10 Obscure Punctuation Marks That Should Really Get More Play Recently, we were apprised of a proposed addition to the world of punctuation: the “ElRey Mark,” a symbol that looks a bit like an exclamation point with a dot at each end. As weird as it looks, we actually think it sounds pretty useful — the mark is meant to be read as “somewhere between the deadpan period and the excitable exclamation point.” That is, it’s the perfect punctuation mark for every polite email you’ll ever send. In honor of the ElRey, we’ve put together a list of ten obscure punctuation marks that we’d love to see in print more often. The ElRey Mark This little two-headed exclamation point should be used when you’re cheery, but not over-the-top excited.
Alternative Sleep Cycles: You Don’t Really Need 6-8 Hours! Most people only think that there is one way to sleep: Go to sleep at night for 6-8 hours, wake up in the morning, stay awake for 16-18 hours and then repeat. Actually, that is called a monophasic sleep cycle, which is only 1 of 5 major sleep cycles that have been used successfully throughout history. The other 4 are considered polyphasic sleep cycles due to the multiple number of naps they require each day. Well the most important of every sleep cycle is the Stage 4 REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which has been shown to provide the benefits of sleep to the brain above all other stages of sleep. This way, you still get the benefits of 8 hours of sleep without wasting all of the time it takes to get to REM cycles, resulting in a much more efficient sleep cycle. Uberman Cycle: 20 to 30 minute naps every 4 hours, resulting in 6 naps each day. Everyman Cycle: One longer “core” nap that is supplemented with several 20-30 minute naps. Dymaxion Cycle: Biphasic/Siesta Cycle: – Hang in there.
Motivational Quote Monday (28 Photos) » The Drop Kings Start your week on a positive note with some motivational quotes… For some more inspiration check out some motivating posters illustrated by Ryan McArthur… Basic HTML That Everyone Should Know For some of you, HTML (hyper-text markup language) is as foreign a language as when you first learned to read and write. This article is for you. For those of us who have been working with HTML for over 10 years, this article will not apply. However, there is a growing number of writers and contributors to content sites that have never spent time with HTML, because their expertise is in writing and editing, and not necessarily formatting articles for online publication. These days though, if you’re a freelance writer, you are probably being asked to submit your articles through some kind of CMS (content management system), whether it be WordPress, Joomla! Some of the main issues come into play when a writer starts off in Word or another type of word processing tool. In my experience, I have seen all sorts of strange code appearing when a writer submits an article into the Joomla! The Paragraph Tag Let’s start with the absolute basics. <p>This will be the beginning of a new paragraph.
Exercises in Writing for Beginning Writers Instructor: Jim Manis Email: jdm12@psu.edu Exercises to Generate Creativity Copyright @ 2001 The Pennsylvania State University This site is devoted to offering as many exercises (and general good advise) for creative writing students who wish to avail themselves of them. The first rule to becoming a writer is to write REGULARLY. Keep a Journal: Many of us aren't sure what we should be writing about during that space we set up to write in every day. A journal can be physically made of anything that it is convenient for you to write in and carry around. Keep in mind that a journal is not a diary. Audience: Young writers sometimes make one of the two following mistakes: They either assume they are writing for everyone or that they are only writing for themselves. How then do you determine who you are writing for? Ready to try to some exercises? Click here to go to poetry. Click here to go to story writing.
Synonyms for 95 Commonly Used Words - A Mini-Thesaurus for Writers Synonyms for 95 Commonly Used Words in the English language Source for Comic Source for Synonyms Writers Write offers the best writing courses in South Africa. To find out about Writers Write - How to write a book, or The Plain Language Programme - Writing courses for business, email news@writerswrite.co.za
Verbal Vomit: How to be a Hipster, Chapter 1 Hipster is a slang term that first appeared in the 1940s, and was revived in the 1990's and 2000's to describe types of young, recently settled urban middle class adults and older teenagers with interests in non-mainstream fashion and culture, particularly indie-rock, independent film, magazines such as Vice and Clash, and websites like Pitchfork Media.[1] In some contexts, hipsters are also referred to as scenesters. Do you want to be a Hipster? Do you wish you could join those sparkling beautiful people that you see pedaling past your house? Well, throw your TV's away, buy yourself a sturdy canvas bag, talk about joining the Peace Corp and read this short guide on becoming what you've always dreamed of: A Hipster. There's an art to finding acceptable Hipster clothing. If you live in a particularly hipster-infested area of the country like I do, and the thrift stores are all picked over, there are other options. I suppose you will have to settle for Urban Outfitters. a. b. c. 1. 2. 3.
200 Words Instead of 'Said' - WritersBeat.com Not that anyone is asking me (but that has never stopped me before and it won't stop me now), but I do try to avoid using 'said' too much. It gets a tad tedious, I find. On the other hand, using a substitute simply for the sake of - well, using a substitute - can be ineffective. I thought your list was interesting, Somesh (beware whenever anyone says something is interesting ), but I do think you have included some rather dubious options. On the other hand, you have missed many valid, useful and legal options, but I'm not going to tell you what they are because that's the way I am. Thank you for an amusing post. Cheers, QW __________________ ____To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater.
Top apps and tips to get free Wi-Fi anywhere October 09, 2013, 2:52 PM — Need Wi-Fi but aren't willing to pay? No problem. With these free apps and tips you'll be able to find free Wi-Fi networks just about anywhere you go. Hotspotio If you've got an Android device and you're looking for free WiFi, this free app is well worth a try. WeFi and WeFi Pro WeFi is a massive database of WiFi networks, so visit it with your Web browser and you'll find any near you. FreeZone for Android and FreeZone for iOS This app, for iOS and Android devices, works much like WeFi, and automaticaly finds and connects you to a nearby free WiFi network. WiFinder This Android app won't automatically connect you to nearby networks automatically, but it will show you all nearby WiFi networks, including not just open ones, but those that are encrypted as well. Check with your cable company As a way to compete, cable companies are increasingly providing free wireless networks for their subscribers.
45 ways to avoid using the word 'very' Writers Write is your one-stop resource for writers. Use these 45 ways to avoid using the word ‘very’ to improve your writing. Good writers avoid peppering their writing with qualifiers like ‘very’ and ‘really’. According to Collins Dictionary: ‘Padding is unnecessary words or information used to make a piece of writing or a speech longer. Adding modifiers, qualifiers, and unnecessary adverbs and adjectives, weakens your writing. This post gives you 45 ways to avoid using the padding word ‘very’. Three Telling Quotes About ‘Very’ “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. If you enjoyed this, you will love: Top Tip: If you want to learn how to write a book, sign up for our online course. by Amanda Patterson © Amanda Patterson
10 Most Commonly Misused Words Think you’re the best writer or speaker in the world? After viewing this infographic of the 10 most commonly misused words, you may want to think again. Even though we learn how to spell and use words in properly in grade school, this information is often forgotten once we get older. For instance, how many times have you called something a “travesty” when referring to a tragedy or unfortunate event? How about the word “ironic” or irony? Another biggie is the word “conversate.” 10 Most Commonly Misused Words | Advanced Marketing Strategies Hug Chair by Ilian Milinov & Yanko Design A Chair for Clingy Lovers If you’ve ever had someone sit in your lap, you know that 15 minutes is about the max your legs can handle. It’s really not fair. Designer: Ilian Milinov
» Best Procrastination Tip Ever :zenhabits Post written by Leo Babauta. Your first thought as you look at this article will be, “I’ll read this later.” But don’t. Let the urge to switch to a new task pass. It’ll take you two minutes. I’ve written the book on ending procrastination, but I’ve since come up with a very simple technique for beating everyone’s favorite nemesis. Try it now: Identify the most important thing you have to do today. Clear away distractions. Sit there, and focus on getting started. Pay attention to your mind, as it starts to have urges to switch to another task. But don’t move. Notice also your mind trying to justify not doing the task. Now just take one small action to get started. Get started, and the rest will flow.