|
You Can Help |
|
Your support keeps the site running and helps us create a better Write Spot.
|
|
Home  Write Spot News The News Desk 07.07.08
|
The News Desk 07.07.08 |
|
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Monday, 07 July 2008 |
 Note from the Editor
Dear Write Spot Members and Guests,
So after the longest hiatus ever, here we are. I can only apologize countless times for my extremely drawn out absense... for one reason or another, I kind of forgot about our beloved Write Spot. Busy work schedules, severe lack of time, and other personal reasons play into the equation. But the greatest thing is that I see that not everyone has forgotten about the Write Spot, a small project that I started more than 2 years ago. I have received a few emails which I very much appreciated, because it reminded me that Writespot.org actually means something to a few people.
In my absense, I also noticed a lot of new members -- 200 more than I can remember. How embarrassing that the site continues to grow, even though the irresponsible editor didn't log on for months, or even gave this website a thought! But, my friends, you can expect a less forgetful editor and a lot more updates.
Why believe me now? Hasn't this all been said in the past? Weren't promises broken or forgetten before?
All I can say is that a few changes, including this very column, has been made in an attempt to keep the Write Spot moving fast and mad like the Energizer bunny. As much as I love working on the site, updates are extremely time consuming, and keeping up with a large roster of members isn't always easy. The changes made to the site will enable our small staff to do quicker updates and bring a little more organization to the site.
So here it is! The News Desk... brand spankin' new. What the heck is it? Read on to find out!
Before we move on, I want to extend a warm welcome to our new members. Feel free to say hello at the forums! I think antryg is waiting for you. (You are, aren't you?)
And a special thanks to Melody for trying her very best to maintain the website while I was away.
Regards,
Helene
Introducing our Latest Column: The News Desk
In an attempt to keep the site updated frequently, we introduce to The News Desk, the latest addition to the Write Spot family.
What is the News Desk?
It's a weekly update that contains a little of everything. A short message from the team, comments from our members, random images, writing tips, silly news, and more. Just a little something thrown together, as you'll see in the next few sections.
What happens to the other columns?
The other columns will remain pretty much the same, but on a slightly different schedule. You'll find out in the "FYI..." segment of this first entry in The News Desk.
What is the purpose of adding this new column?
We're hoping to get frequent visitors to our site. After all, the vision of the Write Spot from the very beginning was to open a platform for writers and enthusiasts to come together. We can't do this without members and regular users. So in hopes of giving you more to think about, we bring you The News Desk. The intent is to have more people visit the forum area, communicate through the chat box, send private messages, and submit items to the website.
FYI...
The new schedule! Here we go...
Week 1: The News Desk
Week 2: New Issue
Week 3: The News Desk + PSST!
Week 4: The News Desk + Poetry Corner
Also, in each entry to The News Desk, we'll put out requests for articles. To be quite frank, we don't get very many user-submitted articles. Not that submissions are required from our members, we certainly welcome them. I spoke to one of our members not too long ago, and she told me that she'd love to submit an article, but she couldn't think of anything to write about. So to get the juices flowing, we'll give you actual topics and/or titles to work with.
With that said, here are a few topics / titles you can work on. Send submissions through the site or email to
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
- Fiction: Creating Evil Characters (The Importance of Strong Antagonists)
- Film / Movie Review of your choice
- Getting Published on the Web
- Earning a Living as a Writer: You Need More than just Business Cards!
- Writing Children's Fiction
- How to Increase Your Vocabulary
- 10 Habits of Successful Writers (or any number, for that matter)
- A Writers' Journey (Your Personal Journey as a Writer)
Send us your pictures or images! We'll post it here in a future News Desk entry. Jokes, comments, questions, anecdotes, and writing tips are also encouraged and welcome. Send a Private Message to helene or admin, or email
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Tip of the Week
Looking for more ways to earn income as a writer? Choose your specialty and hold a workshop! It's nowhere near as difficult as it sounds. Visit your local high school or community college and ask if they hold workshops for adult learners, and find out how you can become an instructor. Usually, schools a variety of short classes a few times a year. In fact, you may have received flyers or brochures in the mail from your local school.
You can charge a nominal fee for holding a workshop or seminar, anywhere from $25 to a few hundred dollars, depending on what you're teaching and how long the class runs. Of course, you want to only teach on the topic you know. For example, if you're good with writing business plans, hold a workshop. But don't teach a class about creating a newsletter if you have no experience or knowledge on doing so.
How to SAVE GAS!
I read an interesting article in my local newspaper on how the world has gone insane since the national average has reached $4 a gallon. If you're suffering along with the rest of us, here's a few ways to save gas.
GET NEW TIRES. If your tires are overdue, get rid of them and get new ones as fast as you can! Bad tires are actually terrible for fuel economy because your car has to work a lot harder to get itself moving. Old, balding tires can account for a large reduction when it comes to miles per gallon.
LIGHTEN THE LOAD. What are you carrying in your car? A lot of people cart around useless items that they don't use or don't use often enough to cart around all the time. Clear up that cargo space and get rid of any extra weight. Carry only what you need. If you use it less than a few times a month, stow it away in your garage. You can always put it back in your car when you need it.
TRADE IN or GET A NEW CAR. If you're due for a new car, or are coming close to it, get a fuel efficient vehicle. The Honda Fit and Civic get over 30 miles per gallon, and if you need something larger, the Accord gets decent gas mileage, even if you opt for the V6 engine. DON'T go for the SUV or large truck unless you ABSOLUTELY NEED IT, no matter how attractive the deal. Gas isn't getting any cheaper, folks! But think long and hard if you're trading in a newer vehicle, especially those with engines V6 or larger. The trade value isn't that great right now, and the depreciation of a vehicle is greatest in its first three years. After that, depreciation levels off. Make sure the decision you make will actually pay off later.
Beware of What you Say (or Type)!
If you're like most people, you don't always proof the emails you send. Silly mistakes can be made, and if it's not caught, you might make yourself out to look, well, dumb. Here's an excerpt from an email I just received from one of my coworkers:
"He will come to see you around 2 or so. Don't worry, I told him to call if he is going to be late and he said okay. Also, I also told him to bring his license and insurance so the paperwork should go pretty fast. But don't forget to make photocopies because accounting will give us hell."
Around 2 or so? The word "around" suggests that it will be 2 o'clock or so before her client shows up. The "or so" part should definitely be eliminated. I'm sure you caught the mistake in the second paragraph. Believe it or not, a lot of people make this mistake. They say "also" too many times in a sentence, or add an unnecessary "too" to the "also". And photo copies is two words!
The point here is that my coworker is pretty smart and polished. But if I didn't know her, maybe I would've thought differently. Who knows? Let's not risk it. Always proof before you send!
I'm Watching You...
Don't forget that someone is ALWAYS watching, even if you think no one is paying attention. At a restaurant last week, I saw a woman eat a grape that rolled off her plate onto the floor. The same day, as I was approaching a red light, I saw a very pretty woman driving a minivan one lane over and behind me sniffing her underarm. I only saw this because I happened to glance at my rearview mirror. And just the other day, I saw a man at the bank staring so intently at a woman's ass while waiting in line.
Remember, when you're out, you're never alone! So go pick your nose or other areas of your body in private.
See or hear anything funny lately? We'd love to hear about it! Send it in to
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
or PM to admin or editor.
On a Final Note
We're no longer on a biweekly schedule for new issues. Issues are now MONTHLY, so you can expect a brand new issue next Monday. All other Mondays will feature The News Desk.
Don't forget to send your comments, questions, and stories to
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
!
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 07 July 2008 )
|
|
|
Newsletter Center |
Stay informed! Subscribe to our newsletters. Select a newsletter from the drop-down menu below:
|
|
|
|
|
PSST! |
|
Psst: Ramblings of the Squirrel Squad
Presents
|
|
Welcome User |
|
Welcome to our newest member, Arabela |
|
