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WritersNotes.Net: Helping Writers Follow Their Dreams Through Information, Inspiration, and Encouragement!
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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September 16th 2007 22:00
Artistic Self-Expression: The Writer's Goal
Writing is an art, as well as a means of creative expression--two characteristics it certainly shares with music. Within all writers resides that creative spark which, almost magically, transforms our thoughts into words that feed the mind, touch the heart, and please the ear. Like music, writing can be rhythmic, flowing, lilting, or lively--gifting its reader with a satisfying sense of beauty.
Many Writers Have Multiple Creative Talents
Yet, as much as we relish expressing ourselves through the written word, many of us also carry a desire, a dream--perhaps even a need--to express ourselves through music. As many writers are multi-talented, expressing their creativity through drawing, painting, or photography--in addition to writing--so, many also seek a musical outlet for their creative energies. Are you one of them? Or, would you like to be?
Free Piano Lessons at The Piano Chords Blog
Whether you've ever had prior musical experience or not, and whether you perhaps don't even know for certain that you possess the talent it takes to play a musical instrument; if you are one of those people who yearn to express themselves through music--or at least would like to try your hand at it--you have the opportunity to learn the piano for free online at Piano Chords Blog. Even if you already play another instrument, you'll have the opportunity to learn a little music theory--which is generally taught on the piano, anyway.
Express Yourself Through Music--as Well as Words
The Piano Chords Blog will not only teach you piano chords and songs, via video clips and explanations, but it will also inspire and encourage you along the road to realizing your dream of adding music to your list of creative talents.
Why not visit the Piano Chords Blog, and try your hand at the piano. You may just discover a talent you never knew you had!
Happy playing!
Jeanne
This post sponsored by PayPerPost.
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September 11th 2007 20:07
Time and Expense Records Made Easy
Keeping track of both time and expenses during a project can be difficult--whether we run a company with a number of employee projects or a one-person operation such as a freelance writing business.
Journyx has made our job easier, though, with its full-featured time sheet software, which is absolutely free for up to 10 users. While I haven't tried it myself--yet!--it appears to be a program that will work every bit as well for a single user as for multiple users. And since it's free for 1-10 users, my take on it is that it would certainly be worth a try!
Free to Smaller Businesses or Individuals
So, if you own a small business with 10 or fewer employees or are a freelancer with only your own time and expenses to track, this software won't cost you anything to use--and it just might save you some headaches, in the process. And, if your company is larger than 10 employees, you probably need this software even more than those running smaller concerns.
Full-Service Version Available for Free 45-Day Trial
If you'd rather not download and have to maintain and update the software yourself, you might want to take advantage of Journyx's free 45-day trial of their SaaS (Software as a Service) version, where they'll do all the work short of actually keeping track of your time and expenses for you.
Take it for a "Test Drive"
Whatever size your company may be, visit Journyx.Com and check out their comprehensive time sheet software, already used by thousands of companies. You'll love the features, the convenience, and the peace of mind they bring.
Here's to organization!
Jeanne
This post sponsored by PayPerPost.
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DataBanq: The Blog of DataBanq Media Network
The DataBanq Media Blog covers topics such as technology, social networking, and SEO. These are all subjects that affect not only businesses that market their products online, but also writers of online content--or writers who market their writing online.
Posts on this relatively new but popular Internet Blog are informative and well-written. One that stands out in particular was penned by DataBanq president David Bayer and presents an in-depth assessment of the current and future realities of social networking.
Another fascinating topic addressed by Bayer on this insightful Technology Blog is "orphaned pages" (i.e., pages that, due to changes made to a website, no longer have other pages linked to them) and how such pages can negatively impact a website's other pages in search results.
The Databanq Blog presents highly informative content for anyone who is interested in knowing a little more about the inner workings of the often-mysterious world of the internet. And there are few people today who aren't in some way affected by the realities of the WorldWide Web--writers included.
Thanks for reading,
Jeanne
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Heading for the Holidays
With the holidays on the horizon, this is a good time for us to briefly turn our attention away from our latest writing project--since we're long overdue for a break, anyway--and check out a site that can take the hassle out of our holiday gift-giving this year. It can save us both money and time, giving us more of the first precious commodity to spend on the people we care about and more of the second to spend working on our favorite creative pursuit: writing.
One-Stop Gift Shopping
The people at CouponChief.com work hard to provide a one-stop coupon deal and discount resource for their website visitors. In fact, Coupon Chief offers literally hundreds of holiday--and everyday--coupons to help stretch your writing dollar and help you get more for your money.
A Few Retailers with Deals to Appeal to Writers
Coupons from online stores such as the ones mentioned below can help you get the best deals on books, stationery, computer and other writing-related materials and products, and a variety of gifts for your family members and friends.
For example, you'll find Barnes & Noble coupon deals that will help you fill your bookshelves with the titles that interest you most. You'll also discover Dell coupons for a wide variety of different products, from computers, software, and accessories, to office furniture and digital cameras. And the Staples coupon codes you'll find on the site will help you upgrade your office--and replenish your writing supplies while you're at it--for the best possible prices.
The Best Deals from a Wide Variety of Stores
Aside from the stores mentioned above, a long and varied list of other retailers offering special coupon deals will make your holiday shopping task a simpler one. You'll be able to take a few minutes out from your writing whenever the mood strikes and find some great deals for yourself and everyone on your holiday shopping list, without even removing your hands from the keyboard. And, for a writer, it doesn't get much better than that.
Happy writing!
Jeanne
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A Truly Thought-ful Blogger
Just a Thought! is a fascinating compilation of David Woon's musings on life and truth. "And who is David Woon?" you may ask. That's a very fair question.
David Woon is an unusually insightful young man who possesses an uncanny ability to cut right to the heart of a topic and thoroughly probe its depths. But there's more. He also has the rare skill to do so with a minimum of words--a skill which rarely goes hand-in-hand with an in-depth look at a topic. This natural-born philosopher/blogger presents his words of wisdom via concise blog entries that get right to the point, discuss it briefly, using some truly original and fascinating metaphors, and then get out. There is absolutely no rambling on this blog, which I admire.
A Truly Purposeful Blog
David states the following about Just a Thought: "The blog contains my short reflections about Life in general which I hope would, in one way or another, serve as a source of inspiration for you..." He also hopes his musings might trigger "some thoughts of your own in the contemplation of the mystery that is Life." His ultimate goal for his blog is to create an atmosphere of mutual sharing between him and his readers, as he puts it, "so that we can all learn and grow together as we strive to leave this world a better place than what it was before our humble existence." What a lofty goal!
Truly Intriguing Ideas
Many readers--as well as bloggers--will be able to relate to his thoroughly altruistic aspirations, since we feel very much the same way he does. These readers will enjoy reading his entries about such topics as spending money wisely by designating certain percentages to each spending category, including donating to charity; enjoying better communication with others by using the "Golden Assumption," "backing up your life" in the minds and hearts of those you've touched and influenced, and becoming a better person through becoming "nobody-centric," rather than "self-centric."
David Woon shares some truly intriguing ideas at http://www.davidwoon.com/blog/, and anyone who will dig back into his archives (which go back to November 2004) will find a great many more philosophical treasures buried there!
Happy digging!
Jeanne
This post sponsored by ReviewMe.
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Do You Sell Your Work on Your Website?
Do you have a website or blog where you sell your own work--perhaps even the work of others? Or maybe you've never sold books, e-books, artwork, or crafts online before, but have been thinking of adding that feature to your site. Either way, you'll need good, reliable shopping cart software to make the job of selling and shipping your creative products easier, more accurate, and more convenient.
Ecommerce: The Current Trend
Ecommerce is the current trend in product marketing, and Ashop Commerce is one of the leading providers of ecommerce software on the internet today. Their website offers an ecommerce demo shop, where you can test drive their award-winning software to see first-hand what it can do.
The site also includes a long list of shopping cart features, arming you to compare their shopping cart software to other similar products and see how much more you'll get with Ashop. And flexible package pricing will help you find the combination of features that meets your individual needs at the best price.
All This, And a Free Trial, too
Aside from all this, Ashop offers a free 10-day trial of their shopping cart software, with no credit card required to take advantage of it. Yet, with its advanced functionality, you'll be able to accept credit cards online when selling your products.
Your website will likely need a shopping cart, if you plan to offer quite a few different items and/or make a significant number of sales. Once you have the software in hand, within hours, you'll be ready to use your customized shopping cart to begin selling online--or begin doing it better and more profitably.
Be a Contender
So, if, in addition to writing articles or blog posts for your site's visitors, you'd also like to offer your work for sale, check out the shopping cart software offered by Ashop Commerce. It will help you compete with some of the most powerful sites on the Web.
And perhaps, soon, it will help you to join their ranks.
Happy browsing,
Jeanne
This post is sponsored by Smorty.
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Your Writing Spot: Indoors or Out?
We writers often like the feeling of finding a quiet, peaceful, cozy nook to settle down, journal in hand, and contemplate life's larger questions. We love jotting down our thoughts, as we prepare for the next piece we will ultimately share with the world.
Whether our restful writing spot is indoors or out, whether it's our office or den, our patio, or a grassy place in our backyard, it's important for us to create an atmosphere that inspires our Muse.
Classical, Whimsical, or Chilling?
Online Discount Mart offers a wide variety of home and garden decor, in styles that range from classical to whimsical, decorator products that can bring inspiration to you, both indoors and out. And, if you happen to be planning a horror tale in preparation for Halloween this year, you'll find suitably fright-inducing decorations to help set the mood.
Whatever you may need or want for your home or garden decor, to help put you in the mood to write, you're likely to find it at Online Discount Mart. So, have a look. If nothing else, it's safe to say, you'll have a great time "Window" shopping.
Enjoy,
Jeanne
This post sponsored by PayPerPost.
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Smorty, for My Australian Readers--and Everyone Else!
Since I've decided to add some carefully selected sponsored posts to my blog, in the interest of survival for myself and value for my readers, I thought I'd try Smorty, which is an Australian blog advertising site, and which, as such, might tend to offer products and services that my Aussie readers would really be able to relate to. (Of course, I'm sure that Smorty's advertisers' products and services have widespread appeal!)
An Opportunity to Get Paid for Blogging
I'm glad to have this opportunity to get paid for blogging. (After all, I already blog and love it!) This will be just one more way to help insure that I'll be able to continue bringing my readers as many great writing tips, techniques, and resources as possible.
Let's face it; financial realities confront each one of us, every day. Few of us are strangers to the need to earn a living. But, I have no intention of belaboring the point, because I see my new relationship with Smorty as a great thing! I feel it has a lot to offer both me and my readers, and I intend to do my best to choose opportunities that are relevant to you, as writers; though I have to confess that I may occasionally just happen to choose a few that seem intriguing to me--and remember, I, too, am a writer--whether or not they relate to writing directly. (After all, writers have lives, too--outside of writing, that is--though at times it may not always seem that way!)
A Few Words About Smorty
At Smorty, as with most other sites where writers blog for money, advertisers pay bloggers to write opinion posts with links back to the advertiser's site. While this is great for us bloggers, who get paid to blog, it's also obviously beneficial to the businesses that advertise on blogs. This mutual benefit is the basis of every truly successful business transaction--and, for the writer, this includes the sale of our writing in any other venue. After all, this is what free enterprise is all about!
As I see it, if we bloggers pick and choose our advertising opportunities with care, our relationship with Smorty--or with any other blog advertising network--should not only benefit the company, the advertiser, and the blogger, but also the blog's readers, as well.
Here's to the Future--With Smorty and My Readers!
I look forward to a great relationship with the people at Smorty, as well as with their advertisers! And I also look forward to a continuation of the excellent relationship I currently enjoy with my readers and fellow bloggers. You are very important to me, and I promise, you, my readers, that I will not knowingly post inaccurate information or reviews and certainly will not intentionally mislead you about any product, service, or company, for the sake of money.
How About You?
Should you be interested in pursuing your own opportunity to blog for money, I'll be placing my Smorty affiliate badge into my sidebar very soon. If you'd like, you may use it to get more information about how you can get paid to blog at Smorty. (In the meantime, feel free to use the link found in the first paragraph of this post.)
Thanks for your support!
Jeanne
This post sponsored by Smorty.
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"Prolific" is a Wonderful Word!
We writers do tend to be a bit verbose at times--though we, of course, prefer to call it prolific. That sounds so much more intriguing! "Prolific" is a word that adds so much to the writer's mystique! Yet the reality of it isn't always quite so intriguing.
Creativity Breeds...Data!
If you're anything like me, one creative idea builds upon another and one writing project spontaneously spawns the next, until, before you know it, you've become so "prolific" that the number of document files you've saved seems not only too overwhelming to handle, but growing exponentially with every new idea, project, and freelance assignment! In short, you're beginning to realize you've got to do something--and soon!
Buried in Data!
If your computer's hard drive is getting a bit cluttered, and you'd rather not be buried in a massive pile of CDs, DVDs, or computer discs, you may just want to consider online storage. Online data storage can offer a convenient alternative to the hassle of handling an ever-expanding collection of data files, freeing you to do what you do best: write.
Convenience
IBackup's online storage service features convenient file storage via a mapped drive or folder and familiar explorer interface. This storage method allows you to drag-n-drop, open, edit, and save files directly from your office applications, and also makes it easier to work with online data. Browser-based and direct desktop access to WebFolders also offer easy drag-n-drop and direct edits for such office files as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Versatility
Other IBackup features include the following: Web-Manager, (which provides collaboration features for Sharing and Account Management, and Media Gallery,) Sub-Account creation options, IDrive Multimedia capabilities (including streaming ability for music and video files,) IDrive for Mac, and ILite (for use with your Blackberry, PocketPC, or Treo).
Superior Performance
No other online storage service has been able to match the level of security that IBackup offers, and IBackup's desktop applications consistently outperform other data storage services by 30-50%. This could mean a significant increase in productivity for a busy writer.
So, the next time you look at that long list of files cluttering up your hard drive or have to sit and wait while your computer does its slow-loading act...again...you might just want to think IBackup. Because you have something better to do: write!
Till next time,
Jeanne
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The Lucid Mind: A True Gift
As writers, each of us can appreciate, in a particularly vivid way, the blessing of a lucid mind! Clear thought, dependable memory, logical deductive power: each of these is critical to us as we go about our daily activities, giving us the ability to share ideas via the written--or spoken--word. Because of this, we writers are able, perhaps more than most, to understand just how devastating the loss of these abilities can be--and is--to every person who falls victim to Alzheimer's, and to each of their family members, as well.
The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk®: Your Opportunity to Make a Difference
The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is America's largest event held to raise awareness about Alzheimer's and funds for Alzheimer's care, support, and research. Held annually since 1989 in hundreds of communities across the U.S., walks are typically 2-3 miles long and take place on a weekend morning in early fall. This year's walk will involve more than 600 communities--communities where volunteers of all ages will gather to champion the cause of Alzheimer's sufferers.
Since its inception, Memory Walk has raised more than $225 million in funds to help in the fight against Alzheimer's, and caring people like you are the ones who have made that happen!
Memory Walk Team Captains Needed Immediately!
Team Captains are needed NOW to assemble, organize, and lead teams of other concerned individuals in preparing for and participating in the Walk. Teams can consist of family members, friends, and/or business associates who are dedicated to helping fight Alzheimer's. As a Team Captain, you can inspire the caring people in your own personal sphere to take action on behalf of a worthwhile cause, becoming true champions of those who face Alzheimer's.
The rewards of taking charge and making this happen in your local area will be great! You'll experience the satisfaction of knowing that you've gone the extra mile--literally!--in the fight to help make Alzheimer's a thing of the past. You'll know that you were the catalyst that brought your entire group's energy, enthusiasm, and compassion together, creating a synergy that would be hard to beat. You'll be respected and admired, not only by those you lead, but by others who learn of your dedication and leadership in such a worthy endeavor. By signing up to become a Team Captain, you can't lose--because you'll know that you're helping those who are contending with Alzheimer's win!
Please Sign Up Early!
The Association recommends that Team Captains sign up as early as possible so they will have sufficient time to recruit their teams and raise funds for the cause. As a Team Captain, you can help make this year's Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® a success.
To quote the Association, "By teaming up with the Alzheimer's Association, you can walk with a purpose – and move us closer to a world without Alzheimer's. Together, we can MOVE a nation."
Won't that be a wonderful thing?
Thanks for reading,
Jeanne
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A New AdVenture
I recently decided to try PayPerPost, in the hope of picking up a bit of cash for a few things that are always nice to have (i.e., food...clothing...a place to live). To me, this seems like a new adventure--even without the pun!
I truly love writing my blog, giving encouragement and inspiration to writers everywhere...providing information and resources to help you grow, stretch, and improve at your craft...finding and sharing potential markets that can help make it possible for you to reap some sort of (well-deserved and fully earned) monetary return for all the hard work, the energy, effort, and thought, the heart, and the soul that you put into your writing.
And, please believe me when I say that I would continue to do so without remuneration, as I have for the past seven months, because I consider it an honor and a privilege to provide you, my readers and fellow-writers, with everything at my disposal that I believe might prove helpful to you.
My Greatest Reward
After all, it is you who have visited my blog--at least once or twice, but in many cases--day after day, week after week, and perhaps month after month. (Why, some of you have even subscribed to my feed--or I should say feeds, since I now have two.) You've read and considered what I've had to say, you've shared your own views via comments, you've used the resources I've provided to help you in the magical vocation that is writing, and perhaps you've even gone so far as to follow some of the advice I've given, as you've pursued your creative passion.
That, in itself, has been my greatest reward. Yet, as I sit here at my computer, typing this post, I can't help but ponder the coming month, with rent to be paid, bills coming due, and groceries to be purchased; and I am reminded that everyone needs to survive. So, as I continue to seek and find various freelance writing opportunities, I remind myself, very practically, that freelancing income isn't always (is it ever?) extremely regular, and therefore, finding ways to supplement that income (at least until my name becomes a household word!) is never a bad idea.
Enter, PayPerPost.
A New, More Productive, Era for Writer's Notes
In my many travels around the Web, I've often seen one or another of the various PayPerPost buttons and badges, which, I must confess, have quite intrigued me. For quite some time, I've considered signing up, yet only recently have I actually gotten around to it.
Well, I'm glad I did. I see this as the beginning of an opportunity to be productive in a new way--to pick and choose the products, companies, and services that I believe would be of value to my readers and to give an honest appraisal of the others, as an added service. I like the idea of doing all this while, at the same time, continuing my longstanding practice of giving you the best writing-related information and resources I am able to provide. And, yes, I will earn a few much-needed dollars in the bargain, but I don't believe very many of you will fault me for that.
A Great New Relationship With the People at PayPerPost
I'm looking forward to a pleasant and mutually beneficial relationship with PayPerPost and its advertisers--one that I expect to be every bit as helpful to my readers, in one way or another. Some of you may even decide to join PayPerPost and try it out for yourselves. I think that could just prove to be a good idea.
While I am still very new to PayPerPost, I've been happy to find that their staff has been very responsive and helpful with issues I've encountered during the signup process. My messages, written to them via their internal message system, have been handled competently and answered quickly and courteously, which has created in me nothing but good will toward the company.
Though no doubt many of you have read my earlier informational piece about PayPerPost, this is actually my first sponsored post for PPP. (If you are considering joining PayPerPost, and you haven't read my other post about them, you may want to check it out. You'll learn many great details about them from that post.)
Just thought I'd share with all of you how and why I came to join PayPerPost, and a little bit of what I've experienced there.
Till next time,
Jeanne
Bloggers:
Want to add value to your blog? Why not join PayPerPost and write about products and services that can benefit your readers. It will give them one more reason to visit your blog.
Advertisers:
Participating in PayPerPost will drive traffic to your website, in addition to providing exposure for your company by featuring your products and services on a variety of quality blogs.
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