The Spoon Boon Blog

Don’t you just love it when people make resolutions for the new year? How many people that you know give up on a resolution once they break it? Really, whoever said that if you fail [or fall] once that you must quit altogether? Well, the good news for article writers is that the measure of your success is not weighed by one article or even by article writing itself. It is an “attitude” that you must present, one that you need to have on December 31st as well as on January 1st. Here are some tips toward helping you in the upcoming year:

1. Write Frequently. I won’t suggest what “write frequently” should mean to you, but what it should mean is that you come up with a set output that works for you. Nothing ventured, nothing gained means this: you haven’t challenged yourself to bigger and better things. Think about this: whatever “x” number of articles you write during the coming year will be added to the total that you have written so far. If you want free exposure for your site, then article writing is the best way to go.

2. Submit Smartly. A fellow author recently boasted to me that he submitted one of his articles to over thirty different sites. Well, good for him! In reality, he just wasted his time. What am I saying? As it turns out, several of the sites he submitted to are not well ranked by Google, a few others stripped out his links, and a third set are what I and others would consider to be “bad neighborhoods.” Better to concentrate on a few good sites with your two or three wonderful links in the resource box than to spend extra time submitting the article to less than stellar sites. That bit of “wasted time” could best be spent on writing another article!

3. Blog With Discipline. I finally got serious about blogging just this past month. In some ways I am glad that I waited, but in other respects I wish I had jumped in sooner. Had I realized what a pithy paragraph or two of daily missives could generate in the way of increased traffic, I would have begun blogging long ago. Let’s just say that I am committed to blogging for the upcoming year! How about you?

4. Overhaul Your Site. You do have your own web site, don’t you? No, I don’t mean the one or two pages that come with your DSL account, rather your well thought out, carefully designed, and frequently updated web site, right? If you have a site and it hasn’t had any serious overhaul in several years, time for you to take a closer look at it and give it an update. Yes, refresh the copyright information to include the current year. Listing “copyrighted 2001″ gives readers the impression that your site hasn’t been updated in years. Ouch!

One of my favorite expressions in life is this: “Winners never quit; quitters never win.” If you fall down, get up and keep on working toward your goals. An entire army of authors are rooting for you and encouraging you on. Should you find yourself missing your goals, simply continue where you left off and you will be the better for it.

Happy new year to you and yours…now start writing!

Copyright 2006 — Matthew Keegan is The Article Writer who writes on a variety of topics including: advocacy, automobiles, aviation, business, Christian themes, family, news, product reviews, travel, writing, and more. Please visit Matt’s blog for absolutely stunning and humorous writings from the master himself!

Barren land of ice and snow
Mountains span unburdened plain
Welcoming the morning glow
Illuminating vast terrain

Icebergs breaking from the shelf
Sailing south for warmer shores
Visions lush in untold wealth
Silencing the oceans roar

White Bear treads forsaken ground
Abiding march through wind and snow
Hunting grounds, forever bound
Seeking fare through ice below

Seabirds scanning high and low
Seeking fish from open sea
Ice too thick to crack below
Thunderous billows break it free

Vicious blizzards, angry storms
Violent gales, blinding snow
Penguins cluster, keeping warm
Storm is here, nowhere to go

About the Author: Steven Cronin writes articles, poetry and short stories predominantly concerning travel as well as issues that influence the world in which we live. For further literature visit http://www.sargas.co.uk

Source: www.isnare.com

You were delighted with me.
I felt the same.
I tried to let you do the calling,
so it would be all your doing.

I was required to pass tests.
At first I did well.
In the glow of your admiration,
I was all sweetness.

But later, in your general dissatisfaction,
you became displeased with me.
I was too dumb yet too ambitious,
definitely, not enough anything.

How I tried to be your chemistry girl,
or at the very least,
lady enough to grace your arm,
trustworthy, not perceived as dangerous.

Instead, I became the friend that you wouldn’t let go of,
though the marriage carrot was ever dangled.
So glad I could be your surrogate wife for awhile,
but you never even asked to read my poetry.

About the Author: Rita Bradley is in the throes of depair over a recent breakup. Hopefully it will make for good poetry. Please let me know if you think I should keep writing.

Source: www.isnare.com

Have you ever read the lyrics of a Simon and Garfunkle song? Pure poetry. Want to write poems like that? Start copying them. Let me explain.

The Myth Of Creativity

Creativity is somewhat of a myth. It isn’t that it doesn’t exist, but people’s ideas about it are mis-informed. Many believe that to be creative is to come up with something completely new. There isn’t an artist or inventor out there who has done this.

Somebody had to write the first four-line verse or haiku poem, right? Now is everyone that uses these forms an uncreative copy-cat? No, of course not. We must copy forms, general ideas and techniques, so why not do it more systematically?

Poem Writing Tricks

Copy a poem you like, and then play with the elements. Part of the beauty of a poem is in the structure and the rhythm. Why not insert your own words into that, to see what happens?

Here is the last part of a poem titled “Gratitude.” It started by painting a picture of the mountains,and then;

Words fail, as they should…

So there is nothing to say
There is nothing to say
There is nothing
Is nothing
Nothing…

But gratitude

Now, if you take the general “gimmick” of the diminishing lines, you could insert all sorts of thoughts. An example:

Pain returns, as it must…

And to where can I turn for relief?
To where can I turn?
Where can I?
Where?

But to life

Shameless? No more so than the second time somebody wrote a four-line verse. New words have created a new poem. In the context of a longer poem, this copying of form in one verse might not even be noticed.

What is creativity if you don’t create something? Use whatever tricks and techniques you need to start creating poetry.

About the author:

Steve Gillman has been playing with poetry for thirty years. He and his wife Ana created the game “Deal-A-Poem,” which can be accessed for free at: http://www.dealapoem.com

Maybe it’s the way you walked

… it’s the way you talked

… it’s the way you smile

That leaves me hanging for a while

Maybe it’s your eyes

… it’s how fast time flies

… it’s the words you say

That make me lose my way

Maybe it’s your hair

… it’s because you were there

… it’s how red your lips are

That make me jump out of my car

Maybe it’s your age

… it’s how you turn a page

… it’s how you make dance

That sends me off to a trance

Maybe it’s the way you smell

… it’s the way I fell

… it’s the dream I love

That made me think you’re sent from up above

Maybe it’s how you make me smile

… it’s the way you keep your file

… it’s the way you stare at me

That just make me lose all sanity

Maybe it’s how you say goodnight

… it’s how I feel at your sight

… it’s the things I’ve never had

That make me want to love you so bad

Maybe it’s the way you hold my hand

… it’s because of your favorite band

… it’s how you say my name

That makes me wish you felt the same

Maybe it’s how you hug me tight

… it’s how I wish to be with you every night

… it’s because of you

That makes me wish you were true

Maybe it’s how deep your eyes are to me

… it’s the way you make me see

… it’s the way I’m missing you

That makes me feel so blue

Maybe it’s how you make me feel secure

… it’s how you endure

… it’s because you care for me

That makes me feel free

Maybe it’s because you can wait

… it’s fate

… it’s how you’re being so sweet

That makes me enjoy listening to our hearts beat

Maybe it’s meant to be

… it’s because with you, I can be me

… it’s the way you say hi

That makes me let out a sigh

Maybe it’s how our fingers entwine

… it’s our feast to the wine

… it’s how I felt the first time

That makes me wish you were mine

Maybe it’s because I love you

… it’s how I fell so true

… it’s how you didn’t fall

That makes me want to give my all

Maybe it’s because you hurt me

… it’s because I deserve to be

… it’s a game we play

That makes me wish and pray

Maybe it’s really because I love you

But you don’t feel the same

So I’d just be wishing

That one day, it would be true

… Maybe… just maybe

Source: www.isnare.com

www.becheeky.com started in in 2005 it was founded by 2 partners. They observed a substantial gap in the underwear market and unveiled the BeCheeky website with the thought that it would be designed purposely around helping out men acquire lingerie for their wife’s. Customers experience relaxed purchasing from BeCheeky this is due to the fact the team give such outstanding special attention and because of this it gives the clients the impression that they are shopping with a select boutique with a mind-blowing personal shopper there to help with your every single step.

The site was such a gigantic success with ladies lingerie that the employees bought in men?s underwear to the site as well. BeCheeky is renowned for its array of fantastic lingerie sets, bras, knickers, boyshorts, corsets, basques, bikinis and swimsuits. What makes them very special is that there is a little something for all tastes. Each item that is bought is always sent out to you in a superb silk sack filled to the max as well as with confetti for that added unique touch. BeCheeky.com are also renowned for their tremendous very special offers which regularly happen on a day to day basis.

The BeCheeky website itself is constantly very effortless to steer through with clear to follow directions to make your selection & payment transaction as painless & as smooth as probable. Once you have chosen your boy boxers it is time to come to a decision as to what mailing you would like to select. There are a couple of various choices to choose from, regardless of this, all delivery processes are admired for their own swift postage the website despatches deliveries to the United Kingdom Europe and the rest of the world. The employees offer 3 varieties of dispatching, standard which will be sent out to you within 3 days days, next working day & lastly worldwide which usually takes between two to three days from order date. There is a small charge for deliveries ?2.30 for standard and ?5.95 for next working day delivery. Are you are having trouble buying women’s lingerie? Well, BeCheeky has numerous guides to help you out! This weeks guide looks at how to measure your bra size.

Creative Writing Tips -

Writing is a creative process and how every writer chooses to create, is individual to them. Likewise, with plotting, every writer plots at a level they are comfortable with.

Some just plot the bare essentials. They have a firm idea of the story they want to write and have a good memory to be able to memorize everything.

Others go into more detail. These writers prefer to figure everything out before they write the story.

How you plot will also depend on your level of experience. For the beginner, it’s recommended to plot thoroughly.

Before writing, think of every possible situation. Plot events thoroughly, plot scenes to the last detail and generally leave no questions unasked or unanswered. This way you will always know where you’re going.

_____________

Are You Using The ‘What If’ Technique When Plotting?

Your short story of 500, 2.000, 10.000 words or whatever word length you choose to write, will spring from a single idea - Perhaps a one-sentence idea.

So when you are still in that one sentence stage, using the ‘What If,’ technique is a good way of generating ideas to build on that initial story idea.

While you are in the plotting stage, experiment. Your aim should be to write the best story you can. Experiment to see what bits and pieces you can put together to write the best story ever.

So using ‘What If,’ ask yourself questions then answer them…

1. What if the character was like this?
2. What if this happened to him?
3. What if I placed him in this situation? How would he react?
4. What if I took this away from him?
5. What if his worst fear came true?
6. What if he doesn’t get what he wants? What will he do?
7. What if I placed this obstacle in his path? What will he do?

You’ll be surprised what you come up with, if you take the time to experiment.

Besides his passion for writing, Nick Vernon runs an online gift site where you will find gift information, articles and readers’ funny stories. Visit http://www.we-recommend.com

From time to time you will be faced with an opportunity that looks downright scary.

The temptation is to think, “Hey, that’s way outside my level of expertise. I’m not ready for that.”

My advice to you is this: Do it.

When you are faced with opportunities that are larger, more challenging and ultimately ’scary’, that’s when you learn fastest, stretch yourself the most and build your inner confidence as a copywriter.

Let me give you a couple of related examples.

Within my first two months as a direct marketing copywriter I was presented with the opportunity to write a mailing for Franklin Mint.

As some of you may know, Franklin Mint is a very, very sophisticated company when it comes to direct marketing. I seriously wondered whether I might end up looking like an idiot, wasting my time and theirs.

But I took on the job. Scary, yes. But it worked out fine. I learned a great deal and continued to do work for them.

Here’s another, related example.

In early 1998 a friend of mine was invited to speak to a few hundred people at a conference about marketing online. He got cold feet and asked me to speak in his place. The problem was, I had only a week to prepare my talk.

I had never spoken to a crowd that large before. I had no idea what to do. I was terrified.

But I did it.

In hindsight, that first talk was not a great one. But it got me started. Since then I have spoken at dozens of conferences and given full day seminars to numerous companies.

Speaking has made me quite a bit of money, and has led to many copywriting jobs I would otherwise have never received. It has also helped establish me as an expert in my chosen field.

And I came so, so close to saying no.

How close? Probably not as close as I think. Looking back, I have always said yes to the scariest challenges.

It’s how you grow. It’s how you find new opportunities. It’s how you make your name as a copywriter worth doing business with.

About the Author

Nick Usborne is a freelance copywriter, author and speaker. For more on making money as a freelance copywriter, visit his site, http://www.FreelanceWritingSuccess.com. For more on developing your skills, read his review of this copywriting course byMichael Masterson.

You’re ready to do it. You’ve accepted an assignment from your
boss, agreed to put together a sales presentation, or were asked
to write a report about last week’s meeting results. Where do
you begin? Before you venture off into the land of writing for
your job, be prepared with the items on this checklist.

1. Adjust your attitude. Writing doesn’t have to be like drawing
blood. In fact, many times in business writing, much of the work
is already done for you. Your job may be as simple as rewording
or organizing information that you already have.

2. Quiet. No matter how much you like your music or AM radio
talk show it is best to work in a quiet spot. Even if you work
in a noisy place like a newsroom or a cube farm, reduce the
amount of noise around you so you can concentrate better. Wear
earplugs if it helps you!

3. Your thinking cap! Colored markers, pencils, or a large easel
pad may help you with brainstorming. Or, you may find it easier
to work with a team first to generate ideas and then have one
person write the first draft. Whatever works for you, make sure
your brain is in creative mode, not editing/criticism mode.
Creativity comes first; editing and refining later.

4. Eliminate distractions.

Turn off the phone, close your office door, and don’t check your
email every 10 seconds. Have your assistant tell everyone you’re
in a meeting and you can’t see him or her unless they’re dying.
For at least 1 hour, work with no interruptions.

5. Computer, pen, scratchpad, or other tools you like.

You may prefer writing longhand; it can help you connect with
your thoughts and emotions. Or, you may be quicker at typing
directly on the computer. Either way, don’t expect a perfect
draft the first time. You will be scribbling a lot (or cutting
and pasting) at first.

6. Contact names and phone numbers, etc.

Be sure you have handy a list of people you might need to talk
with to verify information. For example, if you are writing an
article for your company newsletter, you may need quotes from
the CEO.

7. Dictionary and Thesaurus. The ones that come with the word
processor are not sufficient. Get yourself some good old
fashioned books, or a dictionary hesaurus on CD.

8. Company style guide. Some companies are very strict about
their internal or external communications. They may have rules
about style (different accepted spellings, for example) so that
everybody who reads your company’s literature or correspondence
receives a consistent message about your company. You may lose
credibility with your readers if everything sounds like it came
from XYZ Corporation, except the letter you are writing.

9. The right atmosphere. If your office doesn’t cut it, find a
better place. The library may work. A conference room might
provide more space for you to pace as you’re dictating your
masterpiece. If you’re writing about your company’s
manufacturing plant, it might help you to actually be there
while you’re writing.

10. Writing is rewriting. Remember that nobody, even
Shakespeare, gets it on the first try. Your first draft is
exactly that - a rough copy, a sketch. Think of it as the
equivalent of a doodle when artists paint. They don’t start with
the canvas - and neither should you. Unlike many other jobs, in
writing, it’s okay to make mistakes as you go along. Your final
draft will be vastly different from the few sentence fragments
you begin with.

Using the checklist items will set you up for a successful
writing session. Have on hand as many of these items as you can
each and every time you sit down to write something — whether
it’s a letter to your customers or an annual report. By keeping
all the tools you need in one place, your writing session will
go smoother and will be easier on your stress level than without
them.

About the Author

Linda Elizabeth Alexander is a business writer and marketing
consultant based in Longmont, Colorado, USA. Improve your
writing skills at work! Subscribe to her FREE ezine. Write to
the Point at lalexander@write2thepointcom.com or visit
http://www.write2thepointcom.com/articles.html.

A desolate little child,

I found by my side…

One late summer afternoon.

I tried to console her,

I wanted to cheer her,

but my efforts were in vain.

She pulled me close,

and hugged me tight…

muttering, “Hold me please, throughout the night.”

I tried to persuade her,

I wanted an answer,

but my efforts were in vain.

Tears began streaming down her cheeks,

Emotions surfacing what she’d kept for weeks.

Blabbering incoherent syllables in my ear…

concentrating, straining myself to hear…

I dropped my hold on her,

as I slowly comprehended…

then her message to me ended.

I gripped tight the railings

of the bridge as wailings

surfaced near me.

I felt the gush of the wind

As I went down…

The desolate little child fading from view.

A quiet sense of tranquility

passed throughout me,

as I’ve come to realize

that the desolate little child was…

none other than me!

Source: www.isnare.com