Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The Death Diary - (A Short Story)

The Death Diary of
Troy Burroughs

Extract #2
Day Three and Four of Troy Burroughs

Day Three

Being dead is going to take some getting used to. According to earth time this would be day three of my so called, death. I keep looking down on North America, I guess it's still home to me for the moment anyway. A few hours ago, I caught a comet, the tail end of it and I noticed it was quite slow compared to my form of travel, that is, I think I was going as fast as 200,000-thousand miles an hour, and it somehow zigzagged, and jumped off or out of its orbit and fell back into it somehow-kind of speaking-by an asteroid belt is where I was, I'd estimate somewhere around twenty to fifty million miles from earth, who can say, surely not me for certain.

I thus far, have learned something in this new development of mine, that being, traveling in space in what I call shape-traveling, for that is all I am, simple a shape with some kind of energy source to me, one could even call it residue, soul or whatever they wish, a part of another dimension with substance: I used the thrust of the comet, the velocity-I used it somehow, not quite knowing how, allowing it to push me, that is, more likened to throwing me-hurdling me I would guess, out into the empty part of space, the black airless cold space...I actually felt something to my shape: I sensed something also, something like. the several world surrounding me produced other forms of life, ghosts maybe, demonic being trying to escape earth's hell, other aliens looking down through their portholes, through layers of time and space and echoes, and so forth. I felt like a new born baby learning everything all over, I do think I have some source of natural feeling to my movements, should I want to use them, up to now its been more on the order of the elements in space moving me you might say. I, at this point cannot name it but I'd like to kick it, to see if how much control I have here in this new environment.

Nevertheless, what I was going to say, had on my mind to say, before I got into what I just mentioned, was-here I am, back where I started from, the day I died, overlooking earth, but again, here I am, in this asteroid belt-if you get what I mean, think-travel and there you are, among really simple, big fat rocks everywhere in space, and earth is no exception, other than it is more colorful.

Well, to make a diary note shorter, once seen is enough, and so it was a good visit, but I must learn how to control it. It is like going to the Rocky Mountains or possibly I could qualify it to equal the Bad Lands in South Dakota, going back there back and forth like a yoyo. But again, once seen, that is enough, unless this kind of thing is your thing, and it is not my thing by far: I mean, I'm only on day three, and this is what you get. I think that area is best for campers, not me. I'd prefer hotels, but I suppose you don't need them out here. The more I think of it, something is missing. Oh well, I'll investigate. Now it's becoming evening time over Minnesota (St. Paul, is my home town (where my wife lives, Rosa), the sun is going down.

Day Four

Morning time in Minnesota, the sun is coming up, I got an inkling, I got to go back to see how my little wife is doing, Rosa. I know for a few hours after I died, she was upset, crying, hysterical. I didn't know what to do for her, she couldn't see me, and I did not know how to communicate with her other than trying to set a mood, by way of producing calmness about her immediate space: prayer helped.

She got me to the hospital, and I know I was getting better, a heart attach I heard them say. Then she stayed overnight, and I died in the middle of the night, she had fallen to sleep. I was happy about that, happy because she was so tired: everyone thought I was in a coma, but I was really between life and death, a new kind of order they didn't anticipate, one that is dreamy like, a stage before death, one you can see about you, hear sounds and sense people, but cannot talk, it is not a coma, although folks think it is, or could be, it is in-between where you touch the hand of Christ, but cannot feel it, only see it, and where your pours are filled with the light of God. Then I died, and got sent here, not sure for how long thought.

For the longest moment, I hovered over the bed, looking at her, but I had no power to say or do anything-that was of course after the in-between period, where I was in a dream like world. Now that I think of it, I was in shock-kind of shock, after the in-between took on pure death, then she woke up, and as I was saying I was hovering over her, looking down, I didn't feel the grief as she was feeling, but a separation from my body, in the sense of emptiness from a shell: So many experiences at once.

That little Inca wife of mine just cried and cried, and hugged me, I wanted to comfort her, but she'll have to go through it like me someday, if the Lord willing I'll be there to comfort her.

Anyways I am now in my old house, hovering about. She's got my urn next to my mother's, she had me cremated today. I missed the funeral; I guess they had a small one at the cremation area. No one showed up from my side of the family, as expected, no problem; it was all grieved out long ago, and better for it, I prefer quite times. I think Rosa is going to take my urn, and my mother's and put it into the Huancayo, Peru, and Cemetery, in one of those vaults, she was a good wife.

She's crying again. I wonder if I can somehow let her know I'm here, and all right. I should pray, matter of fact, I thought I would get to see the Lord by know, Jesus Christ, but first things first, I heard a voice say that, It think it was Serr'el, my guardian angel, he had a hell of a job with taking care of me, guarding me while on earth, I hope I don't get a job like his, too much grief and wondering. I get the chills just thinking of his name. I also get the feeling I have to polish myself up to meet the Lord, you know, kind of take care of business, Elvis used to say that. I know he is not far away, -and I thank Him for his patience.

Now back to my little Rosa, she is sitting in my big sofa chair in the living room, tears are still coming down. Let's see if I can do something to let her know I'm present (I told her once, we cry-during our grieving period, or time, for the great times we had, that is called sadness, not depression, sadness says, those times were all worth while, I hope she remembers that).

As I said, and I shall repeat, there she is, sitting in the sofa chair, I know what I'll do, I'll make noise like walking on the floor, footsteps, not too creepy, just light enough for her to know I am with her. But how do I do that, I don't weigh anything? Too many questions for simple things; but you know I felt the thrust of the comet; yaw, yaw, that's it, creates energy from energy. As I step one foot in front of the other, you can hear my footsteps, and see the rug impressions of my feet, it is taking all my energy to produce these footsteps, she's looking up, now she looking around: look down, down little wife, look down. She doesn't look down. She's getting a little scared, I better stop. Now she rests back into the chair, she's thinking though.

She got up to check the hallway, now the window. I can't do that again, I got to practice; I guess a spirit can even loose energy. She went back to the chair; it's dark outside, the TV is on, it is drowning out my footsteps. For her the day is young, for me, now sure, I guess down here it's as it would be, forever long, just a day but with light and darkness, I don't feel the heat or cold. I'm going to try something else. I'm going to stand in the archway to the living room and try to make my configuration, my spirit form light up, just a bit, just a slight emotion, if I darken it, it might scare her. I noticed I had one in outer-space.

[A long pause]

It's morning now, dark morning, so it must be pretty early, she is cleaning the house, getting ready to face the day, she notices my chair, the dinning room light is off so is the kitchen light, she turns it on and a little electric heater emitting heat she turns off in the bedroom, she is facing the mirror in the bathroom. This will be my best try think, if only she focuses hard on the mirror; I'll try to reflect my shape.

Here I go, MMMMMMMM-Materializing [light starts to fill the mirror a faded light, dull but pronounced nonetheless in a spiritual form. She's looking at me, rubbing her eyes, I'm loosing my energy source, and it is like holding your breath trying to get this light out. She's leaning forward, squinting her eyes.

[Middle of the Night]

Got a new idea, I'll enter her dreams, slowly, if this is possible, and I heard the nightmare demon can do it all the time, unless you pray for them not to. Therefore, why cannot a good spirit like me do it? That of course a question for me, one I'll answer by trying to do, what I'm not sure I can do.

I'm not sure how you do it, but I got a sense of how will come-I'll sit by her and just whisper in her ears, and try to create a sense of me, and she will picture me, and I will let her know all is well: "Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa, Rosa..., all is well, I love you, always have, it is me, I'm all dressed in fogy white, I'll be waiting for you and we'll travel around the world, no, better yet, around the worlds, and into new galaxies."

She sees me, visualizing me says, in her dream world (I hope she remembers and writes it down): "...yes, yes, I DO see you," she says.

"I'm fine Rosa, I'm doing ok, I miss you and I'll be around should you need me, just call on me. Like my mother used to do, remember how she kept us from the fire?"

She's crying in her sleep, says: "...no, no don't go.'"

"But I can't stay too long; it takes too much whatever it is, energy and like the bee, remember the bee in the bottle, he lost his energy to fly, then he could hardly walk trying to climb that glass bottle, then I set him free and he nourished himself in the grass, and he regained his power, and flight, and few away; perhaps for another day."

She went back to sleep, she's stop crying. She's breathing better now. I think she'll remember this dream as more realistic than non-fiction, or symbolic, I hope.

Originally written, 7-3-2006
10-22-2008 (Revised and reedited)

See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

Ezine Publishers Want These 5 Things From Article Authors/Writers

Want your articles to get picked up and reprinted by top name brand ezine publishers?

While there is no shortage of authors willing to give their articles away for free with hopes of attracting ezine publishers who will pick up your article to send to their list as supplemental content or 'guest expert' - there is a gap between two very different types of articles:

Type 1: Those That Get Reprinted

Type 2: Those That Get Passed Over

Article marketing can help you achieve fame, traffic, credibility, sales, referrals and much more, but not if your articles don't make it into viral distribution.

Here are the top 5 factors that ezine publishers look for when they decide which articles to publish:

1) Does the article have zero self serving links in the article body? If so, good.

Loading up the body of your article with affiliate links or other obvious self-serving links is a liability. Your short-term thinking or scarcity based thinking (that you need to get an immediate return from your article) will keep your article from ever seeing top results.

2) Does the article have no more than 2 self serving links in the resource box? If so, good.

Your resource box at the bottom of your article should be short, sweet, succinct, to the point, and be less than 10% of the total word count of your article. Ezine publishers don't mind giving you name credit and a link for sharing your article with them, but they don't want to look like a fool by being required to reprint a short novel about all of your websites and accomplishments.

3) Is the article short (250-700 words)? If so, great.

We live in a 'sound byte' economy. No one has time to really go deep when it comes to reading email newsletters. It's proven that the shorter articles achieve a much higher distribution than the longer ones.

4) Does it deliver quality original content with numbered lists, bullet points or easy to glean information that their audience would find valuable? If so, good.

Key point: Make sure your articles are 100% original content. Anything less is really an insult.

5) Is the author well recognized or respected within their market niche. If so, excellent!

Ezine publishers have an ego just like you do. They want to use articles in their email newsletters that make them look good. The more you use your articles to help yourself gain credibility for your unique expertise within your niche, the greater the chances you'll find your articles getting picked up by your ezine publishing peers.

Hint: You'll need to write at least 100 or more articles before a top dog takes your credibility seriously. The greater majority of authors think they can put 1-6 articles into distribution and that's all that they will need to make it big. How erroneous their thinking is... You can quickly separate yourself by putting 100 more articles into distribution before this quarter is over. Yes, it is possible; Yes, it has been done; and Yes, you can do it.

There are many other considerations that ezine publishers look for, such as:

  • Relevancy of the article to the ezine publisher's core focus

  • Timing of the article and its relevance to current market dynamics

  • Grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure are perfect

  • Simple, clean, neat and no abuse of the bold/italics/underline attributes

  • Formal approach to the article vs. blogging loose style

  • How well referenced the article is
  • About The Author:

    Christopher M. Knight invites you to submit your best quality original articles for massive exposure to the high-traffic http://EzineArticles.com/ expert author community. When you submit your articles to EzineArticles.com, your articles will be picked up by ezine publishers who will reprint your articles with your content and links intact giving you traffic surges to help you increase your sales. To submit your article, setup a membership account today: http://EzineArticles.com/submit/

    (c) Copyright - Christopher M. Knight. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

    Monday, September 7, 2009

    7 Mistakes in Article Writing

    The most important thing to remember about article marketing is building trust between you and your potential customers. Your primary concern is to establish yourself as an expert in your niche so every word, sentence and paragraph of your articles should subtly communicate this to your readers through quality writing.

    Unfortunately, too many authors think it's all right to bang out article after article hoping that quantity will override quality. The opposite is true. If you cannot avoid the following 7 mistakes in your article writing, you will sabotage your own efforts at article marketing.

    Article Writing Mistake #1: Poor title

    This is your headline and it needs to catch your reader's attention as well as potential publishers. Try to work in keywords but don't overdo it. Of all places, don't misspell or have a grammatical error here as it only makes you look as if you don't care. If that's true, why should readers care to read any more of the article. Make sure the title accurately reflects what the article is about.

    Article Writing Mistake #2: Badly written summary

    Most article directories allow for a summary of your article but this is not the place to stuff your keywords or repeat a keyword phrase ten times. You would be surprised how many authors think this will help when all it does is get their article immediately rejected. Create a summary that expands upon the title and draws in the reader with a little more information and a possible tease that makes them think, "Yes, I need to read more about this." One to three sentences is all it takes. I tend to write my entire article first before coming back to the summary to make sure it's the best it can be.

    Article Writing Mistake #3: Failure to edit

    The following was the opening of an article submitted to my site:

    "Instantly, let's start at the very starting out, what's the first thing you have to do before starting a..."

    The author obviously wants to stress the importance of what is to come but failing to correct this rhetorical abuse through editing defeats the purpose entirely. Remember: First drafts never make good reading. Editing is what makes good writing.

    Article Writing Mistake #4: If you hire a ghost writer, check their work

    I see way too many articles where a ghost writer is hired and English is not their native language. There's nothing wrong with hiring someone to write articles for you but if you don't review and approve the results, then I have no sympathy for you. Turning over the entire process of writing and submitting articles on your behalf is a sure way to make your company look stupid.

    Article Writing Mistake #5: Use the preview button

    Article directories don't have any time to format your articles for you. If you can't take the time to properly format your article into paragraphs with spacing, don't count on getting your articles published very much. After pasting your article into the submission form, use the preview button to see if its properly formatted. If not, go back and make the corrections.

    Article Writing Mistake #6: Writing in the passive voice

    What separates great writing from the rest is writing in the active voice.

    Passive: The boy was bitten by the dog.

    Active: The dog bit the boy.


    Eliminate words such as was, were, been, have, has, and had. Replace them with an active verb or direct voice. Your articles will stand out head and shoulders above the rest if you edit with this in mind.

    Article Writing Mistake #7: Failure to deliver

    Perhaps the most common, this mistake is surely the deadliest of all. Each part of a submitted article is designed to pull the reader further along a path of information that eventually leads to your website. The title grabs, the summary teases and the article body delivers. But if it doesn't, what makes you think the reader will click for more information? They won't if you fail to deliver on what was promised.

    If you ignore the advice given in this article, I can guarantee mediocre results from your article marketing efforts. Will you take this article to heart and eliminate these mistakes from your article submissions? If so, you can be sure that your article marketing will achieve maximum results.

    Charles Gregory is a freelance writer and owner of Ezine Article Exchange where submitting quality articles means free website advertising for you.

    Secrets of Article Writing - How Long Does it Take to Achieve Success?

    I get asked this question all the time. Subscribers ask me "How long will it take before I start to see good results in my business?"

    And for me there is no hard and fast rule. It depends on what your niche is. It depends on what business model you are using to run your web site. It depends on what it is you wish to achieve, what are your goals. It depends on a whole load of different variables.

    But what I can say is that if you do not allocate a specific number of hours to your business every single day, every single week, consistently, then it can take an age for you to see any significant results when you first get started online.

    Now for those of you that have full time jobs then it is even more important that you allocate time to work on your business. If you work a standard 35 hours per week, then squeezing another ten hours to your business each week is going to be a challenge. But do you want this online business to succeed or not?

    Instead of watching the many soaps every night, instead of watching reality tv, instead of surfing the internet haphazardly searching for more information, what you need to do spend some time on your business business and stick with whatever timetable you create.

    Now if you cannot find ten hours plus to work on your business each week, it might take you months instead of weeks to see some positive results. If you spend three hours per day on your business that will equate to 15 hours per week. And if you allocate a further 4 hours over the weekend then that's a total of 19 hours per week and you will begin to make great strides in your business.

    Now as well as allocating the time and sticking rigidly to your timetable, you will need to be ruthless on what you focus on your valuable time on. Everything that you do during your business hours, everything you focus on must increase your chances of generating an income.

    So reading emails and surfing the internet are not included. The things that will bring in an income are things like writing articles, building traffic, developing relationships and creating products. These are the types of things that will eventually generate a consistent income for you.

    So although there is no hard and fast rules as to the time it will take for you to see the seeds of success.... I do know that if you are consistent, that's day in and day out, week in and week out - if you consistently work on your business then you will begin to generate consistent income online.

    Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article writing to build your list:

    Download it free here: Secrets of Article Writing.

    Want to learn how to increase your online income by effortlessly creating high priced products that your customers need and desire? Find out more here: Create High Ticket Products Fast.

    Janet Cole is a powerful coach and online mentor. She has over 570 articles in print and has created 10 products in the last 12 months.

    When a Writer's Vacation is Over

    So, you took a few days' annual leave for the sake of your sanity. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

    You might've slipped into a delicious pattern of sleeping late, and having mid-morning coffee at the kitchen table with your manuscript. Or maybe you explored a different part of the world for a couple of weeks, and came home bursting with new ideas and experiences. It doesn't matter what you do during annual leave; spending time away from the Day Job Monster is an unbelievable luxury, isn't it?

    But when the glorious days of freedom draw to an end, you're facing a nasty little reality check. Because now you have to go back to work. The drums of impending doom are deafening.

    Don't panic! There are ways to deal with the hateful experience of stepping from your real life back into the fluorescent office world. Here are six of the best.

    1. Devote yourself to relaxation.

    The night before you have to get back into the Monster race, go see the funniest movie in town. Spend the evening laughing and relaxing, rather than brooding and pacing. Have a glass of wine, or two. (But preferably not seven.) Deliberately create a state of mind that makes you feel good, and strong enough to face the inevitable despair of the next morning.

    2. Sleep properly.

    If you sleep badly the night before your first day back with the Day Job Monster, you pretty much guarantee the day will be worse than it has to be. If you're prone to worry-related insomnia, take some steps to make sure you don't lie awake all night.

    Head off for a long walk in the early evening so that you're physically tired, take a long relaxing bath, or enter the escapist world of a gripping novel. There are a range of natural sleeping aids on the market as well; ask at your local pharmacy about effective herbal supplements.

    3. Be unusually kind to yourself.

    The first morning back at work will be tough. It's not the time to withdraw cold-turkey from coffee, or start a radical new starvation diet. Accept you might need some treats to even make it out your front door.

    Freshly ground coffee, your favorite shirt, a warmed chocolate croissant, breakfast TV, what will it take? A morning like this qualifies as an emergency! It's not the moment to worry about pastry-related calories, or junk TV. You're creating a miracle by getting to work. Use whatever resources you need to make it happen.

    4. Play some breakfast music.

    What kind of music do you find most therapeutic? What lifts you up and makes you smile? Listen to your favorite CD - loudly - before you leave the house. Use the power of music to consciously alter your frame of mind for the better.

    Why not listen to this uplifting CD on the way to work? Or at your desk with some headphones?

    5. Celebrate not quitting before lunch.

    When you've staggered through the morning and arrived at the halfway point of your first day back, it's time to celebrate. It's a monumental achievement, and by now you probably feel like you've climbed a mountain.

    Reward yourself over lunch. Get out of the office, and find a truly superb gourmet sandwich, indulge in a little retail therapy, or catch up with a friend. Do not run errands. Not under any circumstances. Not today. Stand in line in the grocery store or post office tomorrow.

    6. Affirm your priorities.

    After lunch, you have the afternoon to get through. Remind yourself why you're working this job by doing something for your writing career. Schedule writing time into your work calendar immediately - plan what you'll do in your breaks and some of your lunch hours for the next month.

    And keep a notebook within reach so you can scribble down a rough character sketch when a colleague displays a new type of dysfunctional behavior. What else from your daily work environment could you use as manuscript fodder?

    Going back to work after a vacation is a true test of courage. It's a challenge adjusting to the strident lighting and the tedious nature of the Day Job Monster's world, there's no doubt about it. But the first day back is always the worst. Once you slot onto autopilot mode, it gets easier to go through the motions of the day, and then make it back to your real life.

    Dr. Liz Hardy is a published author and professional Day Job Monster tamer. She can show you how to hold down a day job, and still find the time and energy for your real work, writing. She offers creative support for writers at http://www.dayjobmonster.com

    Discover How Article Marketing Can Increase Your Wealth

    Article marketing has become a very strong advertising medium in modern society. No other media can reach as far and as wide as this method which is probably the reason behind its popularity. This method is not exclusive to businesses alone though, it could be tapped by individuals as a means of significant profit. Understanding what goes on behind the medium can help you discover how article marketing can increase your wealth.

    Article marketing's main principle is writing content that is both concise and interesting and including information that allows the target audience to avail of the product. In this perspective one may look at article marketing as the predecessor of a press release or an advertorial, the only difference being the span of coverage. Press release write ups and advertorials remain to only be found on traditional sheets like newsprints or magazines, while article marketing reaches as far as the Internet being able to capture a global audience. Despite this major difference the similarities these media have with each other are actually pretty close.

    Article marketing similar with a press release and an advertorial are usually quite short going anywhere between 200 - 500 words in length. It is written in a very concise manner to insure that readers get the facts straight and fast. The titles are usually arresting and written in a very smart way so as to pick on the curiosity of a potential reader just enough to get him or her to read through the article. Also the information is given in a very subtle way not as in-you-face as other marketing or advertising media. The whole article is written in a seemingly neutral point of view though in actuality focuses on pushing the product or service for at least a trial.

    Getting into article marketing can indeed be a profitable endeavor. There are many systems available over the internet or from third party companies that can provide you with the necessary tools to get into writing marketing articles and give you a stable foundation in the industry. Adding these tools to the basic skill set of being able to effectively communicate through writing then you might as well have the formula that can turn coal to diamonds.

    There are many businesses willing to hire writers for article marketing. You can seek for part time employment and do your work on top of your regular day job or you may choose to go full time and handle multiple clients a day. It can be a very promising enterprise for people who are gifted with being very organized and patient. It is however a kind of enterprise that eats a lot of time and should not be considered as a work at home scheme that are famous for allowing people to allot less time in work.

    With the proper tools and the right kind of motivation anyone can hit it big in the world of article market. If everything mentioned sounds interesting to you then maybe it's high time you got into it and discover how article marketing can increase your wealth.

    And now I would like to invite you to learn how the experts get articles written, it's not as hard as you might expect. Find out how easy it is to get original articles written.

    Learn more about how easy it is to have custom articles created for you. http://GetOriginalArticlesWritten.com.

    The Creative Writer's Secret to Making a Living Writing

    Creative writers! You can make a lot of money writing for newspapers. The writing is easy, you don't have to worry about "Show, Don't Tell," and you can resell the articles all over the country with simultaneous submissions.

    Most newspapers need a reporter for PTA meetings and sometimes for sports events. You will make about $15 for each article, and $5 for each picture they use. A normal 35 mm camera is usually good enough.

    Most average sized cities have a local newspaper that accepts admissions from amateur writers. This is your market. If you have political views you want to share, the Opinion Editor or Op-Ed section is a good place to start. Write with conviction and zest and the editor will most likely accept your piece. He will, however, edit it for grammar and cut parts he deems unnecessary. If they have a guideline, follow it to the letter.

    By most people's standards, $15 to $20 isn't much, but if you write an article about an upcoming holiday and resell it all over the nation, you can easily make $200 on it.

    Make a file on the newspapers that accept your work. This is your gold mine. These are the people you send Christmas cards to - the people you become personally acquainted with - the people you network with - and the people you become friends with. These people are your livelihood - and this is how writers make a living. Maybe not a plush living, but a modest one. It isn't easy, but it works.

    When you write articles, you have to be fast. You don't worry a lot about how you phrase things as long as you use (near) proper English. Most of the rules you learned for writing short stories won't apply there. You can use passive sentences. You can "tell" instead of "showing". You don't have to use graceful sentences, but used jazzed up verbs.

    Make your submissions directly to the editor. Call the newspaper to learn his or her name, and write it down. Be sure you get the spelling right. Google "U.S. Newspapers" and you can select the papers by state.

    So where do you get your articles? What do you write about? Have you ever wondered how something works, or where certain things come from? How about people who have an unusual talent or a special hobby?

    The secret to reselling a newspaper article is that it needs to have a broad appeal - such as an article on how Father's Day began. If you were submitting to a magazine, you would have to submit at least three to four months ahead, but not so with newspapers. Send your article in two weeks ahead.

    Still having a hard time thinking of what to write about? Check the latest version of Writer's Market if you have nothing specific in mind. Browsing the non-fiction section will give you an idea of what kinds of articles are being published.

    This is enough to get you off to a good start. See below for more free writer's tips!

    Private tutoring, $185 for 8 wks. at Take your classes any time in 2009. Only 15 to a class. Reserve your space now! Sale ends Jan. 31, 2009. To receive more free writing tips in The Writer's Choice Newsletter, sign up at http://www.cwinst.com/newslettersignup.php

    Article Writing Tips - Painting Pictures With Your Words

    I'm so bored with many of the articles I read. They remind me of cardboard cutouts with blank faces. There's something there...I just can't see it. And ultimately, the words just drift by me like a raft on a lazy river. The writer has literally put me to sleep. Are you guilty of that as well? Not sure? Well, one way to stop hitting the snooze button is to make your words more colorful by painting pictures with them. I'm going to show you how.

    Actually, I already have. Take a look at that intro paragraph. See the line about the cardboard cutouts? That is a very descriptive way to tell somebody that their writing is bland and boring. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen writing compared to cardboard cutouts before. So not only is it descriptive, it's also unique. If you can combine the two, you've got a killer combination. Why? By coming up with a unique painting, you not only make the article more colorful, but you also make the description more memorable.

    What about the line about the words drifting by like a raft on a lazy river? Can you just picture that scene? I can and it puts me into a coma. I don't want lazy rivers. I want action. I want some energy and personality in the article I'm reading. I want to feel like I'm alive. Otherwise, one paragraph in and I'm going to change the channel. Okay, wrong medium, but you get my drift. Oh gee, we're back on that lazy river. Never mind. Scratch what I just said.

    Where was I? Oh yes, painting pictures. When you write, think about the idea that you're trying to communicate to your reader and see how you can put it across in a way that doesn't read like your grocery list. Of course, if you read MY grocery list, you'd get a real chuckle out of it. I don't think there's anything on it that has a chemical in it or a box around it. I'm pretty much a naturalist. No, I don't walk around the house in my birthday suit. Not THAT kind of naturalist.

    Okay, I've just entertained you and you got a good chuckle. (At least I hope) But the point is, I didn't put you to sleep (again, at least I hope) and I got the point across. NO don't worry...I won't say at least I hope again.

    All kidding aside. If you want people to read your stuff, paint pictures. Make it colorful. Make them walk away from the article feeling something.

    Anything but total apathy.

    To YOUR Success,
    Steven Wagenheim

    Want to write articles that get people's attention and can earn you up to $200 per article written? Then check out my Complete Article Writing And Marketing Guide that you can find at http://www.honestincomeprogram.com/tcawamg.html - This is my own book that I wrote from over 30 years of writing experience.

    Sunday, September 6, 2009

    What to Leave Out of Your Article

    So many article writing tips tell you WHAT to write. Problem is, very few of them, mine included, don't tell you what NOT to write. Believe it or not, what you DON'T put into your article can be just as important as what you DO put into your article In other words, including things that aren't necessary, or just confuse the reader, will end up turning your reader away mid stream. And that's the last thing you want. So, in this article, we're going to dive into the subject of what TO leave out of your article.

    Best way to really explain this is with examples. Let's say you're writing an article on a procedure for building a birdhouse. In the procedure, you discuss what materials are needed and how to put them together properly. Now, maybe this might sound a little off the wall, but if part of the procedure involved picking out a certain kind of wood, you might explain why this particular wood is best but there would be no reason to go into where this wood is most commonly found and what other things are usually made from it. Those facts, while some might find interesting, are just not important to what the article is trying to accomplish...showing your reader how to build a birdhouse.

    Here's another example. You're writing an article on how to write a pop song. You go into the process of how to construct a lyric, tune, chords, and so on. Maybe you give examples of other pop songs written in the same manner, citing certain groups and their hits. However, that's as far as you'd go in citing examples. You wouldn't then go off in the direction of talking about a particular group and all the great hits they had, where they last played and who's in the group. This information is not only not necessary to teaching people how to write songs, but it so greatly goes off in another direction that you end up writing a second article.

    Okay, I know these examples might seem a little extreme to you. I hope they do. That means that you have a decent idea of how to stick to the subject. But trust me, some topics are harder to focus on and it's a lot easier to go off into tangents. Therefore, it's important that when you write an article, you ask yourself this question. "Is it necessary that I include this info in my article?" If the answer is no, don't include it. That will keep your articles concise, to the point, and ultimately, read by your readers.

    To YOUR Success,

    Steven Wagenheim

    Want to write articles that get people's attention and can earn you up to $200 per article written? Then check out my Complete Article Writing And Marketing Guide that you can find at http://www.honestincomeprogram.com/tcawamg.html - This is my own book that I wrote from over 30 years of writing experience.

    You, Too, Can Be an Ebook Writer

    Have you noticed that every time you visit a site on the internet, there are scads of links to information on writing ebooks? That's because these electronically-created books have been gaining rising popularity with online readers, due to their easy access, swift download and reasonable prices. Most of us are way too busy with our hectic schedules to visit conventional bookstores, so ebooks are a more convenient option.

    Even famous authors have jumped on the ebook bandwagon. For example, horror writer Stephen King released novellas in ebook form that stunned the literary world by becoming best-sellers and making huge sales.

    Most ebook writers, however, are not famous authors or even experienced writers.They come from all walks of life. Individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as businesspeople, techies, lawyers, doctors, teachers, homemakers, students and other "regular" folks, have written and self-published their own original ebooks. They have been rewarded with generous earnings, as a result, and some have even turned ebook writing into a steady home business.

    You, too, can join their ranks by becoming an ebook author. All you have to do is write about things you are knowledgeable about. All of us is an expert on something, whether it's about how to build a home from scratch or how to get our cat to use the litter box or how to deal with divorce and the like. There are as many things to write about as there are people. Share your life experiences in your own words with others who are looking for the very information you are offering.

    Putting together an ebook may sound overwhelming and complicated at first, but the internet has many helpful tools, tutorials and resources to show you how to write effectively and how to create an ebook that is professional-looking and marketable.

    Okay, all that sounds really great, but who in the world would be interested in buying your ebook?

    The answer is, "Lots of people."

    There are millions of people online and their ranks are increasing daily. While the topic of your ebook won't appeal to everybody in the galaxy, you can find a niche market consisting of individuals who want to learn the information you are offering. If, for example, your ebook is about backpacking through America, people who like to backpack would find it interesting or, if your ebook is about learning to play the guitar in five easy lessons, then people who desire that information will want to know more. Ebooks literally have something for everybody.

    You'll need to learn about important methods of promoting your ebooks, such as copywriting and internet marketing strategies, since these are pivotal to helping you to become successful. It takes time to become familiar with these techniques, however, so be patient with yourself, as you learn the specifics of having your own ebook internet business.

    There are readers all across the globe whose lives could be changed for the better by what you have to say. Writing ebooks is not only a profitable enterprise, but a way to touch the world with your wisdom.

    30 Days to profits. Follow the simple action plan using the complete guide for writing and selling eBooks. Start today for cash tomorrow now at Writing & Selling Ebooks

    See the original article at Home Business Toolkit

    What is a Ghost Writer

    Ghost writers are writers for hire who take money but none of the credit for the work produced. The original writer, or author, is hiring the ghost as a freelance writer to produce copy writer work for a fee. The author takes all the credit for all the original work produced, including all the original writing produced by the ghost writer. The ghost, who is usually paid in advance of completing the job, gets the money as a "work for hire" job and assumes none of the credit for the ghost writing work.

    This may sound odd, but it's a common practice. When someone wants to create new copy for a website, a ghost writer may be hired to rewrite it, and there are many similar jobs such as writing ad or business copy, or supplying new or rewritten material for personal or professional use. The ghost is hired primarily as a professional freelance writer, in order to produce high quality writing copy and so that the writing reads professionally. A paid professional freelance writer is often the only source to which to turn to get sparkling, well written website copy or other paid professional writing copy. And a ghost is hired to bring this about, either as an on staff writer or as a freelance writer who is paid specifically for the job at hand.

    Ghost writers are also hired to write books for people. In such cases, the author of the book is the person who hires the ghost writer, and not the ghost, unless the book author wants to share some of the credit with the ghost. In this case, the ghost may be listed as a coauthor or as the "editor" of the book, and generally this is listed somewhere in the acknowledgments page. Sometimes the well known, "as told to -----" with the name of the ghost writer being mentioned is listed on the cover of the book. This is often the case when well known ghost writers are used by the books' actual authors.

    Ghosts often work for very high sums of money, although with recent competition standards being set by third world countries such as India and China, and with bidding service agencies looking for the highest bidder on ghost writing projects, this is not always the case. But in many cases, a ghost writer will charge a fee of $10 to $25,000 to be the book writer hired by a book author to produce exceptional quality, sterling book writing over three to six months of working on the book. A ghost writer is hired for his or her quality of work, and not necessarily for his or her "name" as a book writer. But there are many kinds of deals which a ghost can "cut" with the book author in order to produce a fair deal for both parties when the contract is signed between the ghost writer and the book author.

    For example, the ghost writer can take a lower fee in the case of a book which is very likely to sell widely and well, such as $10K paid in advance to write the book, a sum which can be paid all or partly out of a book advance. Then the ghost may take about 10-20% of the book's gross profits over time as it is sold, perhaps with a ceiling cap or highest amount the ghost is allowed to make from the book's gross profits. This method is only used when the book is nearly guaranteed to be published and to sell at high profits.

    Also, the ghost can take a lower fee if credit is shared with the book author. Again, this is only suggested when the book is guaranteed to sell well or for some reason the ghost especially wants his or her name on the book as one of the book's authors, for reasons of prestige or other such needs. At any rate, it is up to the book author and the book writer to determine whether or not the ghost should take all his or her money as advance pay for a "work for hire" job, or if the book writer wants to share credit with the book author or to take a percentage of the book's gross profits over time as payment for the work.

    However you slice it, the ghost writing business can be quite lucrative. In order to become a well paid ghost, you should have plenty of experience as a freelance writer, perhaps including some books published under your own name or years of experience writing website and other types of copy for businesses. You should be experienced as a freelance writer who has been paid regularly for your services, and then you may take on the career of becoming a paid professional freelance ghost writer. Even though the economy may be bad, there is always room in the writing profession for another freelance writer. And it can be a very lucrative career, once you know how to handle its ins and outs, and once you learn how to deal with your clients as a ghost writer should.

    RAINBOW WRITING, INC. -- featuring Karen Peralta, copy editor, ghost writer and book author -- FREE DOWNLOAD COMPUTER FIXER PROGRAM! We are also inexpensive professional freelance and contracted book authors, ghost writers, copy editors, proof readers, manuscript rewriters, coauthors, graphics and CAD artists, publishing helpers, and a website development services corporation. http://www.rainbowriting.com

    Useful Plagiarism Checkers For Writers

    Plagiarism is a big problem these days. People copy work from others and claim to be theirs without the right attributions. The fact is that you cannot simply copy other people's work for your own use personally or commercially. You need to attribute the work to the owner according to the copyright.

    The most popular copyright to be used on the internet is Common Creative. Go through Common Creative to find the correct copyright for your work. When you want to quote someone else's work, make sure you check the copyright before doing so and remember to credit the owner when you quote the work. This is very important.

    As a writer you should know the tools to use when you check your work. The most important tool for a writer would be plagiarism tools such as CopyScape. CopyScape is well known as a reputable plagiarism checker that you use online for web pages or articles. All you need to do is buy a minimum of 100 checks for only $5 so you can check your articles through 'copy and paste' into the CopyScape website. Otherwise, you can enjoy free checks up to 5 times for the same web url.

    Apart from CopyScape you can try other free and reliable checkers such as Plagiarism Detect. This is a brand new checker by Jeffrey and you get to check through Books and PDF as well. Article Checker, Dupecop and Doccop are other examples of plagiarism checkers you can use when you are writing articles for clients or your blog. Copy Alerts on the other hand helps you detect plagiarism of your blog or websites and notify you through emails when someone copies your work.

    You must be aware that not all tools are reliable in the market so when you are choosing a plagiarism tool that suits your needs, make sure that they work at least 99% accurate. Some of the plagiarism tools are free to try and you need to buy if you want to use for long term. Depending on the types of plagiarism tools you need, most of the free tools are sufficient enough to check for plagiarism in articles.

    Sarah Lam is a freelance writer who blogs at Writing Consultation. If you are looking for reliable and affordable writing services, she is the one to look for

    Discover How Article Marketing Can Increase Your Wealth

    Article marketing has become a very strong advertising medium in modern society. No other media can reach as far and as wide as this method which is probably the reason behind its popularity. This method is not exclusive to businesses alone though, it could be tapped by individuals as a means of significant profit. Understanding what goes on behind the medium can help you discover how article marketing can increase your wealth.

    Article marketing's main principle is writing content that is both concise and interesting and including information that allows the target audience to avail of the product. In this perspective one may look at article marketing as the predecessor of a press release or an advertorial, the only difference being the span of coverage. Press release write ups and advertorials remain to only be found on traditional sheets like newsprints or magazines, while article marketing reaches as far as the Internet being able to capture a global audience. Despite this major difference the similarities these media have with each other are actually pretty close.

    Article marketing similar with a press release and an advertorial are usually quite short going anywhere between 200 - 500 words in length. It is written in a very concise manner to insure that readers get the facts straight and fast. The titles are usually arresting and written in a very smart way so as to pick on the curiosity of a potential reader just enough to get him or her to read through the article. Also the information is given in a very subtle way not as in-you-face as other marketing or advertising media. The whole article is written in a seemingly neutral point of view though in actuality focuses on pushing the product or service for at least a trial.

    Getting into article marketing can indeed be a profitable endeavor. There are many systems available over the internet or from third party companies that can provide you with the necessary tools to get into writing marketing articles and give you a stable foundation in the industry. Adding these tools to the basic skill set of being able to effectively communicate through writing then you might as well have the formula that can turn coal to diamonds.

    There are many businesses willing to hire writers for article marketing. You can seek for part time employment and do your work on top of your regular day job or you may choose to go full time and handle multiple clients a day. It can be a very promising enterprise for people who are gifted with being very organized and patient. It is however a kind of enterprise that eats a lot of time and should not be considered as a work at home scheme that are famous for allowing people to allot less time in work.

    With the proper tools and the right kind of motivation anyone can hit it big in the world of article market. If everything mentioned sounds interesting to you then maybe it's high time you got into it and discover how article marketing can increase your wealth.

    And now I would like to invite you to learn how the experts get articles written, it's not as hard as you might expect. Find out how easy it is to get original articles written.

    Learn more about how easy it is to have custom articles created for you. http://GetOriginalArticlesWritten.com.

    Freelance Writing Online

    Never before has it been this easily to earn a sizable income as a freelance writer. The internet has exponentially exploded not only the number of places where writers can submit their writing, but more importantly, the number of people looking to hire capable writers. The internet is a huge beast that requires fresh content (i.e. writing) on a daily basis, and millions of websites and media outlets spend enormous sums of money to keep the beast fed.

    If you can write interesting and compelling articles and blog posts, it is not unrealistic to expect to earn a very comfortable living working as a freelance writer creating content for websites. This article will cover three steps you can take today to start your career as an online freelance writer.

    1. Write Everyday

    By this I mean, post something online every day. This can be as simple as starting a free WordPress or Blogger blog and posting to it daily. Make your posts a few hundred words in length and make them about thoughtful topics. You want these posts to showcase your writing as its best.

    There are several reasons to write every day. A few of the more important reasons include:

    • To earn a decent living as freelance writer online you are going to need to be working on paying jobs everyday, so you might as well get into the practice of writing everyday, even if at first you are not getting paid (or paid a smaller amount).
    • As mentioned above, writing everyday creates a portfolio. There will come a day when a potential client wants to see examples of your writing. Being able to direct them to a site that you have contributed to regularly not only showcases your writing, but also demonstrates that you are able to maintain a discipline of writing regularly. Your online posts are your business card, make sure they represent you well.
    • Writing everyday is the discipline of exceptional writers, especially online writers. Start this discipline today. Chances are it is either going to be easy at first and then get difficult, or it is going to be hard right from the start. Either way, it's going to get difficult eventually and if you plan to write for a living you need to learn to get through the hard times as soon as possible.

    2. Network With Other Freelance Writers

    Online forums are a great place to get know other freelance writers. Make it a point to find at least one forum, or section of a forum, that is populated by active freelance writers. Join the forum and start participating.

    There are many benefits to getting to know others in this business and networking with them on a regular basis. As you run into questions, you will have a valuable resource from which to seek answers. As you start to develop relationships with other writers, you may find unexpected writing opportunities. For example, someone on the forum may be looking for a guest blogger on a particular topic that you know very well. The person is more likely to offer the opportunity to you if they know you and are familiar with your writing.

    Forums are also how most freelance writers post referrals for jobs and assignments they are not able to accept. For example, a writer who focuses primarily on banking and finance topics may have a client who is looking for a fitness writer. This writer is likely to let the the forum know about this fitness opportunity since he knows the client can trust the caliber of the other writers on the forum. Or, perhaps if the writer knows of a particular fitness writer that he trusts, he will refer the fitness writer directly to the client.

    Forums are also a great way to get your name out. Most forums allow you to use some sort of signature line with a link to a website. If you are writing online everyday (see #1 above), forums are an excellent way to get visitors to your website. These are just a few examples of how forums can be great resources.

    3. Start Bidding on Jobs

    There are hundreds of online job boards that are updated daily with new requests for freelance writers. Find several of these boards and check them daily. (Time Saver: If the job board has an RSS feed, set up an RSS feed reader to collect all of these job postings in one place for easier checking.) When you find jobs that you are well-suited for, apply for them.

    It is especially important in the beginning to develop a stellar reputation. Ideally, you want to be able to turn your first few clients into long-term clients, or at least be able to use them as an outstanding reference or testimonial. Make sure that the first few jobs that you bid on are ones that you can complete ahead of deadline with the highest quality. It is better to bid on fewer jobs and do great work than bid on several jobs that end up just OK. Your first few jobs are crucial to your success, so pick them wisely and submit exceptional work.

    Freelance writing is an outstanding way to earn a living online. Now you have three steps to start you on your way to making money creating online content. The work is there, it is yours for the asking. Start writing today and take advantage of this huge opportunity!

    My name is Kelly Gammon and I make a living writing. I often get asked what resources I recommend for those just starting out as a freelance writer. If you are ready to make a comfortable full-time living as a freelance writer, I recommend that you check out http://www.freelancewritertips.com now.

    Saturday, September 5, 2009

    Map Making For Fantasy Writers

    Maps are a wonderful addition to any fantasy novel. They give the reader an added level of information that helps them visualize and experience the world you have created. A good map can also help you in the writing of your novel. Here are some resources and tips to help you make good maps as a supplement for your writing.

    Travel and the Size of your World

    One of the biggest questions you have, which is also one of the biggest obstacles to good map making, is getting the size of your world right. If you are writing a fantasy novel the sky is the limit and you can create a world of any size you want (it is your world!). But if you want to stick to some sort of traditional measure you might want to consider the traveling speeds of horses and humans. This will give you a good foundation for how big your world is and how far apart the various landmarks are.

    Some very loose rules of thumb are that an average healthy person can walk about twenty miles a day. This is roughly the pace of Roman soldiers on the march -depending on the amount of available daylight. You could of course stretch this in your writing. The distance horses can travel in a day also varies but a well-trained and healthy horse might do around fifty to sixty miles on a good day. Exceptional horses could do more than this, and potentially up to a hundred miles, but this would be a one day feat only and would require weeks of rest and rehabilitation.

    The novel you are writing is fantasy and you can make any rules you want but just keep in mind typical travel distances so you can maintain a good sense of scale. It is generally not good to have your travelers walking several hundred miles in a day. Keep this in mind with your writing and with your map making.

    If you want to use Leagues as a measure of distance one league is considered to be the distance a man can walk in one hour which is approximately three miles.

    The Map Key: Elements to include

    The key of a map is a box of information that helps the reader fully understand the map. Here are some key elements you should include with your map.

    A Compass - A compass is a small drawing somewhere on the map that shows the four major directions. You should include one on your map. It helps orient the reader and is particularly helpful if you use directions in your writing. If one of your character says something to the effect of "We will reach the Lucky Dragon Tavern by nightfall and in the morning we will set out East toward the Brine River" your reader is able to look at the map and get an instant understanding of what is happening and where the travelers are heading. A detailed compass will show all four map directions of North, South, East, and West. And a scaled down compass will just point out North, which is often sufficient.

    A Scale - A scale is a line drawn on the map that shows distances. You can calculate the scale on your map by first measuring the overall size of your map. You divide the distance the map covers by the size of your drawn map in inches. If your map covers 1,000 miles and it is 10 inches in size 1 inch = 100 miles. You create the scale by drawing a 1 inch line then marking it as 1 inch = 100 miles. You can make the scale larger by extending the line another inch and marking the end point as 200 miles.

    Making your map more visually appealing - You can make your map more attractive and interesting by drawing in major landscape details. Mountain ranges can be drawn in, small groups of waves can be put in bodies of water, and small trees can be drawn into forested areas. You can even draw small buildings to represent cities and towns.

    Writing Names of locations on your map - Here is a good rule of thumb to follow when writing the names of major landmarks on your map: The more important the landmark the bigger the text should be. Use larger letters for big cities and important places, and use smaller letters for less important landmarks. This helps your reader identify major points easier.

    The map itself can be made more visually appealing by adding parchment curls at the edges or medieval style borders around the edges. You can even add small drawings of creatures. Whales in the oceans and horses in the plains are common. These are aesthetic improvements that would be done for the final map that goes into the book.

    Using your map as you write

    Your map can become a useful tool in your writing. Is your main character traveling from one town to another? Check your map. What kind of terrain is between the two towns? Is there a river that needs to be crossed? Is there a desert or heavily forested area? These things can generate new ideas for your story. And remember your scale. Does your map show the distance to be 200 miles? If so, did you write it as a one day journey? And be sensitive to the landscape and how it affects the creatures, races, culture, and plant life in your world. If your map has a variety of eco systems like mountains, forests, deserts, and swamps the life forms in these eco systems has to reflect that. And travelers passing through these systems have to face the challenges that each eco system poses.

    Keeping two maps - one for your and one for your readers.

    I recommend you create two different maps. The first, and larger map, is for your own use and it should be very large - poster board sized if possible. You can add lots of details and even include important notes and plot points on it; and it is imperative that you do it completely in pencil so you can erase and modify it as your writing progresses. Once your novel (and map) is completed you can use this first map to create the second, pared down map that will be included in the novel - usually as a two page spread in the beginning of the book.

    Map first or novel first?

    Maps and stories go hand in hand and I recommend you develop both simultaneously. The story dictates how the map will be drawn and the map will help you keep things correct in your writing. As you write your story it will bring about changes in your map. The two should develop simultaneously.

    You don't have to be a cartographer or artist to make a great map to go along with your book. But you do have to know some rules of thumb to make sure your map is understandable by your reader. A good map will add to the readers experience by helping to make the world you created more vivid and real. And it will be a great tool to help you write a better fantasy novel.

    Will is the author of two Epic Fantasy Novels and he is currently working on his third. For lots more articles on the art of writing fantasy visit his website:

    Fantasy Writing
    If you like to read fantasy visit his site devoted to the best fantasy books: The Fantasy Guide - Your guide to fantasy books, stories, news, and art on the web.

    Omnibus of Science Fiction

    Forty-some years ago my uncle gave me a science fiction anthology, a thick red hardback that I read from cover to cover. It inspired a life long love of the genre. The stories in that book made me think outside the box. They filled me with awe for the imagination it took to write them and sometimes they scared the hell out of me. That book remained in my collection for many years. At some point it disappeared, but not from my memory. Recently I had a desire to read it again and thanks to Alibris.com I was able to purchase a used copy.

    The title is OMNIBUS OF SCIENCE FICTION, edited by Groff Conklin, a well-known and prolific editor of the genre. It was published in 1952, the Golden Age of Science Fiction. It's a hefty tome, 562 pages, with 43 stories divided into sections relating to a common theme. Some stories are fun, some are thought-provoking and some are adventurous. I love them all.

    Part I. Wonders of Earth and of Man

    Katherine MacLean's "And be Merry" originally appeared in Astounding Science Fiction in February, 1950. When her husband takes off on an archeology trip, a biologist does rejuvenation experiments on herself. Believing she'll be immortal if she can avoid accidental death, she becomes afraid to live. Her husband realizes he must convince her she's dying in order to get her to live again, and he tells her she has a slow growing tumor that is inoperable.

    Other stories in this section are:

    "John Thomas's Cube" by John Leimert

    "Hyperpilosity" by L. Sprague de Camp

    "The Thing in the Woods" by Fletcher Pratt & B.F. Ruby

    "The Bees from Borneo" by Will H. Gray

    "The Rag Thing" by David Grinnell

    "The Conqueror" by Mark Clifton

    Part II. Inventions, Dangerous and Otherwise

    The intriguing short story, "A Subway Named Mobius," by A.J. Deutsch was published in Astounding Science Fiction in December, 1950. The Boston Subway Authority builds an addition to the subway system and a train disappears with three hundred passengers. The closed system became so interconnected and complex that it turned into a Mobius strip, that continuous loop with one side made famous by M.C. Escher.

    Other stories in this section are:

    "Never Underestimate ..." by Theodore Sturgeon

    "The Doorbell" by David H. Keller

    "Backfire" by Ross Rocklynne

    "The Box" by James Blish

    "Zeritsky's Law" by Ann Griffith

    "The Fourth Dynasty" by R.R. Winterbotham

    Part III. From Outer Space

    In "The Colour Out of Space" By H.P. Lovecraft a surveyor discovers an abandoned farm with an old well at the center. The land is devoid of life and he inquires about the name - the blasted heath. An old hermit tells him the story. In the 1880's the farm was productive until a meteorite of indescribable color crashed beside the well. After hearing the terrifying circumstances that befell the farmer and his family the surveyor ends by saying he won't be coming back and wouldn't recommend drinking the water.

    Other stories in this section are:

    "The Head Hunters" by Ralph Williams

    "The Star Dummy" by Anthony Boucher

    "Catch That Martian" by Damon Knight

    "Shipshape Home" by Richard Matheson

    "Homo Sol" by Isaac Asimov

    Part IV. Far Traveling

    "Kaleidoscope" by Ray Bradbury is a heart-breaking tale of astronauts drifting through space after their ship is destroyed. They have contact with each other but no hope of being rescued. One man laments the fact he has accomplished nothing worthwhile but as his life ends he becomes a shooting star visible to a child on earth.

    Other stories in this section are:

    "Alexander the Bait" by William Tenn

    "Nothing Happens on the Moon" by Paul Ernst

    "Trigger Tide" by Wyman Guin

    "Plague" by Murray Leinster

    "Winner Lose All" by Jack Vance

    "Test Piece" by Eric Frank Russell

    "Environment" by Chester S. Geier

    Part V. Adventures in Dimension

    "Spectator Sport" by John D. MacDonald was first published in Thrilling Wonder Stories in February 1950. A man travels into the future and discovers nothing much has changed. Shortly after he left someone invented virtual reality and the entire population is permanently wired into it.

    Other stories in this section are:

    "High Threshold" by Alan E. Nourse

    "Recruiting Station" by A.E. van Vogt

    "A Stone and a Spear" by Raymond F. Jones

    "What You Need" by Lewis Padgett

    "The Choice" by W. Hilton-Young

    Part VI. Worlds of Tomorrow

    "History Lesson" by Arthur C. Clarke was first published in 1949. In the future a final ice age looms. A tribe of nomadic humans travels toward the equator but gets caught between two advancing glaciers. They hide a few 21st century relics in a cairn. Five thousand years later Venusian reptiles travel to Earth and recover the relics. They try to learn about life on the Third Planet - by analyzing a cartoon film reel

    Other stories in this section are:

    "The War Against the Moon" by Andre Maurois

    "Pleasant Dreams" by Ralph Robin

    "Manners of the Age" by H.B. Fyfe

    "The Weapon" by Fredric Brown

    "The Scarlet Plague" by Jack London

    "Heritage" by Robert Abernathy

    "Instinct" by Lester del Rey

    "Counter Charm" by Peter Phillips

    Omnibus Of Science Fiction

    Groff Conklin

    Publisher: Crown Publishers 1952

    Pages: 562

    ASIN: B000NZ56FQ

    Gail Pruszkowski reviews for "Romantic Times BOOKreviews" magazine and her work has been published in the "Cup of Comfort" Anthologies

    http://mysite.verizon.net/bookworm.gp/
    http://write-juncture.blogspot.com/

    Freelance Writing Is A Rewarding Career

    Freelance writing was once considered to be tiresome and demanding. But the advent of the Internet, providing virtually every information and services one can imagine, has made freelance writing somewhat simpler and less cumbersome. The demand for such jobs has increased manifold, and so has the number of freelance writers. However, only the well informed and dedicated writers can keep themselves afloat in this field.

    A little bit time spent surfing the net or visiting libraries or bookstalls, a little bit wracking of the brain, a little bit creativity and imagination and a huge bit of dedication are the prerequisites for success here. The rewards are much more alluring than the demands of the job. Freelance writing has caught up with the times and more and more people are exploring its realms.

    Monetary benefits accrued can reach phenomenal levels, depending upon the quality and quantity of works completed. A satisfied clientele is the biggest reward, which in turn, can result in a spurt in incomes achieved.

    Freelance writing can be instrumental in intellectual growth of the writer too. Information gathered in the course of writing betters his knowledge levels too. As it is mostly a work-from-home endeavor, the amount of quality time available for spending with other members of the family increases manifold. He gets a golden opportunity to balance his professional life with personal life.

    However, to achieve the desired success levels, the writer needs to be thoroughly professional and well versed in the content on which he is writing. Upgrading knowledge levels time to time and going through customer feedback with an open mind can do wonders to the career of a fledgling writer trying to make a living through freelance writing.

    If you want to know more about Freelance Writing Jobs then feel free to visit http://www.uniquearticle.net

    Lucrative EBook Writing

    When it comes to making some quick bucks, the best way to do would be by selling information on the net that too in the form of ebooks. It is fairly simple to do and earns you a lot of money. Suppose you write a 25-30 page recipe book and sell it at just $20 per book. So, if you are able to sell just 100 copies, you would be earning $2000 without much effort. There would be some advertisement and promotional costs but then also the returns are more than good considering the time taken to develop this ebook. You would take about a week to create such an ebook and the estimate of just 100 ebooks being sold is conservative to the tee.

    Millions and millions of people surf the net everyday on the look out of information. This could be information about anything and the thing is they are willing to pay for this information. That is the market for you. You have to provide that information and make money out of it. It is true that most of the information is available on the internet for free but believe me finding information on net is not that easy as it might seem. Search something on your favorite search engine and see the result. It comes out with billions and billions of pages and there is no guarantee of the accuracy of the information provided.

    It is the task of an ebook writer to gather relevant and correct information and distill it and then present it in a readable format and that is what he is paid for.

    Want to learn more about it? Download the free ebook, Steps to Article Marketing Success.

    What to Leave Out of Your Article

    So many article writing tips tell you WHAT to write. Problem is, very few of them, mine included, don't tell you what NOT to write. Believe it or not, what you DON'T put into your article can be just as important as what you DO put into your article In other words, including things that aren't necessary, or just confuse the reader, will end up turning your reader away mid stream. And that's the last thing you want. So, in this article, we're going to dive into the subject of what TO leave out of your article.

    Best way to really explain this is with examples. Let's say you're writing an article on a procedure for building a birdhouse. In the procedure, you discuss what materials are needed and how to put them together properly. Now, maybe this might sound a little off the wall, but if part of the procedure involved picking out a certain kind of wood, you might explain why this particular wood is best but there would be no reason to go into where this wood is most commonly found and what other things are usually made from it. Those facts, while some might find interesting, are just not important to what the article is trying to accomplish...showing your reader how to build a birdhouse.

    Here's another example. You're writing an article on how to write a pop song. You go into the process of how to construct a lyric, tune, chords, and so on. Maybe you give examples of other pop songs written in the same manner, citing certain groups and their hits. However, that's as far as you'd go in citing examples. You wouldn't then go off in the direction of talking about a particular group and all the great hits they had, where they last played and who's in the group. This information is not only not necessary to teaching people how to write songs, but it so greatly goes off in another direction that you end up writing a second article.

    Okay, I know these examples might seem a little extreme to you. I hope they do. That means that you have a decent idea of how to stick to the subject. But trust me, some topics are harder to focus on and it's a lot easier to go off into tangents. Therefore, it's important that when you write an article, you ask yourself this question. "Is it necessary that I include this info in my article?" If the answer is no, don't include it. That will keep your articles concise, to the point, and ultimately, read by your readers.

    To YOUR Success,

    Steven Wagenheim

    Want to write articles that get people's attention and can earn you up to $200 per article written? Then check out my Complete Article Writing And Marketing Guide that you can find at http://www.honestincomeprogram.com/tcawamg.html - This is my own book that I wrote from over 30 years of writing experience.

    My Book of Truth

    Many years ago, when I was still in college, my mother sent me a newspaper article in which a woman described a nun who had influenced her during her years growing up in a Catholic school. She described her relationship with this wonderful lady who was also the school's librarian. Both being avid readers, they had found each other and connected through their mutual love of books.

    The years past and time came for the writer to graduate and leave the school. The librarian nun gave her, as a graduation gift, a little journal. In this little book, the nun had recorded her thoughts over the course of many years. She based her entries on a simple concept. When she found something to be true, she would record it in her journal.

    The writer admitted that at the time she received this precious gift, she was very young and did not truly appreciate its value.

    Some years later, the writer heard that her dear friend had past away. Upon hearing this, she remembered the little journal. After some digging through things packed away, she found the little book. She opened it and for the first time read it for the jewel it was.

    The insights she found recorded there by the quiet nun were so moving and astute that she, in turn, felt compelled to write an article and share the story with others.

    Fortunately that was the article my mother sent me. I was captivated by the idea of recording what one found to be true, so I went out and purchased a new, crisp paged journal of my own.

    Through the years, starting November 9, 1994 (first page inscription), I have plied the simple concept - when I find something to be true, I jot it down in my Book of Truth.

    Now, more than fifteen years later, I have quite a collection, and from time to time, I will read through my book's pages. The entries serve me over and over as reminders of not only the events of my life which spawned the entries, but to act a reminder of the truths I have come to conclusion on.

    I am reminded that although we are clever beings, capable of tremendous feats of grace, creativity, generosity, insight, gentleness, kindness and amazing intellectual leaps beyond, we can so easily forget the invaluable lessons cast our way over the course of a lifetime. We must, from time to time, be reminded of beauty, of peace and of truth.

    My hope with this article is that perhaps upon reading this story, others will be inspired to start their own books of truth.

    http://www.truthbeing.com

    Friday, September 4, 2009

    Must We Say Goodbye To The Prologue?

    Have you heard the news? The Prologue is out, kaput, persona non grata!

    I sat in the writers workshop when we first heard the news. Some were quick to declare that our dear friend had out stayed his welcome and it was about time we shut the door on a chapter wannabe. But as I looked around the room, I saw many a talented writer take their latest project in hand as they ran their fingers over the familiar first words that set the scene for that new novel. With a wistful look in their eyes, perhaps even a bit of shame at having employed such an antiquated method, they carefully slid the pages back into their folders.

    I know I did.

    It almost felt like I was saying goodbye to an old and loyal friend. One that had always been there for me through thick and thin, one that I could trust to sit by the fire on cold nights and reminisce about the old days over a cup of cocoa.

    Did I owe any allegiance to such a thing as The Prologue? Should I stand up and make a case for his continued support through all the hard times?

    I looked down at my newest novel on the table, just off the press. With a smile, I knew I could not stick a whole book inside a folder.

    It took a bit of courage, but I opened the cover and fondly looked at the first few pages. There he was, my dear companion The Prologue, gladly giving my readers the information they needed to understand my characters.

    It might have been my imagination, but he didnt seem a bit ashamed to be there, either.
    I actually sat for a moment and asked myself what defined the term for art. Surely a blank page just waiting for words was equal to a canvas prepared to display the expressive colors of the Artist. Does a painter toss aside a brush or a color he might want to use because his work might not fit in with the rest of kids on the playground?

    I gave one last glance around the room at all the wonderful, talented writers I was fortunate enough to be with that day. I secretly hoped that each one would take their canvas and lay down their words in a fashion true to their heart.

    I knew I would.

    I bravely removed the pages of my new work from the folder in which they were hidden, and prepared myself to do whatever I felt was right for me.

    Kimberly Adkins
    --Author, The Medallion of Solaus
    http://www.kimberlyadkins.com

    Should You Update Your Website Copy?

    We all know the old adage "If it's not broken, don't fix it"-but there are plenty of website owners who don't heed that sage advice. As a freelance copywriter, I regularly have clients who contact me asking to rewrite web content that's only been up for a few weeks or months. When I ask them their reason for wanting to update it, the answers run the gamut:

    "We were #7 in the Google search results last month, and now we're #15."

    "I'm just tired of looking at it."

    "It's been up there for six months. Seems like it should we should mix it up a bit."

    The reality is that none of these reasons is necessarily grounds for a web copy overhaul. A short plunge in organic search rankings may not have a noticeable impact on leads or conversions. And by making a change to achieve one goal (seeing your business' name "up in lights" in Google's Top 5) you may end up sacrificing some other key initiatives. Plus, with the well-known fickleness of search engines, Google and Yahoo may end up having less of an appetite for your new website copy as they did for the old version. And remember: just because you're tired of your web content doesn't mean your customers are.

    Instead of gutting and replacing content that's still earning its real estate, why not have a professional freelance writer create some keyword-rich web articles for publication in online directories? A cost-effective Google AdWords campaign can also help give your web presence-and your conversions-a boost.

    Of course, there are instances when a web copy update is warranted:

    • Your conversions have taken a hit. If a lower percentage of your visitors are converting into customers, it may indeed be high time for a content refresh. But before you assume your website copy is the culprit, consider any other recent changes that may have impacted your users' experience.
    • Your offerings have changed. If you've added or removed products or services, your web content should certainly reflect the change in your business' direction.
    • In light of new market developments impacting your industry, new keywords have recently been popping up in your analysis reports, and you want to incorporate them into your web copy.

    Whatever you decide, be sure to test as much as possible. Copy updates shouldn't be an "all or nothing" endeavor. Tweak a little here, sneak in a Google AdWords campaign there, and test the heck out of it. Just be sure to keep a version of the old copy so you can revert back if it doesn't work out as you'd hoped. And if writing isn't your forte, enlist the services of a trained freelance writer to give your content a professional touch.

    Melissa Rudy is a full-time freelance copywriter with Words by Melissa in Cincinnati, Ohio. Melissa provides a wide range of businesses with web page content, articles, product descriptions, brochures, postcards, press releases, and other marketing collateral for web and print. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a minor in Journalism. Prior to launching her freelance writing business, Melissa spent 5 years as an E-Commerce Content Manager and 3 years as a Technical Writer for a software company

    Website: http://www.wordsbymelissa.com
    Email: melissa@wordsbymelissa.com

    Six Tips to Improve Your Online Writing

    Depending on who you ask, writing is either an arduous craft that takes years to develop, or something anyone with a keyboard can easily turn into a million-dollar enterprise. As it is with most controversies, so it is with writing: both sides are wrong.

    Yes, you can start writing right now, and there are plenty of venues for doing so. Free web sites like Blogger.com will let you get started without even so much as an investment in a domain name. But unless you're an unusually gifted writer, you shouldn't worry too much about the risk that ladies will swoon over the stark beauty of your prose after a few minutes' work on your part.

    The good news is that you don't have to be an off-the-cuff Chaucer or an out-of-the-box Hemingway. Writing is a skill that improves with time if you apply a few basic principles.

    1. Write Something Every DayThere is something about writing that makes writing easier. I can't tell you what it is, but I can tell you that when I'm writing a lot, I find it easier to write even more. Ideas take shape. Connections form.
    2. Writing is One Step, Editing Is AnotherIn general, your writing direction should be forward. Writing quickly helps you avoid the inner editor, who otherwise would want to wreak havoc on your brilliant ideas (that's just the kind of person your inner editor is). This is not to say you can't occasionally move back if you find a fatal phrase that simply cannot stand as it is, but make it a rule to try to save most of your edits until the end. Tell your inner editor you'll be happy to let him come out to work just as soon as you're finished playing.
    3. Keep ScoreA wonderful writing exercise is to try to count your time and your words. Simply make note of when you start and stop, or use a stopwatch or stopwatch computer program. Many word processors and blogging tools have a word counter you can use. If all else fails, copy and paste the finished product into one that does. There's something like watching your word count every day that helps you stick to your writing schedule, and there's something about seeing the article or story count go up over a few weeks that really helps keep you motivated. Set up a simple spreadsheet in Excel and track your progress. (Hint; don't watch the clock as you're writing, when you're writing, write!)
    4. Get a JournalEven though I spend my day at a keyboard, I find it helps to jot down the basic article ideas in an old fashioned paper journal. Also, sometimes I need to sketch something visually, and writing by hand seems to work better for doing this than a drawing program. You don't have to spend the day "journaling", just have a book where you can jot down a quick idea from time to time, because if you're writing often, you're going to have a lot of them.
    5. Set Goals I find that when I set a specific goal for myself for the week ahead, and remind myself of my goal in the morning, I get more writing done. I try to make my goal just a little bit challenging, but not one that's realistically out of reach given my current numbers (remember, we're keeping score).
    6. Be Gentle With Yourself No matter what profession you choose for yourself, life is going to happen to it. Physicians have to meet with Pharmaceutical salespeople, even if their big love is working with patients. Writers are no different. You'll still need to do your taxes, take the kids to school, and whatever else you need to do as part of the business of living. If you have a particularly grueling day of interruptions, don't try to stick to the same schedule as you would if you have a day clear for writing.

    John Lockwood is a freelance Internet writer working in Sacramento. He realized one day he was a professional writer after the top-ranked web sites he'd written for his real estate business totalled more than 3,000 pages. He is the author of Inklit.com, an Internet Writer's Blog as well as many other web sites and blogs about real estate and Internet marketing.

    This article is Copyright(c) 2008, John Lockwood Associates. Permission is given to copy this article, but users of this article must maintain the article and the author signature box in its original form. No other use is permitted.

    Writing A Music Business Plan For Your Business Growth

    For those interested in the music business, few things are as exciting or as challenging as opening their own music business. There are many facets to the music business, from acting as agent to the hot new music group to running a successful outlet selling new and used musical instruments.

    ==The Music Industry==

    The music industry offers some unique challenges and some great opportunities, and the savvy businessperson can take advantage of those challenges and opportunities to create a thriving business even in the most difficult of climates.

    Before opening the doors of your great music store, or taking the new band to the top, however, it will be necessary to create a solid business plan in order to attract financing, partners and investors.

    No businessperson will invest in a new music business without a thorough understanding of that businesss prospects for success. A business plan is a way to communicate the goals of the business and to quantify its financial needs and prospects.

    == What Should You Include In Your Business plan ==

    Many new business owners are unsure how to write a business plan, or what that business plan should include. Every business plan will be different, and the business plan for a new music business may look quite different from that of a new accounting business.

    That having been said, however, there are certain elements that all business plans have in common, and certain things that they all must include.

    Some of the required elements of every business plan include:

    What the business does. Any potential investors will of course want to have a thorough understanding of the purpose of the business, and, most importantly, how it plans to make a profit.

    The mission statement of the business, a mission statement is most commonly a simple one page document which details the purpose of the business and the business philosophy of its owners and management.

    Information on the experience and qualifications of the management team, this is one of the most important parts of any business plan, and it is particularly important for those opening a business in the music industry.

    The management team is a key to the success of any business, and it is important that the team be able to guide the business to profitability.

    == The Challenges Facing The Music Industry In General==

    A discussion of the challenges facing the music industry in general and the business in particular; it is important that the business plan include a discussion of the ever changing nature of the music industry, both the challenges created and the opportunities provided.

    It is important to detail how the nature of the music industry will affect the prospects of the company as well.

    Starting a music business is not easy, and it will require perseverance, hard work and of course long hours and substantial capital investment. The rewards of a successful music business are great, however, and well worth the risk and the time invested.

    Shaunta Pleasant is a professional web writer and editor on business plan topics. Visit my site to learn more about writing a business plan a http://www.business-plan-made-easy.com

    Medical Business Marketing - How to Unleash the Power of Ghostwriting

    Ever wonder how on earth those "other" doctors manage to write articles, books and "how to" courses, AND successfully take care of their patients too? It's as if these individuals are everywhere. In many cases, what they've managed to do is discover the secret power of hiring a ghostwriter.

    I know, maybe you don't consider yourself a writer, and even if you CAN write, you don't have the time because you're too busy running your practice or letting it run you. Think for a moment. Do you really believe celebrities with book deals write those best sellers themselves? Some do. Most don't. Like you, even if they have the talent, they don't have the time.

    What's a ghostwriter? A professional writer who helps you find your voice and writes your material for you. She allows you to then be the "author" of whatever you need to get out, even if you lack writing skills. Your name is on it, not hers. The writer you've hired is a "ghost."

    BENEFITS While you actually live the experience of BEING a medical professional, your ghostwriter writes about it for you. What a concept! Imagine unleashing the synergy of "communications manpower" that's all about you. A ghostwriter will be your voice, resulting in:

    - Your increased visibility.

    - Branding your expertise.

    - Enhancing your career.

    - Your promotional productivity on auto pilot AND in hyper-drive.

    - Your profile raised and profitability increased.

    Professional writer, Lisa Robertson, who has a client base featuring a growing roster of Michigan-area doctors, shared, "Over time, your ghostwriter knows you well and goes beyond being merely a hired gun to become your trusted ally and your written voice. What you're really getting is a specialized alter-ego."

    HOW TO FIND A GREAT GHOSTWRITER FOR YOU

    Remember, a ghostwriter is simply a writer who doesn't put her name on the work she creates for you. Instead, you get the byline (your name goes on it). So you're looking for a writer first. You can easily find potential ghostwriters by:

    - Searching online article directories and contacting authors whose work appeals to you.

    - Contacting local (or national) journalists whose articles you've enjoyed. (Many, if not most, journalists are available as freelancers.)

    - Contacting professional writing placement services and agencies.

    - Asking colleagues and business people you know for referrals.

    - Having your (or hiring a) publicist to double as your ghostwriter.

    There are countless article submission directories, blogs and resources online where you may publish or distribute your material. Your goal in assigning this effort is not to earn direct income for your content, but to gain priceless exposure for your expertise.

    Oh yeah, and when you've produced enough artcles or installments of an online column, say 25 or so, you can always edit and compile them into that book you once thought was such an amazing feat.

    In short, when you hire a ghostwriter, you don't have to be a marketing genius to enjoy brilliant results causing others to marvel at how on earth YOU manage to be everywhere, while successfully providing health care.

    If you enjoyed the article, "Health Care Practice and Medical Business Marketing: How To Unleash The Secret Power of Ghostwriting," by Alysyn Curd, and you'd like access to even more specified strategies, information and expertise about online marketing for medical professionals, then visit: http://www.Scrubsation.com for your FREE download of, "Health Care Practice and Medical Business Marketing: How To Elevate Your Brand by Publishing an Online Column Using A Ghostwriter."

    Since 1998 Alysyn Curd served as creative director, principal designer and head consultant for creative communications agency, Art Impact Marketing. An artist who has always loved marketing, Curd has developed a passion for Internet business and marketing which she now shares with clients through a growing portfolio of net brands and services. She serves as marketing director for Scrubsation.com.

    Scrubsation.com, "...provides a broad range of affordable merchandise and resources to health care professionals and the medical community."

    http://www.scrubsation.com/joinscrubsationcom.html