From the monthly archives:

October 2008

Train of Thought to Nowhere

by --Deb on October 29, 2008

 

Are you waiting for a train of thought that isn’t coming?
There you are, sitting at the station, waiting. And waiting.
And waiting.
But no train ever seems to come.
You’re not sure why, exactly. All the tracks are there, you’re ready and waiting … but there’s nowhere to go.
Maybe it’s not the train station’s fault?
Maybe it’s your fault [...]

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MM: Important Bulletin!

by --Deb on October 27, 2008

Bullet lists are all the rage these days, so let’s give a very quick overview about correct usage, shall we?

Each bullet should begin a new idea, or a new item
Unless every bullet is a complete sentence, you do not need periods at the end of each item
If at all possible, the bullets should be “parallel.”
That [...]

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Who’s Driving this Thing, Anyway?

by --Deb on October 22, 2008

Here’s a question for you:
What drives a writer to write?
More specifically, what drives you to write?
Let’s think ….

Inspiration. You just have to write. You have this burning need to express yourself in words, to put it all on paper, and you feel unfulfilled if you don’t spend some of your time with your pen or [...]

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MM: Claustrophobic?

by --Deb on October 20, 2008

Does the thought of talking about sentence clauses make your eye twitch? Well, let’s see if we can’t make this a little simpler for you.
We have talked about basic sentence structure over the last two weeks, and how all a sentence really needs is a subject and a predicate–either simple ones, or compound ones..
This is [...]

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Poverty of Thought

by --Deb on October 15, 2008

Today is Blog Action Day, designed to bring attention to the world-wide problem of Poverty.
This is particularly relevant, of course, in today’s troubled economy. (The word “troubled” is a bit of an understatement.) Those of us lucky enough to have food on the table, and a roof overhead–no matter how much of a strain [...]

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MM: Compounding Interest

by --Deb on October 13, 2008

Last week we talked about Subjects and Predicates–the very basis of sentence structure.
Today, let’s talk about Compound Subjects and Predicates.
Basically, if there are two or more subjects to the sentence, you have a Compound Subject:

Running laps, doing push-ups, and eating well are all good for your health.
Boykin Spaniels and American Water Spaniels are similar dog [...]

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Business: It’s All in the Cards

by --Deb on October 7, 2008

Next fascinating freelance topic:
What elements do you think are necessary on business cards? Do you even think that business cards are necessary?
Well, let’s think about that.
Your name, obviously.
Your job title/position/description
Contact information, like phone, email, fax number.
Website, if any.
But, what about a company name? Does a freelancer really need a company name? Does it hurt? Help? [...]

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MM: Subjects and Predicates

by --Deb on October 6, 2008

Okay, who remembers hearing their seventh grade English teacher blathering on (and on) about sentence subjects and predicates?
Anyone?
Hmm. Only mine, then? Then, in honor of Mrs. Babyock, allow me to remind you:

The Subject of a sentence is the person, place, or thing that the sentence is talking about.

The Predicate of the sentence is the action [...]

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Now, Better Customer Service!

by --Deb on October 3, 2008

Okay, now that’s more like what I’m talking about … my new, improved Services page. Much better than the old one, I think.
Please, though, give me your opinion. What do you think?
(No, really, I want to know!)

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Poor Service (Or, No Tips for You!)

by --Deb on October 3, 2008

So, I posted about some of the important elements on a good Services page.
Yet, my own Services page is still so very lame, failing in many ways.
Let’s explore that, shall we? Why is it so pathetic when I’ve already shown you that I know better?
No Specific Services.
This is the biggest flaw. I mention that [...]

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