I received an email from Tony Berkman, CEO of Blog Catalog. In it he shared:

Happy Father's Day!

“In celebration of Father’s Day 2011, I’d like to share our top 10 Father Bloggers with you.” Tony writes:

“Each of these amazing blogs provides us with a glimpse into what the relationship of father means. We find the joy, the tears, the laughter, the heartache and the love and a dedication that is fraught with mishaps.

The “shelf life” of a dad blog is less than that of almost any other type of blog. The reason why is quite apparent once you start to read them. A large number of dads begin their blogs with a sense of excitement, fervor and many out of sheer terror. The new arrival(s) has an almost immedidate impact on dad. The tendency for feeling overwhelmed, fatigued or just the new daddy “wear and tear”  will take it’s toll. It’s evident by both the style and content of blogging and even more apparent based on the number of new dad bloggers that quickly take a “bloggy vacation.”

This clearly is no measure of how great these dads are at fatherhood, yet it is for this very reason that the following 10 Dads are to be given even kudos as both fantastic “bloggers” and outstanding dads.

We hope you enjoy this blogging tribute to dads around the globe.”

©2011 BlogCatalog | 7126 Eckhert Drive | San Antonio TX | 78238

Here is Tony’s top 10 and his description for each Dad Blog:

1. Literal Dan: 

“A sarcastic view on parenting, language, society, and most everything else, from a 20-something stay-at-home dad.”

2. The Dad Jam:

“A place for dads and parents to collaborate on fatherhood and parenting topics and read articles offering advice, tips and tricks from a father of a toddler and a baby. Lots of articles and observations served up with a side of humor. Come join us at the dad jam and start jamming today!”

3. Improvising Fatherhood:

“Improvising Fatherhood is a blog about the comedy of being a dad. Nate Smith is an improvisational comedian, a husband, and a father. He’s not sure which is hardest.”

4. The Dude Knows Best:

“A Dude enjoying the transition from Dude to Dad. A self-proclaimed Neo-Hippie and The Dude of the House for a young family of four, an ever-growing herd of animals, a blossoming landscape, Earth-friendly living, all sorts of household projects, and a healthy addiction to surf.”

5. Big Bad Daddy Rant:

“Ranting about being a man at home with two ShortThings. Asking the eternal question: What is it about kids and the word Poop? All this plus tales of Adversity, Hilarity, and Humility from the damaged mind of the Big Bad Daddy.”

6.The Males Perspective:

“A general blog about daily life from my perspective. I will fill things up with comments on my day, upcoming plans or just my opinion on the goings on around the world.”

7. Puzzling Posts–An Admission of Cluelessness:

“It’s time to concentrate on what I know best (or as you’ll see, least) and talk about being a dad in a world where moms are much more important. Where mom have a much better idea of what they’re doing with a child and where moms don’t make babies watch hockey. A month behind in blogging though we’ll let him slide as there’s a hockey game going on somewhere.”

8. Dorky Dad:

“I’m a dork. I was a dork in high school, but I hated my label so I did everything humanly possibly to de-dork myself. I wore “fashionable” 80s clothes (ick), I bought a car, I even ditched my dork friends for friends lower on the dork-o-meter. I now realize that all this accomplished was to cement my own place in the dork universe. I am now resigned to my fate.”

9. Meta-DAD:

“I’m a Dad. That’s how I define myself at the moment. Not too long ago I defined myself as a Husband, but now I’m a Proud Dad and a Fine Husband. And maybe someday, I will get the title of “Good Dad” – that’s the goal, anyway. I currently enjoy an active readership and have the good fortune of being featured in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, FOX Business, CNN.Com, the Chicago Sun-Times and Reuters. I am also a Parenting & Family Columnist for the LA Examiner.”

10. Stuff in My Brain:

“Dad talks about his family and embarrasses them at the same time. Sometimes a picture. Sometimes a joke. Always Dad Stuff.”

Thanks Tony!

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Carl Jung had an interesting concept of individuation and how we form our personal identity. He wrote that our self concept is formed at a very early age and it can be compared to wearing a mask. The persona or public face (mask) is made up of impressions that we receive from other people. In other words, we take in the comments, facial expressions and opinions of others and allow these  “outsiders” to influence and ultimately form our “mask”; what we show to the outside world and who we believe we are.

He also wrote about “shadows” (the dark side of personality) that lie under the surface and although they are living in our subconscious, they can influence our behavior. It’s all very interesting but more than that, his ideas, although dated, remain relevant.

Researchers in child development have proven that our mothers (or primary caregiver) influence our self-concept. Think of the caregiver as the mirror we look into, reflecting our image back to us. If the parent or care giver sends us negative messages, then we are more likely to develop a negative attitude about our own abilities and our self esteem will suffer. Messages sent back from the mirror don’t have to be in the form of “words” that are spoken. It can be in the body language, facial expressions or the person’s willingness to show us love and attention.

Our development is shaped by outside impressions and attitudes and that’s why parenting with “heightened awareness” is so important. What I mean is, what we say to our children is powerful. Words can injure or lift up; destroy or create. Never question the power of words or behavior when it comes to raising children. What we do and say as the parent is forming our child’s identity, whether we want it to or not.

“The little world of childhood with its familiar surroundings is a model of the greater world. The more intensively the family has stamped its character upon the child, the more it will tend to feel and see its earlier miniature world again in the bigger world of adult life.”~Carl Jung

So, what’s the big deal about Personal Development Blogs?

Self-knowledge and identity is not a new concept but the popularity of Personal Development blogs and  the increasing presence of “life coaching” seems to indicate that people are interested in understanding behavior and personal motives. Understanding the “why” behind our actions and interactions can help us stop repeating maladaptive behaviors.

Everyone is interested in achieving their highest potential or at least trying to become a person as we pass through this journey, called life…right? Personal Development Blogs publish content that the reader wants for personal growth and learning. If the reader “connects” with the article (for example,” What He Said: Gender Differences in Communicating” or “11 Natural Stress Busters” ) and the information in the article gives the reader resources or helpful links to learn more on their own, than it’s very likely that the reader will return to that site, wanting to consume more “golden nuggets”.

I was very surprised when my blog was listed in a “top” group for personal development blogs. I didn’t consider that to be my niche. In fact, I’m still trying to figure out what my niche is, as the topics I write about are varied.

My writing (especially in the Motivation or Journal Section of my blog) is written to help me “figure things out.” If my writing “clicks” with a reader and makes the reader “think differently” or become motivated to make a change, then I guess those sections of my blog are related to personal development.

Jung had said: ”

“The growth of the mind is the widening of range of consciousness and…each step forward has been a painful and laborious achievement”

Good personal development blogs help the reader develop some form of awareness. The writer has probably learned lessons by traveling on his own life path filled with cracks. The ultimate gift for the reader is receiving information that helps him or her recover from loss or heart ache. It might provide information that the reader can use to create a change for the better.

Here are some of the best personal development blogs that I’ve found:

Dumb Little Man; Tips for Life

Life isn’t for the faint of heart (Cynthia Occelli)

Story Catcher; notes on being real, being human

Illuminated Mind

The Urban Monk

Change Your Thoughts, To Change Your Life

Chief Happiness Officer

Raptitude; Getting better at being human

Good Life Zen

Jonathan Fields

The Change Blog

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What motivates an author to record personal stories in a journal? Why do some top artists sing their lyrics and admit there’s a personal story behind the writing of their song? Writing is often the key that unlocks the creative mind, motivated by strong opinion, a need for self expression, a desire to document an  important memory or a way to release pain, making sense of powerful emotions and possibly  inner struggles.

Leo Tolstoy, one of the world’s greatest novelists, revealed a great deal of his own life through his writing. For example, “Childhood”, “Boyhood” and “Youth” (1852-1856) are three of his earliest novels that share his accounts of growing up.

In a version of the series, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” called “The Story Behind the Song”, 101 classics and their verses are shared, along with the personal inspiration behind the writing. Some of the artists who share include Christina Aguilera (“Fighter”), Melissa Etheridge (“Come to My Window”) and Richie Sambora (“Livin’on a Prayer”).

What motivates a writer?

Motivation often comes from personal experience and the heart and soul of the writer. (No big secret to me) So, imagine my surprise when an old love contacted me and complained that one of my stories had  mirrored “our story” too closely. He recognized that the  story’s character was his identical twin, but he didn’t want to claim him for his relative. Well, I offered no apologies at the time, although I now wish I had pointed out to him that I’m in good company.

Take for example Taylor Swift, today’s “It” girl. In her new CD, “Speak Now”, she gave future boyfriends notice: “If you’re in my life, you might end up being a character in my song”. Lately, her newest song, “Back to December”, is creating buzz. It’s a slow emotional song that’s being compared to a brave apology she’s giving to her ex- boyfriend from December of 2009, Twilight films’ Taylor Lautner. Swift has always written about her life, so why are people surprised by her latest lyrics? In an interview, she stated: “If something goes wrong, I’m not afraid to write about it.” This girl is Fearless,  like the name of her platinum CD.

The root of motivation varies for each individual, but often the best song lyric, the best creative article, novella or novel, was born out of the artist’s own experience,recollection or emotion.

“We need to remember that we are created creative and can invent new scenarios as frequently as they are needed.“~ Maya Angelou

My advice to that ex:

“Don’t forget to set a place  for the twin, at your next family reunion.”

No amount of complaining will make him leave the dinner table. He’s right where he belongs.  I’m not an oddity, but the norm.

(Okay, I’ll admit it. Maybe I should have followed Taylor Swift’s lead and given him an FYI in the beginning of our relationship.)

Another lesson learned.

Hey….maybe I’ll write about that…..

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Resume Writing 101

The Silhouette’s song, “Get a Job” was a #1 hit in 1958 but in 2010, people aren’t singing. If they were, the tune might be called, “I can’t find a job!”

In today’s world economy, too many companies are downsizing and too many individuals are having to reinvent themselves after receiving a dreaded pink slip. The market can be so tough, that the specialized area of which the individual had experience and expertise might be shutting him or her out due to the competition or market. Career Centers are buzzing with people at the computers, searching for anything, just to survive. Many make the decision to look into other careers because their expert skills are transferable. Once the decision is made to become a career-changer, the old, dusty resume just doesn’t cut it.

If it’s been years since you’ve prepared a resume, you might not know where to start. There are many resume services but too many charge a ridiculous high fee, just for creating a document that you could have created yourself, if  you only knew how.

WinWay

WinWay Resume is a great software program that can be downloaded onto your computer. It helps you create an impressive and winning resume,that reads like it was written by a professional writer. Creating cover letters and resumes have never been so easy!

• It provides job specific keywords and phrases that relate to the career you’re pursuing. For example, if you select “Teacher”, a pop up will appear and you can decide what job phrase or key words you want to use.
• 350 different styles and designs are available and they print beautifully.
• It has a “Free Resume Share iPhone App” that makes it possible to send your resume to a potential employer by phone. It gives you instant access to answers on job application questions.
• You can upload the resume onto your computer in various formats (MS Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader, HTML and more.)
• It’s compatible with Windows 7, Vista, XP, as well as Windows Server 2003/2008 and later, both 32-bit and 64-bit. Protected by U.S. Patent 7,689,431.
• You get instant access to Twitter job postings and can respond immediately to them.
• It has a LinkedIn Widget for resume targeting.
• There is a 90 day money back guarantee.

The program is definitely worth checking out ! Review it for yourself at this link: WinWay Resume Deluxe 14

Write it yourself:

If you’re “old school” and still want to write it on your own, there are some important considerations and key information that you need to include.

• HEADING: Your resume has to begin with your name, address, contact information (cell and email) and your business website (if  it’s your business). There are many ways to format this information: in the center of the header, on the left hand side of the header, on the right hand side of the header. It’s up to the individual’s preference but your name should be first and stand alone. Make it all caps and bold to have it stand out. Under your name list the address and contact information. You can separate this information using bullets or short horizontal lines. The third line should be the web address of your business.

• In general, today’s resume doesn’t have to include an “OBJECTIVE” section. If you are applying for the job, your cover letter will include the title of the job you are seeking.

• Many times employers want to scan the resume, looking for specific skills and areas of expertise and accomplishment. For this reason it is essential to include a section after your heading. You can title this section as  “SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS-” or ‘AREAS OF EXPERTISE’. Use bullets under the titled section to summarize these skills. Use adjectives and verbs after each bullet. It can be in phrases like: “self-motivated, driven to succeed, articulate, solid ability to streamline processes” etc.

• BODY: This is the section for your job experience, listing your current job or last job first. You can use the title: “-PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE-” Include the employer’s name, location and dates (i.e. May 2010 to Present). Then list your title and under that write a short description of your areas of expertise or contributions. Don’t just list your  “to-do list” with your present or past company. Try to show what you were successful at. For example, instead of saying “write articles” say “highlighted in company directory for successful publications in Woman’s Day Magazine; Nominated lead writer by co-workers creating biographies and received recognition as “newest and brightest writer” in 2009″ etc.

• To shorten your resume (most employers like a one page resume), use a section after the body for “-ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE-” List here jobs that may not related to the job you are seeking, but provide insight to the employer for your job history. No description of the job is necessary. Just list the employers name, location of the past job and the years you were there (i.e.; 2004-2009) and your title.

• EDUCATION: List the name of the school, location of the school, years attended and under the Institutions name, list your degree or any certificates you earned. If you attended graduate school, that institution is listed before your undergrad college.

• AWARDS/HONORS: List your nominations, honors and any scholarship or award you received

• REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST: This stands alone.

OTHER RESOURCES:

These books I’ve purchased and recommend. They might assist you with your job-hunting. They are hyper-linked to Amazon.com.

• “What Color Is Your Parachute? 2011: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers” by Richard N. Bolles
• “101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions” by Ron Fry (6th Edition)
• “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to The Perfect Cover Letter” by Susan Ireland
• “Knock ‘em Dead Resumes: Features the Latest Information on: Online Postings, Email Techniques, and Follow-up Strategies” by Martin Yate
• “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0: 1,001 Unconventional Tips, Tricks and Tactics for Landing Your Dream Job” by Jay Conrad Levinson

CONTACT ME:

For a reasonable fee, I can write the resume and cover letter for you. Check out my price listing on my business site and receive a free quote. Here’s the link: writers1stop.com

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I’m no expert when it comes to blogging, but I have learned a few things over time and if you are new to blogging, this post will provide you with some resources that will help you get started.

One cool site blogging tips and one cool blogger

In my early days of blogging, I had the great fortune to connect with a writer who is and continues to be a fantastic mentor to me. The writer goes by the pen name “Timethief” and she is an expert when it comes to blogging. Her site is called onecoolsitebloggingtips.com and she posts articles on the topics of wordpress.com and wordpress.org; building a blog; blog promotion; you name it-you’ll find it on her site!

If you’re a newbie, visit her site and learn. There’s information on copyright, tutorials, links, resources and more. Check out her archive and there is a wealth of information that will help you become a better blogger.

Digit-al; Experts with web design, development and maintenance

When I needed help with my Woo Theme, I found an expert; Digit-al. They offer superior service, quick turnaround and extremely fair pricing. They offer virtual assistant packages, help with Woo themes (premium WordPress themes), designing, updating and fixing problems on your site. Located in South Africa, it’s an environmentally friendly company, with expert professionals waiting to assist.

Their skills include:

* Programming Languages (DHTML, HTML, SQL, VBScript, Classic ASP, XML, PHP, Cold Fusion, Ajax, Javascript, CSS)

* Database Management (design, implementation, support)

* Database Technologies (store procedures, data transfer and import, MSQL procedures, etc)

* Software Skills (Adobe, Microsoft, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Macromedia Flash MX, etc)

* Seo and Internet Marketing

* Email Newsletter Programs

* Ecommerce Systems; Site Maps;Gateway; Operating Systems, Content and Content Management, and more!

Alice Jakins and her team have been a lifesaver to me. Janine Meyer has been my go-to-gal whenever I have a problem with my site. She’s been so helpful and pleasant to work with and she delivers fast and superior service. Check them out at http://digit-al.co.za/ You will be glad you did!

Secure Live

I’ve had my blog hacked and I learned too late how awful this is! Secure Live is the resource I use to avoid attacks and keep my blog secure and safe. It has 100 plus security features, protects your site against hackers, and emails in real time reporting. There are different packages available, but the price is worth the protection. Don’t get hacked!

Blogupp

Blogupp is the site to check out when you are looking for free blog promotion. You attach their widget to your site and automatically you will have new traffic, guaranteed! It has a directory of blogs in different languages and their blog provides news and information on the topic of blog promotion. It’s an easy and effective way to advertise your blog. If you have a problem with the widget, the team is friendly and helpful and gives you support right away to fix the problem. I recommend visiting their site and learning more! Visit them at http://blogupp.com/

Blog Catalog

Joining Blog Catalog has been a great way to explore other blogs and connect with other bloggers. For a small monthly fee, you have access to your site stats, advertising tools and more. But you don’t have to pay to join. A free membership allows you to connect with other writers and learn from them too. Your blog posts are posted on their site for other members to find. Check it out at blogcatalog.com.

Drop Box

My computer has crashed a couple of times and I’ve lost files and important folders. To avoid this problem, I recommend using Drop Box to share and safe guard your important files and data. It sincs your files online and on all your computers, makes it easier to share folders and you never need to worry about losing important documents again!

Hope you have time to check out these resources and visit onecoolsitebloggingtips.com to learn more.

Happy Blogging!

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Click this link to go to the

Book Store for Writers

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My article is : ” Article Writing-Write Like A Pro“
found on page 17.

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Freud was one of the first theorists to talk about dreams and shared his belief that dreams were doorways to our subconscious. Carl Jung went further by discussing his belief that this part of the brain is where you’ll find fountains flowing with creative and intuitive streams. Scientists have agreed that these alpha waves, present during our sleep, are a part of the intuitive mind.

Why talk about Freud and Jung, if this article is about writing?

Because tapping into your creative fountain, or alpha brain, is necessary if you want to be a great writer. It’s just as important as deciding your stories time line, point of view, theme, voice or characters.

“The good writer, the great writer, has what I have called the three S’s: the power to see, to sense and to say. That is, he is perceptive, he is feeling, and he has the power to express in language what he observes and reacts to.” ~ Lawrence Clark Powell (American Librarian, Writer & Critic, 1906-2001)

How do we get our creative juices to flow?

Like our story content, it will be uniquely individual. What works for one writer, may not work for another, but here are some suggestions and facts on the subject of writing well and being original.

Creative Writing

According to novelist Francine Prose:

“…it’s bad advice often given to young writers-namely, that the job of the author is to show, not tell. Needless to say, many great novelists combine dramatic showing with long sections of the flat-out authorial narration that is. And the warning against telling leads to confusion that causes novice writers to think that everything should be acted out…when in fact the responsibility of showing should be assumed by the energetic and specific use of language.”

• Show don’t tell

It’s a great technique when writing creatively but stay focused and don’t overdo it. Understand your character and ask yourself; will her message be better understood if she wears a frown and slowly leaves the room, or should she tell her parents the problem? What will deliver the message most clearly to the reader?

According to Orson Scott, “show” should be used for dramatic scenes. The objective is to find the right balance of telling versus showing, action versus summarizing. Think of a song that you enjoy listening to. It’s the beat, the pulse, the rhythm, how it all mixes together that forms the tune you love. A story needs to be the right mix of all the right ingredients so the finished product will be consumed and not spit out and put back on the shelf.

Creative writing can take many forms; poetry, drama, proses, etc. In fiction writing, the following ingredients are needed, but it’s not limited to:

1. Tone, which encompasses the attitudes toward the subject and toward the audience
2. Voice, the individual style of the author
3. Setting, tone or mood, conveying one or more emotions or feelings through words,
4. Linguistic style (use of imagery and figurative language; think like Picasso and paint pictures with words! He is an example of an Alpha Brain!)
5. Setting, the time and location where the story takes place
6. Characterization, the process of creating the protagonist, allies and antagonist
7. Dialogue , the conversation and how it is reciprocated
8. Theme; unifying the ideas
9. Plot; the arrangement of events
10. Outline; the organization of thoughts/ ideas to determine techniques (foreshadowing etc)

And don’t forget point of view or how you want the cover design to look, and …..

Take a deep breath, don’t be overwhelmed. Find your Zen or alpha:

Rule #1 is:

• Find a nice spot to call your “writer’s space” and sit.
• Take a deep breath. Write.

Rule #2

• Rewrite, read, research, rewrite, read, research…..

It will be work, but if you are serious about creating a great book, you will be dedicated and write daily, read other authors and see how they develop story, re-write, re-read and learn daily.

Suggestions:

• “Free write”: Use a scrap piece of paper and just let your thoughts flow. Release the fountain and let it pour; don’t plug the drainpipe until you think it’s empty. You don’t worry about grammar, spelling or even writing in sentences. Just jot your ideas down as they appear. Let Alpha rule!

When you’re done scribbling, put it away and go back to it later. Look at it again and let more ideas flow. Keep adding to your first canvas. Then make changes, delete or embellish.

• Plot; untangle the story line and see if it flows. How you do this is what works best for you. Use a diagram, or not. Use index cards with ideas and move them around, or not. Just figure out a way to outline and plan and know which method works best for you.

Make a blueprint, but remember:

You can’t sort out every detail ahead of time, and as every writer knows, sometimes when we’re floating in alpha, the tapping of the keyboard can take us to a place that even surprises the writer who is doing the tapping. Don’t over plan; just think of it as a blueprint for building and making sure all your “tools” are nearby.  As your work evolves, you can change the chronology of the scenes, but for now, just know what the scenes are.

• Research: If you are not writing on a subject you have experience with, have lived through or know firsthand, make sure you have done your research! If it is an historical period, you have to know facts to include in the story to “paint” the background of your character’s canvas.
• Questions: With every paragraph, ask questions and never stop questioning:

Is there a hook, is it clear, am I trying too hard to use metaphors and it seems out of rhythm? Am I avoiding clichés?  Can there be a more powerful word? What is the character trying to say?

Writing is the art, and editing is the tool we chip our sculpture or mold our clay with. It evolves in time and changes daily. The beauty of writing is that unlike chipping a marble statue, your lap top has the ability to save, cut and paste and store; no need to worry about mistakes because they are easy to fix.

Don’t try to be perfect or you’ll waste time. Write, write and write, then re-write, re-read, re-write-re-read…

• Don’t ignore your Alpha mind. If you get an inspiration and you feel that adrenaline rush, let it pour! Even Thoreau used to sleep with a note pad next to his bed. He was quoted for saying that he’d write in the dark for fear of forgetting his thoughts by daylight. That’s good alpha thinking!
• Also listen to Meta and Theta (alphas less colorful siblings). If you’re tired and not in the mood, don’t force it or you might end up with a lot of papers that you’ll use with the firewood in the hearth.

If there is a moral to this story, it’s this:

To become a great writer, you have to want to write, read and write daily, have others read and make suggestions; share opinions, and be willing to learn, stretch and grow. Your author’s style will develop with time, and the more you write, the better your writing will become.

Take that book idea of yours and treat it like a bean seed. Water it; give it sun and daily care. It will grow and develop a life of its own in time. Don’t think your Jack because no golden goose will be waiting for you tomorrow, but like Jack, your little seed will eventually amaze you!

Good luck!

References

• · “Show or Tell-Should Creative Writing be Taught?” by Louis Menand-The New Yorker, June 8, 2009, Newyorker.com
• · Marksberry, Mary Lee. Foundation of Creativity. Harper’s Series on Teaching. (New York; London: Harper & Row, 1963), 39.
• · Wikipedia online

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The publishing process can be a NIGHTMARE.

You spend years perfecting your manuscript. You take months researching the best agents and publishers in town.

You blast out your manuscripts – only to receive a handful of pre-printed rejection slips in return.

So, you get more desperate – and start sending out manuscripts a dozen at a time. More and more. Nobody is interested.

You’re FRUSTRATED. And ANGRY. And… GRRR!

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Can you imagine landing yourself a HUGE publishing contract… AND enjoying a five-figure royalty ADVANCE…

… Before you’ve written even a WORD of your book?

Wouldn’t that be a much better solution?

Well, that’s how professional writers work – using BOOK PROPOSALS to secure a publishing contract and healthy advance, before they even start work on the manuscript.

But how do you create a KILLER book proposal?

This brand new site unveils ALL the secrets, thanks to the work of publishing mogul, Dan Strauss:

Book Proposal Secrets. com

Click on the above link to learn how YOU can avoid the publishing nightmare – and enjoy the real benefits of being an author!

Check it out. You’ll be amazed at what you discover!

Enjoy,

LU

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Do you remember Alfred Hitchcock’s radio show, and “The Night the World Ended?”

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(Watch the Hulu Video: Video of Hitchcock/Night the World Ended)

It was 1938  and Halloween. People were listening to the radio and Alfred Hitchcock was recreating HG Wells “War of the World’s ” on his radio show. If you’re young, you have no idea what I’m talking about. Here is a quick link to describe the prank that created real chaos and panic in the US!  Read about the Hitchcock “prank”. Basically, it fooled people into believing the Earth was being invaded by Martians.

Now that Web Writing has invaded our world, is it time for us to panic?

What got me to think about this was a great article shared by a writer on Linked in. It’s post can be found at the Champlain College Publishing Blog and it’s called, “The Sequel to Equally  Worthless, I think Not.” If you’re a writer, you should take the time to read it and share your thoughts too!

It discusses how the internet has changed the way writers are paid and how work is evaluated, valued, copied, or re-cycled. There are more great points and I highly recommend it! The link is at the end of this post, so if my writing begins to bore you, scroll to the bottom of the page and find out why this article is being raved about by  “Moi”!

My thoughts after reading:

This is the comment I left on the blog:

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“This is a great article that I have to tweet  on Twitter. You brought up so many great points. The internet makes it too easy for people to say their writing is “published” and the quality is not always there. If you visit Hubpages.com, some writers on the site are incredibly talented and may be the next Thoreau, while others write an average 4th grade essay. No matter what the quality, everyone is “published.” Does that diminish the profession and take away the respect that should be given to the true writers for sharing their creativity, intelligence or ability to make us think?

When I surf the web and happen to click an article that is terrific, informative and truly well written, the bookmark I link to it, reminds me it was a “lucky find.”

Writing is part craft, part learned, but alot of it in my opinion is a natural talent, mixed with skill, passion and intelligence. If you become well-known, it is part luck; but the talent has to be there. You can always recognize the  true “writers” from the ”Knock-offs”.

Along with the variables that define the quality of online work , you have to consider how much the earnings for the work can differ.

What about earnings for a writer?

Should there be a general consensus of what our work is “worth”? How can one blog pay $25 for one article and the site three clicks away not pay their writers anything unless the Affiliate link is hit?

I’ve found with freelancing, some employers will  pay $2 for 400 words, but the research alone took 3 hours. Real writers should be paid for their work, but as you pointed out; the internet is changing how media, news, magazines or books are valued. Now, with everything available online, what is  the writing or reporting worth? A published e-book may not be worthy of a read; but was “published” because the person could pay a company to “publish” it.

Don’t misunderstand my point. There are excellent ebooks, better quality than some trade; but there is no rating to tell the reader before he buys the book if the ”author” wrote a great story or if it is from Miss Everett’s class around the corner. You may not know until you pay the $15 dollars and if you discover the book was poor quality, you feel scammed!
Blog protectors will help protect someone from “stealing” your work, but it’s too easy to say something is original, when only a few words were rearanged well enough that it wasn’t discovered by Copyscape.
Maybe there needs to be a rating on internet articles and e-books, so the reader knows the author is an amateur or has the skill to write like a pro. Should a company like Copy Scape be required to “patrol” the web as one means to stop people from plagerizing?

Where did the “reporter” get his “facts”? There should be real guidelines that are mandated, so misinformation and panic won’t strike. What would Alfred Hitchcock opinion be on this topic?

The internet created a new world for newspapers; Should the  4th grade writers be allowed to play on the same field with the Big Leagers? How do you prevent plagerism online or e-book scams?

Great article and as you can tell from my “long winded” comment, it was very thought provoking. You my friend are definitely not an amateur!”

Here’s what you’ve been waiting for!

This is the great article by Champlain College Publishing Initiative

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