tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-238882612024-03-07T04:25:17.489-05:00The Perfect Blog TitleA humorous look at one woman's spiritual journey through the absurdity of life and internet links, but now mostly about Peter Gabriel and Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes. By the author of "Not the New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes."RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.comBlogger432125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-22649280669215463982021-07-06T19:24:00.006-04:002021-07-06T19:24:57.113-04:00I'm Writing Again<p>Just a quick note for any prospective clients out there that I am writing web content again. Still depressed, but writing again.</p><p>Whee.</p>RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-86893778728668526582020-09-13T11:47:00.000-04:002020-09-13T11:47:09.820-04:00My 15th Anniversary of Returning to America<p>15 years ago today, my 13 month old dog Pony and I made two long train trips, a taxi ride and a trans-Atlantic flight from the UK to the country of my birth, USA. My Mom and Dad, divorced but together that day, picked us up. Pony and I had been homeless together and Mom consented to take us in after someone burned our bender down. A bender is a makeshift living space made from bending young tree trunks to make a frame where you can toss blankets and tarps over. We had been living in a two-person tent for over a month.</p><p>15 years later and there's only Mom and me left. I also have a one-year old goldfish and one other dog, Hugo (now 10) and that's it. I've lost my job, my Mom lost her ability to walk and I've lost any reason to write anymore. This photo was from around 15 years ago, clipped from <i>The Bath Chronicle, </i>which is why it's a bit wrinkly.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40Xzesp7RVC3BxnRTDCVUCB90m8KRCB8oWbDvlnJkf7FouPgglN4RZvEYgMuEK70MM79jCkZCxABWKWWELzvbkxSujx1C7-ODJR87DXmhN-6DP2jaIonfVNsisjsOI818wFaR1w/s1243/England_Pony_me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="869" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40Xzesp7RVC3BxnRTDCVUCB90m8KRCB8oWbDvlnJkf7FouPgglN4RZvEYgMuEK70MM79jCkZCxABWKWWELzvbkxSujx1C7-ODJR87DXmhN-6DP2jaIonfVNsisjsOI818wFaR1w/s320/England_Pony_me.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-70782222951398191442020-08-25T11:29:00.000-04:002020-08-25T11:29:01.142-04:00It's Been One Year Since My Dog Pony Died and I Don't Know What To Do<p> Pony was the dog of a lifetime. When she died I cried out, "How will I live the rest of my life without her?" After all we'd been through for 15 years -- being beat up by the same guy, fire, flood, homelessness, international travel -- and even though I have my 10 year old dog Hugo, I am alone. This photo was taken when Pony was young and healthy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqN8zR9q4NDZ0Mf1TDKvHF-vW5-EkxM87ZSjcqBJ4JFWXIFs7-lirSxQmfX2KE8lRXmwwAEaMP76qtbPoaQ8FxoYU57X-QMOTeSAH4mum_dWWcCyd_i47BDIe1cVVtB4gOxzF3Q/s1183/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqN8zR9q4NDZ0Mf1TDKvHF-vW5-EkxM87ZSjcqBJ4JFWXIFs7-lirSxQmfX2KE8lRXmwwAEaMP76qtbPoaQ8FxoYU57X-QMOTeSAH4mum_dWWcCyd_i47BDIe1cVVtB4gOxzF3Q/s640/scan0002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-44552499079135765442020-04-18T12:28:00.001-04:002020-04-18T12:28:31.313-04:00My Dad Died and I Don't Know What to DoThings have never been so bad with me. I stopped writing because I am so overwhelmed by panic and sorrow. As the title suggests, <a href="https://www.lehmanfuneralhome.com/obituary/ROBERT-SHERWOOD" target="_blank">my Dad died of a suspected heart attack on March 30</a>. He was found by a concerned neighbor. He lived alone in the Poconos. I tried calling him that Sunday (I usually call him on Sundays) and he didn't pick up. No big deal. He's done that before. I called back on Monday the 30th at 7:30 pm and still he didn't pick up. At 8:30 I got a call back -- from the county coroner.<br />
<br />
And it's been all downhill ever since. I live 150 miles from his place. He had about 12 cats. two friends from him from church are taking care of the cats but they will not move them out of the trailer. I have no idea what's going to happen to the cats and I am so far away I cannot do anything about it.<br />
<br />
My only sibling, my brother Matt, lives in Canada. He wants the trailer, Dad's life insurance, the SUV and the bank account. We've already paid a month's sewage bill on the place, where nobdy lives but the cats and two helpers who check in on them daily. I have no idea what will happen if the electricity bills aren't paid. I'm told the pipes in the mobile home will explode for some reason.<br />
<br />
According to relatives, Dad did not leave a will. Which means everything has to go through probate, which means someone has to go to the courthouse in the county where Dad died.<br />
<br />
Why can't I do it? First off, I'm not a good driver. Putting me behind the wheel of my SUV on the highways and traveling lost in the Poconos is not in the public's best interest.<br />
<br />
But mainly I can't do anything because of my Mom. She's severely crippled, canot walk (cannot even lurch into a wheelchair) and going downhill. She doesn;t have the coronavirus, but does have many health problems like Diabetes Type II and spinal stenosis. I just lost my Dad (and seven months ago, my beloved dog Pony) and now I'm worried I'm going to lose my Mom.<br />
<br />
So there's Dad's things and family obligation to do soething about them on one hand and on the other hand I have to take care of Mom. Taking care of Mom is my priority. I have to let all that stuff go (even the photos, even Dad's handicrafts, even a painting by my Uncle Jack) and stick to taking care of Mom in this time of CORVID-19.<br />
<br />
Life has suddenly become a very fragile and terrifying thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-90676127216731989112019-11-28T17:49:00.001-05:002019-11-28T17:49:52.190-05:00How I Got Back to Writing AgainIt's Thanksgiving here and I finally have the time and (more importantly) the energy to post on this sadly neglected blog. As the title suggests, I've been writing again here and there as my time, my health and my Mom's lack of health permit.<br />
<br />
So, how did I manage it? Simple. I spent all my money. I drained my bank account and had some fun doing it, too. I spent most of it on books and Breyer model horses. I used to be a major collector of model horses when I was a kid (and I was a kid until I was 30.) I know Breyers are the gateway drug to hard drug equivelent of model horses like Peter Stones, resins and (gasp) porcelains, but I have been able to keep it at just Breyers.<br />
<br />
I had hoped to add a photo of my collection but I cannot get the damn digital camera or the smartphone with the camera to work. I know there is a camera on this laptop but i cannot get a decent picture with it.<br />
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I did, however, manage a photo of me with Hugo, my sole remaining dog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PI4GQlYquuxTfFky6yxHCk7cb3tL6ufk9iWEqR0DlL_sxAZu8k1YGp9MvBQt1dCh5Uu0M5Cwf6FOdomG72icrW9QK1Up9tyHyjKUvs48_IJd9TmYZSBXF3csQAQb1W14S12NIw/s1600/WIN_20190108_17_41_01_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PI4GQlYquuxTfFky6yxHCk7cb3tL6ufk9iWEqR0DlL_sxAZu8k1YGp9MvBQt1dCh5Uu0M5Cwf6FOdomG72icrW9QK1Up9tyHyjKUvs48_IJd9TmYZSBXF3csQAQb1W14S12NIw/s320/WIN_20190108_17_41_01_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-43093269082172887852019-08-25T20:11:00.002-04:002019-08-25T20:13:56.697-04:00Pony Died Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3QgJYl3HKTd7R7TSCtSFhEupnjXiNOrZSVY_xT3xqgh5C4kBPKDeaVXTIg_4m1JFzc0DqgIGWDBRa6_jBvIHRuAZlVdKM85wJNp4JOwfl5w4TeruhgdF9Cv6x-d3UF2uOcRgHw/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1183" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3QgJYl3HKTd7R7TSCtSFhEupnjXiNOrZSVY_xT3xqgh5C4kBPKDeaVXTIg_4m1JFzc0DqgIGWDBRa6_jBvIHRuAZlVdKM85wJNp4JOwfl5w4TeruhgdF9Cv6x-d3UF2uOcRgHw/s320/scan0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Pony went downhill suddenly and died quietly at home in the living room surrounded by her human family and my other (now only) dog Hugo.<br />
<br />
Pony was born on 13 August 2004 in a council flat in Trowbridge, England. I was given her when she was 7 weeks old. We were both beat up by the same guy. He burned my home down just before Pony's first birthday. We fled together for my Mom's home in Clifton Heights, PA, where she spent the rest of her life. She was 15.<br />
<br />
I know I'm supposed to write a proper eulogy but I can't. I have no idea how I'm going to face the rest of my life without her.RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-14723397964116539622019-08-13T13:07:00.001-04:002019-08-13T13:07:15.223-04:00It's Pony's 15th Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlFtscNdHHaortXo_0kahKZ5tL0q-kLAExLQFpJdAgGXEaRmNbXcTpskb0joGpvxtNOzSR2gbigbK89Ts3RX451Co7QxAXdFqN_gl0XCWYog73MXLbrPUFveyOdl_aZgP52FzAA/s1600/Pony_me_Hugo_2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1140" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlFtscNdHHaortXo_0kahKZ5tL0q-kLAExLQFpJdAgGXEaRmNbXcTpskb0joGpvxtNOzSR2gbigbK89Ts3RX451Co7QxAXdFqN_gl0XCWYog73MXLbrPUFveyOdl_aZgP52FzAA/s320/Pony_me_Hugo_2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Amazingly, Pony has made it to her 15th birthday. I say amazingly because one week after her 14th birthday, she began having seizures. Now she's on medication and the seizures seem to be under control for now. Pony has sure slowed down since her puppyhood (it's really weird not to have her pulling while walking anymore) but so have I.<br />
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Unfortunately, I don't have a recent photo of her to post here since I still haven't been able to figure out the damn digital camera I bought Mom about 11 years ago. I tried to give the camera away but Mom won't let me. That's my excuse, anyway. This photo was taken about 2010 or 2011 when Pony could still jump up on the couch and Hugo was young.<br />
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Since things have been very bad here, especially with my Mom's health, I probably will not be updating this blog more than once a year any more.RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-31801002065042960062018-05-15T12:47:00.000-04:002018-05-15T12:47:25.428-04:00Winning Money Online? Whu --???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/2WuHHWbGt3fY4/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="500" height="160" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/2WuHHWbGt3fY4/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
A long time ago, there was a website called Rewarder. I was one of the many hundreds of contributors. On the site, you asked a question and gave a couple of bucks to the best answer. (You can see why the site was short-lived.) You might enjoy one of the weirder questions I was asked:<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>"How Can I Win Money? I Mean Cash Online From My House"</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>My answer:</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
You can't. It's as simple as that. After all of my years of working from
home as a freelance writer, I can assure you that winning cash from an online
source is not a practical solution. If you want money, you have to work for it,
even if the work you do is online. It's still work.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
You can certainly make money online but there is no such thing as a sure
thing when it comes to working online. You never know when clients will
suddenly stiff you a payment or whether any work in your field is available.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Some people make money <a href="https://clubthrifty.com/best-survey-sites/" target="_blank">by taking online surveys</a>, but you need to be careful
with surveys. You should never have to pay to join a survey panel. Surveys can
take a long time to fill out and only return pennies. Consider if you can
afford to work for pennies an hour. There are also scam survey companies out
there that never reimburse you no matter how many surveys you fill out.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Finding a legitimate online contest is difficult at best. If you've never
heard of the website or company offering the contest, skip it. It could be a
scam.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
If you do enter an online contest, make sure that you can accept the prize.
Are payments in checks, Pay Pal deposits or gift cards? If the prize is a Pay
Pal deposit, then you need a Pay Pal account. Cash is not a usual prize.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Some products or services have Facebook pages or other social media pages
that offer contests. Usually these are for products or small prizes like a box
of tea and not cash.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Never open an email with an attachment from someone you do not know or have
never contacted. Not all contests are legitimate. Some may be merely fishing
for suckers in order to get hold of your personal data for identity theft.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-87544461013232747472018-01-21T23:14:00.003-05:002018-01-21T23:14:50.314-05:00I Give Up Writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LZMFCQ9TqCQ/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LZMFCQ9TqCQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
This song captures how useless it is for me to continue to write. I pour my heart out and either I'm ignored or rejected. I'm 48, a wash-up and tired. So how appropriate that I found my feelings best expressed by someone else (The Magnetic Fields, <i>From a Sinking Boat</i>) than myself, since I apparently suck as a writer.<br />
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<br />RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-13156319235880438972017-11-18T23:05:00.001-05:002017-11-18T23:58:15.766-05:00I'm 48 Today. What the Hell Happened?It's my 48th birthday. My Mom gave me a wind-up wristwatch. It rained on and off most of the day. I meant to write for part of today, but this is all I could manage because I am in a cake coma. My birthday cake is a box of butterscotch Krimpets. Okay -- two boxes.Well, back to binge-watching <i>The Twilight Zone</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/5e/d3/bb/5ed3bb412b66f44a5a92dc172ca345d0--butterscotch-krimpets-joelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/5e/d3/bb/5ed3bb412b66f44a5a92dc172ca345d0--butterscotch-krimpets-joelle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-70120119118858810362017-08-20T14:39:00.000-04:002017-08-20T14:39:01.071-04:00My Stepmother DiedI just got off the phone with my Dad. My Stepmother Dee died of cancer yesterday about 6 pm. He lives hours away from me in the Poconos. Now he's alone with 15 cats in the woods. I'm stuck with my crippled mother here in Clifton Heights and two dogs and everything SUCKS.<br />
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I will not be online for a while.RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-1713130170036184642017-08-13T15:03:00.003-04:002017-08-13T15:03:43.249-04:00Happy 13th Birthday to My Dog Pony!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqN8zR9q4NDZ0Mf1TDKvHF-vW5-EkxM87ZSjcqBJ4JFWXIFs7-lirSxQmfX2KE8lRXmwwAEaMP76qtbPoaQ8FxoYU57X-QMOTeSAH4mum_dWWcCyd_i47BDIe1cVVtB4gOxzF3Q/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1183" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqN8zR9q4NDZ0Mf1TDKvHF-vW5-EkxM87ZSjcqBJ4JFWXIFs7-lirSxQmfX2KE8lRXmwwAEaMP76qtbPoaQ8FxoYU57X-QMOTeSAH4mum_dWWcCyd_i47BDIe1cVVtB4gOxzF3Q/s320/scan0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I first saw her when she was seven weeks old with her mom and litter mates in a small flat in England. She's now a teenager. We were both beaten up by the same man. Seeing her hit gave me the courage to leave that loser forever. We both were homeless together. We both saw our shelter home burnt down. We both survived the cross-Atlantic plane ride to America -- a new country for her but the land of my birth.<br />
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She's slowed down a bit and has far more white on her face than in this photo from ages past, but still as wonderful as ever. She's learned to share me with Hugo, a powderpuff Chinese Crested. She loves everybody -- except the vet. She's Pony, my dog and the best thing that ever happened to me.<br />
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Happy birthday, Pony. And hopefully there will be many more to come.RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-30417164326529217452017-05-04T17:56:00.000-04:002017-05-04T18:07:20.667-04:00Too Tired To Blog -- I Blame My MomI know I haven't blogged on any of my numerous blogs Since Feb or March -- because I'm exhausted. That's a wimpy excuse, I know, but let's be honest -- I'm lucky to make $10 a year from all my blogs combined. It's not much of an incentive to continue. I worked my ass off in school, college and previous jobs so I deserve some time to relax.<br />
<br />
Back to reading and watching Amazon Prime -- yeah, right. I spend most of my time taking care of my crippled mother. It's like taking care of a child -- a really smart child, but still. At any hour of the day or night there can be some kind of crisis -- a medication that needs renewing, a doctor who won't call back, a new food she suddenly becomes allergic to, spills, splats and anxiety attacks. She doesn't want me to be more than two hours away from home at any one time, so no more vacations to Germany and no more concerts.<br />
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And I take care of the dogs and the goldfish, too.<br />
<br />
Let's put it this way -- a good day for me is when I only have to wipe my Mom's ass ONCE.<br />
<br />
So yeah -- I'm EXHAUSTED.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://koralsworld.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/tired.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://koralsworld.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/tired.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-24692044029824557692017-02-25T20:44:00.002-05:002017-02-25T20:47:57.421-05:00The 50 Funniest American Writers: According to Andy Borowitz by Andy BorowitzNot funny except for a few selections near the end (Wanda Sykes, George Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Jean Shepherd, Woody Allen.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
(In other words -- not recommended.)<br />
<br />
NOTE: This review (such as it is) originally appeared on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1555262185" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>. I spend way too much time on Goodreads. Anyone else addicted to writing reviews on Goodreads?<br />
<br />
Anyone?RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-35989989916663121312017-02-16T13:42:00.000-05:002017-02-16T13:42:10.419-05:00Book Series Review The Everything Series By Adams Media<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>No, I haven’t read them all but enough to get the general flavor of the series</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">First there was the <i>For Dummies</i> series by Wiley Publishing
and then came <i>The Complete Idiot's Guide</i> series by the Penguin Group.
Since they did so well, there has been a host of other series based on the
similar themes, subjects and layouts as both the <i>For Dummies</i> series and <i>The
Complete Idiot's Guide</i> series. The most promising of these knock-off series
has been the <i>Everything</i> book series from Adams Media.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The Good</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The <i>Everything</i> series tends to be indexed very well,
organized well and include an interesting "Additional Resources"
section of print media, websites or organizations to help you get further
details. These are especially helpful for students, teachers or freelance
writers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The books use an easy to read font and use different colored text
and headings to help break up long chapters into easy-to-digest pieces. Like
the two series it mimics, the Everything books also has specially named and
illustrated features scattered about the text. These include "E
Alerts" which are warnings; "E Essentials" which are
"quick, handy tips" and "E Facts" which sometimes wanders
into the trivial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The Bad</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Unfortunately, the <i>Everything</i> book series does not have the
clout (such that it is) that the <i>For Dummies</i> or <i>The Complete Idiot's
Guide</i> has. Perhaps this will change in the future. But for now, the <i>Everything</i>
series cannot pull in experts in the field that also know how to write. The
writing quality varies considerably from book to book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Also, these books are less than 300 pages long. That does not
include the introduction, contents list, index, Additional Resources section
and advertisements for other books in the series. Many books in the series try
to cover topics much too broad to be explained in less than 300 pages. The most
successful books in the series are ones that focus on a more specific topic,
such as <i>The Everything Blogging Book</i> by Aliza Rishdahl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The Downright Ugly</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The titles of some books in the <i>Everything</i> series can be
deceptive. The writer may cover a topic slightly different than what the title
suggests. This can be highly annoying. One example of such a book is <i>The
Everything Aquarium Book</i> by Frank Indiviglio. He spends most of the book
talking about saltwater or marine aquariums. This does not help people with
freshwater or brackish water aquariums.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.8pt; margin-bottom: 11.25pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">This was also reflected in the eight pages of color photographs in
the book. Seven pages described salt water species. Color pages also push up
the cost of a book and so it would have been much better for the reader to
ditch the photos and get eight more pages of content, especially about
freshwater aquariums and equipment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-65460620541557545832017-02-13T15:37:00.003-05:002017-02-13T15:37:59.456-05:00Happy Birthday Peter Gabriel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuQQRKFkkZK_V-kf1ks8d3IfA12SUWun3mUAQRWlDwVZor0k50sMkQGu_wIQv8dZUKCg2WhbJoU4aC1G009PtFaf9LwNOC60hVrSEcBZzGXinvwyfB1GaD9dJ4QEsDtUWrgUyvQ/s1600/PartyMan.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuQQRKFkkZK_V-kf1ks8d3IfA12SUWun3mUAQRWlDwVZor0k50sMkQGu_wIQv8dZUKCg2WhbJoU4aC1G009PtFaf9LwNOC60hVrSEcBZzGXinvwyfB1GaD9dJ4QEsDtUWrgUyvQ/s320/PartyMan.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
Today is Peter Gabriel's 67th birthday, so I'm trotting out this old picture that appeared originally on the Solsbury Hill website. I couldn't find any news on PG except that his rather mediocre song "The Veil" (from the Oliver Stone movie <i>Snowden</i>) <a href="http://www.wjbdradio.com/music-news/2017/01/24/will-stevie-wonder-sting-and-peter-gabriel-score-oscar-nods-this-morning" target="_blank">is up for an Oscar</a> (the show is on Feb. 26.) The same song was nominated but lost at last night's Grammys. Something called "Heathens" won and apparently the population of a small nation sung on the track.<br />
<br />
The only other news I could find is that Anna Gabriel, PG's eldest child, <a href="https://www.6sqft.com/daughter-of-rock-legend-peter-gabriel-lists-sunny-east-village-co-op-for-1-65m/" target="_blank">is selling her posh New York flat.</a><br />
<br />
If you're waiting for a new album from PG, don't hold your breath.RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-12530937499565762017-02-11T01:14:00.001-05:002017-02-11T01:14:27.291-05:00Is Blogging Stressful?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/squid-take-down-submarine-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/squid-take-down-submarine-2.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
Several years ago, one of the most widely circulated stories among bloggers is <i>The New York Times</i>’ <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/technology/06sweat.html?_r=4&sq=blogger&st=nyt&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=7&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1210790134-pGoJD3Fx5gfuiBnaGccS5A">In
Wide Word of 24/7 Stress, Writers Blog ‘Til They Drop.<span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"
filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
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<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" o:spid="_x0000_i1025"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:.75pt;height:.75pt' o:button="t">
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/jpws6/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif"
o:href="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.29.1/t.gif"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:/Users/jpws6/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="snap_com_shot_link_icon" width="1" /><!--[endif]--></span></a> Chances
are, you already read it, had it emailed to you or heard about it. The
story alleges that bloggers can kill themselves blogging in the hunt to report
the Next Big Thing.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The Next Big Thing is crucial to bloggers trying to make some money. The Next Big Thing often brings in more
traffic and thus gives the blog a larger chunk of revenue share.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<b>The Reality of Blogging<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I hate to disappoint you, but blogging is not stressful in and of itself. In fact, I find it to be a real relief from my
daily stress. I have two personal blogs that don’t generate money and have
worked on blogs for clients that did make money. The only stress I
received was blogging for other clients. (“Hmm – wonder if he’ll bother paying
me this month?”) <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
There does seem to be a difference between the blogger interviewed for the <i>New York Times</i> article than for
"normal" bloggers. The former — and most stressed out kind —
are journalists where the deadline was always yesterday. Don’t let their
job pressures dissuade you from writing a diary, journal or blog. Getting
your thoughts out of your head and onto paper (or a computer screen) is one of
the most economic and effective ways of managing stress.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<strong>The Word “Blog”</strong><o:p></o:p><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
Just the word "blog" is can make you relax. It’s such a
ludicrous-sounding word. I know blog is short for "weblog", but
that’s not what I thought of when I first heard the word ‘blog" years
ago. I thought it was a sound you made when a vine or a tentacle
wrapped around you. You know — "Have I ever seem a giant squid
around here? Nah, there aren’t any giant sq — <em>blog</em>!" <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
So, just thinking "I’ve got to go work on the blogs now" can put
at least half a smile on my face.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<strong>Help In Survival Situations</strong><o:p></o:p><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
I used to have a book on wilderness survival written by an ex-SAS guy, <a href="http://www.survival-school.org/Default.aspx?tabid=372">John Wiseman<span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='width:.75pt;height:.75pt'
o:button="t">
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/jpws6/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif"
o:href="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v3.29.1/t.gif"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:/Users/jpws6/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026" width="1" /><!--[endif]--></span></a>. In it, you learn things
like how to survive in the woods after your airplane has gone down or how to find
drinkable water in the <st1:place w:st="on">Arctic</st1:place>. And you know
what one thing he recommended for surviving difficult situations where you are
stranded in the middle of nowhere? <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
If you guess, "keep a journal", pat yourself on the book and go
have a cookie. If you kept a journal (ordinary or written
blog") in survival situations, you can keep track of what plants are
edible, any significant landmarks to remember and how long you’ve been stuck
out in the middle of nowhere. He also says that it helps as a stress reliever
and to give you a sense of purpose ("I can’t die yet — <i>needs I must blog!"</i>)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
So, if you don’t believe me, you can take it from John Wiseman. The
act of blogging is not stressful and it can help you overcome stressful
situations. Blogging for money can be
stressful, depending on how goofy your client is. But even then, you don’t have to deal with
the client face to face. But you can
always blog about how annoying blogging is, as long as you don’t name any
clients and incur a lawsuit.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-37259457781726819212017-02-11T01:06:00.001-05:002017-02-11T01:06:29.146-05:00The Informal Library in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cliftonheightspa.com/images/CliftonHeightsSignC275.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.cliftonheightspa.com/images/CliftonHeightsSignC275.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><i>My favorite place to go in my neighborhood</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My home town of <st1:place w:st="on"><a href="http://www.cliftonheightsboro.com/" target="_blank">Clifton Heights</a></st1:place> has a rather
unusual library. It’s so unusual that
most residents are completely unaware that it exists. When asked where the closest library is, A
Clifton Heights resident will most likely direct you to the public libraries in
Lansdowne or <st1:place w:st="on">Upper Darby</st1:place>. But one library exists, unheralded and mostly
ignored inside of the Clifton Heights Borough Hall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Informal Library<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This library lacks many of the things a usual library
has. It does not have librarians, books
organized into categories or even steady hours.
But it also does have due dates.
The library is based entirely on the honor system. Residents can take as many books as they
want, although they are requested to bring other books they do not want in
compensation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The library is the first room on the left as soon as you
walk into the Borough Hall doors. Often
the lights are out. Just open the door
and switch on the lights. Inside the
vast room, you’ll see a lot of empty tables and chairs. This is where Veteran’s Administration
meetings, council meetings and voting takes place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But flanking the room are large, stately wooden bookshelves
crammed with books, old textbooks and tons of Reader’s Digest Condensed Book
tombs. You never know what you are going
to find at the informal library. I try
to only go a few times a year in order to ensure the largest turnover possible. I like to savor the occasion as it’s such a
treat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Tips <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The library is mostly open when the Borough Hall is
open. However, if there is a meeting going
on, then the doors will be locked. You
are allowed to look for books while voting is going on, as long as you do not
bother the volunteers helping out that day.
They usually park their desks in front of one wall of bookcases.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bring a large tote bag or backpack and fill it up. Don’t expect to see a lot of books or authors
that you recognize. But this is a great
chance to expand your reading horizons and sample all kinds of authors and
genres for free. Bring a sense of
humor. Some volunteers do try and sort
out the shelves, but mostly they are a hodge-podge of categories. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clifton Heights Borough Hall<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:street w:st="on">30 South
Springfield Road</st1:street><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Clifton Heights</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">PA</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">19018</st1:postalcode></st1:place><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
610-623-1000<o:p></o:p></div>
RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-14723024504683182202017-02-09T16:20:00.004-05:002017-02-09T16:20:23.779-05:00Why You Need to Market Yourself Online If You Are Self-Employed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/keep-calm-and-bang-head-on-desk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/keep-calm-and-bang-head-on-desk.png" height="320" width="274" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Originally published on Helium</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Online marketing
is crucial in order to be both self-employed and able to pay bills. No one will
come looking for a freelancer. The self-employed freelancer needs to go to the
clients. There are several ways a freelancer can connect with future clients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<b><span lang="EN">Social Networking<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b>
<span lang="EN">There are two types of social
networking sites available to the self-employed. There are all-subject social
websites like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace and then there are business-related
social networks like LinkedIn and Facebook’s BranchOut. Only join free
websites. Fill out the profile page as completely as possible. Use a
professional head-shot or at least a clear photo as an avatar.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Although business
social networks may seem to be the most logical choice to concentrate efforts,
they are a narrow avenue for connecting with new clients. BranchOut, for
example, has a very limited search feature for their job listings. Connecting with other self-employed
contemporaries on regular Facebook or Facebook groups opens up new client
possibilities. Building relationships with others not only helps relieve the
loneliness the self-employed experience, but also can give tips and tricks on
what new markets are opening and if anyone is hiring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<b><span lang="EN">Bidding Websites<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b>
<span lang="EN">There are many job-listing sites
that serve as a third party between clients and contractors. For example, if an
e-business needs a new logo, they put up a job listing and sift through the
individual job bids and proposals in order to pick who they will work with. The
bidding websites often provide help mediating any disputes between clients and
contractors.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<a href="http://ulancer.com/2011/03/some-popular-freelancing-job-bidding-sites/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN">Some of these sites</span></a><span lang="EN"> include Elance, Odesk or iFreelance. Get
to learn which bidding sites feature which type of jobs. Unfortunately, many of
these sites require a subscription fee. It is not necessary to subscribe to a
job listing site. Take whatever free membership is offered and take advantage
of any free trial memberships. Two to four weeks’ free membership is enough
time to find a client.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<b><span lang="EN">Maintain Business Website<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b>
<span lang="EN">The self-employed ideally should </span><a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13530_3-9759544-28.html" target="_blank"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">purchase
their own domain name</span></a><span lang="EN"> in
order to really make their online presence felt. Buying a domain name and
building an easy-to-read and easy to navigate business website makes an
incredible first impression on clients.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">But not every self-employed
worker can buy his or her own domain name. Freelance web content writers, for
example, will struggle to afford a domain name. But even maintaining a free
blog on Blogger can help create a positive impression on anyone who clicks onto
the blog. Keep updating it at least once a week to reassure clients both old
and new that no one has suddenly disappeared. Keep all views on religion or
politics off this blog (unless you are me.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
</ul>
RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-17908756051890429652017-02-09T14:45:00.002-05:002017-02-09T14:45:27.224-05:0010 Bad Books By Great Writers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.tenor.co/images/c232cfe4d82da744859cdf050fbf42ad/raw" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://media.tenor.co/images/c232cfe4d82da744859cdf050fbf42ad/raw" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“People who have half a mind to write a book – unfortunately
do!” -- Anonymous</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even the best authors can produce some real clunkers.
Although these 10 are arguably great writers, steer clear of these books,
listed in alphabetical order. (Some of these appear on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/34672471?shelf=read" target="_blank">my Goodreads reviews.)</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Judy Blume, <i>Wifey<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Celebrated children book author Judy Blume’s 1978 work for
adults seems desperate to distance itself as far from children’s books as
possible. The unsympathetic protagonist,
caught in a boring marriage, decides to have an affair. This theme has been much better done by other
writers. The numerous sex scenes are
blunt, chilling and embarrassing instead of sensual. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>William Faulkner, <i>The Sound and the Fury<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This highly-acclaimed 1929 novel about the fall of a
Southern family is confusing, unsatisfying and depressing. It was written in a Faulkner’s stream of
consciousness style, but novels like <i>As I
Lay Dying</i> managed to make this style compelling and comprehensible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Dick Francis,<i> Hot Money<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Francis became more famous as a mystery writer than as a
champion steeplechase jockey. Most of
his mysteries are examples of how to write a mystery, but this 1987 offering
lacks the grim but hopeful reality of British horse racing that appears in the
majority of Francis’ works. There are
too many characters and a sudden ending to make this a satisfying work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Jonathan Franzen, <i>Freedom<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Franzen has earned accolades for his works, including this
very long 2010 novel. Told in different
character’s voices, this novel fails for being too patronizing to the
reader. Symbols and metaphors are
explained at great length by the characters.
The novel is much too long and cutting out those explanations would save
the reader’s nerves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Ernest Hemingway, <i>The Old Man and the Sea<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although this novella won the Pulitzer Prize of 1954, <i>The Old Man and the Sea </i>is responsible
for a generation of readers to hate Hemingway.
This is a shame, considering that most of Hemingway’s novels are full of
quirky dark humor and three-dimensional characters. Unfortunately, this novella lacks his sense
of humor and character development. In
modern times where animal suffering is cringe-worthy, readers may find
themselves rooting for the fish.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Stephen King, <i>Insomnia<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The master of this 1994 thriller starts strong and then keeps
on stumbling in this bestseller.
Although this was publicized as being a novel that can stand by itself,
it makes numerous references to King’s Gunslinger series. This is incredibly frustrating for anyone who
hasn’t read a Gunslinger book.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Dean Koontz, <i>Cold Fire<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The basis of a good horror story is that the plot must be
believable. In this way, the reader
wonders if the premise could actually happen.
This is sadly missing in Koontz’s 1991 offering, <i>Cold Fire. </i>The female
protagonist, a reporter, seems to be the most intelligent human being that has
ever lived in order to figure out just what is going on to a seemingly
miraculous man.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Wally Lamb, <i>The Hour I First Believed<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lamb creates vivid characters and compelling plotlines, but <i>The Hour I First Believed </i>(2008)<i> </i>breaks no new ground. It contains dozens of pages reproducing
interviews and news articles about the Columbine school shooting. Readers already overly familiar with the
Columbine shooting will find these long passages tedious. This novel so similar to Lamb’s previous <i>I Know This Much Is True</i> (1998) that you
have to wonder if he plagiarized himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Cormac McCarthy, <i>The Road<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
McCarthy’s 2006 short novel won raves from Oprah Winfrey and
from many critics. However, the main
plot line – what happens in a post-Apocalyptic world – has been much better in
Stephen King’s <i>The Stand</i>, in John
Wyndham’s <i>The Day of the Triffids </i>and
about 100 other science fiction short stories.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>John Steinbeck, <i>Burning Bright <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although technically this is a three-act play, it’s more of
a three-act circus. Published in 1950,
Steinbeck’s experiment of writing a novella in play form fails. The characters have bizarre dialogue, as if
they are trying to speak in pretentious poetry.
Each act includes the same plot structure and characters with the same
names – but other than that, these acts have nothing to do with each
other. The first is set in a circus, the
second at a farm, the third on a boat and the finale in a delivery room. It makes for disorienting reading.<o:p></o:p></div>
RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-11676348141510017522017-02-09T14:38:00.000-05:002017-02-09T14:38:02.717-05:00Had to Monetize the Blog. Sorry.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://whysoangryblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/235-cat-money-gangster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://whysoangryblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/235-cat-money-gangster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hey, give me a break -- I made only $850 in 2015 and I'm still hurting. I need to gather in all the pennies I can -- even if this means that I loose my literary soul. Hopefully this means I will not have to delete any previous posts (you never know when the AdSense rules are going to change) but if I do, it probably won't be that great a loss to society.<br />
<br />
In the meantime (and it is a mean time) I am going to post some of my old articles from websites that are no longer with us (and I see appear in <a href="http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/scraper-site" target="_blank">evil scraper sites</a>.) Right now, I'm going to concentrate on posting articles about writing but I'm sure I'll stray off to other topics eventually because that's how I am and there is no cure.<br />
<br />
Also, I've started posting new material up at my other blogs that you may enjoy:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://futureofthethoroughbred.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Future of the Thoroughbred</a> (a blog about horses)</li>
<li><a href="http://notthenewadventuresofsherlockholmes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Not the New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes</a> (promo blog for my eBook)</li>
<li><a href="http://renasherwood-mydogisbetterthanyourgod.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Dog is Better Than Your God</a> (a blog about dogs and some atheism stuff)</li>
<li><a href="http://dreamingofpeter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dreaming of Peter</a> (sleep, dreaming and health problems associated with them)</li>
<li><a href="http://whyvangoghmatters.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Why Van Gogh Matters</a> (about Van Gogh, of course!)</li>
</ul>
RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-22878178268503687612017-02-01T18:53:00.002-05:002017-02-01T18:53:47.338-05:003 Reasons Why Freelance Writing is Great <div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i>If you’re passionate about writing and
learning, then freelance writing is the best job in the world. It’s not an easy job, though</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">If you’re passionate about writing and
learning, then freelance writing is the best job in the world. It’s not an easy job, though. You have to be willing to put in the hours,
drop a lot of social engagements and submit to seemingly bizarre revision
requests. If you are willing to do all
of that, then you will discover all of the reasons that freelance writing is
such a great career – flexibility, variety and stability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Flexibility<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">You work your own hours. This doesn’t mean that you get to watch
YouTube videos for hours and call it “research.” You have to get your behind in the chair,
fingers on the keyboard and churn out the work.
But the more you write, the easier it is to get in the habit of
writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">There is no one to ask vacation dates from,
so you can set your own vacation dates.
You may not be able to go on vacations for the first few years of your
freelance career, but eventually you will be able to. You may be able to incorporate article ideas
during your vacation. Expect to do rough
drafts or article outlines while on vacation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Variety<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The Internet provides thousands of places
to turn your words into money. If you
are able to get into traditional print media, great, but the bulk of freelance
writing jobs are online. On the same
day, you could be writing for blogs, press releases, brief news items, how-to
guides and advertising. The subjects
also vary wildly, which keep you from getting bored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">When you begin freelance writing, get out
of your comfort zone and write about as many topics as you can. This gives you more job opportunities and
more clips to show to future clients. As
your career progresses and you have your pick of clients, you can pick which
subjects will be your specialty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Stability<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">In a traditional job, you went from your home
to a building and did your job for one business. But how about if that business tanked? You’re left without any income. With freelance writing, you avoid this
scenario by having many clients. You can
keep on assessing the clients you have, dropping those that are irksome and
taking on more clients. Try to have at
least six clients at any one time. That
way if one fails or just does not have enough work for you, you can still bring
in income with the other five clients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Even though you are your own boss, you
still have to be disciplined, professional and know your limitations. These are things best learned on the
job. In freelance writing, you can learn
these skills while still bringing in an income.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-9137583392186786752017-01-31T14:59:00.002-05:002017-01-31T16:08:38.914-05:00Advice for New Online Writers <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Notizblock_mit_Stiften_(29095643554).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Notizblock_mit_Stiften_(29095643554).jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Writing web content is not a reliable way to make money</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><a href="http://www.indeed.com/salary/Web-Content-Writer.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.indeed.com/salary/Web-Content-Writer.html" target="_blank">According to Indeed.com</a>, the average annual salary of a web
content writer is $56,000. Keep in mind this is just an average. When starting
out, web content writers will make a lot less. You will be lucky to crack four
figures. Web content writing is hard work with long hours for very little
money. Treat a career in web content writing as a second job instead of relying
on it as a main job.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you do get work, act professionally. Get it done on
time. Let your clients have at least two ways of getting in contact with you.
Use good grammar, spelling and punctuation in your correspondence emails. Get a
separate email account for your clients. If you do not have a PayPal account,
get one. Many clients will only pay by PayPal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Expect Scams</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finding paying clients that offer steady work is very
difficult. This is a “feast or famine” type of career. You must take as much
work as you can when it is offered in order to help you get through times of no
paying writing jobs. Because there are so many online writers desperate for
work, it will be inevitable that all web content writers will run into
scammers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scammers will not give you a clear answer as to how much
money you will make. They will ask for long articles as a “sample” of your
work. Never send long articles as samples. It will wind up being stolen. Make a
blog, webpage or <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> page that shows off your best online clips. Send
links to these pages as samples to potential clients.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Unpredictability</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never count on steady work from any client. Many online
writers were making a good living writing for just one client, Demand Media.
Google <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Panda" target="_blank">then launched the Panda algorithm in late 2011</a>, which penalized Demand
Media web sites. Demand Media dropped most of its writers and greatly slowed
down the amount of writing jobs available for the few writers that was left.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clients can come and go at the drop of a hat because of
online trends, natural disasters or sudden bankruptcy. Never be satisfied with
just one or two major clients. Get at least six clients so that if one client
suddenly disappears you still have five other revenue streams. Economize
whenever you can and bank your savings. Your savings should be used only in
emergencies when you cannot find work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Writing_materials#/media/File:Notizblock_mit_Stiften_(29095643554).jpg" target="_blank">Image: "Notebook and Pens" by <span style="color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="background: none rgb(248, 249, 250); font-size: 13.6px;">Marco Verch</span></span> for Wikimedia Commons</a></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-21499309366623479212017-01-31T01:07:00.004-05:002017-01-31T13:24:29.873-05:00Being a Writer: Overcoming the Fear of Failure <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Shyness_Of_angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Shyness_Of_angel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Or, overcoming the intimidation factor of being a writer</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<span lang="EN">If I only had a dollar for every
time I was laughed at when I mentioned I wanted to be a writer, I’d still write
anyway. I’d only do it in a more
comfortable chair.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<b><span lang="EN">Public Perception of Writers<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b>
<span lang="EN">And I'm not the only one. Any
career in the creative arts is looked on with eyes rolled to the heavens.
Although some lucky writers were given immediate support by their families and friends,
most would-be writers are heavily encouraged to take up another profession by
friends, family and total strangers.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">The reason for this is because
the nay-sayers hold a genuine fear that you will not be able to make enough money
to survive. Most people look at all artists as starving artists. You will
certainly find them in any field of the creative arts today. If someone you
know (or don't know) tried to discourage you from being a writer, they are
usually doing it out of concern for you rather than trying to put you down.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<b><span lang="EN">Money or Lack Therof<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b>
<span lang="EN">The chances of making enough
money to survive through your writing alone are grim. You not only have to
learn how to write, you have to learn how to network, how to sell yourself and
do your own bookkeeping. Even books on writing careers written by successful
freelance writers will caution, "Don't quit your day job." For
example, my “day job” is caretaker to my elderly mother. I don’t get a salary for it, but I do get bed
and board.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, the average yearly salary for a freelance writer was </span><br />
<span lang="EN">$55, 420. Keep in mind that this is <i>the average</i>. Last year (2015) made a mere three-figure salary. Finding the average
of a freelance writer's salary is like finding the average of a professional baseball
player's salary. It only takes a few multi-million dollar contracts to screw up
the national average. And so, this worry
about money can be very intimidating, indeed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<b><span lang="EN">Write Anyway<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b>
<span lang="EN">Write anyway. Let the very
burning drive to write be your validation to write. If you have the passion for it, you will find
ways to incorporate writing into many aspects of your life, whether you are a
freelance writer or not. Know deep within yourself why you want to write is it
to put food on the table, to express yourself, or just because you love it? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">If going three days without
writing something down drives you nearly insane, then perhaps you have the
passion to write. Writing is the jugular vein of your life. The more you write
no matter what you write the better you will get. And you'll keep yourself
sane.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<b><span lang="EN">Recommended Reading<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<ul>
<li><i><span lang="EN">Take Joy: A Writer’s Guide to Loving the Craft. </span></i><span lang="EN">Jane Yolen. Writer’s Digest Books;
2006.</span></li>
<li><i><span lang="EN">On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. </span></i><span lang="EN">Stephen King. Scribner; 2000.</span></li>
<li>Procrastinating Writers. <a href="http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/05/do-you-fear-failure" target="_blank">“Do YouFear Failure?”</a> May 12, 2009.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<i><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Shyness#/media/File:Shyness_Of_angel.jpg" target="_blank">Image "Shyness of Angel" by Sureshbmani for Wikimedia Commons</a></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23888261.post-86124324898328881542017-01-29T01:12:00.002-05:002017-01-29T01:12:47.329-05:005 Most Effective Ways to Get Over Writer’s Block<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/1b/55/09/1b5509ebbb46fbd6d563135ab655e9b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/1b/55/09/1b5509ebbb46fbd6d563135ab655e9b4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><i>Advice from a
freelance writer -- me</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">When you write
for a living, then writer's block can be crippling. Although people who write as
a hobby or "for fun" also feel crippled when they undergo writer's
block, they usually have another source of income to fall back on. But for a
professional writer, word flow is the only way to get food on the table. Here
are five ways to get the butt in the chair and the fingers on the keyboard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span lang="EN">Look At
Your Bills<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN">This is an incredibly effective way to remove writer's
block. Do not underestimate the thought of getting a harassing phone call from
a bill collector. Suddenly, that series of<span style="color: blue;"> colon cleansing </span>articles due next week looks a little more appetizing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN">Needing to pay bills taps into your survival instincts.
When asked about his talents, legendary British</span> singer-songwriter<span lang="EN"> Peter Gabriel quickly denies that he possesses exceptional talents. In an
interview with <i>Musician</i> magazine,
Gabriel explains, "Image that a gun was put to your head and you were told
that you'd be shot unless you managed to produce a great work of art. Suddenly
you would find motivation to do so."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN">Let that pile of bills act as a gun put to your head.
You'll be writing like mad before you can think about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span lang="EN">Read
Something From Your Favorite Charity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN">Ever wish you could give more </span>money <span lang="EN">to your favorite
charity? You could if you wrote more articles, blog posts or whatever it is you
write in order to get paid. By looking at people or animals that suffer worse
lives than you have, your writer's block seems to dwindle in comparison. This
is a more altruistic version of the first method.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Just stick to one charity or you'll soon feel overwhelmed
with responsibilities. Try to keep the </span>reading <span lang="EN">of
websites, charity newsletters or whatever to about ten minutes, or you'll just
be reading instead of writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN">Write in
Small Chunks<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN">You can trick yourself into writing a whole article, </span>short
story <span lang="EN">or whatever. Don’t think "I have to write a whole
big project now." Instead, think, "I have to write a headline or
title now." That's it. That's all you have to do. When you get that done,
mentally pat yourself on the back and think, </span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN">"Alright – now I need to
write the first sentence. That's it. Just the first sentence." And so on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">It’s a bit like climbing a mountain or cleaning a
house. The whole task looks
insurmountable, but if you take it down into small chunks, the task is
accomplished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN">Set a
Deadline<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN">Even if your writing project does not have a deadline,
give it one. It’s hard to justify postponing writing when you have a deadline
looming. Make the deadline the day before a special event so that your event is
even more special with a sense of accomplishment. Other deadline dates can include upcoming
vacation days, doctor's appointments or when the next episode of your favorite </span>television
<span lang="EN">show comes on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN">Loosen
Up and Laugh<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN">Your first draft does not have to be perfect. Editing and
revision come later. Just get that first draft out as quickly as possible. When
you go back and see the mistakes you made, realize that the sky has not fallen
because you did a typo. Have a laugh and enjoy the process of getting yet
another writing assignment accomplished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
RenaSherwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02584776016067333591noreply@blogger.com0