Poor Judgement
Like the leaves of a tree
I may seem so healthy
But deep within my branches
I am not
Like the face of a clown
It may seem like I don’t frown
But does that mean I’m never sad
I think not
You can never tell how a person is
When you only check on their appearances
You have to know them deep within
You have to be their friend
About the Author: hi! i’m a high school student in de le salle zobel school. I enjoy writting poems and i would like to publish them… hopefully, someday, i would like to have a book containning all poems published… hope you like my poems
Source: www.isnare.com
Writing a book - tips from an author #10
Symbolism and your novel
Every work of fiction contains symbolism, at least at some
level. You may think you are writing a bluff, no-nonsense gritty
factual history, and yet there will be readers who can analyze
what you wrote and extract a symbolism that may astound you. You
may even end up wondering ‘how did I write that?’! Your
characters, the things they do, the places and situations you
set them in are all powerful opportunities for symbolism,
whether you want it or not, and you should at the very least be
aware of this phenomenon. The most successful novels inspire
human urges and drives by that very symbolism - an example would
be the bizarre fact that private school numbers in the UK have
risen since the publication of the ‘Harry Potter’ novels! This
is not to say that UK parents are so weird they think they are
sending their kids to a ’school for magic’, it is the SYMBOLISM
that attracts them - the idea of adventure amongst a group of
friends, in an environment that is at the same time stimulating,
yet controlled.
The reason for the presence of symbolism in everything we write
is, of course, fairly obvious. We draw on our own experiences
and imagination when writing, and we are all part of the culture
in which we live. Cultures, by definition, have strong symbolic
themes running through them, and these themes have a tendency to
resurface regularly in order to reinforce the culture. In many
ways, you can’t help applying your culture-specific experiences
to the actions and drives of your characters - after all, YOU
are writing it, and the internal voice that tells you what to
write down is part and parcel of all that makes you YOU. If you
try and go against your own internal promptings, you may find
that your writing becomes stale, or unconvincing. Your internal
symbols may very well be the most powerful writing tool you
possess!
There is a theory that every story can be reduced down to this:-
There is a problem, the problem gets solved. At www.GetPlotted.com we
believe you can go a step further - the solving of a problem is
in all cases actually a search for identity on the part of the
characters doing the solving. The identities of your characters
start off as a reflection of their position in society (or lack
thereof!). Comedy typically involves a character moving from an
isolated position (poverty, misunderstanding, social inability)
to a position of acceptance - the so called ‘happy ending’. A
tragedy, on the other hand, tends to show a character moving
from social acceptance to a state of isolation.
Likewise, the meta-symbolism of a story may involve the
restoration or saving of an entire society, in which case the
protagonists have a heroic role, a concept stretching all the
way back to the Greeks. The dangers faced by the hero are
symbols of the dangers everyone must face in everyday life. This
is not to say that we all must fight monsters or evil cattle
barons on a daily basis, but that the hero’s actions are a
symbol for our own daily struggles, ‘writ large’. Avoiding going
too ‘over the top’ is one of the most important lessons that you
can learn at www.GetPlotted.com, because
there is no faster way to alienate an audience than to
mis-manipulate their comfortable symbols. Most people, if they
understand this at all, only do so on an unconscious level,
which is, of course, why story telling has such a powerful role
in our society.
The symbolism of surprise is also a strong undercurrent in most
cultures. People generally know what it is like to be surprised,
and this is why the ‘twist in the tale’ story is such a powerful
genre. By experiencing second-hand these surprises, and the way
the protagonists deal with them, people subconsciously get a
warm feeling, perhaps even an intimation that they could also
now deal with a surprise of that kind, should it arise. We’ll
look a little more closely at symbolism in the next article.
If
If only I can embrace you
and keep you from the harms of this world…
if only my arms would be enough
to protect you from the blinding influences…
If only I can make things right
and shield you from the wrongs……
and the pain and that the years…
But I can’t… I’m just as human as you are
that’s why I’m here standing strong today
because I faced up to the battle
and came wounded but unscathed…
But I’ll be around, each time you hit the ground
in each why’s and how-could-it-be’s
I’ll shade of tree.
If only I have the power
to exempt you from every despair
and every anguish and every truth…
but then you’ll miss out on the virtues
and the depth and the courage
which are all but by-products of each fall the rise from…
Yes I’ll be around each time you graze the ground
to say… I love you… still and always.
September 2001
About the Author: wILLIAM RAMOS asks of your opinion on all the articles he publishes here.Feel free to text your comments or suggestions or possible reprint of his work @ +63917 496 27 68 OR EMAIL @ pogieramos@yahoo.com or at pogiedman@yahoo.com
Source: www.isnare.com
Best Writing Advice I Ever Got
I’ve been in the communications business a long time…over 25 years. During that period I’ve gathered writing suggestions from all over, and put much of it in my new book “Words That Stick.”
In the next few paragraphs, I’ll give you some of the best advice I’ve received. Perhaps some of this will help you write better instantly.
Writing is a one-to-one communication. The best writing literally comes alive. It makes the reader believe the writer is speaking to him or her alone.
I hope you enjoy this list of tips. After you read them, try a few out.
1. The headline - or heading - of a report is the most important part. Research tells us it’s read four times as much as the rest of the copy. That’s why it’s gotta be really good.
2. My favorite headlines are slightly incongruous. They just don’t quite make sense. That’s what forces me to read more.
3. One of the strongest first sentences is one that asks a question. Example: “Do you have these symptoms of fatigue?”
4. It appears that the faster the world moves, the more readers gravitate to short copy. Most of us are looking for quick explanations and simple solutions. Can you provide those to your reader?
5. Readers generally quit reading because they get bored. Therefore, each paragraph should be exciting, logical, and compel the reader to keep going.
6. One of the best ways to convince the reader to agree with you is to provide testimonials. A testimonial is someone else’s validation of your product or service.
7. The ending to a report should sound natural to the reader. If you begin the ending well - by signaling your readers you’re nearing the conclusion - they will know to expect it in the next few sentences.
Rix Quinn’s new book “Words That Stick” offers lots more writing ideas. You can order it through your local bookstore, or through Ten Speed Press http://www.tenspeed.com/catalog/all/item.php3?id=1661
Be Prepared: Working With a Professional Speaker
The responsibility for choosing the speakers who will make a meeting or conference a valuable and dynamic event is a challenge faced regularly throughout the business community. If you are the one in your organization with this task, I offer some tips to arranging for the speakers that could make the difference between a routine event or a memorable learning and growing experience.
First know what you want to accomplish. Then look for an expert in that field.
Once you find the speaker most suitable for your needs, contact between the meeting planner and the speaker prior to the presentation is necessary.
When calling a speaker, be prepared!
l. What is the date, time and location of your event? Is there flexibility?
Many meetings are planned before the search for a speaker begins and this could result in difficulty in getting the speaker you most desire. If you make your initial call to the speaker with two or three optional dates you will have a better chance of getting a commitment from the desired speaker.
2. What is the time available ?
Professional speakers start and finish on schedule and deliver an appropriate amount of material in the allotted time. Too much material in too short a time leaves participants tired and confused. Too little information results in a bored and disinterested audience who leave the meeting lacking energy and commitment to implement the information into their lives. The time must fit the topic content to leave the participants motivated and energized.
3. What topic is required ? Why are you having this meeting ? What new information and skills do you hope to have the participants acquire ?
The clearer you can be with your expectations the better the chance that your needs will be met. Giving your speaker the benefits you hope to achieve with the individuals involved help her plan the material to best suit the situation.
4. What is the financial budget? How will this be spent?
Speakers have fees for their services. The price is influenced by the length of the presentation, the handouts required and the size of the audience. Some speakers negotiate the cost of workbooks and handouts. Payment of travel, meal and hotel expenses is expected and can be billed after the event or sent as a retainer. Often conference planners arrange for the speakers’ expenses to be charged to the conference account.
5. Is money already available or does it have to be approved?
Professional speakers require a retainer fee to hold the date. The balance is expected prior to or at the presentation. Details of payment will be spelled out in the contract provided by the speaker.
6. What audio visual equipment do you have available?
Arranging for the equipment needed by the speaker are part of the planners’ job and their cost is part of budgeting. The requirements will be included in the contract and are the responsibility of the meeting planner.
7. What facilities do you have available?
A conference with many speakers often includes a hospitality suite in the hotel. Invite your speakers to use this facility prior to their presentation, especially if overnight accommodation is not provided. A few moments to prepare personally before the presentation and knowing your speaker has arrived will settle any last minute concerns. This also can give the introducing person a few moments to get acquainted with the speaker.
8. What are the names the speaker will need to know to find the right place and prepare their presentation?
An individual who greets, introduces and thanks the speaker and assists with any handouts or audio visual equipment is a treat for the speaker. Checking the microphone, lights and other equipment with the speaker will help get the event on track and avoid distracting interruptions later.
9. What feedback opportunities do you want?
Speakers often bring their own feedback sheets to gather opinions from the audience. As a planner, do you want separate evaluation forms to see if the speaker met your expectations? What information will you want from these and who is to be responsible for them?
10. Is the speaker going to sell books, CD’s, tapes, posters etc.?
Some companies will not allow product sales at their meetings while others encourage it. What policy do you have about this? Be sure the speaker knows your policy.
With some careful planning you will arrange a first class event that provides the desired benefits to enhance your companies conference and meeting sessions.
Marilyn Barnicke Belleghem M.Ed., is a registered marriage and family therapist and consults to families in business on issues related to workplace relationships. She is the author of books on personal growth through travel and presents to audiences both large and small. http://www.questpublishing.ca