Questions

Creative writing can be fun and many fiction writers find out the best way to better their writings is to write as much as they can. Creative writing, such as fiction writing or poetry writing is an art. However, there are skills and tools with many different techniques that can be used to develop for writing skills.

To be good at creative writing you need to accept constructive criticism, listen, read many different style of literature and write as much as you can spare the time. To be good at writing requires you to create a specific routine because to be good at writing can very difficult. To be a good fiction writer, you need to be a great story teller. If you are a great story teller you will find many that want to read your work.

www.ipublishabook.com suggest you write about subject you are well verse in. your writings should reflect your experiences in this subject. However, there are some major components that should be included in a good story. Here the seven most important things any good stories should have.

Plot, is the events that take place in the story. A plot usually consists of conflicts. A plot should also continue as the story unfolds. As the story ends a plot usually gets better.

Characters, will be the people or animals that you will include in the story. Characters are usually introduced early in the story. Make sure the character in the story appears with great significance to the reader.

Setting, is the place and time where your story takes place. You have to take your time and describe the setting so your readers can feel and see the place. Set a great a great atmosphere of the story.

Dialogue, is the word the character speaks in the story. A good dialogue can make fiction fun, real and interesting.

Point of view, you can decide first person point of view of the story or a secondary person telling the story or a third person point of view.

Theme, Avery great stories have a theme. Basically this is the main idea or meaning behind a story.

Style, we all have our own style and language. Don’t concentrate too much on the style of writing. Keep focus on the plot of the story.

Whatever rules and regulations you hear about how to write http://www.ipublishabook.com  suggest for you to have fun with your writings. The more you write the better you will get at creative writings, fiction writing or poetry writings. Don’t put too much focus on all these rules. Some of may prevent you from being creative.


- Www.ipublishabook.com

Do you know which type of writing course would suit you best? If you are writing for Webmasters, you don’t really need a creative writing course.

You can become a better writer by learning some of the tricks of the trade on online writing course but will such a course to help you to make more money? That is the question we intend to settle here.

Most online writing courses will deliver lessons to you from a tutor so that you can achieve your goals.

If you struggle with creative writing, online writing course like this for you because you will learn some of the basic structures which are very common in creative writing.

Many writers end up with very little money because it takes so long to produce quality work. While these writers may be very good at writing, they lack some of the business fundamentals.

Profit maximising strategies in a writing career or rarely addressed on online writing courses.

A failure to understand the profit maximising strategies often results in many excellent creative writers being unable to do what they are the best … write creatively.

Is there a way around this?

If you understand the multiple high impact leverage points in writing, something as simple as writing for Webmasters can be incredibly lucrative.

If you write for Webmasters, you don’t need a creative writing course.

Most writers dont earn anywhere near their potential. Many fail to write fast enough and on topis where they can maximise their income sinc they don’t know the strategies and techniques to write faster.

The result is a wage which barely anyone in the West can live on.

Once a few basic principles have been understood and internalised, many writers are able to quickly earn $300, $400 or more each and every day from sites like elance and guru.com.

THINK STRATEGICALLY….WRITE CREATIVELY.

In order to maximize income, most writers simply have to make a few adjustments so see a doubling of thei incomes. The initial gains are fast and easy. After that, another doubling of incomes can easily be done with more advanced strategies which most writers miss,

1. Get as much as you want any time you need it.

2. Working faster increases earnings out of sight….tools and strategies to do this are critical to increased profitability.

3. Most writers miss the fact that they can build equity into their business which will produce near passive for them i they use it correctly. This is an opportunity too good to miss from a profit maximizing point of view.

The Big Payback…Increased Profits For Life

Once you answer these three questions, you can very quickly increase the rate at which you earn money. Once you do, you’ll be able to earn your living money in the morning and do your creative writing in the afternoon … the best of both worlds….and a nice payback from your writing courses.


- Johnny Myers

As a primary school teacher with 30 years experience, now retired, I have turned my attention to teaching the parents of young children. Why? I hear you ask. Well, perhaps I can illustrate this with a couple of phrases you have probably heard before.

 

“Oh, but we don’t do it that way mum”

 

“My teacher said that you’re doing it wrong dad”

 

So, let me help you to get it right.

 

Firstly, I want to turn my attention to creative writing, or story writing, for the 7-11 year olds. But don’t forget, I am writing for the parents in order that you can help your child. The areas we will look at break down into 7 categories.

 

1) Reading

2) Story Mountain / Story Board

3) Descriptive Writing

4) Characters

5) Introduction

6) Main Theme

7) The Ending

 

So, number one. Reading. What has reading to do with creative writing? Well, everything really. I found in my career that those children who had had books read to them from a very early age and who were read with as they grew older had much wider experiences from which to draw information and ideas for their own writing.

 

Next, number two. The story mountain or the story board. A structure on which to build the story. Using the idea of the story board, as that is an easier concept to understand in text, we would have anywhere from 3, for six year olds, to 8-12 boxes for ten and eleven year olds like a cartoon strip and the different parts of the story are literally sketched out with phrases written underneath to elaborate on the pictures.

 

This then forms the basis of the writing but with the storyboard structure it is far easier to keep on track building good description and have a beginning – middle – end to the story.

 

And now, my favourite, number three, the descriptive writing. The use of adverbs and adjectives. Now, I am not just going to assume that you all know what adverbs and adjectives are. What would be the point of writing this article just to lose some of you right now because you felt out of your depth. So, an adverb describes an action and an adjective tells us more about a thing. Let me show you.

 

Sir Gwain leaned carefully over the rough parapet.

 

The word ‘carefully’ describes how Sir Gwain leaned. The action he was doing was leaning and carefully is the adverb telling us how he was doing it, ok?

 

Now the adjective.

 

Sir Gwain leaned carefully over the rough parapet.

 

The word ‘rough’ here describes the thing he leaned over, the parapet, and in describing the parapet the word rough is an adjective. So there you go, an adverb describes an action like walking, running, shouting, singing, it tells us how these things were done. Adjectives describe things like tables, walls, shoes, things, objects.

 

So let’s see what good use of description can make of a simple statement like,

 

The man sat on the bench.

 

The dappled sunlight danced mischievously on the stranger’s shoes as he sat, slouched beneath the old sycamore.  The bench had been there for years, and had seen better days, one arm missing, and writing in spray paint all over the back.  This did, however, seem in keeping with his shabby appearance, dishevelled hair, unshaven and uncared for. His eyes………………………..

 

I could go on, but I think you get the drift.  I could write a short boring sentence, or with a little bit of work and imagination, something that is much more interesting to read, and leaving you wanting to read more.  What about his eyes?  Well, why don’t you try to finish it?  Go on, I bet you can.

 

Number four, the characters in the story.  A boy or girl who is well read, and has enjoyed the experience of books from an early age, will have more mature characters featuring in their work than those children who have not had the same experience.

 

You see, once again we see how important reading is as an aid to story writing. When children have only a limited experience of books, or no experience at all, how can we ask them to write a story and compete with others in the class who have read a lot and have a wealth of experience on which to draw for their characters etc.

 

The characters in a story have to be so credible for the reader, that the writer has to know them better than anyone else. Character profiles or studies are important to the believability of the story and the action within.  If the characters are weak, the story will not hang together very well, and the best way to change this is to write character profiles for those in the story.  Who they are, where do they come from, what physical characteristics do they have, how do they know each other, what are their favourite foods, hobbies, likes, dislikes etc.

 

For the younger children, when they are starting out, there is nothing wrong with them retelling stories they have heard and using the same characters.  They could also use the characters from one story and give them another adventure.  Authors do this all the time.  Popular characters will be in whole series of books with new themes and in different situations.

 

And now, number five, the introduction.  The introduction serves a couple of purposes.  Firstly it introduces the characters to the reader, and secondly, it should capture the reader’s attention within the first paragraph or two, or they may just put the work down and not pick it up again.  Obviously this is not about a teacher marking the work, they are going to finish it and grade it.  Listen, having marked thousands in thirty years, it is far easier and much more enjoyable to mark a good one than it is to mark a bad one!

 

Here I will give you one of my best tips.  The introduction is just to set the scene, introduce the characters, and capture the interest of the reader.  It has nothing to do with the main theme of the story.  I used to give the children in my class a theme for the story like ‘Shipwreck’ or ‘Disaster in Space’, or whatever, but, if they mentioned anything to do with the theme in the introduction, then they were marked down.  That way they learned to write superb introductions, introducing the characters to the reader and capturing the reader’s full attention in the first few paragraphs.

 

On to number six, the main theme.  This is the easiest, it can be about anything.  As long as the characters have credibility, and the introduction is sound, the story can be about anything the child wants.  Who in their right mind would think to write a story about wizards in a school called Hogwarts, and travelling from A to B by jumping into a fireplace, and a train platform that only existed through a wall?  There you go, they can write about anything.

 

Lastly, number seven. I mentioned a story mountain earlier.  If we think about the foothills of the mountain as the introduction, and the mountain as the main theme, then the foothills on the other side have to be the end.  Stories have a start, a middle, and an end.  Quite often it is suitable to end the story by taking the characters back to the setting for the introduction for the ending.  Too often, children end a story too quickly before it has resolved.  This happens a lot with those children with limited experience of reading books.  They do not understand the pattern of a story.  So you see, even right at the end I am still banging on about reading and how important it is to the art of creative writing.

Well, there you go.  I know you can do this, but if you need further help please feel free to visit my Bio below.

 


- Ken Skinner

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) position applications commonly require you to answer four or more knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) questions. A KSA statement is a statement about the unique qualities needed to fill a particular position. Knowing how to write an effective answer to these TSA KSAs can make the difference between getting the job and getting left out.

The TSA uses KSAs to help determine the applicant’s eligibility for the job. In other words, your answer to each KSA tells the TSA whether you would be an appropriate candidate for the job. Well-written answers to KSA statements can land you an interview, whereas poorly written or incomplete answers can disqualify you right off the bat.

Common TSA KSAs

1. Technical Competency: Knowledge of the steps and associated procedures involved in acquiring, deploying, and maintaining security screening systems and technologies.

2. Decisiveness: Exercises good judgment by making sound and well-informed decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; makes effective and timely decisions, even when data are limited or solutions produce unpleasant consequences; is proactive and achievement oriented.

3. Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups (including briefings to industry executives and high level government officials, etc.), listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; facilitates an open exchange of ideas and fosters atmosphere of open communication.

4. Planning and Evaluating: Determines objectives and strategies; organizes work, set priorities, determines resource requirements; coordinates with other parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors and evaluates the progress and outcomes of operational plans; anticipates potential threats or opportunities.

5. Human Resources: Assesses current and future staffing needs based on organizational goals and budget realities. Using merit principles, ensures staff is appropriately selected, developed, utilized, appraised and rewarded; takes corrective action.

6. Leadership: Inspires, motivates and guides others toward goal accomplishment; coaches, mentors, and challenges subordinates; adapts leadership style to a variety of situations models high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, and respect for the individuals by applying these to daily behaviors.

How to Write Successful TSA KSA Responses

Writing TSA KSA answers makes many people nervous - mainly because they don’t know how to respond to these questions. But with the right knowledge you’ll find that writing a winning answer to any KSA is a breeze.

1. Be complete. It is important to answer each KSA completely. Simply saying, “Yes, I have that skill,” will get you nowhere. Treat each KSA like a news article: who, what, why, where, when, and how are all integral parts of the story. Tell the TSA what knowledge or skill you have that satisfies their requirements; where, when, how, and why you got it; and who you got it from. And don’t forget the other how: how your skill relates to what the employer is looking for.

2. Provide concrete examples. A vague assertion that you have the necessary skills for the job is not going to convince a prospective employer. One of the most important aspects to successful KSA responses is providing specific examples of where and when you gained the experience. Be sure to tie your answer back to the KSA statement by stating how your examples give you the skills needed for the job.

3. Be concise. The TSA is not interested in your creative writing abilities, so keep the fluff to a minimum. Answer each KSA in plain language, so that your answers are simple and easy to follow. There is a fine line between answering a KSA completely and sounding like a pompous windbag. Although your KSA answers should be as long as it needs to be to fully answer the question, most answers should be ½ to one page in length.

4. Think outside the box. Even if you think you don’t have any experience to satisfy a certain KSA, don’t leave it blank. Instead, consider other areas of your life that may have given you the necessary skills. Not every KSA must be answered purely with job experience. Training, volunteer work, internships, and academic projects and awards may also demonstrate that you satisfy the requirements of the position.

5. Sell yourself! KSAs give you an opportunity to set yourself apart from other applicants. Use these documents to sell your best qualities - and paint your worst in a more pleasing light. If your answers demonstrate confidence in your abilities, an employer will be much more likely to believe that you can do the job.

6. Edit! Most professional documents require editing and proofreading to verify that they are free of errors. However, unlike other professional documents, your answers to the KSA statements have a lot riding on them: they are your only chance at a good first impression. Therefore, you need to take pains to make sure every word is in its place - no typos, misspellings, or discrepancies between your resume and your KSA answers.

Success Seekers Wanted

KSAs have one purpose: to find the best person for the job. This is the case for all positions, but especially so for the TSA given the high stakes nature of their mission. In order to write successful KSA answers, you need to assume that you are that best person. Take your time with each answer, choose the best examples of your knowledge and experience, and edit your answers until they shine. With the right amounts of confidence and care, your KSA answers will open doors for you that otherwise would have remained closed.


- Jason Kay

Creative writing can be fun and many fiction writers find out the best way to better their writings is to write as much as they can. Creative writing, such as fiction writing or poetry writing is an art. However, there are skills and tools with many different techniques that can be used to develop for writing skills.

To be good at creative writing you need to accept constructive criticism, listen, read many different style of literature and write as much as you can spare the time. To be good at writing requires you to create a specific routine because to be good at writing can very difficult. To be a good fiction writer, you need to be a great story teller. If you are a great story teller you will find many that want to read your work.

www.ipublishabook.com suggest you write about subject you are well verse in. your writings should reflect your experiences in this subject. However, there are some major components that should be included in a good story. Here the seven most important things any good stories should have.

Plot, is the events that take place in the story. A plot usually consists of conflicts. A plot should also continue as the story unfolds. As the story ends a plot usually gets better.

Characters, will be the people or animals that you will include in the story. Characters are usually introduced early in the story. Make sure the character in the story appears with great significance to the reader.

Setting, is the place and time where your story takes place. You have to take your time and describe the setting so your readers can feel and see the place. Set a great a great atmosphere of the story.

Dialogue, is the word the character speaks in the story. A good dialogue can make fiction fun, real and interesting.

Point of view, you can decide first person point of view of the story or a secondary person telling the story or a third person point of view.

Theme, Avery great stories have a theme. Basically this is the main idea or meaning behind a story.

Style, we all have our own style and language. Don’t concentrate too much on the style of writing. Keep focus on the plot of the story.

Whatever rules and regulations you hear about how to write http://www.ipublishabook.com  suggest for you to have fun with your writings. The more you write the better you will get at creative writings, fiction writing or poetry writings. Don’t put too much focus on all these rules. Some of may prevent you from being creative.


- Www.ipublishabook.com

wadays it is possible to find any custom essays or services of custom writings, there are still a lot of people who are eager to learn the art of writing essays. Is it possible to teach somebody to write a creative essay? May be it is. Here we are going to tell you how!

You’ll need for this task books or copies of different ready essays. Also take magazines for students or notebooks, pens and pencils.

And now learn the scheme:

Stage 1

If you want to teach somebody to write different things ? your task is to make the process of writing interesting. Creative writing is another point! One of the secrets is to have as many examples as possible and to read a great number of various essays and written literature forms. At first, try writing without any plans, so that you will be used to putting your ideas into the written form. Try to find funny topics and interesting questions: “What would I do if I were an apple?” or something like “Try to tell about your steps of development as a personality?”

Stage 2

Break down the mystery of an essay. The problem is that very often people imagine essays just in form of boring, serious writings on scientific or educational topics. As the result, they have no desire to do such things or to learn how to do them. In this case your task is to show them their mistake ? show that essay topics can be various, and the style can be not so strict. Let them write on any topics they want. Teach people creativity; show them how to use imagination. Some people cannot write well because they cannot cross the limits of the essay’s rigid structure. Explain that it is possible to write in a creative way, forgetting some unnecessary limitations.

Stage 3

Many creative essays are often written in the 1st person: under these essays we mean various unusual biographies and auto-biographies. Give your “pupils” some examples of such essays. Let them study these writings and then ask them different questions related to the essays: what things or sentences were the most interesting for them, what images seemed evocative and memorable. We recommend you to start with emotional and intuitive variants of writing and only then try to embody some rules and structural tips; show them some terms. When the people will get used to the 1st person style, it will be much easier to write from the 3d person.

Stage 4

Teach to experiment not only with the form of an essay, but also with its look on the page. Some people are quite sure that each line must be a full sentence. It is not right! Sentences are not to have a strict order. Firstly, the results will not be the best; still the thing is that it is more difficult to cope with “free style” than with sharp limits and rules. Essay is not a poem, but at the same time it has its own structure. Moreover, there are many tricks in literature and in writing which will help to catch the attention of the readers and to make your essay interesting. Grammar, stylistic and punctuation norms are also of great importance.

- Gen Wright

One of the main questions asked about resumes is, “Do I have to include everything on one page?” The most common misconception of resume writing is that your entire professional history has to fit within one A4 page of white paper.

The truth is, the resume should be well written and concise, and should promote your qualifications in the best possible light. This is sometimes impossible to do in one page. Thus, a resume can extend to multiple pages, with some consideration depending on your career level.

1.Be concise.

This is critical. Do not use lengthy sentences and paragraph forms to disclose your experience and your education. Employers want straight forward statements that highlight your qualifications. A resume is not a place to show your creative writing skills.

2.Perfect your resume.

You have second to catch your potential employer’s attention. Make sure that your resume is properly formatted, and you are not trying to fit too much copy on a single page of paper. Create appropriate and professional sections for your resume. Your potential employer is more concerned with the look and content of your resume than with its length.

3.Keep it short and focus

Longer is not better when you don’t have the experience to meet your career objective. If you are new to the job market, are changing careers, or you’ve only had one job, stick to a one page resume.

If you don’t have the experience to meet your career objective, no matter the reason, do not apologize for it. Don’t try to fill up your resume with irrelevant content; instead do your best to highlight your transferable skills, and stick to the short and sweet.

3.Do not exceed two pages

Unless you are applying for an executive-level job, or are composing curriculum vitae, your resume should not exceed two pages.

The purpose of a well-written resume is to sell you as the best candidate for the job with a confident and a straight-forward approach. Do not oversell your skills. Do not list more than three to five previous positions you’ve help.

Stick to those skills and experiences that best meet the job requirements and your career objective. The most relevant information has to be included on the first page.

The second page should be numbered, with your contact information included as well (just in case the pages are separated when printed, you don’t want your potential employer to discard the second page of your resume completely).

If you find yourself going over two pages, review your resume and make sure that you are not incorporating information that is irrelevant to your goals or to the position you are seeking.

4.Statements should be applicable to the job

Make sure that your professional history warrants a resume that is three pages or longer. As mentioned above, unless you are a senior- or executive-level professional, or you are composing curriculum vitae, your resume should not extend to over two pages.

If you have a longer resume, you will have to make sure that every statement on the resume is applicable to your career goals.

If you have had decades of leadership experience for example, demonstrate that using the reverse chronological resume style and only list those jobs that best qualify you for the position you are seeking. If you need to include an extensive list of publications or certifications, your resume can take up more than three pages.

Make sure that the important information is still listed on the first page. This includes your career objective and professional profile, and your current or most recent professional experience. All subsequent pages need to be numbered, and include your contact information in the heading.


- Paul Hata

Does Your Theme Contain Character, Conflict, Resolution? Eight Ways To Write Better Instantly.

Creative Writing Tips – 

For a theme to work and the story, which will revolve around the theme, it has to contain three things… 

1. Character 

2. Conflict 

3. Resolution 

What’s the reason for this? 

If your theme doesn’t contain these three essential elements, then you won’t be writing a proper short story. It might turn out to be an essay instead. 

Because without… 

1) Characters 

You can’t achieve emotional depth. Readers become engrossed in stories because of the characters in them. They either become the character (sympathize), or read about an interesting person (empathize). 

Emotional depth is achieved when readers use their imagination and senses and/or experiences to live the story through the characters. 

2) Conflict 

Your story will be boring. Why? Without conflict, something to stir things up, nothing happens. And a story, in which nothing happens, is one not worth writing about. 

Your characters don’t lead carefree lives. Well, not in the instance you are writing about them. In that part of their lives they are faced with a problem. They want something and can’t get it because of the conflict, which is preventing them to do so. 

And it’s that conflict and the struggle the characters has to undergo that keeps us readers interested and in suspense. Will the character succeed or won’t he? And when is this all going to happen? And how is it all going to happen? 

3) Resolution 

Something that starts has to finish, one way or another. 

Once you have created great characters, which the reader will come to care about, and you have placed them in conflict, that conflict at the end of your story has to be resolved. The characters will achieve their goals or they won’t. 

That doesn’t matter. 

You can end your story as you please and as it suits your story – but you have to end it. Ending the story means resolving the conflict. 

Does your theme contain character, conflict, resolution? 

Eight Ways To Write Better Instantly

Is it possible to improve your writing instantly? The answer, happily, is “yes.” 

While researching a book on famous speeches and essays, I found eight easily correctable mistakes writers often make. Here they are…and how to correct them instantly. 

1. UNFOCUSED SUBJECT – Focus on a single theme only. Every sentence and paragraph should reinforce that topic. 

2. TOO LONG – Abraham Lincoln crafted his Gettysburg Address in less than 300 words. Unless I’m specifically asked to do otherwise, I try to condense my work to one double-spaced single page (about 250 words). 

3. WEAK PREMISE – Can you state the major focus of your message in 20 words or less? 

4. NO ATTENTION-GRABBER – The first sentence or two must quickly attract the reader. Two ways to do this: (a) ask a question or (b) reveal a discovery. 

5. UNLINKED PARAGRAPHS – Each paragraph should logically lead to the next. One way some writers do this: (a) quickly write several paragraphs on a subject; ((b) prioritize them; (c) present them in descending order from most important to least important; (d) conclude by restating the two or three most important points. 

6. PASSIVE VERBS – Passive verbs like is, am, was, and were simply exist. Action verbs run, jump, excite, and motivate. 

7. BORE FACTOR – Some research says the average adult attention span is only eight seconds. So it’s important to make your points convincingly, and end your paper powerfully. 

8. WEAK ENDING – Exit your report like an experienced stage performer…leave your audience wanting more. Two ways to do this: (a) use a famous quote to reinforce your conclusion, or (b) give details showing the reader where to get more information on the subject. (Examples: your phone, fax, e-mail, etc.) 


- mantosh

Creative ideas come easy for extremely talented people but even the most creative person has those episodes of creative drought. That’s the period equivalent to a writer’s block where no matter how much one tries hard, really really hard to concentrate and put himself in a creative mood, no idea comes out!  If you are one of those people who are in the industry which requires them to come up with great ideas, here are some tips to keep your creative juices flowing:

1.)    Rest your mind once in a while. If you have been thinking all day long for a bright concept yet your creative light bulb is still off, don’t force it! Forget about the concept or the deadline for a while. Take a quick nap, read a book you like, go out for a walk, take a long bath, whatever works for you. Do not even think of work while you are doing this because that would defeat the purpose. I know this may be difficult if the deadline is very near but doing this is never a wasted time. Being in the creative platform for too long can drain your senses. Putting the idea on the back burner can stimulate the creative subconscious.



2.)    Be observant and feel the world around you. Do not limit on the visuals. Observe everything around you using all your senses. Notice the colors of nature, the patterns that you see around you, the sound of your neighborhood, and the feel of your walls. These activities help fuel your creativity. It is like creating a blue print and storing them in your creative bank. It is no wonder that the most creative people are the most observant and sensual as well.

3.)    Carry a pen and paper wherever you go. You can also use a palm pilot, organizer, or even your cellular phone-anything that you can easily write your thoughts on. Many bright ideas come to us anytime during the day. Sometimes when these bright ideas visit us, we tend to mark it on our heads but most of the time, they are forgotten.  Next time, when an idea visits you, write them down before they get lost in your head.



4.)    Read, read, read. And I do not just mean the “creative” books. Read all kinds of books and paper you get your hands on. Read the daily paper, read a new novel, read blogs, read the text on the can of soda you are holding, most importantly read the kind of books you don’t like reading. Each has something to offer to your imagination and the way you view things. The books which aren’t your interest could open you up to different kinds of worlds and ideas.



5.)    Enroll in classes that could help develop creativity. May it be painting, creative writing, theater, or any art course. Not only will this enhance your creative thinking skills, it could also serve as a good outlet for your talents. I guess the point is to learn and experience something new each day in order for you not to be stuck. This is very necessary for one to be creative.


- Marion Isobel

sometimes said that the creative mind is a free mind, and I find that to be absolutely true. Enjoying a mid-summer breeze with nothing but a notebook and a pencil can be an exhilarating, if not euphoric experience. Creativity is often shrugged off as something people are born with, but I believe we all have a “creative us” deep down inside. You don’t have to necessarily be a writer to take full advantage of the wonders that writing can produce. Doing this daily or even weekly can dramatically increase your mood, and help you to catalog your feelings and cope with stress better.

Starting a journal is a great way to begin the writing for self help process, as you’ll be taking events from your day and expressing how you reacted to them or how they made you feel. Even the smallest parts of your day can have a profound effect on you when you take the time to look back and reflect on them. I find that keeping organized dates and logs of my events allows me to plan better for the future, and make better decisions based on my past actions. Also, it’s highly entertaining to go back and read your journals as it’s almost like a novel of your life. When compared to other forms of writing for self help, starting a journal truly takes a top spot for the most rewarding.

Another type of writing that helps tremendously with coping or stress is poetry. Just a few lines of deep, heart-felt words can be very soothing on the mind and the soul. Contrary to popular belief, a poem doesn’t have to rhyme. By simply letting out a few lines about your day, you’ll have a very nice catalog of your feelings in no time. Even if your poem is just ‘I saw the sun today, it was gorgeous’, this is an awesome description of how you felt. Later, you’ll return to your journal in times of need, as the “true you” cannot help but be revealed through creative writing.

Find a quiet place to relax with a notebook, and write about how your day went today. What’s the most exciting thing that happened to you? Did you laugh? Did you cry? How did you feel when you woke up? Answering these kinds of questions in your journal is the first step to using creativity for self help, and believe me, you’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll feel for doing it. For mor self help tips visit http://www.booksonselfhelp.com


- Darrell Banks