Although Online Writing Labs or OWLs are developed by various universities throughout the world, they provide valuable resources for all types of writers.
OWLs offer information similar to the tips I wrote about in my last feature Working With Words: The Basics…
From handouts readable on the web to online tutorials, these labs offer a wide range of helpful hints about grammar, punctuation, writing style and more related topics.
Be sure to check out my new subtopic ONLINE WRITING LABS at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art7321.asp.
I chose the first ten based upon the quality and quantity of information accessible by anyone (not just students at their college) online.
Lynchburg College in Virginia offers an online guide, which covers topics like: Drafting a Document; Choosing a Subject; Creative Writing in Non-Fiction; Freewriting; Proofreading Your Paper; Using Outlines to Organize; and Successful Business Writing. Lynchburg’s Writing Center also provides online quizzes to test
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Teleconferences, also known as teleclasses or teleseminars depending on the presentation format, are the second hottest delivery technique for 2004. This delivery format satisfies the yearn to learn and opens an exchange to unbelievable global portions. Also called distance learning, a format began in the mid-1990s by higher learning institutions. Now, without leaving your easy chair, you can put on a headset, lean back and learn. No parking challenges, gas usage, or travel time required.
Technology is exploding in this part of the communication industry. In 2003 this market tripled their service features for leaders, use and availability in on the incline, and the attendance limitations of 30 a few years ago now expands to 150.
Teleconference phone numbers are still limited to availability in only certain states, like Florida and Nevada. The pressure for other states to add telecon- ferencing services at these reasonable rates is not there yet. The bell
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Each author has special editing needs. To save yourself time and money, look at the choices below and decide which kind of editing suits your needs.
Line editing.
Use this final professional edit after you have already revised your work three times.
Your first revision excludes all redundancies, reducing your copy by one-third.
In your second line edit, rework all the words and sentences so they are your finest. Reduce passive verb constructions (aim for 2-4%) and create relatively short sentences. A standard sentence length is 15-17 words. Longer sentences with multiple phrases and clauses make the reader slow down to understand. As the author, you want your reader to flow along with ease. In your final line edit look at your headings, paragraphs and transitions to make sure your message carries power through placement and is easy to read. Place your most dramatic words and phrases at the end of the sentence, the
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Writer’s block! Even columnist Dave Berry has it. He admits that at least 30 times a day when writing his humor column, he gets up from his computer to sip his Pepsi to divert his attention when he can’t think of what to write. Recently, he reached for the cola and instead found a coiled snake. He tried barbecue tongs to carry it away, but when it landed in his pool, he kept the dance going trying to catch the thing.
As a writer you may think you are blocked because you think your book may not be significant enough, you don’t know how to format it, or since you aren’t famous, your book won’t sell. Or, like Dave you can’t think of something great to say.
Let the book coach encourage you beyond your doubts. Know that your book is unique and offers useful solutions to help your audience solve their
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Sometimes reading a quick quotation can provide writers with inspiration to continue writing.
Why does this work? I do not know for sure.
Will it work for you? I do not know that either.
But try it and find out!
Search a comprehensive collection of quotations on this page
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4753.asp
I would like to suggest a writing exercise created by Shery Ma Belle Arrieta, owner of Positive Quotes. Her creative writing exercise is published below with her permission.
WRITING EXERCISE # 1: GREAT MEN SAID IT, I LIVE IT! By Shery Ma Belle Arietta
* short intro - Over the years, decades, and even centuries, many great men and women made their mark in history through something they have said. Quotable quotes as some would say. These people have said many an inspiring quote that books containing just these quotes continue to be published time and time again. I have found that a quote I come
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When you create your articles in TextPad format, something like Notepad, but much more versatile, you will have them in 65 characters across wrapped, just the right format. Then, when you are ready to submit your articles to web sites, you simply copy and paste the parts of the article into the web site you want to post on.
Use Textpad to format all of your email promotion, ezines, or articles to high traffic ezines or Web sites. This shareware program at www.textpad.com is free to use for some time, and you can buy it later. It can put all of your articles or other message into 65 characters across wrapped automatically.
Textpad formats my monthly ezine, “The BookCoach Says” easily to reach over 3500 subscribers. It also keeps track of my list and when someone opts-in or opts-out, we use TextPad to locate the name in the files to add or
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If you find that your progress is blocked by a lack of time or experience, consider hiring a freelancer to jumpstart your project.
Writer’s block got you down? Don’t let it. Every town has a freelance writer who can help you get a release or article written quickly. Or you can search for one nationally on one of the free classified ad sites like Craig’s List.
A good freelance writer can take your information over the phone and create the piece that you are looking for.
True, writing is not rocket science, and you can do it yourself. But if you find you’re procrastinating, put a writer on your team. You can pretty much rent ‘em by the hour or the project, so you’ll pay only for what you need.
Placing a story, just like writing one, is more common sense than rocket science. But if you’re stuck for time or want a professional
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Online PR in the form of website and ezine article placement can be a great way to build your personal brand. You showcase your expertise in the article and raise your status. You get an author’s box at the end of the article containing a bio, as well as email and website contact information. Readers may click-through on your URL to learn more about you. More links improve your search engine rankings. The benefits go on.
Here are my top 7 tips for online articles:
* develop an enticing title
* make the article informative and useful, and without hype or jargon
* keep it focused on a relatively narrow topic
* keep the length under 1,250 words
* proofread to ensure there are no typos, punctuation or grammar errors
* end with an author’s box of less than six lines, complete with short bio, email address, web URL and telephone number
* develop a list of article
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With a million and one things to do, it’s a wise idea to have a ghostwriter to lighten the load. But what if your ghostwriter is more of a hindrance than a help? Here are some signs it may be time to cut the cord and send that ghostwriter packing.
1. You edit your ghostwriter’s work, and not the other way around.
Your ghostwriter is here to polish your appearance. If you’re embarassed by what she comes up with, or if her grammar skills are sub-par, get out before things get ugly. And while you’re at it, do her a favor and offer some dead-honesty about her ability. She may hate you for it tomorrow, but an honest constructive opinion can be just the thing to initiate improvement all around.
2. Your ghostwriter is a slacker.
Nothing like handing your ghostwriter an assigment and having to wait three days for a response, only to
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You can multiply your ability to persuade by 400%, whether your audience is 1 or 100. Web-based presentations add a visual element to teleconferences. Instead of just talking to prospects, you can simultaneously show them and tell them. According to a Wharton Business School study, this dual mode communication makes your message up to four times more effective than using just your voice.
Present from your office:
Web-based presentations can be as effective as in-the-same-room presentations, but are free from the costs and frustrations involved in traveling.
Talk to your prospects using your current telephone orfor large groups a rented bridge line. You and your audience view your visuals using a standard web browser and Internet connection.
You control what’s displayed on your audience’s computer screen! Your screen contains a menu listing available visuals. You control presentation content, pace, and sequence. You can spend as much or as little time as desired on
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