Article Writing For Aspiring Writers

Write What You Love Most

2010-02-12T07:30:00.001-08:00

Love is an interesting topic and writing something about it is not that difficult specially if these are taken from personal experience.

Go on writing now because love will surely make the tip of you pen round and round.

A Great New Year 2009

2008-12-31T09:51:00.001-08:00

Wishing you a prosperous New year....but keep on writing...

Writing To Change The Way People View Their World - How To Write Articles That Make a Difference

2008-02-13T10:13:00.001-08:00

By Connie Ragen Green

Writing can change the way you look at the world. When others read your writing they are also changed by reading your words. In essence, you are writing to change the world, one person at a time. Words are so powerful that you must always be thoughtful of what you are writing. It has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword because the written word has had so much effect on our world since the beginning of time.

When you write you may be attempting to change people's minds or at least the way they think on a certain topic. You must use caution with this type of writing because there is so much at stake when you write to persuade someone to do something differently in their life. You have an obligation to present both sides of an argument so that your reader can make up their own mind after reviewing the information as you have presented it in your work. This is not an easy task. You are writing to change someone's reality and, if you are successful, their life will never be the same.

Because we are now in a global economy, we can reach others around the world with what we write. People that previously would have been unable to read anything we would write in our lifetimes can now access our writing with one click of the mouse. This convenience comes with a great responsibility to present our views with regard to cultural diversity and tradition.

I encourage you to write so that you can be a part of the conversation of the world and have your thoughts, beliefs, and ideas become part of the human record for eternity.

And now I invite you to join me for free weekly teleseminars that will teach you how to write, market, and sell your articles and ebook to increase your visibility, credibility and passive income by visiting http://www.EbookWritingandMarketingSecrets.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Ragen_Green

How To Write With Authority When You Have None

2008-02-13T10:12:00.000-08:00

By Marvin Double

A well seasoned working writer once gave a class on making living writing articles as a profession. He was a veteran that had earned his stripes long before the internet created a new publishing platform.

He spent his working life earning is daily bread creating readable, entertaining and informative material that met the approval of his real critics, editors. His was a world freelance assignment tight deadlines and exacting editorial guidelines. It was an environment with no latitude for non-production where amateur writing was simply unacceptable.

Well seasoned, tested and battle hardened from years in the demanding work-a-day world of production line creativity, he had churned out volumes, 500 words at a time. His sage advice tempered by long experience was, write well but not overly well and do so with authority.

The point was driven home further when he elaborated slightly more. He said that, : the real secret to creating good acceptable articles is not in the use of a flashy style or magnificent command of language". It is he stated bluntly, "in providing solid useful information, written in an entertaining and engaging manner, period".

In a nutshell the formula that served this prolific writer so well was, as might be expected is, dead simple. Find a way to make the information meaningful to the reader in a very personal way. His own tested and true technique was to weave lots of quotes from experts into the piece and use statistics to support the slant of the piece.

He provided several examples which clearly illustrated the point. Following is fictions sample written using this simple format.

It's a common misconception that the greatest cause of injury in a car accident can be attributed to high speed or careless driving. According to an Dr Smith an expert in the field of trauma medicine, the exact opposite may in fact be closer to the truth.

Speaking a the recent convention of the "National Association of Trauma Specialists" Dr smith told members of the association that, "head injuries from automobile accidents account for at least fifty percent of all fatalities in trauma centers.

He further illustrated the point by citing a chilling fact from a recent federally funded national study of vehicular accidents over the last 5 years. According to Smith, that groundbreaking study found that, "sixty percent of all automobile accidents resulting in fatalities occur within 20 miles from home at speeds under 35 miles per hour".

The writing style is not poetic and it is deliberately used so as to let the information speak for itself. Dressed up and presented in a slightly more polished form you can clearly see how it would catch the attention of a reader, especially if that reader were someone for whom auto safety was a matter of interest.

Name virtually any topic and you'll find statistics and experts on it. The sources of such information are almost endless. Professional journals and trade publications not normally read by the general public are especially rich sources of material. Learning how to properly quote from, reference and credit other authors or publications is an important part of any writers essential tool kit.

The real challenge of the writer is not so much finding reference materials, as it is to take those often dry and uninteresting bits of information and make them come alive for the reader. The unadorned information alone can't make the work interesting, that's the writers job.

This old pro, speaking to those seeking to emulate his success was humble but forthright about his accomplishments. Because he understood his craft he was in constant demand by editors. Putting humility aside it is a fact that he was so good at his craft that he was frequently cited as being an expert on subject about which he knew virtually nothing prior to taking an assignment.

While he commonly used only references from journals and other published work, often times would in fact interview an expert over the phone and get original first hand information which was exclusive. When written from such an interview the article really did have a very authoritative tone and tenor which set it apart.

Writing with authority is a matter of borrowing the authority of others, its part art, part intuition but mostly just a bunch of detective work. It's all about mining data and researching the subject then knitting together quotes and relevant facts in an informal but informative and engaging style.

Find those facts that make the reader go hum, I never knew that. Find quotes from experts that enlighten or even enrage a reader, make them think or ponder but never make them bored.

This highly respected writer told us that, for him, the acid test for any article if it stimulated something he called "the spousal nudge". That is to say, it had a paragraph or phrase that jumped up off the page and made a husband or wife poke their spouse and say, "honey look at this".

The internet is filled with reworked material and articles that have no real value. All writers should take stock and take note of the valuable insights from someone who's career was build on writing with authority.

What ever you subject have courage, be brave, dig deep and find a way to tell your reader something they don't already know.

Marvin Double is an experienced author who writes about internet marketing, e-commerce blogging and a variety of related and unrelated topics of interest. He brings over 30 years experience as a business entrepreneur off line to the internet marketing community. For additional articles or resources for internet marketers please visit http://www.monkeezemarketing.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marvin_Double

Article Writing Secrets - The DNA of a Great Article in Just 4 Powerful Parts

2008-02-13T10:10:00.001-08:00

By Jeff Herring

Article writing requires the following four simple yet powerful ingredients for a great article.

1. It's good enough to represent you well on the internet

It doesn't have to be perfect. By that I don't mean sloppy, gross, bad, full of typos and other things.

So I'm not saying be careless. Do your spell check, do your grammar check, but get your article out there. Success that may not be perfect but it's success out there working for you versus an article sitting in your computer that you'll finish 'some day.'

2. Actionable info

It's stuff people can use. Give them at least one gold nugget that they can take and use right away. Don't worry about giving away the store. If your store only has one nugget, you need to grow your store, you need to get deeper into your niche and put some more things into that store.

3. Know, like, and trust factor

This is so important. It's why I'm always stressing writing like you talk, because that is one of the best ways to help people know, like, and trust you. Just write like you talk.

Back when I was a relationship coach and marriage and family therapist, one of the best compliments I ever received from anybody - and I just grinned when someone would tell me this - they'd say, "Jeff, you don't talk like a therapist."

My first thought was, "Oh, thank goodness!" I used to joke it off, but then I realized that's important to that person. Because I talk like a regular person, or I did when I was working with people in their heads and hearts, they felt like they could talk with me. They felt comfortable because I'm just about as regular of a person as you can get.

So write like you talk. When you're writing, think about talking to people in your niche - certain people, one person - this is how you get people to know, like, and trust you.

Also you help people to know, like and trust you when you give them something they can do and take action on, when you help them solve a problem.

4. Give me more now

That's when you leave them in the article wanting more of your information and wanting it from you. Write those two lines down, that's very important and critical to what we're talking about here. They want more information and they want it from you.

That's golden, folks. That's how you set yourself apart in your niche and become the go-to person, by writing lots and lots of articles that are good enough to represent you well, that have actionable information, things people can go and use right away, that help people to know, like, and trust you, and leave people wanting more now.

And now I would like to offer you free access to 2 of my Instant Article Templates when you subscribe to my free Article Marketing Minute, a 52 week audio/video newsletter on Article Marketing. You can get your instant access at http://www.ArticleMarketingMinute.com

From Jeff Herring - The Internet Article Guy & the Great Article Marketing Network

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Herring

Article Writing Secrets - A Simple & Powerful 4 Part Formula for Writing Your Next Article Today

2008-02-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

By Jeff Herring

I've noticed a curious pattern among brand new and even experienced article article writers. Newbies get the first one done and then don't quickly move on to the second article. Experienced article writers finish one article and do not move on to the next.

Would you like a simple yet powerful four part formula for writing your next article today? Read on so you can write your next article today.

Step 1 - Identify a problem area in your niche that you can break down into 3 stages. For example, one really simple way to name the stages could be Mild, Moderate and Severe.

Step 2 - List and name the stages of the problem in your niche.

Mild Problem

Moderate Problem

Severe Problem

Step 3 - Then for each stage list the signs and symptoms of each stage. In the mild stage write about the early warning signs and how the reader can notice them in the beginning. In the moderate stage explain how the problem progresses into more signs and symptoms. In the severe stage demonstrate how bad things can get.

Step 4 - So now you have the problem broken down into three stages with the signs and symptoms of each stage. Now you want to list the solutions for each stage. What can the reader do to still be preventative in the mild stage? What can the reader do in the moderate stage to fix a problem before it gets even worse? And finally, what can be done to pull the situation back from disaster once the problem has reached the severe stage?

And you can also visit http://www.YourNextArticles.com for more free tips and tools for using this four step approach.

From Jeff Herring - The Internet Article Guy & the Great Article Marketing Network

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Herring

The Magic Formula For Writing Lots Of Articles And Exploding Your Traffic

2008-02-13T10:08:00.000-08:00

By Mark A. Abrahams

Article writing is one of the best ways that you can start your business. When you first start out it will be very likely that you do not have much of a budget.

Advertising like ezines and ppc can be very expensive. They do work as they will find you targeted buyers. In this article I am going to run through some ideas that will help you to write lots of quality articles.

The biggest problem with article writing is actually just to get going. Most people never get going. Once you start writing it will become easier to write more.

The next biggest problem is that many people run out of ideas. If you are writing 10 to 20 articles every day it will become very difficult to keep on finding new stuff. I suggest that you keep track electronically of all your ideas. When you think of something make a note of it. Later on when you are writing you will easily choose an idea that you have already and save a lot of time.

Use templates as a basic format. So for example if you only have 10 templates you can use this format to write many articles around these. Basically, all you need to do is fill in the blanks.

Finally, when you are doing this consistently you will keep on experiencing writer's block. Some days you will not feel like doing anything. The easiest way to overcome this is by taking a break and then coming back refreshed. Or sometimes just change your state for example if you have the stereo on switch it off and work in quiet.

Are you really interested in driving massive traffic to your website?

Here's the answer:

Secrets Of Article Marketing - Download your free ebook now.

Mark Abrahams is a full time internet marketer who has helped others to earn a living online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_A._Abrahams

Writing Content For Your Website

2008-02-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

By Nicole Powell

There are many persons who dream of making an income from their home. The question though, is how and by doing what. Thousands of persons are turning to ghostwriting or copywriting, as a source of income. One can also examine the possibility of building a content site. With a good content site, you can add a pay per click programme and get paid for advertisements placed on you website.

The next move is for you to decide, what you are going to write about. It is always recommended that you choose your content based on something that you are good at. If you are good at it, chances are you enjoy doing it, and quite possibly will do a superb job.

Further you will want to do some research to find out what people are typing in Search Engines. This will better equip you, to choose a viable business, while putting you ahead of you competitors.

As soon as you have an idea of what people are looking for, you can start creating your site. There is the option of getting a professional website designer to create your site. On the other hand if you are going to have many pages, it is best for you to learn the art of web designing and create your own site.

Making a website is easier now than in the early years of Internet. Web designing editing programmes are very popular; Three (3) such are Microsoft Front Page, Xsite Pro, and Site Build It.

As soon as the draft of your site to be is finished, you should start writing your content. If you are going to get traffic to your site, you will have to give people what they are looking for.

Visitors to you site are seeking to learns something. As such it is very important for you to give straightforward and relevant information. If you update your site regularly with quality content, your visitors will always return for more.

Using Google adsense is one way of enhancing your site and make some money. You will first of all apply to Google, have them review your site, get approved, add HTML text codes to your pages, and earn a commission. The ads that are placed on your site will be related to your website theme.

I am sure; you are concerned about getting regular traffic to your site. You will have to set the ground work, and gradually gain recognition from Search engines.

It is crucial for you to keep your content fresh, stay focused and ultimately start making money from your own content website.

Nicole Powell: www.english-bizniz.com

For more information on how to fine tune your writing go to http://www.english-bizniz.com
Submitted by: Nicole Powell

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Powell

The Basic Article - How to Write It

2008-02-13T09:53:00.000-08:00

By Celesta Penney

Are you struggling to write an article for online submission? Not sure where to start or how to start? In this article, I will show you the basic article format and how to write it provided you already know what you are going to write about. Now, to get started, think back to high school when you had to write those essays on historical figures or controversial topics or science theories.

A basic "essay" from school consisted of an introduction, 3 body paragraphs and a conclusion. You will need to develop an outline that shows you where you are going to put everything in your article. Go ahead and scribble on some scratch paper and get your thoughts out. Let's pretend you are going to write an article on the best kind of dogs for a family with kids. You have it narrowed to three types and you have your reasons. Start writing out your body paragraphs first, one at a time. Include whatever information is you feel is important to the point.

After you have each of your points typed out, you can confidently write an introductory paragraph and then a conclusion paragraph. These should be only about four or five sentences each and should look like bookends at the top and bottom of the article. The introduction explains what the article is about and why you are writing it. Start it off with an attention grabber, something to make your readers want to continue reading your article. The conclusion paragraph wraps the whole thing up with a bow. Restate your original topic and points (without being too wordy) and end with a some kind of call to action to get your readers doing something.

And the final step to writing the basic article is to proofread. Just start at the top and read the article out loud. If it doesn't sound right, or doesn't sound like something somebody would say, you will need to make some changes. Also check it for proper punctuation and grammar as some article directories will decline inclusion for such errors. Make sure it flows from paragraph to paragraph and doesn't sound choppy. You should fluent in the language you are writing in. Don't forget you title, this should be easy if you do it last.

So that's it! Sit back and look at your final product, you should be proud of what you accomplished. Your article can now be sent to whomever you choose to help drive traffic to your site and sell your (or someone else's) product. You may have noticed that this article is in the basic format I am writing about, and I have sorted the body points into a step-by-step logical order. After a few articles written in this format, you will find yourself branching out and writing in your own style and format. So get writing!!

Celesta Penney is the owner of http://www.TopZineArticles.com an article directory with articles on all topics available for all to use as content. Visit the directory and blog for more information on article writing, article marketing and related topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Celesta_Penney

4 Mistakes Made by Non-Fiction Writers

2008-02-13T09:51:00.000-08:00

By Shannon Evans

Effectively analyzing a text involves learning to interpret what is implied or suggested just as well as what is explicitly stated. Good writing requires removal of all structural weaknesses. Certain types of weaknesses can ruin a good piece of writing. If the writing is not clear the reader will not stay and continue reading the text. The following errors are very common mistakes made by many authors.

Passive Constructions - Passive sentences are long, over involved and bore the reader. Passive sentences are riddled with linking verbs. Use grammar check to evaluate your work for passive verb roots. Your work should have less than 5% passive voice verb constructions.

Use command verbs to start sentences as well as using other strong verbs and nouns. Active voice sentences use verbs in either present or past tense.

Lofty Language - Use one and two syllable words. Write so a high school student or a Wal Mart shopper can read your work and understand it. Super words impress no one and only fog the meaning of your work. Write like you talk and you will engage your reader. Talk over their heads and you will alienate your audience.

Avoid Adverbs - Circle all the -ly endings of your words and replace them with power words that describe or show emotion. Get rid of the words 'very' and 'really' in your vocabulary. They are empty words.

Eliminate "I" Writing - Avoid using "I" at all cost. Frankly, the reader could care less about your, they want to know what benefits them. Use 'you' words to appeal to your audience. If you are writing about yourself, write in third person.

By removing the weak constructions in your writing, your readers will be able to digest your writing and to identify the benefits of your work. When you increase the value of your writing, it makes it easier for readers to quickly understand why they should read your book and adopt your suggestions and solutions for their problems.

Shannon Evans, senior editor and owner of http://www.mywritingmentor.com lives with her best friend Rick on Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound just a "ferry ride from Seattle." She maintains two blogs: http://www.authormarketingtools.wordpress.com
http://www.mywritingmentor.wordpress.com

She works with her two Labrador assistant editors, Mocha and Luke, and her feline copy edit assistants, Caesar and Yoda. Shannon is widely recognized as one of the top writing coaches for non-fiction authors. With over 17 years editing for native and non-native English speaking authors she knows how to help writers make every word count.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Evans

How to Write A Book - Planning and Formatting The Content

2008-02-13T09:50:00.000-08:00

By Shannon Evans

Writing a book requires organization, focus and a solid plan. Creating a plan for your book will make it closer to be reality. If you struggle writing so your work has a cohesive well developed beginning, middle and an end then you need to learn effective outlining techniques.

Compelling writing is what captures a reader's interest and draws them in to read chapter after chapter. Engaging the reader is critical to a book's success. So how will you hook your target audience and keep them interested past the book cover? Through focused highly compelling writing you will create an audience that come back for more.

Where do you start writing? Do you jump right in and begin writing as soon as you develop a thesis? While the thesis is the driving force for the book and is the main focus the title depicts, it is only a part of the book. Consider how the book will be laid out and what each chapter will address? Each chapter should address a component of the title topic. And each chapter should have a title that is keyword rich and expresses a topic that supports the title topic.

For this chapter you need to outline what your format for that chapter will be before you write actual content.

1. Identify the hook you will use related to the chapter title that will engage the reader rapidly? Use a question, quote, or surprising related statistics or facts.

2. Develop a thesis statement.

3. Identify a short story or analogy that will enhance or help the reader relate to the content.

4. Bullet points, lists, and tips

Include any bullet points, lists, checklists, tips, or resources that support the chapter's focus. 5. Summary conclusion

A summary paragraph of the chapter provides a chapter review. Some authors give their readers homework or an assignment to close the chapter.

Format each chapter in a consistent, organized manner and your book will flow naturally. Keep your chapters about the same length and follow the same format. This will keep your readers engaged and they will want to recommend it to others.

Shannon Evans, senior editor and owner of http://www.mywritingmentor.com lives with her best friend Rick on Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound just a "ferry ride from Seattle." She maintains two blogs: http://www.authormarketingtools.wordpress.com
http://www.mywritingmentor.wordpress.com

She works with her two Labrador assistant editors, Mocha and Luke, and her feline copy edit assistants, Caesar and Yoda. Shannon is widely recognized as one of the top writing coaches for non-fiction authors. With over 17 years editing for native and non-native English speaking authors she knows how to help writers make every word count.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Evans

Brainstorming Your Next Non-Fiction Book

2008-02-13T09:49:00.000-08:00

By Shannon Evans

Before ever writing a single word for your next book you need to sit down, sit back, and take a deep breath. Brainstorming is an important part of the book development process.

1. Create a working title.

Provides focus on the topic of your writing. Develop a working subtitle as well. What will grab the reader's attention?

2. Identify book's purpose.

What will the book solve? What will it establish for the reader?

3. Rough out the thesis for the book.

The book's thesis will keep the book focused and help you write compelling focused content.

4. Identify the significance of your book.

What will your book do? Why should it be written?

5. Identify your audience.

Knowing your audience will help you focus your writing and make the content more appropriate to their unique needs. Create a profile of your audience. Who are they? How old are they? How do they spend? What do they read? How do they spend their free time?

6. Identify the benefits readers get from reading your book.

Why should they buy your book? List at least three to five benefits they will derive from our book.

7. Computer filing system.

Create the file system for your book. Create a folder with the same title as your book on your computer with sub-folders for each chapter by title. In each folder put each draft of the chapter, any notes, research materials, downloads, and resources related to that chapter.

Brainstorming is an important part of your book's development. Creating a good road map that is easy to follow makes the creation process run that much smoother. It gives your book direction and focus and makes your content inspiring and easier to write.

Shannon Evans, senior editor and owner of http://www.mywritingmentor.com lives with her best friend Rick on Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound just a "ferry ride from Seattle." She maintains two blogs: http://www.authormarketingtools.wordpress.com
http://www.mywritingmentor.wordpress.com

She works with her two Labrador assistant editors, Mocha and Luke, and her feline copy edit assistants, Caesar and Yoda. Shannon is widely recognized as one of the top writing coaches for non-fiction authors. With over 17 years editing for native and non-native English speaking authors she knows how to help writers make every word count.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Evans

Book Design - Focusing Your Dream While Building a Cover

2008-02-13T09:48:00.001-08:00

By Shannon Evans

A fun and useful way to focus your book writing dream is to create a "book cover" for your project. A mock book cover is a great way to help you act "as if" your book is already complete and ready for your audience.

Start by creating an inspiring cover. It should have a title that captures the reader's immediate interest and hooks them into opening the book and reading the content. Covers sell a book. Choose colors that appeal to your readers. Select blues and dark greens and deep reds as they are appealing for backgrounds. Use outdoor panoramic views for visual images for self-help and motivational topics.

Create the back cover material for your book. List 2-3 features of your book. Then present the benefits your audience will derive from reading your book. People read back covers for about 15-30 seconds. What will make them want to read your book? Give them an outline to follow so they will keep reading.

What testimonials will you get for your book? What famous people will read your book and endorse it? What will they say? Where will that go on your back cover? Write a bio for the back cover of your book. Make it brief and include a head shop for the back cover.

Once you have the back and front ready, print both covers on photo quality paper the same size as your 'to be published' book. Mount the covers on heavy duty tag board cut to the same size. Display proudly at your work station. This will inspire you as you work to fill the pages that go between the covers.

Shannon Evans, senior editor and owner of http://www.mywritingmentor.com lives with her best friend Rick on Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound just a "ferry ride from Seattle." She maintains two blogs: http://www.authormarketingtools.wordpress.com
http://www.mywritingmentor.wordpress.com

She works with her two Labrador assistant editors, Mocha and Luke, and her feline copy edit assistants, Caesar and Yoda. Shannon is widely recognized as one of the top writing coaches for non-fiction authors. With over 17 years editing for native and non-native English speaking authors she knows how to help writers make every word count.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Evans

How To Write An Audience Analysis

2008-02-13T09:47:00.000-08:00

By Azhar Victor

What Is An Audience Analysis?

An audience analysis is essentially a study of customer needs and wants. These could either be explicit, implicit or both. The key is to gather as much information as possible so that the final product will be well received by the target audience. In terms of its importance, audience analysis ranks highly with technical writers due to the content of their writing. Therefore, it is particularly important for them to know who their audience is especially in terms of their needs and wants. What they know or do not know, their level of understanding, their perspectives and views as well as expectations are useful information to a writer or speaker.

How Can Audience Analysis Be Better Written?

* Understand the meaning and purpose of audience analysis. The analysis is all about appreciating the profile and characteristics of a group of people so that an offering can be customized for them. The analysis would help determine, among others, the most appropriate style, tone, format and amount of information required.

* Appreciate the need for an audience analysis. Why write an audience analysis? What is it for? How will an audience analysis help a speaker or writer? Appreciating the value of the analysis will enable it to better focused on factors such as audience background, the situation and context in which the final product will be delivered. Understanding how the analysis will be used by the writer or speaker to tailor their delivery will great help the manner in which the document is written.

Important Elements Of An Audience Analysis

1. The target audience. Who are they?

2. What would they know or not know in terms of the offering?

3. What are their personal details such as age, gender, occupation, education, location etc.

4. Why would they want or need the information? How or why would it be of interest to them?

5. What would be the situation under which the document will be received? When and where would it be delivered?

6. What would the needs, wants and expectations of the audience in terms of the subject or topic of the document?

7. What other special needs might there be and what is the degree to which the document is to be customized?

8. What would the audience expect to "takeaway" in terms of benefit after reading or hearing the information?

The Important Touches

It is important that the audience analysis is well written. It must be clear, factual and easily understood. Relevant headings would help readability in addition to a suitable layout and good organization of the material. The document must be proofread and edited. Spelling and grammar need to be without error with a good flow to the document for it to be user "friendly".

Knowing what to write is part of the solution. However, to be able to write well, we would have to be good at a number of other elements of writing. One of it is in translating ideas into words. If this is one areas that needs improvement, rest easy. There is now available, an easy to use Writing Software that offers a solution. The software uses a unique technology to provide the first context-related, all-in-one solution for improving writing. Developed by a leading team of software, algorithm, and Natural Language Processing experts, for the first time ever, users can easily enhance their writing skills. This revolutionary writing tool instantly analyzes the complete text and provides context-based recommendations to replace words with synonyms, to add adjectives and adverbs, to check spelling, and to verify proper grammar use.

Visit to learn more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azhar_Victor

Creative Writing Tells A Story

2008-02-13T09:46:00.000-08:00

By Cheryline Lawson

If you are a creative writer, it is possible that you can write poetry and short stories. A creative writer is a story teller and very passionate with deep convictions. This is a very special person who has a vast imagination. Not every writer can be classified as a creative writer. Some writers are better at writing nonfiction, which is pretty much either technical writing or steps on carrying out different tasks. This is their talent and should not be taken for granted either.

Writers in different genre are appreciated for their wit and talent. However, a creative writer can take you to places that you haven't been before. You will feel as if you are right in the story that is being told. Not many people can let a story jump out at the page at you. I admire these creative writers.

I remember when I was in grade school and given some essay assignment to write story, I was so imaginative that I wrote things that no one thought an eight year old should be able to conjure. One day, my teacher called me up to her desk after reading one of my compositions. She asked me if I had written it and I told her that I had. She asked me about five times if I had written the story and could not believe that I did. I guess from that point, someone knew that I had a weird sense of imagination.

I am not sure if she did believe me, but I know she was the one who got me to skip classes as a form of advancement. However, I think she just wanted to get rid of me. What do you think? She did not want to read my weird stories anymore or she was in such awe that she wanted someone else to grade my work to see what the recommendations would be.

Unfortunately, my next teacher was just as surprised as the first teacher, but what she did was to get me involved in writing clubs and a spelling bee competition. With my mother's permission and my teacher's recommendation, I was able to take my creative writing to the next level. I am glad someone noticed me and did not discard my gift for something other than what it is.

When you read your next good book, write the author a letter of appreciation. We should celebrate art like this because it is truly an art to be a creative writer. Poetry is also a way to reach the soul and poets are gifted individuals who bare their souls with the expectation of reaching deep down into yours with words that pierce the spirit and provokes the mind.

There are many unpublished poems lying around homes and in drawers that have never been heard. There are many that are buried in the heart of the deceased who never took the chance to portray their talent. My sister was a poet, but she only wrote poetry for herself. When she died, I found a whole journal filled with poetry that when read would fill your heart with tears and sadness that they were never published and no one got to know how much talent she had. Don't hide your gift. Allow your creative juices to flow and let everyone know through your "words on paper," that you are trying to reach their very soul.

Cheryline Lawson is an avid writer and very passionate about her talent. She is a writer for hire who writes articles, short stories, web content, blogs, forum posts and books. Visit her website to learn more at => http://www.onwritecourse.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cheryline_Lawson

Amor De'Pena

2008-02-13T09:44:00.002-08:00

By Ellezenn Phang

Chapter 1

(Feb 22, 2007 Seoul Chungang Hospital)
"Didn't you promise me that you'll never leave me? But why? Why did you go back on your words?" Tears started rolling down on his cheeks like an opened tap.

Dan lay on the bed in the hospital ward, motionless. Only thoughts in him are running and the tears that are rolling. Just then, his mom came in with his friends along.

"Dan, how are you feeling today?" his mom asked while placing the fruit basket beside the bed on the desk. "Your friends are here to visit you."

He laid there still. Eyes opened filling with tears, not a word spoken but only thoughts running through his brains. He then starts to mesmerize himself within his own thoughts, escaping from the reality. *****

(June 1989)
"Yes, good boy. That's right. Now try to play the whole piece alright?" Said his mother.

Scher, Dan was the only child his parents had. He had what everyone dreams of. Big mansion, luxurious life and able to have anything he wanted. A boy that was born in this famous family of musicians that world recognizes from generations to generations. Despite all these, he was never a greedy boy.

At the age of four, he could play several classic pieces and by reaching five, he took part in his parents' musical concert held in Europe and caught many of other world famous musicians' attention.

"Dan, you're making us proud. Daddy and Mommy are very happy to see such success you've made at your age. I'm sure one day, you'll become the world most famous musician that ever exist on Earth." His father told Dan while carrying him in his arms alongside with his mother beside his dad. "And I'm sure that day will come very soon."

Through these years, Dan spent his days either in school studying or at home having music lessons taught by his parents. But he never complains about his routines in life. Music has been his passion since the day he was brought to this world or even before that, when his mother always plays music to little Dan while he was still in her stomach.

Academically or musically, he never fails one. A rare talent that happens once in a million. A perfect boy that was created.

After graduating from academic school at twelve, he was then arranged to take solely on music courses. From Piano to Violin and to Conductor. He achieved graduation for all at the age of eighteen.

Despite looks or talents, it was every girl's dream. But Dan never had any relationships before. But that didn't last long till one day; he met this girl, Nicole. It was at his eighteenth birthday party that his friends helped to organize. Nicole was Dan's good friend's sister but yet, he didn't know that his friend had a sister. But however, it was love at first sight for Dan but definitely not for Nicole.

To Nicole, she felt that he was just another flirtatious boy just like other friends of her brother. She never really wanted to attend the party but it was her brother who dragged her along till left her no choice.

(April 25, 2004 Dan's Private Yacht)
"Hi. I haven't seen you before." Dan shouted as he walked towards her through the crowd on the deck of the yacht with loud music banging through the speakers.

"Neither did I." she shouted back coldly.

"Oh..." feeling a little reluctant by her answer, but he continues introducing himself. "I'm Dan" he shouted so as she could hear as he lifts up his hand, waiting for her to shake it.

"Dan? Oh. The birthday boy." She answered as she shakes hand with him. "Nice to meet you..."

"Yea, nice to meet you too. And what's your name?"

"I'm Nicole." She answered. "I think your friends are looking for you." She continued as she lifts her head pointing towards the direction where there are some girls looking at Dan continuously. "Um... You can let go now. Excuse me?"

"Uh? Oh yea. I'm sorry." Dan replied and turned back his focus on Nicole.

"It's ok. I guess I'll make a move first. It's too noisy here. Bye."

"Wa... Wait...!" Dan tried to stop her but he thought it wasn't appropriate so he didn't. "By... Bye..."

"Hey buddy! Why are you here alone? Come on! Let's go inside. Tame is there and I've got people to introduce." Said Zac, one of his good friends that helped organized this party. "This is Amy, Jane, Kate and this... um this... yea! Tessa. Right?"

"Hi Dan!" All four girls spoke at the same time.

"Hi, ladies. Please excuse us a moment." Dan said awkwardly as he pulled Zac and Tame aside.

"Hey! What's all that? Are you guys up to something again?"

"Relax buddy. We're just introducing friends to you." Tame said.

"I know what you guys are up to. Stop all your nonsense before I throw you both out of the yacht in the middle of the sea."

"Hey, I know you wouldn't do that to us. Come on, just relax and have some fun!" Zac replied as he swings his arm over and lands on Dan.

"Yea. It's only hanging out..." Tame added.

Dan didn't say anything but staring at the both of them sternly.

"Hey come on bro, you have such attractiveness and girls throw themselves to you are natural! I still can't believe you don't even have a girlfriend. Not even used to have... Hey, are you...?" Zac said as he looked at Dan with strange eyes.

"What? Of course I'm straight! You bastards!" Dan replied as he strangles Zac and Tame with his arms around their necks over their shoulders.

"Alright! You aren't!" Both of them struggled from Dan's grip as each of them coughs a little. "But bro, you can't let those four ladies wait for you for nothing. At least entertain a little. Otherwise, they would feel embarrassed." Tame said.

The three of them chatted with the girls while listening to the music. Just then, they heard loud crashes from the deck outside and everybody on the yacht went silent.

"You b**ch! How dare you slap me?" Voice of a guy came from the place where the crashes occurred.

Just when Nicole was already waiting for the hand to land on her face hard, she heard a loud crash in front of her.

"Hey, don't you dare hit a girl!" Dan warned as he grabs the man's hand and swung it away from Nicole and the man fell down.

"You son of a b**ch! Who the hell are you?" the guy shouted as he stood up and springs forward and landed on the ground with Dan.

Both fought harshly on the ground with everybody surrounding them like a ring and cheering. But only Nicole was standing stiff in front of the two guys fighting because of her.

"Didn't your mother teach you never to hit a girl?!" Dan shouted as he landed heavy punches on the guy's face. "And who are you to create a scene on my yacht?"

"Stop! Stop it." Nicole shouted as she rushed forward and grabs Dan's arm. But Dan didn't know and he was too fast and he accidentally knocked Nicole off the ground.

"Don't you ever dare hit a girl!" Dan warned as he got up and realizes Nicole was on the floor with blood dripping from her nose. "Oh my god. You're bleeding! That fella hit you just now? What the, he just deserves another few punches." Dan walked back towards the man but Nicole stopped him.

"No. it's you." Nicole shouted

"Uh?" Dan answered in confusion. "Oh, I did? ... I'm so sorry!" Dan said feeling embarrassed.

"You hit me while I tried to stop you just now" Nicole replied as she pinched her nose preventing from the blood to drip. "But it's alright; I know you're not on purpose."

"I'm really sorry." Dan repeated several times as he took out a handkerchief and passed it to Nicole. "Please give me a minute."

Dan turned around and saw the guy standing with hands pressing against his wounds on his head with a scared look.

"Aren't you going to apologize to this lady?" Dan questioned fiercely.

"Ye... yes. I'm sorry, Miss."

"Are you satisfied with his apology?" Dan asked Nicole and she nods her head slightly.

"Ok, just carry on with the party, people. But as for you, gentlemen, you better stay off trouble on my yacht." Dan warned as he walked towards Nicole and gave her a hand to stand up.

"Buddy, I'm really sorry." Zac said while he ran up to him.

"You know this guy? Where did you find such violent friend and I didn't knew?"

"He actually isn't my friend, but my friend's friend. You get me?"

"You sure have LOTS of friends..." Dan said sarcastically.

"Yea, I sure do. But dude, I can ask them to leave right now... if you want me to."

"It's alright, Zac. If you ask them to leave, will there be anymore party left? Leave party animals like you and Tame alone with no party, wouldn't it be too cruel of me to do that? But right now, excuse me awhile? I need to bring her in to stop the bleeding. And help me keep an eye on these people..." Dan said as he helped Nicole in to the room. "Don't give me troubles anymore for tonight. You know I hate these stuffs, please. Thanks." He continued with a smile before entering the room.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ellezenn_Phang

Freelance Writing For Fun Or Profit?

2008-02-13T09:44:00.001-08:00

By Cheryl Pickett

Become a freelance writer. Make money writing. Get published in magazines! If you've looked into freelance writing at all, there's almost a hundred percent probability you've seen these kinds of ads. You may have even clicked on a few.

Are they realistic? Can you make money or any kind of living as a freelance writer, or should you look at it as a hobby? The answer is yes, maybe, it depends.

Now you're probably thinking that doesn't really help a whole lot, but an answer to this question truly does depend on tons of variables. It depends on your work habits, your goals for this week, and your long-term goals. You'll also need to take a look at the topics you'd like to write about and how much you want to invest in honing your writing skills.

Why? Because if you don't know why you're writing, or what outcome you're trying to achieve, you don't know what steps to follow. It makes it harder to decide what markets to approach. It also makes it difficult to know what skills you'll need to learn or improve.

But no matter what factors you take into account, you do need to arrive at an answer before you dive in. For example, if you decide you want or need to make a solid income, verses writing for enjoyment and a couple of extra bucks, you can better map out a plan of attack. It then follows that when you follow the map, you have a better chance of achieving your goals.

There are several possibilities for getting started as freelance writer, or to expand what you're doing already. I invite you to find out more at http://PublishingAnswers.com where you can sign up for a free newsletter, or feel free to stop by the blog at http://publishinganswers.blogspot.com

You can also check out my latest e-book Magazines & More at the website.

By Cheryl Pickett- veteran freelance writer & founder of PublishingAnswers.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cheryl_Pickett

To Write For The Web

2008-02-13T09:43:00.000-08:00

By Aritra Basu

To write for the web a few key things are essential. The article should bear the necessary information in the opening paragraph itself. An article with headings, subheadings, highlighting and systematic structuring of key points by way of bullets, etc is always appreciated. The article should not be a display of writing skills alone. It should be focused on the product.

The objective of the article being advertisement primarily, a convenient technique to hold the attention of busy viewers online would be to make the first paragraph a gist of the article. This helps them out or might lead to the inception of interest which can be later redeemed by the remaining article.

A proper structuring of the article works both ways in helping out the writer and holding the readers' attention. Headings preceding every section along with topic sentences help out the writer to carefully distribute the content over the article. Keywords can be highlighted along with using techniques like bullets to ensure definite portrayal of concepts.

An important thing to note here is that online readers are impatient customers who merely brush through the content of the articles. Also specific articles are appreciated by such readers. These are key points to remember while writing for the web.

Here are a few guidelines for the writer for the web.

1. Content should bear enough relevance.

You definitely cannot beat around the bush. The article should be ruthlessly true to the product advertised. Personal information hardly draws consumer attention. Develop the particular bite in your article to garner attention.

2. The point of greatest significance should be placed at the head of the article.

Considering the clientèle to be naturally impatient, provision of the most important of information should be at the top of the article. The first line/paragraph should carry enough explanation.

3. Write in small units.

Do not tire viewers with tedious reading. Long paragraphs or sentences are a definite no. Ideally a paragraph should be limited to 5 sentences. Have concern for the readers' eyes.

4. Numbering along with bullets and dashes are significant.

The reader should not be discouraged by expanse of the subject of the article. Breaking up the article into short points always helps. This is the age of fast information

5. Sub-headings are useful.

Keeps the reader glued to the article and introduces subtler points.

6. The font has to be more than readable.

Use of fancy fonts or italics should be made with discretion. Simplicity always pays if you are writing for the web. So use easy to read fonts.

7. Review the article carefully.

A misspelled word is definitely going to perturb the viewer. Try to go as close to perfection as possible in this regard.

These tips should make your job a lot simpler. All the best!

Aritra Basu from http://aritrabasu.com is a PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTITIONER and a CONTENT CONSULTANT.Currently she is involved in releasing her product .Also, she is offering a gift to all the online business owners. If you would like to accept her gift, visit http://www.specialeReports.com

To know more about her or to get help with your writing projects, please visit http://aritrabasu.com today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aritra_Basu

How To Write An Affidavit

2008-02-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

By Azhar Victor

Stating The Facts

An affidavit is a document in which the facts of a particular subject are recorded. As the document may be used in legal proceedings, it needs to be legally certified. This can be done by having the document signed by a Commissioner of Oaths, a lawyer or Justice of the Peace. You can have the document written privately but it has to be signed in the presence of a qualified witness. A qualified witness can be any one of the persons mentioned earlier. Before you sign the document you have to swear or declare that what you have written or recorded in a form is the truth. This, however, can and may be challenged as your affidavit is only your version of the facts.

Important Notes

* If the affidavit is a lengthy document on a complex subject or situation it is best to have it prepared by a lawyer or a trained legal professional. If it is a simple document, it can be written by the person making the declaration. It could be something as simple as stating that I,so-and-so, declare the following to be true.

* It is better to number or have a heading for each fact and separate the details by paragraph. In the old days though, the document was written in one long unbroken flow.

* In many places, the courts provide appropriate forms to be used as an affidavit. This makes it simple as the person concerned will be guided by the headings and layout in the form for easy completion.

* There are two ways in which the person making the affidavit can declare the facts as being true. One is to have it sworn; the other is it to have it affirmed. To have it sworn, the person has to swear on a religious or holy book that they have stated the truth. The alternative is to make an affirmation that you have stated the truth and put your signature to it.

* The witness, who can either be a Commissioner of Oaths, Justice of the Peace or lawyer, will have to sign their name and provide the relevant details of their position.

Writing The Affidavit

Check with the courts and obtain the relevant form. List the facts. If you are unsure of how to fill out the form, consult someone who knows how to do it. Remember that an affidavit is a legal document. You do not want it thrown out due to a technical error. Ensure that you only provide information that you know is true. You have to stand by what you have stated and be prepared to have it thoroughly examined and challenged.

Do you need to write better? Whether it is General Writing or Legal Writing, you can now use a software which has a quick and accurate grammar and spell checker as well as text enrichment database to help improve your writing style. These core features are supported by a one-click English dictionary and thesaurus, and a whole range of document templates - you will find it all in the General Writing Version. The Legal Writing Version provides legal offices and professionals with precise editing and proofreading for affidavits, contracts, and other legal documentation. The Legal Writing Version has a specialized text enrichment database for legal writing which accents your individual writing style with field-specific language. It also has a range of document templates created specifically for legal writing.

For your general and legal writing solution click here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azhar_Victor

The Beginner's Guide To Writing Articles And Exploding Your Traffic

2008-02-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

By Mark A. Abrahams

Article writing is one of the simplest ways that you can get traffic to your website. Especially, if you are a newbie and are getting overwhelmed by all the different traffic methods that you can use I seriously suggest that you stick to one like article writing as it produces the highest kind of lead that you can get.

In this article I would like to go over the basics so that you can get started writing articles and generating traffic and money from your website. Once you have decided on the niche market that you would like to tackle it is very important that you focus on writing on solving problems for this. The most important part of your article is that you must create a killer title. If it does not grab the attention of the reader then they are unlikely to read it. Also include some keywords so that it will be found by the search engines.

Write the introduction and conclusion first as these are the easiest. Brainstorm ideas and encapsulate each one in the form of a bullet point. Later expand on this and write a paragraph based on each bullet point. Proof read your article checking for grammar and spelling mistakes. Submit your articles to the major article directories and include a link to your website in the resource box.

Finally, make sure that you write in a conversational style like you are talking to your reader. Also make sure that you are helping your reader. if you do this they are more likely to subscribe to your newsletter and become a customer.

Are you really interested in driving massive traffic to your website?

Here's the answer:

Secrets Of Article Marketing - Download your free ebook now.

Mark Abrahams is a full time internet marketer who has helped others to earn a living online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_A._Abrahams

Article Writing Exposed - Am I Going To Get Rich By Writing 10 Articles?

2008-02-04T07:28:00.000-08:00

By Mark A. Abrahams

One of the biggest mistakes that I see many article writers make is that they expect to get rich by only writing 10 articles. To succeed with this method of marketing you need to take massive action.

I know many people that attempt internet marketing. They do a little bit of work then they give up. Sometimes they just sit back and wait for everything else to take care of itself.

I remember when I first started. I was writing one a day and expected miracles from this. At this stage I doubted that article writing was a viable way to market my business as I simply was not getting good results.

However, when I hit 200 articles I was beginning to see a steady flow of prospects to my opt-in list. It was only at this stage that I could see measurable results that you could quantify.

Now, I get between 10 and 15 high quality leads everyday. As I write more this number is steadily increasing. I could not turn the traffic off even if I wanted to now.

The point that I am trying to make is that with internet marketing you need to take massive action to be successful. I am currently writing 10 to 15 articles a day and as I improve I hope to increase that even further.

You can also apply this philosophy to everything that you do. Tweak your bio and squeeze pages so that you are getting the maximum from your efforts. Also make sure that you focus and be consistent. Consistency is the key to your success.

Are you really interested in driving massive traffic to your website?

Here's the answer:

Secrets Of Article Marketing - Download your free ebook now.

Mark Abrahams is a full time internet marketer who has helped others to earn a living online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_A._Abrahams

How to Write Articles to Promote Your Home Based Business

2008-02-04T07:27:00.000-08:00

By Alan Scholtz

Lots of people feel intimidated about writing their first article, but I will show you some easy ways to write quality articles that you can use to promote your home based business.

First of all what are good articles - that is any article that can accomplish the following,

* Generate free traffic to your site.

* Send traffic to a web site that you are promoting as an affiliate, (via your link).

* Provide quality content for a blog or lens.

* Combine several articles to make small reports or your own e-books.

People use the Internet to gather information, or to solve a problem, they want to learn something quickly, that is why your articles must be brief and to the point.

The quickest way to write article.

With all the tip websites, and online forums, there is no need to come up with all the content off the top of your head.

However - never take another persons word or article, do not even copy a sentence, that is illegal

Learn for their content, find similar content, until you have a good understanding of the topic, then write the article in your own words based on what you have read and learned from all the articles that you have gathered from the Internet.

Have a look at other websites in your own niche, you can write an article on why your home based business is different, what are the products different that you are offering and how are these products going to help your visitor.

How to find good Information.

If you want to write an article on "how to loose weight - for teenager's", search Google or any one of the major search engines for "weight loose forums" or how to "diet" or something similar, have a look for forums and discussion boards on the same topic.

Obviously, your articles must be the same product or very similar as the products on your home based business that you are promoting.

Now all you have to do is read the posts and the various responses and use this information to write your article.

If you find a great information product on clickbank, or any of the other affiliate programs that is the same as your article, you can promote that product at the same time. So now not only are you writing a great article but you are also getting money from your article when people click on your affiliate click.

Another place to gather information is at the "Frequently Asked Questions" at FAQ.org and groups.google.com.

Remember to keep your article short, to the point and with loads of helpful tips and good advice.

How to Write your article title.

Your title is one of the most important parts to your whole article, this is what gets peoples attention, whether they decide to read your article or to pass it by.

Your title must convey exactly what you are offering in your article, think of the following titles,

"help your teenage children with their weight" or "diet programs for teenagers", these are kind of boring and do not really stand out.

"7 steps to an active & energetic teenager" - this title is much better, a good test to see if your title is good enough, is to submit a few articles with different titles to a few article directories and see which article gets the bigger response.

Finally

Now know that you have a good title, a great article that is promoting your home based business. The last part is to add some good long-tailed keywords that you know people are searching for, into your article.

If you want to learn more about writing articles or how to promote your business with articles, then get a copy of Article Writing Secrets, you will soon be churning out quality articles like a seasoned writer.

Alan Scholtz is the owner of How to DebtFree if you are looking to start a Internet business, then start here first.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Scholtz

High Ticket Article Writing Strategy

2008-02-04T07:26:00.000-08:00

By Sean Mize

One of the things that is important when you are working to write articles for the purpose of generating traffic and leads to promote your high ticket products, is that you need to realize that each article on average is going to get you some number of subscribers and leads. And the more you write, the more leads you are gong to get.

Sometimes I get asked, I notice you write a lot of articles and a lot of the content is similar, why do you do that, and does it really work in terms of getting more traffic?

They don't necessarily have to be more similar or not. We submit about 200 articles a week and we submit on about six topics, so if you take that you get 30-35 articles on basically the same topic, so they are going to tend to be similar.

My strategy is massive traffic, massive traffic. I generate a total of about 18,000 unique visitors every single month. One thing that Google especially really really likes is new and fresh content. They want to see new pages every single day, and there's thousands of opportunities for people to view my articles.

Of course, the more I have that are fresh today, Google really places an emphasis on how old the article is, so if I've written an article yesterday then if I can write an article on just the same topic - I mean obviously I can't copy and paste it, it can't be the same words, but if I write a new article on exactly the same topic, I'm going to get more hits today than if I didn't write that article, even though it's on the same topic as yesterday.

Want to learn how to sell high ticket products online? Download my brand new free guide here: "How to Sell High Ticket Products Online"

Sean Mize teaches a powerful, highly advanced system of creating and selling high ticket products online.

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Mize

6 Useful Article Writing Tips To Get Your Articles Read

2008-02-04T07:24:00.000-08:00

By Trevor Taylor

So everyone agrees that article writing campaigns offer only positive, good things for your website or online business, but all the same, the success of your campaign depends heavily on the quality of article writing within the text. Good article writing will hold the reader's attention right through to the end.

Article writing does not have to be a dreaded task. But there are a few things you should keep in mind, as you develop your own writing skills. You'll find that creative article writing can be a lot of fun, as well as being highly profitable for you and your website, and the overall success level of your marketing campaigns will naturally increase. Of course, article writing is always made easier when you are well versed in the content subject matter, but keep in mind that your readers may also know a little about the subject..

To make sure that you achieve the most from your article writing efforts, here are 6 great article writing tips which, if implemented properly, will keep your results more interesting and very readable.

1) Write in short paragraphs. If your writing produces long paragraphs, the reader can become confused, and is likely to lose concentration and quickly disregard the paragraph moving on to much easier-to-read articles. When writing for your marketing campaigns, keep paragraphs to around 100 words or less to stay effective.

2) Article writing experts will often use numbers or bullets to identify the points being outlined in their articles. Numbers and bullets will make points easier to remember and digest. Always format your bullets and numbers with indentations so that your article wonýt appear as a block of square paragraphs. This also adds a little flair and pizzazz to your article writing and improves the overall shape.

3) Develop the use of sub-headings as part of your article writing skills, to sub-divide your paragraphs will break each point into sections yet still remain as part of the whole article. It will also make it easier for the reader to move on from one point to the next and the transition would be smooth and easy. This way your content will not be likely to lose your reader's attention or the jist of your article subject matter.

4) Always use good attention-grabbing titles or headers in your article writing. If your title arouses the reader's curiosity youýre already halfway to tempting them to read your article. Use statements and questions in article writing that utilize the keywords that people are searching for. Keep the titles or headers that describe your articles short and concise without losing the description of the article writing content.

It makes for good article writing practice to use titles like, Tips To Make Her Want You More, or How To Make Her Swoon And Blush or you can also use titles that command people, for example, Make Her Yours in 6 Easy Steps. This type of title reaches out to a persons emotions and intrigues enough to keep them interested.

5) Make every effort in your article writing campaigns to sustain the readers interest from the beginning to the end. From the very first paragraph, use real experiences that can be used by your readers. Make good use of strong descriptions and metaphors in your article writing campaigns to drive home the strong points, but of course without over-doing it. Highlighting your examples by the use of graphic metaphors and similes will make your article writing easier, and you can write content that the reader can easily imagine. And it's always more interesting to be able to learn from another person's experiences.

6) Utilize reliable statistics wherever possible. Good article writing marketers will often use numbers, percentages, facts and figures in the text of their articles, which makes their article writing more authoritative and therefore believable. However, try not to be too formal. Keep your article writing content light, refreshing and easy to read. Almost as if you are a friendly teacher having a quiet chat with an keen student.

So there you have it! six little points that you can introduce into your article writing skills that will surely improve your readership, and remember that if your reader enjoys your article writing he is more likely to search for other articles written by you, or better still, inform others of your article writing efforts.

Trevor Taylor writes about his experiences in article writing and Internet marketing arenas. Free Online Marketing Tools Free Classified Ads Internet Marketing Services

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Taylor

Affiliate Marketing - Product Promotion by Writing

2008-02-04T07:08:00.000-08:00

By Tim Redman

Lots of people join the affiliate marketing community everyday, hoping to make a living out of their efforts to promote someone else's products. However, most affiliate marketers fall at the first hurdle. Why? Well they go off and spend money they cannot afford on advertising, be it PPC (Pay-Per-Click) or banner placement.

What they don't understand is they can get high placements in a search engine for the webpage by using the power of article writing.

Article writing is a fantastic tool for getting your website higher in the ranks of a search engine. Simply because you must submit your articles to an article directory such as ezinearticles.com or articlemound.com and because the search engines love the fresh content that these directories have to offer, you have a better chance of moving up the search engines.

By writing about the products that you are selling, you are identifying a niche, writing about a niche is important as it will gain momentum within a search engine quickly. Two main points about writing though are:-

* Keep the content of you article relevant to your product or service. Don't write about skiing if your product or service is about pet care!

* Make sure your content is original. Don't bother going out and paying some website for PLR content. This stuff has been circulating the internet for years and crops up all over the place. Search engines will penalise you for this. Make sure the content is your own.

One of the major benefits of article writing is that it can be done on the cheap. In fact in most cases it can be done without spending a penny. You just have to put a little bit of effort into it.

There is only one slight problem with article writing for product promotion. It can take a little bit of time. A lot of new affiliate marketers are looking for a get rich quick system. Article writing isn't for them; however, they will often find they will be penniless by the time they have invested heavily in advertising, PPC, etc.

Article writing is a steady course that will give results; in fact you will probably see a rise in website traffic after your article is approved into a directory. Just keep writing articles around your products and after time, you will definitely see an increase in sales.

Tim Redman is a successful Internet Marketer with experience of working from home and generating an income that sustains his lifestyle. He writes numerous articles on various topics around Internet marketing and search engine optimization. He currently writes articles for http://www.ArticleMound.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Redman

A Fiction Writing Technique - Play The "What If" Game

2008-02-04T07:06:00.000-08:00

By Emily Hanlon

The fastest way to open up a story, unleash the passion of characters and uncover story line is to play the "What If" game. For example, your character was in a fight, got scared and ran away. That worked pretty well, but you don't know where to go next. Ask yourself, "What if my character doesn't run away? What if she faces down her enemy?" So you try this new "what if", but the passion still isn't there. What next?

Ask another "what if" question, such as, "What if the character pulls out a gun?"

Where did that thought come from? There's not even a potential for a gun in the scene. Aha-what if the character pulls out an emotional gun? For example, if in your first version, the character is silent or passive in the face of a verbal assault, what if he shouts? (Notice that in asking what if, she turned into he.)

What if he screams? Rants and rages?

What if the character is married? What if the character isn't married? Has children? Has just been fired?

What if the character is ten years older? Ten years younger? Has just fallen in love? Broken up with a lover? Divorced? Is about to go into bankruptcy?

What if the character is a hit man? Lives in the country instead of the city? Lives in a poor neighborhood instead of a middle class neighborhood? Is really a writer and not a doctor? Is a homeless woman instead of a wealthy suburbanite? Is a thief? Steals out of necessity? Steals for thrills?

The "what ifs" are endless!

Think of a story or character. It can be one you're working on or you can just make up one right now. Make list of at least ten "what ifs" for the story and character.

Which of the "what ifs" sounds the most exciting? Write the story using that what if and see how the story changes. Invite change. Don't be afraid to overwrite. It is easier to pull back from overwriting than it is to build up from work that is thinly drawn. Expect to write garbage. Don't worry if you find yourself telling instead of showing. In fact, don't worry. If you worry, you won't take chances and you won't have fun.

Emily Hanlon is a writing coach, a creativity coach and novelist. As a writing coach, Emily demystifies the writing process with her two pronged approach of teaching technique and unleashing creativity. In addition to private coaching, she offers, workshops, retreats, teleseminars and teleworkshops.

Her work as a creativity coach is based on her belief that the multifaceted journey of creativity is not limited to the arts, but nurtures life at its most profound depths. The creative journey is a template for leading a more creatively fulfilling, aware and meaningful life. Emily offers two Mentoring Programs: Creativity as A Wellspring of Life and Writing Your Story, Creating a Tapestry of Your Life: Memoir Writing as a Healing Journey

If you are looking for help on writing technique or unleashing your creativity, explore these TeleSeminars from Emily Hanlon, now 50% off.
http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/gift_shop_telesem_sale.html

Her websites are:
http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com
http://www.creativesoulworks.com
email: emily@emilyhanlon.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_Hanlon

The Creative Process, How and Why It Works

2008-02-04T07:05:00.000-08:00

By Emily Hanlon

Creativity is a subtle and magnificent dance between the rational and the intuitive, between the left and right parts of the brains, between technique and imagination. Both partners in this dance are absolutely necessary and are needed in equal proportion, which means that imagination is not more important than technique and visa versa. If you only live in the imagination, you will never get organized, you will never complete your story. However, if you start from the rational, linear, organizational part of the process, ( ie. Gotta have the perfect opening sentence and first paragraph... better yet, an outline...) you will never fall into the rich, passionate cosmic landscape of the imagination where anything is possible.

However, the main problem I have seen in my twenty-five years of teaching fiction writing is over-dependence on the rational part of the equation. People want to get the story written and get it out. (Whatever that means?) The want to leap frog the process, get the words down on the page and finish the story. This is to symptomatic of the goal oriented society that we live in, a society that is striving upwards toward success instead of embracing the deeper, more powerful and life changing journey of descent that takes us into the creative realm of the true self.

There are so many examples of ways we short-cut this life changing process, but the one that comes to mind is the adage, "Write what you know."

Write what you know? This is not only boring but is contradictory to the basic core of creativity, which by definition brings into being that which has not been before. If you write from what you know, if you remain slavish to the facts of what happened, you are writing out of you concious mind and will remain stuck in the straightjacket of your conscious perception of "reality." That said, there is nothing wrong with using your life or any aspect of your experiences as a jumping off point or a doorway into the unconsious. The key is not to be slavish to the known. Rather we need to have our writer's antenna on the lookout for the doorway into the unknown and the unseen. Gertrude Stein put it this way: "You cannot go into the womb to form the child... What will be best in it (your writing) is what your really do not know now. If you knew it all it would not be creation but dictation."

Paradoxically, when we write from the imagination we are writing what we "know" but from such a deep level of knowing that we don't know that we know it until it is revealed in our writing. This is often the truer aspect of self, the part that we do not readily show to the world, and sometimes do not show even to our self - at least not consciously. This is what makes the journey such risky business. This is also the great joy of writing; when we are true to the process, we discover worlds within we did not know existed.

An image I use to describe the intuitive journey of creativity is "falling down the rabbit hole" into Wonderland. This is a perfect metaphor for the creative journey which can never take place in the "real" or conscious world. Writing, whether it be fiction, poetry or nonfiction, finds its origins in the dark, fertile chaos of the unconscious - your personal Wonderland. If you don't meet Cheshire cats and Mad Hatters, Tweedledees and Tweedledums, mad queens, dragons, flying monkeys and monsters, or your version of the above, then you have not fallen. This is not to say you have to be writing fantasy or horror to open to your unconscious, but the journey must hold metaphorically a good sprinkling of both.

Although scary, there is tremendous freedom for you as a writer in "falling down the rabbit hole" into your personal Wonderland. It frees you from the narrowing confines of your conscious mind or what you know, or think, is "reality". It frees you from crushing, often paralyzing shalts and shalt nots of your Inner Critic. Why? Because the mind is the home of conscious, rational, linear thought, judgment, language and evaluation. This is the territory of your Inner Critic. If you rely on your mind to develop your stories, you leave yourself open to the prison created by your Inner Critic -- that voice inside your head that says things like, "Not good enough... never good enough... you'll never be a writer. Go clean the house! Who wants to read anything you write..." Sound familiar?

So, what's the answer? How do you escape the Inner Critic?

Fall down the rabbit hole into your creative unconscious! The Inner Critic won't follow you there.

The Inner Critic is terrified of the creative unconscious because it is the home of feelings, emotions, images and it is chaotic and unexpected. The Inner Critic likes order and loves the status quo, which is antithetical to the creative unconscious. That's why if you "fall down the rabbit hole" the Inner Critic won't follow you! Free of the Inner Critic, you have the possibility of experiencing real creative freedom and passionate stories awaits you. Only then can the true dance begin!

Emily Hanlon is a writing coach, a creativity coach and novelist.
As a writing coach, Emily demystifies the writing process with her two pronged approach of teaching technique and unleashing creativity. In addition to private coaching, she offers, workshops, retreats, teleseminars and teleworkshops.

Her work as a creativity coach is based on her belief that the multifaceted journey of creativity is not limited to the arts, but nurtures life at its most profound depths. The creative journey is a template for leading a more creatively fulfilling, aware and meaningful life. Emily offers two Mentoring Programs: Creativity as A Wellspring of Life and Writing Your Story, Creating a Tapestry of Your Life: Memoir Writing as a Healing Journey

If you are looking for help on writing technique or unleashing your creativity, explore these TeleSeminars from Emily Hanlon, now 50% off.
http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com/gift_shop_telesem_sale.html

Her websites are:
http://www.thefictionwritersjourney.com
http://www.creativesoulworks.com
email: emily@emilyhanlon.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_Hanlon

From Personal To Professional

2008-02-04T07:04:00.000-08:00

By Ward Tipton

Many great writers got their start by keeping personal diaries or journals. No matter what you call them, they are a very valid contribution to your skills and ability as a writer. What many people fail to understand is the full range of benefits involved with keeping such personal observations regarding simple matters of their life. While the author may disregard these events as casual or par for the life, at some point in time, they may very well provide the backbone for the next great novel or in some instances, the next top-selling autobiography.

Writers, by their very nature, are involved with many different aspects of the world around them. A good writer can place the reader at the scene and paint incredible pictures with their words that allow the people to experience the scene almost as if they were right there when it happened. Keeping a daily record of those events can make it much easier to recreate the moments when it is time to record them for posterity.

Imagine the literary loss to the world had Thoreau never taken notes about his observations? Would you consider a walk through the woods to be anything worthy of historical retrospect? Whether you do or not, there may be small key points that relate to the world in a way you could not even have imagined at the time that are only brought to light under the reflection of lessons learned long after the original moment passed. Those moments would be forever lost to history had someone not taken the time to record their simple, mundane or even perhaps seemingly boring thoughts for a look back later in time.

Imagine the fate of the literary world had Hemingway retreated even further into himself and never made any effort at all to communicate his view of the world. Where would we be without his classics teaching of us the constant struggle within each and every one of us. The ability that he had to express the desire to go on living despite the futility of life around us, the strike of fate which hits us all so deeply on so many levels, was an incredible gift and one that should rightfully be shared with the world.

No matter how insignificant the events of a day may seem at its passing, it could contain minute details that will only be visible at a later point in time. Recording the major occurrences of a day will often help the reader to put together all of the little things that happened as well. Those small details often add up to a moment of greatness that can be shared and enjoyed by others as well.

While you may or may not be the writer that creates the next best-seller or wins the next Pulitzer, you could still make valuable contributions to the world. Are you ready to deny the world all of the benefits of what you have to offer? Keeping something so simple as a daily journal or diary may seem almost like an exercise in futility to you at the moment, but it could in fact, provide the key that opens up the next great adventure, either for you personally or for the world as a whole.

To paraphrase an old saying; "Thar's gold in them thar words!" Make sure that you write them down and give the world a chance to shine some light on them.

Ward Tipton has been writing SEO and SEM materials for over three years now and has recently become involved in providing new and unmatched materials by an actual Work Team comprised of professional writers, technicians, engineers, editors, Internet Marketers and a gathering of talent heretofore unmatched in the world of Internet Marketing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ward_Tipton

The Joys Of Writing

2008-02-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

By Ward Tipton

Imagine being able to get paid for doing something that you love to do and would do even if you did not get paid for it. Imagine being paid to travel around the world only to discover anything and everything that is related to your passion in life. Imagine being able to switch boats in midstream without ever getting your feet wet. Imagine that if you get bored with your subject matter that you can move on to the next topic and still get paid for it.

There is no need for you to imagine such a fantasy life any more than there is for you to believe that it is a fantasy and not an absolute fact based solidly in the truth. If you want to pursue a career that gives you all of these freedoms and more, all you need to do is consider writing for a living.

Some jobs will pay better than others will and some will not pay well at all. Still, the average pay for a writer in the USA is roughly $36,000 annually. That is not bad money even if you do not start making that much. Finding your market will be every bit as important as writing about your passions will be if you want to become financially successful as well. Without a market, you will find it difficult to make any money at all.

Writing has the ability to open up the global market to you on a truly amazing level. Whether you are writing for fun or for money makes little or no difference. However, you will need to find a viable market before you start being paid. If you do not know where to start, try beginning with a simple blog and keeping it up to date on a regular basis. Set a certain minimal word length for yourself, set a time of day when the article must be posted and you will actually increase your chances of success.

While it may not do you any real good on your actual resume, it will help you to get used to working under the pressures of a deadline. This is only one of many hurdles that you will ultimately face but it is a very important one as well. No matter who you work for ultimately, even if you are doing freelance work, you will often be under pressure to meet someone else's deadlines. If you can do this for someone else, you should be able to do it for yourself as well. If you cannot do it for your personal benefit, how can you expect to compete when all of the time lines are setup and established by other people?

However, if you really do enjoy your freedom and are looking for an escape from the rat race and an opportunity to earn a viable living no matter what your personal interests are, writing may very well provide you with the answer you have been looking for all along. Have you ever wanted to be paid for traveling the globe? Make the first step of your journey as simple as picking up a pen, some paper and putting your thoughts down into words on paper. The joys of writing go far beyond just sharing information, it includes an opportunity to make a good living doing whatever you want, only writing about it as well.

Ward Tipton has been writing SEO and SEM materials for over three years now and has recently become involved in providing new and unmatched materials by an actual Work Team comprised of professional writers, technicians, engineers, editors, Internet Marketers and a gathering of talent heretofore unmatched in the world of Internet Marketing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ward_Tipton

The Write Environment

2008-02-04T07:01:00.000-08:00

By Ward Tipton

Whether you are writing for fun, because you have to or just to make a living, the environment you select to work in will not only make a difference but be reflected in your writing as well. No matter what the general consensus may be, or even if there is one, writing is work and it requires concentration, dedication and attention to detail. At least it does require all of these things if you want your writing to be legible, readable and worth anything to anyone other than you personally.

If you are making your living writing op-ed pieces, it may not make much of a difference as long as you are capable of formulating your opinions and writing them down in a manner that is understandable to your readers. However, even then there has to be some consideration put into your work. If you are distracted by anything that removes your focus from your writing, it will be reflected in the materials that you create. While it may not be as obvious here, it will still show to an experienced reader.

To become a successful writer, it is imperative that you remember that it is work. You must find an environment that is suitable and conducive to accomplishing the tasks at hand. The fewer the distractions you have, the quicker you will finish and the better your final product will be. This environment will be different depending on your personal likes and dislikes however. It is not for anyone else to tell you how you must work to better accomplish what you have to get done. You will ultimately have to discover your own middle ground.

For some people, working on the beach with their laptop may produce much better results than they could ever hope for working in a closed office environment. Other writers may not be able to take their mind off the sound of the waves breaking and the endless chatter of other people enjoying the same atmosphere. What works for one person will not always work for another.

The music you listen to will also have a bearing on how well or how poorly you write. Your tastes may vary and like a change in scenery, a change in music may be in order as well if you want to fully optimize your skills and your output. For many people, their selection of music may change depending on what they are writing about and the urgency in completing their work.

One of the greatest benefits of being a writer is that you will have the ability to make the vast majority of decisions regarding how, where and even when you will work. While you may still have to make certain compromises, they can be limited in both scope and impact more so for writers than they can for nearly anyone else in any profession. You should be able to make choices not only about your subject, but about almost every aspect of your working environment as well. All things being equal, this is perhaps one of the greatest advantages to being a professional writer.

Ward Tipton has been writing SEO and SEM materials for over three years now and has recently become involved in providing new and unmatched materials by an actual Work Team comprised of professional writers, technicians, engineers, editors, Internet Marketers and a gathering of talent heretofore unmatched in the world of Internet Marketing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ward_Tipton

Write About Now

2008-02-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

By Ward Tipton

A lot of people have a strong desire to become writers but cannot figure out what to write about. If you are having troubles discovering interesting topics to write about, try just opening up your eyes and taking a look around you right now. Reflecting on the past can be great for personal introspection or reminiscing. Dreaming about the future can be a great way of thinking about things to come but there is nothing like the here and now if you want quality writing resources that will help you in the present.

Many schools teach current events or have other methods of keeping up to date with what is in the news and what is going on in the world around us. Opening up just about any newspaper or magazine will allow you to see what is popular right now and give you valid resource points for your writing efforts. Move this online utilizing the tools provided by the major search engines and you can literally get up to the minute information about current affairs.

The benefits to using up to date and current topics should be obvious but for many people who are new to writing on the internet, they are not. The reasons that these subjects are displayed so prominently in the search engines are that people are actually searching for them a lot at the present time. This means that once you peg a few of these and come up with some quality and original content regarding these topics, your website will reap the rewards.

So what are these benefits? The search engines are already searching for anything and everything about these topics. They are cued up and the spiders and bots crawling over the internet are actively seeking out these topics and subjects of particular interest. Your site will probably be indexed much faster once you include some of the keywords and keyword phrases that people are actively seeking out. Additionally, you will also receive a lot more traffic on these subjects since they are being so actively searched.

What you can actually accomplish with that additional traffic is up to you but more hits, more traffic and more visitors to your site means more of a market to sell your wares to. What would you be able to do if you could increase the traffic to your site ten fold or even more? Keeping your site up to date makes this not only possible, but actually a probable occurrence. Mind you, there will still be a need to find a product to present to these people.

Products, reports, books, ring tones, affiliate programs and other methods of marketing should be the least of your worries. With a little creativity, it will be easy to find a product to sell to your audience or even create your own. Now you will have viable products for sale on your site, a never-ending flow of traffic to sell them too and you should be able to enjoy an increased amount of success.

What are you waiting for? There is lots of money to be made and many people looking for a reason to give that money to you, why not get started? Write about now!

Ward Tipton has been writing SEO and SEM materials for over three years now and has recently become involved in providing new and unmatched materials by an actual Work Team comprised of professional writers, technicians, engineers, editors, Internet Marketers and a gathering of talent heretofore unmatched in the world of Internet Marketing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ward_Tipton

Write Markets

2008-02-04T06:59:00.000-08:00

By Ward Tipton

So, you have decided to make the leap and become a professional writer. You have been practicing, getting better and working out all of the bugs and now you are ready to go but there is still one little problem. You have no clue where to go to find paying markets and you have no idea what to do once you find them. One solution is to work for free but that is really not a viable alternative for most people. So what do you do now?

If you are planning on making a living writing on the internet, you will soon discover that the search engines are you new best friends. You can use the search engines to discover new markets, figure out how much they pay and even discover ones that will allow you to continue making a living in your selected field.

The best place to start is by doing a search for the actual subject of your writing. For example, if you wanted to write in the Science Fiction genre you could look up Science Fiction and you will find a great number of markets. Still, that will not be enough to get you accepted by anybody but it will give you a brief idea of exactly what is available within that market.

You then need to figure out which markets are currently looking for new writers. Your search will be similar in some ways but you will have to add a little on to your original search to get the results that you will need. Adding two little words to the back of your search will offer some surprising results. Use the term Submission Guidelines in your search and you will now have a list of instructions for submission to these sites.

Again, this will not be enough but it will provide you with some additional markets and you should begin taking notes of those markets that are hiring in your prospective field. Add a few other search terms, mix and match them and before long you will have a long list of publications and web sites which may be looking for your materials. Try searching for Writer's Guidelines as well. This term usually returns results for publications that are actually seeking writers and not just a general submission standard that may include everything from authors to graphic artists, and on down the line of people required to put a publication together.

Pay Schedules is another term that you may want to look up as well. Payment Rates, Writer's Rates and keep on searching along these lines until you find those publications that more exactly meet your requirements. Finding a market that pays is not nearly as difficult as some people will make it out to be. However, to find the ones that you will be comfortable working with for a rate that you are comfortable working for, it may take a little more work on your part.

The more comfortable you are in a market and the more comfortable you are with the pay the happier you will be with the whole writing environment. If you are like most people, this will be reflected in your writing as well. This cycle can be your greatest ally or your worst enemy but if you are willing to do a little bit of work and research before you begin your writing, you will save yourself a lot of grief in the long run.

Ward Tipton has been writing SEO and SEM materials for over three years now and has recently become involved in providing new and unmatched materials by an actual Work Team comprised of professional writers, technicians, engineers, editors, Internet Marketers and a gathering of talent heretofore unmatched in the world of Internet Marketing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ward_Tipton

Writer's Block

2008-02-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

By Ward Tipton

How many times have you sat and stared at a blank page trying to think about something to write about and working in vain to come up with a new and exciting topic? While brainstorming can be a great method for overcoming this, it can still be difficult to get started with. Brainstorming after all, is exactly the same thing isn't it? Brainstorming is nothing more than sitting there trying to make something out of nothing.

Rather than trying to think about something in particular, try sitting there thinking about nothing for a moment. Make sure your keyboard is handy or that you have a pen and paper because the results will surprise you. Take a sip of your coffee, bourbon, soda or other beverage of choice, put the cup down, pick up the pen, sit back and close your eyes.

Now, think about absolutely nothing. Nothing, by the very fact that it has a definition, is in and of itself an oxymoron of sorts. Still, most people find it very difficult, if not virtually impossible to actually think about nothing. It is much the same as if I tell you to sit there and not to think about Disney world. The overall effect is actually the same. By trying not to think about something, you will inevitably begin thinking about something.

For example, using a timely classic, you may try to picture an empty chalkboard. Okay, let's say you do exactly that. What thoughts does it bring to your mind? Maybe it causes you to think about your days in school. What did you like about school? What did you hate about school? What fundamental changes happened while you were in school? What caused those changes to occur? What was the direct result of those changes? What were the indirect consequences of those changes? How did they affect the people around you?

Unless you are very focused and heavily involved in meditation, it will be almost impossible for you to actually concentrate on nothing. Even most of those people who are involved in meditation will focus on something while they are meditating. As you try to clear your mind, you may notice random thoughts flying past. Whether they seem to be aimed directly at you or avoiding you may depend on your personal circumstances but the thoughts will be there regardless.

What you do with those thoughts is going to be strictly up to you but try focusing on only one at first. If you think about it some, it should lead you to the next thought in line and so on until you have a complete list of thoughts in front of you. Look at the thoughts that you have considered important enough to write down. Look at them as a path to an end and see where each thought leads you.

Once you figure out where they go, you will see the destinations opening up before you. At this point, it will become possible to begin breaking them down even more and seeing which ones are relevant to your current subject matter. Pick the one that is a close match first and move on from there. Writer's block may be an obstacle but it is not a barrier that cannot be overcome. Often times the best solution is not thinking about it at all.

Ward Tipton has been writing SEO and SEM materials for over three years now and has recently become involved in providing new and unmatched materials by an actual Work Team comprised of professional writers, technicians, engineers, editors, Internet Marketers and a gathering of talent heretofore unmatched in the world of Internet Marketing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ward_Tipton

Write About The Net

2008-02-04T06:48:00.000-08:00

By Ward Tipton

Writing is about writing so people say. However, throughout history, people have made many claims and history has shown repeatedly how easy it is for people in general to be misled, misguided and misinformed. In the case of writers, it is often the very ones writing the words that are misinforming those who wish to impart their knowledge with the power of the written word.

Writing on the internet is the same as writing in other places with some very notable exceptions. Writing on the internet is directed at a market that wants instant gratification and very often does not want to spend an excessive amount of time or energy researching or even reading. While this may seem to be a contradiction, it really is not.

Unlike the rapidly declining print media, physical space restrictions are not a problem on the internet or anywhere on the World Wide Web for that matter. While some people make dire predictions of an overpopulated and greatly hindered cyber realm, this phenomenon stands about as much chance of becoming a reality as discovering hidden ice fields within an active volcano. It is not going to happen and that is just a reality.

However, while physical requirements are not a consideration, length and word counts are very important. The actual length of the article or post on a web page can make all of the difference in the world between keeping people on your site, generating return traffic and watching your site die quickly and painfully before your very eyes. If the article is too long, people will not stay around long enough to read the entire piece. If the article is too short, people will not be able to absorb enough information since it is not included in the piece and again, you will lose a reader and possibly a potential customer as well.

Ideally, the articles or posts should be somewhere in the neighborhood of five-hundred words. This is not an exact figure and until the day comes when people begin ordering books by the number of pages or words, it will never become an exact number. Still, statistically at least, this has been shown to be the optimal length for content that will be housed on the World Wide Web. It is long enough to impart the knowledge that people are looking for without overwhelming them with too much knowledge or taking up too much of their time.

Time actually seems to be more of a key when writing on the internet than the actual information. From the time that someone enters your web page you will have roughly seven seconds to get their attention and make their decision as to whether to stay or leave. If you bombard them with nothing but ceaseless and never-ending paragraphs with no breaks and no distractions, they will probably leave. Likewise, if you bombard their senses with nonstop advertisements and very little information, they will still leave just as quickly.

Writing on the internet requires striking a very fine balance between information and distractions. Either one becomes ineffective without the other and too much of either one will destroy the whole page setup. Provide your readers with a soothing mix with enough information and very little extemporaneous information and you will strike the balance that should bring you great success in your online writing career.

Ward Tipton has been writing SEO and SEM materials for over three years now and has recently become involved in providing new and unmatched materials by an actual Work Team comprised of professional writers, technicians, engineers, editors, Internet Marketers and a gathering of talent heretofore unmatched in the world of Internet Marketing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ward_Tipton

Article Writing - Increase Traffic and Drive Up Your Sales

2008-02-03T05:33:00.000-08:00

By Thomas Bladecki

Article writing is a great way to increase the amount of traffic to your website, more importantly increasing your exposure to the world. Writing articles is all about getting links to your website, usually done from within what a "resource box." Your resource box should contain links back to your website, after someone reads your article if they are looking for additional information on the subject they are re-directed to your website.

Resources boxes play an important role in developing back links to your website, which are very important to search engines for ranking your site against your competition. Back links are one of the key factors that search engine use to rate your website based on relevance of a specific keyword, or topic. Creating an effective resource box will drive traffic to your website each time a reader would like additional information about the topic.

Article writing by far is the fastest way to build your back links, drive traffic to your website. Traffic is ultimately, what you want right. You did not build your website just to sit there and wait for people to stumble upon it occasionally. In addition, article writing is a fast and effective way to get your website indexed with the major search engines. When articles are published to directories that already have a lot of traffic your site is "picked" up by the search engines crawlers the next time they visit their web site, this means faster indexing and inclusion in search engines

Once you write an article you have to get it published, this is very easy to do, find article directories that are high traffic and user friendly. High traffic sites are your best option, your article spread around the internet much faster, and therefore getting you traffic faster.

The more articles that you write the more traffic you drive to your website. A good number to start with is five articles, write and publish a minimum of 5 per day, or at least 150 per month. Writing quality articles on a continuing basis is a very easy and effective way to generate quality traffic to your web site, whether you operate a blog, an online store, or a web site for fun. If you are looking for quality traffic start writing articles and get them published. In the right directories and distribution, you can build thousands of back links a month.

Thomas Bladecki is the author of this article and provides additional information about article marketing and promoting your website using Article Submissions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Bladecki

How To Write Articles For Massive Traffic

2008-02-03T05:29:00.000-08:00

By Ash Banfield

Recently I have had a lot of questions about article writing so I feel it's time to give to the masses.

1. The article must be related to what it is that you are selling to your target audience.

2. Include a link back to your site to capture the incoming links.

3. You are the expert. Be sure to solve problems related to your audience.

4. Use your top converting keywords. Try to use these in the title and the body.

5. Keyword your anchor text.

6. Write about one or more of your online products. But be sure not to sell, but use them as part of the telling.

7. Write valuable content. If I am looking to train my dog then secrets of how to get my dog to sit would be interesting but information on grooming my dog may not.

8. Use your articles to create your image and to be the expert. Help people out the problems by giving a solution.

9. Giveaway free stuff to help out too but be sure to include links in your ebook for example. A great way to viral market.

10. Post your articles to high page ranking sites like ezine articles.

11. Be sure to write original content too that is informative to your target market and offers real help.

To Your Success

That's the basics, so get started. Ezine Articles is a geat place to start and build all important back links. If you want to know more on Viral Marketing get my free ebook here. Viral Marketing Riches by Ashley Banfield

Hi and welcome, my name is Ashley Banfield and I have been making money from the Internet in many various niche markets including buying property at below market value and spread betting on the Internet and Internet Marketing for the past 5 years

I stick to a formula for all the sites I have set up and it continues to work. A simple 8 step process that is easy to follow. http://www.onlinebusinessmarketer.com

You will hear many times that you need a passion for the product or service you offer for sale, and this is mine. The joy of seeing people through to absolute success is amazing and very rewarding.

If you do one thing right then do this, don't just sell to your customers, SERVE them. Give them the right content that is of high quality. Treat all your customers with respect and try putting yourself in their shoes.

I can tell you it will increase your sales and profit more than you imagined.

Ashley Banfield http://www.onlinebusinessmarketer.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ash_Banfield

Article Writing Secrets - The Secret of Writing on 3 Tracks at the Same Time in Your Articles

2008-02-03T05:27:00.000-08:00

By Jeff Herring

Successful article marketing requires that you write articles that will get picked up and read by as many people as possible.

In order to do this, I have found that you need to be able to write on three tracks at one time. Let's take a closer look at each of these tracks and a few tips on how to write on each one.

Article writing on 3 tracks

Track 1 is those readers that you're writing for who are very left-brained. They're looking for facts, statistics, and proof, so mention a couple of facts. Maybe even use a statistic. Don't spend your whole day doing research though.

Because what I write comes out of my experience and my expertise, the biggest research I'll do is if I go to QuoteGarden.com to get a quote, or if I want to make sure I'm quoting the right musical lyrics I'll do a little Google search on it to make sure I've got the group and year right.

But you want to include facts for the left-brained folks.

Track 2 is the more right-brained folks that read for quotes, for examples, for stories. So tell stories, tell success before and after stories and use quotes.

You can include both in an article so you're catching both people. Track 1 is left-brained folks. Track 2 is right-brained folks.

Track 3 is search engines. You're writing also for the search engines and using your keywords. Folks, keywords are simply words related to your niche. Write that down. Keywords get so complicated. Keywords are simply words related to your niche. That's it.

You want to use all three tracks when you are writing your articles.

And now I would like to offer you free access to 2 of my Instant Article Templates when you subscribe to my free Article Marketing Minute, a 52 week audio/video newsletter on Article Marketing. You can get your instant access at http://www.ArticleMarketingMinute.com

From Jeff Herring - The Internet Article Guy & the Great Article Marketing Network

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Herring

Article Writer Software

2008-02-03T05:26:00.000-08:00

By Tommy Johnson

If you are looking for an article writer software you are in the right place. Creating top quality content on subject areas that you know little about can be very difficult. Think of how much time you would spend in creating articles! If your articles have an excellent quality but it costs you a fortune you need to find a quick way to get out of it.

This software package makes article writing quick and easy. You can create high quality articles on any subject in just minutes. You can for example: Create multiple niche web sites and continually post new content on them or submit to free article sites and get hundreds of back links to your web sites! You can also get into the business of writing articles for other webmasters on any topic they want!

With this article writer software you can create high quality, keyword-rich content to get quickly on the major search engines. Create your own writing style and use this article writing software to build your articles containing synonyms & millions of crossed related high quality words." Discover profitable keywords in any niche imaginable. It will help you get on yahoo, msn, google and all major search engines easily. More Traffic, Links, Affiliates & Sales. See by yourself how powerful this article writer software can be for your online business. you would like to have a solution to increase your productivity and accelerate your article writing speed.

If you create Websites you also know how time consuming it is to research information on a topic you know nothing about and how difficult it is to write when you don't have any passion in this field; your websites get stuck in google's supplementary results because of duplicate content and you want a quick solution to fix that. If your your english sucks you probably want a software to automate the article writing procedures and make you appear as a excellent writer. Now you can try this ultimate and superb article writer software.

www.Sixmarket.com/marketing

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tommy_Johnson

Article Writing Secrets - A Simple 4 Step Formula for Writing Lots of Great Articles

2008-02-03T05:15:00.000-08:00

By Jeff Herring

Many people wonder, "How am I going to write my first article? How am I going to write enough to make this worthwhile to get enough traffic?"

Here's how. I'm going to give you five simple words. It's a four-step formula. The first step has one word. The second step has one word. The third step has two words. The fourth step has one word.

Step 1: Begin

Remember, I told you this was simple and powerful and profound when you use it. Just begin, start. Write your first article and get it out there. So start, begin. You've got to if you're going to do anything with this.

Write this down, especially you perfectionists out there.

You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.

Get going!

Step 2: Continue

After you've begun, continue. What I have found to be very very true now that I've been doing it for many years is that writing is not hard. It's sitting down to write that can be difficult, in the midst of everything else going on and how good we are at putting things off. That's the other twin of the two P's - perfectionism and procrastination. So after you've started, continue. That's why when I send out those emails about write your first article, the subject line is "Write your first or next article this weekend or today."

So begin...continue (that means you stay in the flow). Here's what will happen to you. I want you to watch for it. I want you to trust that it's coming. I want you to anticipate it and I want you to grin when it comes.

Once you've begun and once you continue to stay in the flow, here's Step 3.

Step 3: Article eyes

You will begin to see, if not the entire world and everything in it that you experience, but at least your niche through article eyes.

Once you get into the flow of this - you don't have to do it full time and live it, eat it, breathe it, living like I do - just start and just stay in the flow, continue, and you'll begin to see at least your niche, your area of expertise, through article eyes.

Step 4: Article-ize

Step 4 is a little corny but it works, because when you start and when you continue and when you've been able to see the world through article eyes, you're able to do Step 4, which is article-ize your experiences, your niche, what people say to you, what people ask you.

I challenge you, I dare you to take me up on this and do this - begin, continue - and watch what happens when you start to see things and think "I can write an article about that." I want you to grin when it comes and send me an email.

And now I would like to offer you free access to 2 of my Instant Article Templates when you subscribe to my free Article Marketing Minute, a 52 week audio/video newsletter on Article Marketing. You can get your instant access at http://www.ArticleMarketingMinute.com

From Jeff Herring - The Internet Article Guy & the Great Article Marketing Network

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Herring

Goal Setting For You And Your Writing

2008-02-03T05:08:00.000-08:00

By Shannon Evans

Goal setting is a difficult task to make time and energy to do. Goal setting is a significant task that a good writer will force themselves to do on a regular basis. Writing goals down makes them real, in-your-face, and easier to commit to actually doing. You know this. I know this. Then why do so many authors struggle with creating goals and objectives for their writing projects? Because they are afraid to decide what they want and make a plan to get whatever it is they want.

Goals define who you are. They act as the map to where we want to go and help us to choose the right highways and by-ways that get us to our destination. Goals are not just dreams hastily scribbled down. Goals are focused purpose-filled ideas that we want to bring to fruition.

Your written goals should follow the SMART test:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Timely

So, what are you going to do? Are you going to write a killer novel or perhaps a non-fiction self-help book. Why is this something that is important to do at this time? What do you want to accomplish with this writing goal for the long range plan you might have? How are you going to do it?

Perhaps you plan to write a book about professional style day planners. It is important because there is much that goes into deciding what day planner to purchase for all types of professional people. You need to write this book because you intend to launch a speaking career next fall on planning and scheduling in the corporate world. You have set aside 6 months for writing, editing, and revising the book. You know it takes 4 months to get your book from that final draft to bound copy in your hands.

Here is a sample goal written to help you meet that plan:

I will develop and write a first draft of a 120 page book on professional style day planners beginning January first and ending March 31. I will edit, revise, and rewrite my initial finished draft between April 1 and June 30. I will have the final finished and printed copy of my book in hand by December 31.

Can you create sub-goals and objectives to make this happen? Absolutely! A writer's sub-goals are generally related to how long they will write or edit or conduct research each day and each week for their project.

When you write down your goals you are far more likely to follow through and take action. Having copies of your goals handy for regular review keeps your commitment to your project fresh. Measurable specific terms for your goals are important to gauge your progress. Giving your goals definite start and finish times keeps you focused and moving forward.

Devise a realistic writing plan with attainable goals that are realistic. Review your list of goals often to keep them fresh in your mind. Remember to set the bar high enough that achieving the goal is a satisfying experience. "People with goals succeed because they know where they are going " says Earl Nightingale in his personal development course outline. Decide what you want in your writing and make a plan to get it. Goal setting can significantly increase your personal probability of success.

Setting Goals for You and Your Writing
Shannon Evans

Shannon Evans, senior editor and owner of http://www.mywritingmentor.com lives with her best friend Rick on Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound just a "ferry ride from Seattle."

She works with her two Labrador assistant editors, Mocha and Luke, and her feline copy edit assistants, Caesar and Yoda. Shannon is widely recognized as one of the top writing coaches for non-fiction authors. With over 17 years teaching composition and technical writing to native and non-native English speaking students she knows how to help every writer make every word count.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Evans

Creative Writing Prompts Can Help You Get Started - Re-started & Finished In Your Writing Projects

2008-02-03T05:06:00.000-08:00

By Dan Goodwin

Whether you've been struggling for ideas for new creative writing projects, getting stuck with where to take existing work, or trying to find the best ways to finish off your writing, using writing prompts can help.

A writing prompt is just a phrase or idea that gives your imagination a little boost to get going, and sets you off in a new direction, that you may not have thought of yourself. Think of writing prompts as a squirt of fuel on the fading embers of your writing that you thought were were about to die out for good.

Here's how prompts can help at each of the following stages of a writing project:

Getting Started

As writers we often complain of a lack of ideas, having nothing to get us going. How to have more ideas is a topic for another article, and in the mean time, a great way to get your creative juices flowing again is to use a writing prompt.

It's best to be spontaneous and go with what inspires you at the time, so scan through a few prompts you've found, or compiled yourself, and go with the first one that grabs your attention. Then start writing. The important part is to get going, don't worry about where your writing is heading, focus just on enjoying the story and ideas that are unfolding before you.

Getting Re-Started

There will always be writing projects you've begun that have come to a standstill for some reason. Sometimes they've reached a natural conclusion, but often you'll know that there's more potential there to explore. Which is where creative writing prompts come in.

Re-read the last section of your writing, then browse through a few prompts and take the first one that interests or inspires you. Just start writing. You don't have to begin from the precise point where your writing project ended. As you set off on your new piece of writing, because your unfinished piece is fresh in your mind, you'll naturally find ways of connecting the two. It may take 10 words, it may take a few hundred, but the energy inspired by the writing prompt will connect with the point where your writing project paused, and you'll be off again.

Getting Finished

Maybe you're someone who finds it easier to begin writing projects than to end them? This is the case with many other writers, you're far from alone. Again you can use a creative writing prompt to help you, but in this scenario it's a little back to front.

Familiarize yourself with how your current piece of writing ended. With this fresh in your thoughts, pick a writing prompt that catches your interest. Now imagine this prompt being the final sentence or point where your writing will end. How can bridge you the gap between where your writing finished and where the prompt is? Just asking this question will spur your creative mind into action. Try this with a few different prompts and you build up plenty of possible endings for your writing. Then go with what feels best.

Creative writing prompts are a very valuable tool for any writer, and can help whichever stage of a writing project you're at.

To get started with some creative writing prompts and exercises right away, head over to http://www.YouAreACreativeWriter.com now for your free 5 part ecourse.

From Creativity Coach Dan Goodwin

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Goodwin

Lost, Metamorphosis, Riverworld, and the Theme of Enigma in Writing

2008-02-03T04:54:00.000-08:00

By Will Kalif

You might be wondering what these three very different pieces of writing have in common. They share a common and very important theme and behind that theme is a secret.

In the television series Lost our group of characters are on an island and they have no idea where, why, or what is going on. In Kafka's metamorphosis the main character wakes up one morning to discover he is an insect, and in Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld saga every person that ever existed one day wakes up on the bank of a 12 million mile long river. So what do these three have in common?

The writer in each case has taken a very common theme and delivered it in a unique way. The theme is enigma and mystery. Why is all this happening and what is going on? Now, you can look at it from this level and be done with it. But the real point of the writing and of the circumstances of the characters in each piece is to mirror our human existence. Each work makes you look at your life and your existence and hopefully makes you think twice about it. Is your life no less enigmatic than just crashing on a mysterious island? Do you take for granted that your physical being is "human" in shape? Wouldn't it be normal if you were, we all were, insects? And for all purposes didn't you just kind of wake up one day? Might not have been on the side of a river but that's not really relevant. You just kind of came into existence and awareness. And well isn't it all kind of strange?

This is the real task and goal of the writers in these three pieces of work. By posing a set of circumstances that are really bizarre, enigmatic, mysterious and puzzling they are saying to us "Isn't the life we consider real just like this?" An enigma isn't it?

Will Kalif is the author of two epic fantasy novels and is currently working on four more. He finds his need to write a bit enigmatic. Visit his website: StormTheCastle.com - Creativity Unleashed

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Kalif

Will Kalif - EzineArticles Expert Author

How Do I Write A Book About My Life?

2008-02-03T04:52:00.000-08:00

By Azhar Victor

A Book About Life. Is it Only For The Rich And Famous?

How do I write a book about my life? It is certainly not a question posed only by the rich, famous and powerful. Actually, those who belong to this group of people, need not really bother much about such a question because they can readily get all the help they would need if ever they wish to write a book about their life. They have all the means to do so. All it takes is for them to express their intention and others will get the job done. This may even include the hiring of a ghost writer. Sounds familiar? I would rather like to believe that the question is more often asked by ordinary folks who have extraordinary stories to share. However, In sharing such stories through writing a book, there are many challenges to be overcome. The first of these is, to start writing.

The 6 Essential Steps To Getting Started

1. Talk about it and think it through

2. List the things you want to write about

3. Gather the required information. Verify it

4. Mark and organise the information by topic or chapter

5. Start writing the first sentence, paragraph or page

6. Put aside perfection. It causes blockage and even paralysis

Why Write And What Do You Write About?

Apart from monetary gains, you should do it as an invaluable contribution to your children, grandchildren, your extended family and even society. There are lessons to be learned and experiences to be shared. Others can learn about how you met and overcame the many challenges in your life. How did you stay motivated to cope with the trials and tribulations of life? Write about the good and bad, the happy and sad, the sweet and bitter, the pain and gain. Like the song goes "so much to do, if we only had the time, only the time". It is the same with writing a book about your life,you will be constrained only by time. Therefore, it is important that you decide what you want to write about right from the start.

Getting Assistance

Apart from professional writers or those who write well, there are many people who may be held back by concerns over details such as spelling, grammar as well as the appropriate use of adjectives and verbs. In this regard, we can certainly ask someone who is good at writing to help us. This again depends on whether they would they be willing to do so in addition to the question of payment for services rendered. A better alternative would be to use a good Dictionary or Thesaurus. Yet another option would be to use software to assist us with our writing. There are many available online offering a variety of features. To learn more about one such software, click here

Congratulations on having decided that you want to write a book about your life. Do not fret about the little things like grammar, alternative words and phrases and things like that. To view a software that may be the answer to your needs, visit this site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azhar_Victor

The Imagination Principles

2008-02-03T04:16:00.000-08:00

By Joshua Corin

The bookshelves at your local brick-and-mortar bookstores are teeming with how-to-write manuals. For the young fiction writer, there are classics such as E.M. Forster's Aspects of the Novel and John Gardner's The Art of Fiction, plus whole series devoted to specific prose concerns like plot construction and character development. For the budding playwright, notable must-haves include Lajos Egri's The Art of Dramatic Writing, with its dialectic approach, and Jeffrey Hatcher's The Art and Craft of Playwriting, with its more Aristotilian approach. For the up-and-coming screenwriter, some selections would have to be Syd Field's nuts-and-bolts Screenplay and Christopher Vogel's hugely influential The Writer's Journey.

But what about someone like me? I've always wanted to excel as a novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. Surely, I thought, there has to be some tools which apply to all three. And so over the years, I distilled a list of ten hard-and-fast principles that can apply to all contemporary storytelling, both prose and scripts:

1. Show, don't tell. Audiences (and readers) are always much more engaged in action than they ever are in speeches. Show your characters in pursuit of their goals. Show them succeed. Show them fail.

2. Keep it simple. Our most memorable stories are our simplest ones. Romeo & Juliet. Jane Eyre. It's a Wonderful Life. Note the difference, however, between simplicity and simpleness.

3. Even if you don't know where you are, always know where you're going. Would you get in a car and drive aimlessly for three hours a day every day? Sitting down to write without a benchmark in mind is nothing more than a creative exercise. You must always have a goal (even if it's as mundane as Write for Three Hours or Get Protagonist Off-Stage).

4. Begin late, end early. By which I mean this: always start your play at the precipice of the exposition, right before the inciting incident. Give us a few minutes to know your characters and then dump them head-first into your plot pit. Or begin in medias res and force the audience to catch up. And by all means, when your protagonist has achieved his objective, End Your Story. Anticlimaxes are so...anticlimactic.

5. Nobody cares about someone who does nothing. Despite critical misinterpretation, Hamlet is very much not a play about a man who does nothing. The Danish prince in fact does many, many things. He's just tremendously neurotic (which is why he was such a perfect character for our tremendously neurotic 20th century). Always have your main character in pursuit of a goal. Goncharev's Oblomov, the most slothful character ever created, is assertively slothful.

6. Change is good. This applies to both plot and character. Keep your plot twisting in an organic and ingenious fashion and your audiences will be enthralled. Similarly, show your characters twist as well. Have them change through the course of the tale. High Noon's sheriff is very much not the same person he was at the beginning. Neither is A Doll House's Nora Helmer or Great Expectation's Pip.

7. Save your best for last. Just as anticlimaxes are anticlimactic, climaxes must be the absolute peak of audience engagement in your material. Save your best lines, best moment, best twists for your finale. End with a bang. Leave them breathless.

8. If you wouldn't want to read it, don't write it. Like most of these rules, this is fairly self-explanatory. "Write what you know" is the mistaken form of this adage. Write what you want to know. Write what you need to know. Just as audiences love an active, engaged character, so will they love the work of an active, engaged storyteller.

9. Plot = character = theme = style = setting = genre. This is my favorite rule on the list, and the one most easily forgotten. Just as form should balance content, content must in turn balance itself. It's no coincidence that the chaos of A Midsummer Night's Dream takes place in a labrynthine forest. In a great work of literature, every element should directly relate to each other. It's not linear; it's circular.

10. All rules are made to be broken. But you must understand why the rules work in order to understand the circumstances in which they can be bent. James Joyce didn't write Ulysses in a vacuum.

Finally, the best preparation any person can have to be an artist of any kind is to be an audience. Read and view everything. Ask yourself what works. Ask yourself what doesn't. And then ask yourself what's always the most important question: why? Let curiosity lead your imagination and you will never, ever be at a loss.

Joshua Corin spent seven years at the State University of New York at Binghamton, and all he got to show for it was a Bachelor's degree, two Master's degrees, three consecutive assistantships, and mononucleosis. Some of his credits include the screenplay WINDFALL, which won first place in the Open Door Contest co-sponsored by Dimension Films; the one-act play "Eventually" which was a finalist for the Heideman Award at the Humana Festival; the two-act comedy Vagrants in Love which has been performed in states as politically varied as Texas and Massachusetts; the three-act drama POP APOCALYPSE, which holds a special place in his heart; the two-act drama NIGHTLIGHT, which doesn't; the screenplay SNOWJOB, which is circulating Hollywood; and NUCLEAR WINTER WONDERLAND, which is being published in October 2008 by Kunati.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joshua_Corin

Memorizing Story Ideas In Creative Writing

2008-01-30T10:07:00.000-08:00

By Paul Gooch

In creative writing it's often useful to make a note of the ideas that you might have for a story so that you don't forget them, and this is one way of remembering them.

Buy a pocket diary, small enough to fit easily into your pocket, purse or handbag. Carry it around with you at all times and also carry a pencil with you, for writing in the diary. Pens are usually reliable but pencils are always reliable, as long as you keep them sharpened (it might be a good idea to carry a small pencil sharpener around with you as well.)

When you write down your ideas in the diary, be brief. Don't worry about grammar, punctuation or making the sentences flow. Don't worry about description - using adjectives or adverbs for example, either. None of this is important at this stage.

For example, if you have a character called Adam and you have an idea that he could fall in love with a girl called Louise, just write `Adam loves Louise'. Don't write `Adam falls madly (madly being the adverb) in love with a pretty (pretty being the adjective)girl called Louise.'

If it's an idea for a new development in a story, again be brief. If Adam wants to marry Louise but doesn't want to start a family yet, just write `Adam kids no' or `Adam kids not yet'. Don't write `Adam doesn't want to start a family yet.'

If it's an idea for a more complicated development in the story, that perhaps involves some pretty long words, they can be abbreviated. If Adam eventually loses Louise because he has an attitude problem you could abbreviate `Adam lonely meets girl loses her his attitude problem' to `Adam lonely meets girl loses her his atti prob.'

The ideas that you have for your stories are valuable, so why risk entrusting them to your memory?

Paul Gooch is a freelance writer and photojournalist who regularly publishes short stories and articles about creative writing on his Really Creative Writing web site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Gooch

Working With Your Editor - Three Tips on Getting the Most Out of the Editorial Process

2008-01-30T10:06:00.000-08:00

By Elizabeth C. Judd

If authors could be a fly on the wall of publishing companies, they might be surprised at what they overhear. A common refrain is that authors often seem to engage in self-sabotage in precisely that phase of a book project that has perhaps the greatest potential to make or break the project: the publishing phase. Three simple steps will help you avoid this self-sabotage and get the most out of the editorial process.

1. Be polite and professional.

This shouldn't have to be said, but publishing is a business like any other, and professional conduct is likely to serve you better than rudeness or uncooperativeness. University professors and others in fields where "in-your-face" behavior is common should be aware that this behavior is less common and less tolerated in the publishing field.

Editors are sometimes shocked by the rudeness and uncooperativeness of authors, and equally shocked that they would alienate editors equipped to make or break their book projects. A lot can go wrong--or right--in those final months of a project's history.

2. Follow the publisher's guidelines and instructions.

In some cases, failure to follow directions can have negative repercussions for the quality of your project. For example, if you format your manuscript incorrectly, or your notes and references are incomplete and in the wrong style, or your tables and figures don't meet the publisher's standards, there may not be enough time in the fast-paced production process to correct the problems.

It's also not a great idea to get off on a bad footing with the editorial staff, because they're the last major line of defense before your book is printed. If your copyeditor is less than enthusiastic about working with you--whether because you've refused to follow the publisher's guidelines, are uncooperative about answering queries, or balk at removing sexism and racism from the book--they may not be willing to go beyond the call of duty to rescue you from the factual errors you've overlooked in your manuscript. But if they're enthusiastic about working with you and about your book, they may not hesitate to do extensive Internet research or make that extra trip to the library to ferret out errors, without pay if necessary. This can make the difference between a successful book and one that brings you professional or personal embarrassment.

3. Answer all queries carefully and thoroughly.

If you ignore queries, someone will have to query you again, possibly leading to a delay in the production schedule. This delay can be problematic from your standpoint, if for example the publisher is trying to bring your book out in time for a major conference or other significant event. Alternatively, the editor or typesetter may have to guess at the answers to the queries, which could produce results you're unhappy with.

If you don't understand the reasons for queries or find them superfluous, resist the impulse to fire off a diatribe. People in the publishing field are often very well read and broadly educated, and someone may be trying to ferret out some problem in your manuscript that you haven't detected. Don't assume that because editors have degrees in English and not in your technical field, they can't uncover major factual errors. Even if they don't understand the ins and outs of the technical material--say, complex math equations--those who've edited dozens of books in a field often have a "sixth sense" for when something is wrong.

I once read an article about an editor whose superb editing resulted in a Pulitzer Prize for an author. While this may be an extreme case, editing has the potential to significantly improve most manuscripts. To get the most out of the process and avoid any self-sabotage, it's to your advantage as an author to be professional and cooperative in interacting with the editor and other publishing staff.

Elizabeth C. Judd, PhD, is the owner of Casco Bay Literary Services, an editorial firm that provides book editing, ghostwriting, manuscript evaluation or manuscript critique, consultation, and other publishing services. We welcome projects on almost any topic, including hard-to-place manuscripts. Our goal is to create the best possible publishing outcome for you, at prices you can afford. Click on http://www.cascobayliteraryservices.com for more information and writers' resources.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_C._Judd

One Way To Write A Book

2008-01-30T10:05:00.000-08:00

By Jim McMullen

Deep in the Florida Everglades, in the gentle embrace of this untamed world, I slowly crouched and ran my hands through the swamp grass water into the cool, soft, wet black peat, letting it ooze between my fingers, smelling its thick swamp scent.

I had been furiously tracking the endangered panther for more than three days. So far I had not found any evidence the big cat even existed. No tracks in the mud. No resting sites in high grass lines.

As I splashed water on my face baptismal-like, shivers went up my arms and across my chest. At times like that, I felt as though I became part of nature: the trees, mud sky, water, animals... everything! My soul seemed to be cut in a million different parts, all living and breathing in the same tempo of life. It was as real as the kiss of a single raindrop on a wild orchid.

Suddenly,

Something. . .

Something stirred in the cypress trees fifty yards away. I felt an animal presence...

Instantly, a patch of gray-brown fur appeared in the trees!

The animal seemed to float above the swamp floor moving swiftly and as stealthy as a... cat!

I breathe slowly, deeply, making every effort to hold sound in so as not to spook the animal. For over six months I had been tracking and preparing for this moment, a moment of true excitement, maybe my only opportunity to be rewarded a sighting of this untamed misunderstood creature.

Then, the fur disappeared! My heart stopped. No... I cried inside. No. Not now. Not after so long. As the last words rolled across my mind, the fur was there again. Then it melted into the shadows, reappeared, only to disappear once more. I still had not had a glimpse of the entire animal.

All movement stopped. It saw me, I thought.

At that second large paws sprang in a bolt of speed into the swamp trees. But I saw it... the whole cat! It was like no other animal I had ever seen! It was furred power, gray-brown on top, creamy white underneath, and at the end of it, a magnificent, long, J-shaped tail streaked in dawn light and swamp darkness like a retreating ghost.

However, as he ran the big cat reminded me of the soft, silent motion of a ocean wave rising from the depths, rolling and forming into a single wave, then lowering into the depths once again, only to swell once more.

As though immediately magnetized to the animal, I jumped up and ran through the grass, pivoting into the cypress trees, splashing into the swamp, in pursuit of a Florida panther. Fumbling with my camera, I tried to get it up to my eye, while bobbing and weaving through the density attempting to get him on film. Instead, I got tangled in the vines and tripped over fallen cypress trees. But I ran on. Most of the animals in the Everglades were quick, but this big cat was earthly sudden.

As instantly as the big cat appeared, he disappeared. My mind was burning with excitement as I fell to the mud exhausted. Lying there, gasping for air in a morning already hot and humid, I felt both elation and wonderment. I had tracked, found and had a true sighting of the endangered Florida panther in the Everglades.

In a very direct sense I had accomplished the impossible with a lived experience in the wilds that would affect my writing for years to come.

Your individual experiences in life, whatever they may be, can accomplish the same thing in your writing career. By drawing on your everyday happenings can well put you in a position of writing successfully. Even more important you can write for money because of your hands-on experiences.

Discover "The 7 Power Secrets To Turn Your Words Into Wealth", free for a limited time only. NY Times Best-Seller Jim McMullen shares the 7 secrets you can use right now to improve your writing, bring life to your plot, and create characters that leadp off the page. Get your free copy right now by visiting the link below: http://www.AwakenTheWriterWithin.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McMullen

Writing Dialogue That Speaks Volumes

2008-01-30T10:03:00.000-08:00

By Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Fiction is made up of two main structural elements: narrative and dialogue. Narrative is the description of what's happening--the describing of characters, settings, moods and actions. Dialogue is either spoken or thought.

* Spoken dialogue, often referred to as external dialogue (or verbal, active or impassive dialogue), is always easy to spot. Just look for quotation marks. "Like this," she suggested. Everything within those quotation marks is something someone is saying out loud.

* Thought dialogue, usually referred to as internal dialogue (or passive speech or passive dialogue), is a direct thought sometimes indicated by a tag like he thought or he realized. A thought can also be injected into a passage of narrative, and is often indicated by the use of italics. Or the thought can stand alone like a line of dialogue. Sometimes single quotation marks are used: 'What is he doing?' she wondered.

Dialogue is a key element of fiction, and it is often formatted incorrectly. Some writers overuse dialogue to the point that it is difficult to visualize the setting or the actions. It might feel like everyone is just standing around gabbing, instead of doing something to save the world. Other writers create so much narrative that their story is merely being told and described versus experienced. The reader misses out on the connection to the character. Dialogue must have a sense of balance and natural flow within the work.

Spoken Dialogue:

The purpose of dialogue in a story is to move your characters through not only their actions but their speech. Some short stories can be effective as pure narrative, but in general, you want to incorporate dialogue so you can engage or capture the reader's attention and draw them into your characters' lives. Imagine rewriting the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Let's say you wrote: Then Papa Bear asked everyone if they knew who was sleeping in his bed. (This is very dry.) It is not nearly as exciting as writing: "Who's been sleeping in my bed?" Papa Bear bellowed. (Can you hear him, imagine his voice?)

When people read a story with dialogue, they usually imagine a voice and sometimes a dialect (like a French or Scottish accent). Dialogue engages a reader into believing that the imaginary world the writer has created is real. And as a writer, that is exactly what you want. This means that your dialogue must look and feel authentic.

Engaging dialogue can be constructed using 3 main parts:

* a verbal message/ dialogue that sounds real - "I should've gone into computers."

* a 'tag' or speaker attribution - he muttered.

* a 'beat' - She paused, stroking her chin. "..."

Verbal messages: Dialogue should always sound natural. Listen to how people talk, the words they use, the slang, the abbreviated sentence structure. If you write everything primly and correctly, without using these factors, your dialogue will not sound real and everyone will come across as extremely educated, pompous people.

Authentic dialogue comes from knowing your character. Who is he or she? If your character is five, his vocabulary is five. If the character is uneducated, his vocabulary is uneducated (use slang). If your character is a lawyer, he may use legalese (lawyer speak) or legal terms. If your character is from Scotland, lad, he'll use that sing-song voice, now won't he?

Use contractions (I'm, don't, shouldn't, we've, she'd, they're, they'd etc.). Use slang (yeah, naw, gonna, shoulda, yo, ain't) if it fits the character. Have your characters swear if it fits them, but watch that you don't overuse expletives. Most readers find it distracting if characters are cursing on every page or every time they speak. The same goes for slang.

Tags: Tags are character identifiers. They tell you who is speaking. Tags like he said or she whispered are common. Use said more than any other tag. Tags with mumbled, muttered, whispered, grumbled, replied, quipped, responded, demanded, retorted, commanded, shouted, hollered, cried, etc. should be used sparingly and be varied.

The tag 'hissed' should only be used with dialogue containing soft 'c' or 's' sounds.

RIGHT: "Sally!" she hissed.

WRONG: "George!" she hissed.

Words like 'laughed', 'chuckled', 'scowled', 'sighed' and 'grimaced' are physical actions and should not be used as a tag. Use them as beats or after 'he said'.

"That's gross," he said with a grimace.

"I know," she said, laughing.

He scowled. "Then why are you still doing it?"

Tags can be placed before, in the middle or after a section of dialogue.

Irma said, "I'll take that cup of coffee now. I need something to wake me up."

"I'll take that cup of coffee now," Irma said. "I need something to wake me up."

"I'll take that cup of coffee now because I need something to wake me up," Irma said.

The general rule of placement is that it is always best AFTER a sentence of dialogue. If you use tags before, use them very sparingly. It is the dialogue that you want to stand out.

If you insert a tag between two or more sentences, the tag always goes AFTER THE FIRST SENTENCE! This mistake is one that I've seen well-known authors make.

RIGHT: "I didn't know it was so late," he said. "I need to get to work."

WRONG: "I didn't know it was so late. I need to get to work," he said.

Also RIGHT: He said, "I didn't know it was so late. I need to get to work."

Adverbs/'ly' words (he said loudly) should be used very sparingly. Whenever possible, use a stronger verb (he shouted). Never use he shouted loudly. Use adverbs only when the dialogue or tag does not give enough information to the reader.

"Back away from the door."

"Back away from the door," she said quickly. Here we get a sense of urgency.

Using adverbs correctly in a tag takes special care. When you are ready to edit your work, do a 'ly' check. Look for every adverb, in narrative and dialogue, and ask yourself: If I delete it, will the sentence still have the same impact? Delete the ones you don't need. If your dialogue is written correctly, it will usually tell the reader what the tone is.

"What the hell is going on?"

We don't need a tag or beat as long as it's obvious which character is speaking. If it's not obvious, use a single verb like said, asked, demanded, muttered, etc.

"What the hell is going on?" she demanded.

But don't write it as: "What the hell is going on?" she asked harshly.

"Where's your mother?"

This one line of dialogue can be said in various tones. Is the person angry, confused, terrified? Is she yelling or whispering?

RIGHT: "Where's your mother?" she asked gently.

The above example portrays caring because of the word gently. Perhaps she's speaking to a terrified child. Or someone who is dying.

RIGHT: "Where's your mother?" she demanded. She sounds angry.

RIGHT: "Where's your mother?" she screamed. She sounds frustrated, terrified maybe.

Beats: Beats are also character identifiers, but they are complete sentences, almost always containing some kind of action. Beats can be used at the beginning, middle or end of a piece of dialogue.

She knocked on the door. "Please let someone be home. I really need help here."

"Please let someone be home." She knocked on the door. "I really need help here."

"Please let someone be home. I really need help here." She knocked on the door.

All of these are RIGHT. In general, don't put a beat last if there is any chance the reader won't know first who is speaking. Beats tend to lose their effectiveness when placed last.

VERY EFFECTIVE: She eyed him suspiciously. "What are you doing here?"

LESS EFFECTIVE: "What are you doing here?" She eyed him suspiciously.

Choices, choices!

Using a tag: "Where's your mother?" she demanded.

Using a beat: She let out a gasp. "Where's your mother?"

Using a beat with an adverb: Her eyes flashed dangerously. "Where's your mother?"

When bouncing a conversation between 2 people--once you have set up who they are with their first beat or tag--you can then eliminate tags and beats. As long as the reader can follow who is speaking next, keep the dialogue clean.

When bouncing a conversation between 3 people, you must have tags and beats.

Thought dialogue/internal dialogue:

The purpose of internal dialogue is to reveal a character's thoughts, showing us something that wouldn't normally be revealed by narrative or dialogue. But remember, you must know whose POV (point of view) is being featured in that scene or chapter. Stories told in first person POV or 'I walked into the room" can only use the thoughts of the narrator, the 'I' character. If a scene is told from Bob the plumber's POV, then you can't show his wife Martha's thoughts.

RIGHT:

I knew that I had to act fast. "Hurry! In here!"

Shari looked at me, and I could tell she thought I was crazy, but she jumped into the pit.

WRONG:

I knew that I had to act fast. "Hurry! In here!"

Shari looked at me. He's crazy, she thought before she jumped into the pit.

Every scene or chapter should be one person's POV. They are the only ones allowed to have internal dialogue. Tags and beats apply to thoughts too. Always ask yourself, would it be natural for the character to say this out loud instead of think it? External dialogue is always better than internal.

Single person scenes: Even if your scene is a woman trapped in a cabin all alone, with a raving lunatic hunting her down. She can talk to herself...out loud. Don't have her think everything. If she looks in the mirror, she can mutter something about her appearance. If she drops something, she can call herself clumsy. Keep 'thinking' to a minimum. J

Last words on dialogue: Other elements of great dialogue are the use of ellipses (...) and em-dashes (--), providing they are used properly. Many novice writers confuse the two. Use ellipses when your character says something that fades away or trails off. Use em-dashes when someone is interrupted by another character's dialogue or a sudden action or they interrupt themselves.

RIGHT:

"Look over there, Ralph. I think I see a..."

He stared into the woods. The light flickered again and he was sure it was the cabin.

RIGHT:

Ralph shook his head. "I don't see--"

"Over there," George interrupted. "By the oak tree."

"Ah...now I see it."

There are no spaces before or after ellipses or em-dashes. Some people use the horizontal bar on MS Word as an alternate and acceptable em-dash.

Exclamation marks must also be used very carefully. In narrative, they are rarely used. In external and internal dialogue, use an ! only with speech or thoughts that are sudden bursts, especially commands or short sentences that are yelled or screamed. If someone is screaming and you've written long sentences, don't use exclamations marks.

RIGHT: "Quick! Over here!"

WRONG: "Come over here real quick so we can hide in the shed!"

RIGHT: Oh my God! (if they are shouting it); "Oh my God." (if they are saying it slowly or softly.)

RIGHT: "I don't know what you see in that girl," his mother said.

WRONG: "I don't know what you see in that girl!" his mother said.

Also RIGHT: "I don't know what you see in that girl," his mother shouted.

Again, don't use a tag like she shouted after dialogue with an ! unless it's not obvious who is speaking.

Writing a novel is not just crafting the story, it is also creating an artistic design on paper. It is the fine balance of narrative and dialogue that produces an inviting canvas for readers. Many studies have suggested that avid readers prefer 'white space--space around text, which can easily be created by adding dialogue. White space makes a page easier to read by allowing the eyes to focus, then have a break.

Work on crafting your dialogue until it rings clear and true, until we can hear and visualize your characters through what they say. When you write dialogue, make sure you read it OUT LOUD. Listen to your voice as you read each line from your character's perspective. It's like acting. Think of how you're delivering the lines. What is your character's mood? How does your character sound? How do they speak?

"Show! Don't tell!" Cheryl said with a grin. "And enjoy!"

©2007 Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author that Booklist describes as "a big hit...a name to reckon with". She has written the following bestselling novels: The River, a terrifying, action-packed thriller; Divine Intervention, a scorching psychic suspense, and Whale Song, an emotionally heart-wrenching family drama with a hint of mystery. She has also tutored writing students, taught creative writing courses and speaks at various conferences and events in Canada and the US on topics such as writing, publishing options and book marketing.

For more information, please visit her websites at http://www.cherylktardif.com or http://www.whalesongbook.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cheryl_Kaye_Tardif

Lucrative Article Writing - Announcing 4 Latest Secrets to Grow Your Article Writing

2008-01-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

By Sean R Mize

Obtaining quality inbound links for your website cannot get easier these days. With the advent of article writing and article marketing, you can obtain inbound links without launching reciprocal or one-way link campaigns. All you need to do is produce quality articles that will be useful and relevant to your target niche. When your articles are posted online, they can be made available to other publishers provided they will keep your resource box. This can lead to massive distribution and numerous inbound links!

1. Create an outline. Decide what you would like to write about and take note of all the ideas and information you would like to present to better explain your topic. 2. Use an intriguing title. Take your time when formulating your ideas about your headline as this is a crucial point in your article writing. You need to come up with a title that is truly compelling so online users will be enticed to read your article.

3. Make your articles scannable. People don't have much time to spare when reading articles online. They usually scan through the article trying to look for keyword that will take them to the information they truly need. Make it hassle-free for your readers to find what they need by using subheading and bullet list.

4. Keep your articles short. Based on researches, articles that run 1,000 words are the type of articles that don't get read nor picked up online. Remember, you are writing for people who are extremely interested in getting the information they need in as short time as possible. Make your articles run between 300-500 words and don't waste your reader's time by presenting all the information upfront. Steer clear from using fillers and fancy words that makes your articles rather lengthy.

Want to learn how to sell high ticket products online? Download my brand new free guide here: "How to Sell High Ticket Products Online"

Sean Mize teaches a powerful, highly advanced system of creating and selling high ticket products online.

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Write a Thousand Articles This Year? Sure You Can! Here's How

2008-01-30T10:01:00.000-08:00

By Larry M. Lynch

As writers, teachers, article marketers, sales, speaking and other professionals we well know (or should know) that being able to produce consistent, quality writing is an essential to our profession. But come on, a thousand articles in a year? You're thinking, "Whoa Nelly!" Hold on there though now, partner. I'm going to show you - yes you, thick of tongue and fat of fingers though you might seem be, how you can approach this - for now - seemingly daunting goal.

First though Hoss, One Quick Question

The question is this: "Can you write a 1200-word article in a day or two?"

Think now.

If you answered in the affirmative, then you could write a thousand articles this year if you wish to. I repeat: Yes, you can. Not only is it quite doable, but it's not anywhere near as difficult as you might presently think. To help readjust your paradigms, we're going to break the process down into seven process stages or steps that will ultimately allow you to truly understand that you really could produce one thousand or more articles this year.

A Stash of One Thousand Articles

Just think, what could a stash of one thousand articles do for you? Are you kidding? Do you now personally know of anyone who has those kinds of bragging rights? If you do, you know what it does for them. You could be in the "Inner Circle" with them later this year. If you don't know anyone with a stash of articles like this, then later this year YOU Bunky, could be the pace-setter and "Guru", "Queen Bee" or "Head Honcho" of your writing circle. Can you imagine what a blast that is? But that's not all:

Think of what a boost your writing skills will get from that much targeted practice. Want to be recognized as an "expert" in your field, hobby or personal interest? Do you want to explode your article marketing stats through the ceiling? Would you like to really get the attention of your boss, prominent editors in your area, or the big guns in your area of interest? Do you want a Space Shuttle trajectory blast to traffic on your website or blog? Are you thinking of establishing or expanding your online or web presence? Don't you think that writing and publishing one thousand articles would do that and more for you?

You darn Skippy it would! So let's get started.

In the upcoming part two of this series, we'll go into a more detailed breakdown of the production steps and processes needed to write a thousand (or more) articles in a year.

If you'd like to join my FREE "Write a Thousand Articles This Year" program, just contact me at writeathousandarticles@gmail.com and we'll get you started, put you on track and keep you going along with the other dedicated writing professionals in our rapidly growing group. (I've just put some freshly re-charged batteries in my Uncle Buzzy's cattle prod) Just think, a year or less from now, you'll be the proud author of a thousand or more articles. And your "writer" friends? Gosh, they'll just be sick with envy. And you? You'll love every moment of it, you thousand-article-writing devil you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_M._Lynch

Part 3 - Write a Thousand Articles This Year? Sure You Can! Here's How

2008-01-30T09:42:00.000-08:00

By Larry M. Lynch

This is your final push out of the door towards your inevitable "Write a Thousand Articles This Year" success. I don't doubt for a moment that you'll have your one thousand articles in the bank before the end of this year. (Yessiree. I'm betting you will)

What You'll Need

Yes Bunky, you'll need some precise discipline. You'll have to set up your "writing space" or a "writing place" if you don't already have one. And yes, a cheering section (that would be me and my writing "Write a Thousand Articles This Year" group, Matey) and some peer writer coaching to help boot you over those initial rough spots will definitely be of help too. An additional great boost will be the use of a variety of article templates. If you're fresh out of handy, dandy writing templates no problem, they're available to members of our "Write a Thousand Articles This Year" group. I'll bet you guessed that already though, didn't you?

But writing a thousand articles in a year is a lofty but attainable goal that will do untold wonders for your business, for your writing career, for your article marketing campaigns, for your online or web presence and be an absolutely, undoubtedly stunning boost to both your writing skills and your self-esteem. Think of what will happen to your Google ratings with a thousand articles posted online! Hey, I won't even mention the bragging rights you'll have over your writer's group and other friends. Aren't you going to just love watching them turn slimy barf green with envy!

Finally ...

Okay, okay, I know what you're thinking. You must be asking yourself, "What if I don't or can't "keep up the pace" for a whole year? Well, in that event all is certainly not lost. Sure, it'll take a bit of grit to get going and get set firmly on track, but help is always available (via our free "Write a Thousand Articles This Year" program) if and when you need it. The overall schedule does not actually require writing every single day, nor must you produce three articles each and every time. Other possible scenarios are discussed within our program group. In an "absolute worst case" scenario, even if you don't get your one thousand articles in one clip, you're not exactly going to cry if you only reach seven or eight hundred articles, now are you? Certainly not!

There's really no way to "fail" at this. Everything you produce goes "in the pot". If you do slip in any way at all, you'll only "fail forward!" Doing only half of the program will still net you five hundred articles - that's right, five hundred articles! How could you possibly call the writing, production, editing, publishing and even the possible selling of five hundred articles a "failure"?

If you'd like to join my FREE "Write a Thousand Articles This Year" program, just contact me at writeathousandarticles@gmail.com and we'll get you started, put you on track and keep you going along with the other dedicated writing professionals in our rapidly growing group. (I've just put some freshly re-charged batteries in my Uncle Buzzy's cattle prod) Just think, a year or less from now, you'll be the proud author of a thousand or more articles. And your "writer" friends? Gosh, they'll just be sick with envy. And you? You'll love every moment of it, you thousand-article-writing devil you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_M._Lynch

How To Write How-To Articles

2008-01-29T08:09:00.000-08:00

By Steven Gillman

Learn how to write "how to" articles and it is easy to promote your website. They are one of the most popular types of articles online. Some people will read articles just for entertainment or to learn general information, but everyone wants to know how to do something.

Before you start cranking out those "how to" articles, though, you need to know a basic principle and a few tricks. First, an online article is not the same as an article in a print magazine. In the print world, the writer is paid to be purely informative and entertaining. Online articles are informative as well, but since you give them away, they have little value to you unless they get readers to come to your website.

Keep that important principle in mind. Make sure you know how to create a good "authors resource box" that will motivate the reader to click on that link and visit your website. You also have to get the reader to read that far, which you can do by using the first tip below. Since it's on-topic and relevant to this article, I can simply tell you that you're going to like what you see in my own resource box below. (That's an example of using curiosity to "hook" the reader.)

How-To Articles - Three Tips

1. Tell the reader almost everything she needs to know. Almost, but not everything. The point here is to give real value, but leave her wanting more. This keeps her reading, to see what else there is, and finally, it gets her to look at the author information at the end of the article, where hopefully she clicks through to your website to learn more.

It is easy to use this technique. For example, two paragraphs ago I mentioned that you need to know how to create a good "authors resource box" to make a reader into a visitor. Of course, how to do that isn't covered in this article, so the curious reader will hopefully click through to my site to learn how. Another way to do this is to have six tips on how to do whatever, and then mention in the resource box that there are ten more tips on your website.

2. If you sell products, mention them relevantly. You can't use an article as a sales pitch, but what if the things you sell are relevant to your article? Mention them specifically, but don't mention in the article that you sell them. Keep that to the resource box.

For example, suppose you sell scrapbook materials, and your article is on how to create the perfect scrapbook. Go ahead and mention the specific materials and even the brands you recommend. The reader will wonder where he can get these things, and in the author's resource box he'll see that you sell them on your website. There is nothing wrong with this technique. A woman who reads an article on "How To Tie Fishing Flies" also wants to know the best materials and where to buy them.

3. Have something new to say. You are telling the reader how to do something, but so are many others. Try to have your own unique angle or a "special" tip that isn't found in other writings on the subject. You want the reader to know that you are the expert and your website is the one to visit.

Copyright Steve Gillman.

For more on How To Write Articles, including that all-important resource box, and to get a free ebook, visit: http://www.999articles.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Gillman

Writing Articles Clearly and Easily

2008-01-29T08:07:00.000-08:00

By Robert Charlton

Article writing is a useful means to lure people to your website.

You may have heard the expression that "Content is King". Search engines, such as Google, Yahoo and MSN reward websites that have useful content with higher rankings. The higher your website is ranked on the search engine results page the more traffic your website will get.

Two basic points you should keep in mind while writing an article are:

(1) Use the simplest possible language that still conveys your meaning clearly.

Your writing should reach the greatest number of readers. Therefore it must be understood by the widest range of people. Editors of magazines and newspapers instruct their writers to use the "fourth grade level".

However, using simple language is not possible for all types of publications. Many technical magazines will use complex language to explain obscure points. For such writing an appropriate level of complexity is needed. Apart from such magazines it's always preferable to use the simplest and most straightforward writing style possible.

(2) Present your ideas in an interesting manner.

Your ideas should be presented in a way so that they are useful to the audience. Organize your ideas in a manner that entertains the readers. Make sure not to write too much detail so that the readers feel bored. Most articles written for the internet or for magazines are in a classic style known as "five paragraph essay", which is an ideal format for writing articles in brief. Following this style you can express your ideas in a very interesting way with a good beginning and ending.

Five paragraph essay - Step by step guide:

1) First paragraph: Introduction to present the actual topic and related concepts in brief.

2) Second, Third and Fourth paragraphs: Support or expand points in the introduction in simple and creative language.

3) Fifth paragraph: Conclusion, which fully summarizes the topic.

You can write well for magazines or the Internet if you can effectively write five paragraph essays in clear and understandable language. So, by using the simplest possible language and organizing your ideas in an effective manner, you can become a successful article writer. Remember to use a conversational style and employ the "Spelling and Grammar" function in word processor software.

Writing articles doesn't need to be an overwhelming task. Once you get in the groove you'll find that you can produce several articles each day without strain.

Robert Charlton has been writing for years, mostly for the entertainment of friends and family. After discovering the internet he has been having the time of his life, sharing what he has learned during his lifetime and helping other people to be successful. He owns the website http://www.WritingTheEasyWay.com and can be found everyday pounding away on his keyboard with a smile on his face.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Charlton

How To Effectively Use Articles To Market Your Products Online Part I!

2008-01-29T08:06:00.000-08:00

By Joe Okoro

Writing and submitting articles can be boring to so many people who want to make a living online promoting their businesse opportunities. Many choose to use other methods of promtion to get their wares noticed by the public. However, if you are very low on budget, I recommend that you use articles to sell your products.

Below are ways you can boost your article writing and make sure that you get targeted visitors interested in your business.

- Write many articles.

To succesfully market your product, you should aim at writing as many articles as you possibly can in your market. If you set a goal of writing atleast 2 articles each day for the next 3 - 6 months, you would have written a total of between 120 - 240 articles each bringing steady traffic to your web business every single day.

When you write very good but short articles that are focused and good, you have a higher chance of on of your articles being picked by any ezine publisher. If an ezine have 50,000 subscribers and sends the content of your article to one of such database, you immediately gain an expert status and can start taking many orders.

- Be relevant

When you write, your articles should contain only valuable information that people in your market need. Most people who read articles do this becaue they have aproblem that needs solution. Your articles should be written to solve problems of people in your market.

To learn more, download my free report, "How to build a quick downline" here: Build A Downline!

Joe Okoro is an accomplished networker who has successfully used internet marketing to grow his downline for 3 years now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Okoro

How To Effectively Use Articles To Market Your Products Online Part II

2008-01-29T08:05:00.000-08:00

By Joe Okoro

Most people believe that article marketing is too boring and slow to market products online. But if you do it in a certain way, you bet, it can be one of the most profitable ways to quickly sell your products and give you instant credibility before the eyes of your web site visitors.

This is a continuation of how you can use articles to sell your products. Please locate part I and read.

- Post your articles to only 2-5 top directories.

If you need to get the maximum results from your article writing endeavour, you don't have to post to thousands of article banks. All you need for immediate traffic is to post them in the top 5 article directories. To determine the top five, you need to choose article banks that ranks very high in www.alexa dot com.

- Check the stats of your articles.

Some article directories allows you to view the page views and clicks on your signature links. My best here is Ezine articles dot com. If one of your aticles is receiving so many views and clicks, you will need to focus more on writing similar articles to generate more clickthroughs.

The reason is this; the higher the click through to your website, the higher your chances of selling whatever product you may be promoting. So your aim should be to write as many qualified article as possible that will generate the most clickthroughs and close the sale eventually.

To learn more, download my free report, "How to build a quick downline" here: Build A Downline!

Joe Okoro is an accomplished networker who has successfully used internet marketing to grow his downline for 3 years now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Okoro

Use Articles To Locate Qualified Clients For Your Home Based Business Part II

2008-01-29T08:03:00.000-08:00

By Joe Okoro

One thing that most online marketers refuse to acknowledge is the importance of articles in their marketing arrangement. When you employ article as a means to get people to your home based business, you have a traffic source more qualified than any other traffic sources available both paid and unpaid traffic sources.

Below are some of the steps you need in order to get your articles found when a search is done for your niche market in your keywords.

- Sprinkle keywords in the body of your article.

As you write article in your market, make sure that you use the keywords needed to locate your article in the body of the article. For instance, you can put at least a keyword phrase in every paragraph you write. This way the search engine crawler will attach importance to the content of your article and rank it as relevant.

- Include a byline in every article you write.

A byline is like a signature file that is used at the end of every email you use. However, here in article writing, a byline is also know as the authors resource box. Your main aim should be to somehow direct attention to your author resource box so that visitors will click through to your website each time they are done reading your article.

This can be achieved by creating a little advert for a free offer if they visit the link on your byline.

To learn more, download my free report, "How to build a quick downline" here: Build A Downline!

Joe Okoro is an accomplished networker who has successfully used internet marketing to grow his downline for 3 years now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Okoro

Article Writing - 7 Tips On Writing Your First Article

2008-01-29T08:01:00.000-08:00

By Connie Ragen Green

Writing your first article may seem like impossibility, if you have not written for many years since you were in school. But remember that writing is like anything else; the more you practice the easier it will become. Here are some tips on how to write your first article and submit it to an article directory.

* Make some notes before you start writing your article. Include in these notes what your topic will be, some tips about the topic, or some solutions to a problem the reader may be having.

* For example, if you are writing an article about losing weight, you might make some notes about how to get started on a diet, some tips on how to keep from getting hungry during the first days of a diet, and how to start losing weight if you are over fifty.

* Begin your article with a paragraph that describes what you want to tell your reader. Then, introduce them to your tips, ideas, or solutions to their situation.

* List these ideas or tips. Make an effort to list them in a logical order that will make sense.

* Write a concluding paragraph that gives them more information, but leaves them wanting more.

* Write a resource box that invites them back to your website or blog. Give them a reason to visit, such as offering them more free tips or a special report on your topic.

* Submit your article to at least three of the largest article directories. Ezine Articles is the very largest, so submit your article to them first.

And now I invite you to download two free article writing templates at http://www.WriteArticlesWithJeffHerring.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Ragen_Green

Super-Fast Article Writing - 3-Step Strategy For Churning Out Articles At Lightning Speed

2008-01-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Fabian Tan

Do you want to write articles quickly but just don't know where to get begin? Writing articles can be easy! All you need is to arm yourself with a simple strategy whenever you want to write new content. Doing it without a strategy inevitably makes it more difficult.

Here's a 3-step strategy for cranking out new articles on the fly:

1. Do your 5-minute research

Believe it or not, I often take as little as 5 minutes to do research on a topic I know nothing about! Folks, all the information is out there! There's Google and Wikipedia. You're just a few seconds away and a few mouse clicks away from finding the information you want. Just read one or two articles and you know more about that topic than most people do.

2. Write your article in a flash!

Just follow this simple formula and your content will flow easily. Introduction, Body and Conclusion. That's it! There's only 3 basic components for every article. In your introduction, write a brief summary of what you are going to cover, write your main content in your Body and summarize your main content in your conclusion.

3. Proofread your article

If you don't want any embarrassing spelling and grammatical errors, take a minute or two to read your article once over. Little mistakes destroy your credibility, so take some time to proofread your content!

There you go, 3 steps to writing articles quickly and easily. Writing articles is one of the best things you can do for your online business, so start writing them today!

Fabian Tan is the author of the free 51-Page Report:

"Murder Your Job: How To Build Cash Sucking Autopilot Businesses In 30 Days Or Less!"

Head over to http://www.MurderYourJob.com to get your free copy now before it's gone!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fabian_Tan

Writing a Good Article

2008-01-29T07:59:00.000-08:00

By Tim Redman

Writing articles has been proven time and again as a good strategy in developing traffic for a website. Having good content in your article that people will read and respect is a key factor to bringing visitors to your website. By following my advice in this article, you should be able to write and article with ease and also generate your article content at a high standard so that people will respect you as an expert in your field.

Most people don't have a lot of confidence in themselves when it comes to writing. They often think that they can't write and therefore don't try. The best way to break this cycle is to just start writing. Today, we have the internet at our disposal making it easier than ever to write and publish article for circulation to the general public.

Here are some important tips on how to write a good article:-

Topic: If you haven't been given a topic that you need to write about then this is easy. You should pick a topic in which you know something about, like a hobby. For example, if you like baking and you bake a lot, then why not write an article on baking the perfect cake. You will be surprised how many people out there are looking for tips and advice on how to bake a cake. Just remember, if there is no topic, stick to what you know best.

If you are provided with a topic and you are not an expert within that field, the only option for you to follow is to do research.

Research: Perform your research carefully. When writing your article you should include information that your readers need to know. The best way to find this out is to do some searching on the internet and read forums that are related to the topic. You should then be able to find out what people want to know. Don't limit yourself to doing your research on the internet. There are other sources too, such as books, newspapers, etc. However, be very careful not to plagiarize or copy somebody else's work!

Word Limit: The standard word length for an article is between 400 - 600 words long. Most people that will read your article will be quite comfortable reading up to 700 words without getting bored. Remember, if you fill your article with useless content and get it up to 1000 words, people will lose interest and go to another website!

Title: This is the most important feature in your article. This should be an attention grabber as this is what normally makes a person click on and read your article. Lot's of people say that you should include lots of keywords in your title. This is not true, too many keywords will make your title look very messy and will put people off reading it. Limit the amount of keywords in your title to no more than two.

Write for your audience: You need to write with your audience in mind. Don't go off on tangents and on to other topics as your audience will get confused and will lose interest, forcing them to go and visit someone else's article instead. Write what your audience wants to hear.

The article structure is very important and can be broken down into three distinct parts. Having your article in these parts will give your article flow and will make it much easier for your readers to digest the information. The parts are Introduction, Main Body and Conclusion.

Introduction: This part should be set up to tell your readers what your article is all about and what you are going to tell them.

Main Body: This is the main part of your article and should include all the facts and figures of what you want to tell your readers.

Conclusion: This is where you will give your summary to the contents of the main body and wrap up the article. Remember, don't leave any loose ends. This is most distracting for your readers and will probably put them off reading any of your other articles. By all means you can reference other articles that you have written within your conclusion.

Another myth that circulates the Internet is that you should load your article main body with keywords. This simply isn't true, like your title, if you include lots of keywords, the article will not flow properly and become a complete mess. I would personally try and limit your keywords within the main body to between three and five. More than this and your article blatantly becomes an advert.

By following these simple rules your articles should start to become popular on the internet, simply because they flow properly and are well structured. People will gain confidence in you as an expert in your field and will read more articles that you publish. As a writer, you should start writing and keep writing. Don't stop and don't loose confidence if one of your articles doesn't get the readership that your thought it might.

Writing is an art and it gets better the more you practice. So get practising.

Tim Redman is a successful Internet Marketer with experience of working from home and generating an income that sustains his lifestyle. He writes numerous articles on various topics around Internet marketing and search engine optimization. He currently writes article for http://www.ArticleMound.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Redman

Do Not Plagiarize Me

2008-01-29T07:57:00.000-08:00

By Edward G. Matthews Jr.

Recently I have come across many articles with various titles and log lines that sound particularly similar to something that someone else or myself has written. Perhaps it's the old "I should have written that!" syndrome. so let's use our fancy education and write something that sounds like gibberish with a lot of big words run on phrases and sentences that clearly have no meaning or real pertinence to the discussion at hand. People, they have been read and they sound like over drafted big worded copies of someone else's original work. Get over yourselves.

You can't really stop them, but it is sad to see that someone can not think for themselves so they decide to make the list of how to do's, what to do's and not to do's and call it their own, basically copying what original work already existed. The expert of this and study of that does not do much for impression, except for the fact that you have a thesaurus sitting at your desk and slap a few words onto the computer screen to impress reader's. why not try something new. Find an interest, a hobby. Current events do not count, anyone can read the newspapers and watch CNN and blast away an article filled with big words and debate on a subject they think people will be interested in.

A good percentage of articles written are hearsay and outlandish vocabulary to pull the interest of readers. It seems that original work is very hard to come by. Take movies for example, how many times have you seen a movie recreated or duplicated in the same fashion. Maybe by a coincidence the same type of movie has been made that had a similar plot outline to another. Take for example the movie "The Last Starfighter" and the movie "Galaxy Quest" If you have seen them both you can possibly see the slight similarities in these two movies? However fifteen years apart, one holds true to in some aspects of life. The other is a slight comedy adventure. But I don't think the writers sat down and said "Hey let's write a Starfighter spoof." You could possibly call that over analysis. But either way it is similar.

Simple evaluation. Someone writes, you like it, you change the words and some of the content to satisfy your own inability to be original. If it falls in the same category as someone else's works it can usually be identified as a copy. It's not different than someone telling you they did something they didn't do. Which would still be a lie. It can be closely understood that there may actually be writer's out there with something to say, but we all sit down and read and listen to the ones who lead us on a never ending road of vocabularic articles designed to make you think of nothing but question marks.

Eliminate your list of why everyone else is stupid but you, like someone asking the reader's if they know what the stars on the American flag stand for or what the fifth amendment is. This only seeks to justify how much more of an intelligent you want to be compared to your reader's. It is very easy to read someone else's work and come up with new ideas to enhance what you think might be better to say. Be original, and write something that the rest of the reader's don't have to scan through to find what they see to be plagiarism.

Edward G. Matthews Jr.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_G._Matthews_Jr.

Article Submission Software Explained

2008-01-29T07:36:00.000-08:00

By Terry Glass

What is an Article Directory?

If you place a search term in any search engine for "Article Directory" you will see pages and pages of results. The question is to ask why are there so many?

The answer is that most Article Directories are monetized with advertisements that range from low paying keywords right to the best paying keywords. As you can imagine the owner of such a directory can make a reasonable return for their investment in monitoring and promoting their directory.

Article Directories rely on articles being submitted and approved to increase both the size of the site and the chances of an ever increasing return of income.

An article directory is a large data base of articles submitted by members that cover a vast range of topics. Those articles are then permitted to be reproduced by other website/blog owners as long as they follow copyright principals.

At an article directory you can type your search term topic and the directory database will return to you all relevant articles on that chosen topic.

How do Article Directories help you

When you submit your article to a directory you are asked for a category. Choose the right category and submit your article.

With your article most directories allow one html link highlighting one keyword in the body of your article. This is called anchor text and is written like this, <a href="url" _fcksavedurl="url">Text to be displayed and the correct method to use.

Check the directory first as some do not allow html links in the body of the article. If not then usually there is an Author Biography area that will allow html links. This is where you place your anchor text and to make sure if someone uses your article have an open url reference such as http://www.mysite.com etc.

Now your articles are linking to your site both using keywords and your actual url. This is link building and a system used to drive traffic to your site. The beauty of this is that the traffic has already been targeted as they have read your article and want more information from you, hence they have clicked on one of your links.

Duplicate Content Issue

When using Article Submission software you will be submitting the article to many article directories. This will create duplicate content. Now duplicate content means that it will not be indexed as only one article on the topic can be listed in a search engine.

Your article should, because of duplicate content, never be reproduced on your own website/blog pages as that is clearly duplicate content.

A rule of thumb is the article with the best and appropriate links will be number one in a search engine. If you have an article on your site and an article directory has more links to your article then your site will be a duplicate and thus penalised.

The way to avoid this is to either re-write the article or write a totally new article that has no duplication in any form of your own website/blog pages.

Article Submission Software

Article submission software consists of several tabs within the program. One tab is about the author, the other tabs are your article/s, the website article directories and the submit tab.

At each tab you complete the information such as name, address and email for confirmation and notification from the article directory. The article tab allows you to edit your article in case you need to take out html comments in the body of the article or add such html comments.

The software tab for article directories contains all of the directories you want to submit to. Select all or select only those directories you want your submission to go to.

Start the submission process. As each article directory is processed you will see the page inside the software, just like your browser. All details can be seen there, such as logging in, opening a new account, select the right category and article submission confirmation.

When done the next article directory is opened and the process continues.

As you can imagine with everything set-up this process takes only a few minutes. Imagine how long it would take to manually perform this task.

Article submission best practice

We have covered What is An Article Directory - How Do Article Directories Help You - Duplicate Content Issues and the software itself.

Best practice to submit articles is choosing the right article directory. No use having your pet article on a search engine optimization article directory as no one will be interested.

Articles should be submitted to directories that are appropriate for your article content. This is where some article directory submission websites sometimes submit your articles to inappropriate directories and might create some problems for your article.

When taking into consideration article directories choose those with a high page rank and a good Alexa traffic rank. You can find these using the Google page rank toolbar and the Alexa ranking toolbar.

Now having your articles on high page rank article directories will add quite some weight to your links directed at your site. Not only that but you will generate a lot of traffic to your site.

It must be stressed that you must make your articles unique, no copying other articles, make them your own content and compile articles you are proud for others to read.

By following these simple steps you will build traffic to your pages from interested targeted readers. Your site will have a sound link building program in place and as such you will see an increase in your sites search engine positioning.

When producing content it is always a good practice to submit your articles to as many directories as possible. This way your article will attract more attention. I use and endorse the product at http://www.psychic-aus.com/map/map.html that is a full working version.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Glass

Take Your Writing Career Into Your Own Hands

2008-01-29T07:35:00.000-08:00

By Hope Wilbanks

Last year I invested months of my time in hours to freelance job sites, in an effort to boost my income. After becoming burned out and disillusioned by some of these websites, I realized that the only way to land any jobs or make any money was if I would offer my services at much less than minimum wage. I wasn't about to do that, so I moved on and counted my losses as experience and lesson learned.

The thing that bothers me most is that I see many freelance writers promoting some of these websites. Now, if these freelancers got their foot in the door early in the game (years ago) and were able to build a nice portfolio of jobs completed, I can see how it would be easier for them to land more, or better paying jobs. But if you're starting out low man on the totem pole, just about the only way to land any jobs is to practically give yourself away for free.

Big Problem

slave labor freelance writer: A writer who works very hard (most of the time long hours) at the keyboard writing content only to be paid less than $5 for long articles (sometimes even as little as $1 or $3 per article).

I have to tell you that as a freelance writer, this truly bothers me. And I'm not the only one it bothers. I suppose it bothers me so much because I've been in those shoes. I know what it feels like to think your new business as a professionally paid writer will never take off. I know how it feels to want work so bad you can taste it. But is it really worth it to take these meaningless jobs that literally pay you nothing, just so you can say you're a working writer?

Don't Waste Your Time

I wish I would have kept up with how many jobs I responded to. Unfortunately I didn't. I will tell you that it was a lot. I emailed my professional resume, writing samples, and payment suggestions or bids to countless job postings. I would say out of every 100 I responded to I received one reply. 100 to 1. That's not very promising. Especially when I think about the time I put into crafting emails, creating a professional writing resume, and samples. Of the very few responses I received, I never landed a single job. More time wasted that should have been spent otherwise.

Am I bashing all these places? Absolutely not. What I am trying to do is give you a real picture of my experiences with them. I'm sure there are other freelance writers out there who could post in the comments here and tell me about their success stories. But I'd challenge them to also share what kind of rates they receive. It would surprise me if they met minimum wage.

DIY Solutions

Rather than dish out your hard-earned money to bidding sites, or spend endless hours replying to jobs that may or may not pan out, take your freelance writing career into your own hands.

Instead of using popular job sites to try to find writing work, get proactive and start digging around and finding writing gigs on your own. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

* Google for writer's guidelines. Conduct a simple search using Google or your favorite search engine. Type in "writer's guidelines%2BYOUR NICHE HERE" (without the quotation marks). You'll get a nice return on quite a few websites. Read through the guidelines, then send a query or full article (depending on what the guidelines state).

* Grab a current copy of Writer's Market. Even if you can't afford the latest edition, you should be able to pick up a 2007 edition at a reasonable price. You'll find a ton of resources inside this book, one of which is a huge database of paying markets.

* Study and learn from the best. In addition to seeking paid writing jobs, it would be wise of you to study and learn from some of the higher paid writers today. Ask them for an interview. Pick their brain and find out how they got their start. Read their websites, blogs, books, and whatever else they make available. Learn from them, then begin to apply what you learn to your own writing career.

* Network online. Nestle yourself into a few forums online. Don't offer your services immediately. Instead, start posting so that you will become known by others. Offer free advice, meaty articles, and astute answers to questions. As you become more well-known, you will find that opportunities will begin to present themselves.

* Start an article marketing campaign to promote your website and/or services. You'll hear other experienced writers tell you, "Don't write for free!" But I'm of the opinion that sometimes you need to give a little to get a little. Article marketing is something that you can control. Start by writing ten articles within your niche, or the niche you'd like to write for, and submit them to Ezine Articles or Article Aces. Slowly begin building on these articles by adding more every week. Be sure to write a compelling bio at the end of each article, with a link back to your website or special offer. These "free" articles will help attract targeted visitors who are seriously interested in hiring a writer.

* Get a website. This is one of those tips I see often, but it bears enough weight to be stated yet again. If you don't have a professional website, it is imperative you get one immediately. A website is your point of contact with the online world. At the very least, you should have a small website that contains a list of the writing services you offer, as well as the topics you write about and even a few sample articles for potential clients. As you grow, your website should develop as well, including things like your writing resume, published clips, clients you've served, etc.

* Start a blog. If you aren't already blogging, you should seriously consider doing so in the near future. Blogging shows potential clients your writing style and voice. Even better, it's a platform through which you can build a loyal audience of readers, which will generate even more leads in the future. Be sure to include a page with writing services you offer and contact information. A word of caution: Don't start a blog if you can't commit time and energy to it. Blogging requires a few hours of your time every week. It's better to post a new article or two to your website once a month, than to start a blog that you don't post to for weeks.

It is also important to note that you must have a plan. If you are flying by the seat of your pants, it will be challenging to build a solid writing career. Draft an informal business plan for your writing career. Create solid goals for 5- 10- and 15 years from now. You might also find that having a weekly and monthly goal plan can greatly reduce wasted time, too.

What will you do to take your writing career into your own hands this year?

You can read more terrific writing advice and tips from Hope at http://www.hopewrites.com Don't forget to sign up for the free Hope Writes newsletter while you're there: http://www.hopewrites.com/free-newsletter/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hope_Wilbanks

The Secret of Making Old Stories New Again for Blockbuster Novels and Films

2008-01-29T07:33:00.000-08:00

By Jurgen Wolff

If your script or novel has a familiar theme, how do you turn it into something fresh and original?

One solution is to brainstorm how you could use unusual characters, settings, or situations to give the story a new context.

Let's look at the classic film, "E.T." The theme of the film is love and friendship: a little boy befriends an endangered, stranded alien and risks danger to help the alien get home again. It was one of the most successful films of modern times.

The thematic elements could all have been done in a much more conventional way-for instance, the boy could have befriended another kid, maybe a foreigner, who moves into the neighborhood. For the danger element, maybe this boy's father could be trying to kidnap him to take him away from the mother, who gained sole custody.

That could have been an excellent film, but would it have had the same success? Probably not.

The ways you can refresh a familiar story include:

• Change the gender of the protagonist. It was casting a woman as the protagonist in the "Aliens" films that helped make them successful;

• Change the setting. Again, "Aliens" has been called a haunted house story-but with a spaceship as the haunted house.

• Change the expected behavior of the main character. In "Silence of the Lambs," what makes Hannibal Lector so scarily fascinating is that he's a monster, but acts like a cultured intellectual.

• Give your story echoes of current events that will resonate with viewers and readers. One master of this technique was Rod Serling, with the old "Twilight Zone." They used sci-fi metaphors for many important themes such as racism, the pressure to conform, and the concept of beauty and ugliness.

Over the ages, themes such as unrequited love, coming of age, and overcoming the fear of the unknown have maintained their resonance; what changes is how they are expressed. If you can dress up traditional themes in a new way, you are on your way to success as a writer.

Your writing coach Jurgen Wolff shows you how to achieve writing success in his new book, YOUR WRITING COACH (published by Nicholas Brealey Publishing), available now from barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com and bookstores (find more information at http://www.yourwritingcoach.com). He has written more than 100 episodes of television, six non-fiction books, short stories, articles, and plays. He is also an international creativity and writing teacher coach. More tips and techniques are available at his website: http://www.timetowrite.com, where you can also sign up for his free monthly Brainstorm e-bulletin. Also see his blog at http://www.timetowrite.blogs.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jurgen_Wolff

Are You A Writer? Do You Work From Home? Have You Tried Writer's Groups And Writer's Forums?

2008-01-29T07:31:00.000-08:00

By Michelle L Devon

Writing is a solitary job. While you may have to deal with editors, publishers, publications and the like, most of this communication is short, electronic (email, etc.), or brief phone calls and then you spend hours doing research, writing and editing, mostly alone.

Since many writers work from their home either full time or part time, or else are on the road to do reporting, there's not a lot of connection with other professionals in their field like many other careers do. Because of this, it's time consuming and difficult to stay abreast of developments in writing, the changing landscape of the literary and freelancing world, or just to be able to discuss issues pertinent to writers.

That's where networking comes into the picture for writers. Networking for a writer is essential to both sanity and career. In any field, you want to stay abreast of the competition's moves. You also want to stay in touch with other people who understand what the freelance writing life is like, share, compare and vent.

There are several ways to do this.

The first way is to read articles written by other writers about writing. There are some publications geared specifically for writers about writing, and these publications will give you hints and tips, hot topics in the industry, current issues pertaining to writing and writers, and also information about where to go for more information and collaboration.

The second way is to join a writing group, particularly a local one where you can meet once a week or once a month with other writers in your local area. These are often held at big chain bookstores, the local library, or perhaps a local coffee shop. Check with any big chain bookstores or call your library to see if they know of any groups like this. Not one in your area? Why not start one?

If in person meetings are not your cup of tea, consider online groups or writers' forums. These groups use various methods for networking and collaborating with other writers from all over the world. Some are email based groups, while some are online/web-based groups, while others offer both options. Google groups and Yahoo! groups have search features to let you narrow down the type of group or main topics of interest, such as freelancing, fiction writing, novel writing, etc.

Online writing forums are another way to go for networking and connecting with other writers. Forums offer a great way to connect, and the advantage to a forum over email groups is that forums can have many different forum topics in their own threads, consolidated on one webpage, for easy and quick access to many different topics.

Most of these groups and forums are free online, though some do charge a fee. Those that are free are often supported by advertising. Some of the in-person meetings or groups may be associations or require membership that also charges a fee. It's up to you to determine if the group provides enough value to pay a fee, or if searching for a free group or writing forum is more to your needs.

Writing doesn't have to be a solitary undertaking if you can find the right writing group or writing forum for your needs. If you're looking to network and connect with other writers or are trying to break into writing as a career, these writing groups and writing forums can make a huge difference in your success and how quickly you achieve writing success.

Michelle L Devon is a professional writer and professional freelance editor, providing editing and writing services through her company, Accentuate Services. For more information and additional hints and tips about writing and grammar, and to network and connect with other writers, please visit her FREE writer's forum at www.writersforum.info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_L_Devon

Excellence in Writing

2008-01-29T07:30:00.000-08:00

By Jason Pearson

No matter what you use the internet for, most aspects of it include writing. It may be a letter, a blog, an advertisement, a website or many other opportunities. Often these may be used to earn money so you want your writing to show excellence. Ads or websites with misspellings may chase away a potential customer. The lack of quality in your writing may turn someone off when they see it as sloppiness and not a high quality web site.

Today we have more help at our fingertips than in the past. For example, spell check is invaluable in saving you time to find misspellings. However it is not infallible. It will not correct the wrong use of a word or the wrong grammar used. It will not help you with using the appropriate punctuation. Especially when typing, our fingers fly on the keyboard and we often may make mistakes like 'you' instead of 'your' or 'an' instead of 'and'. Sometimes we mix letters up that still make legitimate words that spell check won't catch. One example is 'form' instead of 'from'.

Grammar is another area where spell check doesn't always help. Using what sounds right isn't always the best option either. Punctuation is also not usually helped by spell check either. So learning good writing is necessary when using the internet.

The best thing to do to catch misspellings after doing the spell check is to reread your work. You often will catch the missing or mixed letters or missing words. Don't submit anything without rereading and rewriting.

Grammar is where you need to know some rules. Quite often, what sounds correct will work, but not always. You need to know how to make sure the subject and verb agree in their tenses. If this is new to you, you will need to get additional help with a good reference from online or a book.

Punctuation is another area that is hard for many people. More often than not, punctuation like commas are used too often. So it is safer to avoid using them unless it helps to make the sentence clearer.

The best thing to do to make high quality writing is to reread when you are through writing. This will catch most if not all of your errors. Put yourself in the seat of the reader and see if the article makes sense. A good idea is to wait awhile before rereading. This will help you think clearer and may also help you to think of more descriptive words to use to add emotion to your writing.

Take pride in your writing when you use these suggestions that provide you with excellence in writing. It will make a difference.

Jason Pearson is an online marketing expert who wants to share his secrets with the world. To find out more...

Click Here To Discover More About Jason Pearson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Pearson

Writing Tip - First Things First

2008-01-29T07:28:00.000-08:00

By Steve Osborne

There is a good reason to be careful about the order in which you throw messages at your readers - even when no chronological significance exists. It is the reason why newspaper and business writers typically cram everything they really need to communicate into the first few sentences of their written pieces.

The rationale is simple: Most readers don't have much time; and even when they do, they don't have much patience. So when you're writing to a busy readership and you have to put certain messages across, it's best to assume you have five to 10 seconds of the readers' time before they move on. (Anything more is frosting on the cake.) So lead with what's most important!

Let's say you're writing an e-mail to all the members of the management staff in your company. The various messages (pieces of information) to be included are as follows:

1. A meeting has been scheduled for all members of the management staff.

2. Coffee and breakfast rolls will be served.

3. If time permits, we will discuss options for the company's summer party.

4. Anyone who can't come should let the director of marketing know by Thursday morning.

5. Everyone should bring ideas for product improvements.

6. The meeting will be held in the executive boardroom.

7. It will take place next Monday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

If you simply wrote out the preceding messages in the order they are listed, you would qualify for the Bonehead of the Month award. Readers who fail to wade through the entire e-mail because they are interrupted or bored to distraction will have only a vague idea about some future meeting that has something to do with breakfast rolls and the summer party.

How would you order the messages, putting first things first? If your reordered sequence runs as follows, you win the gold star:

1. A meeting has been scheduled for all members of the management staff.

2. It will take place next Monday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

3. It will be held in the executive boardroom.

4. Everyone should bring ideas for product improvements to the meeting.

5. Anyone who can't come should let the director of marketing know by Thursday morning.

6. Coffee and breakfast rolls will be served.

7. If time permits, we will discuss options for the company's summer party.

The reordered list places the messages in descending order of importance - first things first. Even those readers who run off to the water cooler before reading the last three points will have the essentials. The finished e-mail might look something like this:

A meeting has been scheduled for all members of the management staff next Monday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the executive boardroom. Bring your ideas for product improvements. If you can't come, please let the director of marketing know by Thursday morning. Coffee and breakfast rolls will be served. If time permits, we will discuss options for the company's summer party.

Steve Osborne is author of "Writing Tips for the Real World," a blog at http://www.thewritersbag.com He is an award-winning freelance writer and writing instructor. His blog teaches writing tips, techniques and strategies designed to help people from all walks of life turn the written word into a powerful success tool in their careers and personal lives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Osborne

3 Simple Shortcuts To Writing A Book

2008-01-29T07:27:00.000-08:00

By Bob Burnham

Shortcuts often have a bad connotation. They get you lost for one and they have the implication that you are cheating or not doing the full job. Baloney! When you are writing a book, shortcuts can mean the difference between publication tomorrow or publication next year. I vote for tomorrow, how about you?

Take a look at these three 'legitimate' shortcuts.

Shortcut #1.

Have you ever written anything else on the topic you are about to write on? Articles? Reports? Blog posts? If the answer is yes, grab that material. You can create a book from material you have already written. Not enough material for a 100 or 200 page book? You can still use it and supplement it with content you write or better yet, have someone else contribute to the book and fill in the gaps. A book written by you and contributed to by another expert in your field can hold significant weight in your industry and will still have all of the power to create a fantastic income.

Shortcut #2 - Hire a ghostwriter.

Seriously. There are really good writers out there that will not charge you $100/page. Before you hire a ghostwriter it is important to decide how you want to work with them. Do you want them to do the research and outline the book in addition to writing it or will you do the research and outline and simply have them fill in the content? Will you record your thoughts and have the writer transcribe them and polish them into a book?

Once you know how you want to approach your book project, you are ready to find your ghostwriter. You can post your project on Craigslist, check with your local chamber of commerce to see if there are any writers registered, and take advantage of the numerous freelance websites available online like Elance. These sites enable you to post your project and have qualified writers bid on it.

Shortcut #3 - Interview people.

No time to write? Schedule interviews with people who have something valuable to share on your topic and record the interviews. Of course, tell your interviewees the purpose of their interview and get their permission. You can then take the recorded interviews, send them to a transcriptionist and then either hire a writer/editor to smooth the content into book form or leave them as is (making sure all typos and grammar mistakes are corrected). You will probably want to add an introduction, conclusion and maybe some resource material at the end of the book to add value and continuity but that does not take long and you can hire that work out too.

So you see, writing a book does not have to be overwhelming. You do not even have to 'write' it. Regardless of how your book is created, you will see tremendous benefits from getting it published and making it available to prospects and customers. Writing a book will change your life.

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Bob Burnham
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For Information on How to Write and Publish your Own Book go to Expert Author- http://www.expertauthorpublishing.com

Read More On: Writing A Book

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Freelance Writers Wanted - For the Internet - No Experience Required

2008-01-29T07:25:00.000-08:00

By Jorge Chavez

The Internet continues to grow by leaps and bounds. There is a tremendous need for written content to post on the Net, to increase the importance (ranking) of websites, to inform buyers, to promote products. Webmasters who could write their own material are desperate to outsource the writing work so they can do other things.

All this has led to something of a boom, a spurt in demand that is hard to satisfy. There is no experience needed. In fact, traditional writers are at somewhat of a disadvantage because most of what they "know" about writing does not apply on the Internet. People just starting have nothing to unlearn...

If you can write in simple, clear English at the 6th to 9th grade level, then you can make a living writing for the web. The emphasis is not on literary excellence but on clarity and readability, fast. The freelance writers wanted for Internet work easily turn out basic 350-500 word articles in less than half an hour.

Quality articles, requiring research, take longer of course, and pay more. Basic articles may go for $5 to $10 each, depending on size and the quantity of articles contracted. Quality articles may go for $20 to $35 each.

Overhead is low; there is no commuting, no office to pay for. All a freelance writer needs is a computer, an Internet connection and a PayPal account to receive payments into. Work is by contract, usually part on deposit up front, the balance on delivery and acceptance of the work.

There are several freelance "Bulletin Board", websites that serve as meeting places for buyers and sellers. Buyers hoping to find the freelance writers wanted for their projects. Freelance writers scanning the project proposals looking for work assignments. Contacts are made and offers are posted.

Counter offers are made, negotiated, agreed upon. Work is done, paid for and the cycle repeats. Good work, done on time and as agreed, is noted. Business relationships are built and many contracts are repeat work, privately negotiated, without competition

Articles, reports, e-books are written on the freelancer's computer, sent out by e-mail. Payments are handled by electronic transfer via PayPal. Buyers and sellers never meet face-to-face, may in fact be in different countries, working in different time zones. It is pure electronic e-commerce at its best...

The search is on; offers are out: "Freelance Writers Wanted...". If you would like to know more, follow the links below...

For more info on how to get paid to write online, visit: Freelance Writers Wanted

For a variety of money-making writing resources, visit: Resources to Make Money Writing on the Web

Jorge Chavez is an experienced writer, author and Internet marketer at: http://www.makemoneywriting-site.com/Jorge_Chavez.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jorge_Chavez

How to Write a Book - Tip #4, The Inciting Incident

2008-01-29T07:24:00.000-08:00

By Latham Shinder

The nonfiction bestseller Blink by Malcolm Gladwell opens with curators at the J. Paul Getty Museum being scammed for $10 million while purchasing a sixteenth century BC sculpture, known as a kouros. The Tin Roof Blowdown, a novel by James Lee Burke, opens with a priest standing on a roof of a shack in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, trying to save the people trapped in the attic, as the full force of Hurricane Katrina bares down on him. Both books begin with a dramatic opening, or what screenwriters call the inciting incident.

The inciting incident is the first major incident in the telling. It's the cause of all that follows, and if you want your readers to keep reading, it's critical that you begin with a single extraordinary event. Typically an event that happens to your protagonist or is caused by the protagonist. I'm not talking about contrived action scenes or overexagerated promises. I am talking about beginning your book with a story, anecdote, or event that upsets the balance of forces within your story.

In the Blink of an Eye

Malcolm Gladwell's subtitle to Blink is The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. By opening with a $10 million art scam, rather than explaining exactly what he means by thinking without thinking, we follow the story of Federico Zeri, an art historian and a member of Getty's board of trustees. Zeri finds himself staring at the statue's fingernails. Though a dozen experts had signed off on the kouros-geologists had taken core samples of the statue and analyzed the marble under an electron microscope, electron microbe, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, etc.-according to Zeri, something didn't look right.

Then we meet Evelyn Harrison, an expert on Greek sculpture, who knew the statue was a fake the moment she saw it. In a way, Blink is about why our hunches usually turn out to be true. Malcolm Gladwell might be the master of show don't tell. He doesn't begin his book by telling us how bright he is. He doesn't wow us with facts. He doesn't try to convince us he's right. What he does is tell us a story. A story about high-powered people being duped-experts with PhDs, and museum curators blinded by fame, and harebrained lawyers. In other words, he tells us a story we can't put down.

Excite Me, and Do It Fast

We've come to expect an exciting opening from mystery and suspense novels like James Lee Burke's Tin Roof Blowdown. Burke starts by putting us smack in the middle of Hurricane Katrina. A storm, as Burke describes it, "...with greater impact than the bomb blast that struck Hiroshima and peeled the face off southern Louisiana." It's only after we've been sucked into the book that he concentrates more intensely on his characters' inner lives than on the havoc around them.

Whether you write nonfiction or fiction, it's important that you create an inciting incident that throws your characters out of balance in a way that arouses in your readers, and your characters, the desire to restore that balance. Do that, and you've got your readers just where you want them. Reading.

Latham Shinder is author of The Graffiti Sculptor and founder of Shinder Consulting, a network of professionals who provide writing, editing, and proposal management services for organizations and individuals. Visit Latham at www.thegraffitisculptor.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Latham_Shinder

Creating Time to Write

2008-01-29T07:22:00.000-08:00

By Shannon Evans

Making time to write is really difficult in our intrusive modern world. The siren song of email beckons us to respond to its 'in your face' immediacy. Blackberries chirp and ding in public places like a chorus of obnoxious magpies in discordant harmony. Telephone, email, and people clamor for my attention all day long. If only I could find some peaceful downtime I might be able to make time to write.

The technologies we surround ourselves with are all actually useful tools that we can manipulate to make our lives richer, more convenient, etc. However, when that same technology begins instead to manipulate us, then it ceases to be useful and becomes a distraction. How did this happen? How did our society become obsessed with email, texting, and instant messaging? Simply take a teenagers cell phone away even for a day and watch them go into a rage faster than a drug addict hauled off to a detox unit.

The technological breakthroughs of the last 25 years in communication are mind boggling. The fact that I can sit at my computer Washington and have a live camera conversation with a good friend who is sitting on her balcony in front of her computer in Singapore blows me away!

Even with all the nano-technology out there, no one has quite figured out a formula for generating more time to write and be creative. It is interesting that the only way to actually create more useful available time requires the lowest level of available technology. This technology predates the cell phone and the computer itself. The easiest way to create more time for writing is merely a function of the earliest technological breakthrough of the Industrial Revolution: The ON-OFF switch.

So simple but so hard to use... but you owe it to yourself to develop the discipline to disconnect and start writing. Turn off the phone, turn off the email, turn off the instant messenger, and make the time to write.

• Your time is incredibly valuable
• Commit in writing to write
• Put your writing schedule in your calendar...in ink!
• Get organized before sitting down to write - time spent researching is not writing time

You have to schedule down-time for writing much like you schedule time at the gym and doctor appointments. Let people who matter know that you are not available at that time daily. Block out at least 90-120 minutes per day to dedicate to your writing craft.

Make a contract with yourself to write X hours per week or X number of pages per week. Create a viable plan that produces a measurable output. Start small and build more goals for time and output as you become more disciplined in your writing schedule.

Get a wall calendar and a day planner and schedule time for your writing. You and your writing are important. Make the time to write articles, blog entries, or your next chapter.

Writing with discipline and purpose can be hard at first but over time it becomes an ingrained personal routine. But beware! Writing regularly can become as addictive as email, IM, and texting.

Shannon Evans, senior editor and owner of http://www.mywritingmentor.com lives with her best friend Rick on Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound just a "ferry ride from Seattle." She maintains two blogs:
http://www.authormarketingtools.wordpress.com
http://www.mywritingmentor.wordpress.com

She works with her two Labrador assistant editors, Mocha and Luke, and her feline copy edit assistants, Caesar and Yoda. Shannon is widely recognized as one of the top writing coaches for non-fiction authors. With over 17 years teaching composition and technical writing to native and non-native English speaking students she knows how to help every writer make every word count.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Evans

How to Select a Writing Forum - Five Practical Tips

2008-01-29T06:54:00.000-08:00

By Michelle L Devon

Writers work alone, for the most part, with nothing but their computer, pad and pen to keep them company while tapping out or scribbling their next masterpiece or article. Writing as a career can isolate the writer, particularly if one is freelance writing and working out of their home.

One way to stay abreast of current trends in the writing world and learn more about what's hot with writing is to network and connect with other writers. There are so many different writers' forums and writing groups on the internet though that it is hard to determine which are going to work for you.

Let's look at some of the features you should consider when deciding which writers forum or writers group is right for you.

How to Select a Writing Forum Tip #1: Cost

Some forums charge a fee for membership while others are free. There are plenty of writing forums on the internet that do not charge a fee that it's best to try to find a free forum that suits your needs. However, if the forum offers a special feature that appeals to your specific needs, then a fee-based forum might work for you. Also, be sure to watch the writing forums that are free. Some of them use high volume advertising to support the forum, and this might not be to your liking.

How to Select a Writing Forum Tip #2: Genre and Style

If you're a fiction writer, you won't find a lot of useful information for your writing on a forum for non-fiction writers. Whatever your primary writing style is, that's what you want to be sure there is a thread of forum for which can benefit you. A good writing forum will likely have more than one focus on writing style and genre. This is the best type of forum to find, since your writing and focus can change over time, and a writing forum that can grow with you is the best place to start.

How to Select a Writing Forum Tip #3: Know your Purpose

What is your purpose in finding a writing forum? Do you want positive and uplifting encouragement or hard hitting critiques and critical feedback? Figure out what you want from a writing forum, from information and support to critical assessments and critiques, and then watch the forum for a few weeks before you join. This way, you can see if a forum has something that suits your needs.

How to Select a Writing Forum Tip #4: Size of the Membership

Bigger is not always better, but too small may mean little activity or participation. Some people are overwhelmed by forums with large, active memberships and feel that it's too cliquish to ever break into the posting. Others prefer the anonymity of a larger forum. Perhaps a small, cozy and friendly forum is more your cup of tea, or maybe you'd enjoy being a founding member of a new and growing forum.

Again, watch the participation for a few weeks before you jump in and test the waters and you'll get an idea of how big of a writing forum you like and is comfortable for you.

How to Select a Writing Forum Tip #5: Format and Ease of Use

Some writing forums look fantastic but are hard to navigate, while some simple looking writing forums are much easier to use. To use a defunct writing cliché, don't judge a book by its cover, or in this case, don't judge a writing forum by its appearance. Fancy colors and flash and animations might draw your attention and be appealing in the beginning, but could be the very thing that distracts and frustrates you after using the writing forum daily.

These are just a five tips to help you select a writing forum for your needs to help keep you connected with other writers and stay abreast of trends and information in the writing and literary world. The best tip of all for choosing a writers' forum is to just observe the forum for a time and see if you feel compelled to comment, respond or participate, and then if you do, figure out how easy it is to do so. If the forum passes all your initial tests, then register for it and have fun! After all, no one says you have to limit yourself to just one writing forum!

Michelle L Devon is a professional writer and professional freelance editor, providing editing and writing services through her company, Accentuate Services For more information and additional hints and tips about writing and grammar, and to network and connect with other writers, please visit her FREE writer's forum at www.writersforum.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_L_Devon

Amazing Article Writing - 6 Fast Steps to Excel with Article Writing

2008-01-24T07:31:00.000-08:00

By Sean R Mize

This article aims to provide you with six fast steps that can help you produce effective internet articles that are not only useful to your target audience, but can also help you rank better on major search engines.

1. Carefully choose your topics. The best topics that you should write about are the issues that have major impact on your target market. Help your readers understand the causes, contributing factors, and possible remedy (offer your products or services) to their pressing issues.

2. Learn the ropes of SEO. This doesn't pertain to the appropriate use of keywords alone; it also requires you to learn about title tags, keywords density, meta tags, etc. so your articles will fare well on search result page.

3. Make your articles content-rich. Steer clear from using fillers and focus on giving your readers with relevant, useful information. Make sure that you present all pertinent data that have impact on your story so your readers will not miss out anything.

4. Your articles must be grammatically correct. Check your tenses, subject-verb agreement, sentence construction, etc. before you post your articles. Remember, you would like your readers to trust you and the best way to achieve that is by giving them articles that are error-free.

5. Connect your readers to your article content. Cite an example or story that your potential readers can easily relate to. This is an effective way to make them feel that you truly understand where they are coming from.

6. End your articles with a brief summary. Make your articles memorable by giving your readers brief, compelling summaries. In this section, you can highlight the important points that you have raised on your articles to make sure that they will not be easily forgotten by your readers.

To learn more, download my free guide, "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" here: "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online"

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Best Article Writing - 7 Compelling Methods to Explode Your Article Writing

2008-01-24T07:30:00.000-08:00

By Sean R Mize

Are you looking for tips that can help you become an effective article writer? This article aims to provide you with 7 compelling methods to explode your article writing.

1. Perform a market research. Learn about your target niche and the needs of your potential audience. The more you know about these crucial elements, the more effective you will become in writing highly targeted articles.

2. Pick the most appropriate topics. The best topics to write about are the issues, causes, and remedies of your potential client's problems. Remember, the best way to earn the trust of your readers is to let them know that you truly understand their problems and that you can offer them great solutions.

3. Be credible. If you want your readers to believe everything you say and follow your recommendations, you must be able to project credibility and professionalism on your articles. You can easily do so by showcasing your knowledge on your chosen field and writing articles that are factual and error-free.

4. Know how to capture the interest of your target readers. Make use of attention-grabbing titles so you can effectively entice online users to open and read your articles. You can then sustain their interest by presenting them informative and interesting content.

5. Be specific. Focus your content on one central theme and avoid introducing ideas that are not related on your topic to avoid confusing your readers.

6. Take charge. Use powerful words to direct or move your readers to take action that is favorable to your business. You can ask them to make a purchase, subscribe to your list, fill up surveys, etc.

7. Deliver your ideas with conviction. Eliminate words that make you sound uncertain about the information that you present. Some of these words are maybe, perhaps, might, etc.

To learn more, download my free guide, "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" here: "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online"

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Lucrative Article Writing - Revealed - 4 Easy Secrets to Amplify Your Article Writing

2008-01-24T07:28:00.000-08:00

By Sean R Mize

While some people can write article without breaking a sweat, there are more individuals who are having a hard time putting their ideas into word. This can be a major setback especially if you are running a website, as the best web promotion these days includes writing contents.

However, there is no need to fret. In this article, I will share some easy secrets so you can effectively amplify your article writing:

1. The first step that you need to take is to identify the topics that you would like to write about. It would help if you can stick with those that you are very knowledgeable about or an expert on.

2. Research. Once you have chosen your topics, do your research by reading relevant articles on the internet or by reading books. Take note of all the ideas that you would like to include on your articles and present them in bullet list. Keep all the links to your resources as you can use these to back up your claims.

3. Start your article by giving it a great title. Your title will guide you on how you will develop your article story. It can be focused on one side of the story or you can opt to present all angles if you want your readers to better understand your topic. Make your title attention-grabbing so you can effectively move online users to read the entirety of your article.

4. Writing the content. Start your article with a brief introduction explaining what is the article is all about and what readers can expect to get from it. Then expound all the ideas that you have listed, allotting one paragraph for each. Make sure that you present the information in a logical manner so your articles will appear coherent.

To learn more, download my free guide, "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" here: "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online"

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Profitable Article Writing - Discover 4 Great Secrets to Jumpstart Your Article Writing

2008-01-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

By Sean R Mize

Article writing is currently the number one internet marketing tool for most webmasters as it is proven to be the most efficient yet cost-effective way of driving online users to a particular website. When you write articles, you effectively maximize your website exposure that can lead to better search engine position and increased page views.

1. Be knowledgeable. In order to produce a good article, you must be an expert or at least be familiar with the topic that you are about to write. You can equip yourself with valuable information by doing extensive research either offline or online before you write your articles to make them content-rich and useful to your readers.

2. List down the major points of your topic. Let say, you are writing about "How to Make Money Online", you can cite the various methods to generate cash over the world wide web such as article writing, affiliate marketing, or blogging. Then you can expound on these ideas and teach your readers how they can earn money through these techniques.

3. Give your articles good titles. Your headlines must have the ability to pique your potential readers' interest so they will be enticed to open your articles. Some of the great characteristics of a good title are the following: Direct to the point, brief, keyword-rich, and communicates the gist of the article content.

4. Make use of inverted pyramid technique in presenting your ideas. This is the best way to get a hold of your readers' interest once they start reading your articles. Place the most important information on your first paragraph to further entice your readers to read the article until the end.

To learn more, download my free guide, "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" here: "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online"

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Fast Article Writing - Discover 5 Intriguing Ways to Make Money with Article Writing

2008-01-24T07:24:00.000-08:00

By Sean R Mize

While there are so many people who are reaping great rewards from utilizing article writing as their promotional tool, there are still some who greatly fail on this technique. Why? Some of them are writing articles just because they would like to generate inbound links for their website and don't consider the quality of content they provide to online users. If you would like to succeed in this technique, you must be genuinely interested in offering valuable information to your potential clients to either help solve their pressing issues or teach them new skill.

Here are the intriguing ways to make more money with article writing:

1. Make your articles sound confident and powerful. Relay your ideas with strong conviction and steer clear from using passive voice that weakens your message. Use strong, simple verbs that appeal to the senses of most online users. These words help your potential clients visualize your ideas to better understand your points.

2. Create an outline. To make your writing well-guided, list down all the major points that you would like to discuss on your article. By doing so, you can arrange and organize your ideas so you can present them in a logical manner.

3. Keep your articles short. Stick with 300-500 word articles as they are preferred by most online users. Strike out any word that does not help you in getting your message across to make your articles concise and direct to the point.

4. Use simple language and conversational tone when writing your articles. These are two of the great elements that you can use to make sure that your readers will fully understand your points and enjoy reading your articles.

5. Forget your love for big words. Avoid using complicated, hard to understand words on your articles as these can greatly frustrate your readers. Remember, your readers must not need a dictionary just to understand your points.

To learn more, download my free guide, "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" here: "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online"

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Amazing Article Writing - Latest 4 Maximum Methods to Supercharge Your Article Writing

2008-01-24T07:22:00.000-08:00

By Sean R Mize

Today, becoming a recognized expert on your chosen field cannot get easier. All you need to do is put your knowledge into writing so you can effectively convince your potential readers that you are really good on what you do. When you are able to produce articles that mirror your expertise, credibility, and professionalism, you will easily develop great readership that might be converted to buying clients.

Here are the 4 maximum methods to supercharge your article writing:

1. Identify the article formats that are preferred by most online users. The internet contains billions of articles but only 1/4 of them are actually being read. Based on researches and studies, online users are particularly comfortable reading "How-to" and "10 tips" types of articles. This brings good news to most writers as these types of articles are easier and quicker to write. All you need to do is write an introductory paragraph and enumerate your ideas or tips in bulleted or number lists, it's that easy!

2. Know your readers. Are you writing your articles for men or women alone? Is your information suitable to kids, teenagers, or adults? Is your content targeted to professionals, students, or single parents? The more you know about your target readers, the better you can adjust your writing style, your choice of words, and the kind of information to write about to fit their needs.

3. Never exaggerate. Stick to the facts and never interpret them to avoid misleading your readers. Also, steer clear from frequently using words such as ground-breaking, world-changing event, life or death situation, etc. they make your articles sound too good to be true.

4. Be prompt. To become more popular online, strive to be the first one to deliver time-sensitive information that are highly relevant to your target niche.

To learn more, download my free guide, "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" here: "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online"

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Profitable Article Writing - Uncover 6 Outstanding Methods to Amplify Your Article Writing

2008-01-24T07:20:00.000-08:00

By Sean R Mize

Looking for tips on how you can effectively amplify your article writing? These 6 outstanding methods can help you produce impressive articles:

1. Determine your topics. If you are running a website, you can pick topics that are closely related to your products and services that you offer. You can also talk about your business as a whole or about the industry where it belongs to. If however, you are writing articles for distribution, write about the pressing issues being faced by your potential clients so you can present your products as solution to their problems.

2. Perform keyword analysis. There are various free software online that can help you identify the keywords that are frequently search for by your target market. Pick the most used keywords and incorporate them on your articles to make them highly searchable online.

3. Use simple language. To easily get your message across, use the language that your readers can easily identify with. Also, use the simplest words to avoid confusing your readers.

4. Write in a conversational tone. Write as if you are talking to a friend and avoid making your articles sound like a research paper or lecture from a college professor. Make it upbeat by incorporating jokes or humorous quotes whenever possible. You can also occasionally ask your readers some questions that are answerable by yes or no to subtly connect them with your article content.

5. Set your boundaries. In writing articles, you must know how to effectively calibrate the information that you will present on your content so you can avoid introducing ideas that may either complicate your topic or confuse your readers.

6. Enjoy writing. Don't force yourself to write when you are suffering from writer's block or an emotional turmoil as the quality of your articles will be greatly affected.

To learn more, download my free guide, "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" here: "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online"

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Targeted Article Writing - Announcing 5 Practical Secrets to Impact Your Article Writing

2008-01-24T07:19:00.000-08:00

By Sean R Mize

If you think that article writing is solely for those who have the flair for it, you are wrong. Writing, just like any other skill can be learned and perfected through constant practice and determination.

Here are the 5 practical secrets to impact your article writing:

1. Establish your topic. Determine the angle of story that you would like to write about and stick to it. For instance, if you are writing about "Ways to Earn Money Online", stick to the ideas that will teach your readers on how to profit through the World Wide Web. Avoid presenting related ideas that will affect the direction of your content such as the history of the internet, applicable tax on your passive income, etc. You can create separate articles for these topics to avoid making your articles sound like a collection of random thoughts.

2. Deliver time-sensitive information promptly. Be a good source of hot information by being the first one to report about new stories that are highly relevant to your target niche.

3. Solicit feedback. Before your post your articles online, have them checked by either an expert writer or professional editor to effectively minimize the errors. You can also solicit comments and suggestions from your readers to make your content more targeted.

4. Punctuate properly. Avoid using too many exclamation points as they make your articles sound either angry or desperate for attention. Be particular in using commas, question marks, and periods as they can alter your message when they are used incorrectly.

5. Follow universal article writing format. Winning articles follow this typical format: Attention-grabbing title, detailed introductory paragraph where you can present either a problem or your goal in writing the article, great content that fulfills the promise you have made on your title, and a brief summary.

To learn more, download my free guide, "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" here: "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online"

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Powerful Article Writing - Uncover 5 Rewarding Steps to Grow Your Article Writing

2008-01-24T07:17:00.000-08:00

By Sean R Mize

Are you looking for ways on how you can effectively multiply the number of your articles to get more inbound links for your website and obtain improved exposure online? In this article, I will uncover the 5 rewarding steps that you can easily use to grow your article writing:

1. Write about topics that you are very familiar with. This will eliminate the need for extensive research that requires a lot of time. Pick topics that are closely related to your hobbies, interests, expertise, or profession. This will not only make your article writing much easier and quicker for you, but more importantly, you will also enjoy writing them.

2. Stick to "10 Tips" and "How To" formats. These are the easiest types of article to write. You just need to outline your ideas, thoughts, and collected data and present them using bullet or numbered list.

3. Spend more time writing. If you would like to increase the number of your output, you must be willing to extend your working hours. Spend at least 2 additional hours per day writing your articles and you will surely be able to produce at least 20 articles per week.

4. Rewrite articles. There are so many articles online that maybe related to your target niche. You can rewrite these by changing their words to avoid content duplication but keep the idea the same. Rewriting existing articles is much quicker than creating fresh content.

5. Hire ghostwriters. If your schedule does not permit you to write more articles, you can hire ghostwriters anytime. Although this strategy will cost you $5-$12 per article, you will own the copyright and you will get the credit as you can post the articles under your name.

To learn more, download my free guide, "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" here: "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online"

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Profitable Article Writing - Announcing 4 Persuasive Ways to Advance with Article Writing

2008-01-24T06:59:00.000-08:00

By Sean R Mize

Article writing is currently the quickest and easiest way to build quality inbound links for your website or blog that can lead to improved exposure and increased page views. Well-written articles can be your most effective tools in convincing your potential clients to trust you and follow your recommendations so you can generate great sales potentials.

Here are the 4 persuasive ways to advance with article writing:

1. Secure a good search engine placement for your articles by inserting frequently searched keywords on your content. Before you create your draft, be sure to check the keywords that are usually searched for by your target market and incorporate them on your content. This will make your articles search engine-friendly.

2. Your articles should be easy on the eyes. Reading articles on computer monitor can be straining on the eyes. To help you readers, make your articles short and leave several white blank spaces in between your ideas. It would also help if you can present each of your points using one short paragraph for each.

3. Records your ideas. If you want your articles to sound conversational, use a tape recorder when capturing your ideas and thoughts. This is a great way to ensure that your articles will sound spontaneous and upbeat.

4. Your articles must be well-written. Your ideas must be presented in a light and clear manner so your readers will easily grasp the points you are trying to get across. Make sure that your articles flow well by connecting your ideas that you present on each of your sentences. Also, make it a habit to proofread your articles manually to effectively eliminate errors that can easily annoy readers like grammar, spelling, punctuation, and factual errors.

To learn more, download my free guide, "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online" here: "How to Generate $15,000 Per Month Online"

Sean Mize is an internet marketing mentor who teaches people to generate over $15,000 per month online via automated systems and product funnels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_R_Mize

Preventing Writer's Block

2008-01-24T06:57:00.000-08:00

By Nicole Powell

Have you been a victim of writer's block? Just imagine, you are half way through completing a writing assignment and your mind suddenly decides to take "time out". Well, this happens quite frequently and will affect writers of any age and status.

As a writer there are some external factors that you will have to take into consideration. Where are you working from, are you relaxed, do you work better in a secluded office, can you work in an atmosphere that is prone to noise or traffic, or do you prefer to scribble on paper and then to a central processing unit?

To reduce writers' block you must aim at becoming more organized. The first thing you will need to do is to pool your ideas on a given subject matter. The intention is for you to brainstorm as many points as possible on the topic in focus. You will then use your strongest points to strengthen your writing.

Choosing a work area that is attuned to your comfort, will definitely get you going, while you strive to keep your thoughts on what is pleasing and positive. Always tell yourself that you have what it takes to become the best writer possible. Replace negative thoughts about your inabilities, with positive and encouraging ones.

Sometimes you will have to put the pen down, take a break, and return with a clear mind, that is overflowing with ideas. It is important that you do something that really relaxes you, listen to something inspirational, or take deep breaths. You must endeavor to engage in an activity that will leave you invigorated.

The break feels good, but do not get too comfortable. Do not drop your writing for more than one (1) day at a time. Strive to stay on top of things and nourish your mind with fresh ideas and good thoughts.

It is imperative that you organize yourself, remember that once you set the ground work, everything else will fall into place. To that end you will be more relaxed and your thoughts will flow more freely.

Submitted by: Nicole Powell,
Want to learn more about writing? Go to http://www.english-bizniz.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Powell

The Art of Choosing Your Readers

2008-01-24T06:55:00.000-08:00

By Persia Walker

Writers need and want to have feedback. It's an important part of the process, that process of polishing and rewriting that can make even the boldest, most disciplined writer cringe. And it's the part where family, friends, acquaintances and sometimes even strangers can become an integral part of the "writer's team."

When people think about a writer's team, they often think of the agent, editor, contract attorney or publicist. Not many think of those individuals who step back and let a writer write when he needs to be writing, and step forward when he not only needs support but supportive critique. Few think about the readers, the guinea pigs, the brave souls who agree to set aside valuable time, read (or re-read) an unfinished work, and share their unvarnished opinion.

There is an art to choosing readers. There are questions to be asked. "Does this person read a lot? Does he read books in my genre? Have a discerning mind? Does he possess strong analytical skills and is he able to give solid constructive criticism? Is analysis one of his strengths to begin with? Is he astute enough to recognize my 'voice' when reading my work, and believe in me well enough not to think I should sound like someone else?"

Your circle of readers should include people who share your socio-economic background, profession, or tastes, whether it be in literature, sports, or ice cream. But the circle must also include those who differ from you significantly. The first group can provide critique from the point of view of those "in the know." The second can give you insight into the universality of your story.

I recently read a remarkable manuscript about a young girl of mixed heritage who is growing up under strict parentage in the Caribbean. Before passing it to me, the writer had given the manuscript to a reader who is white and Irish. The reader said she identified with the main character's struggle for personal development because it reflected issues that she too had faced, issues that surpassed ethnicity, nationality and geographic location. "It made me feel very good that she connected (with the story) in so many ways," the writer said. She also handed her story to a male reader, who saw enough of the human story in it to enjoy it and not simply dismiss it as "women's literature."

So try to have a diverse group of readers. It's good to have at least three; better to have four. After all, people do get busy. The most important thing is to have people who really do love to read, who are passionate about it, and to have people who respect and support your efforts as a writer. Please avoid naysayers and dream-killers.

All of this sounds obvious, doesn't it? The need to have readers and how to choose them. But over at Gentle Pen, we've been surprised at how little thought some writers put into selecting their readers. They haphazardly ask spouses, parents, folks they've run into. The results can be disappointing at best, hurtful and damaging at worst. So think before you ask someone to read your work and choose wisely.

Persia Walker, a former news writer for The Associated Press, is the award-winning author of HARLEM REDUX and DARKNESS AND THE DEVIL BEHIND ME. Visit her online at http://www.persiawalker.com

She is also senior editor at Gentle Pen Editorial Services http://www.gentlepen.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Persia_Walker

How to Schedule Your Time When You're Writing A Book

2008-01-24T06:52:00.000-08:00

By Bobbi Linkemer

Writing a book, even a small one, takes time. The first two questions are how much time do you have? And how are you going to allocate it? This is the point where you may feel more than a little overwhelmed by the task ahead. Take a few deep breaths -- inhale, exhale ... inhale, exhale. No kidding. Do it. Inhale, exhale. OK, now sit down, and make a list of everything you have to write, starting with the title and ending with the author's bio on the back cover.

Your Writing Plan

For the front and back covers, you will need your title and subtitle, a brief descriptive paragraph about the book, your bio, and a couple of powerful endorsements, which you won't have until the book is written. Skip the copyright page for now. The publisher, whoever that might be, will supply it later. You will write the preface... introduction... acknowledgments .. index... bibliography... and appendices after you finish the heart of the book. The table of contents are already done (if you wrote a book proposal). The chapters, of course, are going to take the most time and concentration.

Next, write down these dates:

- Today's date

- Deadline for each chapter

- Deadline for each section of "front matter" (preface, introduction acknowledgments)

- Deadline for each section of "back matter" (index, bibliography, appendices)

- Deadline for first draft

- Deadline for revisions & second draft

- Deadline for final draft

- Deadline for edited copy

- Deadline for revisions & third draft

- Deadline for copy edited copy

- Deadline for revisions & final draft

- Drop-dead deadline for copy-edited, proofread, ready-to-go-to-the-publisher-or-printer manuscript

Setting deadlines

The deadlines may be those you set for yourself or those set for you by a publisher. In either case, they are sacrosanct. The time between today's date and when you plan to have your first draft complete is all the time you have. Everything on the list, from front cover to index, if you choose to write them, must fit in that time frame. You already know that the chapters are the heart of the book, but the preface and introduction are every bit as important. Remember, the former is personal, and the latter is informative. Be sure to give them the proper tone.

Working backwards

Starting from the deadline for the first draft, work backwards to determine exactly how much time you have, what has to be done, and how long each segment will take. Set mini-deadlines for yourself for each segment, and block them out on a large calendar. Be realistic. If it can't be done in the time allotted, something has to be changed, and it may be your deadline. If you are self-publishing, you can move your own deadlines; if you are working with a conventional publisher, deadlines can be negotiated. When they are impossible, you have a right to say so ... before you sign the contract.

Facing facts

Setting deadlines isn't easy, but it is essential if you're serious about writing a book. You must know how long the process will take and whether what you have to do can be done in the time you have. If it can't be done, face reality. Trying to do the impossible is a recipe for frustration and failure. If, on the other hand, you can do it with good planning and self-discipline, you will feel a sense of relief. The facts are clear; you have faced them head on; and you know you are up to the challenge. The rest is up to you.

Bobbi Linkemer is a ghostwriter, book-writing coach, and editor. She is also the author of 14 books. Bobbi has been a professional writer for 40 years, a magazine editor and journalist, and a book-writing teacher. Her clients range from Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurs who want to enhance their credibility and build their businesses. Her articles on writing regularly appear on ezinearticles.com and other top online article sites. Visit her Website at: http://www.WriteANonfictionBook.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobbi_Linkemer

Writing Business Memos - 5 Simple Keys to Successful Memos

2008-01-24T06:50:00.000-08:00

By Lynda Goldman

Do you struggle to write business memos? Are you unsure of the different styles of business memos, or what is appropriate? The biggest problem with writing a memo is knowing what to write, and knowing the correct format.

Here are 5 simple keys to success:

1. Internal communication: Memos are used for internal communication, and are sent to colleagues and co-workers. They can be directed to a few specific people, but often address a group, team or department. Memos are best for announcing information such as policy changes, persuading people to take action such as attending a meeting, or presenting goals or expectations.

2. Specific format: Memos are less formal than letters, but they have a specific format. They are generally short, with one to four sentences. A longer format might have several paragraphs but should never be longer than one page. If you need to communicate more information it is better to write a report.

Use the standard format that your company provides, or check some guides for standard formats. You don't need a salutation or a closing statement.

3. Action-oriented: These documents that make things happen within an organization. They manage day-to-day arrangements such as requests, procedures and agreements. For example, they are frequently used to confirm a conversation or agreement, request information, or to announce a change in work procedure.

4. Single point: The topic should be narrow and apparent immediately. A good memo summarizes facts, analyzes pertinent issues, or makes a recommendation and supports it. The goal is to be brief, and to make your point quickly, clearly and effectively. Be factual, and use a positive or neutral tone.

5. Public property: A memo is not private. It becomes the property of the person who receives it. Don't write anything that you wouldn't say in person. Avoid emotionally charged issues, and anything that you don't want to have broadcasted to the public.

You are invited to use these tips to increase your communication skills.

You're also invited to receive a free report: "Breakthrough Communication Skills" packed with powerful tips for business success, at http://www.ImpressforSuccess.com when you join my Communication Capsules newsletter.

For examples of business memo formats, check out "How to Write a Persuasive Business Memo," a simple How-to Guide that gives you immediate results. http://www.goldmansmythe.com/howto.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynda_Goldman

Finding An Agent And Getting Your Book Published

2008-01-24T06:45:00.000-08:00

By Scott Hughes

Scott Hughes is a webmaster, writer, and activist. He owns and operates many websites, blogs, and online discussion forums. ...

Many people want to write a book and have it published. However, very few ever have a successful book published. Just like "making it big" in any art form, becoming a rich or famous author takes a lot of hard work, talent, and perseverance.

To get a book published, you first need to find a literary agent. You do this by sending query letters to agents. Generally, you want to write a short, concise, one-page letter telling the agent about yourself and the book you want to write. You also probably want to tell the agent about how you found him or her. You can find agents in various directories; try doing a Google search.

If your query interests an agent, the agent will then ask to see an outline or synopsis of the book. Such a synopsis needs to follow strict rules regarding formal outlines, so you will need to learn how to write one if you do not already know. You probably want to write the outline even if an agent has not asked for it yet. That way you will have it ready when an agent wants it.

Most agents will only consider an offer exclusively. In other words, each agent will want you to send your synopsis to him or her only while he or she makes a decision. So when you send an agent your synopsis, tell the agent that you will not send it to any other agents until you receive a response. You also probably want to set a time limit for the agent to send you a response in case the agent takes too long or does not respond at all.

Remember, you may have to query a lot of agents before one shows interest. And you may have to send your synopsis to a lot of agents before one decides to represent you.

Once an agent decides to represent you, they will try to get a publisher to agree to publish your book. The agent will work out the details of the agreement with the publisher, but you will have the final decision of whether or not to accept what the publisher offers.

The publisher will generally pay you an advance to write your book, assuming you have not written it already. Writing the book will also entail working with editors. You will go through many drafts and make a lot of revisions before you have the final manuscript.

Once you already have an agent and a publisher, the agent will help you understand the rest of the process. The agent makes money based on your success, so the agent will want to help you succeed.

During the entire process, most importantly, you want to remember that most agents do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Start with a query letter, and prepare for a lot of rejection. You may have to go through nearly 50 agents before you come close to signing your novel.

Whatever you do, good luck and have fun!

Scott Hughes owns and manages an internet-based book club for readers. You can discuss books and writing at the Book and Reading Forums. It's completely free. You can ask any questions that you have about authoring and publishing there.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Hughes

Revive Your Work-In-Progress - Sure-fire Remedies for a Lackluster Manuscript

2008-01-24T06:44:00.000-08:00

By Lucia Zimmitti

Is your work-in-progress feeling blah? Tired? Dishwater dull? Read on to discover practical tips for injecting your work with excitement and electricity -- the antidote to manuscript malaise.

5 pick-me-ups for a so-so manuscript:

Boost the pacing.

Delete all the boring parts (which includes anything that's not absolutely necessary).

If you don't have a deadline nipping at your heels, put the work away for as long as you can. That imposed distance will help you approach your work with a fresher perspective and spot things that can be plucked out. Remember, just because it pains you to lift out a sentence or paragraph or even a whole scene, your reader will never miss it.

If you're one of those people who'd rather watch a cow become steak than choose what needs to be axed in your own work, approach a trusted reader (someone who will give you the real truth, even if it makes you squirm) and ask him/her to note areas where the mind wandered. Listen to the feedback without commenting. Bite back the urge to blurt, "That sentence took me four hours to write: what do you mean it's not absolutely necessary?"

Stretch instead of wrap up.

Ratchet up suspense by knowing where to end your chapters.

Because we've had the five-paragraph essay drummed into our heads (the framework where everything is neatly tied up at the end of each paragraph), many writers apply the same ideology to their own work, thereby missing out on the opportunity to create suspense.

Look at where you're ending your chapters: do you end at a suspenseful place (high point), a place that makes the readers want to see how things will play out, or are you wrapping things up as Mrs. McGillicuddy taught you in eighth-grade English, ending on a low point, where things are settled so that the reader can choose to go on or put the book down?

Give your reader burning questions to answer at the end of each chapter. Wrap little things up along the way when you need to, but leave the final wrap-up for the end, when you decide to stop writing.

Keep conflict/tension high (don't be afraid to show people at their worst).

Whether they're reading non-fiction or fiction, readers don't want to read about people getting along beautifully, swimming in an endless sea of serenity. (Unless you're reading a how-to book on meditation, which I suppose shouldn't be filled with strife.) Most of us want to experience peace and harmony in our own lives, but reading about situations that are running smoothly is dull, dull, dull. So don't be afraid to show the ugly side of humanity, even when it's tough to write and involves people behaving as you never would.

When writers base their stories on something they experienced, I often hear, "But I can't change it -- this is how it really happened." Unless you're writing a memoir that needs to stand up to Oprah's scrutiny, people don't want to hear about how it really happened unless it was exciting. And that means you need tension, discomfort, trouble. Tension often (but not always) involves forces in diametric opposition, each working to get what they want and in the process foiling the efforts of the other.

Add texture and dimension when you revise.

When you're grappling with an idea, let yourself write it any way it comes to you the first time around. Because new ideas are often fragile and elusive, you shouldn't distract yourself with the machinations of polishing while you're focusing all your attention on the burgeoning, squirmy idea itself.

But then, once you trap a first draft on the page (and first drafts should be lousy, so don't worry), go back and reshape and revise.

Make your manuscript memorable:

~Use specifics instead of generalities whenever it makes the writing fresher.

~Weave choice details in (without overloading your manuscript so that it feels listy).

~Remember that adjectives and adverbs don't count as details, so cut down on those and replace them with powerful, specific verbs.

~Find ideas that you only glossed over in the first draft and expand some into full-fledged scenes that show instead of paragraphs that tell.

~Craft dialogue that crackles off the page instead of sentences where people don't mumble much more than "um" or "okay" or blasé conversation-filler.

READ, READ, READ.

It may sound like impossible nonsense, similar to, "In order to keep your gums healthy, watch someone else floss," but it really works (the reading, not the flossing).

Writers often mistakenly think they shouldn't read while they're working on something for fear that they'll be "influenced" by what they're reading. Toss that worry aside, because reading often and widely can actually help you unstick yourself when you feel the most stuck.

When you're grappling with a problem in your work and you shift your attention to reading, you'll be open to solutions and can identify techniques other authors used to deal with similar issues. It will inspire you to press on and finish a book that someday other writers will pick up when they're seeking creative encouragement.

To discover more ways to improve your writing and have more fun in the process, visit http://ManuscriptRx.com and sign up for "Write Through It," a free, monthly e-newsletter that offers tips on writing more creatively, clearly and effectively.

Lucia Zimmitti, a writing coach and independent editor, is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Editorial Freelancers Association. Her fiction and poetry have been published in various national literary journals, and she has taught writing at the high school and college levels.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucia_Zimmitti

Freelance Writing Auction Web Sites - Elance Versus Guru

2008-01-24T06:42:00.000-08:00

By Shane Dayton

Elance and Guru are by far and away the two best online auction based websites for freelance writers.

Elance has the highest earning potential by far. It's not at all uncommon to see multiple jobs in the $10,000+ range. Obviously if you are a true beginner, these jobs are going to be out of reach until you build up a major reputation, but there are more high end jobs on Elance than on Guru.

The minimum pay for a Guru job is $25, while it is $50 for Elance, which is a nice upgrade over the bottom line. You can also see your fellow freelancers' bids on Elance, which helps you to decide where to price your own work.

Good things about Elance:
You can see your competition's bids
The minimum project fee is twice as high
More high money jobs
The ability to make a full time living off this site
Most money to be made writing online for freelancers

"Bad" Things About Elance
Their cut or % is much higher than Guru's
Harder for true beginners to build a reputation
Takes longer to build up to top freelancer status
No saved templates for bids

If you're looking to make a full time living writing only online, then you need to write for Elance in addition to Guru. The combination of these two sites, both of which are growing amazingly fast, can lead to a full time income for any freelancer--and if you work hard enough to get into the top tier, you'll be living very comfortably indeed!

And to give you more free help, advice, and information about finding writing jobs online, please feel free to visit me at http://www.squidoo.com/howtobeafreelancewriter and you can literally get started within minutes learning how to make a living online!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shane_Dayton

A Book Inside, Writing, publishing, and selling your story

2008-01-24T06:41:00.000-08:00

By Carol Denbow

Who Can Write a Book?

Is there a book inside you? 81 percent of Americans say yes. With so many people having the desire to see their story in print, why does only a small percentage pick up the pen and write? Maybe it's because writing and publishing a book seems like such an immeasurable task. But with proper direction, all writers have the ability to see their story in book form. You're not alone in this venture, there are about 195,000 new titles published in the U.S. each year-is yours next?

What to Write?

Do you have an expertise which may benefit others? Has your imagination run wild with thrilling mysteries others may enjoy reading about? Or do you simply have a story to tell? If you feel there is a book inside you, the first step to turning your idea into a book is of course, writing it. First and foremost, write what you know. With experience comes knowledge, and you will enjoy writing more when you are familiar with your subject. Later, when you are promoting your book, you will need to be very familiar with the information included to be comfortable discussing your book with potential buyers and others.

When you choose your book, the subject matters. Check your resources (library or internet) to make sure the book market is not already saturated with similar books. It's always good to look for a niche, something new that hasn't been previously published or puts a new twist on a subject. Make yourself familiar with researching the library or internet; you will be spending many hours there, especially if your choice is to write non-fiction.

Avoid a book idea which requires the reader to make notes in the book. Libraries and some booksellers prefer not to carry books which include several work sheet pages because they lose value once written in.

Who's Your Audience?

Before you decide exactly what to write, figure out who will be buying and reading your book. If you are writing a family history, for instance, your audience may be limited to your friends and family members, and book sales won't be a concern to you. But if your plan is to sell your book and make profit, you need to research the market to determine what your audience will want to buy. People buy non-fiction books to learn about something; they purchase fiction books for the pleasure of reading. Consider non-fiction for your first book, they're easier to write and considerably more non-fiction books are published than fiction. In fact, non-fiction generally outsells fiction by two to one.

Half of all books sold in 2006 were sold to people over age 45. Women buy 68 percent of all books sold, so it might be wise to consider targeting your book idea to include a more mature and primarily female audience as well. The highest percentages of books sold were mass market paperbacks and college text books.

The following are statistics on what age groups purchase which type of books. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,001 adults, aged 18 and older.

The top three for ages 18-29 were:

• 72% - Biographies or books about history
• 60% - Self-improvement books
• 58% - Thriller or suspense novels

For ages 30 - 49:

• 72% - Biographies or books about history
• 60% - Religion and theology
• 60% - Self-improvement books

For ages 50 - 64:

• 74% - Biographies or books about history
• 60% - Self-improvement books
• 59% - Current literary fiction

For ages 65 and over:

• 76% - Biographies and books about history
• 58% - Religion and theology
• 53% - Current events books and mystery novels

The balance of genre choices in the poll included business management and leadership books, classic literature, horror novels, personal finance books, science fiction and romance novels. All rated between 7 and 48 percent. For a complete list visit http://gallup.com

How Do I Put it All Together?

Slow down and take writing one step at a time. It may seem like an impossible journey right now, but over time, and following the right cycle of things, you will eventually see your book in print. You can subscribe to a free monthly ezine through Plain & Simple Books (sign up at http://www.plainandsimplebooks.com/85/index.html or view the current issue at http://abookinside.blogspot.com ) which walks you through the journey of writing, publishing, and selling your book. But for now...

SIT DOWN & WRITE!

Since 1986, Carol Denbow has built, owned, operated, and sold three successful companies, including one of the largest public equestrian centers in the state of California.

Hidden behind the "hard-core" business woman and devoted mom was an author with a book inside. In 2002, Carol Denbow finally sat down and wrote the introduction to her first book. Two years later, "Are You Ready to Be Your Own Boss?" was in print fulfilling the need for new business owners to achieve success.

Again, the writing began. In 2007, after nearly three years of research, "Stress Relief for the Working Stiff" was headed off to the publisher (to be released in 08).

Wasting no time at all, the third adventure began, and in 2008 we can expect to see the results of Carol's next writing project.

A tad bit of obsession keeps this author writing, and it's a good thing, because the literary market needs this type of expertise.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Denbow

Seven Must-Have Writing Books

2008-01-24T06:39:00.000-08:00

By Sandra Graves

1) On Writing
by Stephen King

You get the best of two worlds with this book: a look at Stephen King and how he became the legend he is today, and helpful advice and indispensable tools for all writers aspiring to be great storytellers. Not only will you read wonderful tales from his childhood, you'll also learn about writing at the same time. His approach is honest, funny, direct, and not worth missing. This is absolutely the best book on the writing craft that is out there. You'll be sure to read this one at least a half dozen times.

2) The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success
by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell

If you're not one to follow the rules, then this is the perfect book on learning how to get your work accepted by magazines. The authors' advice is inspirational and humorous at times, and their tips for breaking in are not just fluff, but ones they've used and tested. They talk in a conversational tone, making you feel like you're being talked to rather than talked down to. This is the first book any aspiring freelancer should read.

3) Making the Perfect Pitch: How to Catch a Literary Agent's Eye
by Katherine Sands

If you plan to get a literary agent to help you get that sought after book deal, then this book will show you what and what not to do. With helpful advice by a diverse group of agents, you'll find yourself highlighting and noting pages as you read through this book. Use this book with "Your Novel Proposal: From Creation to Contract" and you'll be on your way to catching a literary agent's interest, who in turn will take your proposal to sell your manuscript to a publisher.

4) The Chicago Manual of Style
by University of Chicago Press Staff

This is the perfect reference book to answer all those nagging style questions. This classic book goes into great detail about every aspect of grammar and usage, and is easily searchable. This latest edition goes into everything you need to know about electronic publications, so if you have an older version of this book, it may be time to retire it for the 15th edition. Every writer and editor should have a copy of this on her bookshelf.

5) Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English, Second Edition
by Patricia T. O'Connor

The only grammar book you'll ever need and it's a fun and easy read from start to finish. The newest edition has a section on e-mail; just because you're writing an informal e-mail message, that's no excuse to get sloppy. You can easily read this book in a few hours, and keep in on your desk for a quick reference.

6) Your Novel Proposal: From Creation to Contract
by Blythe Camenson and Marshall J. Cook

Getting ready to submit your manuscript to an agent or publisher? Don't take that step without checking out this book. Full of helpful advice, tips, and sample query letters; this book will answer all your questions on how to submit a book proposal.

7) The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
by William Strunk Jr., E.B. White, Roger Angell

Noted as the best style book available. This handy little book should be in every writer's book bag.

Sandra Graves is a freelance writer, copy editor, author, photographer, and licensed real estate agent. She is also the publisher of Writer's Resource Guide, an online site that helps writers get organized and get writing. Visit http://www.writersresourceguide.com for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Graves

How To Deal With Writer's Block

2008-01-24T06:22:00.000-08:00

By Arun Pal Singh

Writer's block as a phenomenon involving temporary loss of ability to begin or continue writing, usually due to lack of inspiration or creativity.Every writer faces this problem at some point or other. On one extreme is a block of serious kinds that author Henry Roth faced for years. This kind is quite rare and is generally associated with mood disorders.

A more common type is that comes and goes quickly but still hinders your productivity. Mostly, writer's block lasts between an hour and a week, sometimes over a month. Writers block often strikes without warning. it is quite an unpleasant experience for an author. All of sudden the flow stops.

Ideas!

Imagination!

Words!

Everything stops. The spark vanishes.

Earlier it was thought to be a natural phenomenon that would resolve on its own. But now a few pointers have been found which can lead to repetitive blocks. Anxiety and depression are few medical causes of writer's block. Most commonly writer's block occurs because of irregular writing habits. Social and economic circumstances can be responsible for it too.

How to combat writer's block?

Schedule It: Schedule your writing and diligently work on that schedule regardless of the quality of the output.

Free Writing: It is a kind of writing where you engage in brief periods of writing whatever comes to your mind. It is also called mind writing.

Exercises: There are many websites that contain numerous creative writing exercises where writers can read and do an exercise.

Relaxation Techniques: Take a break, meditate or do relaxation exercises to relieve any pressure.

Learn or Do Something New: Learn a new craft or skill. Read on subject which you are not very well verse. Solve mathematical problems. This creates more neuronal flow and can rekindle the spark that you have been missing.

Brainstorming: This can be done in beginning of writing and would help you to connect one idea with another.

Get Inspired: Watch a movie, read a story or watch a sport that may burn the fire in you.

Most important thing to do in my view is to keep writing regularly.

Arun Pal Singh is an internet marketing consultant and web author who runs website http://www.homeforprofits.com to help online entrepreneurs with information and ready made products.

Visit http://www.homeforprofits.com to find how his information can provide the leverage that your business needs to grow and expand.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arun_Pal_Singh

Formatting Tips to Make Your Writing Easy-to-Read on the Web

2008-01-21T09:05:00.000-08:00

By Anuja Aggarwal

Writing is not only an art; it also needs a little planning, intelligence and knowledge. If your writing is not read, there is no point in making the effort. Therefore, it is essential to follow certain guidelines that will ensure that your writing actually gets read on the web. It's needless to say that the content has to be good and must be of interest to your readers. Here are some rules that you can follow to make your writing readable:

Use the right font and size

Choose a font style that's easy-to-read. Use tried and tested Arial, Verdana, and Tahoma family fonts on the web. MS Word point size 12 to 14 for titles, 10 to 11 for sub-headlines and 8 to 10 for paragraphs are generally accepted.

Use sub-headings and short paragraphs

To keep the attention of each reader going, you can divide your writing into sections that clearly show what each part is about. Breaking down your articles into smaller segments makes the content easier to remember and understand. When formatting you writing, ensure that a single line break appears between each paragraph.

Use numbered and bulleted lists

When you are writing instructions that should to be done in a sequence, use numbers instead of bullets. The same applies when you want to refer to specific items by number. If you feel numbers aren't really necessary, then use bullets. Bullet points are used often because they are visually appealing and make it easier to quickly read and understand the information.

Use illustrations to elaborate important points and processes

If you feel that some processes can be described in the form of a flowchart, then make one. They are easy to make in MS Office applications. You can quickly convert your numbered lists or bullets into a flowchart. Often complicated numbers can be represented in a better way through pie diagrams, tables, or graphs.

Use bold, italics or underline to show importance

When you want to exaggerate certain words from the rest of the text, you can use bold to emphasize them. If you need to accentuate a word in a boldface text, use bold italics. You must have convincing reasons for using bold-italics and underline. Avoid using all of them together.

Use indentation for depicting levels

There are two main types of first-line indent: normal and hanging. A normal indent indents the first line, which is of one centimeter. The hanging indent indents the rest of the text while leaving the first line in place with a hanging indent of one centimeter. Hanging indents are mainly used to align additional paragraph lines with the first line's tabbed indent. Numbered and bulleted lists are examples when hanging indents are typically applied. You may indent entire paragraphs to show different levels and to highlight excerpts.

Do Right Marketing offers freelance content writing services. These include writing for the web, intranet, marketing and sales collateral such as case studies, newsletters, whitepapers, articles, blog posts, website navigation, editing, and proofreading, etc. Visit: http://www.dorightmarketing.com to know more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anuja_Aggarwal

How to Craft Compelling Headlines?

2008-01-21T09:04:00.000-08:00

By Anuja Aggarwal

It's a crowded marketplace out there and you've got to shout to be heard. The reader is being barraged with messages from myriad different sources every waking moment of his day, all vying for his attention in an attempt to influence his decision to invest in a given product or service. You've got to articulate yourself and be heard above the din.

A good, well thought-out headline helps you do just that. As you'll already know, the primary function of a headline is to 'hook' the reader in to see what's on offer and the ways in which he'd benefit were he to consider the proposition.

Writing compelling headlines is a craft that one hones and perfects with long years of practice. In fact, advertising agencies and newspapers have specialists dedicated to writing attention-grabbing headlines for news stories and ad campaigns.

Now, all of us cannot aspire to be professional headline writers, but at least we can try. Here, then, are a few tips that you could try the next time you're racking your brains to come up with a headline with some punch.

What's in it for me?

One of the ground rules of effective headline-writing is to quickly lead the reader into the body copy, the heart of your message. To do this, you need address a need and state the potential benefit(s) right at start.

Make the right connections

A headline, to serve its purpose, must connect with the reader. The operative word is 'connect'. You need to connect at two levels - one, spell out the need clearly. And two, connect that need to benefits or gains if he were to take you up on your offer. In other words, your headline and the script of your message should be in sync.

Be truthful and realistic

Do not make exaggerated claims. The reader is quick to smell tall claims and will dismiss your offer upfront. And with that, you'll have lost out on all the virtues of your product that you'd extolled further into the copy. If you must make a claim, sound credible.

Appeal to the reader's sentiments

At the risk of repetition, an effective headline entices the reader to delve into your ad copy. Try captions that arouse the reader's curiosity, intrigue, inspire and excite him to read through on the offer.

Another tack that you might take is humour but don't try to be wacky - the reader might not appreciate your wit and bother with reading your offer.

Create a sense of immediacy

A good headline must, among other things, motivate the reader to act. Write in the active voice and use action verbs.

Exercise restraint

Sure, you're smart and have a way with words, but resist the urge to be excessively 'punny' or witty. You might just come across as showing off and trying to prove to the world how clever you are. Also, avoid clichés that are over worn and tiring.

Trim the flab

Attention spans are short and retention even shorter. Keep your headlines tight and crisp. Drop prepositions (is, are) and articles (a, an, the). Ideally, your headlines should not exceed 8 to 10 words at most. Cut down on unnecessary verbiage.

Headlines don't have to be complete sentences with a full stop (period) at the end, though you may use the question mark if the headline is a query. And yes, ALL CAPS is a no-no. Use upper case at start and for proper nouns with the rest of the words in lower case.

When all else fails, improvise

Well, you can't be original and inventive all the time. There're times when you're really hard-pressed to come up with a captivating headline and the inspiration is just not forthcoming. To overcome such situations, it's a good idea to build a repository of sorts and keep a stock of captions and titles that have held your attention. Dip into this collection and pick up one that has got the right ring to it and rephrase with specific words that connect with the proposition on offer.

In the end, there's no sure-fire way or a proven 'bag of tricks' to write killer headlines. You need to experiment, intuit and emote in varying degrees, try out combinations, mix and match, and keep your fingers crossed for the desired results!

Do Right Marketing offers freelance content writing services. These include writing for the web, intranet, marketing and sales collateral such as case studies, newsletters, whitepapers, articles, blog posts, website navigation, editing, and proofreading, etc. Visit: http://www.dorightmarketing.com to know more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anuja_Aggarwal

How To Get The Best Out Of Your Writer?

2008-01-21T09:02:00.000-08:00

By Anuja Aggarwal

As the title suggests, you are getting someone else to do your writing, typically a content writer or an agency who take on such assignments. And the reason that you are outsourcing your needs is either because you do not have the necessary skills available in-house to create professional material, or, you would like to give your collateral the business edge that will be of value in a sales situation.

Here's how you could get the best out of your investment.

A clear brief is half the job done

As a first step, give her a clear brief on exactly what you would like to achieve out of the document. This will include all that you would like to convey and who it is targeted at.

Very often, a brief is mistaken for a dump, quite literally so. The hapless writer finds herself at the receiving end of tons of information - voluminous reports, PPT slides, newspaper clips, excerpts from sundry sources and such - most of it not relevant to the job on hand. And she is expected to wade through and make sense. This, in turn, leads to several iterations just to identify the gaps and get the facts in place. A waste of precious time.

Instead, do take some time and diligently complete the template calling for information or respond to the specific queries raised by the writer. This will entail culling out information from various internal sources and making it intelligible to the writer. This phase is critical and time well spent. After all, the quality of ingredients or raw material directly impact and determine the quality of the end product - be it in the kitchen or the manufacturing process.

It's all in the background

Give adequate background, related information and samples that will serve as a benchmark and aid the writer in her efforts at arriving at a cohesive and concise piece of document or communication. Oftentimes, a document is disjointed and incomplete owing to missing pockets of information. This not only defeats the purpose of the exercise but also reflects adversely on the company.

One point contact as facilitator and go-between

It's a good practice to have one person to whom the writer can address queries and that person in turn farms out the requests internally and collates the information. This works for two reasons: one, as an insider, he is familiar with the hierarchy and processes within the organization, and two, he is in a better position to coax and cajole his colleagues into submitting timely and meaningful responses.

Objective feedback is vital for improvement

Have a review mechanism in place that fosters honest and objective feedback, a healthy criticism of the writer's output. To be sure, the writer is not infallible and is prone to errors of omission. This could happen either because the writer was not able to grasp certain nuances of the business or owing to some gaps in the information originally supplied. Remember, the writer is not the 'subject matter expert' and the onus is on the client to provide the relevant inputs.

One common refrain that one hears by way of feedback is that a given piece of documentation

'lacks punch'. This kind of feedback is very generic and does not tell the writer which part of the document that needs to be rephrased or given the necessary gloss. It will be in both, the client and the writer's interests to point out precise areas that call for improvement.

A little bit of praise never hurts anybody

Sure, the writer is being paid for the assignment but everybody craves for that little bit of praise, a pat on the back. If you genuinely find that the finished product is in keeping with your expectations, it will not be out of place to commend the writer and let her know as much. At the end of the day, everybody likes to be appreciated for a job well done. And this gesture will drive the writer to do an even better job in future.

Do Right Marketing offers freelance content writing services. These include writing for the web, intranet, marketing and sales collateral such as case studies, newsletters, whitepapers, articles, blog posts, website navigation, editing, and proofreading, etc. Visit: http://www.dorightmarketing.com to know more.

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Writing for a Global Audience

2008-01-21T09:01:00.000-08:00

By Anuja Aggarwal

English is the lingua franca of the world. It has become an international language, and is widely spoken. It is one of the commonest communication tools and bridges the gap between known and the unknown.

While writing for a global audience, keep your content simple and to-the-point. When you're writing for audiences for whom English is not the native language, you run into problems of obscurity and miscommunication. To overcome this, you are encouraged to write in international English, which means that you must un-Americanize your writing so that anyone who understands the English language can fully comprehend your writing.

Writing in international English for a global audience isn't difficult if you are aware of your words. If you divert yourself while writing, you might use vernacular language or words, which tend to have two or more meanings that can easily be misinterpreted. Your job is to make your writing easy for your global audience to understand.

Avoid using phrasal and modal verbs. Phrasal verbs are those that have two or more words. For example: Please "call up" your friend for dinner tonight. "Drop out", "turn out" are other such phrases you should avoid while forming a sentence. Always use a one-word verb that speaks the similar meaning. Modal verbs include words such as "should," "can," "might," or "may." These words can be made use of only when there is an absolute necessity in formation of a sentence.

Avoid Americanisms, clichés, and slang. Certain slang words and phrases are never understood by the masses, sometimes not even by the American audience. Also stay away from jargons and short forms.

Make sure you write a complete sentence, which makes sense. Sentence fragments might make sense in English, but they are difficult to translate. Be precise. Vagueness almost always misleads the reader. Shun analogies and metaphors that are irrelevant to a particular audience. Be consistent and never be biased. There should not be any repetitions in your sentence formation.

Write short and straight sentences. Use simple sentence constructions. Short sentences that have fifteen to twenty words are always easier to read.

Use positive language. Never use negative constructions, which can be hard to translate. It is advisable to use the active voice often. When you use passive verbs you risk making your meaning ambiguous. Use pronouns with simple, common words, which convey clear meanings.

Proofread very carefully. Your content should be grammatically correct. Many of the readers are generally good with English grammar and if you do not follow the basic rules of grammar, you are out there to confuse the audience at large. Instead, get some help! Always ask someone to read your copy for clarity and to help you identify potentially offensive or misleading language.

Do Right Marketing offers freelance content writing services. These include writing for the web, intranet, marketing and sales collateral such as case studies, newsletters, whitepapers, articles, blog posts, website navigation, editing, and proofreading, etc. Visit: http://www.dorightmarketing.com to know more.

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Using Power-Packed Words for Effective Content

2008-01-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

By Anuja Aggarwal

Content is king; be it online or offline, the words you use should be powerful enough to woo the readers, and also keep them engrossed till they have read it entirely. Use of showy and pompous words and fancy phrases are sure to divert the attention of the reader. If you follow these simple rules your content is sure to go places.

The use of right words is an important element in any form of communication. By picking the words with care you would be able to communicate your ideas, beliefs, outlook, and emotions to others in an effective manner.

Personalize your writing

Use of 'you' has a very strong effect on the reader. Real communication is all about personalizing your writing. Create a dialogue in all your conversations and this will unlock the communication gap. It's all about heart-to-heart conversations.

Entwine power-words with important keywords

Content is about getting the reader's attention and make sure your content is driving your customer's actions. Write the way in which a reader would search while browsing the internet, so before you begin to write, sit down and think carefully about the keywords you're going to use. Then carefully interlace those words and phrases into your produce.

Powerful words are most important for headlines

The heading is the most important piece of the content you'll write. That's because, internet users scan read and the first thing they read is your headline. If it doesn't grab their attention, they'll depart. The words below will give you an idea about the use of powerful words in your conversation and communication. For example when you want to appreciate a person try this:

Be proud of the way you worked today! That's the right way to do it!

That's great. Excellent! Fabulous! Right on!

Instead of just using the word 'good', if you think and use motivating words you will surely make the person feel at home. Always be positive in the usage of your words. It is very encouraging and motivating.

Avoid wordy, dismal phrases instead use lively, expressive and energetic words

Content writing is an art of providing a new look to your dull and mundane writing business. It takes thought and effort to express a complex idea in a simple and direct manner. Definitely big words are tempting to use, but they carry a certain weight. Remember that the purpose of writing is to communicate something to the reader and not to prove how good a writer you are. The use of unnecessary and elaborate words distracts the reader. Don't throw away your graduate school vocabulary, but be a mature writer. Try not to use big, obscure and made-up words. But if you really want to, do use them sparingly, in the right context, and they will become twice as effective.

Do Right Marketing offers freelance content writing services. These include writing for the web, intranet, marketing and sales collateral such as case studies, newsletters, whitepapers, articles, blog posts, website navigation, editing, and proofreading, etc. Visit: http://www.dorightmarketing.com to know more.

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How Powerful is Your Headline?

2008-01-21T08:47:00.000-08:00

By Anuja Aggarwal

A catchy headline laser-beams its way directly into your brain. That is the importance of writing impressive headlines. How many times have you found articles that have eye-catching headlines? Almost everyday! But how often have you felt disappointed, after reading the story fully? Quite often, surely! Therefore, the main point is that apart from being catchy, the headline should be realistic. It should reflect what the content is about.

Write headlines that support your main content - the objective is to make the reader read the content, not only the headline. Some tricks to create great headlines:

Here is how you can make some fast bucks for the magazine/e-zine publishers. Firstly, jot down your idea into phrases and make it a fact-based one. Remember it should not only sound interesting but real too. Rework the copy as many times as possible to achieve what you want.

Make a note of all interesting headlines you come across

What would you do when your eyes spy an irresistible headline? Your hand automatically reaches out to grasp the magazine, or makes you click to read further. Understand the basic facts about humans, and you're on your way to crafting powerful headlines for your own business or for your clients. A good writer's powerful headlines really sell, because they know how to play brain games. Hard-hitting headlines entwine a web of mystery and trickery. The idea is to make people want to read the article and this sells the number of magazines on the bookshelf. If you're a writer who's trying to buff up your headline-writing skills, just remember all the headlines you ever read on the billboard, and then mock-up your modus operandi on them.

Use the tried and tested formats

Use numbers. "Top 10 Things You Need to Know to Keep Fit" will get attention, because anyone considering the action will want enough information. Use "hot" words. Some words are powerful, and can be used effectively in headlines and titles. Be controversial. Get readers' interest by asking a question in your headline, and then please them by answering it within the text.

Keep them short

Long headlines do work, but short ones are better. Don't make readers work that hard. Stimulate their curiosity.

Be innovative

Remember that you are competing with a lot of others to get the attention of potential readers and customers, and you hardly have any time to grab their attention. By using some catchy words your headline can stand out from the crowd.

Writing powerful headlines is not easy but it can be done if you follow these simple guidelines. Your headline should give the reader a reason to stop and read, so carefully choose the words of the headline. Never use uninteresting, conservative or worn-out statements, and by no means disappoint the audience by misleading them. So keep your eyes open to churn out the best headlines!

Do Right Marketing offers freelance content writing services. These include writing for the web, intranet, marketing and sales collateral such as case studies, newsletters, whitepapers, articles, blog posts, website navigation, editing, and proofreading, etc. Visit: http://www.dorightmarketing.com to know more.

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Advanced Article Writing Secrets - Learn How To Help Your Reader

2008-01-21T08:38:00.000-08:00

By Mark A. Abrahams

Article writing is a really good way to promote your online business. Based on my own testing I have found that short informative articles work best as long as they help the reader.

I am sure that you must have heard the phrase before that content is king. This is so very true as the more quality content that you have out there the more search engine traffic that you will attract. Ultimately, this will lead to more subscribers and sales.

The way that this works is if somebody is searching for information on how to do something and you offer them good advice there will be a very good chance that they will subscribe to your newsletter and later become a customer if you offer them exactly what they are looking for.

Now somebody may have a long piece of information that does not offer any useful information. This will definitively not attract subscribers to your newsletter.

I also apply this whole process throughout my whole business. From the time that the article reader visits my web site. They will have the option of downloading a free ebook. This will provide useful information for the reader.

Similarly, I also first offer a useful seven day course. I have found that by helping my reader I have significantly been able to boost my profits. What happens is that if I provide good information they usually end up purchasing one of my products.

So if you are doing everything right and not experiencing success you may want to try helping your reader as this will dramatically boost your results.

Are you really interested in driving massive traffic to your website?

Here's the answer:

Secrets Of Article Marketing - Download your free ebook now.

Mark Abrahams is a full time internet marketer who has helped others to earn a living online.

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Article Writing - 7 Reasons To Write Articles While Writing Your Book Or E-Book

2008-01-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

By Connie Ragen Green

Writing may be difficult for you if you are not used to doing it regularly. If you have always wanted to write a book, it may be a good idea to start out by writing articles. Articles are shorter and can be submitted to article directories for publication. You can see other people's reaction to your writing before you write anything that takes more time and effort on your part. Here are 7 reasons to write articles while you are writing a book:

* Writing articles gives you a chance to find your voice. You may think you wanted to write about one topic and find out very quickly that it is really another topic that is closer to what you are interested in.

* Articles are typically about three hundred to five hundred words. You can write that much in about an hour so you haven't spent weeks or months writing about something that may not be of interest to anyone.

* When you submit your articles to an article directory you will get immediate feedback from readers. If the title or summary are not of interest or not well written, very few people will read your articles. On the other hand, you may find that your topic is of great interest to people and your writing may become very popular.

* After you have written several articles on the same topic, you can combine them and give them away to people as a short report or special report. These reports can be used as a way to add people to your list.

* If you still have an interest in writing a book you can use your articles to get your book written more easily. Decide on your chapter headings and then write articles that would logically go into each chapter. This will help you to write your book while building a list of people who would be interested in purchasing it from you once it is finished.

* Titles are the most important thing to consider when you write a book. Writing articles gives you a chance to test out various titles to see which ones are more appealing to your market.

* You can submit your articles to offline publications like magazines, newspapers, and periodicals. While you are waiting to hear from these editors your articles will still be available on the internet.

I encourage you to learn more about writing articles while you are deciding about writing a book or ebook.

And now I invite you to download two free article writing templates by visiting http://www.WriteArticlesWithJeffHerring.com - I also invite you to join me for free weekly teleseminars that will teach you how to write, market, and sell your ebook to increase your visibility, credibility and profits by visiting http://www.EbookWritingandMarketingSecrets.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Ragen_Green

Why Should You Write An Article That Stands Above The Rest?

2008-01-21T08:31:00.000-08:00

By Arun Pal Singh

Every now and then we do come across an article which makes us feel that reading wasted our time. It is not unusual to find good articles but more often you come across this kind of below average stuff that leave you wondering why this article was written at all.

I agree that not all of us are equally endowed and skilled when it comes to writing. But that is just one aspect of writing. Providing good information in the article is another. If you cannot write well, you can learn the skill or outsource your article writing to a person who writes well. But do not commit the sin of writing bad articles.

A bad article frustrates your readers and does not do justice to article marketing campaign. It is bad for the article directory and it is bad for your business. Most importantly it is bad for your reputation as a writer and provider of information.

Not a good business move.

Listen, it is world of competition and you need to make your article noticed in the heap of other articles. Your article needs to be good to bring out the results. If you article is not good you are just wasting your efforts, digital space and reader's time. If you are a reader and the article does not come as a good article, what do you do?

You click it off and move to next.

There goes your potential visitor.

In spite of better search engine techniques and higher placement tactics in directories, the final word for your article would come from end user.

Your reader!

The reader would always come before any other technique or trick. Techniques and tricks are of no use if you did not serve the right food for your reader's mind. It is the reader who would like or dislike your article. In order to be accepted by the reader, you need to write an article which is good in taste and supplies the required information. If it is that way one and many of the following would happen

* Your readers would like your article and recommend it to others.

* They would click your resource box and provide your site with traffic.

* They would rate your article favorably and thus increase the chance of reading by others.

* They may vote your article and increase its stars.

* Your article would be picked up by many webmasters and placed in their websites or directories.

* Blogs would link to your articles and bring more traffic.

* More people would subscribe to your RSS feeds and bring even more traffic.

See for yourself! All you did was to write a good article. Your readers made your article stand above the rest.

But this would happen only when you write a good article.

Arun Pal Singh is an internet marketing consultant and web author who runs website http://www.homeforprofits.com to help online entrepreneurs with information and ready made products.

Visit http://www.homeforprofits.com to find how his information can provide the leverage that your business needs to grow and expand.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arun_Pal_Singh