holiday.
Do something else. If you're writing a business article and having a hard time writing short sentences, switch tasks. Answer some emails, browse websites, or read someone else's material for a while. Indulge yourself in some creative, descriptive writing. Changing tasks for a while can be effective to breaking writer's block.
Go look for new ideas. If you're fresh out of ideas, go look for new ones. Take a walk down the street, sit on a park bench for a while, or have a drive in your car. Look around you and observe what's happening in the world. Try and find new ideas for your material based on what you see.
Read a book. Instead of writing, try reading for a while. Set down your work and pick up a fiction novel for a change of pace or a book on your subject matter for new ideas. While you're still dealing with written words, you're absorbing them instead of putting them to paper.
Stop worrying about writing. The more you worry about writer's block and not being able to pen your ideas, the worse the situation gets. You'll become frustrated and nothing will seem right. Relax. Let it go and stop worrying. Your writer's block may last a few minutes, an hour, or even a week, but it will pass. Give yourself a break. Tell yourself the situation is temporary.
No one can write extensively for hours without taking a break, even professionals. Your brain needs a rest and without taking breaks, you'll feel tired and drained. You may even start to dislike your job or writing in general. Find ways to give your creativity a rest. Do something you enjoy so that you can relax and come back to your computer with fresh eyes and renewed imagination.

Article Submission - Your Resource Box as a Call-to-Action in Article Marketing

2007-03-21T06:36:00.001-07:00

Article submission, how you submit your articles, is a huge part of article writing and marketing. Your resource box is probably the most important part of your article submission.
In fact, this is so important, you can do this one part wrong, and all your other efforts are wasted. Do this one part correctly, and you can get ready for a flood of traffic, prospects, publicity, and profits.
A Call to Action
Do you know how to use your resource box as a call to action? Read on to discover how to use this powerful technique in your resource box.
I've so many web sites, newsletters, brochures, articles, and yes, even resource boxes that do not ask the reader to do anything. That is such a waste!
A call to action is simply how you ask the reader to do something. It is a call to take some action.
Though they will not tell you this out loud, most readers want you to "tell me what to do next."
So much internet marketing slams you over the head with copy that comes across like "buy this now or your children will starve!" That kind of call to action is not what I am talking about here.
A Call to Action as an Invitation
A good call to action is simply a well delivered invitation for the reader to so something that benefits them and benefits you. "Visit my web site" - "Subscribe to my free report" - "Check out my new ebook about........." are all good calls to action as invitations.

How Many Americans Will Become Disabled Over The Course Of Their Lifetime?

2007-03-20T06:16:00.001-07:00

If you become disabled and unable to work in America, you can apply for federal assistance in the form of social security disability and, if you are lucky, your own case will be among the thirty or so percent of claims that are actually approved at the application level. However, if your initial claim is not approved (and seven out of ten are not), you'll have to go through an arduous appeal system that can literally take years. And years, these days, can easily up to three years.
Title II benefits, otherwise known as RSDI, DIB, or more plainly, Social security disability, is an underfunded (manpower-wise), lumbering, and creaking contraption that does not serve the citizens of this country well at all. In fact, it doesn't even come close in this regard. During the unreasonably long wait times enforced upon claimants for the processing of disability applications and appeals, a percentage of these claimants, sadly, will end up loosing everything thing they have. And many of them, those that can afford to, will end up looking through the yellow pages to find someone who can assist them in filing for bankruptcy.
It is amazing that this situation goes on in a country like this. And it is unconscionable that so many American citizens are "thrown into such a pit" simply because the U.S. Congress refuses to fund SSA at the proper levels. Funding is available, of course, for the issuance of benefits as are cost of living increases. However, the necessary funding to replace workers who retire or who quit from social security field offices is practically nonexistent (and a great many SSA employees already have the required "time in" to to take retirement).
How does inadequate personnel staffing at the social security administration affect the public? Obviously in this way: as more workers quit or retire and are not replaced, the processing of disability claims becomes, over time, slower and slower and slower. Work loads that were formerly addressed by X number of workers become increasingly handled by an ever-smaller pool of social security employees who, increasingly, become more embittered over the state of their agency. The effect on morale shouldn't be hard to figure out, of course, nor should the eventual outcome. As the social security administration continues to ignore its staffing issues, the likelihood is strong that existing workers, particularly those who are eligible to take retirement, will at some point begin to quit or retire in numbers that may take the agency to a precipice.
Unfortunately, the situation that exists at the social security administration is not well known, nor understood by the public at large, or the media in general. But it should be.
A 3/1/07 UPI article states some pretty sobering statistics. More than half of all U.S. workers would be in the position of not being able to pay their bills (mortgage, utilities, food) if they developed a disabling condition that prevented them from being able to work. And it is estimated that approximately twenty percent of the U.S. workforce will actually become disabled for a period lasting a year or longer at some point before they reach the age of sixty-five.
Inevitably, if things are not fixed at the social security administration with regard to proper staffing for its social security disability and SSI programs, the situation could go on to negatively affect the lives of millions of American workers over the course of the next few years. And it is for this reason that the politicians we send to Congress should be more concerned, and should be made more responsive to the needs of the public, particularly those who need assistance at one of the worst times they may experience in their lives.

Journaling - A Strategy for Writer's Block

2007-03-19T13:16:00.001-07:00

Responding to Preparation Challenges.One of the major areas of attack when preparing to write is addressing and adjusting to the variety of environmental, physical, and emotional distractions you may encounter. It may seem easier to thread a needle with a camel than achieving the goal of completing that perfect draft. Frustration is often magnified if, instead of stepping back from the situation, you push creating additional pressure to perform and complete the task. Sometimes it is best to enter the arena of "free flow writing" by journaling your thoughts.
Journaling provides an opportunity for you to release feelings and emotions about a particular topic or situation without the burden of perfecting a task. Journaling does not require lengthy preparation or formal training. It does require you to make a commitment and spend quiet time for "self"—away from others. The process of journaling includes reflection and clearing the mental clutter that inhibits creativity when writing in a more formal setting. Journaling about what you are feeling and experiencing during those writer's block moments can do one of several things:
-Relieve emotional stress

-Encourages better sleep patterns

-Enables you to see areas that need improving or problems to be addressed

-Gives you an outlet to freely express concerns, challenges, and fears

-Provides a method of developing future writing topics and goals
There are several important considerations to address when you begin the journaling process. Remember, you are investing in yourself. It is important to dedicate time (at least one hour) each day that belongs to you to write about experiences, feelings, issues and challenges that may affect your writing career. Make sure everyone in your household understands and respects the time you have selected.
You may want to begin your journaling time by listening to music, nature sounds, or by reading scriptural or meditation verses that encourage mental calm and relaxation. The key is to allow your mind to wander and release thoughts. Since writing is a mental activity, sound machines that provide sounds like water, rain, sounds of the ocean, or birds can be great encouragement to your mental state and general well being.
Be deliberate in your selection of where to begin the journaling process. Make sure you are away from noise and chatter, television, radio and the PHONE! Most importantly, do not apologize for using time for yourself. Just as you schedule time to eat, socialize, attend school or go to work, schedule time to journal.
Date your journal. When you put a date on your thoughts, you are able to note changes and track positive outcomes from your decision to adjust a pattern or attitude. Finally, maintain a positive attitude. Suffering the challenge of writer's block is momentary. Joy does come in the morning, and morning is not a time of day, but rather a state of mind. Write until your joy comes.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Godfather (1972) Seizing the Sword

2007-03-18T06:05:00.001-07:00

FORWARD
The 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.
[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].
THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY
THE 188 STAGE HERO'S JOURNEY:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).
d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.
ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES (188+ stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about...):
(simply go to www.clickok.co.uk for full details)
*****Seizing the Sword*****
In The Godfather (1972), Michael marries Appollonia (Mystical Marriage, Bride Theft). The Expansion of Consciousness is demonstrated by New Knowledge (Appollonia learns to speak English and drive). Also, the Joy of Infancy Regained - they are like little kids.
*****Rebirth through Death*****
In The Godfather (1972), Sonny's death leads to a Rebirth. Vito calls peace after waking up and hearing Tom tell of Sonny's death. Michael returns after Appollonia's and Sonny;s death.

Writing Prompts - Who Needs This Writing Help?

2007-03-17T07:12:00.001-07:00

Writing prompts can offer tremendous writing help for writers at every level of experience and expertise. Who can use writing prompts?
Beginners can use writing prompts to help them learn and grow as writers as well as gain valuable experience in the craft. The only sure way to improve your writing is to write regularly and prompts can help you sharpen your skills on a regular basis. Perfection will never be in your writing future, but it is very true that regular practice is the only way to improve your work. While you may have a long list of ideas and projects to work on you may also want to employ prompts from time to time to fill in the gaps in your schedule.
Experienced writers can use writing prompts to stretch their writing muscles to prepare for their writing assignments or each day's work. They can also use exercises and prompts to create a swipe file of ideas for future reference.
Professional writers can use writing prompts to give them a creative jump start when necessary and to experiment with other forms of writing. If you feel your work is going stale or that you need some inspiration, then using prompts can make a huge difference in your creativity and overall work.
All writers can use writing prompts with writer's block and improving their work. No matter what level your word craft may be, every writer experiences some form of writer's block from time to time. Forcing yourself to write through it with a series of prompts can be a very effective way to tear down your writer's block. Many times we fall into a rut with our work and writing prompts can challenge us out of that rut. This stretching can greatly improve your writing. Every day, week, month and year that you work on your craft you improve as a writer.
Whether you are a beginning, experienced, or professional writer you can use writing prompts to help you improve your word craft.

Writing Articles That Sell

2007-03-16T13:49:00.001-07:00

Article writing for web content is one of the hottest things in the virtual world these days. That's great news for freelance writers. Writing articles is a great place for new writers to start turning their talent into dollars. Writing articles that sell, though, isn't always easy. Here are some tips that may help.
Write what you know. That project about indoor plumbing may sound lucrative, but if you're someone who prefers crafts or pets, stay away from topics you know nothing about. Your lack of expertise will show up in your writing. Take writing jobs you feel confident writing about for better material. Your clients will be impressed as well.
Research and increase your knowledge. There are thousands of freelance writing opportunities out there on a vast range of topics. I've already said to write about what you know, but learn how to research what you don't and accumulate more expertise. To be a great freelance writer, you need to be an expert researcher. Get educated and learn new things about hot topics in demand. Don't just skim the surface to get an idea. Delve deep and become an expert.
Never paraphrase or rewrite material. This is the worst type of behavior a freelance writer can have. Paraphrasing or rewriting is barely a cut above copying someone else's work and pasting into your article. Have some pride and integrity. If you're going to be a professional writer, you shouldn't be earning money off of someone else's hard work and efforts. Learn about a subject until you know everything about it. Then write.
Don't be picky. Don't turn up your nose at writing about patio heaters or horse manure. These topics may be boring to you, but they could be very important to a client. Get excited with the client. Never give the client the impression you're doing him or her a favor by writing on a topic you don't enjoy. The client is doing you a favor by choosing your services over the thousands of other freelance writers out there.
Avoid fluff and filler. Clients hate this. Filling up a page with useless wording to have a longer page of text hurts your business. Eliminate anything that doesn't give value to the article. Phrasing such as, 'You will know that,' or, 'You should,' or, 'You might like to,' are useless and just boost word count for nothing.
Use action phrasing and assertive language. Be positive and proactive and let that show in what you write. Don't write, 'You will know that effective writing may be a good way to try to make some money.' That's weak. Instead, write, 'Effective writing is a good way to make money.'
Stay informative and be concise. Self-indulgent language and flowery prose is best saved for fiction works. Remember who the target audience is for articles. Most of the time, these are individuals seeking advice, help, or information. Articles should provide that to readers. How imaginative and creative you can be when you write has no place in the web content article market.
Edit, edit, edit. Check your work over until you're sure there aren't any typos, punctuation errors, or grammar problems. Word-processing software such as Microsoft word has great features to cut out weak writing and mistakes. Don't rely on a software program to correct a skill you should know by heart. Editing software isn't perfect, but your article needs to be.
Set it aside and read it another day. Many beginning writers slam down 500 words and send out the article without setting it aside. Always wait at least 12 hours before submitting anything. Read your work over again. Does the text still make sense? Did you write in the emotional mood that you were feeling when you first wrote the article?
Read your article out loud. Something may look fantastic in black and white, but verbalize it and you may find that nothing makes sense. Reading aloud catches plenty of strange or awkward phrasing, short sentences, or their counterparts, run-on sentences.
Be proud. You're a professional writer. That's a cool job and not one everyone can do! Have confidence in your skills and talent. Self-confidence and pride shows through in your writing and in communication with clients. You're doing something you love and earning money. Show that you enjoy your job and want to do the best you can.
Copyright James Chartrand 2007

Secrets To Getting Published

2007-03-15T09:34:00.001-07:00

Getting published in today's competitive fiction market is as easy, or difficult, as learning the 3Rs—Reading, wRiting, and Research. But it also involves three words that are key to the process—persistence, persistence, persistence. Just as a budding musician doesn't get to play at Carnegie Hall without tremendous dedication and practice, a writer doesn't get into print without similar commitments.
Master the Craft
Creating a marketable novel requires learning and mastering the craft of writing. Many budding authors have studied English and writing in high school, or even college, and assume that's a sufficient platform for writing a blockbuster novel. To reach the level of quality required to be published in today's competitive market, writers must re-visit the basics of grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, prose, and dialogue.
Interviews with three top fiction editors provided a sneak peak at why mastering the craft of writing is much more important than it may have been ten or twenty years ago. Back then, editors were responsible for publishing 12 to 15 novels a year. That gave them almost a month per novel to review submissions, select manuscripts for publication, line edit, copy edit, work with graphic designers to create cover designs, work with interior text designers, and work with marketing teams and publicists. If editors detected potential in the creative work of manuscripts that didn't meet their craft standards, they could work with new writers to hone their craft over a few novels. In today's high pressure publishing empires, editors are often responsible for 30 to 60 novels a year. That can leave less than a week for editors to perform all of the functions necessary to bring a novel to bookstores. Increased focus by publishers on higher earnings for novels has also put a crimp on editors being able to guide new authors into developing a large enough readership to get out of the mid-list. Editors no longer have the luxury of sufficient time to develop the blockbuster novelists their publishers crave. They need high quality, well-written, nearly craft-perfect manuscripts from the first submission. This requires manuscripts to be highly edited and close to publishable when editors receive them.
A key factor in mastering the craft is READING. Read successful novels in your genre to determine what makes them "must reads." Analyze their structure, writing style, plotting, and basic concepts to get a feel for what makes a successful novel in today's ever changing marketplace. Reading should be an important element in the work habits of writers. In order to analyze the structure of a novel, an analysis form that identifies: chapter and scene including the number of pages per scene, time frame, basic story line in the scene, point of view character, characters on stage, tension/conflict, setting, and general comments can be very helpful. Such an analysis form allows a writer to get a feel for the structure and content of a novel. As a thriller writer it is important that I include powerful tension/conflict in each scene and that each scene ends with a hook to keep the reader engaged.
Joining writing groups or critique groups that include writers in your genre is an excellent means of getting valuable input for improving your craft as well as evaluating your creative skills. It is important to remember that writing is a subjective art form. There can be dramatic variations in reviews of a writer's work. That's why it's important for writers to be open to all forms of constructive criticism. Criticism can be painful, but it is vital in fine tuning a writer's efforts to become a successful author. The bottom line is in the hands of the writer, the author of a work of fiction. The end result which will make or break a work of fiction was well expressed by a highly successful agent, "it boils down to the words on the page." Every word is a creative expression by the author. A writer must evaluate any critical comments and should compare comments by as broad a segment of readers as possible. This allows placing appropriate weight on any constructive criticism allowing the writer to make an informed decision on what he/she determines to be in the best interest of making the novel a great read.
Develop a Writing Technique
Different authors have different techniques in the way they approach creating their masterpieces. Some authors develop detailed scene-by-scene outlines while others work from a basic concept and let their muse guide them. Writers must find the writing format that works best for them. There is no "best technique." But it is important to develop a technique that has a structure that results in the best possible novel. The only way to do that is by WRITING. Very few authors I have met have had their first work of fiction published. Just like a surgeon works on many cadavers before making the transition to a live human patient, writers must practice, practice, practice before turning out the gem that transforms them into a published author. Once they have learned the craft, they must merge it with a successful creative concept. This may require a few efforts to fine tune the entire process.
Before starting down the road to writing the blockbuster novel, a writer should create a short, one page, concept sheet for the proposed work of fiction. This could turn out to be the hardest aspect of writing a novel, but it is the most critical in today's market. Most readers have been conditioned by our current sound-byte mentality. Just like TV or radio ads, authors must get their point across in a fifteen or thirty second sound-byte. This involves a tightly structured one-half to one page easy to understand synopsis. This short synopsis will be the key to capturing the attention of an agent, and later, an editor. For a thriller, the concept should be simple, yet dynamic. It must capture the fascination of anyone who reads it, drawing them into wanting to read the entire novel.
Once the concept has been fine tuned, it's time to put into practice the writing technique that works best for the author. If it's the scene-by-scene outline, it may take a lot of work to develop and fine-tune the material before the actual writing process begins. But the end result may minimize the countless hours spent in editing and re-writing. For the writer who works from a basic concept, the writing may begin immediately after the concept sheet is finished or from an expanded five to ten page synopsis.
No matter which method is used, when the initial manuscript is finished it is critical for the writer to put on the editing cap and carefully analyze the manuscript for content, consistency, grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, prose, and dialogue. Since today's market is so competitive and the focus on perfection by agents and editors so great, it is well worth the investment to hire a freelance editor with good credentials to edit your work before going to the next phase in the publishing process, finding an agent.
Find an Agent
In today's fiction market, you need a good agent. Almost all editors with the best publishing houses DO NOT accept unagented submissions. To quote a top editor, "Writers absolutely need to find an agent, and they need their agent to help them address the basic protocols. It's because a writer's manuscript is going to get a very limited number of opportunities. Within each house there are many editors, and if you submit a manuscript to the wrong editor, you've just blown your chance. It's the agent's job to get to know the editors well enough to know exactly who to send each manuscript to."
To find the right agent requires the third R, RESEARCH. You should know some of the clients the agent represents, and particularly those who write in a vein similar to your own. From your reading, you should check the acknowledgments pages of the books in your genre that you enjoy reading. Authors often acknowledge their agents. Another good resource is the Internet and sites like Publishers Marketplace (www.publishersmarketplace.com) that identify the agents and contract information for books that have been sold to publishers.
When you have identified agents who have a respectable reputation for selling novels in your genre, research their submission requirements and follow them to the letter. Be sure your manuscript is as good as it can possibly be. Don't use any gimmicks when sending out chapters or entire manuscripts. The bottom line is; gimmicks don't sell novels. An agent must like your work if he or she is going to represent you with a passion that will get you published. When you start soliciting agents don't forget the other three words—persistence, persistence, persistence.

Great Technical Writing - Improve Document Searches

2007-03-14T10:14:00.001-07:00

OVERVIEW
Searches in User Documents (manuals, etc.) often fail because the Reader uses different words for a concept than the author uses. Since the Reader's words do not appear in the document, the document search mechanism cannot find them, resulting in frustration. This article describes a User-friendly technique for improving searches, without having to change the Users' behavior or the search software.
YOUR READERS' WORDS
People use the words that they know when they speak, write, or search. It's folly to try to force the Reader to use the writer's terminology; the Reader simply might not know the "proper" term. Forced to use unknown words, the Reader will find the User Document to be arrogant, or at least difficult to use.
For example, a User Manual for a word processing program will probably use the word "formatting" when dealing with character fonts and size, as well as page layout. But suppose that your Reader uses the word "appearance" to refer to these topics. How can we get the search mechanism to provide the correct result if the Reader searches for "appearance"?
THE TECHNICAL ANSWER: A THESAURUS SEARCH
The technical solution would be to convert the document search software from being an "exact term" search to a "Thesaurus Search." In a Thesaurus Search, the User enters a word that he/she knows, and the search returns synonyms or references to the synonyms in the document. Thus a properly set up Thesaurus Search should return references to "formatting" if the Reader searches for "appearance."
Unfortunately, the Thesaurus Search is rarely available, and creating one would require changes to the existing search program. A low tech solution may be the best answer.
THE ANSWER: SYNONYMS
For this technique, you need to put synonyms of the author's word ("formatting") on the pages that you want the search to find. Such synonyms may include "appearance," "design," and "layout." This is a simple, effective solution.
You can find appropriate synonyms by using the thesaurus that is a component of most word processors and of many libraries. Select the synonyms that your Readers are likely to use. "Likely to use" is based on your analysis of your Reader.
This leads us to the next question: How do you put the synonyms on the page?
DON'T USE HIDDEN TEXT
Technically savvy writers may ask "why not use hidden text for the synonyms?" The benefit is that hidden text will not "clutter up" the page.
So, if in the sections of the User Document where "formatting" is presented, the writer put the word "appearance" as hidden text (assuming the search utility would find this hidden information), then the following will happen:
1. The Reader searches for "appearance."
2. The search takes the Reader to the "formatting" section of the document.
3. The Reader wonders "How did I get here?" The word that he/she searched for ("appearance") does not appear on the page, since it is hidden.
Given that a goal of a User Document is to answer the Reader's questions, then doing anything that causes him/her to ask another question ("How did I get here?") is counter-productive. Hidden synonyms are not the best answer.
THE ELEGANT SOLUTION: "YOU MAY KNOW THIS AS..."
Hiding the synonyms is not a good idea. It's better to let the Reader know what's going on. The easiest way is to add a line of text on the page where the topic appears. This line of text begins with the phrase, "You may know this as..."
To continue our "formatting" example, our explanatory synonym phrase becomes, "You may know this as appearance, layout, or design." A search for "appearance" brings the Reader to the "Formatting" section.
Upon seeing the phrase "You may know this as appearance, layout, or design," the Reader knows why the search found this location. The search satisfied the Reader, and did not add uncertainty to the situation.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The goal of all good User Documents is to improve the Reader's experience with the product. By using synonyms for "technical" terms, the writer makes the Reader's document searches more effective, since the needed topics will be found using the Reader's words.
By not hiding the synonyms, the Reader is not confused as to why he/she arrived at that place in the document. The result is a better experience with the document and the product.

Article Writing Tips Readability II

2007-03-13T17:58:00.001-07:00

One way to achieve this is to write in short paragraphs. Paragraphs should be snappy and each should make its point. A paragraph should make a statement, or present a question or suggest a solution. An article with no paragraphs can contain exactly the same words but be virtually impossible to understand since there is no delineation between concepts or arguments presented in the article.
Your sentences should not be too short. However, they should be so long that the reader runs out of breath while trying to read and make sense of what you are writing. Check out this paragraph coming up. Can you easily make sense of it?
You want your article to read well. You should write short sentences. Then they are understood. That is because there are fewer words to read. You can understand them better. You have time to read them. Write short. Don't write long words. Your words should be understood.
Compare it with this, saying exactly the opposite: If your articles are to be easy to read, your sentences should flow together and not be too short; otherwise they may not be easily understood.
Everybody is conditioned to regard periods as a stopping point. They pause in their reading, and then look on the next sentence as referring to something different. Short sentences are excellent if you want emphasis, such is in: "He walked tentatively into the graveyard. He heard a sound. He stopped. He heard it again – a scratching noise. He saw something move! He screamed!"
That is much better than "He walked into the graveyard, heard a noise, and then stopped, but on seeing a movement, he screamed."
You can structure sentences and whole paragraphs to intensify the point you are trying to make. If you are writing an article to provide information, which is the objective of most articles, it should be written in a flowing manner, and each sentence should be constructed so the reader can continue reading without having to stop.
If you feel that individual short sentences are appropriate, but know that they won't read well presented that way, use bullets. In article directories that do not allow html, you can use the * sign in place of a bullet, or simple numbers or letters such as
1. This number is first.
2. This number is higher.
Finally, conclude the article with a summing up paragraph or sentence containing your keyword, such as: if you follow these article writing tips, you will make your article more readable, even to people whose first language is not that in which you are writing.

Now Is Not The Time To be Caught Without Grammar

2007-03-13T00:03:00.000-07:00

More and more, we are bombarded with ads everywhere we go from buses to magazines. Those with a big budget can spell and even mix it up a little by purposely misspelling a word such as right as rite or kids as kidz. But what about you as the small business owner?
The truth is you're not going to be able to afford the highly educated and literary masterminds behind all of our daily messages and yet, you need to get out there. So what now?
Don't make the mistake of letting your poor grammar hang out, letting the world see what you didn't learn at school.
If you really can't write, consider taking a course. The best kind of course is a Business English class. With the focus off the academic, a course like this teaches all the nuts and bolts.
If that isn't in your budget, buy a grammar book and go through the exercises.
Not a day goes by that I don't find these mistakes in advertising and assuming you'll have to go out and get the grammar book, I'll give you a few tips here and now.
Common Mistakes in words:
upon spelled as apon or some other variation. Just upon will be fine.
into spelled as in to
using good to describe something being done well. Anything that goes with an action word will require well. Eg. You did that well, Sam.
in side...just inside will do
out side...try outside
can not is now fashionable but it is cannot every day of the week
ain't...not a word, replace with aren't where possible
alright...no, it is all right
towards...no, that's toward without the s
Deer Phil...try Dear, it'll get you farther
There father...no, for ownership, you really must use their
Their off in the distant place...when referring to a place, it is always there.
They're hair...That would be they are hair so no, replace with their and use they're properly too
a lot, allot...other variations, it is alot in most dictionaries
There are multiple other spelling errors commonly found in ads such as we're instead of were.
As for simple grammar rules not to bend,
What about the uncapitalized i? No, not cool. Change that to I.
What about not capitalizing words? Don't do it. If it requires a capital, give it a capital. If it does not, don't capitalize it. Learn this rule.
When referring to a person in writing, "Well, Sam, it didn't work." The name of the person should be separated by a comma.
When writing a run-on sentence, look out for red flags such as the subject starting again.
Eg. I like bread I need more. Clearly, the subject here is the giveaway.
Don't use exclamation marks like they are going out of style.
As a general rule, get rid of words that promote unfamiliarity. Get rid of anyone, people, someone and anything else and simply replace with 'you' in your sales copy.
Hopefully though, you will take this message to heart that bad grammar and poor spelling don't ultimately do anything for you or your business.

Public Speaking, Critics, and Fear

2007-03-12T23:41:00.000-07:00

Everyone will NOT like you as a speaker (or as a person for that matter).
That may be the #1 thing you need to know to get over the fear of public speaking, or to not let unwarranted negative feedback bother you.
Most public speakers allow the minority to cripple them with fear. They worry about the one who won't like the speech, or laugh at the joke, or won't like. You get the idea.
First, remember the 2/2/96 rule.
2% will think you are the best ever. 2% will hate you. Shoot for the 96%.
You do not NEED to be liked by everyone. Everyone does not like country music, or rap, or classical. But do artist shut down because some don't like them? Nope. Only when the majority doesn't like them is there a problem.
Second, remember the jealousy factor.
The people who make snide remarks or try to "help" you are usually jealous.
They want the spotlight and the only way they can feed their pride is by being negative to you.
Third, remember the positive comments.
Forget about the one or two negative comments and focus on the words that build. We all have a natural inclination to remember the worst. Focus on the best!
On average 2% will approach you after a speech with some "constructive" criticism. From experience I can tell you that the typical speaker takes the criticism to heart. They replay it over and over. They allow it to defeat them.
You cannot worry about the 2%
Let me give you an example from the last email letter I sent to you. This may not be a live speech example, but the principle is the same.
I mentioned that my son was giving a speech and wanted to say something funny. Then I recommended a resource for others who want to become funnier.
Many bought Brad's humor package and have been extremely thankful. Out of thousands of emails sent I got one negative. I reprinted it here UNEDITED….
"Using your son to try to suck me into buying some other guys supposed humour, I don't thik that;s funny at all, maybe idiotic is a better word, you fool, now I', laughing"
I understand WHY it might have bothered this person, but I can't let that bother me. Why? Two reasons.
First, it's one person. I knew before sending the email that some would not like it. If you are going to let a handful of people control you, then get out of public speaking right now.
Second, look at the words used: "idiotic," "fool." "I' laughing." Here's a lesson for you. Assuming you didn't say or do anything wrong, remember this: The stronger the language the person uses the more you should ignore it.
Lesson 1: You cannot let what someone MIGHT think bother you.
Everyone will not like your speech. No big deal. Don't root your words in worry or fear. Instead, anchor them in the value you are going to deliver to the audience. Plan your presentation with the knowledge that you will be helping listeners.
Spending your time imagining the worse only drains you of the energy that should go into your presentation. Forget about dreaming up the worst, dream about the best. Think about the wonderful comments or congratulations you will receive.
Lesson 2: You cannot let unsolicited negative feedback bother you.
This is my favorite advice from Alan Weiss on unsolicited feedback.
"Here's another "boundary" issue. When speaking for the Washington DC National Speakers Association Chapter last Saturday, a woman approached me at break to tell me that, while I was a terrific speaker, "all professional women in the audience found my remarks about my wife and daughter demeaning" (I had been kidding that they were awaiting me in New York spending money on my daughter's bridal shower). She hadn't taken a poll, of course, so she must have been channeling all those people otherwise on their feet and applauding.
She told me not to respond, but to reflect. I told her I wouldn't reflect but would respond, and that I had had it with the presumptuousness of people who kept their own box scores of whether I was positive or negative about women in their own, parochial and biased view. I told her to go join the pronoun police because I wasn't interested in anything she had to say.
I believe, maliciously, she was trying to throw me off balance in the middle of my presentation. Instead, she energized me because I was able to tell her immediately that I'd have none of it.
Unsolicited feedback is ALWAYS for the sender, and ranges from innocently vacuous to malignantly evil. Don't let the energy suckers prevail."
Most of us would not be so firm or direct. Most would take the verbal beating with grace. Alan proves you can be articulate while refusing to be a punching bag for another's agenda.
Lesson 3: Remember the Goal. The goal is to communicate in a way to help others. We do not (or should not) speak for applause or accolades. The speaker who craves acceptance is the same one who is injured by the minority with the negative comments. Let your public speaking be about others.
When your goal is to give the listeners the best you have for THEIR benefit, then feedback isn't important. How the audience takes and applies the message is what matters.
So do not be afraid of what other people might criticize you for. Concentrate on helping the audience reach their goals.

In search of the bright side

2005-01-26T23:20:00.000-08:00
Morale has been off-kilter at my employer these last few months. Anyone with the slightest bit of Internet know-how can find story after story about all that. (Read, oh, say, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer and Texas Monthly).

Good news is, for all of you who care about us Beloites, none of us has been fed to lions -- like this poor schlep:
According to the prosecutors, Scott-Crossley ordered his workers to attack Chisale, who was then beaten with a machete, tied to a tree, kicked and threatened with a rifle before being dumped into the back of a pickup truck. The workers were said to have driven to the 20-hectare enclosure of the Mokwalo White Lion Project, a breeding ground for the rare lions near Hoedspruit, and tossed Chisale over the fence.
-- from today's Times

Computer time-waster of the week

2005-01-26T03:17:00.000-08:00
This one will be immediately funny-fun for sports fans familiar with the amped-up missives of glam-boy ESPN talk show host Jim Rome. Non-sporties will get the hang of it, too.

There's pages of "drops" from Rome and his show. The fun comes when you begin clicking on drop after drop, in rapid succession, to make the self-proclaimed "Van Smack" form wacky sayings.

I'll give any readers a prize if they can link together more drops than I can, or to anyone who can come up with the most hiliarious chain. Right now, I'm at 10. (My current favorite chain is: easy big man, slow down, better than that, whatever, with that said, screw you, and btw, enough already, don't care, i am great.)

And the credit for identifying the site comes from Gordon Keith's Web page, linked on this blog.

NOTE: Have your headphones on if you're playing at work. You'll want to hear the volume, but not necessarily clue in your boss.

Hook 'em Satan

2005-01-23T23:21:00.000-08:00
All this time I thought the death-metal kids in Norway were Texas Longhorns fans. They had the "Hook 'em Horns" signs going at their music concerts, even though it was sort of odd they were flashing it in the mosh pit. But hey, UT is an internationally known school.

Actually the Norwegians view the hand gesture as pledging allegience to Beelzebub. So for a day or so, the confused Europeans thought Dubya and the first family -- seen doing the "Hook 'em" during the inauguration -- were Satan worshippers.

But in much of the world, those "horns" are a sign of the devil. Among Nordics, the hand gesture is popular among death and black metal groups and fans. The Internet's abuzz with speculation about what the Bushes really mean by the sign.

A headline in the Norwegian Internet newspaper Nettavisen displayed a photo of Bush's daughter, Jenna, smiling and brandishing the gesture. The caption -- "Shock greeting from Bush daughter." But Norway's leading newspaper, Verdens Gang, said Bush was simply acknowledging the Longhorn Band passing in the inaugural parade.
Do you think Democrats and Texas A&M Aggies will brush off the Satanist theory as easily?

UPDATE: I have new research that proves the Longhorns are not Satan's children. The men's basketball team lost to the hated Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday. A team blessed by either Satan or God would not lose to OU. Never. No way. No how.

UPDATE TO UPDATE: I have just received contradictory evidence suggesting the possibility of Satanic undertones in Greater Austin. This new proof comes from Sunday's Austin American-Stateman: an evil ZIP code.

Another missed career

2005-01-22T23:21:00.000-08:00
So by now, we know that I have immense, kidney-punch regret that I never sent in an application for MTV's Real World. Had I been picked to have my life taped for a few months in some expense-paid pad in a cool city, I could now be touring the country as a reality TV star.

Here's another career I failed to recognize soon enough: wrestling. I'd have to be in the welterweight category, yes, because God didn't give me power-forward height. But after injection some performance-enhancing cocktails, I could look like my wrestling hero and fellow Texan, Stone Cold Steve Austin:

Luckily for me, Stone Cold is coming back to World Wrestling Entertainment after a year of contractual squabbling with the company. And this is why I think I missed out on the career: WWE is starting to produce movies and cast their wrestling stars in them, according to Rajah.com. The company first sold their merchandise, then books and DVDs. This is a cash-cow bonanza.
This deal between WWE and Austin allows Steve to use his “Stone Cold” name. It also puts him in a position of working with people that have a ready-made audience for his films and will treat him like a star. It gives WWE a star to market to their fans, and also will make it possible to get Austin on WWE programming from time to time. As long as the films make a little money, it’s a great move for both sides.
Alas, it all makes me think of Marlon Brando's famous line from On The Waterfront:

"I coulda been sombawdy. I coulda been a contendah."

Canadian gives graft a bad name

2005-01-17T23:22:00.000-08:00
Remember the days when politicians would accept bribes for lavish excursions abroad, fancy lakefront homes or oogles of cash wadded into a white envelope? In a weird (yes, highly unethical) way, you could see how their human foibles got the best of them when tempted with the kind of cool stuff they'd never get with their own monkey grease.

I have no explanation for this Canadian politican, however. When approached by a man accused of using someone else's passport and facing imminent deportation, Canadian Immigration Minister Judy Sgro dreamed up this payoff:

"She [the politican] assured me that if I helped out in her election campaign she would get me immigration in Canada," the man said. "Judy said she wanted me to deliver pizza, garlic bread etc. to her campaign office ... I did this. She also said that she needed 15-16 people to help work in her campaign. I organized this for her as well."
The story from Reuters goes on to explain that when word of the deal leaked, the politican reneged and then quit -- hopefully out of embarassment. Surely a national minister could surely fetch a better bribe than garlic bread. How about some eggplant parmesan?

Fame grows on trees

2005-01-15T23:22:00.000-08:00

Once again, I am reminded how truly little celebrity I have in this world. And once again, I have Real World alums (ie, guys and gals who were picked to live together in a cushy pad and have their lives taped) to thank.

This time, it is two of the members of the Las Vegas cast, which featured the most drunken debauchery in the history of MTV. These 20-something reality lovebirds, Irulan and Alton, have launched an online dating service to help lonely hearts who want to "come out a winner in love" ostensibly hook up in hot tubs as they did on TV.

So, if I get this right, these Real Worlders go to college (sometimes), get on an MTV show, scream at each other and get wasted, gain lots of popularity, then continue to come back on other MTV reality shows, scream at each other and get wasted, then get paid lots of dough to appear on college campuses and talk about, you know, grown-up stuff like screaming and drinking.

And these two gush on their "Make Love Happen" site, with heart-felt testimonials, reminders about living in Las Vegas' Palms casino -- all while taking on really important questions and issues:
We’ve been asked by so many people: How do we do it? How do we stay together? When did we know that we found love? We decided to help other people find love like we did by giving them the chance to find their true love and soulmate through makelovehappen.com. This website can almost guarantee that you will find someone to love and be loved right back if you take the steps that we did and feel the way about your loved one like the way we feel for each other. You’ll for sure come out a winner in love.

Dick Vitale's cartoony alter ego

2005-01-09T23:23:00.000-08:00
What do you get when you combine ESPN's amped-up, basketball-lovin' analyst Dick Vitale, a deadly sharp farm tool, March Madness and cartoon animation? A hiliarious viral video.

Go here, scroll down to "dick vitale" and click to launch. I should warn you that this is for "mature audiences." So, if you're not easily offended, watch this with some headphones or make sure your boss (or spouse or kids) isn't around because Dickie V gets a little R-rated.

Computer time-waster of the week

2005-01-06T23:24:00.000-08:00
Feel patriotic and blow up very flamboyant reditions of the Hussein family in a valiant march onto the Iraqi capital. Go down this list and click on Baghdad Bowling.

I haven't gotten far enough to know whether insurgents swarm you in the bonus round, after Baghdad falls, while a cartoony Donald Rumsfeld insists all is swell and Halliburton reaps billions of dollars for reconstruction.

Progress in Iraq: Not so swift

2005-01-04T23:29:00.001-08:00
If a story like this one in The Times of London has run in an American newspaper, I must have missed it -- or skipped over it to read about some trashy Paris Hilton gossip.

Comments from the head of Iraq's new intelligence services, who said there's an s-load more insurgents than U.S. leaders are admitting publicly, gives you a feeling the upcoming elections there will have problems than hanging chads. His other scary assessment in the story:

“People are fed up after two years without improvement,” he said. “People are fed up with no security, no electricity, people feel they have to do something. The army (dissolved by the American occupation authority) was hundreds of thousands. You’d expect some veterans would join with their relatives, each one has sons and brothers.”

FYI, the Apocalypse is nigh

2005-01-04T23:29:00.000-08:00

The Red Sox and Dubya won against all odds, for starters.

Iraq remains a freaking mess.

The Asian tsunami -- the worst natural disaster in four decades -- has killed 150,000 people, left an estimated 5 million in need of aid and spawned worries that a megawave could wipe out the Eastern U.S.

Snow, from two to nine feet deep, has shut down a major highway in sunny California.

And this Muslim preacher man missed his London court hearing because his toe nails were too long.

USC: Yer good

2005-01-04T23:24:00.000-08:00
I thought that perhaps the third-ranked college football team Auburn was shafted out of an appearance in the championship game Tuesday night by the cruddy BCS system. The team Auburn should replace, I thought, might have been Southern Cal, ranked No.1 but winners of a weak Pac-10 Conference.

I'm a sports schmuck, it turns out.

The Pac-10 is still weak, but USC is in a class of its own. It took No. 2 Oklahoma behind the wood shed and just torn it to pieces. The Sooners looked bewildered on the field, which is the kind of performance I feared out of my precious Texas Longhorns in the Rose Bowl -- but never, EVER would I have dreamed OU would shit the bed like this. Not with Bob Stoops, aka Boy Wonder, as coach.

USC is so good it is insane. And the scary thing is, 16 of its 22 starters (including the Heisman Trophy winning QB Matt Leinart, who I officially have a man crush on) come back for next year. I'm thinking this team could win the national title again next year for the three-peat.

So where I can buy some USC shirts and dreamy Matt Leinart posters for my study?

Dogs rule

2005-01-03T23:31:00.000-08:00
If I'm wrong about this reincarnation thing, and God opts to send me back as a domesticated animal, I'm lobbying to be a big, muscular, handsome dog.

Reason No. 47: They save lives during disasters.

2004: Year of the Weird

2005-01-03T23:30:00.001-08:00

I told you people love lists. This one is a collection of the weird headlines from last year, courtesy of Reuters. A sampling from the "romance" category:
A Norwegian court acquitted a man accused of raping a sleeping woman after he said he was also asleep at the time.

All three wives of a 67-year-old Iranian man took overdoses in an unsuccessful triple suicide bid after the youngest wife sparked jealousy by buying an expensive pair of boots.

A Malaysian man shot his wife dead after he mistook her for a monkey picking fruit behind their house.

Everyone loves lists

2005-01-03T23:30:00.000-08:00
Of course, they do. Duh. And here's a stimulating one from a Seattle writer.

No, it's not the most available, hottest, richest Hollywood bachelorettes of 2004. It's the top overhyped and underreported stories of the year.

A few names making the lists: Ronald Reagan, Abu Ghraib, Scott Peterson, Fannie Mae and AIDS. Have a funny-fun time and guess which list they made, then read the story for the answers.

Reveling in my "Texas-ness"

2005-01-02T23:32:00.000-08:00
Think I was a little crazy on New Year's champagne when I hinted on my "Praise be to Texas Tech" blog posting that there was a bit of bias in the elite sports media toward teams in the fly-over states?

And that the bias showed itself when more writers on the West and East coasts complained (and continue to complain) about media darling California (runners-up in a weak Pac-10 conference) getting bumped from a BCS bowl game by Texas -- rather than, say, third-ranked Auburn (undefeated champs of the brutal Southeastern Conference) getting left out of the title game?

Check out this Los Angeles Times column, written by a fella who regularly appears on ESPN's "Around the Horn" show, and other game stories in that paper and see if you still think I'm a weird-o. Methinks no.

You're a Reality TV star, didn't you know?

2005-01-02T23:31:00.000-08:00

Oh, yes. Casting directors are looking for YOU. All YOU have to do is get noticed. And YOU learn how to get noticed by dropping $19.95 (online orders accepted) for this video hosted by a few of MTV's Real World and Road Rules veterans.

Once again, cast members of these shows prove that we're all idiots for having never applied to "have our lives taped and aired in front of 50 bazillion people." These guys have all sorts of business opportunities. And now that I'm beyond the 24-year-old ceiling for the shows, I'm dying to get in. I'd give anything to have MTV come to my house and follow me around as I eat burritos, put my recycled trash on the curb and holler for my spouse.

Wait a minute. I guess MTV's already done that show. It's called "The Osbournes."

Does that make me a goober like Ozzy?