Critique and Write

Story Premise

2012-01-10T17:14:00.000-05:00

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How To Create A Story Premise

A story premise is quick and to the
point. It explains the story in one
sentence. The premise gives you, your
story, direction. You know which path
to take, confusion is side-stepped
and story over-lapping disappears.
A map is formed when a story premise
comes alive. Avoid the confusion of
stumbling into wrong turns, and ending-up
on similar streets. Stick to the map,
premise, and finish writing the story faster.

Every word written after the premise
develops your story. Remove any word
that stalls or stops the premise from
moving forward.

A story begins after the premise is created.
The premise must be proved by your story.
Look-over the following premises.

1. Aggressive behavior leads to bullying and ruined lives.
2. Too much ambition ends in cheating, exposure and destruction.
3. Good or bad, you receive back what you send out.
4. Stealing starts lying, drama and chaos.

It isn't necessary to create a story
premise that's researched or soul
searched for months. You have lived,
experienced or seen various premises
in action. Premises take the following
shapes.

1. Aggressive behavior can be enterprising.
2. Ambition takes effort.
3. Karma, good or bad, returns.
4. Stealing leads to other crimes.

Premise, too, sprinkles in characters,
conflicts and resolutions. Let's look
closer at a premise. Aggressive behavior
leads to bullying and ruined lives, for
example.

A character is bullied by another employee
at the work-place. The character that bullies
thinks he/she can display any type behavior,
because management used several of his/her ideas.

The character that's being bullied is new
to this department, and brings better ideas.

The bully keeps reminding everyone of his/her
used ideas. The bullying continues. Management
receives complaints, but not from the bullied
character.

At this point, the bully is upset. He/she has
a negative write-up. He/she invites co-workers
to a bar after work. One or two people drag-in
to this informal party.

The resolution starts as the bully refuses to
stop his/her negative behavior. The bully
taunts everyone he/she she thinks reported
him/her to management.

The bully is moved to a different department.
His/her behavior becomes worse, and termination
follows.

In conclusion, a story premise is a one sentence
explanation that stirs-in characters, conflicts
and resolutions.

Source: http://voices.yahoo.com/story-premise-10807383.html

A New Year Means?

2011-12-24T18:27:00.000-05:00

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12:01-2012

A new year means beginning anew, chance
to move forward and bring new life to
resolutions.

A new year means start-over, try again.
Learn from mistakes and start anew. Is
there a goal you meant to reach but gave-
up on? The plan was to take college level
courses. Only, the economy stopped you.
College courses in 2012?

You're smothering among bad associates. The
only way to do better is change friends and
habits. The opportunity to begin anew is now.

A new year means apply for the job fear has
you afraid to attempt. The stress from not
trying hurts you more. There are two answers
that comes from applying for jobs, yes or no.
Take comfort in the fact that you tried.

No, it's not always easy to move forward. The
key to moving forward is effort, and departing
from things/people that kept you smothering in
wrong or bad circumstances.

Don't waste time blaming or excusing behavior
that ends in one of two options: jail or death.
Slowly with-draw from bad associations. True
change takes years, often. However, toddler step
to positive/productive behavior. Move forward,
perhaps, with the help of a professional.

There's no one to judge how fast or slow moving
forward takes you. Everyone moves forward at their
own pace. Will 2012 be the year you move forward?

You've made resolutions before, but were unable to
keep them. It's time to look at the reasons you're
unable to keep resolutions. The resolution is
impossible for you to do? Try a smaller version of
the resolution.

A resolution to build a house when you're jobless
isn't realistic, for example.

"There's no time to work on a resolution." You said.

Select time, during the day or night, for resolutions.
Look at it as a gift to yourself. The selected time
is used just for resolutions. If necessary, turn-off
the television, radio and cell phone.

"I can't work on my resolution, because of my friends."

Determine if your friends or a resolution, gift to
yourself, is more important.

Life is a matter of choices. Choices as with friends
should be carefully picked.

Finally, a new year allows a new beginning, move
forward and live whole-some resolutions. Ultimately,
choices determines destiny.

Six Ways To Keep Creativity Alive

2011-12-17T07:54:00.000-05:00

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Stay Creative

Every writer, at one time or another,
needs help to keep creativity alive.
Life, illness, holidays or stress can
push creativity to the corner and
leave it there, unattended. Creativity
left alone for days, months, without
stimulation disappears.

A skill, talent, must be practiced to
improve, become better. If not, the skill,
talent, is lost or forgotten.

Skill, talent and creativity requires,
sometime during the day or night, effort.

Let's look at six ways to keep creativity
alive.

1. Write down why you can't give creativity
a tid-bit of time. It's not necessary to
write pages, but give an explanation in
several paragraphs. Perhaps, research about
the reason could supply material for other
writing projects.

2. Read. The words in a news article, mystery
novel or any readable medium nudges creativity.
The nudge to creativity spills-out writing
ideas.

Some people find time to read on a lunch-break,
while riding trains or at the doctor's office.
Keep a note-book and pen with you to jot down
writing ideas.

Sometimes, it takes little to stir-up
creativity. Circumstances measures how fast
creativity ignites. Stress, for example,
hampers creativity to a greater degree with
some people. Note taking, in those cases,
is longer.

3. Simply, write. You're on a break, simply,
write. Make as many notes as you like about
anything. Mention how your day is going, for
instance. The taste of your favorite food?
The first person you met? Work with a sentence
like: Four fowls for Fran Friday.

The sentence can be worked in any direction.
Research fowls. How are certain fowls bred?
Write a mystery detailing the "fowl" plot. A
children's book is another writing idea.
Creativity is your only limit.

4. Personal experience is a possibility.
Write about a stressful situation. Most
likely, others are experiencing a similar
situation, and how you handle it could help
someone.

A personal experience article has a beginning,
middle and it ends. The personal experience
piece must grab attention and spark interest.

An idea is to begin in the middle of a problem.

5. Write about a goal. Explain the goal. Why
did you want to achieve it? How long will it
take? Did take? What steps are involved in
reaching it? Write an article or three.

6. Write an acrostic poem. Each letter in an
acrostic poem spells-out a word or some
communication. Take a look at my acrostic poem.

D aisy

A nnoyed

I ris

R epeatedly

Y esterday

Creativity becomes stiff, lost, if its not used, and the six ways to keep creativity alive helps stimulate it.

Ten Alternative Web Browsers to Internet Explorer 9

2011-12-12T17:10:00.002-05:00

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with me? Leave me your opinion.

Marcella Glenn and Horace C. White

Modern Tokyo Times

Internet Explorer is a staple of Windows
computers.

Everyone knows what Internet Explorer is;
it is a staple of all computers with the
Windows OS. When people buy a new computer,
Internet Explorer is already loaded and
available for use. It takes little effort
to activate Internet Explorer, and have
full access to the internet. However,
there are excellent alternative web
browsers that exist in the marketplace
for those who are looking for something
other than Internet Explorer 9. Let’s
take a look at some of them.

1. Safari’s tools will help a developer
go to the next level, and browsing
experience is customized. Browse full
screen web pages, and save them to
your Reading List.

http://www.apple.com/safari/　

2. Avant Browser is compatible with
Internet Explorer 9. The no ads, no
malwares web browser is ultra-fast,
user friendly, and has the lowest
memory usage of all the web browsers.

http://www.avantbrowser.com/download.aspx?uil=en-us　

3. Deepnet Explorer is free and contains
no adware or spyware. It’s the first web
browser with RSS news reader, P2P client
integration, and phishing alarm.

http://www.deepnetexplorer.com/　

4. Google Chrome is a free web browser,
and it’s fast and very popular. Google’s
move to release a large part of Chrome’s
source code including its V8 Java Script
engine gave third party developers
opportunity to study it, and help port
its browser to the Mac OS X and Linux
operating systems.

http://www.google.com/chrome　

5. Life Web Browser caters to iPad users.
It’s similar to a desk-top. Life looks to
excel where Safari fell short. For example,
while Safari does not provide tabbed
browsing, Life Web Browser does.

http://www.itsabouttimeproducts.com/Its_About_Time/Life.html　

6. Maxthon Browser offers a free download,
and super fast services. It’ll store
book-marks/notes securely and it offers
free Cloud services.

http://www.maxthon.com/　

7. Omni Web is an alternative to the
standard web browser. Its built-in
short-cuts and unique drop-and drag
windows will help save time.

http://www.omnigroup.com/products/omniweb/　

8. Opera Browser downloads for zero
cost. Opera is available for personal
computers, Mac and Linux.

http://www.opera.com/　

9. Rockmelt was created with the belief
that the typical style of the browser
no longer works for how today’s people
browse the internet. It utilizes the
Cloud to save all bookmarks and setting,
making a person’s personal browser
experience available on any computer
that has this browser.

http://www.rockmelt.com/　

10. Sunrise Browser is exclusive to
Apple computers, and has an all-in-one
window. Sunrise’s browser downloads
bookmarks and source codes in the main
window.

http://www.sunrisebrowser.com/　

While a majority of internet users tend
to go with Internet Explorer 9 because
it is already there and easily accessible,
it is important to think about exploring
some of the other browser options available.
Who knows, you may just find one that is
more to your liking!

http://moderntokyotimes.com/2011/12/07/ten-alternative-web-browsers-to-internet-explorer-9/

Snow Storm

2011-12-06T07:43:00.000-05:00

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after the blizzard,
frozen angel impressions
wind still howl and push.

Bright Stare of the sun-
people shoving piles of it
some chat more than work.

Tires slide back and forth
sprinkling salt provides traction
car finally free.

Source: http://voices.yahoo.com/snow-storm-10541649.html

Laughter

2011-11-17T20:04:00.000-05:00

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Self-Help Treatment

Laughter is a self-help treatment that
heals mind and body. In times of loss
jobs, economic down-turns and the stress
life brings, laughter sooths. Laughter
stirs-up healthy physical changes that
strengthens the immune system, guards
against stress and elevates energy levels.

Research points-out that the immune system
is stronger after laughter. Specifically,
there are increases in natural cells
and anti-bodies to attack infections after
laughter takes takes control. The natural
cells targets viral infections as well as
some kinds of cancers and tumor cells. The
anti-body IGA (immunoglobulin A) battles
upper respiratory tract infections.

Laughter guards the body against stress.
A joke/laugh drains the stress away and
connects people. Let's look at an example.

The clock's alarm, for some reason,
rang-out twenty minutes later than usual.
The coffee maker refused to function, and
you were late for work. The meeting started,
but you arrived for ten minutes of it.
Everyone has eyes stabbed at you as the
meeting's squeaky door opened.

Stress hormones, for you, are high during
the situation. What should you do?

Smile. Take a deep breath, and attend the
meeting.

Share the incident with co-workers, sometime
during the day, as a joke. The laughter
connects you to others, socializing takes place.

It's a self-help treatment to take yourself
less seriously.
Laugh at incidents that are embarrassing, out
of your control.

Laughter relieves stress, and brings the
mind/body back into balance.

"Your sense of humor is one of the most
powerful tools you have to make certain
that your daily mood and emotional state
support good health." Paul E. McGhee, Ph.
D., pioneer in humor research.

The power of laughter elevates energy
levels. Laughter melts away anger and
sadness. It makes you "feel-great."
Naturally, "feel-great" chemicals are
released into the body.

The body's natural "feel-great" chemicals
are endorphins. They reduce stress, relax
muscles and energy levels are elevated.

Endorphins gives an all-over sense of well
being and, for a short time, stops pain.

The act of laughing takes a mind off of
anger, pain or stress. The focus is on
laughter, and from it comes hope.

Laughter inspires a look for more, better.
Goals are set. Goal setting means hope. It's
a move forward in life.

In life, challenges will befall. Smile.
Work through them. You'll feel better. Yes,
you can.

In closing, the self-help treatment of
laughter brings the mind and body back into
balance. It's fun and free. Simply, believe
in yourself.

Objective Editing

2011-11-13T12:04:00.000-05:00

Writing Method

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Most writing projects, sooner or
later, must go through the editing
process.

"It's difficult to edit my own work."
Some writers remarked.

"Wish it was an easier way to edit." A
writer said.

Still, a few writers never edit, because
they write error-free.

The rest of us have to find an editing
method that works. Specifically, an
editing method that's comfortable and
easy to work with.

A couple other options are available to
writers. Writers can hire someone to edit,
or barter with a friend/relative.

During the time a recession is circling,
not many people can afford to pay someone
to edit.

The terms of bartering have to be documented,
agreed to and every T crossed.

Or, try an easy method to editing. It's
called the Objective Editing method. Let's
look at how it works.

Set your writing project aside. The longer a
writing project is, the more time should be
spent away from it. On a dead-line? Take as
much time away from your writing project as
possible.

Return to the writing project. Prepare to
edit. Only, look at it objectively. Edit the
writing project as if you're an editor. Look
at it as belonging to someone else. Start the
editing process.

In other words, distance yourself from the
writing project. Return to it refreshed,
objective.

The Objective Editing method is freeing.
There's no thinking about "your work." It's
easier to see writing errors when the
writing project isn't your own, and the editing
process is done faster.

In conclusion, the Objective Editing method
is easy to use, and the editing process is
done faster.

How To Manage Anxiety

2011-11-03T08:17:00.000-04:00

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with me? Leave me your opinion.

What's Anxiety?
Anxiety is worrying about what
could happen. It's the feeling,
need, to do well, but there's
uneasiness.

Common Occurrence
Anxiety is a common occurrence.
It happens when there's a recession,
death in a family, exams or fear of
something/someone.

Anxiety Attack
It's exam day, for example, and you knew
it was coming. Still, you're eager to take
the test, but uneasiness showed up.
Perhaps, sweaty palms and pretzel stomach
popped-in. Often, the feeling to empty your
stomach's contents happens.

A Friend
"Ready for the test?" A friend asked.

"Wish it was over." You said.

Sound familiar?

The behavior becomes a pattern. A recession,
death of a love one or fear pushes the same
reactions to the surface.

Managing Anxiety

1. Stop eating or drinking caffeine and
sugar. It has been proven that caffeine
and sugar increases anxiety.

2. Exercises. An early morning walk,
exercises for beginners or yoga can help
with anxiety.

3. Laugh at yourself. When you catch
yourself worrying needlessly, laugh.
Don't take yourself so seriously.

4. Write down a fear or problem. Look
at it. Work through it. Yes, you can.

5. Step out of your comfort zone.

"I want to apply for that job, but not
sure." You doubted.

Stop doubting or listening to the "can't"
voice. Instead, try it. You may fail/succeed,
but you worked through the anxiety about
it. Be proud. Treat yourself.

6. Take a deep breath, and let it out slowly
through the mouth. Repeat.

7. Pass it. An anxiety attack is starting,
let it pass. Fear of a bully, for instance,
causes the heart to race. Remind yourself
to tell the appropriate authorities. Have
a plan prepared of what you'll say/do, and
let the anxiety attack pass.

8. Stay positive. There aren't any quick
fixes to managing feelings of anxiety, but
a "can do" attitude helps.

9. Health-care visit. Make sure your body
isn't deficient in minerals, and your
hormone levels are normal.

10. Every morning smile. You're alive to
get another chance at your goals. No goals?
It's time to set one, two or three.

Conclusion
Anxiety is a common occurrence that happens
for various reasons. With time and patience,
anxiety can be managed with a "can do"
attitude.

Source:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/9110245/how_to_manage_anxiety.html

Journal

2011-10-28T07:35:00.000-04:00

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with me? Leave me your opinion.

Why Keep A Journal?

The reasons to keep a journal is
personal, varies. Some writers,
people, prefer to avoid the
routine of documenting daily.

Today, lives are full and a re-
organization is needed to fit-in
another activity. There aren't
many people that would take such
a step for journal keeping.

A journal comments on culture, life
as it's lived.

Culture goes through changes. Culture
in the USA, 1950, is different than
USA, 2011. The many changes include
technology, methods of transferring
knowledge to new generations and the
economic down-turn.

Specifically, land-lines were in
almost every house-hold in the USA,
1950. House-holds in the USA, 2011,
have cell phones, and very few of
the occupants have land-lines.

Journals would've noted the switch
from land-lines to cell phones as
well as news reports about them. A
journal's remarks by friends and
relatives before cell phones became
popular, most likely, could be found.

Journals are a storage of writing
ideas. A possible writing idea:
Are cell phones a necessity or health
risk? Arguments can be made for both
sides of the question.

Methods of transferring knowledge and
the economy's up/downs are more
writing ideas.

Explore the transference of knowledge
to next generations. The process
is the best it can be? If no, how can
it be improved? Spin your answers into
articles, fiction too.

An idea relating to fiction could be
that someone has control of certain
human beings through cell phones. Yet,
some human beings escaped. Why?

A person, writer, jotting down changes
in the economy could offer advice from
his/her journal. At least, mention the
past vs. present situation. Or, a version
of it can be used. Modified? Simple
life adjustments make a difference?

In closing, journals provide a look
at changes in culture and stores tons
of writing ideas.

10 Ways To Ignite Creative Flow

2011-10-22T17:58:00.000-04:00

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with me? Leave me your opinion.

Writer's Block

A writer's creative flow or writer's
block stops producing at inconvenient
times. There's no warning. Writers
are left staring at a blank computer
screen, playing paper basketball with
the nearest wastebasket or finger
tapping a tune out.

I've discovered, from years of writing,
ways to ignite creative flow and stop
writer's block. The following lists
10 ways to ignite your creative flow.

1. What to write? You're working on a
writing project, and creative flow
decided to nap. Stop fretting. Take
a deep breath.

What would fit well into the writing
project? Is there an aspect that you
haven't considered? Or, a different
angle works better? Allow creative
flow to weigh in and then start the
writing process.

2. Pick an event that happened during
the last 24 hours. The event grabbed
your attention and continued to nag
at your creative flow. The moment it
happens, begin jotting down notes.
Figure-out how to share it. Is the
better view through fiction, non-
fiction or poetry?

3. A gathering of any kind is a storage
of possible writing ideas to nudge
creative flow, and push writer's block
to the curb. A family group togetherness
or holiday offers many writing ideas.

Have you listened to toddlers agreeing
on a movie to watch?

"No, don't wanna watch it." Toddler number
1 cried.

"I wanna." Toddler 2 said.

"Nooo." Toddler 3 screamed.

Several non-fiction articles could be
written before the family get-together
starts.

4. The experience of a life time piece.
It's the experience that had a profound
influence on you.

One of the profound experiences in my life:
I was unjustly fired from a job. It was the
focus of my book, Grave Street House, and
articles.

The point is to get information from life
and write about it.

5. Write a piece that's different from
what you normally do. A poem, for example.

6. Make-up a sentence to shape writing
ideas.

The rain driven snow pounded all night.

You get any ideas from the statement?
Make-up some of your own.

7. Ghost-writers address writing needs.

What form would your answer take to
stir-up creative flow or stop writer's
block?

8. Pick your ideal place to be. How would
your essay start? A travel writing article?

9. Grab the book you thought was poorly
written. Your book?

10. Write about your favorite time of the
year. Why is it your favorite? Could you
sell the article?

The ten ways to stimulate creative flow
and stop writer's block is a writer's tool,
but shape-it to fit your needs.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/9058997/10_ways_to_ignite_creative_flow.html

Successful Writers: Write

2011-10-17T15:56:00.000-04:00

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with me? Leave me your opinion.

Successful writers write through
stress, approaching dead-lines
when more is required than the
three paragraphs you've written
or as creative flow goes on strike.

"I've written the paragraphs ten
times, and can't think of anything
else to write." A writer said.

"Too many ideas, can't sleep." A few
writers shared.

The above statements are a result of
stress, but successful writers don't
allow it to stop them.

Stop stress blockages by writing
anything related to the paragraphs
or written work. Distance yourself
from the writing project for as long
as possible.

Come-back to it refreshed and with
new writing ideas. Continue developing
your writing ideas. There's a chance that
the original writing idea has lost its
appeal. Don't waste time on a writing
idea going nowhere.

Begin exploring the new writing idea.
Write anything about it. Random writing
stimulates the creative process. Writing
ideas will take shape. The more you write,
the more stimulation for your creative
flow.

If writing about a specific topic fails to
help, write about any subject. Pick a
topic that's new to you. It'll push you to
write more. Perhaps, do some research? The
goal is to write.

An approaching dead-line demands a finished
writing project. A met dead-line makes a
statement about your professionalism.

First, take a deep breath, two and
relax.

Select any phrase in your writing project
as the dead-line grows closer. Write about
the phrase. Pick a second and third phrase,
if necessary.

Is there a funny aspect to your topic?
The funny line, sentence, takes your
mind off the dead-line and frees your
creative flow.

Sometimes, creative flow takes a rest.
Still, successful writers write, but how?

One method to encourage creative flow
is to write down why you can write.
Look at it. Move pass it. Go back to
your writing project and complete it.

It helps to look at research about a
writing project and then spin-out your
own writing project. It's time to pass
your goal, and writing is the way to
do it.

Creative flow can be stimulated by
research, writing.

Successful writers use writing, research,
when stressed about dead-lines that can't
be ignored, and when creative flow wants
a time-out.

Plan to Kill Saudi Ambassador Foiled

2011-10-13T07:41:00.000-04:00

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Saudi Ambassador to the United States

U.S. agents, Tuesday, stopped a plan
to kill Saudi Arabia's ambassador to
the United States, per U.S. Attorney
General Eric Holder.

The plan "is a fabrication," Spokesman
for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
stated Tuesday.

Court documents filed in federal court
point the finger at Manssor Arbabsiar
and Gholam Shakuri for the failed attack.

They "were part of a well-funded and
pernicious plot that had, as its first
priority, the assassination of the Saudi
ambassador to the United States, without
care or concern for the mass casualties
that would result from their planned
attack," Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney
for the New York southern district.

According to The New York Times, the
Justice Department described a plan
of international proportion.

Gholam Shakuri, an Iran member of Iran's
Qods Force, is in the special operations
unit of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps that's said to sponsor and
promote terrorist activities abroad, FBI.

Arbabsiar secretly planned with Shakuri
to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to
the United States. The Justice Department's
criminal complaint.

Arbabsiar "confessed" to his part in the
alleged plan and gave specific details,
U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder.

The plan was "conceived, sponsored and
directed from Iran," Holder.

The suspects are an Iranian and an
Iranian-American from Texas per NBC
reports.

Shakuri isn't in custody.

The case, dubbed Operation Red Coalition,
started in May when an Iranian-American
from Corpus Christi, Texas went to a DEA
informant for help that stirred-in a
Mexican drug cartel, ABC News.

The suspect thought he had contacted a
member of the Zetas Mexican drug
organization, per ABC.

The U.S. government will take action
against the Iranian government as soon
as Tuesday afternoon.

The Mexican government was instrumental
in the investigation, Holder.

The case illustrates that we live in a
world where borders and boundaries are
increasingly irrelevant, FBI Director
Robert Mueller.

H4llow33n N1ght

2011-10-11T07:50:00.000-04:00

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with me? Leave me your opinion.

I jumped out of a light sleep as the wind
tapped on my window pane. The clock read
eleven p.m.

"Don't go to the Halloween party." A
voice in the depths of mind said.

I splashed back on the bed, pondered
about going. I dozed. A ringing cell
phone woke me.

"Hey, Anna," I answered.

"Sound like you're waking up."

"Am."

"Get ready for the party."

"Not going, tired."

"Beverly Coppla, been knowing you
five years and we're best friends."

"Point?"

"Feeling, again?" Anna laughed. "That's
why you don't want to go?"

"Hmm," Beverly paused, "I wanted to rest
this Halloween weekend."

"Jack's really into you."

"He's a womanizer and no telling what
else."

"But he's rich, and it's his family's
cosmetic company we work for."

"Still, a womanizer."

"If you don't go, I'll be by myself."

"Most likely, others from work will be
there."

"Beverly, do this for me. Besides, he's
only two streets over from you."

"I...I don't feel like a party."

"How can you say no? Jack's almost your
boss."

"Why are you..."

"I asked you to go with me, favor."

"Hmm."

"Guess I'll spend the night getting
drunk, alone."

"Anna, come to my apartment," I offered.
"We'll microwave popcorn and watch some
movies."

"I really need to go to Jack's party."

"Why?"

"Just want to."

"What's the real reason?"

"I kinda told Jack you and I were coming
to his party, and his uncle likes me."

"You shouldn't have accepted for me. Hmm,
Jack's uncle has to be twice your age,
like sixty."

"If you don't go, I'm dead." Anna laughed.
"Jack's uncle is richer, yay."

"I'll go this time, but don't do this
again."

"Yay, got it."

"Pick me up, Anna."

"Meet me there."

"Anna, she hung up."

I showered and then dressed in jeans,
sneakers and a jacket.

My mind's voice kept cautioning me not
to go. I shrugged it off.

I walked out of my apartment building,
knew Jack's address. Females twenty-five,
like me, and under received his contact
information as part of job training.

The trick or treaters were out in full
force. Some parents held their children's
hands and candy bags. A few parents stared
at me, or was it my imagination over-flowing?

My mind's voice began to nag me.

A person in black passed me, knife in hand.
Someone screamed as he or she passed. The
people, everything, moved in slow motion.
I looked at the lady who screamed. She pointed
at the person in black, and discussed him/her
with the man with her.

"Run!" My mind's voice screamed.

Fear riveted me in the spot where I stood.
The sea of people scattered. I tried to move,
right foot then left, to no avail. My vocal
cords refused to push a scream out.

"Take a deep breath." My mind's voice
repeated several times.

The deep breaths shook fear away.

"Come with me." The person in black
grabbed my arm.

"No." I wiggled free. "Who are you?"

The person in black sounded familiar,
but I couldn't place a name to the voice.
I wasn't sure if it was a male or female.

The person in black lunged at me, still
holding the knife. A scream slipped out
of my mouth.

"Dat person gotta a knife." Someone in
the street yelled.

I ran, person in black caught me. He or
she put the knife to my throat. I pounded
my heel into his or her foot as hard as
possible. He or she moaned, dropped the
knife. The person in black reached for my
neck. I kicked him or her below the waist.
To my surprise, she wasn't male.

She jumped at me, pinned me against a car.
I twisted, turned, trying to free myself.

"Wait." I wanted to stop this person from
possibly killing me.

"Shut up!"

"Hmm, Anna?"

The person in black didn't say a word.

She pulled my hair, like Anna had done as
a joke several times before. I had no
choice, but to fight for my life.

I snatched off the black mask.

"Anna, why?"

"Joke, Jack, but you ruined it."

I poked her in the eyes, punched her
face with all my might. I ran, looked
back to see her staggering toward me.

I stopped, faced her.

"Just wanted a better life and Jack's
uncle..." Anna welled-up with emotion.

"Our friendship is over." I returned home
as tears rolled down my cheeks.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/9001257/h4llow33n_n1ght.html

Own A Business?

2011-10-05T08:19:00.000-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Own a business to make the decisions.

Your business, mission, is formed. It's your
vision of what a business should be, and
rewarding to see it happen. There's little
or no cost to own/operate a small business.

A small business affords you the choice of
picking who to work with.

Specialize in a particular niche, or set-up
the business with more than one product
or service.

A small business allows you to branch-out.

Lastly, a small business can be operated
on a part-time basis until you feel/think
running it full-time is best.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_would_you_own_a_business#ixzz1ZuOpwfJv

Writer's Belief

2011-09-26T07:38:00.000-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

A writer must have a strong belief
in his/her writing projects. Self-doubt
stops writer from trying, succeeding.
All people, no matter the profession,
have successes and failures. Writers
improve from failures.

Failures push a writer to look closer
at a writing project, and discover why
it didn't make the cut or was published.

Failures that grab the attention helps a
writer to move forward and avoid the same
mistakes. Still, failure/rejection, can
be painful. It should be looked at as a
motivator.

A motivator to do better, reach higher. A
writer internalizes the motivating force
of being the best he/she is capable of.
Each day work toward a better you, the
writer.

Work on your craft, and recite the writer's
belief: I believe in me, my talent. Say it
as many times as necessary to ignite working,
writing. Some days are harder than others to
get motivated, write.

Often, there will be people to stop you from
writing.

"Take-off today." A friend said.

"You not gettin' nowhere writin' anyways." One
relative reminded.

"Only, a few make money, get famous or are
remembered." A few people shared.

Yes, the nay-sayers throw all kinds of
reasons not to write your way.

It's up to you. Repeat the writer's belief.
Hold on to your own beliefs while others slam-
down excuses.

Remember, if you don't believe in yourself
and talent then you're prey for anyone.

Don't be afraid to jot down the writer's belief.
Pin it on a wall, door, mirror and anywhere
you can see encouraging words.

In closing, writers must believe in their
talent, writing projects or be prey for
anyone. Recite the writer's belief as often
as needed.

They're Threatening To Shut-Down Government

2011-09-22T15:56:00.000-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

"They're threatening to shut-down
the government to get what they
want," Senator Harry Reid, Democrat
majority leader.

A government shut-down circles as
the House while Republican leadership
refuses to agree to a bill to fund
the government that demanded cuts
in programs like aid for victims of
Hurricane Irene and similar programs.

The legislation didn't pass by a
small margin Wednesday. Conservatives
see the bill as a high level spending
spree, and Democrats pushed it away
due to costs.

A bill is needed to keep the government
from shutting-down through November 18th.
There's a matter of days for Congress to
come to an agreement, or fix the problem.

"We continue to work on a responsible
plan that can pass the House," House
speaker, John A. Boehner- Ohio Republican.

Normally, funds for disasters get
bi-partisan support. Only, this year
Republican leaders maintained that
supplemental emergency funds be
balanced by spending cuts.

"Now it's time to pass the Senate
disaster aid bill," House Minority
Leader, Nancy Pelosi-- San Francisco
Democrat-- said on a Twitter Post.

The Federal Emergency Management
Agency's disaster fund for floods,
tornadoes, hurricanes and wild-fires
is due to run-out Monday.

"It's with great sadness that we
even have to have a debate about
it," Pelosi on the House floor.

The House bill leaned toward a loan
program for alternative energy vehicle
manufacturing to pay for more
aid to victims of Hurricane Irene
as well as other disasters.

Forty-eight Republicans opposed the
measure, and it failed 195 to 230
according to reports.

Law-makers are to recess Friday for
the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashana next
week.

Last week, the Senate passed a larger
FEMA aid package without balanced
spending cuts. No one knows if the
Senators will throw their support
toward the disaster package. It's an
up-hill battle for the bill.

Story Ideas?

2011-09-20T14:16:00.001-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Authors get story ideas from life,
family members or social networks.
Each author will provide a different
answer. Everyone have a different
view of the world, or gather story
ideas differently.

I was unjustly fired from a job some
years ago. From time to time, I'd
jot down accounts of what happened.
Writing down incidents helped me see
the situation clearer as well as
moving me forward in life.

I kept looking at what was written,
and decided to write a book. My book,
Grave Street House, was published in
2007.

An excerpt from Grave Street House.

When I walked onto my street heads
bobbed and turned,
some people cried. They knew the horror
awaiting him. A few drifted into their
places of security. The homeless intruder
wobbled, stumbled on his way into the
House. They reacted with clear warnings
to stay out. He ignored them. He, slowed
down, whirled his head toward me with
fear in his eyes. I motioned with my
hand for him to come back. I rushed
closer to the House, forced my way
through the mob of people.

Family is an excellent source for story
ideas. Have your family talked around a
secret, no one knew what really happened?
An idea is to do research to find out
the facts and then write about it.

A second story idea is of a certain
family member's favorite word- dang.
The word could become that of a
fictional character.

A third story idea from family is
relatives re-telling what happened
to a neighbor on a wintry night.

Networks, like Twitter, offers an
author various story ideas. Look at
any tweet to get a story idea. Find
a tweet that would interest a large
segment of the population. Spin-out
an attention grabbing title. Work
the story idea. Let your creative
flow run free.

In closing, authors get story ideas
from anywhere that they go. It's a
matter of picking one with large
appeal.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_do_authors_get_story_ideas#ixzz1YWAHVDEe

NBC News Twitter Account Hacked

2011-09-10T17:12:00.000-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

NBC News Twitter account, on Friday
afternoon, was hacked. Messages
detailing a false report of a plane
crash on the site of where New
York's twin towers were destroyed
September 11, 10 years ago, were
spread.

The Script Kiddies are taking
credit for hacking the Twitter
feed of NBC News. A number of
tweets like the following were
posted.

"Breaking News! Ground Zero has
just been attacked. Flight 5736
has crashed into the site,
suspected hijacking. more as the
story develops."

The hacking came just two days
before America marks its 10th
anniversary of the 2001 terrorist
attacks.

"We are working with Twitter to
correct the situation and sincerely
apologize for the scare that could
have been caused by such reckless
and irresponsible act," NBC News
in a statement.

The Twitter account was later
suspended, but the false tweets were
sent quickly per reports.

The Business insider called it a
"disgusting 9/11 prank."

The Educational factor

2011-09-10T11:33:00.000-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

"A world-class education is the
single most important factor in
determining not just whether our
kids can compete for the best
jobs but whether America can
out-compete countries around the
world. America's business leaders
understand that when it comes to
education, we need to up our game.
That's why we're working together
to put an outstanding education
within reach for every child."
President Barack Obama, July 18,
2011.

The importance of education is
undeniable. it sets a child on
the path to success, from childhood
through adulthood.

Education stirs-in communication
skills, which are important in
everyday use and critical for
employment. Higher level jobs,
managerial positions, avail
themselves to the educated.

The educational factor gives an
ability to compete for better
jobs. The importance of education
is seen as more job opportunities
are directed toward educated people,
even during an economic down-turn.
People who bring more skills to
the table are considered first for
a job.

Knowledge is gained through education
and then comes wisdom. Knowledge helps
a child/person to become a productive
individual within that culture.

Productive people move a society,
and pass on values of that society
to the next generation. Tools, values
and skills taught effect minds,
behavior. Learned information is
recycled back into a culture for
its advancement.

An individual takes the tools, values
and skills he/she has learned and
builds. He/she makes society a better
place to live.

A society that fails to provide the
best tools, values and skills fall
prey to its own children/people.

Education starts a child on the path
to success. Verbal skills are developed
for everyday use. Later, in life,
verbal skills are needed to interact
with employers/employees. People who
learn verbal skills do better in the
work place.

The better tools, values and skills
provided to children/people, in the
long run, will allow that society to
prosper. Everyone living in that
society benefits.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8373173/the_educational_factor.html

Confidential Information?

2011-09-08T12:35:00.000-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Confidential by its nature means only a few
people are privy to the information, or
certain people aren't authorized to gain
access to specific information.

Confidential information is handled by sharing
it with need to know people/personnel only.

Providing confidential information to other
than those that need to know could cause
harm or worse.

In other words, confidential information is
sensitive, and should be handled with lots
of silence stirred-in.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_deal_with_confidential_information#ixzz1XNabmdA3

Stop Your Child from Being Bullied

2011-09-06T13:31:00.000-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Children will soon be going back to
school, and some schools have already
opened their doors. Bullying is a
problem that has found new avenues
to explore. Bullies are at school,
on the Internet and cell phones.
Stop your child from being bullied
by making it a habit of asking about
his/her school day. Keep the lines
of communication going with your
child.

A child who never talks about school
or what's happening there rarely
shares a bullying incident.
Communication is important in
stopping your child from being
bullied.

A child who normally talks with
a parent has no problem mentioning
a bullying incident. The incident
could have been a push or verbal.
Show concern, but don't argue.
Comfort your child. Find out who,
when and where. Who bullied? When
did it happen? Where did the bullying
take place? Take notes about the
incident. Determine if your child
can address the situation alone.
Let him/her know you're there, and
will help anyway possible.

The next day gently approach your
child.

"How did your go, Billy?"

"Kevin pushed me when we were playing
outside."

"What did you do?"

"Walked away."

"Good job," Mrs. Berling said. "Tell
an adult if it happens again, and play
with your own friends."

Make a note of the second incident.

Prepare your child with ways of handling
a bully. Practice or give your child
ideas of what he/she should say to a bully.
Most times, bullies can't be reasoned with.

Often, bullies keep pressuring, bullying.
The next step is to make an appointment
to speak with a child's teacher, school
counselor and/or principal. The school
counselor may offer techniques to help
your child deal with the situation.

Mention to his/her teacher, principal,
the behavior changes due to bullying.
Most likely, your child's grades will
hit the floor too. Discuss it with the
teacher.

The battle to stop your child from being
bullied is on-going. Have frequent talks
with your child to make sure the bullying
stopped. Contact teachers to, often, be
informed of situations involving your
child. Don't wait for them to phone you.

Bullying isn't a problem that goes away
in a few days. Turn to the legal system
if you're not getting help or results
from school officials.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8351233/stop_your_child_from_being_bullied.html?cat=25#comments

S3nsitiv3

2011-08-28T10:14:00.000-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

"You hear that?" Penny looked at
the basement door.

"Like, I ain't hear nothin', again."
Sherry rolled her eyes toward the
ceiling. "Whatcha hearin' now?"

"Same cries."

"Like, let's go see and end it."

"I don't want to go down there,"
Penny lowered her head. "End what?"

"What ya keep hearin' when I'm ova."

It's strange."

"Like, yeah." Sherry laughed out-loud.

"I hear the cries at other times, but
always when you're here."

"Let's check it out."

"Sherry," Penny took a deep breath,
"from the day we moved in, the cries
started. It kinda scared me, but I've
heard cries and voices in other places
we've lived."

"Like, you've been livin' here 'bout
five years." Sherry looked across the
table at Penny.

"Since I was ten." Penny smiled. "You
introduced yourself before the movers
were done."

"Like, I lived on this street foreva,
know everybody." Sherry paused. "Before
ya're family moved in, Ashley and her
family lived in this house. We hung-out
in the basement and neva heard..."

Penny jumped up, opened one window to
allow the Spring breeze in. The sudden
movement interrupted and startled Sherry.

"Basement, not a good idea." Penny sat
back down and didn't comment on what
Sherry said.

"Like, Ashley's younger brother
disappeared and her father weird-out
about it." Sherry laughed. "I 'member
her brother cried all the time. My
parents talked 'bout how Ashley's dad
spent too much time in the basement
after Reg went missin'."

"They say, I'm...I'm sensitive,
gifted." Penny ignored Sherry's tale.

"Always knew ya was different." Sherry
laughed. "Like, why tell me now?"

"Thought you'd understand why we can't
go in the basement."

Sherry fixed her eyes on the basement
door.

"Not going down there," Penny said.
"Let's do something else."

"Like, ya got money or ya're parents'
credit card?"

"No."

"Sherry stood, headed to the basement
door.

"Stop!" Penny shouted. "Why go in
the basement?"

"Like, I'm bored and tired of the
same conversation 'bout cries."

"Let's play with my PSP, in my bedroom,"
Penny offered.

"Don't wanna." Sherry pouted.

"Sherry, my parents will be back, soon."

"Like, so."

"I have to clean-up the kitchen."

"Not gonna take long to go down there."
Sherry smiled. "I'll even help ya
clean the kitchen."

"My parents told me not to go in the
basement when they're not here."
Penny's brows furrowed.

"Like, let's go." Sherry pulled Penny
by the arm.

Penny snatched her arm away from Sherry,
and toddler stepped over to the basement
door. Sherry stepped behind Penny. Penny
unlocked the door. It flew open. The
girls ran away from the door.

"Like, what..."

"Still want to go down there, Sherry?"
Penny faced Sherry.

"Like...like, yeah." Sherry trembled.

They inched back to the door, slowly
walked downstairs. Penny switched the
light on when her feet touched the
bottom step.

"Like, the same old basement." Sherry
broke the silence. "Ugly brick walls,
hot water heater and some new junk.

"Ready to go back upstairs?" Penny
turned around.

"Like, what's there to be scared of?"
Sherry laughed so hard that her full
figured body slammed against the wall,
several times.

Penny positioned her body where Sherry
stood.

The wall loosened, brick and other
debris fell to the floor.

Penny moved her lips, but no sounds
came out.

"What...what!" Penny's eyes became wide
as half dollar pieces. She stared at the
area of wall Sherry hit against.

"Like, run!" Sherry was half-way upstairs
before she called, "Penny!"

"Come-back," Penny said.

Sherry, eventually, returned. She pinned
herself to Penny's side.

"Like, what now, Penny?"

"Be quiet."

Penny looked at the debris that dislocated
itself from the wall. She ran her hands
across different sections of it, like
her hands searched for something. Penny
glued her face to the sections of wall
Sherry banged her body into.

"Like, I gotta go home." Sherry trembled.

Penny rushed over to where her father kept
his tools. She grabbed a hammer and hurried
back.

Penny didn't hammer long before remains
were exposed.

"Like, that's it." Sherry took two steps
at a time getting upstairs.

The tapping of her designer sneakers could
be heard stomping across the floor as she
left penny's house.

Penny dropped the hammer, and didn't stop
until she was behind her locked bedroom door.

TH3 3ND

Procrastination: How To Stop It?

2011-08-22T13:09:00.000-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

Figure-out what's important to you.
Pick a goal. Set rules for reaching
goals. Stick to the rules as close
as possible. Some days, due to life's
twists, it's impossible to follow the
plan but return on day two.

Discipline is required for writing as
in life. Writing improvement extends
from training and enough self-control
to write. Training and self-control
equals discipline. No one is too young
to learn the healthy habits of
discipline.

Often, you have to muster-up extra
effort for discipline, writing or
reaching a goal. Dig-out a calendar
and pencil-in dates to write. Yes,
make an appointment with yourself.
If necessary, have a planned treat
after you complete the writing date
with yourself or reach a goal. Making
a writing date with yourself falls
under the heading of extra effort.

After repeated effort, you'll no
longer need to make an appointment
with yourself. Writing or reaching
a goal, in time, happens
automatically.

When one writing project is finished,
go to the next one. Continue to make
goals and reach them. It's up to you
as to whether or not self-treating
goes on. Always believe in you, your
writing talent.

A person can be pushed, encouraged,
but if he/she doesn't believe in him/
herself than words will enter one ear
and exit the other. He/she is un-
changed and remains on a doubting
self path.

Doubt yourself and few others will
believe in you, your talent. It's a
matter of choice, self belief and
discipline.

Life has a habit of not going your
way. Still, believe in yourself,
write and reach goals. Over time,
the writing process gets easier and
a better understanding of your
talent dawns.

Don't allow procrastination to steal
away writing goals. It's important
to actively work toward writing
goals.

Change and improvement happens when
you actively work on writing projects.
This is how goals are reached and
procrastination stopped.

It's a major accomplishment to look
at or hold finished writing projects
in your hands. Don't relax there.
Start the next writing project.
Besides, it's best to put aside
the finished writing project before
editing. Come-back on another day
to edit. A time away gives the gift
of new, better, writing ideas.

In the end, procrastination is stopped.
You're, finally, on a first name basis
with discipline.

In closing, today is a good time to
start. Sit down. Pencil-in an actual
date to stop procrastination, write
and actively work toward goals.

Personal Experience Articles

2011-08-09T13:05:00.000-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

A personal experience article has to reach-out and spark interest. A culture where the economy is still recovering means people are stressed. The personal experience article could explain how-to improve stress levels, a topic must show how readers will benefit or provide a reason why an individual should take time to read an article.

Topic

There are people who do poorly on tests due to stress, wake-up in the early morning hours with pretzel stomachs, tend to be nervous from living life and certain situations, for some, boil-up stress automatically.

Spark Interest With A Topic

Every now and then stress wakes me up in the early morning hours with pretzel stomach. My choices: Twist-and-turn 'til it's time to get up, run down-stairs for a glass of warm milk or try a simple breathing exercise accidentally discovered.

Share How The Exercise Improves Sleep

Get comfortable. Stop moving. Clear your mind. Take deep breaths. Slowly inhale with the nose, exhale through an open mouth. Repeat for as long as necessary.

Feelings About The Topic

The early morning awakenings were becoming a problem, serious. One morning, I sighed and sighed some more. I laid there, took several deep breaths and noticed relaxation tipping in. I began to yawn, felt tired. The next sound I heard was a ringing alarm clock. I'd actually went back to sleep using deep breathing.

The deep breathing technique helped me relax, slept without medication or a visit to the health-care provider.

It'll work for those who do poorly on tests, people nervous from living life and calm when certain situations boil-up stress.

End Thoughts

Use more or less deep breathing as needed. Test stress, for instance, may require less deep breathing than what's used for sleeping. The technique is an alternative and not a replacement for health-care providers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the personal experience article involves deciding on a topic, grabbing interest, explaining your experience, feelings on the topic and changes experienced.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8293279/personal_experience_articles.html?cat=35

How to Write Effective Query Letters

2011-07-29T14:03:00.000-04:00

Have a question? Agree, disagree,
with me? Leave me your opinion.

How To Write An Effective Query Letter

The query letter shows an editor your
writing style, knowledge of the
publication, spelling/grammar
awareness and professionalism.

The editor grabbing article query
letter displays, in a page,
qualifications to write a specific
piece. You become qualified to write
for the publication after reviewing
writer's guidelines, and an examination
of several issues to understand
the target market.

Most editors prefer a query letter
over the completed manuscript. They
get tons of information, manuscripts,
thrown at them, daily. Editors have
turned to "no unsolicited submissions."

The article query letter is a way to
introduce you, your writing, to editors.
The query letter shows the editor your
writing style, knowledge of the
publication, spelling/grammar awareness
and professionalism. A query letter,
too, allows an editor to peel-in his/her
feedback. He/she may suggest a different
view-point to cover, for example.

Sometimes, if an editor liked your
writing style, he/she will offer you
another assignment, even though your
idea didn't make-it in the door.

The query letter is written in standard
business form. Your name, address and
other contact information is typed at
the top. Date the query letter. Address
it to an editor, actual name.

Hook the editor in sentence one with
an interesting idea. The hook can ask
a question, provide information, be a
personal experience anecdote or spot-
light a problem.

The editor is reading about your idea.
Make the pitch.

The pitch, second paragraph, explains
what you're offering. You'll expose
what's to be included in the piece,
article length and how your piece fits
his/her publication.

Paragraph three mentions your credentials,
samples, that makes you the only one to
write the article. Point-out work
published in like publications.

The query letter ends with a thank you
for an editor's time.

In closing, when an editor is interested
in the article, send it right away.
Remember, remind an editor of the request
for your article. Article titles are cited
in query letters and reminders.

###

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8268623/attention_grabbing_query_letters.html?cat=35#comments