The Writers Lounge

2006-11-17T12:14:00.000-08:00

Yes it is I. I know I have been missing in action for a good long time but I am still alive and kicking(along with a little baby inside that kicks more than I would like).
I have been writing a few new poems. But most of what I have been writing these days has been marketing ads for my business.
It seems over time your creative juices change flow to what the rest of you seems to be absorbed with.
It has worked in one good way. I find I am rhyming my ads which is cute and adds a little humour although I am not sure how professional it may be. Hence, they are still in draft mode.
I have come across this article and I found the mixture of self help and writing tidbits are a definite working blend. I hope you can gather some useful information from it yourself.

Writing Help And Morning Pages
Copyright 2006 Mary Desaulniers

Reading Julia Cameron’s "The Sound of Paper" is like
revisiting an old friend. For more than fifteen years, her
morning pages have been my daily writing help, the friend
that coaxed me out of fear and inertia about putting words
on paper and like the Nike slogan, urged me to “Just Do It!”

Why is it so difficult to write? Writing is an activity
removed from direct experience. Writers have often mourned
the loss of words to describe an event and this is probably
because rendering what happened in words involves a
completely different set of neural motor skills. Freud in
"Civilization and Its Discontent" sees writing as
technology; both he claims act as “prosthetics” to the
body, functioning as an appendage or addition. Even the
word “prosthetics” is ambivalent, carrying both the
negative connotation of loss or compensation and the
positive sense of extension. After all, writing is a later
development of the human brain and signals not only the
beginning of recorded history but also the evolution of the
highly specialized and compartmentalized intelligence in
the prefrontal cortex.

In "The Sound of Paper", Julia Cameron reiterates what she
has so poignantly elaborated in her previous books—the
creative self is buried so deep in our psyche, we have to
develop ways to let it out. And morning pages, like
solitary walks or runs, done consistently on a daily basis,
form the “pivotal tool of a successful creative life (2).”
The difficulty we experience in writing comes from the
specialized voice in our head: “We write grudgingly and
under half steam, resentfully and uphill. ‘Who cares ’and
‘This is stupid’ are our companion thoughts (25).” It is
usual, when the inner voice is struggling to find a place
in the outer world, that the censor places it under a
scalpel. Without the writing help of morning pages, most
voices remain unheard.

The easiest form of writing is the trade school type that
disseminates information. The writing that engages our
authentic being, our fears and passions is the most
difficult to execute. It demands a different kind of
writing help-- rigorous and open self-acceptance, a
visceral catharsis of our “self” on paper and unless we
have built a conduit of safe passage for this inner voice,
the water can be treacherous indeed. Many writers have been
drowned by voiceless inundation.

The morning pages , like the daily walk or run, is a means
to engage this voice. Writing first thing in the morning
allows you to evade the censor. “Spilling out of bed onto
the page” (as Julia Cameron puts it) helps the writing self
side-track the critic. The repetitive nature of the morning
pages assures your psyche safe passage on your journey.
Securely ensconced in a routine, it will spill its guts
out—and that’s what you want.

Without this spillage, the daytime writing that you do will
never quite have that ring of authenticity that is the mark
of a writer who has made the plunge into her instinctual
being. Because these morning pages are not meant for public
scrutiny, they are your means of internal housekeeping,
letting the little woman (or man) have her say about things
in the house. And the more she is allowed her say, the
stronger your trust in your gut instinct and the more
resilient you are to the opinion of others.

It’s like building a set of muscles with running. On most
days, I do not feel like running. But what I have found is
that the simple act of lacing my running shoes, getting out
into the pavement or treadmill, beginning the motion of
running will trigger a visceral engagement that changes the
entire experience. More often than not, my best runs have
been on days when I least wanted to run. Had I listened to
my head, I would have missed a fabulous engagement with my
legs. The head seems always at odds with the body and
writing help that works with the body somehow straightens
out the head.

Both morning pages and running take time, but as with
everything else, an investment of time and effort is in
order for the miraculous to take place. We expect miracles
to fall from the skies, part of our belief that we should
be getting something for nothing. This sense of entitlement
is the one of the most debilitating myths of the self help
industry. Ask and it will be given--yes—but we must also do
our share of moving in the right direction.

Writing help like morning pages takes no more than twenty
minutes; you are spilling your guts onto the page, not
deliberately crafting words. Running or walking can take up
forty minutes or more. Is it too much to ask for an hour a
day to invest in physical and psychical musculature?

----------------------------------------------------
A runner for 27 years, retired schoolteacher and writer,
Mary is helping people reclaim their bodies. Nutrition,
exercise, positive vision and purposeful engagement are the
tools used to turn their bodies into creative selves. You
can visit her at http://www.GreatBodyat50.com or learn how
she lost her weight at http://www.greatbodyproteinpower.com

2006-02-06T14:36:00.000-08:00

Oh my Goodness! I am so sorry to all my faithful viewers for my absence. I have been very busy and didn't even realize that it has been almost 2 months since I was on here!
But things are on a roll for me now. I am getting married in August and have had a tons of things to plan for that. I am excited! Being in love changes your perspective on life though, I can tell you that. I have been revived and the words are finding their way to the pages again. I have had writers block for some time now and have not been feeling quite myself due to that. I wrote my first poem the other night for the first time in 2 and a half years.
For someone like me who has always used the pen and paper as a way of expressing myself it has been pure torture for me not to be able to write any emotions out. I felt dead and disassociated with all people and circumstances around me. I felt I was lost in a void with no hope for seeing the light. Then I found a very special man. He had been there all along as a dear friend but I had never thought he may be what my soul craved....until that fateful day when I needed him most and he was there. Funny how life works.
Now everything seems to be all piecing together. My business plans are taking off and apparently working out. Still alot to do but for the first time in 6 years since the plan was conceived it is looking like it may just go somewhere.
My ex husband has even managed to astonish me!!! I had the divorce papers sent over and called to make sure he signed them and sent then back since it takes 4 months to finalize. He congratulated me and gave me his blessings! Now anyone knowing my ex would know he just doesn't do that kind of thing. He is a well known jerk and even admits it himself. I feel like I have a whole new chance to do and live the life I wanted to and should have the first time around 17 years ago.
I know alot of you may not care about this, or even wonder why I am telling you my business. I just wanted to let you know that if you allow yourselves to be who you are and truly meant to be regardless of society you can find true happiness and expression. You may have to endure some hardships, even ones that may feel like they will be the death of you, but this is the time to delve into your inner resources and strengthen the character you are capable of being. With that you can acheive anything life throws at you. Write it all down!!! Share it with others. I am so tired of hearing sad and pathetic stories on the news and talk shows. Why is everyone so eager to share their misery but no one ever spreads the joy?
The only joy you seem to see is when someone wins the lottery. That's not true joy. True joy is when a passion is experienced that enriches your life in a meaningful way. Something that has an impact on you and others around with a lifelong impression that causes you to change your way of thinking for the better.
I will leave you with that thought. I hope I have encouraged you to ponder upon your own existence and per chance wonder if you may not be living up to your full potential. To all those out there who would love peace of mind and peace on earth, take care and good will! Never forget who you are and what you stand for! Never let anyone try to dash your hopes and dreams! Remember all those remembered and revered are the ones who always persisted and continued with their passions regardless of anyone elses' opinions! It is what separates the great from the average. Don't settle for average! We were destined for great things! You must believe!
Until next time my friends! Take care!

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2005-12-06T18:13:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a new story to publish and have found time slipping away on me. In one way that is a good thing because it means my plot is enfolding and becoming more of what I want it to be, on the other hand though, it means I am having less time to do any other form of writing like my blog sites. I have posted a few more of my children's stories on my site now if anyone is interested in checking it out.
The following article was written with article submissions in mind but I thought it had some useful insights into writing in general for whatever you may choose.

Article Writing: How To Use Your Chakra Energy To Write
Copyright 2005 Ron Passfield

The seven Chakras are the hidden energy centres in your
body through which you receive, process and transmit life
energies. They act as "energy transformers" and influencers
of change.

Your thoughts, emotions or actions can either block or
activate these hidden energy centres. In this article, I
address ways to activate each of the Chakras to improve
your article writing.

1. Base Chakra – the energy of existence

This energy source is associated with survival,
self-preservation and security. The major blockages to
activating the Base Chakra are "self-sabotage" or self-talk
that is full of self-doubt. The real tragedy is that,
unless you can manage these self-doubts, you cut yourself
off from the other six sources of energy.

You can activate the Base Chakra by: * Confronting your
doubts as self-sabotage and challenging them * Visualising
your completed article and the sense of achievement you
will experience with publication * Sharing your concerns
with others who have been successful in article writing *
Listening to your body and learning to release any tensions
associated with article writing

2. Naval Chakra – the energy of activity

This source of energy is experienced as "excitement" and is
associated with doing, movement, creativity and
achievement. The major blockage to this energy source is
inactivity brought on by procrastination and self-doubt.

You can activate the Naval Chakra by: * Checking out online
forums and article directories for potential topics of
interest to readers * Making notes on an article topic *
Aiming for a rough first draft (do not let your
perfectionist streak intervene!) * Trying "speed writing" -
write what comes to mind without concern for grammar,
sentence structure or spelling (helps to thwart
perfectionism) * Taping your ideas - try using an audio
tape to get ideas down

3. Solar Plexus Chakra – the energy of control

This energy is experienced as “clarity” and is associated
with your sense of personal power and self control. The
major blockage to this energy source is a lack of order
through the absence of planning. You can tap into the
energy of control by creating order, structure, form or
guidance.

You can activate the Solar Plexus Chakra by: * Capturing
potential article topics in a document or Excel file *
Matching your task to your energy level – if you are a
“morning person” do your creative writing in the morning
and your related routine tasks at night * Capturing ideas
on how to write articles and creating your own set of
guidelines * Setting up documents on your computer with
article headings and doing occasional “brain dumps” *
Building your own list of preferred article directories for
submission of articles (include submission URL and key
requirements, eg. word length, format) * Establishing
output targets and a routine for article writing

4. The Heart Chakra – the energy of community

This energy is experienced as “connection” - brought about
by your relationships with others and by engaging them in
collaborative activity. The major blockage to this energy
source is “isolation” – cutting yourself off from
supportive relationships.

You can engage the Heart Chakra by: * Participating in
discussion forums focused on article writing * Developing a
“learning partnership” with one other person for your
mutual benefit * Connecting to other people through
workshops and teleconferences * Sharing your article ideas
with a “significant other” – your life partner, for example
* Taking time out to be with your friends * Joining an
action learning group devoted to article writing

5. The Throat Chakra – the energy of meaning

This energy is experienced as expression and is associated
with metaphors, communication and beliefs. The blocks to
this form of energy are unclear thinking and a lack of
focus.

You can engage your Throat Chakra by: * Journaling to
capture your thoughts and reflections * Drawing diagrams
and flowcharts to clarify what you are trying to say in
your writing * Developing concept maps to clarify the
relationships amongst activities, ideas & principles *
Using metaphors to create new perspectives and meanings

6. The Third Eye Chakra – the energy of integration

This energy is experienced as intuition and is associated
with left and right brain, integration of male and female,
wisdom and holistic approaches. One of the major blocks to
this form of energy is “busyness” – incessant activity with
no time for reflection.

You can engage your Third Eye Chakra by: * Undertaking
creative activity – e.g. painting, drawing or writing
poetry * Being still – getting in touch with nature and
your own body * Taking a walk – physical activity provides
a good balance for sitting and writing * Clearing the
clutter from your desk and your life – a cluttered
workspace can clutter your mind

7. The Crown Chakra – the energy of Spirit

This energy is experienced as transcendence and is
associated with higher purpose, vision and higher
consciousness. The major block to this energy is an
obsession with Materialism.

You can embrace the Crown Chakra by: * Meditating – this
helps you get in touch with your higher consciousness *
Singing – helps you to find your deeper self * Revisiting
your spiritual origins – this may be through prayer or
participation in religious activities

The Chakras are interconnected and interdependent. They
embrace the whole person – the irrational and rational, the
intuitive and emotional, the pragmatic and the aesthetic
and the material and spiritual.

You can activate your Chakras to improve your article
writing and your daily living.

----------------------------------------------------
This article is written by Ron Passfield, PhD, affiliate
marketing coach, who is developing his affiliate business
through the step-by-step coaching offered by the Affiliate
Classroom:
http://www.affiliate-marketing-coach.blogspot.com
Subscribe to Ron’s weekly “Emarkting Strategies” ezine and
receive a bonus gift:
http://www.emarketingstrategies.blogspot.com

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-28T17:23:00.000-08:00

YEAH! My site is finally up and my books are being sold! I have several other books on various topics to be sold as well. I would really love it if you could drop by and check it out. Leave a comment or two. Tell your friends. Marketing these days is so expensive and I am so desperate to get the word of mouth happening. I am adding new books every day as I get them put together, so visit often to make sure you don't miss out on anything. http://onestopebookshop.ca
The following article I would like to leave with you. It is geared for writing articles for the web but it still has valuable tips for writing in general that can be used by all.

How to Write an Article for the Web
Copyright 2005 Mark Meshulam

Most web-marketing experts tout the power of articles for
their ability to create inbound links and enhanced
credibility for websites. But what they don't tell you
is... how the heck do you write an article?

You need two important elements for a great article:
something to say and the means to say it. First let's
discuss "something to say", otherwise known as content.

It is impossible to write something of interest to others
without good, meaty content. Content comes from your
interests and experiences. To generate content you need to
look at yourself and your life in a new way. Look for
situations in your day which "hit home" in some way. If you
are intrigued, frustrated, thrilled, challenged or
otherwise awakened, then pursue the topic in greater depth.

As you work and play, have an extra mental circuit running
which observes your life. Let's pretend this circuit is a
separate person, the Observer. Now when you go along your
way, occasionally become the Observer and try to cultivate
a new point of view. The Observer is not mired in your
day-to-day struggles. Instead, the Observer watches you
struggling, with clear unemotional vision yet with humor
and an interest in patterns and themes.

Becoming the Observer will help you discover the
interesting parts of your life which you can then bring to
your reader. You can develop your golden nuggets of
experience further by expressing them aloud to others (or
even just to yourself). Through verbalization, you will
find additional points of view and experiences of others to
enrich your topic.

Then, research your topic by word-searching on your
favorite search engine.

Eventually a theme or pattern will emerge. Go a step
further and try to create a solution, position or attitude
with regard to the theme. This will become your unique
"take" on the subject.

Example: A while ago a consultant hired by one of my
customers was irritating me by getting visibly excited
whenever a small problem or issue appeared on our mutual
project. I developed this into a more universal theme and
wrote "Beware the Chicken Little Consultant".

The theme is consultants who use fear tactics. The position
taken in the article is that such consultants should be
dismissed and their users should educate themselves from
less emotional sources. The attitude of the article is
lightly humorous and mocking. Calling the consultant
"Chicken Little" in the title is an example of this.

So far we have covered how to find and develop content,
including arriving at a position and an attitude about the
central theme. When you have come this far, start writing
immediately.

First, jot down a few sample titles which will help guide
you in your writing. Write some key points you want to be
sure to cover. Then, get started writing the article.

When you write, imagine that you are sitting by a campfire
with a smart and interested friend. You are comfortable and
lighthearted. Your unique personality is shining through.
You have a lot to share and this excites you. Tell that
friend your story. What is the first thing she needs to
know? Lay the groundwork step by step. Toss in a wry
comment or two but don't lose the central path.

Tell your story in an order which would be most
understandable to your listener. The order might be
chronological or logical, building from one point to the
next. Keep going until you bring it to a satisfying
endpoint.

During this part of the writing, which I affectionately
call "puking", try to refrain from second-guessing your
words. You spent much time filling yourself with ideas. Now
is the time to puke them all out. There should be a feeling
of "flow". The words should want to come out. Let them. You
will feel empty and good when you are finished.

After I "puke", I do a few quick re-reads and fix obvious
problems such as reorganizing the order of certain
paragraphs, or making the "person" consistent. This article
is written in first(I) and second(you) person. In it, I am
talking to you. It could have also been written in third
(they) person. Example: "Experienced writers organize their
ideas chronologically or logically".

You can mix the "person" for a lively article. Just be sure
it's not awkward.

Look also for time consistency. Is your story written in
the present? This article is written in the present. Things
are happening right now. In one portion I refer to an
article I wrote in the past, however the analysis of the
article was written in the present, because the article
still exists.

You can mix past, present and future in your article.
Drawing from the past and projecting into the future are
powerful presentation methods. In your re-read, make sure
that this is being done correctly. Inform your readers
without confusing them.

Check to make sure you are consistent with regard to
singular and plural. Example of doing it wrong: "We want to
inform our readers without confusing her".

Make sure each idea has its own paragraph. When writing for
the web, remember that your article may be displayed in
narrow newspaper-like columns. Paragraphs should be short.
Avoid paragraphs with more than six sentences. Keep
sentences short. If you must have a long sentence, follow
it with a short one to perk up the reader and keep her
motivated to continue reading.

Here is a big one: cut out all extraneous words. Don't
repeat. Pretend each word is worth $5 and you are paying
the tab. When you finish slashing words, go back and do it
again. You will be surprised that you had so much filler.

When giving a list of points, do your reader a favor and
write the points in a list with numbering or bullets. Don't
make the reader cherry-pick your ideas out of a blob of
text.

Avoid reusing words. Keep them varied and fresh.

Check your spelling!

Now that you have done your re-reads, save your work. Leave
it alone for a day or two. You need this time to forget
what you wrote. Next time when you edit, you will read with
fresh eyes. Weaknesses in your article will jump out. Time
to clean again.

Now read the article out loud. Speak every word clearly and
not too fast. A good article should not only look good on
the page, but it should also sound great when performed.

When I arrive at this point, I will typically publish the
article on my blog. This is a low risk activity because I
can always edit it again later. After 5-7 days, if I can't
find anything else to fix, I will submit the article for
syndication. This is the point of no return. Once the
article is out there will be no more fixing.

Writers write because they feel a need. When they write,
they feel fulfilled. It's possible that you could be a
writer. With effort you can experience the gratification of
seeing your words in print and your ideas spread across the
internet.

----------------------------------------------------
Mark Meshulam offers Poingo Productivity Suite, unique &
inexpensive software which speeds your work and makes it
more fun. Email tickler reminder system. Create JPGs and
PDFs. Edit images in Outlook. Timestamp filenames. Hotkey
shortcuts. And great resources for syndicating your
articles.
http://www.poingo.com

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-23T16:34:00.000-08:00

I was going through some of my writing the other day and I came across a story I had written about an African friend who had visited us one winter when I was ten. We had him out making snow angels, building a fort, having a massive snowball fight, and soaked from head to toe at the end of the three hours we kept him outside. He loved it. He had never seen snow before let alone played in it so he was just like one of us ten year olds.
I realized though while reading my story that because I had used such descriptive words and metaphors, I felt like I was right back to that experience. I remembered it vividly through my words as if it were only yesterday and not over twenty years ago. That is what we should strive for each and every time we start out with a storyline. The reader truly wants to feel what you did. He wants to be able to look around and see the scenery as it would be if it were a real experience.
Anyone who wants to write a book and put it in ebook form and try to sell it without worrying about setting it up on a site can contact me and I will put it on my site. All rights reserved for you of course. We will even sign a legal contract for your safety. Just a thought to help you out. No age limit either. One of the pages I have on my site is for families, so would love to have all stories from family members. I know my teenage daughter wants to make money anyway she can. When you have to go to school and study, and maybe help around the house there may be no time to go find work outside the house, so why not try to make money from home. Anyone under the age of 16 though needs to get parental permission and have parents speak to me first so we are all on the same page about anything legal.

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

I live pay check to pay check. Most people these days do. Yet so many of us have dreams that may often require alot of money for training. Therefore they never get realized due to the lack of funding to press forward.
I have found a site that offers free writing courses. There are a variety of course writing materials you can learn from. Whether it is a business idea you would like to learn to write for, or short stories, or lengthy thrillers. Any tips we can get to learn how to hone our skills to become the best in our field at no cost is the best option for us.
Some of us may not have been in a school for a long time. Even if we had, things have changed in the learning field so much that I am sure what I learned in grade 12 english back in 1989 is nowhere near what they are teaching now. I have looked at my daughters grade 11 curriculum and have no clue as to what they are teaching now. Most of it is like a foreign language to me.
I am always on the hunt for free easy to understand courses where I can feel like I am gaining ground and not consistently sliding down the mountain of knowledge. Check out the site http://www.writershelper.com/writing-courses.html for your guide to free writing courses suitable to your learning abilities, and which will fit into your busy schedule.

Are you at stay at home parent looking to make some extra cash? Check out this site for cool ideas. Bizymoms.com

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-14T18:37:00.000-08:00

I have been doing alot of work on my children's stories and website production that I haven't really spent much time thinking of writing tips or more helpful information for you all. I am sure you can all relate in one way or another with a busy life. Sometimes it can be hard though to try to live your dream at the same time as living your daily existence and make sure the bills get paid.
It means that for as long as it may take your dream may have no monetary value until you can make it manifest into something financial around your other priorities. Sometimes that takes years. For me, I have been writing for 25 years and I am finally getting close to seeing some fruition. But that is what makes it a dream. A goal, a drive, a desire that burns and keeps you going with the solid assurance that no matter how long it takes you will press on. It gives your life meaning in the rigmarole of your daily existence.
In this time of uncertainty in all things around us we need a concrete base to plant our feet in. Our dreams are the only things that no one can take from us unless we let them. If you believe in something passionately enough, you can make it a part of you. It doesn't necessarily have to have a dollar value either. A dream is something that helps you to stay true to yourself and gives you the desire and motivation to make it through an ever changing world.
The following poem I had published in Eternal Portraits in 2005 by The International Library of Poetry poetry.com

Jesus

I was lost and all alone
I was feeling rather blue
My life was filled with pain so deep
I didn't know what to do.

One day I finally found
A deep secret to my life
There was a name that I could call
To sooth and end all strife.

Jesus is the name I cry
He makes my life complete
He is my life, my joy, my love
All my needs He can meet.

Jesus hears me night and day
No sin He can't forgive
He takes away all pain and sorrow
A life through Him I live.

by Melanie Bremner Doran © copyright 2005

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-13T12:43:00.000-08:00

Do you live on a farm? Or have you lived on a farm? I never lived on a farm, but I had some friends growing up who did and I used to visit them for a few weeks every summer. I loved it! Getting up a 5:30am every morning to do chores kind of took some getting used to. But once you got to enjoy the fruits of your labour like homemeade pies with the berries you picked and the butter you helped to churn, it all seemed worth it.
The massive land acreage to run and play on, the variety of animals to feed and pet. It was all an experience a city girl like me needed to put some perspective on my own life.
I came across a site that has a contest for writing about farm life and I thought it would be a great opportunity to get some of the experiences I have had down on paper. It also gave me a reason to call my old friend to see if she would like to participate. It has been over ten years since we talked. We had a good time reminiscing about the good ole days.
Even if you have never lived on a farm but would love to share in some enjoyable stories, you could go check out what the site has to offer at http://www.farmanddairy.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2005-11-10&-token.story=54410.112114&-token.subpub=

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-12T15:15:00.000-08:00

Do you have teenage children? I do. They are online talking with their friends every night after they get their homework done until the wee hours. I talk on MSN alot as well but as all my friends would know, I fully write out my sentences as if I was writing a paper or something to be read by everyone. My daughter knows short forms for sayings that even I have to ask her the meaning. Like LOL(laugh out loud), or ROFL(roll on floor laughing). Here you try one. What is this? LMFAO. That is for those teens who may have an adult looking over their shoulder who may not approve of bad language. The point of the matter is, with all this new way of chatting, the younger generation is losing touch with the real english language and the proper use of it.
IF we are to groom our children to be the next leaders of this world, how can we rightfully let them go on speaking and writing this way?
I was browsing through some sites and came across this one which I thought was a good read. You should read it and decide for yourself.

'Yo, can u plz help me write English?'
By Steve Friess, special for USA TODAY
Carl Sharp knew there was a problem when he spotted his 15-year-old son's summer job application: "i want 2 b a counselor because i love 2 work with kids."

Margie Johnson of St. Charles, Ill., says she tries to help her granddaughter Bailey Cross with her writing.
By Anne Ryan, USA TODAY

That night, the father in Phoenix removed the AOL Instant Messenger program from the family computer and informed both his children they were no longer to chat with friends online.

"That shorthand comes from talking on the Internet, and it's unacceptable," Sharp says. "I never thought I'd be encouraging my kids to talk on the telephone, but I realized that the constant chatting on the Internet was destroying their ability to write properly."

to finish reading the rest of the article then click here: read more

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-11T20:54:00.000-08:00

I have a pretty bad headache tonight so I am just going to leave you with an article that will provide you with some useful information on how to create a winning ebook.

How To Write An eBook People Will Actually READ
Copyright 2005 Jim Boere

The hardest part of writing is the first sentence.

When you look at the whole project, it seems like an
impossible task. That's why you have to break it down into
manageable tasks. Think of climbing a mountain. You are
standing at the foot of it and looking up at its summit
vanishing into the clouds. How can you possibly scale such
an immense and dangerous mountain?

There is only one way to climb a mountain - step by step.

Now think of writing your eBook in the same light. You must
create it step by step, and one day, you will take that
last step and find yourself standing on the summit with
your head in the clouds.

The first thing you have to do, as if you actually were a
mountain climber, is to get organized. Instead of climbing
gear, however, you must organize your thoughts. There are
some steps you should take before you begin. Once you've
gone through the following list, you will be ready to
actually begin writing your eBook.

Beginning Steps to Writing an eBook

First, figure out your eBook's working title. Jot down a
few different titles, and eventually, you'll find that one
that will grow on you. Titles help you to focus your
writing on your topic; they guide you in anticipating and
answering your reader's queries. Many non-fiction books
also have subtitles. Aim for clarity in your titles, but
cleverness always helps to sell books - as long as it's not
too cute. For example, "Remedies for Insomnia: twenty
different ways to count sheep". Or: "Get off that couch:
fifteen exercise plans to whip you into shape".

Next, write out a thesis statement. Your thesis is a
sentence or two stating exactly what problem you are
addressing and how your book will solve that problem. All
chapters spring forth from your thesis statement. Once
you've got your thesis statement fine-tuned, you've built
your foundation. From that foundation, your book will grow,
chapter by chapter.

Your thesis will keep you focused while you write your
eBook. Remember: all chapters must support your thesis
statement. If they don't, they don't belong in your book.
For example, your thesis statement could read: "We've all
experienced insomnia at times in our lives, but there are
twenty proven techniques and methods to give you back a
good night's sleep".

Once you have your thesis, before you start to write, make
sure there is a good reason to write your book. Ask
yourself some questions:

* Does your book present useful information and is that
information currently relevant?

* Will you book positively affect the lives of your readers?

* Is your book dynamic and will it keep the reader's
attention?

* Does you book answer questions that are meaningful and
significant?

If you can answer yes to these questions, you can feel
confident about the potential of your eBook.

Another important step is to figure out who your target
audience is. It is this group of people you will be writing
to, and this group will dictate many elements of your book,
such as style, tone, diction, and even length. Figure out
the age range of your readers, their general gender, what
they are most interested in, and even the socio-economic
group they primarily come from. Are they people who read
fashion magazines or book reviews? Do they write letters in
longhand or spend hours every day online. The more you can
pin down your target audience, the easier it will be to
write your book for them.

Next, make a list of the reasons you are writing your
eBook. Do you want to promote your business? Do you want to
bring quality traffic to your website? Do you want to
enhance your reputation?

Then write down your goals in terms of publishing. Do you
want to sell it as a product on your website, or do you
want to offer it as a free gift for filling out a survey or
for ordering a product? Do you want to use the chapters to
create an eCourse, or use your eBook to attract affiliates
around the world? The more you know upfront, the easier the
actual writing will be.

Decide on the format of your chapters. In non-fiction, keep
the format from chapter to chapter fairly consistent.
Perhaps you plan to use an introduction to your chapter
topic, and then divide it into four subhead topics. Or you
may plan to divide it into five parts, each one beginning
with a relevant anecdote.

How to make your eBook "user friendly"

You must figure out how to keep your writing engaging.
Often anecdotes, testimonials, little stories, photos,
graphs, advice, and tips will keep the reader turning the
pages. Sidebars are useful for quick, accessible
information, and they break up the density of the page.

Write with a casual, conversational tone rather than a
formal tone such as textbook diction. Reader's respond to
the feeling that you are having a conversation with them.
Break up the length and structure of your sentences so you
don't hypnotize your readers into sleep. Sentences that are
all the same length and structure tend to be a good aid for
insomnia!

Good writing takes practice. It takes lots and lots of
practice. Make a schedule to write at least a page a day.
Read books and magazines about the process of writing, and
jot down tips that jump out at you. The art of writing is a
lifetime process; the more you write (and read), the better
your writing will become. The better your writing becomes,
the bigger your sales figures.

In an eBook that is read on the screen, be aware that you
must give your reader's eye a break. You can do this by
utilizing white space. In art classes, white space is
usually referred to as "negative space." Reader's eyes need
to rest in the cool white oases you create on your page. If
your page is too dense, your reader will quit out of it as
soon as their eyes begin to tear.

Make use of lists, both bulleted and numbered. This makes
your information easy to absorb, and gives the reader a
mental break from dissecting your paragraphs one after the
other.

Finally, decide on an easy-to-read design. Find a font
that's easy on the eyes, and stick to that font family.
Using dozens of fonts will only tire your readers out
before they've gotten past your introduction. Use at least
one and a half line spacing, and text large enough to be
read easily on the screen, but small enough so that the
whole page can be seen on a computer screen. You will have
to experiment with this to find the right combination.

Of course, don't forget to run a spell and grammar check.
You are judged by something as minor as correct
punctuation, so don't mess up a great book by tossing out
semicolons randomly, or stringing sentences together with
commas. (By the way, that's called a "comma splice.")

Last of all, create an index and a bibliography. That's it!
You've written a book! Now all you have to do is publish
your eBook online, and wait for download request from your
website visitors.

----------------------------------------------------
For more problem solving publications by Jim Boere go to
http://www.onlinebizpromotion.com -- To read his most
recently published eBook (revealing a newly discovered
method for getting your site ranked in Google and Yahoo!)
visit
http://www.onlinebizpromotion.com/blog-and-ping-mastery/

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-10T14:24:00.000-08:00

I have been going to the movies quite a bit these days. The other week my 16 year old daughter(who wants to be the next Tim Burton)and I were discussing the movie The Corpse Bride. She had written a review on it for school and I was quite impressed. I had said I wasn't crazy about the movie but couldn't give a solid foundation of why. After hearing her review my opionion changed. She had made me look at the movie in a way I never had before.
That got me to thinking. What really is a review composed of and why can it make or break the success of a film? So, I set out to check into some sites that will help me to learn to write a review with the proper format and panache.
I found this site that anyone who is interested can check out. http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/bookrevpre.html
Here's a story I wrote for my son when he started kindergarten in 1996.

Time For School

It’s morning now
So shake your head
Just rub those eyes
Get out of bed.

Go brush your hair
Now don’t be late
Better hurry
The bus won’t wait.

Off to school
You have to go
To read and write
You’ll learn to know.

To learn colours
Like red and blue
To learn numbers
Like one and two.

You’ll learn to draw
And paint real well.
Share a toy
For “show and tell”.

You can read rhymes,
Fairytales too.
Like “The Three Little Pigs”
And “Little Boy Blue”.

You can learn songs
About cuddly bears
You can play games
Like musical chairs.

Sitting quiet
While you must wait
For snack is served
Upon a plate.

There’s crafts from sticks
Or paper planes
They’re fun to make
For when it rains.

You’ll build towers
With “Lego” blocks
You’ll make puppets
From old, wool socks.

There’s waterplay
With boats and whales
A box of sand
With shovels and pails.

You’ll play hockey
Or with a ball.
Run in the field
Just not in the hall.

When class is done
It’s time to go
The toys are put
All in a row.

Coats are put on
Hats and scarves too.
And every day
There’s more to do.

By Melanie Bremner Doran © copyright 1996

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

It is getting so cold out these days. The sky is a stark steely grey at 3:30 in the afternoon. The last few leaves trying to cling desperately to the branches as the wind whips through them. Everyone climbing into their attics or burrowing under the cubbie behind the stairs for the snow suits and boots. Kids starting to sniffle, whine, and wipe their runny noses on their sleeves.Time to pull out those rubber matts and have the mop in front of the door.
Find those slippers! Get out that extra blanket for the couch.
I was thinking of a winter story for the holiday season. A few years back I had written a really cute Santa story all in rhyme. I tore apart all of my closets today looking for all my writing material. Nothing. The only thing I can think of was it must have gotten burned in the fire we had back a couple years ago. I hate when that happens. Have you ever written anything and lost it? I had a 120 page romance story some years back that had taken me over a year and a half to write. I loaned it to a friend of mine to review and she lost it!!!! Always have a back up on disk, a back up in written form, and a copy you mail to yourself and then store unopened in a closet. I also save a copy in one of my folders on my email program.
I was surfing around as I normally do and I came across yet another cool site for writers. There is a free editorial section there that may help you find an editor if you are looking for one. It also has somewhere you can submit your article or manuscript to have it critiqued before sending it to a publisher. I am sure you will find alot of resources available to you if you go check it out at http://www.authorlink.com/index.html

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

I have found a challenge for myself. In my new job we are supposed to choose 5 promotions and write a speil for each of them so the customer is enticed and not turned off. No closed ended questions. But you have to draw them in so they can see the benefits of the puchase, harder to do than to say.
We also have a time limit on each call so finding key words to grab their attention is necessary. Herein lies a problem. I am stuck.
I was browsing through some websites to find some tips and I came across a site which looks pretty good. It is called Killer Ads Site. It has some great writing tips you may benefit from even if you don't need to create an ad for anything.
http://unionez.net/adsezine/Weektp1.html
This will also help me to create an ad I need to post for an illustrator for my latest children's story.

Here is a poem I wrote for my kids when they were younger. It is a little corny but they thought it was cute when they were six.

The Banana Bunny Bum

There once was a bunny
Who was really rather funny
While he ate bananas all day.

He liked to eat a banana split
Until he couldn't even fit
Into his home anymore.

One day as he rolled all around
He turned about and there found
He had a banana bunny bum

He was so upset he couldn't speak
He had to walk down to the creek
And soak his bum in the cold.

His fur was matted, sticky like glue
Even a few leaves stuck in it too
So the poor little bunny cried.

Along came a little girl dressed in pink
The bunny didn't know what to think
As she tenderly picked him up.

She took him home with her that night
Washed the banana away just right
Leaving him all fluffy clean.

And now the bunny will no longer eat
Bananas or any other sticky treat.
So he won't ever get a banana bunny bum.

by Melanie Bremner Doran © copyright 2000

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-06T16:31:00.000-08:00

Doing my usual scanning through websites for writing tips and content I happened to come across an site that has a cute little humourous cartoon chicken. I have subscribed to this newsletter since they were offering an ebook "83 ways to make money writing". Of course I am interested! I have always loved to write and because of that I have maintained a daily ritual. There comes a time in your life though where you really would like to see your work produce some dollars, and why not? You earned it. You should check out the site http://www.writingfordollars.com

Here is a poem I wrote when I finished school and realized finding work was not going to be as easy as I thought.

I come from

I come from a middle-class family of six.
With even a half sister thrown in the mix.
My life was secure with a mother at home.
But I left with my heart longing to roam.

I was seventeen and out on my own.
But I soon found out I was very alone.
I tried to get welfare but wasn’t of age.
I found myself trapped in a political cage.

I looked for a job, but all I could find
Was a coffee shop where poor people dined.
The hours were long, the pay was too small
My feet hurt so much, I thought I would fall.

I’d quit highschool, so I could run and play
How could I know I’d regret it one day?
Only a low income wage could I make
With my legs and back always to ache.

So I went back to school, now I’m in debt.
I feel like a fish that’s caught in a net.
For no matter how hard I look and try
I won’t land a good job unless I lie.

If companies want some experience
I don’t understand how that makes sense.
How can you gain without even the chance
You must learn to walk before you can dance.

So I beg the government if you will
You can’t just offer us people a skill
We need a job to gain the experience
Or else we’ll end up on social assistance.

by Melanie Bremner Doran © copyright 1994

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

I have been writing poetry since I was seven. I got my first poem published in our school newspaper. I later went on to write on average six poems a year. There are numerous ways, styles, and verse types you can choose to use. I recently found a good site that gives you some creative ideas to hone your poetry writing skills. I found it to be quite fun as well as informative. You should go check it out. http://www.poetryexpress.org/15poems.htm You could get your whole family involved and have some fun.
Here is a poem I wrote when I was having a little difficulty with my children a few years back. It has a little touch of humour to it.

You Need to Have Class

The birds in the treetops
A bee's in the rose
I stand here staring
While you pick your nose.

The sun it is shining
The flowers are a bloom
But all around me
Is the mess of your room.

I tell you to clean up
You bitch and moan
You flop on your bed
As you grumble and groan.

I tell you to move
To get out of that bed
You start into your pouting
You toss around your head.

I stand here and shout
That you need to have class
You insist that you do
As you're scratching your ass.

I laugh and nod
Walk out of the door
Close it behind me
As you now sit on the floor.

written by Melanie Bremner Doran in 1996

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-03T18:04:00.000-08:00

Can you name three things you like about yourself and three things you would like to change? I remember that being one of my assignments in my psych class. It took me a week to answer that. Pathetic, I know.
It is well known that the best writers are often known for being emotional people.It is part of what makes them so successful. The ability to express your emotions, then be able to write how you feel in reference to any subject is part of the innate abilities that lie dormant within us.
I am a strong believer that we all have the ability to be talented, expressive artists so long as we can draw on the passion within us.
Putting sentences together(all grammar combined)is the boring part of writing. If you have a vision, can pen down some emotions or thoughts that move you; then you can always find an editor. My mother was mine as I grew up. Now I have become my daughters, much to her chagrin. Sometimes being known too much for our "talent" can be the death of our writing abilities. We can lose track of the reason we started to write in the first place. That our desire was to bring our readers into our world through our eyes. Whether it be through impassioned writing about our experiences, events, or any other interests we may have.
The following poem I wrote last year as part of my personal therapy when I broke up with my ex boyfriend of five years.

The Truth

As I stood in my room feeling completely alone,
I wondered what happened to the world I had known.
The truth in your eyes has burned right through me,
Gone are the lies, my soul's been set free.

But the truths I have learned along this precarious way
Have left me gasping and weeping, rueing the day
That day that I met you and all things were fine
I didn't see the thorns on the rose that was mine.

Now I can see with my journey all done
The truth I have learned will not make me run
A strength I have gained, and a courage my own
Will allow me to face this new world I've been shown.

by Melanie Bremner Doran © copyright 2004

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-11-02T16:14:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it has been a few days since I posted on here. I have had so many things to do I haven't found the time. I have four blog sites, a successful families website(which I haven't updated recently either), I have written 7 children's stories that I am presently working on for illustrations, I have a book of poetry I am turning into an ebook, and I am working on the layout for my new site to sell all the ebook products I will have for sale. Besides the fact I just started working in a call centre for some extra Christmas money. There is alot of hard work in trying to become well known and financially independent.
The following article was sent to me for pointers on developing my site more effectively. It has some relevant tips for writing, regardless of the content type.
I thought I would share it with you to see if you could benefit from any of the advice.

The EASY Anyone-Can-Do-It Way To Write Free Reprint Articles
Copyright 2005 Steve Shaw

As you may already know, writing free reprint articles and
then distributing them to publishers and web sites is one
of the best ways to promote your web site - a single
article can result in hundreds of new links to your web
site and a rapid increase in traffic levels. But there's
nothing worse than staring at a blank screen, and wondering
how you're going to fill it with hundreds of words. That's
why I'm going to give you an easy way that anyone can use
to write an article - even if it's your very first one!

1. Get a main idea, or focus for your article.

This is what your whole article is going to be about.

The main idea for your article needs to have some relevance
to the web site that you link to in the resource box,
because this is how you are going to get the benefit when
your article is published.

This is why articles are so effective at directing targeted
traffic to your site - the reader will be searching for
information on a topic, find your helpful and informative
article, and follow the link to your site for even more
relevant information. Writing free reprint articles fits
right into how Internet users surf the web, and benefits
you with targeted traffic.

2. Jot down five or more key points that provide
information on your article topic.

For example, if your article's a how-to type of article,
you can have say five steps towards accomplishing a
specific goal. If your article explains different ways to
do something, think of five or more different ways. Each of
these points will form a paragraph in your article. Often
as you write your article proper, you will find that you
can expand each point into two or three paragraphs, which
will give you an ideal length for your article.

3. Write an introduction.

Just introduce your topic. Give a little bit of background
to the article's topic, and then summarize what you will
cover in your article.

Again, you want to keep the reader interested, keep them
reading, and push them along to the link in your resource
box that you want them to click. So try to spike their
curiosity a little, and they won't be able to help but read
on to find out more.

4. Write a conclusion.

Your conclusion really just quickly summarizes the main
points in your article, similar to how your introduction
works, except now you are drawing your article to a natural
close.

It's good practice to take a look at some articles in an
article directory, and see how authors have concluded their
article. Don't copy word for word, but you can base the
format of your own conclusion on one that you like the look
of.

5. Add a tantalizing title.

You may want to write this at the very beginning, but it's
often helpful to write at the end once you are really clear
what your article is about.

Your title is also one of the most important elements. It
has to draw the reader in, encourage him to read further,
make your article stand out from the crowd, and if at all
possible contain an element that plays to the reader's
curiosity (i.e. literally force them to read just to
satisfy their curiosity).

6. Check the length

The ideal article length is 600-800 words, this is what
most publishers are looking for, and will ensure that your
article gets published in the maximum number of places. If
you're short, see if you can expand on certain points, or
add a couple of new points in.

7. Write your resource box

The last and arguably most important bit is to write your
resource box. Again, it's a good idea to have a look around
some article directories and note how other authors have
structured theirs.

In my experience, the most effective way to structure a
resource box is to first write a sentence about yourself
that also gives you some authority on your topic. Then
write a sentence about your web site, with a link to it.
And that's all it needs. Keep it simple, keep clear of
promotional language, and just include a single link.

---

Once you've practised these techniques a couple of times,
you'll find it as easy as pie and will be churning out
quality articles in half the time. There are a few common
mistakes that you will also need to avoid, but this is
covered in a previous article I wrote at
http://www.submityourarticle.com/articles/Steve-Shaw-1/submit-article-963.php there isn't room to go over them again
here.

All you need to do now is get your article out there and
published as widely as possible.

----------------------------------------------------
Steve Shaw provides systems and software for effective
e-marketing. Find out more about how to publish articles
for profit online with his popular free ecourse, available
at:
=>http://www.takanomi.com/publish-articles.php

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-10-31T17:30:00.000-08:00

Do you have a journal? I have been writing a journal since I was seven years old. I recently came across one of my journals from when I was 15. Oh the mentality of a teenager. I thought I knew everything when I was 16. But don't we all?
I had so many wishes and desires back then. I had confidence no one and nothing could shake. I was the queen of my own world, and what an imagination I had.
It was such a precious time though. So young, innocent, and naive. But sometimes I think I would trade that for the cynicism, bitterness, and regret I have developed along the way to adulthood. When you are young, you wanted to be trusted, you want your parents to give you some responsibilty. When you get older, you wish you could sometimes give the responsibility away.
It is a good practice for a writer to keep a journal. It helps me to sort out my feelings when they are too intense to voice. It can help you to organize your thoughts. I like to argue or discuss my point about any issues I have with someone after I have left the "moment". Writing your feelings gives you the release you need without causing pain to someone else due to saying things aloud that you can't take back.
Whatever way you choose to use your writing abilities, whether it be to write for entertainment or personal therapy, it all helps you to put words together to better hone your skills and make your reader share in your experience.

The following poem I wrote in 1998 when I broke up with my husband. Some of you may relate to the way I was feeling.

I'll Always Remember
I'll always remember your smile,
And that wicked twinkle in your eye.
The way my heart would skip a beat,
When you'd look at me and sigh.
I was your wildflower
That blossomed in the sun
But too much rain then drowned me
And made me want to run.

I never could figure,
Just how I really felt.
My feelings all were jumbled
My head sore like a welt.
You had so much pain inside of you
I didn't know what I could do
I always made it worse for you
Instead of only staying true.

But you scared me with the depth of pain
A depth I'd never know.
We both had all these feelings
We didn't know how to show.
But I do know that I love you
And that I always will.
No matter how our lives go now
I will always love you still.

I'm sorry we couldn't share our lives
The way we really needed
To just let go and forget the pain
Let our hearts just run unheeded.
You need a stronger person
To help you through your pain
To give to you the help you need
To learn to trust again.

And so I have to be contented
To know that you are there
Still in my life, with our children
And that you do still care.
I am really sorry
So much you'll never know
That we couldn't work it out together
So our lives and love could grow.

No more placing blame
For all the wrong been done
No more sleepless nights
Or the need to up and run.
And so I thank you kindly
For all that you have been
For all the good that we shared,
And the things that we have seen.

by
Melanie Bremner Doran

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-10-30T19:09:00.000-08:00

Today I had the joy of attending a Pampered Chefs party. For those of you who don't know what that is, I will tell you.
Pampered Chef products are cooking ware that is made to last, has a lifetime warranty,and is made from stoneware, stainless steel and other such solid materials.
Most of us have been to a tupperware party right? Before the event I was classifying this excursion as a glorified tupperware party and didn't see what the big deal was.
It was very nice. The host of the party had a cute navy blue Pampered Chef's apron. She had one of every item in the catalog that she was promoting. Then she cooked us a wonderfully tasty veggie pizza. When I sat down before the show, I was chuckling to myself thinking that this seemed like such a waste of time and preparation for most likely a sale or two from the nine of us that managed to show up.
Kathleen was marvelous. She wove us into her spell. Enticed us with aromas, her confidence in the products as she used them, the finesse as she layed out the beautiful array of veggies, cheese, and crust baked to perfection.
Two hours later I, along with every other person there was writing out an order. The prices I had thought a little steep in the beginning now seemed quite reasonable after the display. What do they say? "The proof is in the pudding."
This got me to thinking about some of my favorite things and how one could make some money incorporating them. Food, good customer service and writing. Could I make that equal money? You bet. Others do. There are food critics making a living out there all over the world. Since I wasn't quite sure how to get involved in that I had to think of something I could do on my own.
Mini sites are becoming popular all the time these days. They are quick and easy to set up and don't require any hassle to maintain. So, I thought I would go out and critic some places on my own, write and review, post it on my site, contact the company and inform the advertising or media department, and see what happens.
I live in a small town now where I am sure there are plenty of restaurants that would love to get the exposure to bring in new customers. Not only would I be making people aware of the geopgraphy, but I would also be promoting their business. That should count for a few bucks shouldn't it?
I would love to make money writing about anything I can that I experience in life. If there is a will, there usually is a way. It just takes a little bit of thought and creativity.
What do you love? Is there a way you could put it all together to make a few dollars? I am not saying try to make a living off of it. I am merely trying to imply that there could always be a way to add an extra bonus to what you already enjoy. You never know unless you try.

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-10-28T22:53:00.000-07:00

I want to ask you a question. The reason I was thinking about it was because it is my grandma's 81st bday today and I had to go looking for a card.
I always feel silly looking for greeting cards when I used to make them. I am a writer after all! Why am I going to look for a card with a generic saying on it when I can write something so much better(not to mention personal!)
It is the quick and easy way out. This society is getting so caught up in the quick and easy mentality of living, that way too many important things are getting lost.
One of my personal favourites is the microwavable bacon. It only takes 7-8 mins. to begin with. Why do we have to knock it down to 2 mins? Come on! Are we really all in that much of a hurry every day? I refuse to believe that.
Okay so this is not sounding like anything to have on a writers blog, I know.
I started off with the thought to ask you if you have ever wanted to get into writing greeting cards work. Greeting card writing is quite fun. You can make a good living off of it if that is your goal.
You would be a freelancer who has a business of your own. To me that is a 2 for the price of 1 deal. I love business, and I love writing! Can't go wrong there.
Go check out this site and see if maybe this could be your niche. http://www.absoluteclasses.com/Louden/greetincards.htm"

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-10-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

So, you have a story all written, edited and ready for publication. With the modern technology available today you no longer have to send out tons of query letters to publication offices looking for the one place who will agree to try you out. Now, don't get me wrong, I still suggest doing that, but you do have options for the mean time that you can take part in to better feel like you are helping yourself more.
What I am talking about is the sites available for print on demand and ebook publications. There are two sites that I have found to recommend.
Cafepress.com is a site where you can upload your document(pdf form), and pics as needed. They have a complete online learning centre which helps you to setup your book format as required. Also this site is beneficial if you are also an artist and would like to promote your work. There are tons of products you can put your designs on and sell at a price you choose over the cost of the base price(which by the way, you don't pay until someone buys your product).check out all the site has to offer. You won't regret it. http://www.cafepress.com
The next site I would like to tell you about is Lulu.com. This site is along the same lines as Cafepress.com except you have the option of having your book developed as an ebook as well as hard copy. That way you can have the extra benefit of two income streams from the same product idea. Go compare layouts, and prices at http://www.Lulu.com
The great thing about these sites is that you retain all rights to your work and can have both sites set up for sales, as well as even on your own site, if you have one and the software to create an ebook. We can get into Ebook compliers and the best on the market at another time.

This is a poem I wrote for my mother on her birthday some years back. I am sure some of you out there will be able to relate to it in regards to your own mother.

The Little Woman

She cooks and cleans and scrubs the walls
With never a word of dismay
She mends and irons and washes the clothes
She toils all through the day.

The children come home with a shout and a holler
She is down on her hands and knees
They want a snack with no concern for her back
Just grabbing with no words of “please”

When the children are sick and up in the night
She tends them and rocks them to sleep
No thought for herself or the sleep she will miss
She sings softly so they don’t weep.

The children all grow and move out on their own
And the little woman can rest.
She can smile and be glad in her heart
For she knows she has done her best.

by,
Melanie Bremner Doran copywritten 1996

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-10-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

I come from the big city of Toronto, Ontario Canada. A city I watched grow from 2 million people to almost five million in 30 years. Toronto is a great place to live for a writer. There are so many things to see, hear, smell and touch.
I love to watch people. I used to sit for hours at various coffee shops throughout the city, absorbing all the speech and actions of those around me.
I would pick out a couple of people and develop an imaginary life for them. Picture their homes, their families, their jobs. It is a great exercise for those who need to create characters for their storylines.
I came across this article on ways to help you develop your creative mind. I thought this was a good read with useful tips.

The First 3 Secrets to Boosting Your Creativity
Copyright 2005 Inez Ng

I have professed to be the ultimate left-brained nerd. For
years I saw myself as the analytical automaton, sorely
lacking in creativity. And creativity is something that I
really valued. Think about it - being creative is defined
as “having or showing imagination and artistic or
intellectual inventiveness.” Who wouldn’t want that
quality?

As I am also a professed personal growth addict, I have
worked hard on boosting my own creativity. And I am happy
to report that I do consider myself much improved in that
area. If you can identify with me, don’t despair. It
really was not as hard as I thought. How did I do it?
Here are some of my secrets to help you get started.

1. Exercise your creative muscle regularly

There have been lots of studies on the human brain and
evidence shows that our brains works very much like a
muscle, which means that the more we use it, the stronger
it becomes. In order to boost your creative muscle, start
using it every opportunity you get, especially when it is
just for fun.

Here are some things you can do:
• Pick up some brain teaser puzzles and work on those
• Instead of reading from a book, choose a toy from your
children’s collection and make up a story about it at
bedtime
• Play games that engage the mind such as mah jong or chess
• Approach things differently – instead of writing down a
list of words, try using pictures or symbols

2. Identify your Creative Environments and Schedule Time
There

Do you know where you do your best thinking? For most of
us, it is not sitting at our desks. My best ideas come to
me in three places: the shower, on my long walks, and in
the car. There is something about the isolation and the
relaxed state I’m in while engaging in these activities
that allow my mind to come up with solutions to problems.
So your assignment is to figure out where your best
creative environments are and schedule yourself to spend
time there.

A word of caution though – once you have identified what
these environments are, don’t spoil it for yourself by
expecting that you will be doing creative thinking every
time you are there. Look for it as a special bonus, like a
prize you get when you open up the right bottle of Coke.
If I went for a walk specifically because I need some
creativity, it doesn’t come as easily. But if I just let
my mind wander to whatever it wants to think about, the
ideas start to come. Learn to relax into your creativity.

3. Adopt a “the more the merrier” attitude

One of the books that has helped me develop my creative
muscle is “A Whack on the Side of the Head” by Roger von
Oech. It is a fun little book and I highly recommend it.
In it, he talks about the “right answer” and the “second
right answer”, and the next right answer. His point is
that while we are in school, we are trained that there is
only ONE right answer to test questions. And we adopt that
same approach to everything else in life.

In order to boost our creativity, we have to remember that
there is often more than ONE right answer. So, don’t just
stop after you have one answer, keep going and see how many
other ones you can come up with. Make it a challenge. It
doesn’t matter how outrageous it is. The most significant
inventions seemed completely preposterous at the time they
were first considered. Don’t start judging when you are in
the brainstorming phase. That can come later.

When you start using these suggestions, I think you will
notice an improvement in your creative ability, as I have.
I must admit that now I really enjoy my creative
activities, like writing these articles, brainstorming with
clients, and just letting my imagination run wild. And if
you stay tuned, I will have a follow up article on this
subject as there is much more great information I want to
share with you.

----------------------------------------------------
Are your business results suffering due to an ineffective
leadership team ? Find out what coaching with Inez Ng can
do for your leadership team at
http://www.Realizationsunltd.com You can receive helpful
articles like this each month by joining her list. Want to
know about saving time handling emails? Check out her ebook
at http://easymailstrategies.com

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-10-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

Well, you know your idea is good for your next book. But you still have concerns about the best way to put the sentences and paragraphs together to draw the reader in.
I have started reading quite a lot of books in my time that I am sure are good story lines, but I just couldn't get past the authors style of writing. I am sure you can relate. So, how do we go about making sure we can write the stuff that keeps the readers attention and gets them wanting to turn the next page?
If you are concerned with setting up proper paragraph form and eyecatching sentence structure you should check out the following site for tips.www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/contents.htm

I thought I would share a poem with you that I wrote when I had finished school and found out that society had a different agenda than I did.

The New Age of Despair

I remember when I was young and free.
I used to dream of all I could be.

I thought it would be fun to teach
Of all the students I could reach.

And then I thought I’d be a nurse
But hating blood was to be my curse.

Then I thought I could be a shrink.
Helping people to feel and think.

All these things took much time and care,
And lots more money than I could spare.

And so I took a computer course
Paid for by a government source.

Now I’m looking for a job.
Now I’m just an unemployed slob.

I have training, but not the skill
No experience, just the Will

The will to succeed isn’t enough.
You need the chance to show your stuff.

So I wait, day in and day out
For someone who’ll come and give me a shout.

To let me have the chance I need.
So I can prove that I’ll succeed.

by,
Melanie Bremner Doran

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-10-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

It's funny sometimes how the mind of the writer works. I have several other blogs on this site that I post to on a regular basis with no problems at all. The reason is because I get articles come across my desk and then I pick one out for the day that appeals to me, I research, sometimes test it out and then post it along with my own opinion or experience. In this way, I allow myself to be a writer as well as a publisher.
All writers have writers block at one time or another. We all tend to have our own way of dealing with it as well. There was a point in my life where I was so wrapped up in misery that my writers block lasted over two years. I was so disassociated with myself that I couldn't think or act properly. It was a perpetual circle really. I was miserable because I couldn't write, but I couldn't write because I was so miserable. Stop the insanity! Let me off!
It wasn't until a chance meeting with a wanna be writer in a bar one day that I realized that I was the solution to my own dilemma. I needed a change of perspective. By now though I had gotten so out of practice of writing I still didn't know where to start. I reviewed all my old stories, in their various stages of completion to see if I could get the creative juices flowing. No luck. Then I came across this site that seemed like it was made just for me.
If you are stuck for ideas to write, maybe you should go and check out this site. It is quite fun actually. You just click on a number and it gives you an idea to work with. Before long you will find that your creativity has a life and mind of its own again and your own ideas will once again flow. www.creativewritingprompts.com

I would like to share another poem I wrote on life and society.
Hope

I look outside my window
As far as I can see
The children are all playing
With each happily.

There is no black and white
No rich against the poor
No anger, and no hatred
As I have seen before.

I wonder if there’s hope for us
To go against the odds
To live in perfect harmony
In one we all our God’s

But only time itself will tell
If men can overcome
To find in them the pure of heart
Loving all, and not just some.

By,
Melanie K Bremner Doran

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Mesothelioma Lawyer

2005-10-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

Do you often wish you had more time in the day? I do. Even though I am self employed and don't have to leave home, I still find myself lost in a mound of "paper" work. I swear the battery on my laptop is going to permanently burn out one day. On an average day, I am online working for 8-12 hours. There are a few days,especially near the end of a deadline, that it is not unusual for me to put in 16 hours in a day online.
Do you like to travel? Have you ever dreamed of being a travel writer? I found a course that gives you all the help, support and guidelines to pursuing that dream. This course even gaurantees you will have a job by the end of it because part of the whole course outline is preparing a proper layout, query letter and article ready for publication, with the connections to do so. I thought it was fantastic. I can't find the time right now in my busy schedule to indulge in that line of work, but I may very well do so in the future.
Go check out Jennifer's site if this is appealing to you. http://www.freelancewritingsuccess.com/travel.php
Now I would like to share another poem I wrote with you. This is a lesson I learned about love.

The Truth

As I stood in my room feeling completely alone,
I wondered what happened to the world I had known.
The truth in your eyes has burned right through me,
Gone are the lies, my soul's been set free.

But the truths I have learned along this precarious way
Have left me gasping and weeping, rueing the day
That day that I met you and all things were fine
I didn't see the thorns on the rose that was mine.

Now I can see with my journey all done
The truth I have learned will not make me run
A strength I have gained, and a courage my own
Will allow me to face this new world I've been shown.

by Melanie Bremner Doran

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2005-10-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

I love blogs! I love writing! I thought I would create a new blog site for my writing passion. I would like to post little tid bits of writing info whether it be publishing tips, or just creativity options. I will post some of my writing for others to critique or just enjoy. I could put a book together but I don't have enough material yet(since I lost my life's work in a fire a few years ago) and I would rather work on actual stories to publish. Kind of makes it worth the time and paper. Poetry I think gives you a little taste of the authors style and skills yet is short enough it should be given for free. Call it an entree.
I have written most of my poetry on love and life since emotions usually bring out the voice in most people. I have had a hard time saying what I feel yet it flows so smoothly out on paper. I'm sure alot of you out there can relate.
There will be no specific topics or boundaries on this site, although all I write is strictly clean and not anything racy or adult content.
I do have children's story ebooks I am working on selling so if you find you like my writing and would like to see what my books offer I would love for you to contact me. The poetry I share with you on this site you have permission to use as you would like. Just remember they are all copywritten as my material and my name attached needs to remain intact.
So, on to the first poem I introduce to you:
A Lesson Learned

In a long, dark alley
With the world full of noise
A little boy cries
As he holds close his toys.
He watches in horror
As the smoke billows 'round
His house is still burning
All the way to the ground.

His world is in shambles
His clothes are a mess
His mother stands screaming
In complete utter distress.
The sirens are all shrieking
The policemen all yell
The boy stands there shaking
With his story to tell.

His mother had told him
So many times he knew
Not to play with those matches
For this is what they would do.
The boy shivered in fear
At the punishment unknown
The look on his mother's face
When the truth would be shown.

A lesson is learned
For the boy on this day
Fortune has saved him
And not made him pay.
For if a life had been taken
With his careless play
His own life would be lost
In the debt to repay.

Never would he be foolish
Never would he tempt Fate
Never would he play the odds
Against the human state.

by Melanie Bremner Doran

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