7 Ways to Use Brain Science to Hook Readers Writing and brain science Story is universal. There isn’t a society on earth that doesn’t tell stories. It’s no wonder, because stories captivate us in a way nothing else can. And yet, until recently, story was primarily seen as a delightful form of entertainment. Wrong! It turns out story has been crucial to our survival from day one. In the same way that food tastes good so we’ll eat it, stories are entertaining so we’ll pay attention to them. Curiosity is the trigger. In other words, the desire to find out what happens next. This information is a game changer for writers. So, with that in mind, let’s explore 7 ways your story can hook the reader’s brain. 1. Surprise gets our attention by defying our expectations. That’s exactly how a story grabs the brain’s attention: by instantly letting us know that all is not as it seems – yes, beginning with the opening sentence. The reader’s first question is: “What’s this story about?” 2. 3. Why is this so important? 4. The same is true of a story.
7 Excellent Tools to Publish Students Work There is nothing much rewarding for students than to see their accomplished work being published and celebrated with others. This is very much motivating and is a strong impetus for them to achieve more and work harder. There are several online tools that you as a teacher can use to host your students work and share them with the whole class and as well as parents .Below are some tools that can help you do that. 1- Flipsnack Fipsnack is an online flipping book software that allows you to convert PDF documents into Flash page flip digital publications ideal for publishing students work. 2- Issuu This is another popular website where you can upload and share your students work very easily and for free. 3- Tikatok Tikatok lets you easily create an unlimited books online . 4- Mixbook Mixbook lets you make completely customizable photo books, yearbooks, cards, and calendars and many more. 5- ePub Bud 6- Lulu Lulu is a website that lets you publish print books and ebooks for free. 7- Other tools
Writer's Café fiction writing software - novels - screenwriting - short stories - creative fun Passions for Fashion | Bloggers Delight 4 Rules for Setting Designations off with Commas by Mark Nichol Where do commas go in the vicinity of references to city and state names, or when identifying a date? Is a comma necessary before Jr. or II after a person’s name, or between a corporate name and a tag like Inc.? 1. In a city-and-state (or city-and-nation) construction, the state is set off from the city by a pair of commas: “A point near Rugby, North Dakota, is the geographic center of North America.” (Note that DC, like all other abbreviations consisting of two or more uppercase letters, requires no punctuation. When should you list a state or nation in addition to the name of a city, and which cities are familiar enough that their location does not need to be further specified? Companies and organizations that regularly publish content featuring references to geographic locations should establish, as part of a style guide, a list of names of cities that stand on their own and those that should be accompanied by the name of a state or nation. 2. 3. 4.
10 Writing Tips from the Masters As the world becomes increasingly digital, writing becomes more important. This is especially true for non-writers. If you work in an office, the majority of your communications are made with text by email or IM.Whether you like it or not, your ability to exchange ideas, collaborate with others, and ultimately succeed, hinges on the ability to write effectively.Earlier this week, K. Stone laid out a process to help you write faster, better, and easier. To follow up, here are 10 timeless tips to help you improve style and substance, straight from the pens of humanity’s finest authors. 1. I try to leave out the parts that people skip. Unless you’re writing for personal reasons alone, you need to consider the attention of your readers. Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very;” your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. I used to feel that using words like “really”, “actually”, or “extremely” made writing more forceful. 9.
Lilly's Style 13, Dorothy Parker At the time of this interview, Mrs. Parker was living in a midtown New York hotel. She shared her small apartment with a youthful poodle that had the run of the place and had caused it to look, as Mrs. Parker said apologetically, somewhat “Hogarthian”: newspapers spread about the floor, picked lamb chops here and there, and a rubber doll—its throat torn from ear to ear—which Mrs. Parker lobbed left-handed from her chair into corners of the room for the poodle to retrieve—as it did, never tiring of the opportunity. The room was sparsely decorated, its one overpowering fixture being a large dog portrait, not of the poodle, but of a sheepdog owned by the author Philip Wylie, and painted by his wife. Readers of this interview, however, will find that Mrs. Your first job was on Vogue, wasn’t it? After my father died there wasn’t any money. What kind of work did you do at Vogue? I wrote captions. Why did you change to Vanity Fair? Mr. How long did you stay at Vanity Fair? Four years. Mr. Yes.
25 Insights on Becoming a Better Writer When George Plimpton asked Ernest Hemingway what the best training for an aspiring writer would be in a 1954 interview, Hem replied, “Let’s say that he should go out and hang himself because he finds that writing well is impossibly difficult. Then he should be cut down without mercy and forced by his own self to write as well as he can for the rest of his life. At least he will have the story of the hanging to commence with.” Today, writing well is more important than ever. So what can we do to improve our writing short of hanging ourselves? 1. Don’t just plan to write—write. 2. [The] Resistance knows that the longer we noodle around “getting ready,” the more time and opportunity we’ll have to sabotage ourselves. 3. Find your best time of the day for writing and write. 4. Work on a computer that is disconnected from the internet. 5. Find a subject you care about and which you in your heart feel others should care about. 6. 7. Hone your outline and then cling to it as a lifeline. 8. 9.
Make Your Own Summer Sandals | annekata For this idea, the spiral scarf pattern had to wait a few more days. SHOES. I’ve always wanted to make shoes. Summer shoes are a challenge for me. Why have I converted? Materials:- flip flops (preferably used)- scissors- piece of chalk or marker - craft knife- heavy duty waterproof glue- recycled t-shirts- screw driver- flat butter knife or thin plastic ruler to stuff fabric into the soles. Make: Cut the rubber bits at the point where they come through the sole. These holes will be used for the ties around your ankles. Take a long strip (2in wide and long enough to wrap around you ankle) and knot one end. Make 2 horizontal slits on each side of the the foam sole of your flip flop. Cut 2 strips of t-shirts 3″ wide and approx. 8″ long. Stuff the strips into the incision you’ve made crossing them over the foot. When you are happy with the look, glue the strips in place, following the direction for the glue you are using. Clamp together and wait an hour or two, until the glue is really dry.
Character Weaknesses, Flaws and Failures Create Plot Character’s strengths and weaknesses influence plot, character relationships and how well we like a character. Before you decide on these, think about how these characteristics will ripple through the story. Character Strengths and Weaknesses Inherited or Acquired?Are your character’s strengths and weaknesses inherited or acquired? Think carefully about a character’s weaknesses and strengths, because it has great impact on plotting. Writer Beware ® Blogs! Proofreading and Editing Training Course On Your Mark: Professional Proofreading and Editing Available Formats One-Day Course Two-Day Course Course Overview "There is a chance they're going to their summer house." Beyond the number of words that sound alike but have different meanings, there are abundant trouble spots that make the tasks of proofreading and editing absolutely crucial skills in the workplace. Program Objectives At the program's conclusion, participants should be able to: Explain the difference between proofreading and editing. The following outline highlights some of the course's key learning points. Workshop Outline Time to Get in Shape: When Writing Needs a Workout Although business moves quickly and sometimes there is a need to think and act fast, there is one instance in which putting on the brakes is absolutely essential. Mirror, Mirror: What Others Will See Using the Equipment in the Gym: Learning the Symbols of Proofing and Editing Follow Your Leaders: Using a Style Sheet and Style Guide
Four Ways to Keep the Passion for Writing | Write Anything 15 Nov 2011 by Annie Evett in Annie Evett, Editors | 1 comment Inspiration and passion can’t be bought in a bottle, though I’m sure many have sought it at the bottom of one. No-one can give you more passion or inspiration. It has to come from deep inside you. With NaNoWriMo mania well and truly gripping writers around the globe, many find the challenge and pressure of writing to a strict time-limit and wordcount too extreme and drop out, citing they lost their passion for writing. Although there is no quick-fix solution to this quandary, review these four tips on uncovering or rediscovering your passion for writing, before NaNoWriMo is over. Surround yourself with the greats. Immerse yourself with great things. It doesn’t hurt either to surround yourself with the works of writers whom you aspire to, or whose works hold a deep connection. Know your why Make a list of the compelling reasons you have to write. Without a list which is infused with passion, your drive will dwindle. Take a break.