The books and web pages I read affect me a lot. I use them as tools sometimes. If I read a book on productivity, I become more productive while I am reading it. If I read a book on digital photography, I see pictures everywhere. If I read a book on design, I notice every logo and sign. The knowledge sticks with me afterwards, but the act of reading keeps it in the forefront of my mind. And, if I read about programming and computers, I become a robot and start writing really shitty articles. I had to call time. There is an idea ...
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I never can tell when an idea is going to occur to me. One time it’s while I’m driving to work. The next, while I am mowing the lawn. But I can almost guarantee it will happen when I least expect it. So I just started expecting it all the time and carrying a notebook along with me. Now it’s a Moleskine. I started with one of those 6 for a dollar cardboard flip notebook. But an idea written down in that notebook was responsible for the first thousand dollar month I had online. And it happened within a month after I started carrying ...
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Faron Young died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1996, while I was stationed with the U.S. Navy in Japan. One of my favorite singers, he was also an acquaintance. After his death, he seemed to be almost forgotten, and I started thinking about writing his biography. I wanted to write books as a retirement career, and it would be great to meet famous country music singers and listen to their memories of Faron. But I didn't know anyone in the music business, or the publishing business, or anyone who knew Faron. And I didn't know how to write a biography. A. Scott ...
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Blogging is all the rage these days--and with good reason. I know of no other opportunity that provides such rewarding and lucrative compensation for minimal effort. Blogs are fun to do, easy to compose, and can be done in minutes. It makes sense to get on board with blog writing, thus adding to your income. One site I submit blogs to requires under 100 words and the pay that I receive per blog keeps going up! You'll want to do a search online for blogging jobs and pick those you feel are best suited to your needs. It is a good idea to sign ...
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A cliche is an expression that has become a common part of language--and hence, has lost its initial power to stir people. When an editor reads a cliche, he or she may conclude that the writer is coasting rather than really working. You'll see what I mean: * He was ruggedly handsome * He moved like a panther * She bit off more that she could chew These over-used expressions do nothing to stir a reader and can lead to rejection of a story. Character Cliches Are you describing a character with traits that are as common as 'a dozen eggs'? Avoid using 'stock' ...
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