How to Jumpstart your Next Writing Session
by: David Parton
I have always enjoyed writing. Sometimes it’s a problem for me to just sit down and write something. There are days when I choose “procrastinating” over “proactive.” Putting things off is common with everyone. I am very gifted in this area. ;)
Here are 4 areas to focus on to jumpstart your next writing session.
* Concentration
* Preparation
* The First Word
* Use your notebook
Concentration:
There are way too many distractions. Cell phones ringing, blaring car alarms and unexpected visitors are just a few things that can disrupt your concentration. It then becomes easier to justify not writing today.
The best thing to do to encourage creative writing is to make it a ritual. Find a nice spot to write, maybe, in a quiet room in your home where you will be left undisturbed for a period of time. Set a time to work; a scheduled time to write. Stick to it.
Keep reference books and materials close to hand.
Focus on one idea at a time.
View your next writing session as an opportunity; an opportunity to do something you enjoy. It can be fun. And when you are having fun nobody ever has to tell you to “concentrate!”
Preparation
Once you have your topic: Google it. Read everything you can online and offline related to your idea. Search the net for testimonials, reviews and articles about your topic. Brainstorm related sub-topics.
Give it a rest. Let your subconscious mind percolate and play with the information you provided. Get some exercise. Some of my best ideas come to me while I am out walking around in the evening.
Getting Started
Where to begin? That blank page staring back can be intimidating.
Just dive right in there!
Type the word “The.”
Type the next word (the first thing that pops into your mind) and the next word.
At this point, quality is not important. You just want to create a “flow” where the words come easily.
Don’t stop to edit. Save all your corrections for the second draft. Resist the impulse to rewrite. That will only interrupt the flow and is another way to avoid the task at hand.
If you are like me you will have a 2nd, third and fourth draft. You have to get your first draft completed before your have anything to rewrite! Stay focused.
Carry a Notebook
As a creative writer, you will be “hit” by odd ideas and notions in the oddest of places.
Maybe you are stuck in traffic or brushing your teeth when inspiration strikes.
You could wake from a dream and have a killer idea.
“ I’ll remember that.” We say to ourselves, but when next we write there is no access to that memory file.
Just use a notebook. Jot those things down as they come to you. It only takes a moment.
Capture all your of your ideas as they transpire. Who knows? One of them may be the “Next Big Thing!”
- David Parton
About The Author
David Parton
Now You can Expand your Opportunities with FREE Tips & Resources about Affiliate Marketing, Making Money from Home, Website Development & Self-improvement for Both Sides of Your Brain! Discover... http://ExpandingMind.com
david@expandingmind.com
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Purpose Of Writing An Effective Memoir Article
In this world of high technology and instant information, it is easy to forget that it wasn't always there. As little as twenty years ago, cell phones were a dream. Fifty years ago computers were still on the drawing board. Whole generations of people will be growing up with no idea what it might have been like. This is a field rich with possibilities for senior citizens who have interesting stories to tell and share.
Memoir writing is not as difficult as it would seem. Mostly, it just takes a desire to remember details of a childhood without all the gadgets we have today.
Begin your memoir by brainstorming all the life events you can remember that were either very important to you in a positive way or memorable in a negative way. Talk to other members of your family to get ideas, to help you remember events from when you were small, and to help fill in the details that might have been forgotten.
There is no right or wrong time to start writing about your life. There is only now. If you are comfortable with writing on your computer, you can start directly into a Word or text document. If you don't want to do that, go to the store and purchase some type of spiral bound notebook. You will be carrying this with you and making your notes as you think of them. A combination of these is probably going to work best.
Whichever you choose, just pick a year and start making notes of all the things that happened to you that year. Label each page with a month and work through the whole year.
When you are ready to write, select the event, or series of related events, that seems most interesting to you. Brainstorm again but in more detail, trying to recall names, places, descriptions, voices, conversations, things, and all the other details that will make this an interesting account.
Ask yourself these questions - how much was food, what kind of car did my parents have, what was the politics, where did my parents work, what was my school like, what did I play, what siblings did I have, - and jot down notes for each month.
Work at this note-taking stage for a few days, until you feel you've got it all down on paper.
You will be surprised to see that even more details begin to appear once you start to write. For your first draft, write quickly to get all your ideas down from beginning to end. Don't worry about editing. Before you revise, share your first draft with someone in the family. Consider their response, but go with what feels right to you. Rewrite, and then start editing as needed.
Good narratives are about everyday things, but they are interesting; sometimes just as interesting to read as a good novel. But remember, this chronicle is supposed to be true, so be careful not to exaggerate or embellish the truth.
Once you have finished one year, begin on another year. You might want to write various versions of each year by focusing on different topics. It is your story. The only limit is your imagination.
Memoir writing is not as difficult as it would seem. Mostly, it just takes a desire to remember details of a childhood without all the gadgets we have today.
Begin your memoir by brainstorming all the life events you can remember that were either very important to you in a positive way or memorable in a negative way. Talk to other members of your family to get ideas, to help you remember events from when you were small, and to help fill in the details that might have been forgotten.
There is no right or wrong time to start writing about your life. There is only now. If you are comfortable with writing on your computer, you can start directly into a Word or text document. If you don't want to do that, go to the store and purchase some type of spiral bound notebook. You will be carrying this with you and making your notes as you think of them. A combination of these is probably going to work best.
Whichever you choose, just pick a year and start making notes of all the things that happened to you that year. Label each page with a month and work through the whole year.
When you are ready to write, select the event, or series of related events, that seems most interesting to you. Brainstorm again but in more detail, trying to recall names, places, descriptions, voices, conversations, things, and all the other details that will make this an interesting account.
Ask yourself these questions - how much was food, what kind of car did my parents have, what was the politics, where did my parents work, what was my school like, what did I play, what siblings did I have, - and jot down notes for each month.
Work at this note-taking stage for a few days, until you feel you've got it all down on paper.
You will be surprised to see that even more details begin to appear once you start to write. For your first draft, write quickly to get all your ideas down from beginning to end. Don't worry about editing. Before you revise, share your first draft with someone in the family. Consider their response, but go with what feels right to you. Rewrite, and then start editing as needed.
Good narratives are about everyday things, but they are interesting; sometimes just as interesting to read as a good novel. But remember, this chronicle is supposed to be true, so be careful not to exaggerate or embellish the truth.
Once you have finished one year, begin on another year. You might want to write various versions of each year by focusing on different topics. It is your story. The only limit is your imagination.
Writing Articles Online - You Are Smart Enough
Writers are in high demand and website owners are willing and able to pay for simple, easy to read content.
This demand has opened the door for ordinary people to write for this need on the internet, while working from home. Authors are writing for money from their homes on a part-time basis, or even full-time.
You are not required to have a degree or to be a published author. If you can email a friend a reasonably easy to read message, you are qualified to write articles for money and can begin enjoying an online writer career with significant income.
Thousands of people who are making money writing articles are working from their homes. If you have a desire and the ability to write at a 10th grade level, you have a gold mine at your disposal.
Getting paid enough to make a living is something most people are faced with. Becoming an article writer requires no monetary investment or up-front cost.
The quickest and easiest way I know of to make money writing articles is to make a list of your hobbies, interests and subjects you are familiar with. Research your list and write practice articles. When you are comfortable with your writing skills, do another search for websites along the same lines as your list and sample article. email a good number of these sites and send them your sample article. You may be surprised that soon you will have a writing assignment. Remember, webmasters can not find you, you have to find them.
All websites need unique, fresh new content to help their ranking with the search engines. Even if they have an article writer, it would be hard for them to turn down a unique article.
Article writing is a competitive field, but you never have to be afraid of competition. In fact, competition is good. It will make you a better writer, therefore creating more jobs for you writing articles for money. I urge you to start today, don't delay.
This demand has opened the door for ordinary people to write for this need on the internet, while working from home. Authors are writing for money from their homes on a part-time basis, or even full-time.
You are not required to have a degree or to be a published author. If you can email a friend a reasonably easy to read message, you are qualified to write articles for money and can begin enjoying an online writer career with significant income.
Thousands of people who are making money writing articles are working from their homes. If you have a desire and the ability to write at a 10th grade level, you have a gold mine at your disposal.
Getting paid enough to make a living is something most people are faced with. Becoming an article writer requires no monetary investment or up-front cost.
The quickest and easiest way I know of to make money writing articles is to make a list of your hobbies, interests and subjects you are familiar with. Research your list and write practice articles. When you are comfortable with your writing skills, do another search for websites along the same lines as your list and sample article. email a good number of these sites and send them your sample article. You may be surprised that soon you will have a writing assignment. Remember, webmasters can not find you, you have to find them.
All websites need unique, fresh new content to help their ranking with the search engines. Even if they have an article writer, it would be hard for them to turn down a unique article.
Article writing is a competitive field, but you never have to be afraid of competition. In fact, competition is good. It will make you a better writer, therefore creating more jobs for you writing articles for money. I urge you to start today, don't delay.
Getting Paid to Write Articles - I Rank It Five Stars
Most good writers are good readers. To make money writing online start reading other articles. You should be able to recognize a certain style and composition. You will also see that web content would not win any literary awards. Anyone that can write on a 10th grade level can write web content.
Writing for the web is different from traditional writing. When someone does a search, the content will be for information about products, services or general knowledge. Article writing is simply supplying information on these services.
Now, web masters are always looking for new, original, fresh ideas for their content. They are relying on web ranking for searches to locate their sites. Articles will help improve the ranking of web sites.
One of the easiest and quickest ways for you to get a job writing online articles would be to contact these sites with a free sample article. Ask for future consideration for writing opportunities they may have. If your articles are eye-catching, you may get a client. It doesn't take many clients to start making a good weekly paycheck. Most websites will want several articles weekly. You invoice weekly for completed articles and the web master normally pays weekly for your articles.
There are many people today on the internet getting paid to write articles or working as a freelance writer. I know one person that writes grandma's recipes for websites and makes extra money every month. The possibilities are unlimited.
I would suggest a good write at home system and begin on a part-time basis. After you are established, there is no limit to the amount of money you can make. There are thousands of online businesses looking for web content. You have to contact them, they cannot find you! Remember, research is the key here. Keep in mind that all you really have to do is write in the same way that you speak.
Writing for the web is different from traditional writing. When someone does a search, the content will be for information about products, services or general knowledge. Article writing is simply supplying information on these services.
Now, web masters are always looking for new, original, fresh ideas for their content. They are relying on web ranking for searches to locate their sites. Articles will help improve the ranking of web sites.
One of the easiest and quickest ways for you to get a job writing online articles would be to contact these sites with a free sample article. Ask for future consideration for writing opportunities they may have. If your articles are eye-catching, you may get a client. It doesn't take many clients to start making a good weekly paycheck. Most websites will want several articles weekly. You invoice weekly for completed articles and the web master normally pays weekly for your articles.
There are many people today on the internet getting paid to write articles or working as a freelance writer. I know one person that writes grandma's recipes for websites and makes extra money every month. The possibilities are unlimited.
I would suggest a good write at home system and begin on a part-time basis. After you are established, there is no limit to the amount of money you can make. There are thousands of online businesses looking for web content. You have to contact them, they cannot find you! Remember, research is the key here. Keep in mind that all you really have to do is write in the same way that you speak.
Writing Articles Online - Fight the Recession
Stop shouting, I can hear you - there is a recession going on. If you are reading this, you have experienced the down turn in this economy. You may have lost your job or you are not making enough money to meet your bills.
After spending years surfing the net, it finally occurred to me I had been looking at a gold mine and not even realizing it. Web content. All of the information on the net is written by someone. A lot of websites or web masters do not have time to write their own content. They use outside sources or what is termed as "freelance writers".
High demand is out there for unique, fresh, new ideas for content. Your content can be worth a good sum of money to these web masters or companies.
I started out by making a list of my hobbies, interests and subjects. I took my list and started doing tons of research. I even researched other articles to see their style and content. I then started writing practice articles. After I was comfortable with my writing, I compiled a list of websites that related to my list. I emailed my list a sample article and asked for consideration on their next writing assignment. That was two years ago. Now I write full time. It's like Christmas morning every day when I see my inbox filled with writing assignments.
In this area of internet opportunities, the recession is not an excuse or a reason to be unemployed or not making ends meet. You do not have to work cheap, economically, or for a low price or discount. The quality of your articles will dictate your prices. You do not have to invest capital or pay any up-front cost. There are no hidden costs in writing web content. You do not have to have a formal education or be a published author. If you can write on a 10th grade level, you can write web content. In fact, websites prefer simple conversational articles.
Writing an article is not rocket science. A good article is a small step, a bad article is wider than the Grand Canyon. A good article will bring you repeat business for years to come. Don't delay, start today.
After spending years surfing the net, it finally occurred to me I had been looking at a gold mine and not even realizing it. Web content. All of the information on the net is written by someone. A lot of websites or web masters do not have time to write their own content. They use outside sources or what is termed as "freelance writers".
High demand is out there for unique, fresh, new ideas for content. Your content can be worth a good sum of money to these web masters or companies.
I started out by making a list of my hobbies, interests and subjects. I took my list and started doing tons of research. I even researched other articles to see their style and content. I then started writing practice articles. After I was comfortable with my writing, I compiled a list of websites that related to my list. I emailed my list a sample article and asked for consideration on their next writing assignment. That was two years ago. Now I write full time. It's like Christmas morning every day when I see my inbox filled with writing assignments.
In this area of internet opportunities, the recession is not an excuse or a reason to be unemployed or not making ends meet. You do not have to work cheap, economically, or for a low price or discount. The quality of your articles will dictate your prices. You do not have to invest capital or pay any up-front cost. There are no hidden costs in writing web content. You do not have to have a formal education or be a published author. If you can write on a 10th grade level, you can write web content. In fact, websites prefer simple conversational articles.
Writing an article is not rocket science. A good article is a small step, a bad article is wider than the Grand Canyon. A good article will bring you repeat business for years to come. Don't delay, start today.
Should We Drop the 'Dear' From 'Dear John'?
When was the last time you received an email from someone that started with the word "dear..."? I'm guessing you haven't for quite a while, if indeed ever, as the electronic modes of communication we now use to send information to work colleagues, friends and relatives has changed and for those of us for whom email is the norm, we've probably never used it ourselves.
Of course, when people used to write letters to each other the use of the word 'Dear' was commonplace and the norm. It's how you started any letter and when writing it still seems quite normal, however email is different.
If I receive an email from someone with the word dear in it then I have a little chuckle to myself as it seems to be an extremely old and out-dated way to begin any conversation. These days we're more used to seeing the word "Hi" or "Hiya" at the top of emails - but is this a bad thing?
When letters were the norm, we would spend time crafting them, sometimes hand-written and very often very long. We had a lot of information to cram in and we had to make the cost of postage worth the while. Sometimes we'd include some extra information like a card or a picture and the whole effort involved meant we were doing something a bit special. Writing 'Dear...' at the beginning was therefore the precursor to a missive, something to be enjoyed at the recipient's leisure.
Now we have email and conversations have changed. Our communications are shorter and more to the point and we normally send them with the expectation that we'll get something back. We no longer fire off an email expecting it to be digested over time or read in a wing-backed chair. Our email probably provides a quick blast of information followed by a question. We then get a question back and the conversation continues.
With an exchange of letters it could take many weeks to successfully conclude an issue and very often we turn to the phone to sort it out. With email it is fully possible to use it as a means to build a conversation and there is usually a thread that can be followed.
So should the 'Dear..' be dropped? I think it should, in fact I never use it, never had and those that are saying we should use it more so it doesn't drop completely are fighting the wrong cause. What we should be doing is ensuring our emails are readable and understandable, not worrying about a word stuck at the top of the page that nobody really reads anyway.
Of course, when people used to write letters to each other the use of the word 'Dear' was commonplace and the norm. It's how you started any letter and when writing it still seems quite normal, however email is different.
If I receive an email from someone with the word dear in it then I have a little chuckle to myself as it seems to be an extremely old and out-dated way to begin any conversation. These days we're more used to seeing the word "Hi" or "Hiya" at the top of emails - but is this a bad thing?
When letters were the norm, we would spend time crafting them, sometimes hand-written and very often very long. We had a lot of information to cram in and we had to make the cost of postage worth the while. Sometimes we'd include some extra information like a card or a picture and the whole effort involved meant we were doing something a bit special. Writing 'Dear...' at the beginning was therefore the precursor to a missive, something to be enjoyed at the recipient's leisure.
Now we have email and conversations have changed. Our communications are shorter and more to the point and we normally send them with the expectation that we'll get something back. We no longer fire off an email expecting it to be digested over time or read in a wing-backed chair. Our email probably provides a quick blast of information followed by a question. We then get a question back and the conversation continues.
With an exchange of letters it could take many weeks to successfully conclude an issue and very often we turn to the phone to sort it out. With email it is fully possible to use it as a means to build a conversation and there is usually a thread that can be followed.
So should the 'Dear..' be dropped? I think it should, in fact I never use it, never had and those that are saying we should use it more so it doesn't drop completely are fighting the wrong cause. What we should be doing is ensuring our emails are readable and understandable, not worrying about a word stuck at the top of the page that nobody really reads anyway.
Essay Proofreading
The whole reason you are writing an essay is to communicate to the reader through your words, portraying and expressing explanations and evidence in a way that will support your point. For a fact, you will not do this well if you have errors scattered throughout your text, this impedes flow and takes the reader's attention away from your writing. This is why it is always important to ensure you are essay proofreading to a good standard.
Here are some basic tips on essay proofreading:
Read through your work with a physical copy. You will be amazed at the amount of errors you will spot when holding the document in your hand, opposed to on a screen.
Always get a friend to check over your work once it is complete. A fresh mind is able to pick up a considerable amount more errors than a mind that already knows the content. If you are unable to do this, at least take a break before starting to proofread you work, this will help clear your mind.
Read the words backwards, this will help to take away the meaning of the words, increasing the chance of spotting errors.
Keep a list of all the words you spell incorrectly, this will help when you come across the word in a later part of the text, and amend it.
Reading aloud means that you will have to voice each word separately, decreasing the chance that you will skip over some words unintentionally.
Many people find it hard to do their own essay proofreading, as they already know the content which allows their mind to skip over the words it has just written. Others just do not have time to proofread their work. Either way, you can get your essay proofreading done by professionals that offer proofreading services. This will improve your work a great deal, allowing the reader to interpret your work uninterrupted.
Overall, if you want a professional sounding good quality essay, you should always thoroughly proofread. If you really want to make an impression, consider proofreading services.
Here are some basic tips on essay proofreading:
Read through your work with a physical copy. You will be amazed at the amount of errors you will spot when holding the document in your hand, opposed to on a screen.
Always get a friend to check over your work once it is complete. A fresh mind is able to pick up a considerable amount more errors than a mind that already knows the content. If you are unable to do this, at least take a break before starting to proofread you work, this will help clear your mind.
Read the words backwards, this will help to take away the meaning of the words, increasing the chance of spotting errors.
Keep a list of all the words you spell incorrectly, this will help when you come across the word in a later part of the text, and amend it.
Reading aloud means that you will have to voice each word separately, decreasing the chance that you will skip over some words unintentionally.
Many people find it hard to do their own essay proofreading, as they already know the content which allows their mind to skip over the words it has just written. Others just do not have time to proofread their work. Either way, you can get your essay proofreading done by professionals that offer proofreading services. This will improve your work a great deal, allowing the reader to interpret your work uninterrupted.
Overall, if you want a professional sounding good quality essay, you should always thoroughly proofread. If you really want to make an impression, consider proofreading services.
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