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Writer's Notes - By Jeanne Dininni

 
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Lessons Learned - Writer's Notes

Reclaim Your Brain: Words of Wisdom from Jill Konrath

June 7th 2011 18:24


My Take: The Writer's Brain, Prime Real Estate

As writers, our brains are prime real estate! Yet, there are definite limits to how many thoughts, ideas, tasks, projects, diversions, and pieces of trivia we can cram into our minds at any given time. (Why do we so easily forget that? Probably because we're so distracted most of the time that we simply don't notice!)

Information Overload

The Internet definitely contributes to the serious cases of information overload that plague us today. Let's face it, the Internet is addictive, plain and simple. Anything and everything we could ever want or need to know is literally at our fingertips 24/7, 365 days a year -- whether we need it or not. Talk about a recipe for distraction, wheel-spinning, and lack of productivity. As helpful as the Web can be when we have critical research to complete for a writing project (and when we discipline ourselves to stay on track with that research), that's just how detrimental it can be when we let our cyber surfing get out of hand.

The Need to Guard Our Minds

We writers need to guard our minds, protect our imaginations, defend our creativity, our powers of reflection, contemplation, visualization, and analysis. Our ability to think deeply is seriously compromised when we flit from site to site, topic to topic, news story to news story, blog to blog. To be sure, there are times when it's fine to do these things -- as long as we're the ones in control.

Jill's Take on This Critical Issue

Here's a wonderful article on the above topic by Jill Konrath that I strongly suspect you will be able to relate to every bit as much as I did from the moment I began reading. Let's do our best to heed Jill's advice and give our severely overburdened brains a break!


The Year I Lost My Brain - And How I Got It Back

It started exactly 12 months ago, right after SNAP Selling came out. At first I didn't recognized the symptoms, but in retrospect, they were there.

I was crazy-busy, running from one "must do" activity to the next. My inbox overflowed. I was constantly online, answering emails, tweeting, blogging, whatever.

Time evaporated before my eyes. At the end of the day, my endless To Do list was even longer. I'd accomplished virtually nothing, yet I'd worked the entire day.

Awash in this swirl of scattered activities, my primary goal was to stay afloat.

On my daily walks, I listened to podcasts and interviews. In the evenings, I plopped in front of the TV, surrounded by my computer, iPhone and iPad. Never disconnected, constantly consuming an endless supply of media.

Then I got hooked on a few computer games. These mindless diversions, my guilty little pleasures, filled up what was left of my free time. Hah! Did I say free time? There was none.

Clearly, this was no way to live. It was an existence, not a life. But things were really much worse.

I was actually losing my mind.

Please don't think I'm crazy. The truth is, if what I described sounds even remotely similar to your life, you're losing your mind too.

It's actually a function of our constant online flitting. There's a ton of research now showing that the internet is actually changing our brain. In short, we're losing our ability to:

* Concentrate: The more we're online, the more scatterbrained we become. We scan, but don't think - and certainly not deeply. And, we're forgetful. Yet we crave more stimuli and keep clicking away.

* Create: When we're caught in this morass, we can't come up with new ideas and rich insights. With our brains are on overload, they're stuck at a low-level of processing.

I felt all of this. I was spinning in place, going nowhere in a constantly distracted state. I even tried to be more productive, but that didn't work either.

Then I finally got away from it all - to a place where I couldn't be reached by phone and had minimal internet access. At first, I was twitchy. Really twitchy. (Going through withdrawal is tough.)

Amazingly, within two days my brain started coming back.

Creative thoughts popped into my mind. Fun ideas emerged. Fresh perspectives surfaced. I wrote everything down so I wouldn't forget - and also to free up my brain to do more important things.

And, since I like how I'm feeling a whole lot more now than I did before, here's the commitment I made to myself:

* I will limit my internet time to 3 hours per day. I refuse to let the internet destroy my creativity and problem-solving capacity.

* I will be unreachable for at least one hour daily. To do my job effectively, I need to think. I can't think when I don't protect my time.

* I will always have one fun project I'm working on. That's what keeps me alive.

* I will stay focused on the activity I'm on. This may be the hardest of all since I'm so used to allowing distractions. I can't tell you how many urges I fought off while writing this article.

Maybe you haven't lost your mind yet. If that's the case, make sure you protect it at all costs.

But if you're at all like me, your brain has already been severely impacted. I urge you to consider reclaiming it. The truth is, it's the key to your personal and professional success.

_______________________

Jill Konrath is an internationally-recognized speaker & bestselling author of SNAP Selling and Selling to Big Companies. She helps sellers land new accounts and speed up sales cycles. To get four free sales-accelerating tools, visit www.snapselling.com.

________________________

What are your thoughts on this critical topic? In what ways can you relate to Jill's story? Care to share any solutions that have worked for you?

To your sanity,
Jeanne


The above article was reprinted with permission.

This is not a sponsored post.



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Optimize Your Writing Talent: Sell Reprints

September 17th 2009 18:04


Reprints: A Great Way to Increase Your Writing Income

Writers are continually looking for new ways to maximize their influence, exposure, and income—or at least they should be! One great way to do this is by selling reprints of your already-published works. This is a relatively quick, easy way to leverage the time, energy, and effort you've expended in creating these works—turning them into even greater profits—and is one secret to ensuring an ongoing income stream for your writing business.

Normally, reprints will not command top dollar—though in isolated cases, they do pay well. Without question, you will need to generate a steady stream of new writing to keep your business thriving and your profits high; yet, the smartest, most savvy freelancers recognize and use every technique they can for building maximum profit. Reselling your work can fit nicely into your comprehensive publishing plan.

While many markets seek only "original works"—a misnomer, really, because all non-plagiarized works are original (what they actually mean is previously unpublished works)—many other markets are quite amenable to considering reprints. Some publishers have limitations, however; and many pay less for reprints than they do for previously unpublished pieces. All want to know where published works have appeared before.


A Few Reprint Facts to Keep in Mind

Before offering your work for republication, check to be sure that the market to which you originally sold the work doesn't have a policy (to which you agreed at the time of sale) that prevents publication elsewhere. Some publishers require notification of your intent to publish reprints, and many reserve the right to decide whether or not to grant you permission to do so. This is always true in cases where the publisher has purchased all rights. (However, most publications seem to be fairly reasonable in administering these policies.)

You should be aware, that even those markets which return publication rights to the author after running the piece often expect the courtesy of a notice of your intent to republish. Some return publication rights to an author with certain limitations, such as allowing the author to publish the work or excerpts from the work on his/her own website but not elsewhere. So, before offering reprint rights to your piece, double-check the policy of the original market to be sure you're on steady legal and ethical ground. And, while you're at it, read the current publisher's submission guidelines carefully (which you should be doing anyway for many reasons) to be sure you understand its reprint policy, relating to both past and future publication of the work in question.

In addition to accepting reprints, some markets also allow simultaneous submissions, which should make it that much easier to resell your work—though such companies generally require notification if the piece should be accepted elsewhere. Remember: simultaneous submission and simultaneous publication are not synonymous.

Some publications are only open to submissions during certain time periods, so be sure to check their guidelines for any time limitations before submitting your work. Otherwise, it will go unread and all your time and effort will be wasted.

Also, be sure to follow the formatting requirements of the publication to which you are currently submitting—even if your piece has been published elsewhere in its present format. Unfortunately, that fact alone is no reason to assume that the market you've chosen this time will look favorably on the previous format—particularly if its guidelines say otherwise.

By following the above guidelines, you can leverage your past work into welcome new earnings with minimal time and effort. And which of us couldn't use a little extra money right now—without having to create an entirely new article to get it!


To your reprint success!
Jeanne
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Situation Update, Appeal, and Expose of a Killer Called Alzheimer's

May 27th 2009 19:23


Update On My Situation

Most of you are aware that, due to my mom's illness and my caregiving responsibilities, I've been unable to post much at Writer's Notes over the past few months. Some may also be aware of the latest development in my situation; but for those who aren't, I'd like to share an update: My dear, sweet, precious mother passed away Sunday, May 17th, at the age of 82, after a shockingly short, fierce battle with an unusually fast-progressing form of Alzheimer's, which devastated both mind and body before finally taking her life.

It's been a very sad time for my family and me and an extremely hard thing to watch this insidious disease wreak its devastation on a woman who was always so sharp, alert, detail-oriented, meticulous, and exacting before its onset--to watch her gradually (though rapidly) lose her ability to reason, communicate, walk, feed (or do anything else for) herself, and eventually even lose the ability to eat or drink (even through a straw) and even when fed by others.

I hope my description of the end-stages of this hellish disease isn't too graphic for my readers' sensibilities, but I believe that many (like me) were not previously aware of the true nature of Alzheimer's and just how devastating it can be. Prior to my own experience with this medical monster, I didn't know that it was a fatal disease and naively thought it always took years and years to develop and that its effects were limited to cognitive impairment, wandering and becoming lost, and other similar difficulties. I soon learned, though, that that isn't the half of it.


Dispelling the Widespread Myths About Alzheimer's

The following quote from the Alzheimer's Myths page of the Alzheimer's Association website addresses the reality of Alzheimer's--a reality of which most people are unaware:

Myth 2: Alzheimer’s disease is not fatal.

Reality: Alzheimer's disease has no survivors. It destroys brain cells and causes memory changes, erratic behaviors and loss of body functions. It slowly and painfully takes away a person's identity, ability to connect with others, think, eat, talk, walk and find his or her way home.

I hope this eye-opening information won't be too shocking to my readers, but I do feel it very important to dispel the myths that lull us into complacency about this devastating disease--making us ill-equipped to face it when it enters our lives. (For the other seven myths listed on the website, along with their rebuttals, visit the above link.)


Knowledge Equals Power to Prepare

The truth is that many people live many years with Alzheimer's, and in its earlier stages it rarely, if ever, wreaks the devastation that its later stages bring. Many Alzheimer's patients live reasonably happy lives for years. Yet, it's also important to be aware that this isn't always the case and to be prepared in the eventuality that we or our loved ones face a more aggressive, faster-moving variety.

There are drugs that can slow the progression of Alzheimer's somewhat if taken early enough in the disease process, though their effect is temporary, they only work for about half the people who take them, and that effect only lasts on average about 6 to 12 months. These facts are also addressed on the Alzheimer's Myths page of the Association's website (found at the link presented earlier in this post.)

This insidious disease snuck up on me, and by the time I realized what was happening, so much ground had already been lost. Then, it progressed at super speed like a horror movie video set to "fast forward," never allowing me to achieve (or regain) my equilibrium as a daughter, companion, caregiver, "nurse," or friend. In short, it was a nightmare, and I would hate to see this same nightmare come upon you unawares.

Please educate yourself about Alzheimer's, because you simply never know when it might strike someone you know and love--and when it does, there's absolutely no way of knowing for certain how much (or how little) time you have left.


Thanks so much for reading!
Jeanne


P.S. I'd planned to provide a link to a writing-related website as part of this post (since this is, after all, a writing blog); but, due to the serious and emotional nature of the above message, I've decided to hold off and provide that link in a separate post. When I first began penning the above post, I wasn't absolutely certain how much I would reveal about my mom's death or the precise manner in which that revelation would evolve. But, since I felt it so important to share and prepare my readers for the possibility of meeting Alzheimer's head on in the future, it seemed inappropriate and anticlimactic to follow my appeal with something so mundane as a link to a freelancing website. I hope that no one minds and that all will be patient until I can get the next post up. Thanks so much for your understanding.


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My Blogapalooza Post Is Up at Middle Zone Musings

January 26th 2009 03:42


It's Official: My Writer's Notes' Blogapalooza Post is Now Up

On the last day that Robert is accepting submissions for his annual Blogapalooza group writing project, I finally finished and e-mailed my entry; and Robert informed me just a little while ago that my What I Learned From 2008 post is now up at MZM--along with the other 127 submissions to the project!

It's always a pleasure to participate in an MZM WILF (What I Learned From) project, since every project always has real substance and inspires a great deal of thought. Yet, Robert's annual Blogapalooza projects are always special, because, with them, bloggers are offered the singular honor of having their posts actually published at Middle Zone Musings, with links back to their best monthly blog posts, rather than publishing their posts on their own blogs with only a link roundup being displayed at MZM. So, Blogapalooza is really special!


Visit MZM and Read My Submission--Along with 127 Others

Stop by when you have the time and check out my submission. Perhaps you'll find a few Writer's Notes posts listed there that you've missed. Since this list of a dozen posts (one for each month of 2008) represents the posts I've found especially instructive to me, perhaps you'll find them particularly instructive or informative, as well. You might think of these as some of the best Writer's Notes content of 2008. In addition to listing this content, my Blogapalooza post gives a brief explanation of what I learned from each of the 12 posts I've chosen for the project.

You'll also want to check out some of the other Blogapalooza posts written by various bloggers and peruse the content they've written over the past year which they consider to be their best and most instructive. Drop over and take a look. You may just learn something--and be entertained in the bargain!

May reading these posts teach you as much as we've learned writing them!


Happy reading!
Jeanne


Did you enjoy this post? Which Writer's Notes posts highlighted in this project had you never read before? What value do you see in group writing projects such as this one? Do you enjoy having more meaningful posts resurrected from the archival abyss in this manner, or are you totally ready to move on to new things in the new year, without looking back? I'd love to hear your thoughts!



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Simply The Best Writer's Notes Post of 2008

December 28th 2008 23:52


Confident Writing's Year-End Group Writing Project

Joanna Young, at Confident Writing, is holding a year-end group writing project, in which bloggers select the post they believe to be Simply The Best post they've written during 2008 and describe why "in 30 words or less." Read all about this intriguing project in the following post: Simply The Best: Group Writing Project.


My Writer's Notes Entry

I've chosen the following article* as the Writer's Notes 2008 post that's Simply The Best:

Motivation to Write: Is There a Magic Formula?

In accordance with the rules Joanna has set for this writing project, I've described my reasons for choosing the above post--in exactly 30 words (not counting Joanna's "preamble"). Here they are:

This post is simply the best because...

• It explores an issue that's critical to every writer's success;
• It examines various methods for tapping several common motivational sources;
• It explains how to generate motivation when it eludes us.

Hope you'll enjoy revisiting this Writer's Notes "best" post of 2008 (first published as a guest post at Writing the Cyber Highway). I think that, in addition to a hefty dose of encouragement, you'll find an arsenal of useful techniques for achieving the motivation that's indispensable to your success in your chosen vocation.


Joanna's Roundup Post Will Link to All Entries

Be sure not to miss Joanna's Simply The Best roundup post (which will be published at Confident Writing on December 30th). It will feature links to some of the best blog content of 2008 (along with each blogger's 30-word or shorter description of why it's his/her best post of the year).

If you've had a busy year (as I have) and too often missed reading your favorite blogs, don't miss this "best of the blogosphere" collection! (You can even get a jump on reading these great entries by visiting Joanna's announcement post at the above writing project link and mining her Comments box for the links to all the entries.)


Happy reading!
Jeanne


* I've entered at the 11th hour (actually, later). Yet, I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to participate in such an inspiring project.



Did you enjoy this post? What would you consider your very best post of 2008? Would you have difficulty choosing? If so, stay tuned for another soon-to-be-held year-end group writing project which will include up to 12 of each blog's best posts of 2008: one for each month that the blogger has been blogging this year. Perhaps you'll even decide to participate!



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Motivation to Write: Is There a Magic Formula?

July 17th 2008 17:53


This post is a reprint of a piece I originally wrote as a guest post for Michele Tune at Writing the Cyber Highway. Some of you may remember that it first appeared there on June 2, 2008. Hope you'll enjoy it--and hope it will give you some helpful tools you can use to find--or generate--the motivation to write.



Motivation to Write: Is There a Magic Formula?


When You Don’t Feel Like Writing

How do you motivate yourself to write when you don’t feel like writing? How do you convince yourself to get down to business when you’d rather do anything but?

Have you ever had those days when you just can’t seem to face the prospect of writing that article that’s coming due, that query letter you know you should write, or that blog post that will remind your readers that you haven’t fallen off the face of the earth…that you’re not only still around but that you’re actually still interested in sharing your wit and wisdom with them? (I thought so!) You want to write, but you just can’t seem to make yourself do it.


Lack of Motivation: A Common Problem

Every writer struggles with these feelings from time to time—many of us quite often. And for bloggers and other online writers who work from home, life can be particularly distracting, as we’re continually bombarded not only with the household responsibilities that continually beckon, but also with the many available—and attractive—alternatives to working.

Such tempting activities as commenting on other blogs, visiting social media sites, checking our site stats, looking for nifty high-tech tools for our web pages, reading unrelated but interesting content during our online research, and any number of other enjoyable and otherwise productive activities often only serve to intensify our motivation problem and derail us from our efforts to fulfill our writing responsibilities.


What’s a Writer to Do?

The most important thing is to realize that motivation is a state of mind. It can come from many sources. Some of them follow.


The Writer’s Most Common Motivation Sources

Enthusiasm

When we’re feeling really enthusiastic about a project, don’t we find it so much easier to throw ourselves into completing it—even when the project itself is difficult or involved? If you can work up the enthusiasm to actually relish the prospect of writing about your topic, you will have won a great victory.

To do that, try taking your focus off the negative aspects of the project and focusing, instead, on something positive about the piece—something you can actually enjoy about it. If the subject matter itself doesn’t interest you, try focusing on a specific writing technique that you’ve mastered which you’re particularly proud of and which you plan to use for the piece.

If need be, you can even focus on a favorite writing tool, some physical part of the writing process that you enjoy, or the satisfaction you receive from your excellent spelling ability, extensive vocabulary, fantastic research skills, or even the way your well-formatted work looks on the page. A little enthusiasm will go a long way toward helping you thrive on the journey ahead, making it so much easier to reach your destination.

Interest

When we’re interested in our topic, writing about it grips our attention, draws us into our content, and keeps us going. It causes time to fly by, making us wonder where it could have gone. Interest can fuel the energy that helps us build momentum, spurring us on toward the realization of our writing goals.

If you’re able to pick and choose your projects so you’re only required to write about topics that interest you, great! You’ll have a much easier time motivating yourself to complete your writing assignments. But, if not, try finding something about the project that captures your interest—even if it takes a stretch of the imagination to discover it. It will be well worth the effort!

If the project itself doesn’t hold any fascination for you, try asking yourself a few questions. Will publishing this piece open your work up to a wider audience, giving you greater exposure? Will it place you before a new demographic or offer you a coveted spot in a brand new niche? Will it add to your credibility as a writer and/or as an expert in your current niche or genre? Will it allow you to showcase your work to prospective new clients? Will it open new doors of opportunity for you in other areas either related or unrelated to writing? These are all great reasons for feeling motivated about your writing project!

Inspiration

Inspiration sweeps us high above the mediocrity of our surroundings, activating our imaginations and infusing us with a power that makes expressing our thoughts via the written word practically effortless. Don’t we just adore the times when we’re fortunate enough to function under the tutelage of this most welcome influence? When it strikes, we see everything in a brand new light, and that helps us rise to bold new heights of creativity. Yet, when inspiration tarries, we often become discouraged.

At times like these, we need to generate a little inspiration of our own. One way we can do this is through the vehicle of high and noble thoughts. Focusing on our ideals and on the meaningful messages we hope to convey to our readers through our writing can jump-start the inspiration process. We can also inspire ourselves through the purposeful recall of vividly meaningful memories, of people we’ve known and loved or joys we’ve experienced. Or we can generate inspiration through the intentional act of surrounding ourselves with beauty. Stirring music, beautiful art, a lovely garden, a distinctively decorated writing nook—all these can help us create an atmosphere that’s conducive to inspiration. And all these can help us motivate ourselves to write.

Reward

The expectation of reward can be another excellent motivator. The reward might be a tangible one like money or an intangible one like recognition. It can even be something as simple—yet sensational—as the sense of satisfaction or feeling of fulfillment we derive from our writing. Just knowing that our work will help someone or that someone will enjoy it can bring its own reward, strengthening our motivation to complete a project.

And though money can often be a great motivator, we sometimes feel we aren’t receiving sufficient compensation for our work—particularly in the web-writing arena, where the going rates tend to be lower—and this can have a demotivating effect on us. That’s why it’s so important not to overlook the intangible rewards—to allow them to provide the impetus to keep us moving forward.


The Role of Attitude in Motivation

We need to realize that we are responsible for our own attitudes. We choose our own thoughts, as well as the lens through which we view the world. We can choose to see our project as a problem—a burden that’s been thrust upon us and one that we must grit our teeth and struggle through, hating every minute of it. Or we can decide to think differently about it—to remain positive and proactively seek ways to make it more than just another piece of writing.

Sometimes it takes sheer willpower to motivate ourselves to write, but I’m convinced that we can make a conscious decision to throw ourselves into our project. (In fact, I know we can, because I’ve proven it to myself again and again in my own writing.) We can make our writing a real extension of who we are, infusing it with that spark of personality, talent, expertise, imagination, and careful craftsmanship that only we can provide, making it a piece we can be proud to write—even if it’s a project that wouldn’t otherwise move us.


The Writer’s Last Resort

When all else fails, we may need to put a popular anti-procrastination technique to work and just do it, trusting that the motivation will follow as we gradually enter into our project. At times like these, it helps to remember that the ability to write when we don’t feel like it—when the intrinsic motivation, interest, enthusiasm, and inspiration escape us—is what separates the professional from the amateur.

And that knowledge alone can serve as our last-ditch motivator—because it’s a truth that carries its own reward.


Happy writing!
Jeanne


Note: I will resume my Guide to Polished Writing shortly.



Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Any motivational techniques of your own you'd like to share with us? We'd love to hear them!



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What I Learned From...A Whole List of Things That Impact My Writing

May 19th 2008 00:58


What Our Writing Is Made Of

Writing is a discipline that calls upon so many experiences, influences, facts, ideas, and emotions that it can be difficult to measure the effect of each of these on the literary whole. Because each of our lives, personalities, relationships, and outlooks differ so drastically, our own particular writing style, our tone, content, and insights tend quite naturally to reflect these personal values and combine to create the unique voice that is “us.”


Life Lessons Enrich Our Writing

Everyone and everything we encounter in life has a lesson in it—if we will only look for it. Sometimes that lesson will be glaringly obvious and sometimes buried a bit farther beneath the surface of our experience or our consciousness. Yet, it’s always there patiently waiting for us to discover its wisdom and apply it to our lives, increasing their richness. Only after we’ve done that can we apply that hard-won wisdom to our writing, one lesson at a time, and in that way pass it on to those for whom we write.


Some of My Own Lessons

Here are some lessons I’ve learned* during the course of my life:

School can be a place of real growth—yet not all learning happens there. Or perhaps it might be better said that “school” is everywhere.

Writing gives us the incredible privilege of speaking into the lives of other people. When our readers invite us in and attend to our words, it is we who receive the greater reward.

Children playing outside my window as I work remind me that laughter, simplicity, and chalk-pictures drawn all over the sidewalks of our lives bring a fresh, new perspective to an often inflexible grown-up world.

Television can be an insufferable distraction or a relaxing respite from overwork. At the same time, it can spark new ideas and increase knowledge. It’s up to each of us how we use it.

Recreation is an absolute necessity for a balanced life and an uninterrupted flow of inspiration. It rejuvenates us, recharges our batteries, replenishes our zeal, and renews our zest for life. Like the law of gravity, we ignore this truth to our own detriment.

Relatives shape our lives in so many ways; yet what we become is ultimately up to us. And the manner in which we use the lessons learned from our family ties determines who we will become and what we’ll have to offer those who later enter our lives.

Movies can affect us in powerful ways when artfully produced, touching our core, stirring noble emotions, and spurring us on to greater creativity. Classic movies often do this for me.

Friends help us feel better about ourselves than we think we should, building our confidence and helping us believe that we can accomplish our hearts’ desires—no matter what anyone else may think. They’re always in our corner, helping us fight the next round in the battle of life.

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, colors, ages, and abilities—or disabilities. And the majority never receive the recognition they deserve. Yet, we are watching, and they profoundly affect our lives, giving us greater courage to face our own challenges and showing us that doing so is always well worth the effort.

Planes prove to us that we can do the impossible, that mankind—born without wings—can still soar high into the skies on wings powered by the science of aerodynamics, defying the laws of gravity, or by the magic of inspiration, defying the limits of mere logic.

Food of the physical, mental, and spiritual variety is necessary for health of body, mind, and spirit. Yet the single area where we seem to indulge most is the physical, though copious amounts of this type of food contribute the least of any of the three to our creativity.

Pets bring us pleasure and companionship and so often teach us the meaning of unconditional love, loyalty, and trust. Life with our pets is straightforward and uncomplicated, without the emotional complexity that so often plagues human relationships. When we bond with a beloved pet, we receive more than we give.

Trains are virtually unstoppable—as long as they remain on track. They teach us that we, too, will be unstoppable if we maintain our focus, build momentum, stay on track, and keep our eyes on the destination ahead.

Time marches incessantly forward, waiting for nothing, relentlessly passing, and quietly but powerfully leaving its mark on everything within its massive sphere of influence. It reminds us that nothing ever remains as it was, that life is dynamic, that we either grow or decay, improve or regress, move forward or backward with every passing day.

Space symbolizes freedom, the ability to move about without restraint—within as well as without. It represents our ability to break the self-imposed emotional bonds that constrain us and keep us imprisoned within their invisible yet powerful walls—and almost irresistibly beckons us to do so.

Automobiles represent convenience, mobility, “shorter” distances between people and between people and places. They narrow the gap that nature has placed in our path and help us to use the freedom of space to our greatest advantage. Our psychological “automobiles” are any of the things that minimize the relational “gaps” between people—things like understanding, respect, courtesy, love, and forgiveness.

Technology teaches us the vastness of human potential, promising not only future discoveries by the geniuses of the world for the improvement of our lives but also the virtually limitless nature of our own personal discoveries, our own as yet unrealized possibilities. It also connects us to people, products, information, and services in ways we’ve never connected before, enriching us in the process.

Mountains remind us that, though life isn’t always easy, it’s beautiful, glorious, majestic, and wholly worthwhile; and as long as we keep on climbing, we always have a chance of reaching the top.


Keep learning...climbing...and writing!
Jeanne


This post is my entry to the Middle Zone Musings What I Learned From…Mashing It Up! group writing project.


* Just to clarify: The 18 areas in which I've discussed my lessons learned were not chosen by me, but were the 18 fascinating topics Robert Hruzek dreamed up especially for this WILF mashup.



Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Care to share any lessons you've learned along the way? We'd love to hear them!



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Online Fraud: Don't Be a Victim!

March 23rd 2008 23:17

A Few Comments Worth Repeating

The following information is adapted from a few comments I recently wrote here at Writer's Notes about online fraud. These comments expanded on the info presented in one of my earlier posts on the topic. I've decided to turn them into a post in their own right, because I believe this information is critical for everyone who uses the internet and e-mail to know--and since writers often use online payment processing services, such as PayPal, we must be particularly aware that we don't get scammed. (Many--if not most--people don't tend to read all the comments on a blog post, which means that most Writer's Notes readers have not had the benefit of reading this information.)


How to Tell When You're On a Spoof Website

Once on a website, if you right-click the webpage you're on and then click "Properties," you'll learn two things:

First, you'll learn the actual URL of the website--regardless of what they may have done to hide or manipulate it to make it seem like another site. (Note: The PayPal site's "Properties" window shows that the site is in fact PayPal, because it shows the authentic PayPal URL.)

Second, you'll learn whether or not the internet connection to the site is encrypted. If it isn't encrypted, it's not a secure site and therefore cannot be the real PayPal website. (Try this by right-clicking this Writer's Notes webpage. You'll see the exact URL--in this case the URL to this particular blog post--and you'll also see that this site's connection is not encrypted.)

Aside from the "Properties" window, another way to tell whether you're on a secure site is that the lock icon will appear in the status bar at the bottom of the web page. This is the only lock-icon location that indicates a secure site. If this icon is found anywhere else on the page, it means nothing. (Of course, it's possible that it could be found elsewhere on the page in ADDITION to the status bar--which is in fact the case with PayPal. But, if it's found ONLY on the web page and NOT in the status bar, the site is not secure.)

Apparently, some online con artists remove the status bar entirely to prevent visitors from noticing that the lock icon is missing. They then place an image of a lock somewhere on the web page to give the site a false air of legitimacy and security.

These things are so important for writers--and others--to know!


How to Avoid Phishing E-Mails

These cyber scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and it's definitely becoming more and more difficult to tell that their e-mails and websites are not the "real deal." But, there are ways to tell, and we can only do our best to educate others, hopefully helping to prevent them from becoming the prey of such dishonest individuals.

We must always be on our guard wherever online financial transactions are concerned--and of course, whenever we receive any e-mail that claims to relate to any type of financial transaction. It's absolutely crucial never to click a link in an e-mail that claims that it will take you to a website where you'll be able to complete any sort of "secure" financial transaction or where you're expected to "update" your personal information. I always pass my cursor over the link to see where it would have taken me before I DON'T click on it! Even if it appears legit, I visit the site via my web browser, instead of by clicking the link. If it doesn’t appear legit, I avoid it like the plague—and you should, too.


How to Tell When You’re About to Be Redirected to Another Website

In the case of unfamiliar web addresses that you type into your browser or copy and paste there, if you'll pass your cursor briefly over the "Go" button or arrow before clicking, you'll be shown the web address that you'll actually be taken to if you click "Go." (I learned this quite by mistake one day. I'd never noticed it before.) This is extremely valuable in cases where clicking a certain URL is actually designed to redirect you to an entirely different web address, hiding the fact that you aren't actually going to the website that you think you are.

(In the case just mentioned, I had actually been redirected to a site which supposedly sold cheap cigarettes. Maybe it was legit; maybe not. But I can't help but wonder why they would have needed to masquerade as an affiliate tool website in order to force traffic to their site if they were indeed honest businesspeople.)

There are many tools at our disposal that can help us to avoid being the victims of online fraud. But, we need to be informed that they exist and how we can best use them to protect ourselves and our vital personal information.

But, of course, knowing isn't enough. If we want to protect ourselves from online fraud, we have to take that knowledge and use it!

Stay safe,
Jeanne



Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add? Any experiences to share? Any tips or tricks you know of for protecting ourselves from online fraud? We'd love to hear from you!



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Keys to Overcoming the Writer's Fear of Failure

February 26th 2008 06:40



Word Sell, Inc. Termination Cartoon
Reprinted with permission by Brad Shorr, Word Sell, Inc.



Expectations, Expectations!

When you take on a writing assignment for a new client or begin a new contract-writing job for a company you haven't worked with before, do you sometimes feel the way the new hire in this cartoon must feel? Do you feel as if you're under pressure to perform, to shine, to live up to the client's (no doubt considerable) expectations for the piece or project you've signed on to? Though this feeling is very common, it does, thankfully, tend to decrease somewhat with time and experience. Yet, when it does strike, it can be very debilitating and not at all helpful to a writer's creativity.


From Triumph to Trepidation in 30 Seconds

When we're offered a writing assignment that we've taken the time, energy, and effort to pursue, the feeling can be exhilarating. Yet, often as not, that wonderful feeling of excitement and triumph over the accomplishment of successfully marketing ourselves and our writing skills immediately gives way to panic, as we suddenly realize that getting the assignment is only the beginning--that now we must actually deliver the goods. That can be a frightening thought!


The Vulnerability of the Writer's Psyche

As writers, our work is tied to our egos in a way that many other lines of work are not, because our writing represents us and it comes from within. To a great extent, we often feel that our personal value is tied up in our ability to write things that others will read, accept, enjoy, and gladly pay us for, which can place us in a very vulnerable position emotionally. It doesn't really matter what kind of writing we do--from short stories or novels, to article-writing, copywriting, SEO writing, or blogging--the effect is still the same. (Ghostwriting is one type in which this vulnerability may be slightly less potent, since no one but the client will know who wrote the piece. Yet, even then we can feel that twinge of fear that reminds us that perhaps the client won't think our creation worthy.)


What's a Writer to Do?

What can we do to overcome these debilitating emotions and help ourselves do the best job we can on every piece of writing we do--without turning into nervous wrecks?

Here are a few tips that might just help you the next time you're faced with these feelings:


1. Give yourself a pat on the back.

You got the assignment, contract, or project. That means the client believes in your ability to deliver a suitable and well-written finished product. It also says something about you: You were able to present yourself and your writing talents well enough--and likely in writing--to give the client confidence in you. This does represent a victory, so savor it. You have every right to. Don't spoil it by second-guessing your own ability to follow through on the promises made in your sales pitch. It's true that you have a great deal of work ahead of you, but that's only because you got the assignment!


2. Maintain confidence in your own ability.

You believed you could do the job when you applied for the assignment or contract. Don't let your faith in your writing ability waver now that the client agrees with you. Though you admittedly have a great responsibility ahead of you, you are a writer...this is what you do! Don't give in to doubt and fear. It's OK if a little fear should rise. Fear can help mobilize you for action. Just don't let it get out of hand. Instead, determine to move forward and through it. Only you can decide whether fear will paralyze or mobilize you.

A touch of doubt is acceptable, too, because it can help keep you humble, reminding you that, though you may be a good writer, you aren't the only good writer, and you were fortunate to receive this assignment. Again, don't let doubt get the better of you, though; instead, determine to move beyond it.


3. Cheer yourself on.

Give yourself a pep talk. Remind yourself of all that you've accomplished in the past. Even if this is your first paid writing gig, you'll have some past (albeit unpaid) writing successes to remember--particularly if you're a blogger. Think about your natural skill set, and mentally list the traits that make you particularly suited for this job. Are you analytical, creative, research-oriented, prolific, expressive, engaging? This list will help prepare you for the project by reminding you of all that you have to offer, fueling your imagination, and motivating you for the task ahead. It will help get your mind off your doubts and fears and on the project, allowing you to focus your energies on developing a creative method for completing it.


4. Use your prep work to enter fully into your project.

Brainstorm, research, outline, visualize--in short, do whatever it takes to prepare yourself for the actual writing. Ponder your possible topic, angle, mood, tone, style, approach--all the things that will determine the form and direction of your piece. Seek inspiration anywhere you can find it. Search Google for ideas on what others have done with this topic. Visit blogs, article directories, or other websites with similar content. Look in books, magazines, or newspapers--either on- or off-line--and see what clicks. But remember that the important thing is that you fully enter into your project, that it engrosses all your mental faculties, including your imagination. You'll then have a firm foundation on which to create a real work of art--in whatever field, genre, or writing niche you may be targeting.


5. Jump right in...begin to write...and get in "the Zone."

If possible, tackle the project while motivation is high--in other words, soon after your pep talk. (There will, of course, be times when you'll be required, as a freelancer, to write whether you feel motivated or not; though even during those times, a positive attitude will go a long way toward building motivation for your required writing task.) The key here is to just get started. Once you've done your research, planning, organizing, outlining, brainstorming, or visualizing, it's time to get to work turning those raw materials into the beautiful piece of writing you know you can create. Often simply starting to write will begin creating a magic we couldn't have anticipated before we began. It helps to get us in "the Zone"--that creative place where nearly anything becomes possible.


6. Trust your instincts, and then craft the best piece you can.

Always do your best work--no matter how big or small the project or the client. Even when ghostwriting, always keep the quality of your work high. After all, though your ghost-written piece may not represent you to the world, it represents you to your client--and even more importantly, it represents your client to the world. If you're interested in a return engagement with this client, always make him or her look fantastic!

Instinct will tell you when you may be straying off the mark--and these instincts will grow and develop with time, practice, and experience. Always listen to the little inner voice that tells you something isn't right in your approach, because first instincts often turn out to be correct. (This doesn't mean you should listen to the voice that tries to tell you that you aren't good enough. That voice is counter-productive. It will never help you reach your writing goals and should always be ignored.) Create the best piece of writing you can, and then submit it to your client with confidence--and before deadline! (If asked for revisions, remember to always do them cheerfully.)

By following the above advice, you should have little trouble with the kind of feelings our friend in the above cartoon faces--because, for the writer, such feelings generally arise from insecurity, rather than reality.

Happy writing!
Jeanne

Acknowledgment: Many thanks to Brad Shorr, of Word Sell, Inc., for permission to use the above cartoon.



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What I Learned From a Physician With an Atrocious Bedside Manner

February 11th 2008 01:57

My Entry to the Middle Zone Musings Group Writing Project

The following is my entry to the MZM "What I Learned From...People" group writing project. I thought this was a particularly appropriate time to post this story, since its topic is illness, which is something my family has become very intimately involved with of late. Be sure to check out the other entries to Robert's writing project once he posts the links tomorrow, Monday. (It's still Sunday here in America.) I'm sure you'll learn a great deal from everyone's shared wisdom!


A Great Concept to Explore

Though it's basically too late to enter the group project, you might nevertheless consider using Robert's "What I Learned From...People" concept as a writing prompt to exercise your writing "muscles." It's bound to foster some real insight as you explore the experience you choose to write about. And it goes without saying that this exercise would make a great blog post--even without entering it into the writing project. You might even use the idea as the basis for a magazine or online article about a person you've learned something from, and make a little money in the process.


My Entry


What I Learned From a Physician With an Atrocious Bedside Manner


People can be fantastic teachers—whether or not they actually intend to be!


A Very Sick Family

More years ago than I care to count, when my oldest child was about four years old or so, our entire family became very ill: Mom, Dad, and children numbers One, Two, and Three. That was a lot of sick people to have in one house, believe me! We had such bad coughs that we could barely sleep at night, and our stomach muscles were so sore from coughing that we thought we’d die if something wasn’t done about it soon.

We were too sick to go to the pharmacy, and being new in town, we didn’t have our own doctor yet. Well, between sneezes, wheezes, and coughing fits, I did a little research and managed to find a pharmacy that actually delivered. (That, in itself was a small miracle!) I then chose a doctor’s name from the phone book and called his office, prepared to beg, if need be, to get my family some much-needed medicine to help get us through this horrendous illness.


A Compassionate Medical Assistant

As it turned out, I didn’t have to beg. It was late in the day and apparently the good doctor had already left. But his friendly, helpful, and compassionate assistant happened to be working that afternoon. (And as I would later learn after actually meeting the doctor, that was, for us, a large miracle.) I explained our situation to him, and he was very concerned. He agreed to phone in a prescription to the pharmacy which would then deliver it to us. I thanked him profusely between sneezes. I could hardly believe our good fortune!

Soon we had our medicine and some much-needed relief. We were ecstatic (at least as ecstatic as you can be when you’re down for the count with the world’s worst cold.) But our joy was to be short-lived.


Complications

Soon, I noticed that my oldest son was developing an angry red rash all over his body, along with a frighteningly high fever. After putting him into the bathtub, splashing him with tepid water to bring down his temperature, and doing everything else humanly possible to make him comfortable, I consulted Dr. Benjamin Spock. (Well, not personally—but through his book, Baby and Child Care. While I never went in for his permissiveness “gospel,” his advice always did come in handy where my children’s physical health was concerned.)

Through that well-known paperback book, I soon discovered what was wrong with my son: he had scarlet fever! There was no question in my mind! It was obvious! At any rate, I knew we needed to visit the doctor. By that time, we’d used up all the cough medicine the doctor’s assistant had prescribed, and we were once again coughing uncontrollably and feeling quite miserable.


Doctor’s Visit

Who better to call than the doctor whose assistant had so kindly helped us, I thought. (It seemed to make sense at the time.) I was so naïve in those days that I even thought that carrying in the huge empty bottle that had once contained codeine cough syrup would somehow lend credence to our illness, since his assistant had seen fit to prescribe it for my terribly ill and suffering family. I couldn’t have been more wrong. (But I’m wiser today because of it.) However, I was hardly prepared for the reception and treatment I actually received when I arrived at this doctor’s office.


Contentious Diagnosis

On carrying my son into the examining room, I set him down on the examining table and said, “I think my son has scarlet fever,” to which the doctor unceremoniously replied something to the effect of, “I’ll be the one to tell you what he has.” (I was a bit taken aback by his unfriendly demeanor.) He seemed annoyed that I might actually know what was wrong with my son.

He examined him and guess what he had, folks: yes, it was scarlet fever; yet this doctor wasn’t about to leave it at that. He actually accused me of trying to tell him how to practice medicine. Can you believe it? (Now, mind you, I hadn’t walked in boldly declaring that I knew beyond any doubt what was wrong with my son—or what the doctor should do about it [other than bringing in the empty cough syrup bottle, foolish as that was]—but had actually quite meekly stated what I thought was wrong with him. And though I really was all but sure I was right, I didn’t come across that way—at least not to anyone with a normal-sized ego.)


Insult to Injury

To add insult to injury (and this physician epitomized that unpleasant offense), despite the fact that I was coughing right in front of him there in the office, he refused to refill the prescription for the cough syrup that actually worked and that would have saved us so much misery over the coming days, telling me in no uncertain terms that he was writing one for Robitussin, which would, of course, never work for a cough such as we had. (I know, it was partly my fault for handing him the empty cough syrup bottle; but I believe he should have known what medication was the correct one for the problem. And who writes a prescription for Robitussin, anyway?)


Attitude Is Everything

I also know something else: his attitude was uncalled for, and that wasn’t my fault. He was unfriendly, uncompassionate, judgmental, and (dare I say it?) unprofessional. That was a very stressful time for my family and me. I was concerned about my son and the rest of my still-sick family, I was still sick myself, and I didn’t even have enough money to take a cab back home (as I had on the way in) but would be spending the last of my money to catch the bus home with my very sick son, which promised to be a long and strenuous trip on the small-town bus system where the buses didn’t run very often. It was an ordeal I dreaded, as I sat there in his office, feeling quite forlorn. But, did he show any concern? None whatsoever.


Insult Number Two

Aside from all of the above, do you know what this doctor said to me, when I told him that I’d had to take a cab to his office—which was quite a distance from where we lived and which I certainly couldn’t afford. “Your son is worth it.” But this wasn't a compassionate statement spoken on behalf of my son; it was a judgmental barb meant to point out what a bad mother I must be for even mentioning it.

Perhaps I should say, in his defense, that he didn’t know that I couldn’t afford the cab fare I’d spent to get there or that I didn’t have enough money to take a cab back home and that I’d be spending my last few dollars to even return home on the bus. But somehow I don’t really think it would have mattered to him, because, you see, he’d already made up his mind about me; and for some reason that to this day I don’t really understand, he simply didn’t like me.


Painful Experiences Teach Us Lessons

This was a painful experience for me, in part because it’s always difficult to be misjudged and misunderstood by others and in part because it’s even more difficult to be mistreated, by them, as well. But I have learned a few things from the experience. Here they are:


1. First Impressions Count; Give Yours a Little Advance Thought

Think about the impression you will make upon a total stranger if you do or say the thing you’re planning. It may seem, from your perspective, to be fine. It may even seem to be the right thing. But it may not seem so right from the other person’s point of view, and may in fact cause the person—who, after all, doesn’t have the benefit of knowing you—to think less of you.

So, put yourself in the other person’s shoes and try to see the situation as that person would. The exercise could prove quite revealing—and could save you untold misery. (Case in point: If I’d thought ahead about what it might look like to a doctor who didn’t know me to see me walk in with a large, empty codeine cough medicine bottle—that he had neither prescribed nor okayed—asking for a refill, I likely would have left the bottle at home.)


2. People Will Misjudge Your Motives; Explain Yourself

Those who don’t know you have nothing on which to base a judgment which attributes pure motives to your words or actions. They haven’t had the opportunity to learn to trust you, and therefore they will judge the things you say and do in a vacuum—well, not a complete vacuum, since, as we know, we all evaluate everything we see and hear through the filter of our own personal beliefs, experiences, and/or prejudices.

So, be prepared when people misjudge and misunderstand you, and do your best to act and speak in ways that will help to dispel those myths about your malevolent motives. This might include speaking up when necessary to explain some things that the other person may not understand about you or your circumstances (as in my concern about having spent most of the last of my money on cab fare to get my son to the doctor.)


3. Many People Are Prepared to Think the Worst of You; Prove Them Wrong

There actually are people who are constantly on the lookout for every negative thing they can discover—or dream up—about you and completely prepared to make the most of it at your expense. They may be arrogant, insensitive individuals with inflexible ideas who think they have a monopoly on wisdom and therefore have the world and everyone in it—you included—figured out.

Once they’ve made up their mind about you, they’ll sometimes go out of their way to be rude, sarcastic, and demeaning in their treatment of you, and you’ll have a tough time trying to convince them that they are wrong about you. Do, try, though. But, if the person is so inflexible that you’re simply unable to succeed, don’t take it to heart. (Easier said than done, I know.) But do your best to ignore it and move on. (In this case, I definitely took it to heart—and to be honest, it still hurts today, if I let it get the better of me.)


4. Experts/Professionals Do Not Always Enjoy Being Told Something by Common Folks; Ask, Don't Tell

Many professionals have quite large egos and can’t handle having us lowly peons take the wind out of their sails by informing them that we already knew what they’d hoped to impress us with by telling us themselves. Many—though by no means all—professionals, including doctors and lawyers, seem to believe that all their patients/clients are ignorant and uninformed about medicine or law, simply because they don’t have “MD” or “Esquire” after their names. This is too bad, as many of us engage in extensive research to learn what we need to know about our situations and are actually quite well-informed about these matters.

There’s little we can do with the egotistical professional, except perhaps speak our minds in a confident yet humble manner, deferring to their greater expertise, possibly by expressing our thoughts and concerns but asking their opinions. Should we disagree with their opinions, it would probably be best to do so through the roundabout route of asking questions rather than declaring our disagreement. Be prepared for the fact that this will not always work, though, in which case you may simply need to make that visit your last visit. (In my case, my first visit to this doctor was indeed my last.)


5. Be Thankful that Truly Unfriendly People Are in the Minority, And Appreciate the Friendly Ones

Meeting people like these always brings a greater appreciation for those who aren’t that way—or at least it should. It’s important to remember that while dealing with such abrasive and uncaring individuals is highly unpleasant, they are, thankfully, in the minority and our bad experiences with them can always be balanced against the good experiences we’ve had with other, more caring people (like the esteemed doctor’s compassionate young assistant who had stepped forward to help us when we were so badly in need of his help.)

Calling those more heartwarming experiences to mind more often, rather than dwelling on the heart-wrenching ones, can help renew our faith in our fellow man and counterbalance the great unpleasantness we’ve experienced in our dealings with the negative minority.


Hopefully, you've learned a few things along with me, as you've read my story of "What I Learned From...People".

Thanks so much for reading!
Jeanne



Did you enjoy this post? Have anything to add or any of your own wisdom-inducing experiences with other people to share? We'd love to hear from you!



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Blogapalooza: Middle Zone Musings' "What I Learned From 2007" Blog Extravaganza

January 14th 2008 18:46



Blogapalooza



The Perfect Group Writing Project to Cap 2007

I just had to get in on Robert Hruzek's end-of-year WILF (What I Learned From) group writing project, Blogapalooza: What I Learned From 2007. One reason was that I needed to make up for all the WILFs that I've missed over at Middle Zone Musings due to excessive busy-ness. I've felt bad about missing them, and I wanted to show Robert that I really do care. Another reason: This is a really fantastic project, bringing together the lessons learned by a whole spectrum of bloggers over the past year: What a wealth of wisdom is there for the taking for those who take the time to read this group of posts!


What Blogapalooza Is All About

The best way to explain to you what Blogapalooza is all about is to let Robert do it! So, without further ado...he-e-e-e-re's Robert!

Looking back at your archives for the year 2007, choose one post from every month you’ve been blogging that best represents a lesson learned. And you don’t have to use your old (should you *ahem* have any) WILF entries; it’s your choice (you can, of course; but you don’t have to).

So what was the most amazing, profound, surprising, whacky, etc. thing you learned in the month of March? How about July? Anything in October? Hey, you get to choose something different from each month! Now that’s a blogapalooza!

Here’s all you have to do (please notice the procedure is a bit different than usual):

1. Choose one post from every month you’ve been blogging in 2007. (For example, if you’ve been blogging all year, you get to choose up to 12; if only since July, choose up to 6. Got it?) Use whatever criteria you like: your favorite post, most commented upon, the funniest, most outrageous, or “what you thought was your best work but ended up being a huge flop”, etc.; hey, knock yourself out!

2. Write a sentence or two describing each post you’ve chosen and why. Don’t forget to include the post title and imbed a link to it (you may laugh at that instruction; but if I don’t spell it out, well…). Compile it all into a single article. Please (and if you want to) also include a few sentences about yourself and your blog (and again, don’t forget the link).

3. Choose how your entry gets posted (here’s where it gets fun!)

3.1. The Blogapalooza Way (sound of crowd cheering): Instead of posting it at your blog – allow me to host it for you right here at Middle ZoneMusings! Here’s how:

3.1.1. Send your post to me anytime (in .doc or .rtf format only – please don’t send a .pdf!) at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net right up until the end (operators are ‘standing by’) and I’ll post it here at the Zone, including all the links. (NOTE: I will edit if necessary, but as little as possible, and only to make you look better.)

3.1.2. So your readers know how to find your entry, post a notice (write a teaser, summary, whatever) at your blog and point to your entry here at Middle Zone Musings (I’ll provide the link for you).

OR -

3.2. The (ho-hum) Usual Way: Post your entry at your own blog and send me the link as usual. Please include the phrase “What I Learned From…” in your post title.


My Entry Added at the Eleventh Hour

Well, I barely made it into the project, e-mailing my entry at pretty near the eleventh hour! But, as they say, "Woo-hoo, I'm in!" (Do they really say that?) At any rate, if you'd like to read it, you'll find my entry, What I Learned From 2007--Jeanne Dininni, at the Zone. I highly recommend you check out the other entries, as well--and while you're at it, bookmark Robert's site, because it's definitely one you'll want to visit again and again. Why that rascal is already planning his next WILF project, which you won't want to miss. Maybe you might even decide to join in the next time around! If you do, I guarantee you'll have a ball!

Here's to learning!
Jeanne



Did you enjoy this post? Sure hope so! Have you checked out Robert's Blogapalooza Extravaganza? (See, I told you it was fun!) We'd love to hear your thoughts about the project!



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Reminder: Protect Yourself Against Spoof E-mails

December 5th 2007 19:11

Fraudulent E-Mail Received Today

Here's the latest fraudulent "PayPal" e-mail I've received. This e-mail shows one of the most recent schemes used by scammers to steal our identities and our money!

In particular, note the following:

~The blank "to" line

~The generic greeting of "Dear PayPal Member," instead of PayPal's usual "Dear Jeanne Dininni"

~The "encrypted" link. This link is supposedly encrypted to protect me--but in reality, it's encrypted so I won't realize that the link doesn't take me to the real PayPal website!

~The sly psychological tactic used to get me to click the link:

Note:
If you haven't authorized this charge ,click the link below to dispute transaction
and get full refund

~The scammer's clever attempt at gaining my confidence by including a description of the high-level encryption technique supposedly used to protect my confidential information


The Spoof Message


fromPayPal < dispute@paypal.com >*
reply-toservice@paypal.com,

to
dateDec 5, 2007 12:29 AM
subjectThanks for using your bank account!

hide details 12:29 AM (10 hours ago) Reply

Dear PayPal Member,

This email confirms that you have sent an eBay payment of $47.85 USD to
[undisclosed]@yahoo.com for an eBay item.

----------------------------- ------
Payment Details
----------------------------- ------

Amount: $47.85 USD

Transaction ID: 2LC956793J776333Y

Subject: Digimax 130

Note:
If you haven't authorized this charge ,click the link below to dispute transaction
and get full refund

Dispute transaction (Encrypted Link )

*SSL connection:
PayPal automatically encrypts your confidential information
in transit from your computer to ours using the Secure
Sockets Layer protocol (SSL) with an encryption key length
of 128-bits (the highest level commercially available)

----------------------------- ------
Item Information
----------------------------- ------

eBay User ID: scratchandgnaw2

----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------
Edward Harrell's UNCONFIRMED Address
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------

Edward Harrell
211 David St.
Springtown, TX 76082
United States

Important Note: Edward Harrell has provided an Unconfirmed Address. If
you are planning on shipping items to Edward Harrell, please check the
Transaction Details page of this payment to find out whether you will
be covered by the PayPal Seller Protection Policy.

----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------
This payment was sent using your bank account.

By using your bank account to send money, you just:

- Paid easily and securely

- Sent money faster than writing and mailing paper checks
- Paid instantly -- your purchase won't show up on bills at the end of
the month.

Thanks for using your bank account!

----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------

Thank you for using PayPal!
The PayPal Team
PayPal Email ID PP118


Forewarned Is Forearmed!

Beware! These scammers are all around us, and they are continuously dreaming up new schemes to fool us into giving away our critical personal information! Don't fall for their lies--or into their clutches! Read every official-looking e-mail very carefully and critically. If anything seems odd, don't respond! If the e-mail claims to be from PayPal, forward it to spoof@paypal.com. Forward other e-mails to the company they claim to have come from. Protect yourself! Don't let e-mail fraud catch you unawares!

To your safety,
Jeanne

* NOTE: I had to modify the formatting of this e-mail address to prevent Orble's software from turning the (opening) "<" and "d" into a smiley face icon. (This is why I've placed a space after the [opening] "<". For balance, I've also placed a corresponding space before the [closing] ">".)



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The Easy Way to Recognize Commenters Through Monthly Link Love Posts

December 3rd 2007 06:51

A Trick that Can Save You Time and Work

While the month is young, I thought I'd share a little trick I came up with that can help those bloggers who like to prepare link posts recognizing their previous month's commenters each month. Though I've already shared much of this info in a response to a comment on my November link love post, I've decided to give the topic a post of its own to make sure everyone is able to read it, because it's really a very helpful technique, which can save a great deal of time, energy, and effort.

These link posts can be a bit of work; but I've discovered a way to make them practically a breeze:


Start Early!

Instead of waiting till the month is over, I begin preparing the post early in the month. First, I copy the links from the prior month into a new post, which I set to go live on the first of the next month. As readers begin leaving comments, I start moving their links up to the top of the page, leaving the others at the bottom to use later if they comment again during that month. If someone comments who didn't last month, I prepare a link and add it to the top list. (I leave a good-sized space between the top and bottom lists, to prevent confusion.)


Spread Your Work Out Over the Entire Month

Throughout the month, every time someone leaves a comment, I either move their link up or create a link for them and add it to the top list. Then, when the first of the month rolls around, I delete any links that remain at the bottom of the page (those who haven't commented during the past month), and I have all my links ready! All I need to do is write the rest of the post and click "Create Post" and I'm good to go with a minimum of work and hassle!


Save Yourself Two Big Jobs!

This month is the first time I've done it this way, and it has worked like a charm! No more big burden creating all those links at once on the first of the month--which is a really huge undertaking! It also saves me the trouble of having to go through an entire month's worth of posts to check and see who's left comments during the month, which is, in itself, a big job.


Schedule Your Link Listing to Suit Yourself

This needn't actually be done every single time someone comments, but can be done after a few comments or perhaps once-a-day--as long as you don't wait long enough to forget anyone who's commented since you've last added links to your list. If things begin getting a bit confusing and you're having trouble remembering who's commented, you've probably waited too long; and you might want to start adding links each time someone comments. Do whatever works best for you!


Create Easier Link Posts in 2008!

Hope this will save each of you a great deal of work when you write your next link love post--and maybe even inspire some of you to begin writing them for the first time in 2008! When done this way, they aren't hard to do, at all!

Happy linking!
Jeanne



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My Journey to Becoming Positively Me

November 26th 2007 21:13

A Thoughtful Post That Strikes a Chord

Successful Blog's Advice for a Successful Life

Liz Strauss has a new post on her blog today called Positively Me, and it positively struck a chord with...me. In fact, it got me thinking about the amazingly potent effect that mindset exerts on all of us and how daring to break the mold of our past self-limiting thought patterns can be incredibly freeing.

This post describes a journey from limiting thought to freeing thought—a journey that every one of us is free to take once we've made up our minds that the place where we are today is not the place we want to be—or rather not the place we're willing to stay—but we're ready to move on. As Liz asks, "Do I have to keep listening to those ideas? Do I have to keep believing them?" The answer, I think, is "No." Here's my journey:


My Journey to Becoming Positively Me

Choosing Hurtful Emotions

I used to believe that other people—through their attitudes, actions, emotions, and words—had the inalienable right to dictate my own. Where that belief came from, I can’t really say. But, thankfully, I’ve learned a lot since then. Yet, I needed to walk that road just long enough to begin to see, with gradually increasing clarity, that my own attitudes, actions, and words—as well as my very emotions—were largely mine to choose, and that I myself had chosen the hurtful, destructive, and limiting ones over the healthy, nurturing, life-affirming, and freeing ones.


Absorbing Negative Energy

Prior to my “awakening,” my emotions were at the beck and call of anyone who saw fit to wreak psychological havoc on the closest vulnerable individual—who usually happened to be me. In those days, my entire day could be ruined by an unkind word, an angry glance, an “intentional” slight, or a sullen silence. My calling in life seemed to be to absorb and internalize the negative energy that others sent my way. (As I think back on it now, I realize that much of that negative energy wasn’t even intended to wound, but was simply the other person’s reaction to his or her own internal struggles or problems.) Yet, it rarely occurred to me to question the reason for it; I was far too busy embracing and reacting to it—far too involved in making it my very own.


A Turning Point: Refusing Negativity

When it finally came, the wonderful realization that I could choose my own response, that I wasn’t required to become upset, depressed, or angry when a hurtful word—or even a whole barrage of them—was aimed my way, felt like a cool breeze on a stifling hot desert. It freed me to focus on growth instead of nurturing resentment, depression, and anger—those incredibly destructive forces that suck the life from our souls and cause our spirits to shrivel. It allowed me to refuse that bundle of negativity that had been so unceremoniously thrust upon me—granting me permission to return it unopened to the individual to whom it rightfully belonged, thereby maintaining my own equilibrium amid the threatening storm.

I learned that it was indeed possible to rise above the negativity—to stop allowing it to become my negativity. By stepping back and looking at the situation as it actually was—recognizing it as someone else’s problem fast threatening to become my own—I was able to refuse it, retain my dignity, and restore my self-respect.


Learning to Forgive

Another amazing result of my new perspective was my growing ability to empathize with the troubled souls who, in their own weakness and inability to properly handle their personal problems, try desperately to give them away. In time, it even helped me to forgive and eventually reach out to those who, as a result of their own emotional ineptitude, had lashed out in different ways. Forgiveness is life-changing, and in human relations, at least, can be far more beneficial to the forgiver than to the forgiven—though both often benefit.


A Shift of Focus

I now realize that, back then, my focus was turned totally inward on myself—on my own very vulnerable emotions. I walked around in a state of hyper-sensitivity, effectively daring everyone to probe for the chinks in my emotional armor—my all-too-numerous points of insecurity—and amply rewarding them whenever they did.

But I have since learned that, by shifting my focus to the other person and attempting to understand the real cause of his or her negative attitude, I can effectively take control of—and thereby protect—my own emotions. I've discovered that, by not aggressively defending my emotions, I have quite ironically become far better at protecting them. In this way, I've learned to take charge of a situation that previously had always threatened to spin wildly out of control. I now experience far fewer feelings of defensiveness, insecurity, and low self-esteem. And while I’ve by no means eliminated these feelings entirely, I’ve come a very long way…and I fully intend to continue improving…just a little bit more…every…single…day…

How about you?

Positively happy to be me,
Jeanne

P.S. Why not use Liz's post as your starting point for a writing exercise of your own in which you explore one way your thoughts have changed for the better over time, bringing you positive growth.




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A Sorry Attempt at E-Mail Fraud

November 12th 2007 21:30

Another Attempt at Identity--Or Money--Theft via E-Mail

I received yet another fraudulent, or phishing, e-mail a few days ago that I thought I'd share with you to help you avoid being taken advantage of, as well as to expose the unscrupulous individuals who engage in these illegal internet activities. (I seriously entertained the thought of leaving the return e-mail address in but decided that that would be irresponsible on my part, since it could cause problems for anyone who might decide to send these con artists an e-mail; so I've instead reproduced their e-mail address as "[undisclosed]mail.com.")


An Unbelievably Poor Attempt at Separating Me from My Money

The text of the blatantly phishing-oriented e-mail follows:

From International Paying Bank ipbn2008@[undisclosed]mail.com Nov 9 (3 days ago)
reply-to ipbn2006@[undisclosed]mail.com,

to
date Nov 9, 2007 1:46 PM
subject CHEQUE REMITTANCE RESPONSE REQUIRED!!!



ATTN:

With reference to your yet to be transferred inheritance funds in the
STB/ETB Banks in Lagos, after due consideration of the fact that you had
not been able to claim your rightful inheritance which from our datas
gotten from the Central Bank of Nigeria is $750,000 an inheritance claim
before the end of the last quarter of the year 2005, the Federal Ministry
of Finance has decided that all beneficiaries who have not fulfilled all
paperwork request for the
release of his/her inheritance funds to his/her nominated account,
should be transferred to the International Paying Bank of Nigeria.


The IPBN has been advised to pay you instalmentally,through NATWEST
BANK UK PLC starting with the sum of $250,000.00 (TWO HUNDRED AND
FIFY THOUSAND US Dollars) strictly by certified cheque , which will be
debited from the Government's foriegn account with NatWest bank UK
clearable every 3month after drawn airmarked for payment in the Fourth
quarter of 2007.

The cheque will be sent to the contact address you will provide to us.


The check will be sent to you via our official courier,FEDEX, to your
designated contact address . As soon as we receive your response: a
confirmation that you have received this message and you are willing to
receive the cheque, the cheque will be sent to your contact address. We
will require the following information from you to prepare the cheque
immediately in your name:


Beneficiary Full Name:

Contact ADDRESS :

Telephone Number:

Your response will be highly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Mrs Martha Kartaka
Depty. Remittance Director
E-MAIL: ipbn2006@[undisclosed]mail.com

International Paying Bank[IPBN] [SUBSIDIARY OF THE CBN]



When Greed Overcomes Common Sense, Potential Victims Benefit

The one good thing about most of the individuals who engage in this sort of identity-theft attempt is that they seem to be totally oblivious to some of the more ridiculous aspects of their scams, such as the following:

1. If they were writing to inform me of a legitimate inheritance that awaited me at their bank, they would most certainly know my name! The fact that they not only don't address me by name (see blank "ATTN" line), but that the e-mail isn't even addressed to me (see blank "to" line [more on this later]--and to a slightly lesser extent, the fact that they ask for my name along with the rest of my contact info near the bottom of the e-mail--are a dead giveaway that this e-mail is a scam, and a very poorly conceived one, at that.

2. As mentioned in point #1, the e-mail is not only not addressed to me, but the "to" line is completely blank. These people weren't even sophisticated enough to attempt to hide the fact that this e-mail was likely sent to an entire list of hidden e-mail addresses via BCCs (Blind Carbon Copies). More savvy fraudsters generally put an e-mail address in the "to" line as a cover, to lend the e-mail an air of legitimacy --though this is still a dead giveaway to those alert enough to notice that someone else's e-mail address is in the "to" line and who know that this isn't just an innocent mistake but a clue that fraud is the intent of the e-mail.

3. Not only is the e-mail atrociously written--note particularly the word "airmarked," which should be "earmarked"--but its formatting is also horrendous. This highly unprofessional--and equally embarrassing--presentation is a real indicator that the e-mail did not come from a legitimate banking entity.

4. It's extremely doubtful that any bank which had a $750,000 inheritance to deliver to me would ever contact me via e-mail. (That idea is actually almost laughable.) In fact, it's highly doubtful that the bank would contact me at all. I'd far more likely receive a letter from a legitimate law firm via snail mail--or perhaps international air mail, if from another country.


May Many Other Con Artists Follow their "Shining" Example!

No doubt there are other clues to the illegitimacy of this e-mail which I haven't had time to delve into yet. But these four certainly suffice to warn potential victims of the true nature of this message and others like it. Thankfully, these aspiring fraudsters have shot themselves in the foot in more ways than one with their sorry excuse for a scam. And we can only hope that many more e-mail con artists will follow in their footsteps and do as bad a job at phishing as they have done in attempting to hook their victims!


Don't Let Down Your Guard! Protect Your Identity--and Your Money!

Yet, the fact that many--if not most--scammers are very poor at what they do is not a good reason to let down your guard. Stay alert! Watch out for those unscrupulous individuals who seek every opportunity they can find or create to steal your identity so they can part you and your money! They are everywhere--and they aren't likely to give up any time soon!

We writers--along with many others--work very hard for our money; and we don't do it so we can give it away to those who have nothing better to do all day than sit around thinking up ways to steal other people's money!

Keep your identity--and your money--safe!
Jeanne







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Warning: Watch Out for Phishing E-Mails!

October 29th 2007 12:38

Problems With My PayPal Account?

A few days ago, I received a very official-sounding e-mail informing me that there were some problems with my PayPal account. Being the analytical type, I read it very carefully, and, while it was quite expertly written--and contained neither the spelling nor grammatical errors usually found in phishing e-mails--something about it didn't seem right, from the very beginning. And the more I read, the more I knew something wasn't right. I've reproduced the e-mail below. See whether you can figure out what's wrong with it--or what could possibly be wrong with it, based on whether or not certain actions had actually occurred. (There are several clues that this e-mail is not legit.)



From: Service PayPal <name@emailnet.com>
Date: Oct ##, #### #:## PM
Subject: Message from support, please Confirm your information!
To: othername@email.com


Dear PayPal Member,

As part of our security measures, we regularly screen activity in the
PayPal system. We recently contacted you after noticing an issue on your
account.We requested information from you for the following reason:

We recently received a report of unauthorized credit card use
associated with this account. As a precaution, we have limited access to your
PayPal account in order to protect against future unauthorized
transactions.

Case ID Number: PP-###-###-###

This is a reminder to log in to PayPal as soon as possible.

Be sure to log in securely by opening a new browser window and typing
the PayPal URL. Once you log in, you will be provided with steps to
restore your account access. We appreciate your understanding as we work to
ensure account safety.

Click here to restore your account access. [NOTE: Link deactivated. Basic URL formatting follows, but with extra spaces added to avoid creating an actual, albeit non-functional, link: "http:// ###.###.###.## / libsh.so / paypal / login.htm"]

In accordance with PayPal's User Agreement, your account access will
remain limited until the issue has been resolved. Unfortunately, if
access to your account remains limited for an extended period of time, it
may result in further limitations or eventual account closure. We
encourage you to log in to your PayPal account as soon as possible to help
avoid this.

To review your account and some or all of the information that PayPal
used to make its decision to limit your account access, please visit the
Resolution Center. If, after reviewing your account information, you
seek further clarification regarding your account access, please contact
PayPal by visiting the Help Center and clicking "Contact Us".

We thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Please
understand that this is a security measure intended to help protect you and your
account. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Sincerely,
PayPal Account Review Department
----------------------------- ----------------------------- ------

PayPal Email ID PP###


What's Wrong With this E-Mail?

1. First of all, while it says that it's from "Service PayPal," the e-mail address isn't a PayPal e-mail address. (You won't always be able to go by this, however, since there are ways of making the e-mail address appear legit.) In this case, though, the e-mail address was a dead giveaway once I examined it. So, do pay attention to the e-mail address, since it can be one way of recognizing a phishing e-mail. (Notice, also, that the "From" e-mail address is in a pale gray font that doesn't really stand out, which they hoped would prevent me from noticing it.)

The e-mail also isn't addressed to me--a safe bet that it was sent to a "cover" e-mail address and "BCC'd"--distributed via Blind Carbon Copies, a practice which hides the copy recipients' e-mail addresses--to a group of different people at the same time. (Sounds exactly like a mass phishing expedition, to me.)

2. Next, the e-mail claims that the company has contacted me about an issue with my account and requested information from me about the matter. As you might well imagine, I was never actually contacted about any such matter. (I suppose they were hoping that, though I would realize that I hadn't had any previous contact about this matter, I would be very eager to clarify that fact, as well as to straighten out the "issue on my account" by contacting "PayPal" immediately.)

3. You'll notice that this particular phisherman actually cleverly advises me to be sure to "log in securely by opening a new browser window and typing the PayPal URL." This makes him sound very official and totally legit. Yet, after a few more reassuring sentences about how my account access will be restored and how they're working to ensure the safety of my account, the very next thing he does is provide a convenient link whereby I can "Click here to restore (my) account access." (He hopes that, by this time, he's built my trust sufficiently to actually get me to click the link--which, by the way, would not have taken me to the PayPal site.)

The next paragraph then very subtly tries to pressure me into acting now--before I've had a chance to give the matter sufficient thought--by threatening continued limitation of account access and eventual account closure.

4. Another clever move this individual makes is to deftly disguise the website URL, making it appear to be the PayPal login page. When I passed my cursor over the link to check it out, I saw that the URL consisted of an IP address made up of a series of numbers followed by "/(subdomain).so/paypal/login .htm". (Again, you won't always be able to tell this way, since there are apparently some rather sophisticated methods of making a website URL appear to belong to a site other than the one it actually belongs to.) But, in this case, I could see that the real domain was represented by the series of numbers, which, of course, I would have no way of recognizing. This person has likely done nothing more than name one or more pages on his website "paypal/login.htm"

This e-mail manages to match the business-like tone of a legitimate e-mail one might receive from PayPal, one's bank, or any other financial institution. This is what makes it so potentially dangerous. And this is why you need to be extremely careful to check such e-mails closely, rather than mindlessly following their instructions.


What Did I Do?

The first thing I did was log into my PayPal account (via my web browser rather than the link found in the e-mail) and check to see whether there was in fact any kind of hold on my account. And, guess what? No hold.

Next, I tracked down an e-mail address for PayPal that I could use to forward the fraudulent e-mail to the company. (This is one time I was glad I save and archive my e-mail.) It turned out that I had an e-mail from PayPal which discussed "spoof e-mail addresses" and "spoof websites." So I forwarded the e-mail to spoof@paypal.com, and this is the reply I received:


Dear Jeanne Dininni,

Thanks for taking an active role by reporting suspicious-looking emails.
The email you forwarded to us is a phishing email, and our security team
is working to disable it.

-------------------------
What is a phishing email?
-------------------------
Phishing emails attempt to steal your identity and will often ask you to
reveal your password or other personal or financial information. PayPal
will never ask for your password over the phone or in an email and will
always address you by your first and last name.

Take our Fight Phishing Challenge at
Really Long Link to learn 5 things you should know
about phishing. You'll also see what we're doing to help fight fraud
every day.

-------------------------
You've made a difference.
-------------------------
Every email counts. By forwarding a suspicious-looking email to
spoof@paypal.com, you've helped keep yourself and others safe from
identity theft.

Thanks,

The PayPal Team


What Should You Do?

First, you should take the Fight Phishing Challenge at PayPal. This is a five-question quiz that will test your knowledge of the subject, helping you learn some facts about phishing that can help you protect yourself. (Note: You won't need to log in to PayPal to access this quiz; so, even if you don't have a PayPal account, you'll be able to take the quiz and learn how to better protect yourself from online fraud.)

Next, you should read the following article to learn more about how to recognize spoof websites and find out how to further protect yourself from the fraudulent practice known as phishing: What is a "spoof site", what is "phishing" and why do I need to know about this stuff? (This article was posted back in 2004 but still contains extremely helpful information that goes deeper into the topic than I have here.) I should point out that this is an anti-PayPal site; but the information it contains about protecting yourself against online fraud is invaluable. (You'll also find an article on spyware here, which I haven't yet read, but which could also prove helpful.)

Then, you should be very alert and cautious whenever you receive an e-mail purporting to be from PayPal, your bank, or any other financial institution or website. Pore over it with a fine-toothed comb, looking for clues that would either confirm or deny its authenticity. Never click a link in an e-mail to get to a website where you need to perform a secure monetary transaction. Always use your web browser and preferably type in the URL yourself. (If you use the drop-down box beneath your browser window, confirm that the URL is correct before clicking it.)

Finally, you should report any such phishing e-mails to the company from which they claim to have come. Fraudulent PayPal e-mails may be sent to spoof@paypal.com. (Other reporting websites are listed in the article linked to above.)

Freelance writers often use PayPal to collect payment for their work. If this is one of your payment methods, be especially careful. Don't be the unwitting victim of one of these malicious phishing expeditions! Protect your information! (Remember: PayPal will never ask you for your password, Social Security number, credit card number, bank account details, or any other personal information in an e-mail [or during a phone call].) Be absolutely certain that you are on the legitimate--and therefore secure--PayPal website before revealing any of this information!

Also note that the individual who sent me the fraudulent "PayPal" e-mail didn't know my name. PayPal's legitimate e-mails always address me by name--though addressing me by name is not in itself proof that the e-mail is legitimate. It's always possible that a given internet scam artist has somehow managed to get hold of a potential victim's name--particularly if that potential victim happens to be someone who is rather high-profile, such as a blogger. So, beware! Check the e-mail for other clues, and if in doubt, don't respond to it.

Knowledge is power. Learn how to protect yourself from internet fraud!

Cautiously yours,
Jeanne







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RSS Feed and E-Mail Overload: Similar Problems

October 12th 2007 18:51

Many Thanks for Your Feedback!

I'd like to thank everyone for all your excellent feedback on feed-reading. It's been very helpful! You've given me some great ideas that will help make my feed management easier and more productive; and hopefully your comments have been helpful to other readers, who may have been experiencing some of the same issues, as well.


Feed Readers: Tools to Make Our Lives Easier

Feed reading is really a very convenient way to "visit" the blogs we enjoy--without having to surf all over the internet to find them. Having them all in one place is a great feature. When we look at feed readers as tools to help make our lives easier, we won't feel enslaved to them, but will use them in the ways that prove most helpful to us. If that means deleting posts that we haven't had time to read, so be it. If it means deleting entire blogs that we never read, we shouldn't feel guilty about doing so. The feed reader is there for us, after all.


Feed Readers and E-Mail: Both Benefit from Labelling

I still haven't tried labels in my feed reader, yet, but will do so as soon as I can find the time. Lately, I've been concentrating my energy and effort on labelling my e-mails in G-mail. I'd never used this feature before, and so organizing my saved e-mails has been pretty time-consuming. Just as my feed reader has become overrun with posts, my e-mail account has become overloaded with e-mails. Using my account for writing-related queries and submissions, church writing projects, and miscellaneous blog-related activities--in addition to everything else--has caused my inbox to be fairly inundated with mail; therefore, e-mail labelling was my area of concentration yesterday.


Labelling: A Big Job Once E-Mails Get Out of Hand!

So far I've only completed the e-mails that were in my inbox--though I spent a good part of the day doing it. (I told you my inbox was overloaded!) I have yet to tackle the ones in the archives. Since so many of my e-mails are writing-related, I really need to keep accurate records of my online correspondence, so I wouldn't want to delete those; though I'm sure there are some individual e-mails--and no doubt entire categories, as well--that I could probably live without. I'll have to give that a bit more thought.


Clear Out Your Inbox By Labelling and Archiving

I'd definitely like to begin keeping the number of messages in my inbox down to a manageable level, and I think labelling and archiving will help me do this--though I realize that I do need to rethink which e-mails I really need to save, as my archives continue to grow. All I can say is that it's a good thing G-mail offers close to 3,000 MB of storage. It's hard to believe, though, that with all the e-mails I've got archived, I'm only using 3% of that space! (This makes me realize that G-mail gives me plenty of space for letting things get out of hand--or should I say "plenty of rope to hang myself"?) So I'm the one who needs to decide when enough is enough--because G-mail certainly won't do it for me! (When G-mail was first launched, it offered 2,500 MB of storage space, and that amount has grown daily, until now it's over 2,900 MB!)


Minimize Archived E-Mails: Print/Delete Some of Them

One thing I've begun doing to get rid of excess e-mail is printing out the e-mails received from family members and then deleting them. This way, I have hard copies which I can keep, just as I would if a family member had sent me a letter via snail mail. This works well for me, since I generally bring them over to my mom's house to read them to her and share the latest family news.

I print out other select categories of e-mail, as well. This does, of course, use up more printer ink--not to mention paper--but that's simply the price one must pay for the added convenience of the practice. (No doubt most of us have quite a few e-mails we could simply delete--without printing--and we wouldn't really miss them. We all need to decide for ourselves which ones those are.)


What Are Your E-Mail Practices, Tips, or Techniques?

How do you handle your e-mail? Have you been able to tame the e-mail monster, or are you becoming buried in electronic messages? Are you an e-mail pack rat, or do you ruthlessly delete all but the most crucial communications? If you have any e-mail management tips or techniques you'd like to share with the rest of us, we're all ears!


RSS Feeds and E-Mail: Both Require Organization!

RSS feeds and e-mail accounts--with their many, many blog posts and e-mail messages--are formidable opponents. Yet, my plan is to vanquish both through organization! I fully intend to tame the RSS feed and e-mail monsters one way or another! How about you?

Eager for your input,
Jeanne







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When Dental Disasters Disrupt Your Deadlines

October 5th 2007 03:00

Mr. Murphy Must Love Writing Deadlines!

Have you ever experienced a dental emergency right in the middle of a big writing project, with an imminent deadline looming before you like an immovable giant? While few of us would say that we ever need the unpleasant interruption caused by a lost filling, loosened cap, or chipped tooth, most of us would agree that mid-project has to be one of the absolute worst times for a dental emergency to occur. Yet, "Murphy's Law" seems to be alive and well during just those times when we need to be at our efficient best!

But whether it's an extremely tight writing deadline or an extremely busy dentist that prevents us from getting in immediately to have the problem corrected, the result is the same: We face a situation where temporary measures must be taken to mitigate the problem, relieve our discomfort, and minimize our embarrassment until our dentist can provide a more permanent solution.


My Own Personal Dental Dilemma

Several months ago, I faced a similar situation myself. I happened to be eating a sprouted wheat bagel--and if you are familiar with sprouted wheat, you know that the kernels can be rather large and tough to chew. Up until the point where I bit down a bit too hard into a kernel (which was also a bit too hard,) I might have been in "bagel heaven" had there been such a place.

I could tell right away that something was very wrong. I'd both heard and felt my tooth break, though I could hardly believe it had happened--particularly from simply biting into a bagel! I would have never expected that to happen in a million years! But happen it did.

When I looked in the mirror, my worst suspicions were confirmed: the outer surface of one of my upper molars--yes, the part most visible when I smiled (though admittedly, I wasn't in any mood to do very much of that, at this point)--was gone, exposing an unsightly, old-fashioned amalgam filling. And the thin but precious piece of porcelain I pulled out of my mouth gave mute testimony to the utter irreversibility of the situation.


An Unsightly Exposed Amalgam Filling

If you're old enough to have amalgam fillings, you'll have an idea how unsightly my damaged tooth looked! (For those who don't know anything about amalgam fillings, they are composed of a metal alloy, the color of which is basically silver but which tends to darken around the edges, appearing somewhat blackish in places.) Suffice it to say, my tooth wasn't pretty!

At the time, I didn't have a publishing deadline looming, but I did have college homework due, as well as classes to attend--which, in its own way, was far worse because it meant going out in public and interacting with people in normal, everyday situations, where people tend to...smile. As you can well imagine, waiting even a few days to see a dentist wasn't very much fun. I only wish I'd known about Dentemp OS at the time. It would have saved me a great deal of embarrassment.


Dentemp OS: The 60-Second Solution

Dentemp OS is an FDA-approved over-the-counter dental cement that's used for temporary dental repair and would have been the perfect solution to my problem had I known it existed. It was developed by a dentist and offers effective First Aid for just such problems as the one I faced, as well as lost fillings and loose caps. It can be used to temporarily replace lost fillings and re-cement loose crowns. In short, it would have been a godsend for me at that time. It's still hard to believe that I could have enjoyed such a quick, easy solution to several days of embarrassment and discomfort. But, as they say, Live and learn.

My tooth was finally capped, and now things are back to normal. But I now know precisely what to do if I'm ever faced with a similar situation again: Go for the Dentemp OS. It certainly would have made a great deal of difference to me back then. And, if you ever face a dental disruption similar to the one I experienced, I'm sure it will make as much of a difference to you.

Keep smiling!
Jeanne









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Freelance Writing Online: Some Hard and Fast Facts

August 19th 2007 12:39

An Intriguing Article Reprint

The following article is reprinted with permission from Articles Alley Article Directory. It presents an interesting perspective on earning a living as a freelance writer online.


_____________________________


There is a wonderful opportunity to make a substantial income by doing freelance writing online. However there are some things the aspiring freelance writer should be aware of.


If there is one maxim that has continued to remain true about the Internet it is that "Content is King". The fact that website owners need fresh and relevant content to keep browsers coming back to their website means that there is a secondary market for content creation.

This of course has created a wonderful opportunity for freelance writers who can spend their time creating content for others and be paid for it. But before you throw in your day jobs, register your profile with Elance or Guru and start banging away on your laptop, let's look at some of the truisms of the market so that you can enter the opportunity with open eyes.

Firstly, let's deal with the question of how much money you can make. Will you make a million dollars? No. Only very high profile offline authors make this sort of money. Is it possible to make $80- $100k per year. The answer is yes but like anything it will require some hard work and a dash of entrepreneurial spirit. In fact, to be truly successful you will need to spend nearly as much time marketing yourself as you will creating content. To command this type of income you will also most likely need to augment your writing efforts with some affiliate marketing. This isn't difficult: you still create content but you will also make sure that you embed some of your own affiliate links in the content that you create.

It also depends on your agenda. If you're looking to make a full time income then those figures are within your reach. If however, you're a student for instance and therefore do not have as much time at your disposal, then a $20k per annum secondary income at the upper end would be the more likely scenario.

Do you have to be a good writer to succeed online? No. In fact being a good writer may actually be a hindrance: simply for the fact that your work may not be appreciated and command the price that you feel it's worth. The nature of the market that you will be dealing with is one that is after fast and relatively cheap content. They're not after high quality writing so don't try and be Shakespeare. All you really need is a decent grasp of spelling and punctuation and be able to write in a conversational tone. Easy? You bet.

Do you need to have a subject specialty? Once again the answer is no and if you do specialise then you may be severely denting your income prospects. The secret here is to not put all your eggs in one basket. You want to have multiple sources of income: this means not only a multiplicity of subjects but also a multiplicity off avenues to get your writing out there. Bidding at auction sites such as Guru.com and Elance.com is certainly one way of getting the dollars in but it does not preclude creating monetised blogs or writing and submitting articles with embedded links.

It helps when writing online for a living to think outside the box. You can certainly make a steady income from just writing alone but by tweaking and monetising your approach with affiliate marketing you can put yourself in a position to really explode your income.
Article Source: http://www.ArticlesAlley.com/


About the Author
Scott is a successful freelance writer who makes the bulk of his income by writing online. To learn how you can create a secondary income through pursuing freelance writing opportunities go to Writing for Income.

_____________________________



What Do You Think?

Can a writer expect to earn a living online while emulating the excellence of a Shakespeare, or are "a decent grasp of spelling and punctuation" and the ability to "write in a conversational tone," not simply the only things required, but actually preferable?

A penny for your thoughts,
Jeanne


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Magnetize Your Blog: Always Reply to Comments!

August 4th 2007 20:20

So, You Love to Write...Great! Now, You Need to Be Read!

As a blogger, it goes without saying that you love to write! You would have to love writing to continue to provide, day after day, fresh, new material to keep your readers engaged and keep them coming back. After all, your goal is to develop a base of loyal readers, who bookmark and return to your blog again and again. Yet it's just as important to cultivate a relationship with first-time visitors to your site--to attract and hold new readers, adding them to your current fan base.


Content May Be King, But Responsiveness Is the Real Ruler!

If your blog is highly informative, providing valuable, helpful information and insight to your readers, many people will initially be attracted to your site, and many may return again and again. But, there's a limit to how long informative content alone will hold readers and cause them to remain in the fold of a blog which lacks other, equally important components.

Let's not forget that there are many thousands--even many tens of thousands--of other informative blogs, in addition to yours, on the internet today. Another fantastic blog is always only a click away. In other words, in the world of blogging, competition is fierce!


Your Readers Are Your Success!

In short, after content, one of the major secrets to building a viable, dynamic blog is demonstrating a responsiveness to your readers, who are, after all, the foundation of your success. The critical importance of, first, appreciating, and then showing that appreciation to your readers simply cannot be stressed enough! If you think that writing wonderfully informative and brilliantly eloquent blog posts is all that you owe your readers, think again!


Comments: Your Key to Magnetizing Your Blog

The quickest way to entice a reader back to your blog again and again is to demonstrate that you value his or her input--all of it! (Of course, by all of it, I am not referring to abusive, discourteous, or vulgar comments!) By replying to every reader's comments--and every comment of every reader--in a timely, friendly, courteous, and professional--yes, I said professional--manner, you will draw your readers back to your blog like a magnet!


A New Day for Your Blog

If you've been lax in replying to comments, if you have your comment capability turned off, or if commenting is active on your blog and yet you've been ignoring your readers' feedback entirely, today is the day to try something new. The time for implementing a fascinating little experiment is now.

(Look at it this way: If your little foray into two-way communication with your readers, via comments, doesn't prove, to your personal satisfaction, that validating, appreciating, and engaging your blog's readers in conversation about the topics expounded upon in your posts benefits your blog's popularity and increases its traffic, you will be perfectly free to revert back to your previous, non-responsive method of writing at your readers. But, give it a chance. If you never try it, you'll never know.)


A Little Better Every Day

If you have been responding to reader comments, good for you! Keep up the good work! (You may want to check out my recent post, The iReply Revolution: Join It, where you'll find info on where to get the You Comment, I Reply logo to post on your blog.)

But, if your replies to reader feedback have been somewhat hit-or-miss, giving you the nagging feeling that you haven't been as responsive as you should be, determine to do something about it. Decide today to make your blog a little bit better every single day!

Always remember: Tomorrow is a brand new day, a day when you can make positive, lasting, changes to your blog--and your life!

What have you got to lose?


Happy connecting,
Jeanne


Note: This post is one entry to the Daily Reader Blog Tips portion of the ProBlogger 31 Days to Building a Better Blog - 2007 - Group Writing Project.


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