Helping Clients Overcome “Their” Writer’s Block!

Helping Clients Overcome "Their" Writer's Block!

Word Count:
672

Summary:
Your writing clients have their own case of writer's block if the job assigned to use is vague with no direct result outlined. Asking certain questions of your clients before you get started can help you reduce the chance that a misunderstanding has occurred, resulting in a necessary and time consuming rewrite of an article on your part.

Keywords:
article writer, article marketer, article submission, write, writer, writing, edit, editor, editing

Article Body:
If you write for a living, that is, if you write articles for clients you often have heard about writer's block. Personally, I think the topic is overdone and simply something that comes about when the author is too tired, distracted, or simply not interested in the topic at hand [oh, yes…this does happen!] On the other hand, do your clients sometimes suffer from writer's block? Okay, before you throw your hands up wondering how could this be, just think about it: do your clients always <i>know</i> what they want you to write? Am I making myself clear? If so, read on…if not, please read this paragraph again!

As writers, we can assume that when a potential client approaches us to write for them, that they always know which topics they want you to cover. Without sounding cheeky, only if this was always so! To put it mildly, you may have a client who wants you to write "X" amount of articles, which he or she will place on their own web site in hopes of building up SEO [search engine optimization, that is], and your part of the equation is to write interesting and compelling copy that will drive traffic to their site.

Well, this only works out if your client knows exactly which topics/subjects are to be covered, keywords used, and the length of each article. No, your client isn't going to write the article, but they will certainly lay its foundation. No web content article can possibly get going without your knowing certain essentials including the topic and which keywords are to be utilized. Make certain that these building blocks are included with your proposal, otherwise you risk going down one path while your client wanted you to go down another.

Unless you have plenty of time to constantly rewrite every article I recommend that you uncover precisely what the client wants from you.

When I sense that a client isn't sure which direction they want me to proceed, I then start asking several questions, including:

Do you have a topic you want covered? If so, what is it and do you want me to come up with the article title or is this something that you would like to do? Knowing this information will help you create the introductory paragraph and your topic sentence.

Next questions: which keywords do you want me to use? I try to limit my clients to a small group of 2-4 words per article. Additional keywords mean additional articles…why confuse your readers? Why kill SEO? As I write this article for you do you have 3-4 points you want me to make? All of this information will comprise the article's body.

Finally, what sort of "call to action" are you desiring? Do you want readers to buy a product? Read something else? Call their representative? I leave the anchor links up to the client, but I try to bring the article exactly to the point where the client wants it to be.

If you have gotten satisfactory answers to each of your questions, you have helped your client get over their <i>own</i> case of writer's block. Yes, to a certain point every client has already visualized what they want written [they bring you on because they don't know how to craft the right words or are simply too busy to write for themselves]. If they haven't, you must help them answer the previous questions in order for you to write effectively.

If you don't take the time to make certain that your client is sure of what he or she wants, you will have wasted time and delayed the opportunity to go to the next project.

I don't know about you, but time is of the essence and we writers cannot afford to waste any of it. Nail down exactly what your client wants before tackling any project to save yourself time and to preserve your sanity!

 

Getting The Most From Your Article Submitter Software

Getting The Most From Your Article Submitter Software

Word Count:
839

Summary:
An article submitter is an article writers most important tool.  The latest generation are faster, have more automatic features, and continually update their databases.  Some even help write the articles!

Keywords:
article submit, article writing, ezine, publish articles, submit articles,

Article Body:
If you are serious about Ezine article writing you do need an article submitter.  It is, in fact, an articles writers most important tool.  The latest generation are faster, have more automatic features, and continually update their databases.  Article writing has continued to increase in popularity because the once dreaded time consuming submittal chore has been made so easy.  Some of the latest generation article submitters not only submit the articles, but actually provide software to help you write the article!  This almost sounds too good to be true, but current reviews praise article creator software.

If you are reading this article you have made a choice on how to drive traffic to your website. There are three ways to get targeted traffic, buy it, borrow it, or create it.  Without a doubt, Ezine article writing does drive targeted traffic to your site.  Just as true is the fact that Ezine article writing takes more work than the other options.

Enter the article submitter software program.  Without this valuable tool it would be physically impossible to submit the number of required articles to the hundreds of article submit sites for the needed exposure.  You enter your article details into the software once, and then select the directories you would like to submit to.  The software will automatically fill in all of the submission criteria saving you an incredible amount of time.  Another time saver is the fact that most article submitters come with a database of article submit sites, that is continually updated for you.  If you have ever tried to compile a list on your own, you know that the database alone is worth much more than the cost of the submitter program!

A word of caution here.  Do not get involved in robot spam type submitter programs or companies that do this.  This type of sloppy submittal is frowned upon, a nuisance to the submit sites, and can get you banned from the best article sites, and even the search engines.  The article submit site provides a tremendous exposure for your article, and free.  You owe it to them to be professional, login properly, submit your article to the correct category, and logout.  A proper article submitter will do just that, saving you the tedious manual cut and paste time, and saving the site server time.

Let us look more closely at "Quality articles quickly submitted to hundreds of submit sites is the key to being a successful Ezine article writer".  Your Ezine article has a short life span.  Once published, it has 24 hours on the "most recent articles" page of a particular article submit directory.  The directories main page is the only page scanned by the search engines, that increases your SEO.  Sadly, the next day your article has been replaced by many newer articles on the same subject.  After its moment of fame has passed it will still get read by the sites readers, and if good picked up by other directories and sources needing articles.  Recently I wrote a travel article that was picked up by several major International tour companies and enjoyed a month of exposure as their featured article of the month.  Some sites accept and publish your article within hours, others days, weeks, or even months.  Actually this is good, as during the time you are submitting to several hundred sites, your article is "the most recent" on some site.  However, at some point your article will become stale, and your website stats will show a drop-off in visitors.  Have your next new article submitted well before this happens.

An article submitter is the most important tool an article writer can have.  Why then, do article submitter programs draw the "penny wise pound foolish" crowd like a magnet.  Some amusing examples for you.  One submitter gives a 3 day free trial.  Stories abound about the users who download the program and stay up day and night drinking coffee and making submittals for the 3 free days.  Another good submitter program gives a free trial version with a database of 85 sites.  The full version with hundreds of sites is reasonably priced, but most users just stick with the free version.  I am not a gifted psychic, but I can guarantee you that none of these users are making any money from writing and publishing Ezine articles.  How do I know that?  Quite simple, "Quality articles quickly submitted to hundreds of submit sites is the key to being a successful Ezine article writer". Sure, not buying the article submitter program is a loss for the company, but a far worse loss for the writer by limiting their article exposure, the very thing that has the potential to make them money.   

As you can see, the two things go hand in hand, many articles submitted to hundreds of submit sites.  Do not cut corners with your article submitter program, it is the key to your success.  And, be sure to look into the new article creator programs that speed up your article writing.  To your success!

 

Getting Syndicated

Getting Syndicated

Word Count:
810

Summary:
Getting syndicated is a great idea, albeit a challenging one. If you've thought of this no doubt most (if not all) of your competition has too. But don't let this discourage you; while syndication may take a while, it's still worth pursuing.

Keywords:
book marketing, writing, writer's block, writing ideas, writing coach, writing tips

Article Body:
Over the years I've spoken to a number of authors who say they aspire to write a syndicated column. Getting syndicated is a great idea, albeit a challenging one. If you've thought of this no doubt most (if not all) of your competition has too. But don't let this discourage you; while syndication may take a while, it's still worth pursuing.

There are a number of tried and true ways you can enter this market, there are also a few "back door" methods that might work equally as good. The first thing you'll need to do however is get to know your competition. For this I recommend that you get a copy of The Editor & Publisher Annual Directory of Syndication. Sometimes you can get this in bookstores but I'd recommend just ordering it online . Explore this book carefully and you'll find that syndicated columns are listed by both the syndicated service that offers them as well as their topic. This will give you a good starting point in your research and since most newspapers now have on-line archives, you'll be able to explore past articles and see how these topics differ from your own.

Once you've explored this, define for yourself how your topic/angle is different from the ones you found during your research. Then once you've defined this, you can start targeting papers or syndication services with your query letter and sample articles. This is the traditional way of entering this market. For most it can be long and tedious and you might find that without prior "clippings" to offer them, the process takes even longer. In that vein, I'd recommend that you try offering your column locally first or to one paper at a time but not in a "syndication deal" but as a filler; newspapers will be a lot quicker to take filler items than to explore syndication options with you. By offering them consistent filler content (and saving those valuable clippings) you'll start to grow your level of experience, you'll build a reputation with the editor or editorial staff and you'll begin to get a sense of what does and doesn't work with printed media. An associate of mine did this, not with a local paper but with a paper she'd been offering her articles to, and after about two years of consistent submission she may be in line to fill the shoes of their in-house syndicated columnist who is retiring.

Once you have built some exposure for yourself and gathered clippings of your work, then it's time to start pitching your topic to syndicated services (some of them are listed below) or regional newspapers. For this you'll need a great query letter establishing your credentials and explaining why your idea is different from the others they might be considering, you'll need some sample articles (other than your clippings) and perhaps some letters of reference from some papers you've worked for. Submit this packet to newspapers or syndicated services that might be appropriate to your topic and then keep good records and do your follow-up just like you would if you were pitching the media on anything else. The same rules apply really, pitch and follow-up and stay on their radar screen.

So, at the end of the day when you find yourself successfully syndicated will you get paid for all your hard work – absolutely! What you'll get paid varies depending on how many papers feature you and whether you are working through a syndication service. Syndication services are great but they will typically take 40 to 50 percent of your sales. If you self-syndicate you get all the proceeds. While it's great to do this, keep in mind that you'll need to have good tracking systems in place once your column takes off.

As an already published author, syndication can be another great way to promote you and your book. Your book will lend you the credibility you need to get that column and from this ongoing printed exposure some lucrative publishing deals could follow suit. Syndication may not be an easy road but if tackled correctly, can be a great way to boost your promotion, expand your platform and get the kind of exposure you only ever dreamed of!

 TIP: If you're trying to follow the comings and goings of syndicated writers, Editor and Publisher (http://www.editorandpublisher) is a great resource for that. Check out the "Departments" tab on their web site for the latest news on columns that might be coming available!

 

Get paid for typing on your keyboard.

Get paid for typing on your keyboard.

Word Count:
417

Summary:
If getting paid for typing on your keyboard interests you,

Keywords:
make money, make money online, money, writing, home jobs, data entry, make money online, make money from home, work at home jobs

Article Body:
Turn your keyboard into a money-making machine. Yes, you can now turn your keyboard into your personal Teller. How about getting paid for every word that you type, even if you type using just two fingers!  You can achieve this with the help of a completely automated website where you register completely FREE! Sounds too good to be true?

Incredible as it may sound; Incomewords.com shares their profits with you, and all those who have contributed to this automated website. The great thing is that you DON'T have to:
• Buy or sell any product or services
• Buy any sophisticated software
• Read through any verbose marketing strategies
• Own any website
• Know anything about Internet marketing
• Alter your current on-line activities or programs

What you have to do is to write content. You are flexible to think of anything under the sun, a prose, a chat, a forum posting, a joke, a poetry, a travelogue or just a question that keeps cropping up in your mind – simply type it and post it on the website. However, there is various point structure for every insertion that you make on the website. For example: 2 points for a joke, 1 point for posting an image, and so on.

Well, after you post the content on the automated website, a new web page gets created. Their system will then automatically optimize this page for major search engines. Once the page is properly indexed, the page written by you will bring in traffic and obviously, profit to the website. There is income plug-ins which is embedded in each page of this website, which keeps on changing to generate fresh profits. Incomewords.com generates profits from many sources, but to name a few: Google Adsense, Affiliate programs, keyword-based advertising, etc. Profits are then shared amongst those who have contributed to the website.

Incomewords.com distributes 50% of the profit generated by the website, amongst the members. The more number of points you have accumulated, the more money you could make. An additional 10% of the profit goes to the member who gathers maximum points in a month.

Once you register on Incomewords.com, this is what you get:
• Life time membership to a website that generates money for you.
• Free blog space to post whatever you wish to.
• Opportunity to earn more money through "Member gets Member" program.
• Chance to earn 10% extra of the profit by this website.

 

 

Get More Sales With These 5 Proven Headlines

Get More Sales With These 5 Proven Headlines

Word Count:
394

Summary:
In the world of marketing, your first impression -- your headline -- can lead to either sales success ... or failure.

Keywords:
ezine writing, ezine advertising, e-zine advertising, ezine newsletters, ezine marketing, ezines, e-zine, ezine, speaking opportunities

Article Body:
It's important to realize that headlines work best when they appeal to your reader's interests (not yours). And not only can they *grab attention*, they can also make your message easy to read, convey your main selling points, and lead your customer to a sale.

Over the years copywriting pros have used several headline formulas that always work well. Here are my fab five:

1. The Question: "Are You Worried About Your Financial Future?"

A question headline automatically gets your readers involved in your message, because they answer it in their minds. Many people will read further into your letter, ad, or Web site copy just to find out what answer or solution you provide. Again, make sure the question focuses on the reader's interest, not yours. A bad example would be: "Do You Know What New Product We've Created This Year?" (No one cares but you!)

2. The How-to: "How to Get Thinner Thighs in 30 Days."

How-to headlines work very well, because people love information that shows them how to do something. (Thousands of book titles begin with "How to....") Think of the benefits your product/service offers and then try creating some "how to" headlines

3. The Testimonial: "Jane Smith's Consulting Is Pure Magic -- Our Sales Have Increased by 30%!"

Why not let your clients do the selling for you? Their commendations can go a long way in convincing others to use your services. Tip: To appear credible, always include your clients' full names and the cities they live in.

4. The Command: "Boost Your Business Today!"

Turn your most important benefit into a commanding headline, such as "Make More Time for Your Family," "Look Younger Instantly!" and "Get 7 New Clients This Month." (By the way, throwing a number into your headline is another good tactic. And readers seem to like odd numbers as opposed to even.)

5. The News: "Introducing Our New 'Rest-Assured' Tax Service!"

Caution: This only works if you truly have something big to announce that is of interest to the reader. (Something that will make her life or business better.) Don't try to make news out of something that's not.

Once your readers know you have something they're interested in, they'll take the time to read your entire article, brochure, letter, ad, e-zine, or Web page. So put some TLC into creating headlines that entice!

 

From Blog to Article

From Blog to Article

Word Count:
290

Summary:
So, your brain is fried, eh? You can't think of what to right next? The inspiration for your next article may come from blogdom. Do not discount the value of these sites; something you read may spark you to greater works!

Keywords:
blog, blogging, writing, editing, publishing, ezine, article submission, web content, publish, edit

Article Body:
As a writer, do you sometimes/often/always find yourself at a loss as to what to write next? No, I am not talking about topics or subjects you already have nailed down. Rather, the simple desire to get started with something, anything to break the brain logjam. It could be a personal project or something you want to develop to show to a potential client the stuff that you are made of. Whatever, I have been there myself and have found that some of my sources of inspiration have come from blogs. You got it…sites that have sparked my creative juices and allowed me to take a concept and bring it to fruition.

Typically, I come across a blog geared toward a particular topic — let's say aviation — and find something within that blog that catches my attention. It may be a trend, company news, even simple speculation. Oftentimes, what I read becomes the inspiration for a fresh article so I take that idea, do some additional research, and create my own new work.

No, I don't cut and paste someone else's writings. Instead, their pithy work becomes the seed that I germinate to produce a unique and compelling article of my own. The key here is this: it is <i>my own</i> voice, not someone else's work.

We all have our favorite blogs, you can be certain of that. Spend some time on those particular blogs and see what inspires you. Who knows, but a sentence or a paragraph you read may gel your brain into producing a 500-750 word article that you can include in your vast repository of interesting and relevant work.

Gosh, I think that I may be on to something!

 

Anyone Can Write a Research Paper!

Anyone Can Write a Research Paper!

Word Count:
603

Summary:
Trying to Write a Research Paper - but don't know where to start? No problem! Writing a research paper is as easy as 1-2-3 when you break it down into small tasks!

Keywords:
custom research paper, how to write a research paper, research paper

Article Body:
"I'll figure that out . . . when I get the time."
"I really don't know how to start!"
"I really should write my research paper!"

This common dilemma is expressed over and over again by many people everywhere. The good news is that anybody can write a research paper!

There are three main reasons for research papers:

1. To help you to piece together information from different sources and cohesively put it back together.

2. To help you develop good written and oral communication skills.

3. To help you to figure out how to find information.

Not knowing how to write properly can make your academic life disorganized, stressful and chaotic. By improving your writing skills, you can confidently and quickly finish assignments and write properly throughout your professional career. Writing a research paper can be very simple when you follow these basic steps:

1. Choose or Brainstorm Your Topic: Sometimes a topic is given to you, or you may have your own topic that you would like to research. You may be forced to conduct your research with very little direction. Sometimes you are only given a page count, number of sources and a deadline. It is helpful to begin by brainstorming a topic. Writing down a few ideas can be very helpful, and lead you in a certain direction.

2. Determine the Scope: Once you've scanned the internet or library and learned a little more about your topic, you need to determine whether you need to broaden or narrow your focus.

3. Research: By now you have an idea of your topic and have scanned the subject area. You have a focus for your research paper, but you also need details to "flesh out" the paper. Start going to your resources, and taking notes on sections that may be pertinent to your paper. Remember to document where you got the research from! This usually includes noting the author's name, title of book, paper or website, year of publication, publishing house, page numbers and/or date accessed.

4. Outline Your Paper: An outline is an organized plan for your paper. Develop an outline by starting the first section with a broad introduction of the topic, then list several sections that you have read about (or will read about) that pertain to your topic. The general sections are: introduction, literature review, data collection, results and discussion. Writing an outline will help you to feel better about writing your research paper because you will have a sense of organization and direction after you write it.

5. Create the First Draft: The first draft should be written after you have completed your research. By this point, you will probably have numerous sources and many pages of notes written down from each of these sources. You should have enough information to write the entire paper. It is important "just to start writing", and not to worry too much about the details at this point.

6. Revise, Revise, Revise! Revision of a paper should actually take longer than writing the first draft. This is the time to clean up all of the grammatical mistakes, spelling, run-on sentences, etc, and to make this paper easily readable. This is also the time to add or subtract text when necessary.

7. Proofread: This is the time for nit-picky editing to insure that there are no mistakes. Some things to watch for are: correct verb tenses, punctuation, grammar, spelling, word choice and proper citation. Other details that may be important are: page numbers, correct spacing and correct margins.

By breaking your research paper into small tasks, you can stay focused on the goal of completing it quickly and meticulously!

 

Absurdity of Absurd: Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Go dot

Absurdity of Absurd: Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Go dot

Word Count:
1924

Summary:
What does 'Absurd' mean ?When I searched the glossaries ,I found the word to be 'out of harmony'(1).But yet the definitions trying hard to explain the term , just to end in total 'Absurdity' (assuming for a while that we know the meaning of the word),as they talk in total sense, the nonsense about it and of course that means they fail(in their attempt ).But considering the term to be linked with literature (and other forms of art too!),when I searched for more I came across the lines that states

Keywords:
Reports, Survey, Email Survey, Customer Report, Business Reports, Writing, Creative Writing, Writing tips.

Article Body:
What does 'Absurd' mean ?When I searched the glossaries ,I found the word to be 'out of harmony'(1).But yet the definitions trying hard to explain the term , just to end in total 'Absurdity' (assuming for a while that we know the meaning of the word),as they talk in total sense, the nonsense about it and of course that means they fail(in their attempt ).But considering the term to be linked with literature (and other forms of art too!),when I searched for more I came across the lines that states that no 'literary criticism' [in which I include the attempts to explain the literary terms] can take the literary work itself ,or to be more specific '…it [literary criticism]is no substitute for reading the work itself'(2),as it [the piece of work]is the most exactly and precisely ,the thought conveyed or explained. So, I reached the idea that to understand 'absurd' .I must view an absurd work by an artist, rather than poring over the talks about it. Hence as a literary student what first came to my mind at this instant is none, but WAITING FOR GODOT by Samuel Beckett, the so called absurd play structured around 'Go dot', the axis all absurdity[as till the date none could declare with confidence 'who' or 'what' Go dot is !]
What I found in the dustbin of my memories about this go dot is:
"On 19 Nov 1957, a group of worried actors were preparing to face their audience . The actors were members of the company of the San Francisco Actors' Workshop . The audience consisted of fourteen hundred convicts at the San Quentin penitentiary . No live play had been performed at San Quentin since Sarah Bernhardt appeared there in 1913 .Now ,forty four years later ,the play that had been chosen ,largely because no woman appeared in it , was Samuel Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT'(3). …"Beckett real triumph ,…came when WAITING FOR GODOT which appeared in book form in 1952,was first produced on 5 January 1953 , at the little Theatre de Babylone (now defunct ),…'(4)
And I found also some lines of this play:
"…
ESTRGON:Didi.
VLADIMIR:Yes.
ESTRGON:I can't go on like this.
VLADIMIR: That's what you think.
ESTRAGON:If we parted?That might be better of us .
VLADIMIR:We'll hang ourselves tomorrow.(Pause)Unless Go dot comes.
ESTRAGON:And if comes?
VLADIMIR:We'll be saved
…"(5)
It is said about Beckett that when he was asked that what he meant by Go dot he answered "If I knew ,I would have said so in the play"(6).'WAITING FOR GODOT does not tell a story ;it explores a static situation '(7).So it is clear from the very beginning that Beckett tried to create a 'character' without a character' as he himself doesn't know him [Go dot], and again the movement of plot tends to zero ,i.e. there is absolutely no plot . Previously it was taken for granted that if there exists a literary piece then there must be either a story( or plot) to tellor any character to be represented .But did exactly opposite to revolutionize his concept .He presents a 'character' whom he himself does not know and tell a plot which is nothing but variations in arrangements and sequences of few events with negligible movement or action :'nothing happens , nobody comes nobody goes …' (8).
But can be the term 'Absurd' assigned to merely these qualities of the play? No, there are still more as mentioned by critics .In an essay on Kalfka ,Ionesco defined his understanding of the term as ' Absurd is that which is devoid of purpose…'(9).And the purposeless becomes evident when ' the more things change , the more they are the same '(10).And this is done by creating uncommon situations in the play by Breckett . For instance the boy who carries message of Go dot to Estragon and Vladimir fails to recognize them on each day of his reappearance ."The French version explicitly states that the boy who appears in the second act is the same boy as the one in the first act , yet the boy denies that he has even seen the two tramps before , and insists that this is the first time he has acted as Go dot's messenger'(11).And this is done while 'waiting' which is interpreted by Martin Esslin as 'Waiting is to experience the action of time , which is constant change . And yet , as nothing real ever happens , the change is itself an illusion .The ceaseless activity of time is a self defeating purposeless…'(12).
And thus by this purposelessness Beckett tries to prove the absurdity of his play .But is this really absurd ? If we view it from some different point of views we can suddenly find something contradicting . It is because we know the fact that ' truth is never real' ,and what we define for a situation becomes a truth for us , for that moment . So is the case of abnormality or normality of a situation . When any action is most common that becomes ' normal ' for us and this is the very base of our understanding .We understand what is most common and general .We understand something uncommon by referring it to some common things or actions we understand .So our very base of understanding is based upon some general truth or common events ,the state which we call normal .Now when we something out of order in a play (e.g. WAITIG FOR GODOT) ,we interpret it in terms of those ' commons' of our memory .But on this view we analyze , can uncommon or absurdity be perceived by us directly without any aid or reference to our definition of 'normality' ? It is similar to what Rene' Wellek tried to explain in his essay 'ATTACK ON LITERATURE' by citing an example of Samuel Beckett's ENDGAME .Becket has portrayed a character in END GAME who was ' looking for the voice of his silence '(13).'The artist's dissatisfaction with language can only be expressed by language .Pause may be a device to express the inexpressible ,but pause can't be prolonged indefinitely ,cann't be simply silence as such . It needs contrast , it needs a beginning and an end…'(14).
This statement suggests the importance of contrast and this is as true in case of absurdity and non-absurdity as it is true in the case of silence and music .
In this light we can reach decision that there is no sense of absurdity without the normality . But how this is true in case of Go dot can be analyzed as follows :
Beckett tries hard to achieve absurdity by doing through his characters , the abnormal things (or at least normal things in abnormal sequence ), still there remains the elements of non-absurdity in every corner of the play . The boy who doesn't recognize the two tramps bring message from the same Go dot (It never happens ever that Go dot brings a message from the boy ;or the tramps bring message from the boy to go dot ;or tramps speak out the message that the boy brings from the Go dot for them ;or Go dot never receives message from tramps and so many can be the absurd case ).It was only one angle of interpretation of the situation .Other interpretations can be many in numbers :Go dot waits for tramps ;or tramps don't wait for Go dot while they say they waited. etc. etc.
When I mean to say is that whatever action is done in the play has therefore the elements of non-absurdity .We could have recognized them if what we call absurdity would be the most normal and what we now feel normal would have been absurd .In fact we can't express absurdity itself and this is the deceiving nature of 'Absurdity' , because the moment we speak out something it becomes a little different from what we originally meant to express . 'Words , the medium of fiction ,are a fabrication of man's intellect .They are a part of human lie '(14).And for this reason any literature needs that medium to be expressed , that becomes deceptive .So Roland Barthes of France says therefore that 'Literature is a system of deceptive signification…emphatically signifying ,but never finally signified '(16).
Therefore whatever actions Beckett tried to fabricated in to the play , stands till today between in the limits of absurd and non-absurd and how this action is nearer to any of these two limits depends on what words are used and how they are used to define the limits .
That's why the play '..of the supposedly esoteric avant-grade make so immediate and so deep an impact on an audience of convicts…'(17),where as the critics could not easily accepted the play as an art in the beginning .
Martin Esslin writes : ' because it confronted them [the prisoners] with a situation in some ways analogous to their own ? Perhaps . Or perhaps because they were un sophisticated enough to come to the theater without any preconceived notions and readymade expectations ,so that they avoided the mistake that trapped so many established critics who condemned the play for its lack of plot ,development , characterizations , suspense or plain common sense '(18).And of course this is what we see as the attempt to define absurd with non-absurd .Similarly many other attempts have been made in the past and present to create uncommon out of common .For example the Dadaist Movement . 'Attempts have been made not only to widen the realm of art ,but to abolish the boundary between the art and the non-art . In music , noises of machines or the streets are used ; in painting, collage uses stuck-on news papers , buttons , medals and so on , or 'found objects' –soup cans , bicycle wheels , electric bulbs , any piece of junks—are exhibited . the newest fad is 'earth works' , holes or trenches in the ground , tracks through a corn field , square sheets of leads in snow . A 'sculptor' , Christo wrapped a million square feet of Australian coastline in plastic . At 1972 Bicnnale in Venice , a painter ,Gino de Dominicis , exhibited a mongoloid picked up from the streets as a work of art .In poetry poems have been concocted by the Dadaists by drawing news paper clippings from a bag at random ; more recently poems have been produced by computer and a shuffle novel (by Marc Saporta ) has appeared , in which every page can be replaced by another in any order …'(18).
Similarly we can cite the example of Pop-Culture now so popular by the young generations ,which was once considered as absurd .So what conclusion we reached can be seen in the light of that contrast theory of silence and music told in this essay in the beginning , that whatever we want to express (may it be 'Silence' or 'Absurdity' ) we need words to express . But 'a word can never be a thing '(20).So we can either achieve a situation or express it , but we cannot do both because , if we try to do , the situation won't be the same .This is what we can imply when we speak of absurdity ; i.e. we can't be totally absurd in expression as there is no proper medium exists .
By concluding this I think I have reached at the ' right place at the right time' , because if I am right then I will reach the right thing , but if I reach the wrong (as I will get non-sense)that will be rather a right thing due to our context . My attempt of criticism , ' is an attempt to make us more reasonable'

 

A Moving Experience

A Moving Experience

Word Count:
336

Summary:
Ah, the joys of sending your child out to his or her own apartment. This scenario will be a humorous reminder to a few of you.

Keywords:
humor, moving, teens

Article Body:

I've found a cool apartment! Okay, okay…so it's not perfect. Just a few bugs. I mean literally! First expense? An exterminator! Is it worth the cash? Well, I can't afford a more expensive place, so a one-time (please!) cash outlay should be okay. Maybe just a can of "Raid?"

I need a way to move my stuff. Daddy, can I borrow your truck? You don't have one? Why not? Do you want one? I'll help you pick it out! Well, it was just a suggestion. No need to get all bent out of shape! I guess I'd better call the truck rental places. What do you mean…$200…PLUS mileage? AND Gas? Good grief!

While I'm on the phone I'll call the utility and phone companies. Yes, I know I haven't used your services before. No, I don't have a credit card; this is my first place. You want what? A $100 deposit? For EACH? Holy cow…do you people have a license to steal?

Daddy, I need $500 for moving expenses! I used all my money for the first and last months rent AND the damage deposit. Well, how was I to know this was going to be so expensive? Sell something? Daaaaad…I NEED my TV!

Boy, this place is pretty empty. Maybe I should buy a couch and a chair. Nah…I have my bed. That'll be good enough. I don't need a table; I'll just use this box.

Renters Insurance? I don't think so! What do I have to insure?

Just got my first phone call! I'd love to come to your party! Daddy, I need a car. Because it's too far to walk to work, that's why. Umm, Daddy…there's car insurance too! Thanks, Dad…you're the best! And gas? I didn't think so…

Time for dinner. Let's look in these boxes. Oh, No! No dishes or pans. No FOOD!

Uhhh, Mom?

 

 

13 Resume Mistakes That Can Cost You The Interview

13 Resume Mistakes That Can Cost You The Interview

Word Count:
1104

Summary:
1. A BLAND OR GENERIC OBJECTIVE: If your objective could be applied to a marketing resume as easily as a resume for an accounting position, then your objective says nothing and will get you nowhere. An objective is NOT some required paragraph at the top of the page that is an exercise in 5 lines of job speak. It's an actual and real description of your skills as they're related to who you are and what you want. It should vary with the type of job for which you are applying.
...

Keywords:
interview, resume, new job, career, mistakes,

Article Body:
1. A BLAND OR GENERIC OBJECTIVE: If your objective could be applied to a marketing resume as easily as a resume for an accounting position, then your objective says nothing and will get you nowhere. An objective is NOT some required paragraph at the top of the page that is an exercise in 5 lines of job speak. It's an actual and real description of your skills as they're related to who you are and what you want. It should vary with the type of job for which you are applying.

2. BLAND JOB DETAILS: "Responsibilities included overseeing construction of 4 Hilton Hotels in Tri-City Metro Area, each 50 floors in height." Yeah? So what? That doesn't say if they went up on schedule or if you brought the projects in under budget. It doesn't say if you took all four from site work up or if the guy handling two of the four hotels was fired and you were promoted to overseeing all four. Differentiate yourself from the others coming in to interview. If you don't tell the hiring company how you will be an asset to them, how will they know?

3. WHO'S THE MYSTERY COMPANY?: Don't assume the name and purpose of your company is common knowledge. If it's a competitor, it might be, and if it's in the same industry and located nearby, it might be. To be on the safe side, provide a sentence or two about the focus of your company's products or services.

4. ANOTHER JOB, ANOTHER PARAGRAPH: Don't keep adding on to your resume job after job, year after year. By the time you're in your 40s, you need to have weeded out some of the earlier stuff. You don't need all the college activities, just your degree. You don't need ALL 5 bullets for each of your first two jobs.

5. REFERENCES: Shouldn't be listed on your resume. "References available on request" is the proper phrase. You present them separately when they're requested. This isn't about protocol. This is about protecting your references so they aren't called until you and the company are serious about each other.

6. IT'S NOT A STORY!: Don't - whatever you do, DON'T - write your resume in the third person!

7. SKIP THE PERSONAL INFO: You might think your weekend baseball coaching or your church choir participation shows you're an interesting and well-rounded person, but they're irrelevant. If the interviewer wants to know who you are as a person, aside from the job interview and your qualifications, he'll ask.

8. DEGREE DATE: No matter how old you are, don't leave the date of when you were graduated off your resume. It looks like you're hiding something (well, you are, aren't you?), and then everyone counts the years backwards and tries to figure out how old you are. Sometimes you can be ruled out - just for leaving the date off. If you're trying to hide your age by not stating the date, what else might you not be forthcoming about?

9. SPELL CHECK, SPELL CHECK, SPELL CHECK: Spell checking visually by you AND someone else, any fewer than three times, isn't enough. And don't forget to check your punctuation.

10. GETTING YOUR RESUME OUT THERE - part one: Don't use one of those resume blaster things. Half those sites aren't even valid. You don't know how it will come out on the other end. You don't even know where it's going or if the landing targets are employment related. It's bad form and just....NOT the way to find your perfect job. Finding your perfect job takes focus, attention, detail, individuality, tailoring, specifics. Resume blasting is about as far from that as you can get.

11. GETTING YOUR RESUME OUT THERE - part two: If it's an ad, you probably have instructions as to how to send it. If it says email, cut and paste it in the form, AND attach it. You never know what it can look like on the other end because of the variety of settings available to each user. Quite frankly, you're better off not emailing it at all, because it usually just goes into cyber space, and then it's all about the hiring company - but unfortunately, besides not sending it at all, sometimes that's your only choice. Emailing your resume takes any option for further participation right out of your hands, because often there's not even a name given for a follow up contact. You've no other option than to wait and wonder. (And half the time it's going to HR or an admin department to be scanned into an electronic database.)

12. GETTING YOUR RESUME OUT THERE - part three: If you know the company, call and ask if they prefer email, fax, or snail mail. I know a recruiter who never even opened his email. Because he was listed in The Kennedy Guide to Executive Recruiters, he received so many resumes emailed to him cold (so NOT pro-active) that he just did a mass delete every morning. Candidates contacted for a specific search were requested to snail mail their resume to him. How about that? I'll bet less than 10% of those who emailed their resumes even bothered to follow up to see if it was received (this isn't a numbers game).

13. RESUME VISUALS: Ivory paper. Black ink. Individual pages. No plastic, 7th grade, science report cover with the plastic slider or metal push down tabs. Your name centered at the top, not on a cover page that says "Introducing Clifton Lewis Montgomery III". No exceptions. Your resume is a professional document, not a school book report or an art project. Until every resume is done this way, yours will still stand out in the crowd.

You are the product, and your resume is the marketing piece. To find your perfect job you must differentiate yourself from the other people who will be interviewed.

Your resume must be specific, individualized, easy to skim so it invites a closer reading, and focused on the differences you've made with your previous companies, as well as the accomplishments you've achieved with - and for - them. This tells the hiring company what you can do for them - and it IS about the hiring company, not you.

Of course this assumes you meet the requirements for the job - otherwise it doesn't matter how good your resume is! The resume is what gets you in the door. If your resume is poorly written, looks sloppy, is difficult to read, is cryptic in any way, or necessitates being slogged through to learn your information (they won't bother), you won't even get in the door. And how can you decide whether you like the company, if they've already decided they don't like you?

 

Five Ways to Wake up the Creative Writer in you

Five Ways to Wake up the Creative Writer in you

Word Count:
729

Summary:
Writing an article doesn't just mean putting down thoughts into words then typing and writing it. You have to capture the interest of your readers and give them a reason to keep reading. You have to get creative. Here are five ways you can do just that.

Keywords:
article,articles,article writing,article marketing,article submission,article directory, article directory submissions,free articles

Article Body:
Writing an article doesn't just mean putting down thoughts into words then typing and writing it. You have to capture the interest of your readers and give them a reason to keep reading. You have to get the attention of the reader and have a firm grasp of their interest and pique their curiosity. Here are five ways you can get creative.

The main ingredient in writing an article is creativity. While creativity may come natural to many people, some of us get writers block. It can be a hair pulling ordeal just to get your creative juices flowing. 

Putting words into images in the readers mind is an art. A clear and crisp depiction requires a certain flair that only creativity can provide. Similes and metaphors help a lot, but the way an article gets entwined word for word, sentence by sentence then paragraph by paragraph into a whole article develops the essence of the article. 

So just what do you have to do when nothing comes to mind? That's a fair question but unfortunately, there's no surefire ways to get those perfect ideas to pop into your head. But, there are easy ways to get your creative juices flowing and put you into a perfect mindset and state of mind. Here are five of them.

1) Keep a diary or a journal in your pocket or with you at all times. You just never know when an idea is triggered by something you may hear, see, or smell. Your senses are your radar in finding great ideas. Write all of them into a journal and keep it with you for future reference. You may also write down anything that you have read or heard, someone's ideas could be used to develop your own ideas and this is not stealing. Remember that ideas and creativity can come from anywhere; it's the development of the idea that makes it unique.

2) Relax and take time to sort things out. You need a clear head. A jumbled mind cannot create any space for new ideas. If you are bothered by something, give yourself permission to get rid of it for awhile. Put it in the closet for a few minutes. Try closing your eyes and allowing yourself some quiet time. Block out all the sights sounds and smells around you. Turn your focus inward and breathe.

Try to relax every time that you can and think about your experiences and interactions with others. Your experiences are what shape your mindset and your opinions which could be reflected on your writings. Try to discover yourself, find out what triggers your emotions. Discover what inspires you and what ticks you off. You can use these emotions to help you in expressing yourself and your ideas, with this you can grow creatively.

3) Create a working place that can inspire your creativeness.

Creativity comes from being in a good state of mind and a messed up workplace that causes distraction won't be conducive in firing up your creative flow.

Surround your working place with objects that makes you happy and relaxed. You may put up pictures, or scents, plants or anything that can to inspire you, relax you and get your creativeness cranking.

4) Set the mood. Setting the mood requires you to just go with the moment or to induce yourself to feeling what makes your mind works best. Finding out what makes you tick could help you find ways to get your creative juices flowing. Set the pace and tempo for your mood and everything else will follow.

There are many ways to set the mood. Some writers have been known to have a little sip of wine to stir up the imagination. Some use mood music while others let the lighting of the environment create the mood. You decide what sets your mood.

5) Go on a vacation and just do something crazy and out of the norm for you. Letting yourself go and have fun produces adrenaline which can make your imagination run wild. If your day is usually a busy one, take an quiet adventure or a solemn hike. Whatever it is that is unusual from your daily routine can take the rut out of your schedule.

In no time at all, your imagination will make use of that experience and get your creativeness to start working in overdrive.

 

Finding A Pot Of Gold In Article Writing

Finding A Pot Of Gold In Article Writing

Word Count:
361

Summary:
If you have a website, then you have probably been bombarded by people telling you that writing articles is the key to successful marketing. However, unless you are a professional writer, article writing probably seems as unachievable as obtaining that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Well, you may not be able to find the end of the rainbow, but you can achieve the task of writing an article. Just follow these simple tips, and you will be well on your way to success!...

Keywords:
articles, writing, marketing

Article Body:
If you have a website, then you have probably been bombarded by people telling you that writing articles is the key to successful marketing. However, unless you are a professional writer, article writing probably seems as unachievable as obtaining that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Well, you may not be able to find the end of the rainbow, but you can achieve the task of writing an article. Just follow these simple tips, and you will be well on your way to success!

First, choose a topic and stick with it. Whether you decide to write on marketing, business tips, or fashion advice, make sure that you know your topic well. Research your subject often so you are up-to-date on the most recent advice being given. After all, you do not want to appear unprofessional by being out of the loop!

Second, make a list. Many successful articles are Top 10, 5, 3 lists. Others, such as the one you are reading, are lists of successful tips. Most readers look at articles to increase their knowledge of the subject in a timely manner. Don't drag on and on over your topic.

Third, set aside a time each week to write articles. Make yourself focus on the task at hand and dive into writing that elusive article. The longer you put it off, the less likely you will be to take the time to do it. If you feel an onset of writer's block, take a deep breath and relax. Just start writing the first things that come to your mind to get your thoughts flowing. Soon you will find the words to say what you are thinking.

Overall, remember that article writing does not have to be a burdensome task. If you know your business, then you have plenty of advice to share with other people. Have someone else read your article when it is completed to have an outsider's point of view.

Just as Dorothy found her way over the rainbow, you can find your way to writing a successful article. Now go put your pen to the page and show yourself what you can do!

 

7 Ways to Grow Flowers

7 Ways to Grow Flowers

Word Count:
349

Summary:
Want a more beautiful garden? It's easier than you think once you understand the 5 "Zen" rules of fantastic gardens. This article provides all the tricks and tips you need to make it happen.

Keywords:

 

Article Body:
Flowering landscape trees are the crown jewels of the yard.
Perhaps no other plants, individually, can have as great an
impact on how a yard looks in spring. Browse the articles to
which I've linked below for information on particular varieties
of flowering landscape trees. Pictures are included.

Crape Myrtles: Landscape Trees of the South

A popular choice in flowering landscape trees for Southerners,
crape myrtles have a long blooming period (mid-summer to
fall). The blooming clusters of these flowering landscape trees
come in pink, white, red and lavender. The clusters appear on
the tips of new wood. Northerners can sometimes get away
with treating these flowering landscape trees as perennials
that die back in winter but come back in spring.

Trees

Not all specimens with a weeping habit are flowering
landscape trees, but this article looks at several weeping
varieties that do bloom, headed by four types of cherry.
Saucer Magnolias

The size and shape of the blooms are what suggested the
common name for these flowering landscape trees. Want a
specimen with a brilliant bloom as big as a saucer? Access
information on these beauties here.

Rose of Sharon

Although some people think of it as a landscape "tree"
(because it gets tall and can be pruned so as to have a single
trunk), rose of sharon is, in fact, a flowering shrub. The fact
that it blooms relatively late -- and for a long time -- makes it
a valuable plant for those looking to distribute their yard's
color display throughout the growing season.
Top 10 List of Flowering Landscape Trees and Shrubs for
Spring |

This article features information on ten flowering landscape
trees and shrubs that brighten our spring seasons. Included
are redbud, callery pear and crabapple.
Hawthorn: Late-Blooming Landscape Trees

This article offers information on Washington hawthorn trees,
which are perhaps most valued for the time at which they
bloom (late spring to early summer). Many of the popular
flowering specimens bloom earlier in the spring, and while
their blossoms are pleasant sights for eyes sore from winter's
barrenness, they desert us too quickly!

 

 

7 Tips For Writing Thank You Letters With Class

7 Tips For Writing Thank You Letters With Class

Word Count:
657

Summary:
In reality, thank you letters are among the most important letters we will ever write. Whether business or personal, an effective thank you letter needs to be written with sincerity, tact and sensitivity. Here are 7 Tips that will help you do just that.

Keywords:
letter writing, write a letter, how to write letter, thank you  letter, letter of thanks, appreciation letter, letter of appreciation, sample letters, letter template, business thank you

Article Body:
Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett

When I first started tracking the information preferences of people visiting my Writing Help Central Web site I was surprised to find how many folks were seeking information on how to write thank you letters. In fact, "thank you letter" information and sample templates are the fifth ranked destinations at that Web site.

In reality, thank you letters are among the most important letters we will ever write. Whether business or personal, an effective thank you letter needs to be written with sincerity, tact and sensitivity.

Following are a few tips that will help you whenever you encounter thank you letter situations in your business or personal life.
 
1. Make Sure It's Appropriate
One of the main issues with respect to thank you letters is to know when to send one. As a general rule, I would say "better to be safe than sorry". However, make sure there is something noteworthy about the situation. A thank you letter for a routine situation doesn't make sense and dilutes their meaning.

2. Write It Promptly
It is always best to send a thank you letter as soon as possible after the event for which you are doing the thanking. It will help with the level of sincerity in your letter if the event is still fresh in your mind. In any case, a delayed thank you letter will seem like an obligatory afterthought to the recipient.

3. Remind The Recipient
In your introductory sentence, make it very clear that it is indeed a thank you letter and that it pertains to a specific event, situation and/or person. This will eliminate any confusion on the part of the recipient as to the purpose of the letter.

4. Make It Short and Direct
Get straight to the point and never exceed one page. Thank you letters should be short, direct, sincere, and to the point. In business situations they will always type-written but personal thank you letters can be hand-written or typed, as appropriate to the situation.

5. Make It Personal
By definition, a thank you letter is a sincere personal gesture from one individual to another. It should be expressed as a heartfelt personal sentiment, even when written in a business situation. At the same time, strive to be balanced in approach and don't be overly effusive.

6. Always Write it To One Person
Always write your thank you letter to an individual, not an organization or group. Even if it's a situation where a group is involved, write your letter to the senior person in the group and/or the group spokesperson. Ask that person to please pass on your sincere appreciation to the other people in the group, and name them in your letter if possible. (Contrary to advice given by certain so-called experts online, in my experience, writing a group letter is never appropriate and achieves little or nothing).

7. Check Spelling and Grammar
As when writing all letters make sure you carefully check your spelling and grammar. This is even more important for thank you letters, since they are almost always a sincere statement of appreciation from one person to another. Be sure to double check the spelling of all names used in the letter. There's no quicker way to blow your credibility and sincerity than to misspell someone's name.
 
The bottom line on thank you letters is "make it appropriate and sincere", or there really is no point in sending one.

Sending thank you letters when appropriate is important in both business and personal life. Individuals and companies that do not send thank you letters can be viewed as ungracious and perhaps not worthy of future good deeds or special treatment.

So, whenever it's warranted, make sure you send an appropriate and sincere thank you letter. Invariably, thank you letters will be very well received and appreciated by recipients, and the sender's reputation is generally enhanced in their eyes.

 

5 Ways To Make Money With One Article

5 Ways To Make Money With One Article

Word Count:
659

Summary:
Would you like to know a winning formula on how to make money on the Web from writing articles? Here's how I do it: I write an article, create 4-5 versions of it, and sell it for use by others in my same profession. In fact, just that one part of my business generates enough income to fully support myself comfortably. Just about anyone in any profession or business can copy this formula.

I write articles for executive coaches and business consultants. They use different ve...

Keywords:

 

Article Body:
Would you like to know a winning formula on how to make money on the Web from writing articles? Here's how I do it: I write an article, create 4-5 versions of it, and sell it for use by others in my same profession. In fact, just that one part of my business generates enough income to fully support myself comfortably. Just about anyone in any profession or business can copy this formula.

I write articles for executive coaches and business consultants. They use different versions of my articles in their own newsletters, with their own names in the byline. When they purchase an article, they get reprint rights, but not exclusivity. But since they are in all parts of the country, and the world, they don't bump into others using the same article. They are also free to change the article.

This formula can be used in any industry. Let's say you are a veterinarian. You know a lot about pets, and about your vet clinic clients. You can easily write articles that appeal to your customers who are pet owners. You may already write and publish a regular newsletter with articles that appeal to your clients and potential clients.

What's to stop you from writing your article to suit the needs of other vets who need to send out a newsletter? You post a brief synopsis of this article on your website for vets, offering it to them for a fee. They buy the reprint rights, and it gets used by hundreds of other vets who want to save themselves time and energy on their own newsletters.

That is one way of making money by writing articles on the Web, but here are four more ways, all from the same article.

This same article is revised several times in several lengths. It can be sold in three different lengths, for example, 2000 words to form a 4-page newsletter, 1000 words for a 2-page newsletter, and 600-700 words for electronic email ezines. That makes three more ways to sell the same article.

You also take that same article, change the title, make it more personal adding your own experiences, including your personal details and website links. You submit it to article directories on the web.

This version of your article with your name on it gets picked up - this time for free - by other websites looking for content. Each time another website publishes your article on their site, they link back to your site. The more incoming links you have to your website, the higher value the search engines give you.

This means you will start coming up higher in the search engine rankings when people type in key words in Google or one of the other search directories. That is a fifth way to make money from the same article. This technique is more indirect. Your article is being used for free, but the linking power will drive new customers to your site.

Finally, you can use this same article, or another altered version of it on your own website and blogs, to attract new clients to you. Having quality content on your site and on your blogs will ensure that readers appreciate your expertise and use your services, or buy your products.

Here's a bonus idea for making money from your articles: compile a group of articles about the same topic, format them into a PDF e-book, and sell it on your site.

You probably have knowledge and expertise in your own field that others would pay for, in order to have quality content for their own newsletters. This method requires good writing skills, or you can hire a professional editor to help you. It also requires you master the art of marketing on the web in order to reach potential buyers of your articles. To market successfully, you can submit your articles to the many article directories on the Web, and quickly build traffic to your websites and blogs.

 

Ebook & Article Marketing, Ovecoming Writer's Block

Ebook & Article Marketing, Ovecoming Writer's Block

Word Count:
1263

Summary:
What is writer's block?

Well, I just can't think of a single darn thing to
say. Oh well, I'm outta here!

Sound familiar? No! Oh, get real! We've all
experienced this phenomenon when we absolutely have to
write something, particularly on deadline. I'm talking
about. . . . .uh, I can't think of what the word is .
. . oh, yes, it's on the tip of my tongue . . . it's:

Keywords:
Ebook & Article Marketing, Ovecoming Writer's Block,marketing,articles,plr

Article Body:
What is writer's block?

Well, I just can't think of a single darn thing to
say. Oh well, I'm outta here!

Sound familiar? No! Oh, get real! We've all
experienced this phenomenon when we absolutely have to
write something, particularly on deadline. I'm talking
about. . . . .uh, I can't think of what the word is .
. . oh, yes, it's on the tip of my tongue . . . it's:

WRITER'S BLOCK!!!!

Whew! I feel better just getting that out of my head
and onto the page!

Writer's block is the patron demon of the blank page.
You may think you know EXACTLY what you're going to
write, but as soon as that evil white screen appears
before you, your mind suddenly goes completely blank.
I'm not talking about Zen meditation
stare-at-the-wall-until-enlightenment-hits kind of
blank.

I'm talking about sweat trickling down the back of
your neck, anguish and panic and suffering kind of
blank. The tighter the deadline, the worse the anguish
of writer's block gets.

Having said that, let me say it again. "The tighter
the deadline, the worse the anguish of writer's block
gets." Now, can you figure out what might possibly be
causing this horrible plunge into speechlessness?

The answer is obvious: FEAR! You are terrified of that
blank page. You are terrified you have absolutely
nothing of value to say. You are afraid of the fear of
writer's block itself!

It doesn?t necessarily matter if you've done a decade
of research and all you have to do is string sentences
you can repeat in your sleep together into coherent
paragraphs. Writer's block can strike anyone at any
time. Based in fear, it raises our doubts about our
own self-worth, but it's sneaky. It's writer's block,
after all, so it doesn't just come and let you know
that. No, it makes you feel like an idiot who just had
your frontal lobes removed through your sinuses. If
you dared to put forth words into the greater world,
they would surely come out as gibberish!

Let's try and be rational with this irrational demon.
Let's make a list of what might possibly be beneath
this terrible and terrifying condition.

1. Perfectionism. You must absolutely produce a
masterpiece of literature straight off in the first
draft. Otherwise, you qualify as a complete failure.

2. Editing instead of composing. There's your
monkey-mind sitting on your shoulder, yelling as soon
as you type "I was born?," no, not that, that's wrong!
That's stupid! Correct correct correct correct?

3. Self-consciousness. How can you think, let alone
write, when all you can manage to do is pry the
fingers of writer's block away from your throat enough
so you can gasp in a few shallow breaths? You're not
focusing on what you're trying to write, your focusing
on those gnarly fingers around your windpipe.

4. Can't get started. It's always the first sentence
that's the hardest. As writers, we all know how
EXTREMELY important the first sentence is. It must be
brilliant! It must be unique! It must hook your
reader's from the start! There's no way we can get
into writing the piece until we get past this
impossible first sentence.

5. Shattered concentration. You're cat is sick. You
suspect your mate is cheating on you. Your electricity
might be turned off any second. You have a crush on
the local UPS deliveryman. You have a dinner party
planned for your in-laws. You . . . Need I say more.
How can you possibly concentrate with all this mental
clutter?

6. Procrastination. It's your favorite hobby. It's
your soul mate. It?s the reason you've knitted 60
argyle sweaters or made 300 bookcases in your garage
workshop. It's the reason you never run out of Brie.

FACE IT ? IT?S ONE OF THE REASONS YOU HAVE WRITER'S
BLOCK!

How to Overcome Writer's Block

Okay. I can hear that herd of you running away from
this article as fast as you can. Absurd! you huff.
Never in a million years, you fume. Writer's block is
absolutely, undeniably, scientifically proven to be
impossible to overcome.

Oh, just get over it! Well, I guess it's not that
easy. So try to sit down for just a few minutes and
listen. All you have to do is listen ? you don't have
to actually write a single word.

Ah, there you all are again. I am beginning to make
you out now that the cloud of dust is settling.

I am here to tell you that WRITER'S BLOCK CAN BE
OVERCOME.

Please, remain seated.

There are ways to trick this nasty demon. Pick one,
pick several, and give them a try. Soon, before you
even have a chance for your heartbeat to accelerate,
guess what? You're writing.

Here are some tried and true methods of overcoming
writer's block:

1. Be prepared. The only thing to fear is fear itself.
(I know, that's a clich?but as soon as you start
writing, feel free to improve on it.) If you spend
some time mulling over your project before you
actually sit down to write, you may be able to
circumvent the worst of the crippling panic.

2. Forget perfectionism. No one ever writes a
masterpiece in the first draft. Don't put any
expectations on your writing at all! In fact, tell
yourself you're going to write absolute garbage, and
then give yourself permission to happily stink up your
writing room.

3. Compose instead of editing. Never, never write your
first draft with your monkey-mind sitting on your
shoulder making snide editorial comments. Composing is
a magical process. It surpasses the conscious mind by
galaxies. It's even incomprehensible to the conscious,
editorial, monkey-mind. So prepare an ambush. Sit down
at your computer or your desk. Take a deep breath and
blow out all your thoughts. Let your finger hover over
your keyboard or pick up your pen. And then pull a
fake: appear to be about to begin to write, but
instead, using your thumb and index finger of your
dominant hand, flick that little annoying ugly monkey
back into the barrel of laughs it came from. Then jump
in ? quickly! Write, scribble, scream, howl, let
everything loose, as long as you do it with a pen or
your computer keyboard.

4. Forget the first sentence. You can sweat over that
all-important one-liner when you've finished your
piece. Skip it! Go for the middle or even the end.
Start wherever you can. Chances are, when you read it
over, the first line will be blinking its little neon
lights right at you from the depths of your
composition.

5. Concentration. This is a hard one. Life throws us
so many curve balls. How about thinking about your
writing time as a little vacation from all those
annoying worries. Banish them! Create a space, perhaps
even a physical one, where nothing exists except the
single present moment. If one of those irritating
worries gets by you, stomp on it like you would an
ugly bug!

6. Stop procrastinating. Write an outline. Keep your
research notes within sight. Use someone else's
writing to get going. Babble incoherently on paper or
on the computer if you have to.

Just do it! (I know, I stole that line from
somewhere?). Tack up anything that could possibly help
you to get going: notes, outlines, pictures of your
grandmother. Put the cookie you will be allowed to eat
when you finish your first draft within sight ? but
out of reach. Then pick up the same type of writing
that you need to write, and read it. Then read it
again. Soon, trust me, the fear will slowly fade away.
As soon as it does, grab your keyboard ? and get
writing!

 

Easy Article Writing Tips

Easy Article Writing Tips

Word Count:
697

Summary:
Whether you are just starting out with your online business or you are seasoned pro, writing and distributing articles is one of the most effective and low-cost ways to drive lots of targeted traffic to your site. Writing articles and submitting them to the article directories will get you free traffic when people click on the link in your resource box. It is also a great way to improve search engine rankings, since you will have plenty of incoming links to your site. Let's t...

Keywords:

 

Article Body:
Whether you are just starting out with your online business or you are seasoned pro, writing and distributing articles is one of the most effective and low-cost ways to drive lots of targeted traffic to your site. Writing articles and submitting them to the article directories will get you free traffic when people click on the link in your resource box. It is also a great way to improve search engine rankings, since you will have plenty of incoming links to your site. Let's take a look at how you can get started writing articles. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Write a Top Ten List

An easy way to get started with an article is to come up with a Top Ten List. Find a topic related to your business and jot down ten reasons why someone should purchase your product or offer advice on a topic that's related to your website. Examples would be top ten ways to get your baby to sleep through the night, top ten reasons to write articles, or top ten reasons to buy car insurance. Once you have your list of ten items, write a little paragraph about each, explaining the reason in a little more detail.

Next you add an introductory paragraph that pulls the reader into your list. For example an introduction to the baby sleeping through the night article could mention how hard it is to make it through the day and how sleep deprived you are until you get your baby to sleep through the night. Then close your article either by summing up what you just told them in your top ten lists or encouraging them to act on what you just told them about.

Congratulations, you just wrote an article. Of course you can easily shorten this to a top 5 list. Just write a little more about each of your points.

Record Your Article

Some people prefer recording themselves while they are talking about a particular topic and then transcribing and editing it into an article. If you have an easier time talking about a particular topic than writing about it, this may be a great option for you. Most MP3 players now come with a record option, or you can pick up a cheap tape-recorder. Pick a topic and just start talking as if you were explaining it to a friend. Just start babbling and the ideas will start to flow. Now listen to your tape. Write down and arrange the major points you mad in order. Add an intro and a closing and you have another article.

Hire a Ghost Writer

If you are having a hard time writing articles, or just don't have the time to do it, you can still benefit from article marketing by hiring a ghostwriter. Ghost Writers will write unique articles for you that become your intellectual property. You can post them as your own work to your site, your blog, as well as the article directories. You can find a ghost writer on sites like elance. There are also some freelance writers with their own websites out there. You can usually buy articles anywhere from $5 – $65.

Write an Outline and Have Someone Else Turn it into an Article

Another option if you don't want to do all the writing yourself is for you to write a basic outline of the article and the point you want to bring across. Jot down any ideas you have for the article, then ask a friend or hire someone to flesh it out for you into an article. You may be more comfortable with passing these articles off as your own, since the content of the article was your original idea. Someone else just put it into an article format for you.

There is no reason for you not to get started with article marketing one way or the other. Get a few articles out there and then sit back and watch the traffic come in. You'll be so impressed by the results you can get even from a handful of article, you'll be writing them and submitting them all the time.

 

Don’t Be Afraid of Your Topic…

Don't Be Afraid of Your Topic…

Word Count:
470

Summary:
It is difficult to say what is better: to work on the assigned topic or to hesitate which to choose? It depends. We are sure you will determine which variant suits you best. Our aim is to provide you with information that will facilitate your writing procedure.

Keywords:
college term papers, custom term papers

Article Body:
Have you ever thought why another term papers causes your distress? You just saw its confusing title and it seems to make no sense to you. Or you can't decide what topic to choose from a countless number of options spinning in your mind. Yes, I will agree with you that sometimes the choice and misunderstanding of the topic are the main hindrances in producing a good writing. But we should overcome this barrier. We will see how to get the meaning of the assigned topic and to choose a winning topic. Your paper suggests a complete exposure of the topic. Sometimes you need just to understand it and that is all.

Try reading the topic several times and find key word in it, that is the nucleus of your topic. Relate the key word to a specific academic discipline. As you see, careful thinking over the topic helps you to understand that it is not that difficult. Before the main stage of the writing process you should memorize the title of your topic. While working on your paper repeat it constantly and that way you will not get off the point. In many cases teachers give you an opportunity to select the topic on your own. It is difficult to say what is better: to work on the assigned topic or to hesitate which to choose? It depends. We are sure you will determine which variant suits you best. Our aim is to provide you with information that will facilitate your writing procedure.

As you are choosing the topic take into consideration the following ideas: 1) You will never produce a good paper if you don't feel enthusiastic about the topic. Your choice should be based on the area of your personal interests, preferences and the subjects that appeal to you. 2) Don't choose the complicated topic. You will waste a lot of precious time in search of necessary information and even more time to make some sense of it. Besides there is a risk of finding nothing and then all you have to is to order 3) Narrow your topic.

It is impossible to cover a general topic in your paper. Extract more specific and particular issue from a general topic. That way you will have an opportunity to give a deeper and more detailed discussion of the question. 4) Your topic should give opportunities for doing your independent research, in which you will demonstrate your skills and abilities to collect, assemble, generalize and analyze facts and documents. We want to wish you inspiration, concentration and not so much perspiration with your term paper. Remember, when you make a choice it must be the best!

 

 

Do You Want Your Articles to be Read? Do This

Do You Want Your Articles to be Read? Do This

Word Count:
547

Summary:
The titles of your articles should invite further attention, not a yawn. It may take a little more time to come up with an interesting and compelling title, but it is well worth your time.

Keywords:
writing articles, article writing, getting traffic, free traffic, how to write and article, write and article a day, how to write and ebook

Article Body:
Remember the old riddle, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it still make a noise?" If you write articles, ask yourself, "If I write a great article and no one reads it, does it still do its job?"

The simple answer is: NO!

You could be the best article writer, but if the title of your article is just a boring label it will not attract attention and all of your effort will go down the drain.

TEST YOURSELF

The next time you are waiting in line at the supermarket, read the article titles on the covers of the women's magazines and figure out what it is about them that attracts millions of sales each week. Which titles attract your attention and why?

The best titles will always offer to solve a problem, tell the reader how to get something he or she wants. or warn of a big problem the reader might experience if they don't read the article.
 
WHICH ARTICLE WOULD YOU RATHER READ?

It is clear that the most important words any article writer will write are the ones in the title. In fact, the title of an article can either attract or repel readers.

Here are two sets of headlines to analyze:
 
"Activities Kids Enjoy" OR "Give Your Kids A Summer To Remember"

"Make Staying Healthy A Priority" OR "5 Symptoms You Can't Ignore"

In each case, the titles refer to the same topic, but the second one conveys a benefit that the potential reader desires. They use the word "you" to make the appeal more personal. One appeals to a parent's desire to "give" to their children (emotional) and the other peaks curiosity and fear.

Chances are, you would choose to read the second article titles over the first ones if they both popped up in a search engine.

NO YAWNING ALLOWED

The titles of your articles should invite further attention, not a yawn. It may take a little more time to come up with an interesting and compelling title, but it is well worth your time.

There are several ways to generate article titles that stand out from the crowd and get read. Here are a few examples:
 
--Use numbers, such as "5 Steps to True Happiness" or "3 Good Reasons to Choose Fixed Insurance Over Variable." You don't have to limit number titles to list-style articles. Nearly any article can be broken up into a number of steps or reasons.
 
--Create a play on words using a popular phrase. For example, an article about how to wash the outside of your second-floor windows might be titled "Don't Let Window Washing be a Pane in Your Neck."

--Make your title a question: "Can You Really Make Money Online?"

--Compare something to something else: "Why Apples are Just Like Oranges."

--Fill in the blank: "How To (Blank)," "From (Blank) to (Blank)," or "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About (Blank)."