Two Books on Writing Fiction You MUST Have!

I've been writing for well over 15 years and have read a lot of books on the craft. Some are lifesavers, other have a few pearls of wisdom, while a few aren't worth the time or money. There are even books on writing that leave you feeling defeated and wanting to throw your computer, along with your dreams of becoming a successful writer, out the window.

I won't talk about books that cover the basics, such as The Elements of Style. I will assume you know the essential mechanics of writing and know how to form cohesive sentences. The following books, my two absolute favorites, will give you the shot of adrenaline you may be in desperate need of to keep going, keep pursuing, and keep following your writing dreams!

On Writing by Stephen King - This has got to be my number one book on writing. The first half is an autobiography. I found his writing to be very real and from the heart. I laughed and even felt a bit saddened at times. You read about his childhood, his first attempts at publishing when he was in grade school, and all of the hard work, long hours and dedication he put into his writing career. This in itself gave me hope that I could someday be a successful author as well!

The second half of the book is a no bull, no fluff guide to writing. What I like most about it is that he doesn't bog you down with rule after rule, and strict organization. Forget outlines and note cards and character sketches! He recommends that you just sit down at your computer, go with your muse and see where he/she takes you. He tells you what you need to know from idea to sale, as well as a few simple considerations and rules. He uses examples of his own work and that of others to show what's good prose and what's not. He offers some exercises as well.

My writing has flourished because of this book. It's spontaneous and real. When I sit down at the computer I don't even know what the next scene will entail, but I'm always amazed to see what my inner self can come up with once I get out of my own way.

Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury - Be prepared! Ray Bradbury will take you by the hand and leave you breathless in this little book. I can honestly say that I've never felt more exhilarated or had more ideas popping into my mind than after reading this book. He advises you to stay drunk on writing because it saves us from reality, to write at least a thousand words a day every day, to write from real life, and much more. What I liked most about this book is the way I felt after reading it. Zen in the Art of Writing is like having Ray Bradbury right there with you, guiding you, cheering you on, and urging you to stop creeping and start flying!

Much in the same vein as Stephen King's book, this gem is not about rules that fence you in and leave you no room to breathe, but in letting loose the inner writer. It draws that fine line between genius and insanity. I loved it!

My creativity has soared because of these books. I highly recommend them.

Selecting The Right Personal Trainer - Part 3

In parts one and two of this series we covered how to document your goals and get a short list of good, qualified personal trainers. This final phase is a more personal one, where you get the opportunity to talk with these trainers and find that perfect fit.

The 'Getting to Know You' Phase

In this phase you get to meet with your potential trainers, whether in a formal trial exercise session (which may be either free or one you have to pay for), a 'get acquainted' talking only session, or even an e-mail or phone exchange to swap information about each other.

The first thing the trainer should do is get a medical history for you and a list of your goals. Without this he/she has no way of determining the correct program for you. If they don't ask for these things and want to just get started right away with your sessions, it's likely they don't have your best interests in mind. Either that or they haven't been properly trained themselves.

Your medical history

This is an extremely important step for the trainer to take. It will reveal if you are at risk for cardiovascular disease, and identify any other health challenges your program will need to account for. If anything out of the ordinary is identified, for example you display numerous risk factors for a heart attack, the trainer should request you receive medical clearance before participating in a training program. If the trainer doesn't require a medical history don't hesitate to ask why.

Certified trainers are typically required to have CPR certification, but they would obviously prefer to help you prevent a heart attack instead of causing one for you.

Your List of Fitness Goals

This is an easy one. When your trainer-to-be wants to talk about your goals, just whip out the list you learned to create in part 1 of this series. They can then work off of that list and will probably probe deeper by asking additional questions in order to design the proper program. This is also a good time to include a list of question you have related to fitness.

This list of fitness goals should include a discussion on your preferred methods of exercise. The more you enjoy certain forms of exercise, the more likely you will be to continue a program long term. A good trainer will want you to continue your fitness program long after your need for them has passed, so placing you in a program you enjoy is essential. A poor trainer is only interested in you if they can continue to make money off you by scheduling more training sessions. If they try to wedge you into a program that isn't right for you then they probably fall into the latter category, or they simply don't have the expertise to adapt the one program they know how to run. Many trainers will simply put you on the same program they use for themselves, and the majority of the time this isn't appropriate.

Decision Time

At this point you should have all the information you need to select a trainer. If you're sure about your decision, you can often get a discount by purchasing multiple sessions up front. If you have any doubts, start off more slowly with fewer sessions because you can always purchase additional groups of sessions when you become more comfortable. And be honest with the trainer that you want to make sure the fit between you and him/her is right before committing long term. A quality trainer will understand and not apply unnecessary pressure.

Conclusion

I can actually condense the contents of this article in one simple statement. Do your homework. Act as if you were hiring this person for a very important position in your company, because in a very real way you ARE hiring them. Personal training isn't usually cheap, and you want to make sure you get the most out of the money you're spending. Even more importantly you want to make sure your trainer doesn't put you in harm's way, which would be the opposite of your ultimate objective of being healthier and more fit.

Higher Purpose Of Astral Projection

In astral projection you can see everything that cannot be seen, you can see all what is hidden into the physical world, many ancient people said that the astral projection is a way for every one of us to know who we really are and where are we came from. the astral projection is a mysterious way for every one to defined countless realities and dimension more than the world of human. If you are already mastered the astral projection you will know the unlimited importance of astral projection in our lives, and for every beginner you should know every one needs astral projection, every one needs to be astral project!!!!

You may wonder and curious why every one needs astral projection? because every one has a spirit and by the help of astral projection we will discover our true higher self and why we are here in the world? and what is our real higher purpose on life??? every one has a higher purpose whether it is for good or even for a destructive one.

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In order for us to be much learned the astral projection we must first to know the higher purpose of it's and what is the benefit's of it's in our lives, the higher purpose of it's and it's benefits are cannot be counted, because it's not just tackle about yourself it's about the mystery of the whole universe, it's about all dimension and realities, the astral projection is not just about humans it's of course more regards to the spiritual world, about all higher beings such angels, demons, gods and even the lower entity such elementals, nature spirit and all kind of spirits and astral beings, all being live in all realities and dimension.

How to Use Restaurant Forms to Organize Your Restaurant Business

In every restaurant, you can see the same dilemma the employees face whenever they perform their tasks each day. Too much supply can spoil, but too little can affect the kinds of dishes the chefs can make for diners. The latter situation leads to problems with customers, which affects how the restaurant fares in the public eye. Remember, a less than smoothly managed restaurant loses the potential to earn.

Smooth management requires good organization and time management skills from a restaurant manager. An effective way to keep your work in line uses restaurant forms. Each process in restaurant operations uses a restaurant form to record information and to guide each employee's actions in the process.

Consider these possible scenarios in restaurant management:

Each day, the staff does inventory management to control the number of supplies, dates for delivery and inventory costs. Ordering too many of an ingredient will soon spoil it, especially when it is rarely used in dishes. However, purchasing too few will also put the restaurant menu in jeopardy, especially when certain dishes are a hit with customers. The kitchen team members prepare the ingredients, taking note of the prep time allowed for certain ingredients. Over-prepping the food can produce inconsistent flavors that affect how the dish will taste to restaurant patrons. On one hand, lacking an ingredient or two can also affect the overall quality of a recipe. Support staffs, such as janitors, dishwashers, and electricians, make sure the lights and kitchen appliances are functioning. They also make sure the place is always clean before the restaurant opens and when it closes.

In every scenario, we see the need for restaurant checklists and inventory schedules for employees to record and track information. In the first scenario, inventory checking at the end of the day controls costs when the manager tracks the number of supplies in the pantry. Once the numbers reached the critical point, the manager knows in advance the number of items to purchase from the supplier, and when to purchase them. This also helps accountants to manage the money spent for each month.

In the second scenario, employees need to use kitchen prep sheets and order forms to keep track of information, such as the type and amount of ingredients needed and prep instructions, the menu items ordered by customers, and personal preferences of some diners, i.e. no tomatoes, no cheese.

In the third scenario, although most restaurants do not hire separate staff for janitorial and electrical services, the importance of using restaurant forms to keep track of cleaning schedules, laundry days (for curtains and table clothes), and machine maintenance should be given time and attention.

These scenarios are just examples of how a manager can use restaurant forms to help organize restaurant operations. A well-organized business saves time and effort, which leads to less food and labor costs expended.

Subtle Emotion - The Key To Copy That Works

Say the word "emotion" to a man, and he'll immediately jump out of his seat and run from the room! Utter the word "emotion" to a woman, and she begins to conjure up thoughts of romantic, long talks centered around feelings. However, speak the word "emotion" to a copywriter and s/he should see dollar signs. Why? Because a good command of subtle emotion is the key to copy that works.

The Difference Between Subtle and Obvious Emotion

Confusing obvious and subtle emotion is a common mistake among copywriters. Let's say your copywriting client tells you his product should make the end user feel classy and sophisticated. He wants the copy you write to convey that message. What happens when writing with obvious emotion is this:

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Our silverware patterns will make you feel classy and sophisticated. They will decorate your table in an upscale manner so you and your guests will think you're in a fine-dining restaurant.

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Obvious emotion tells readers what they will think, see or feel. This approach is clumsy and awkward and rarely has the result the client is looking for. On the other hand, subtle emotion has a much greater appeal. Why? Because it deals with imagery. When you show people, rather than tell them, how they'll feel or what will happen after they buy your product or service, you evoke core emotions rather than shallow feelings. Here are several examples of subtle emotion at work:

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Graceful and elegant, these silverware patterns are sure to bring compliments from your guests. With an exceptional display of taste and style, you can adorn your table with distinctive stainless or sterling silverware that highlights every element of your table setting.

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As peaceful and charming as a Sunday afternoon on grandma's front porch, these metal gliders are recreations of the WWI originals. Rock the afternoon away with a big glass of lemonade and a little nostalgia wafting through the air like a gentle summer breeze.

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Spend lazy days and restful nights in this poster bed dreaming about romantic interludes. Finished with Gabon mahogany veneers, your bed has reed posts, a removable canopy frame and a louvered headboard reminiscent of a shuttered window.

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Do you see what's happening in the copy examples above? No one came right out and said, "Your table's gonna look real classy if you use our silverware," but the notion is there. From the description given, you pick up on the fact that this silver will do more than make your table look good. It will make you look good in front of your guests and give you a little boost of confidence due to all the compliments you'll receive.

The metal glider chair copy never said your blood pressure would be reduced as you sat on your porch de-stressing from a long, hard workweek, but that's the distinct impression you get from the copy, isn't it?

And the poster bed? Just the mention of the materials (Gabon mahogany, reed posts) and romantic interludes gives a feeling that this bed is something special, although the copy never actually says so.

By using subtle emotion, by painting a picture of what the customer will get from these products, by incorporating them into the customer's everyday life, you - as a copywriter - are able to pique interest and increase sales. Ah! The power of words!

© 2005 http://www.marketingwords.com

Bed and Breakfast vs. London Hotels

Whether planning a romantic getaway or a quiet business trip, sooner or later, the question comes up, "Do we stay at a Bed and Breakfast or one of the London hotels?" More often than not, the European bed and breakfast has been romanticized, in books and on film as the ideal getaway place. While they sound cozy and wonderful, do they really meet the expectations of travelers? How do the London hotels compare?

The bed and breakfast offered an inexpensive alternative to London hotels, and it became popular for homeowners to open their doors to the select public. Travelers were not only given a warm and cozy bed to sleep in, but this offered them the opportunity to stay in a more comfortable retreat, eat home-cooked meals, and enjoy the hospitality of London residents. Those who sought a more homey retreat yet didn't wish to lease an apartment for an extended length of time flocked to the Bed and Breakfast, making them a popular alternative to hotels.

London hotels have their own advantages, however. Typically offering larger rooms and deluxe accommodations, the hotels also grant more freedom to their lodgers. Restaurants, health spas, and stores are just a step away, and since you are not staying in someone's home, you have the ability to come and go as you please, without the constraints of a schedule.

While the Bed and Breakfast remains a popular vacation retreat, London hotels are now offering some hearty competition. Continental breakfasts are commonly served and reduced rates, offered during quieter seasons, often make hotels the better value. In the end, it all comes down to the preference of the lodger and a personal opinion as to what is the better bargain. Whichever you choose, Bed and Breakfast or hotel, there are many wonderful places to stay in the city of London.