Nine Excellent Reasons for Technology in Education

Two events prodded me to write this. The first was my involvement in formulating a technology plan for a technologically advanced local school. During this process I became increasingly concerned that while the school intuitively knew it should improve in this area, it did not really know why.

The second event was an email I got from a teacher concerning my web site Math Open Reference. In it she said, to paraphrase: 'Thank you so much! Now I have something to do with those laptops they gave me!.' You can visualize the scene: a school decided to move technology into the classroom so it gave the teacher the computers. This is putting the solution before the problem. Again I wondered if this school really knew why they wanted the technology. In what way precisely would the education be better?

So here they are. Nine fundamental reasons why I think technology is important in education. Hopefully, they can act as the rationale for technology plans in schools. If you disagree, or find things missing, my contact information is at the end.

Reason 1. Expansion of time and place
In a typical high school a student has access to a teacher for one hour each day. That means she has access to the teacher approximately for 6% of a 16-hour waking day, and even that time is shared with 25 classmates. But she has access to the Internet 100% of the time. That's a lot better — some twenty times better. Yes, technology is no substitute for an inspiring teacher. However, on-line materials are FAR more available. As shown above, some twenty times more available.

Using the traditional textbook + classroom approach, the places where learning can occur are limited. A portable wireless computer has access to the teacher's course material and the entire Internet almost anywhere. And this is a vastly larger resource than can be practically carried on paper in a backpack.

Bottom line: information technology allows learning anywhere, anytime; not just in one particular classroom for one hour a day.

Reason 2. Depth of Understanding
Interactive simulations and illustrations can produce a much greater depth of understanding of a particular concept. When virtual manipulatives are used in a classroom setting they can go far beyond chalk and talk. Using a projector, the teacher can conduct onscreen investigations and demonstrate concepts far more easily than with just words and arm-waving. For example see Subtended Angle. Combine this class demonstration with access to the same tools over the web, and the student can reinforce the ideas by playing with the simulations themselves, any time, any where.

Reason 3. Learning vs. Teaching
Technology allows the tables to be turned. Instead of teaching (push), students can be given projects that require them to learn (pull) the necessary material themselves. Key to this is the ability to get the information they need any time anywhere, without being in the physical presence of a teacher. This project-based pull approach makes learning far more interesting for the student. I have seen firsthand how students cannot wait to get out of regular classes to go to the after-school robotics project.

Reason 4. New media for self-expression
In the old days, students could write in a notebook, and what they wrote was seen only by the teacher. Using modern technology, they can: make a PowerPoint presentation, record/edit spoken word, do digital photography, make a video, run a class newspaper, run a web based school radio or TV station, do claymation, compose digital music on a synthesizer, make a website, and/or create a blog.

Reason 5. Collaboration
A vital skill in the new digital world is the ability to work collaboratively on projects with others who may not be physically close. This can best be done using modern computer tools such as the Web, Email, instant messaging and cell phone. Rather than laboring alone on homework, students can work in small groups wherever they happen to be and at any time. They are doing this already – it can now be formalized and taught as a vital skill. Many university projects are undertaken by teams spread around the world. Your students need to be prepared for this.

Reason 6. Going Global
The worldview of the student can be expanded because of the zero cost of communicating with other people around the globe. The internet permits free video conferencing which permits interaction in real time with sister schools in other countries. From an educational viewpoint, what could be more important than understanding other cultures through direct dialog and collaboration?

Reason 7. Individual pacing and sequence
Students are, of course, all different. Information technologies can permit them to break step with the class and go at a pace and order that suits each student better. Without disrupting the class, they can repeat difficult lessons and explore what they find interesting. With time, it will become more like having a private tutor rather than being lost in a large class.

Reason 8. Weight
Three textbooks and three binders easily weigh over 25 pounds. A laptop computer weighs about 5 pounds and provides access to infinitely more material via its own storage and the Internet. A 40Gb hard drive can hold 2 million pages with illustrations; the Web is unfathomably large. Right now, students are getting back injuries lugging around a tiny subset of what they need in the form of black marks printed on slices of a substance not all that different from the papyrus used by the ancient Egyptians. And it's just static boring text.

Reason 9. Personal Productivity
Students need productivity tools for the same reasons you do. They need to write, read, communicate, organize and schedule. A student's life is not much different from that of any knowledge worker, and they need similar tools. Even if they are never used in the classroom, portable personal computers will make a student's (and teacher's) life more effective. To cash in this benefit, schools need to go paperless.

In summary, if education is about knowledge and intellectual skills, then information technology lies at the heart of it all. We have only just begun this transition. School will eventually look very different. Get ready.

Email: John Page
By John Page
July 1, 2007
URL: http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196604531

Solitude

Alone without being lonely, quiet yet
welcoming a brief sound in the silence.
Music surrounds the solitude,
an internal and external phenomenom.

Emotions ebb and flow like a mystical tide
desire for companionship sometimes dispells
the need for solitude, a guest to unite lonely beings into a whole
that is beyond singularity and greater than the sum.

The sounds, the feelings, the wonder of just thinking,
thought without direction momentary aberations of time and space
amazement at imaginary journies or perhaps insanity.

Writing in Portland

Please check out these interesting links about writing in Portland, OR.


http://www.willamettewriters.com/

http://www.writearound.org/

http://www.angelfire.com/blues/writing/writing.html

http://www.up.edu/lrc/writing/

http://www.writingcenter.pdx.edu/

Everytime I See My Pansies

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY


This reminded my of my beloved grandma, who loved not pansies, but Violets!


Every time I see my pansies
Vivid in the golden sun,
You are with me in my garden,
And I am once again a child.

Vivid in the golden sun,
Their beauty brings me close to tears,
And I am once again a child
Learning to assume your grace.

Their beauty brings me close to tears
As I join hands with you in love,
Learning to assume your grace,
Dancing to your inner music.

As I join hands with you in love,
You are with me in my garden,
Dancing to your inner music
Every time I see my pansies.



http://www.jandm.cn/mom/mother-day-poems.htm

Coming soon: Podcasts

Coming soon, in about two or three weeks, this blog will be available by Podcast.

The content will be new, different, and yet similar to the blog. I hope to include more original content, with writings, video, and original music.

Stay tuned !

Portland "Rose Festival"

Hey folks this will be my first "Rose Festival". There are lots to do and see, including "Fleet Week". I look forward to it!

http://www.rosefestival.org/

Shifting Beams of Light

The light seeps through the cloud covered sky, while rain drips like tears off the dying blooms of spring.

The disrupted reflections of life fade into the distance and into the past. Another day in paradise.

Finally at the bottom of the well of sadness, a gleam of hope slowly rises. A room alone for the first time in 40+ years awaits in the new month. Pessimism keeps emotions in check until the final bell rings dimly in the distance, a nearby church tolls the hour.

Blog Writing

Blogging has become quite a popular event for a lot of people online. Blog writing is effective and gives a personal touch to a specific theme and information that the reader is invited to comment on. This type of writing is an artistic approach that can be less formal than the normal article writing. It should, however, provide beneficial information to the reader. People express their views and feelings in blog writing. They make strong points that they may or may not agree with such as political viewpoints.

Blogs are first used to introduce who you are and then provide a forum to post vital information and receive good comments. Of course, you will get the occasional spam, but for the most part, people who comment are sincere and want to provide additional information. Blogs have been around since the 1990’s and have gradually become popular as people have realized the effectiveness of its use.

Owning a blog to post your articles is one of the best forms of advertising your product or service. Blogs are free resources. It is easy to set up. Blogspot and wordpress are the two most popular ones.

Blogging is similar to keeping a personal journal. People can identify with you more in your blog if you make it a personal or business affair. The theme of your blog depends on whether you will make it more personal or more businesslike.

Blogs have moved a little from the personal effect as more people began using it as a way to promote their businesses and provide good content. The search engines love blogs because they provide such fresh and honest content.

So more and more people are using blog writing to advertise their business. A business blog should have a specific theme and not be packed with different types of articles that are not similar. If you are selling health products, for examples, you should write about health and fitness. The information you provide on your blog will let the visitor see how knowledgeable you are. You will be considered an expert of your blog. Someone who visits your blog will want to buy from an expert.

You can syndicate your blog through RSS technology. Individuals can sign up to your RSS feed and get the latest post and articles directly in their email inbox. You can submit your blog to blog directories and RSS feed directories to get maximum exposure. The RSS feed directories will provide an avenue for more people to subscribe to your blog and get fresh content each day.

When writing for a blog, be sure to consider your audience first. Write around your product or service. You don’t have to write blatant sales messages. Research additional information and provide it to your readers, especially hard-to-find facts and benefits.

You also have the capability to use pictures in your blog and the visual aspect of your blog can prompt the visitor to make the purchase after reading your article posts.

Make your blog creative, interactive and interesting by posting articles that benefit the reader.

About the Author
Ben Heart is one of the leading Article Marketing specialists from ArticlesBase. ArticlesBase.com is a free articles directory, ArticlesBase.com answers all your article submission needs. Learn more about Article Marketing from our eBook - The Entrepreneur's Guide to Article Marketing - http://www.articlesmarketing.info/

Published At: www.Isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=246129&ca=Writing

National Library Week! April 13-19, 2008

http://ala.org/ala/pio/natlibraryweek/nlw.cfm

Borders Web Site for Info

Wow, a web site just about Borders books!

http://www.topix.com/com/bgp

Uh Huh!

For Sale? Bookseller Borders Hires Finance Firms To Review Options

Andrew Albanese -- Library Journal, 3/26/2008

Private equity firm involved

Sales are down

Barnes & Noble may be interested


Bookselling chain Borders announced last week that that it has hired J.P. Morgan Securities and Merrill Lynch to help launch a "review" of its strategic alternatives-which could include the sale of the company or some of its divisions. In addition, Borders reported that Pershing Capital, a private equity firm with a large stake in Borders and two board seats, has agreed to lend the company $42.5 million and to acquire Borders's Australian, New Zealand, Singapore, and Paperchase subsidiaries for $125 million-if Borders cannot find a better deal.

"The review process will include the investigation of a wide range of alternatives," read a Borders statement, "including the sale of the company and/or certain divisions for the purpose of maximizing shareholder value." Officials, however, added that there are "no assurances that a transaction of any kind will occur." Borders reported that fourth quarter income from 2007 was $84.7 million, down from $87.7 million in the previous year. Borders group CEO George Jones acknowledged that 2008 "will be a challenging year for retailers due to continued uncertainty in the economic environment."

Meanwhile, LJ sister publication Publishers Weekly reported that rival bookseller Barnes & Noble, while not yet approached regarding Borders, told reporters in a year-end conference call it could have interest in buying its rival. B&N also recently reported an off year, with net income down nearly 10 percent for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008. B&N CEO Mitch Klipper told reporters that B&N's bottom line was hit in the fourth quarter by the "rapid deterioration" of music sales, and that customer traffic at B&N stores was down slightly.

Researching Your Memoir: How to Mine the Material of Your Life

I did a lot of work on mine. I had photos, about fifty typed pages, etc. Then I realized last year that no one cared about it or me. I threw it all in the dumpster. It appears that my 59 years of life are irrelevant!

Life is the raw material from which all writers work. Personal experiences and relationships with people often stir the urge to create and inspire the stories we put on the page. Whether you’re working on a memoir or a work of fiction based on your life experiences, the first place you will probably look for material is inside your mind, within your own memories.

But memories tend to blur and fade, making writing about your past difficult to do without research. Research can reveal details and eliminate inaccuracies that you may not remember correctly. Plus research helps you develop your material from a one-sided account into a multidimensional story so it resonates with people besides yourself and your family.

If you’re working on a memoir, or a story based on your life, consider looking in the following four places for information that will not only help shape your story, but also give it depth and dimension beyond what you can remember.

1. Personal Journals

As a kid, I was so worried that someone might find and read my journals that I often destroyed them. The thought of someone discovering my innermost feelings horrified me—after all, sixth grade can be pretty traumatizing. But now that I’m a writer struggling to know myself and my stories, there’s nothing I regret more than throwing my precious material into the garbage.

When assembling a memoir or other work based on your life, personal journals are often the most valuable resource you can have. So if you don’t already, start keeping a journal. Although you may not think you have anything significant to write about each day, just jotting down the date and a few notes about what you did will prove to be helpful for determining dates and timelines of events when you start writing your memoir.

If you have journals from your past, or even from your family members, you should haul them out of your attic and read them cover to cover. For writers, journals are like goldmines. They can help you recall events and your personal feelings and thoughts from that time in your life. A journal can even help you determine what your story is really about by revealing themes, potential story lines, and other important details about you and your life that you may not remember at first.

2. Photo Albums

Family photos are another invaluable resource for memoirists, so dig yours out and start looking. Photos help writers on several levels. First, they can help you remember people and events from your past. They can also be used to put faces with names, which can be used in descriptions. Photos can reveal personalities and clues about people and places that you may have forgotten or overlooked at the time.

For example, you might notice that your uncle isn’t smiling in any pictures. What does that tell you about his character? Is that consistent with your memories of him? You may also be able to mine valuable details about the locations where your life story unfolded, such as your childhood home, your backyard, or your college dorm. All these details will be captured in the backgrounds of your old photos.

Organizing photos can be a big job in itself and every person’s photo collections are likely in different states of order, so do your best to work with what you have and what’s applicable to your project. You may also have to contact family members and friends to put names with some of the faces and identify locations that appear in your collection of old photos.

3. Newspaper Archives

When researching family histories and personal stories, many writers look for obituaries and wedding announcements in their hometown newspapers. But newspaper archives can offer a writer much more than obits. If you’re looking for information about a specific event, newspaper archives are often the best place to look for a local perspective. And just leafing through the old pages—or microfilm reels—can stir old memories and ideas about your personal history.

You can use newspaper archives to help create accurate pictures of your life story’s setting by looking at what and who were making news at that time in your life. Clippings can jog memories of people and events that may have played a role in the story you want to write. Newspapers can even reveal interesting stories that deepen and expand your personal history.

Your hometown’s library should have a complete archive of the local newspaper, most likely preserved on microfilm or microfiche. The newspaper, if it’s still in operation, may also have a comprehensive archive. Many newspapers offer their archives online, but the available dates may be limited and the search functions may not be as extensive as you need. You may have to contact the newspaper for information about using their archives. If you no longer live in your hometown, consider visiting for research purposes because some newspaper archives aren’t available any other way.

4. Interview Family and Friends

Even though you may be writing your own life history, getting your friends’ and family members’ perspectives on the events you write about will help you create a story with more depth and breadth. It will help ensure the events you recreate on the page are accurate beyond your own memories, which tend to shift and blur over time. And your story will be less one-sided with insight from other people who witnessed the events of your life.

Start by talking to your family and friends about the events you’re writing about, and see what they remember. Parents and grandparents, as long as they’re still around and able, will be able to provide invaluable insight on events of the past. Even old friends and neighbors, if you can track them down, are great resources when you’re writing a personal or family history. They may even be able to refer other helpful people and resources, such as diaries or family photos that you may not have known about.

When you approach friends and family members for information, think like a reporter and create a list of questions to give your interviews some structure. Talk about what they remember, and cover everything from conversations that took place to weather that day. But let your interviewees go off on tangents that seem interesting or important. And make sure you take good notes or record your interviews so you can transcribe them later.

Telling Your Stories

Everyone is interesting, and everyone has a story to tell. But telling an interesting personal story means looking beyond your memory of what happened in your life and finding deeper meaning and different perspectives through research.

As you write your memoir or novel based on your life, search beyond what you remember and look for material that will round out your narrative beyond what parts stuck with you. Your research may reveal story lines, themes, and details that you may have overlooked. Research takes work, but the results will pay off with a story that resonates with larger audiences and reflects the events of your life with greater accuracy.



About The Author

Melinda Copp is a freelance editor, writer, and author of the e-book The WRITE Way to Author a Profitable Book. For a free sample of the e-book, sign up for her free monthly newsletter at http://www.melindawrites.com/newsletter.

In our grasp - how the interent and new technology will democratise publishing.

I am an author. It’s about six months since I first held a copy of my book in my grasp. It was a project I had lived with, on and off, for twenty years. I wrote the book in the 1980s and forgot about it until November 2006. I retrieved it, decided to finish it and then there was our publisher. So, in my grasp, there was the book. It was a strange feeling. It felt like it had a life of its own, as if it had nothing to do with me any more.

I am proud of my novel. It’s not autobiographical, but many of the events in the book did happen. But, of course, I re-ordered them, changed them, made them fit the overall idea that I decided would underpin the book. I would not be so crass, so clichéd, as to say that it is “based on real events”, but I would claim that it contains a lot that derives from my personal experience. The book is my way of communicating that experience, hopefully in a way that goes beyond merely listing a series of events. There’s meaning there, somewhere – at least I hope there is.

Writing, obviously, is a form of communication. Creative writing is personal communication. It offers a particular, yes, a personal view of existence. When we write, we claim that we are special, that we have something special to say. There would be no point in doing it, otherwise.

So what might I be able to communicate? What is so special about me that might motivate others to read about the experiences I relate? Who is this person, resplendent on the cover of the book?

Well, I was born in 1952, so that makes me 55 years old. I was brought up in what was then a mining village in the north of England. The home we lived in had no garden. You walked directly from the front room onto a main road. We spread cinders from the fire across the back yard to fill out the puddles. My mother had to go out and lift up the washing line with a prop to let the coal wagon through. We had an outside toilet with torn up newspaper on a nail. We had no bathroom, and running water only in the kitchen sink. Baths were taken once a week in a galvanised tub set in front of the kitchen fire. The cellar used to flood and I spent many hours sailing the tin bath in that subterranean sea. Tell ‘em that you lived in a shoe box in the middle of the road and do they believe you? No.

But it turned out that I was quite good at school. I was accelerated. I did my eleven plus at nine and went to a grammar school. From there I won a scholarship to London University where I studied Chemical Engineering. Yes, I am a mathematician and a physicist. End of conversation…

But I didn’t want to design oil refineries, so I trained as a teacher. I have always been conscious that I am a product of the 1944 Education Act. Had that legislation not sought to widen access to education then I would probably have become an electrician like my father or gone down the pit like my grandfather. For me the 1944 Education Act changed everything. So I went to university. I was always conscious of this opportunity that had never been available to previous generations of my family. That’s why I decided to teach. I wanted to help other poor people to empower themselves, as I thought I had done.

And then I went to Kenya. I did two years as a volunteer in a self-help secondary school in Kitui District, eastern Kenya. I became a head teacher after just three months and so, as a 22 year old, I found myself running a school with 180 students, 120 of which were full-time boarders. I had six full-time teaching staff and five ancillary staff. I had to construct a science lab, library, kitchen, dining room, two teacher’s houses and a large concrete water tank. I did all the school accounts, extracted fees from the students, paid the staff, handled governors’ and parents’ meetings in Swahili etc. It was quite an experience. Things that happened in those two years formed the basis of my book and, indeed, my next book awaiting publication. It’s thirty years since I wrote the second book, incidentally, though I revised it this year having retrieved my original hand-written manuscript after 15 years of separation. Ten years ago I threw away the two copies of the book that I had typed. At the time I needed to offload luggage. And now it will be published.

After Kenya, I went back to London where I met my wife. We lived and worked in London for 16 years. I taught in schools and colleges and was involved in some very interesting spare time projects.

Then, in 1992 we upped and went to Brunei in South-East Asia. We lived there for six and a half years and then moved to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for three years. Then we gravitated here to Spain, and have been here for five years. I have taught mathematics and information technology throughout, but I have also studied. I have a Master’s degree in education and a PhD in social sciences, specialising in the psychological aspects of economic change. So here I am, a maths teacher who does computers, grounded in educational theory and a specialist in how economic change impacts the individual’s identity, beliefs and culture. Perhaps I am unique, but then we all are, because we are all individuals and have an individual and thus individualised experience.

A pause here to say thank you and for being patient while I talked about “me”. But what’s the point? How does this come together? Well let’s start with the 1944 Education Act. And let’s remember that it’s only 150 years or so since economically developed countries actively tried to widen access to education. Prior to that it was a controlled, utterly exclusive path, open to only a miniscule fraction of the population. It is still true that 95% of all scientists who have ever lived are alive today. This statistic is a direct consequence of a deliberate global widening of access to education in the last century, which itself has led to an amazing flowering of knowledge and discovery. Human population and life expectancy have soared. In Brunei, for instance, life expectancy rose from 40 to 80 years in one generation. Yes, “progress” results in environmental pressures, social tensions, conflict, perhaps, but personally I would not want to return to a life expectancy of 40, and neither would I volunteer to forego the technology that so enhances the quality of my life. Our ingenuity got us here. It will take us somewhere else as well. But if that ingenuity is not literally “schooled”, not presented with opportunity to develop and express itself, then it will be wasted, never realised. So it is my assertion that all of this human transformation, most of which is positive, came about primarily as a result of wider access to education.

I am also a social scientist. If physical sciences observe natural phenomena with a view to categorising them and extracting patterns of predictability and behaviour, then social sciences do the same with groups of people. It’s harder to categorise in the social sciences because the targets keep moving. Societies tend to change before they have defined themselves, certainly before they have succumbed to description, let alone analysis. The mechanisms of the physical world are relatively constant, if stubbornly hard to reveal, whereas those of the human world are a seething pot of bubbles.

There’s an approach to social sciences called phenomenology. What it uses for data is individual experience. I’ve done a bit myself. It takes many hours of work to conduct interviews, transcribe them, analyse them and then reflect upon the content. When, as a researcher, you try to contrast the phenomenological data provided by people here and now with that of the past, you quickly realise that there really isn’t anything to work with. If access to education only increased a hundred or so years ago, access to the means of recording individual human existence really has never widened. It remains restricted, access to it controlled in the way that education used to be the privilege of the few.

If you want to communicate your own personal and particular experience, you write something. Speech is both free and common, but it’s ethereal: once spoken it’s gone for ever. Until the end of the twentieth century, individuals who wanted to record experience first had to secure access to education to learn literacy. They then had to have enough time off from securing the necessities of life to write. And finally they would be presented with the highly unlikely task of finding a publisher, someone who was willing to invest money in the production of a record of that highly personal experience. Interesting it may be. Marketable it generally was not. In addition, the publisher doing the paying usually demanded the call of the writer’s tune, so the individual part of that individual experience was generally dropped as the publisher inserted his own requirements.

But where are we now? New technology means that we can produce books with little investment. The print-on-demand technique currently produces relatively expensive books, but that will soon change. Electronic self-publishing can be free. The blogosphere is something entirely new. And, as a consequence, for the first time in human history, the voices of ordinary people, living ordinary lives, having ordinary experiences can be heard. The word ordinary, by the way, is illusory. What we really should say is “particular”, “individual”, “different”, or “interesting”.

Currently there is no phenomenological human history. It does not exist. We are witnessing its birth. Imagine a hundred years from now being able to say that 95% of all the authors who have ever lived are currently alive – and all because of changes in technology at the end of the twentieth century, allied with the initiative of a few visionaries at the time who saw the potential. So thank you to all five of the founding partners of our publisher for being prime movers in a revolution, a revolution to make the voice of the ordinary, the particular, the unique individual heard. Thanks to you, it’s now in our grasp.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

For a century Wider access to education has changed the world, opening up the possiblility of participating in human intellectual life for millions of people who otherwise would have merely repeated the ways of the past. Now the internet, new technology and the vision of a few far sighted individuals is opening up access to publishing and promises a flowering as great for future generations.

About the Author:
Philip Spires Author of Mission, an African novel set in Kenya http://www.philipspires.co.uk I was born in Wakefield, west Yorkshire in the United Kingdom and grew up in Sharlston, then a mining village. After London University I lived in Kenya. Then I taught in London before moving to Brunei and then the UAE. Since 2003, I have lived in Spain, completing a PhD and my first published novel, Mission.

So Many Books, So Little Time

I read about 2-3 novels a week..mostly thrillers and mysteries, occasionally Sci-fi. I can't begin to keep up with new releases, let alone make headway in "the list". I figured that if I lived to 100, I would have read only about 11,000 books in my lifetime........read faster, faster!

What I need is some kind of neural implant that allows me to absorb the information..like Johnny Neumonic...a 1/4" phone jack in my skull. Uh huh.

Sanity, Are You Kidding?

Marketing,Ezine,Ezine Publishing


Do you have what it takes to be an ezine publisher? Someone told me the other day that anyone could become a newsletter or ezine publisher. That put me into some deep thought about the situation.
I decided that it was probably true that anyone could become a publisher of an ezine or newsletter. The trick is to publish one that is successful and still keep one's sanity.

Sanity you ask? How could I possibly lose my sanity putting out an issue of a newsletter or ezine? Well my good friend, let me help you count the ways.

Right after I first started publishing, I had the chance to go up to a mountain lake with some friends one evening. I actually needed to get my ezine out but I thought what the heck, I will get up a few hours early tomorrow morning and finish putting it together. Wrong unwise one.

The next morning when I got up my electricity was off. I waited quite impatiently as I watched the hours tick away. My wife had a doctor's appointment that afternoon, so I had to leave to take her to town. She had been unable to drive for the last few months due to destroyed ligaments in her foot.

I tried to not think about it as I took her to town. Of course when we finished at the doctor's office, she insisted that I take her out to eat. Well, if you think there was any way that I could say no to that one, you obviously don't have a wife. Or you won't have one for long.

We arrived back home late in the afternoon. I was thrilled to find that the electricity was working again. I started putting together my issue of the ezine. I went to connect to the internet to send it out and could not hook up to my ISP.

I got on the phone and called my ISP and was told that they were having problems of some sort and were not sure when service would be restored.

By this time it was getting on up in the evening and all at once the realization came that I should already have tomorrow's issue ready and yet I had not even started.

This was far from comforting. So I started putting tomorrow's issue together. I had just started working on it when my wife hollered and asked me if I was going to work all night. That's right I thought, I promised her that I would spend some time with her this evening.

After spending a couple of hours with my wife, I started working on the ezine again. I worked until about 2:00 AM. I finally finished and went up to get a few hours sleep before I had to get back up.

About 3:30 I was startled out of bed by what appeared to be a loud scream. I started running towards my wife's bedroom when here came that startling sound again. It was my Tom Cat. He was ready to go outside. Oh I could ignore him but if you know anything about Tom Cats, that would have only punished myself more.

I went back to bed only to be awaken by a cat fight around 4:45. The Tom from the next valley over had came over to pay us a friendly visit. Of course his idea of a friendly visit was to come over and see if he could kill my cat.

Well my cat had not made any brownie points by waking me up earlier but if I did not go rescue him, I would be in the dog house with my wife. This would never work because the only pet facility that we had was a small cat palace and I already had a backache.

To heck with trying to sleep. I went to check and see if my ISP was back up. Great, I was back in business. I first sent out yesterday's issue and then put the finishing touches on today's. I then sent it out as well.

I then decided to go check my mail and make sure I received both issues. I looked at the first issue and I had forgotten to put the right address in the Title. Instead of my first name, which will show if I type the following [FIRSTNAME], I saw [FIRSTNAME. I had forgot to close my parenthesis and everyone's ezine came out addressed to [FIRSTNAME.

I then took a look at today's issue. I had typed in the wrong date on the top, I had forgotten to put contact information in my ad for a advertising special. I was not feeling real good about myself at this point.

I then looked back at my mail and saw a note addressed to me with suggestion as the subject. I thought, to heck with reading that. After the last two days, they are probably suggesting that I take a permanent vacation. I just don't know if I can take that kind of rejection right now. I need sleep.

I headed up to bed and passed my wife who was heading down the steps. She asked if I was going up to change into work clothes. My mind started churning, what had I promised to do this morning?

She brought me out of my thought by informing me that she would do the inside of the windows while I did the outside.

Sanity? That has long since passed me by.

So back to the question, can anyone publish an ezine?

Well if the subscriber who sent me the suggestion is anywhere close to correct, I am not qualified to answer. Here is his suggestion.

You could not publish a #$%&*%$ ezine if your ^$##@*%#* life depended on it.

I also got brave and told my wife that I don't do windows.

I am now trying to get some of the sleep that my body so desperately needs but the accommodations seem less than cozy. This cat palace is sure not the luxurious place that I had been led to believe.

Honey, I was just kidding, I will gladly help with those windows.

Article was written by Raymond Johnston Jr You will find more of his articles along with web marketing tools on his website at http://www.RaymondJohnston.com



Related Articles - marketing, internet, internet marketing, work online, online success, marketing success, internet marketing success, online business, ezine, ezines,

Zines, Do-It-Yourself Publishing

Here ares some links to a few sources of self-publishing I came across in "The Bear Deluxe Magazine #26":

826 Valencia
www.826Valencia.org

Booklyn
www.booklyn.org

Grrrl Zines, Grrrl Zines A Go-Go
www.gzagg.org

Independent Publishing Resource Center
www.iprc.org

The Center for Book Arts
www.centerforbookarts.org

The Minnesota Center for Book Arts
www.mnbookarts.org

Check out the one nearest you. I am sure they all have valuable information and recources to help in your writing endevors.

Zines vs Blogging

There are several people who have "Zines", but do not have a blog. I have blogs, but don't read or write zines. Is something missing?

The two for some reason seem to go together....Zines can be printed and on-line, blogs can be also, but I guess a printed blog is a "column"?

The one guy I know, with his own Zine, knows nothing about blogging, yet types his zine on a PC. This seems almost strange and weird to me. It is almost like someone who only uses a PC for email, and types his letters, journals, essays, etc. on an electric typwriter (rememeber those?. I am sure it's just me.

I like to write and read blogs...will consider podcasts...and guess, I will investigate further the world of zines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

Can you Write a Good Article?

We all can work and develop a career, but only few people become really famous and known for the work they do. That is because their work out stands from the common and is highly appreciated by others. People who succeed in this way have special skills and determination. These features are achieved due to continuous learning and practice.

Reading, writing and many other such things could be an example of work which many people prefer but not all do equally good work. Writing could be a hobby for some people. Writing poems, stories, autobiographies, etc. might seem very interesting for those who know and have the art of writing. Anyone can write, but we all aim to write as good as possible. Every poem, story or article has to show the feel which the writer had while writing it. To write appropriately, we need the skill, interest and the art. This can be developed mainly by reading. Reading things which attract you could lead you to the correct path. Analyzing the material is very important. One has to know the qualities in the written material. One has to look at what the writer has to say to the readers.

Writing articles could seem very easy but is difficult in terms of expressing the actual feel we have while writing the article. Writing an article could be a medium to speak to others about the topic. It is a way to express our feelings while thinking and writing about a particular subject. All this needs interest to write. If one has interest to write, other qualities could be developed by many ways. Writing often and reading interesting articles and books related to your field can raise your intelectual level and help you write better. All the above mentioned qualities combine together to be called as art of writing an article. One may develop the art of writing a good article because of his reading qualities, expressing qualities, thinking qualities, and also observing qualities. All these things are responsible for an outcome that an individual gives by writing on a topic. Not all have that art of writing, expressing and thinking.

A good article has to include one's ability to express what he thinks in form of writing. Observing various things would ultimately lead to good amount of thinking. For developing these qualities, one can take inspiration from great authors who have spent almost whole of their life in writing fabulous books. Article would be read by the common people, thus writing an article for them would also include art of writing. One has to know what the common people prefer, what they would understand better, etc. Thus, taking inspiration from someone who has already done these things could be beneficial. An article can be written by anyone but to make it a good article one has to have the art of writing a good article. Not everyone who writes had this art from birth. This art can be improved by various methods. Art of writing is very essential in expressing one's views, and thoughts. A good article would contain all the feelings, expressions, and thoughts that the writer had in his mind while writing.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com


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Library Card !

OK, I got my new library card. Usually always the first thing I get when moving to a new city.

Even though currently homeless, I used my message/contact address, and that seemed to be good enough.

I am always amazed that huge numbers of people, many who even work for bookstores, or are heavy readers, have no library card! I don't understand that at all. A Library has music CD's, DVD's, and the most recent periodicals that can be checked out, besides books. And, unless you run up $$$ in late fees, it's free!

Libraries sure vary from state to state and city to city, though. The best I have experienced was in Rochester Hills, MI. their selection of books, CD's & DVD's was outstanding. My current library is sub par.

Oh well, once again, how much can you whine when it's free?

Mayan 5200-year Great Cycle in Scripture

The Mayan Calendar 5200-year Great Cycle is a variation of the Long Count Initial Series. Formerly developed in conjunction with the Dresden Codex, the Long Count begins with the presumed Mayan Creation date, noted as 13.0.0.0.0. The most significant digits on the left are Baktuns (400-years), next are Katuns (20-years), and Tuns (360-days), and Uinals (20-days) and Kins (days). The Long Count measures 13 consecutive 400-year-Baktun-cycles or 5200-Tun-years. Therefore, conjecture rationalizes at least 12 Baktuns and possibly 13 Baktuns have elapsed prior to the onset of the Long Count. The 5200-year Great Cycle, on the other hand, introduces a cyclic calendar system whereby 5200-Tun-years repeat to mirror the 52-year Calendar Round. The secondary age category cumulatively adds to achieve 5200-Tun-years, or as some historians agree, 5200-Haab-solar-years in a Mayan 5200-year Great Cycle. The Great Cycle is generally associated with 5200-Tun-years having 360-days each. Depending on the context used, some opinions favor the 365-day-Haab-solar-year. The special treatment of the Wayeb 5-feast days between the 360-day-Tun-year and the 365-day-Haab-solar-year is usually included for Long Count projections.

The Antediluvian Calendar system applies 13 steps of 400-year-Baktun-cycles to describe the 5200-year Great Cycle from Adam to Enoch. Six 800-year Generation Cycles extend the secondary age category to represent the lives of six Patriarchs. The six secondary ages measure time since fatherhood until the character’s death. Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel and Jared each increment the secondary age category total by two 400-year-Baktun-cycles each. Extra time beyond the 800-year Generation Cycle expresses in terms of 260-day-Tzolken-sacred-years for the first example, Seth. The secondary age of Adam is the 800-year Generation Cycle in Genesis 5:4. The secondary 807-year age of Seth includes the 800-year Generation Cycle, plus 7-Tzolken-sacred-years (Genesis 5:7).

The secondary age category entails thirteen 400-year-Baktun-cycles in the vernacular of the Mayan Calendar. Each 400-year-Baktun-cycle is the halfway, midpoint position for the entire Patriarch’s 800-year Generation Cycle. The end of Adam’s first 400-year-Baktun-cycle in the secondary age category also identifies the end of 130-years in the primary age category. The end of Adam’s second 400-year-Baktun-cycle completes the first 800-year Generation Cycle in the secondary age category.

Seth’s secondary 807-year age follows the same pattern. The third 400-year-Baktun-cycle in the lineage is also Seth’s first 400-year-Baktun-cycle for the secondary age category. Again, at the halfway point, Seth’s primary 105-year age of solar-side time split ends simultaneously with Seth’s first 400-year-Baktun-cycle. The fourth 400-year-Baktun-cycle adds to the secondary age category for Seth. Seth’s secondary age 800-year Generation Cycle finishes at the end of the fourth 400-year-Baktun-cycle. A final period lasting 7-Tzolken-sacred-years or 1,820-days, adds the last primary age 5-Ethiopic-years according to the 364-day-Ethiopic-year. The familiar 365-day-solar-year adjusts by one day every year to add approximately 7-Tzolken-sacred-years from the last 5-years in Seth’s 105-year primary age.

The Holy Bible commits the bulk of this Holy of Holies to exploring given ages for the Antediluvian Patriarchs from Enos to Enoch. Ages of Adam harvested calendar information from several known sources. The Jewish Calendar, Egyptian Calendar and Sun Kingdoms’ Calendars of the Americas assist to discern fundamental requisites of lunar/solar calendar operations. Enhancing our view of ancient time recording, additional materials gathered from the Book of Jubilees, Dead Sea Scrolls, three Book(s) of Enoch and mythological inferences compile for better awareness about ancient calendar systems. Styles of writing and the consistency of meanings are useful in dating ancient texts. The purpose here is to extract pertinent fragmentary evidence offered by ancient writings to facilitate reconstruction of the oldest Antediluvian Calendar system.

Supplementary literature serves our calendar interests. Original Septuagint texts translate to compose most of the canonical Holy Bible. The Septuagint is aptly noted LXX, for the legendary seventy or so scholars involved. Ptolemy II (285–247 B.C.E.) requested six translators from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to work at the library at Alexandria. They translated the first five books of Moses or the Torah. The Pentateuch means the same name in Greek. Most scholars estimate the latter part of the third century for scripture translations into Greek. We are far more interested in the information disseminated in the text rather than every jot, yod or tittle (Matthew 5:18). In English, this compares to crossing t’s and dotting i’s. We can rest assured diligent care was exercised by Septuagint translators in creating Greek renditions of the Bible. According to the Letter of Aristeas, the Jerusalem high priest Eleazar, was to appoint trained Jewish sages to generate precise translations.

Noteworthy resources embrace various stages of correspondence with several collections attributed to be authentically Septuagint. A survey of the similarities and differences yields more specific calendar information targeted toward resolving the ages listed in chapter 5 of Genesis. Contributing texts present themselves against the background of accepted calendar systems. Several Apocryphal (false writings and not canonical) works also became known between 100 B.C.E. and 300 A.D.

Striking 100-year differences exists between the Antediluvian Septuagint calendar ages and those respective ages in the traditional Bible. A contrasting first 100-years of difference exists between the primary age of Adam, as reputed by the Septuagint and the accepted 130-year age in the later Holy Bible versions. The Septuagint mentions the primary age of Adam to be 230-years at Seth’s birth in Genesis 5:3. The Septuagint’s primary 230-year age of Adam departs from a wider set of l/s calendar terms, which indicate Septuagint translators were working with a discrete 100-years single term. Prominent 100-year differences lead us to distinguish 100-year single terms stood alone in the script.

This illustration suggests that 100-days-and-years are an isolated single term. Associated numerical matching of X-days with X-years bolsters a more comprehensive scheme that situates a difference between the 260-year-sacred-cycle and the 360-year midpoint type of cycle. Mayan calendar terminology substitutes for the equivalent 260-year-Tzolken-sacred-cycle and the 360-year-Tun-cycle. Important considerations that select 100-days-and-years graphically determine the difference between 260-day-Tzolken-years and 360-day-Tun-years to formulate the larger frames of 260-year-Tzolken-sacred-cycles and 360-year-Tun-cycles. A distinct 100-year single term is visible in multiple translated texts.

Emphasis for the primary age measures from the characters’ beginning to the primary age time at fatherhood. In the popular Holy Bible, Seth’s primary 105-year age revises to be 205-years in the Septuagint. Scrutiny of the Holy Bible primary 105-year age of Seth reinforces the notion that the 100-year portion was likely a 100-days-and-years single term and that 5-years shares the very same treatment by referring to a special 5-days-and-years single term. Ending the 360-day-Tun-year with the special 5-day Wayeb period agrees with ending a 360-year-Tun-cycle with an outstanding terminal 5-year Wayab. Seth’s last 5-years in the primary age or 1,820-days, link with 7-Tzolken-sacred-years in the secondary age category (Eqn. 13).

Proper historical credit belongs to the Holy Bible from older versions that translate Torah. Modern English versions of the Holy Bible better preserve original settings cast. The Greek Septuagint did a more accurate job of translating spiritual underpinnings as opposed to precise numbers. Modern word searches and the capabilities of the Internet enable exhaustive searching.

The secondary 800-year Generation Cycle age of Adam, measured from fatherhood until Adam’s death, also mutates regarding 700-years in the Septuagint. The primary and secondary ages of Adam offset by 100-years according to the Septuagint. The identical 100-year deviation between the sacred texts affects the secondary age of later characters in the secondary age category by the same amount. The mainstream of the Septuagint copies the generational flow from the character’s age at fatherhood until the characters death. Mesoamerican l/s calendar ages were ideally fixed for both 130-years as half of the 260-year-Tzolken-sacred-cycle and the 400-year-Baktun-cycle as half of the larger 800-year Generation Cycle.

Original Hebrew texts maintained accuracy in keeping with the Sun Kingdom’s calendars. Specific calendar units of measurement show the principal time reckoning ingredients embedded as bits and pieces. Differences lasting 100-years continue throughout the remaining Septuagint genealogy. Seth, for example, has 205-years in the primary age category at his fatherhood of Enos. The secondary 707-year age for Seth likewise indicates a 100-year shortfall from the Holy Bible account. Both cases for Adam and Seth eventually sum for the total age life spans of 930-years for Adam and 912-years for Seth, respectively.

Septuagint translators had access to Torah scrolls and other manuscripts that modern people may never know. Fire partially destroyed the library at Alexandria when Julius Caesar laid siege to the city in 48 B.C.E. The Septuagint was the first canon in the Greek before the New Testament. Books and parts of books were included in the canon. Greek editions of the Hebrew Bible in many different languages aided the spread of Christianity. Some early churches rejected Apocryphal and related works. Septuagint research through all stages, amplifications and modifications is a separate study. Every language and even dialect has particular meanings and interpretations akin to itself. New translations and revisions are undergoing development to this day.

Stringent rules for recopying Torah scrolls have always been in effect. Asserted in Deuteronomy 4:2 and 31:24-26, divine instructions preserve all scriptures intact. Orders prohibit any added or removed words or meanings. The Levite priesthood held stewardship of the scriptures. The New Testament later affirms the “oracles of God” are committed to the Jewish people (Romans 3:2).

The earliest scriptures designed to protect the sanctity and original meanings inherent to the Hebrew Bible determine the copy practices of the Levite priesthood. The chosen Levites were to make new copies of the Bible as older copies wore out. Meticulous rules were in effect for transcribing text. Every page needs to be an exact duplicate, word for word and letter by letter. Counting numbers of words and/or letters per page permitted comparisons to the original text. Up to three people eventually were required to make a copy. A copyist sat in full Jewish dress, accompanied by at least two others tasked with checking the manuscript for errors. Safeguarding the Sacred Text enabled the acclaimed “fence to the scriptures.” Words and letters remained locked into position. A single mistake caused the entire work’s destruction and the whole process started over.

The Temple Scriptures rested inside the Ark of the Covenant of the Holy of Holies. The increasing Jewish population used the same methods for worship and observance wherever they settled. Levite scribes continued to painstakingly duplicate and distribute copies. The Masoretic text of the 9th century C.E. seems to be a standard of authenticity for Biblical scholars. Observing technical terms and relevant styles help to date scrolls and other written information. The last Old Testament Prophet and scribe, Ezra is said to have fixed the canon of the Old Testament about 400 B.C.E. Masoretic text also refers to later versions that date between 500 - 1000 C.E. The moral to this condensed story is to realize due precautions have been observed to ensure the highest degree of content and meaning are conveyed by the new copy. The early pathways of the Holy Bible tell the story of Judaism and the calendar practices of ancient civilization.

Examination of the 100-years precludes simple editorial corruption concerning the frequency and deliberate variations of the Antediluvian ages. The 100-day-and-year single term begins to take new meaning by separating two 50-year-Jubilee-cycle components. Periods of 7-weeks having 50-days are celebrated by the Jewish Calendar festivals of Passover and Counting the Omer that leads to Shav’ot. The King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV) and many other versions have corrected any Septuagint errors to reflect original Hebrew.

The Hebrew alphabet is a language and numbering system. Translating numbers into Latin, Greek and finally English combines the numerical value and the unit. Two passes of the 50-days-and-years single term, rather than 100-years, substantially alters our interpretation of the Antediluvian ages. Original Hebrew documents such as the Book of Jubilees and the three Book(s) of Enoch counted the number of repetitions of time cycles or addressed specific days and months during the year. Counting Jubilees as either 49-years or 50-years has been a point of controversy in scholarly circles. Seven-day weeks and 7-year-Sabbath-cycles involve the lunar-side of l/s calendars. Many works mention a decree proclaiming heavenly tablets held written calendar information.

The Book of Jubilees or the Book of Divisions, is another sacred historical text earlier introduced in Ages of Adam. Most likely revised in the 2nd century B.C.E., the Book of Jubilees is a historical account from Creation to Moses. The narrative divides Jubilee periods into 49-years in a familiar story comparable to Genesis. The only complete version of the Book of Jubilees is in Ethiopic. Large sections survive in Latin and Greek.

Are you a pastor, educator or a student of the Holy Bible? Timeemits.com seeks anointed people to review and contribute to the Ages of Adam ministry. Ancient lunar/solar calendars like the Jewish and Mayan calendars provide the background to understanding early time. Ancient calendars of the Holy Bible use differences between the moon and sun, numerical matching and a 364-day calendar year to describe X-number of days that match with X-number of years. Ages of Adam is a free read at http://www.timeemits.com.

Clark Nelson is webmaster for www.timeemits.com and author of Ages of Adam and sequel, Holy of Holies. Contact article@timeemits.com for more information. © Copyright 2006 Clark Nelson and timeemits.com All Rights Reserved.

Basic Differences of APA and MLA Formats

Citing your paper in Modern Language Association (MLA) or American Psychological Association (APA) formats depend mostly on the subject you are writing on. Mainly, APA style citations are used to cite writings that have a social science focus: Psychology, Business, the Social Sciences, Economics, Medicine, and Criminal Justice and Law. On the other hand, MLA style citations are used to cite writings that have humanities focus: Literature, Mass Communications, Media Studies, etc.

Basic APA/MLA Differences

1. A paper written in MLA format has the author's name and page number displayed in the top right corner of each page. In APA format, the first few words, usually the first three, of the title with the page number runs on the top, right corner of each page.

2. In a MLA formatted paper, the author's name, both first and last name, is spelled out on the bibliography page. In APA, only the last name of the author is spelled out while the first name is an initial.

3. The in-text citation is slightly different. In MLA, the last name of the author and the page number from which the reference was taken is displayed. In APA, the last name and the year of publication are displayed (separated by a comma).

4. The title in MLA and APA style formats has differences in its capitalization. In APA, only the first word of the title is capitalized and in italics. In MLA, all the major words of the title are capitalized.

5. In an MLA formatted paper, there is no abstract required. APA formatted papers does require an abstract.

6. The source page that list the bibliography information is called "Works Cited" in MLA and "References" in APA format. The source page should be the last page of the paper. "Works Cited" and "References" must be centered in both formats.

The differences between MLA and APA citation formats are minor. But writing in either format will ensure that papers are properly cited and the author's chances of plagiarizing are reduced. There are several websites available, via the popular search engines, which give detailed requirements for both APA and MLA style formats.

Over the years, many changes have been made to both formats. When searching for format samples, you must be aware of outdated versions. I have found that by looking for the "Last Updated" dates on web pages, you can reduce your chances of following a version that has been outdated for several years.


About Jimmy Walker
Jimmy Walker is the founder of CitePlanet.com. Find thousands of quality citations from books, periodicals, and electronic sources. Post samples of your work on CitePlanet!

EBook New Releases

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How To Create A Theme For Your Book

There are six steps to creating a theme for your book: select a subject, specify a supposition statement, sketch three points, situate the introduction, set forth the conclusion, and solidify everything together.

1. Select A Subject
Briefly describe what your book is about. It is not necessary to go into every aspect or element. Think about whom you are and what your experiences have been. One thing for certain, it may be easier to write about you than to write about others or to write fiction.

Also, have you learned at least one life lesson? One sure-fire way of selecting a subject is to think about why you believe your story will make a good book. List all of the reasons you can think of, including triumphs and failures, lessons learned, friendships forged, betrayals, experiences, etc. There are thousands of subjects you can write about in any given story.

2. Specify a Supposition Statement
Do you know why you are writing? Everyone writes for different reasons. Think of your supposition statement as a point you are trying to get over to your readers. Therefore, you should not be afraid to develop your beliefs, judgments and attitudes toward your chosen topic.

If you are truly telling your story, it will be a mistake to remain dispassionate. Whatever your point is, it needs to be clear. Just as there are thousands of possible topics, the subject you choose can have thousands of possible supposition statements.

3. Sketch Three Points
I believe the theme should be developed before the topic. I also believe it is better to develop the "middle" paragraphs before writing the introduction. As a minister, I am often called on to introduce guest speakers at my church and other affairs. I've found it to be much easier to introduce someone after I've gotten to know them.

The same goes for writing. Although the introduction is the first thing that is read, it is easier to introduce something after you know more about it. The more acquainted you are with your subject, the easier the introduction will be to write. So, before your introduction, divide the essence of your theme into three key points.
Begin by writing your supposition statement at the top of a piece of paper. Think of and write down any sustaining points that are in agreement with your supposition statement. Try for at least ten points, but after careful consideration, narrow the list down to three. Write a short paragraph centered upon each point.

4.Situate the Introduction
The introduction has one main goal—it must get attention. It's kind of like being on the dating scene. Speaking from a male perspective, in most cases you have only a couple of seconds to make a good impression. And judging from the lines I've overheard, many would-be suitors need to work on their game.

Introductions can be successfully made by asking a poignant question or by giving valuable insight or information at the very beginning. Although humor can also be used, it should be used sparingly, because hilarity is very subjective. The primary result of the theme is to motivate the writer in you; however, its dual purpose is to enable you to quickly convey your book idea to either a single reader or a full audience.

5. Set Forth the Conclusion
The way your "elevator pitch" ends is the most esteemed, distinct component. Like a proud parent who is always pulling out photos, you must make others see that your personal bestseller is worth getting excited about. The previous four steps will mean nothing to your reader until you present the conclusion you have attained from your soul-searching analysis. This is where many people's effort falls short.

The conclusion should repeat the subject supposition. But to keep from being redundant, you may state it in a different way. The last sentence is very important since the conclusion will also end the theme. Your last words will reside for a while in the subconscious of your readers or hearers.

6. Solidify Everything Together
The final step in creating your theme is putting all of the previous steps together in a way that will allow them to flow, fluidly. You must be able to "put your finger on it," and anyone who hears it must be able to "get it." Remember, it is an elevator speech that must make sense and you must be able to deliver it in about 30 seconds.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marvin D. Cloud is founder of mybestseller.com and author of "Get Off The Pot: How to Stop Procrastinating and Write Your Personal Bestseller in 90 Days."

Visit http://www.mybestseller.com and grab a free copy of the "Get Off The Pot" newsletter, dedicated to motivating ordinary people to write, publish and sell their books faster, efficient, and more cost-effective.
Source: http://www.websition.com/

Wordstock: Portland Book Festival 2007 - November 9-11

Wordstock III is fast approaching!

Although best known for the Book Fair, several events actually make up the Wordstock Festival. Here’s a summary of all the things you can do at Wordstock.

You can keep informed about Wordstock by signing up for the newsletter.

Book Fair
Over 200 national and regional authors from every genre read on 9 stages. Over 100 exhibitors are on hand with their latest books at the Oregon Convention Center.
Read more

Children's Festival
The Children's Stage and the Target Children's Festival at Wordstock are filled with activities that are inspiring and exciting for kids of all ages. There will be storytelling workshops, interactive displays, a book-making area, puppet shows, and more. Onstage we'll feature some of the most exciting writers of books for children, tweens, and young adults working today, including J. Otto Seibold, Matthew Holm, Eric Kimmel, Laini Taylor, and Roscoe Orman, better known to generations of kids as "Gordon" on Sesame Street.
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Live Wire Radio Show
Join us for another special Wordstock edition of the popular public radio variety and vaudeville show. Guests include Harry Shearer, Peter Sagal, Lauren Weedman, John Wesley Harding, Shane Koyczan and more!
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The Night of Literary Feasts
25 prominent authors, national and local, are invited to attend private dinners hosted by individuals or groups. This event is a benefit for writing education in Oregon's K-12 schools through the non-profit organization Community of Writers.
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Tickets
Tickets are on sale now for Carl Hiaasen, Live Wire, and all of Wordstock's special evening events!
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Workshops
Wordstock features writing workshops for both teachers and writers. The teachers workshops take place on Friday and Saturday while the writers workshops take place on Saturday and Sunday.
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For more Information visit www.wordstockfestival.com

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Writing Original Topics

Nowadays, it's hard to come up with original topics to write about. There are millions of articles, e-zines and web sites packed with information. One of the easiest ways to come up with new subjects to write about is to bundle different topics together.

Below are eight ideas for bundling topics together:

1. Combine your information with new solutions. For example, there are many solutions to get out of debt. If you can think up a new one write about it.
2. Incorporate your information with original fiction. For example, if your topic is fishing, write a fictional story about it.
3. Conjoin your information with an unrelated topic. For example, you could combine chemistry and web marketing together.
4. Link your information with new ideas. For example, if you are writing about typewriters, tell people the difference between them and computers.
5. Connect your information with a new market. For example, you could write about improving your psychic skills targeted at coaches who want to improve their play calling.
6. Merge your information with current news stories. For example, relate your subject to any of the top news stories that will be ongoing for awhile.
7. Blend your information with real life. For example, combine your subject with real life interviews, stories, opinions and personal experiences.
8. Relate your information with new examples. For example, they're thousands of books on marketing but most of them use different examples to make you understand.

Don't limit yourself to only these eight ideas. There are millions of information topics that can help you to brainstorm new writing ideas.


Copyright © 2002 Larry Dotson, All Rights Reserved.

Author Information:
Larry Dotson

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