Kind Pointers to Info Streams

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters….

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more…

Sample Movie Deconstructed: Dirty Dozen (1967)

FADE IN: the First Threshold - a military prison; a hanging.

Introducing the Mentor : Lee Marvin (Major Reisman) watches the hanging and heads for the meeting.

Mentor ’s Character and Back Story: The Colonel et al go over Reisman’s record.

Heralds brings Call to Adventure: Reisman is told of project Amnesty.

Danger of the Journey developed: the Nazi conference in the Chateau; the place is fortified and guarded; the men will be risking their lives,

Foreshadow of the Atonement: referencing Colonel Breed.

Entering the First Threshold; meeting the strange creatures of the First Threshold: we meet the men by name, crime and sentence.

Threshold Guardian: Franco resists and Reisman puts him on the ground.

Meeting Allies in the Inner Cave : convincing the men in their cells; developing their characters and back stories and the relationship with the Mentor :

The Joker: Franco.

The Leader: Charles Bronson (Wladislaw).

The Shape Shifter: Telly Savalas (Maggot).

The Simpleton: the big man (Posey)

Developing the Mentor ’s Ally: the Sergeant.

The Leaders Ally: Jefferson .

The Ally: Sergeant Bowry.

Conditions of the Journey: the men are told that if any of them try to escape, then they’ll all be sent back to prison.

Conflict between Allies: Maggot and Jefferson fight.

Warning of the Physical Separation: the Sergeant thinks that the first chance they get, they’ll attempt to shoot Reisman.

Physical Separation: on their way to the camp.

Entering the World of the Transformation: constructing the compound.

Tangible Representation of the Transformation: the state of the compound; no windows until they deserve them.

Foreshadow of the Final Conflict: listening to the radio and hearing about the War.

Developing characters: Franco talks to Pinkley (the Idiot); Wladislaw talks about the woman singing on the radio; Maggot doesn’t like women.

Trial 1: Franco tries to escape.

Trial 2: climbing the rope.

Trial 3: Posey gets a knife.

Transformation Progressing: Reisman and the sergeant discuss the men’s improvement.

Foreshadow of the turning of the Shape Shifter: Maggot discuses his religious views.

Warning of the Seizing of the Sword: the psychologist warns Reisman that the men are psychopaths.

Conflict on the Journey to the Sword: Franco throws one of the smaller men and Posey confronts him.

Resisting the Sword: Wladislaw is uncooperative.

Seizing the Sword: Franco wants hot water to shave; the men all line up; they are finally acting as a team.

New Name verifying their progress along the path of the Transformation: they get a new name: the Dirty Dozen.

Foreshadow of the Near Death Experience: Reisman warns the men of the coming trial with Breed.

Night Sea Journey: the men in the truck travel to Colonel Breed’s territory; “the General” inspects the men.

Near Death Experience: Reisman insults Breed; Wladislaw gets beaten up.

Foreshadow of the Apotheosis: the men think it was the Major who had Wladislaw beaten up.

Reward: the men get female company, the whisky…the “graduation ball.”

Foreshadow of the Shape Shifter’s turning: Maggot warns of the Major’s coming damnation.

Atonement with the Father: Colonel Breed pushes his way into the compound; Reisman shoots at him etc…

Foreshadow of the Apotheosis: they see that the men who roughed up Wladislaw are with Breed.

Apotheosis: Reisman is on their side.

Ultimate Boon: all the men act in unison; Synergy.

Refusal of the Return: Reisman is admonished by a senior officer; his men will be sent back etc.

Rescue from Without: the competition to knock out Breed’s HQ is the only way to save the men.

Magic Flight in the Wolves Clothing: the men change colours and make their way to Breed’s HQ and take over.

Warnings, preparing and pushed into the Final Conflict: going over the Chateau invasion.

Crossing the Return Threshold: the flight to the Chateau, parachuting in and getting past the guards.

Master of the Two Worlds / Final Conflict: Blowing up the Chateau dressed as Nazis; Shape Shifter turns; resistance etc.

Freedom to Live: Reisman, Wladislaw and the Sergeant in hospital.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

Internet gambling internet sites are today governed by three assemblies. These are the OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), the IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and finally the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association (the FTGA). Report: Bruton Smith believes changes needed in NASCAR

The OSGA are a self controlling institution that regulates the current offshore betting trade in an attempt to also supply betters an avenue to quickly choose legitimate web based businesses to play games of fate with. It works to champion the concerns of consumers, additionally they don’t charge any annual costs. The agency is a proficient and non-biased third party affiliation that asserts non-biased judgments, based on your feedback, independent research, discussions, insider prompts and also dispenses inside gossip.

The Interactive Gaming Council is a nonprofit council. The administration has been established to supply a platform for worried individuals to address problems also to improve relevant concerns in the global online gaming business, to ensure even handed and efficient industry protocols and forms which raise client certainty in internet based gambling products and utilities, and in addition to help as the industry’s public strategy advisor moreover the IGC functions as an information base of operations.

The IGC have worked up a distinction for advocating trustworthiness, stability and sincerity thanks to the standards of integrity it presents, also its allure to commercial enterprises of honest practise. The IGC regularises overseas gaming through endorsing a particular 10 step code of behavior and also bills betting web sites fees for publishing the council’s logo. Disillusioned gamblers can additionally recount any of their challenges to the Interactive Gaming Council.

The Fidelity Trust Gaming Association was established in a venture to present a standard which will reform the transactions of on-line sports betting websites. The agency suggest that by conducting trade entirely with businesses of good standing, they are able to develop an alliance of the fairest and most efficient offshore betting operations worldwide. There are councils that function to guide the procedures of internet based sports gaming and which should in time function to relieve a few of the misgivings experienced by doubters. World wide web based betting websites are today consistently safe, due to the fact that private data should not be submitted also the remuneration and the gambling odds should be as equal and fair as an orthodox Vegas-style wager. They diminish travel time, but still retain of a gambling casino, however today you are able to wager in your house.

Algebra is one of the most main courses students study during their life. Although learning algebra is thought challenging, there are a lot of pupils taking this course.

Although a lot of pupils are not actually sure of what is included in algebra but it is not terrifying as a lot of individuals think. Some of the base functions of algebra include finding least common multiple, factoring difference of cubes and reducing fractions.

When mathematics is leaned by pupils, particularly at college level it is very crucial for them to employ some planning and also some continuity in learning mathematical concepts from easy to hard ones. There are a lot of college mathematics courses of study at starting level that are built-up around establishing a healthy path for the road into advanced mathematics as they enable learning the fundamental skills that are required.

Who can Help?

There are a lot of different software packages that can be used to assist you with algebra and these include systems such as algebra calculators. A tutor for algebra is also a surefire way to enhancing your algebra skills. The software programs are very good and will help you with all aspects of algebra including rational equations , drawing non- linear inequalities , adding complex fractions with same denominators and on how to generally go about solving inequalities .

If you are just starting in the world of mathematics, it is a good idea to do one of the first stage courses of study as they will teach you the very basic principles and build on that so that you are able to get up to the more higher stage of maths. The starting courses of study also teach you the science of algebra through the use of a vast number of different exercises and methods so this is an ideal beginning point for the novice to algebra.

Problems With Virtual Tutors

The only problem with maths courses of study is that they sometimes do not follow matters in a very logical order and this particularly is the case when you are a pupil at primaryschool. A lot of the students at school are really very ill-prepared for learning algebra and they are not aware of the basic principles of this worthy branch of mathematics.

Op-ed articles, also known as opinion/editorial articles, are a great way for aspiring writers to publicize their work and, in exchange, receive an amazing amount of publicity for free. You can write an op-ed piece and get it publicized provided you follow these simple rules.

Before you begin to write, you need to target which newspaper you would like your article to appear in. You stand a greater chance of getting into your local paper than in a national publication like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, or USA Today. Still, if one of the national publications appeals to you, then give it a try.

1. Follow the rules. Every newspaper has guidelines on what their specific requirements are. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines and stringently hold yourself to their requirements. Failure to do so will mean you will be rejected.

2. Write with precision. Newspapers do not like verbose writers, unless it is for a feature piece and it is for a high end publication, such as The Washington Post. Short, crisp, and to-the-point sentences are the order of the day.

3. Write with persuasion. Whatever your point of view, write persuasively. Do not muddy the waters by giving vague answers. If you are discussing a problem, count on offering the solution. Expect that your article may occupy one half of the op-ed page; the other half may feature a rebuttal or an opposite point of view.

4. Double space. As with any submitted writing, you must double space your text. Expect the editors to work their magic on your piece, including removing entire paragraphs to make everything fit.

5. Submit a cover letter. Yes, you more than likely will have to snail mail your letter, so send it off with a cover letter to the appropriate contact person.

6. Your contact information. Your name, address, city, state, country, zip, contact numbers, and email address are all needed. More than likely none of this will be included in the piece, but they do need a way to get back to you.

7. Resource box. Unlike ezine sites where you can write a lengthy discourse on who you are and have links to your site, it is likely that only a one or two word sentence about “who you are” will be included. So, consider writing your own resource box and hope that they like it. [You can count on it being changed if they do not.] It could be written something like this:

John Doe is a Detroit based freelance writer affiliated with Writer’s Write.

Yes, that may be about all the information they want to share about you with their readers.

More than likely you will know within two weeks time if your piece will get published. Some papers will contact you to let you know if you have been approved/rejected, while others will simply publish your article. Do not hound them as you may want to become a regular contributor.

What is the next step?

1. If you are approved, you can expect letters to the editor — from readers — in response to your piece to begin appearing in subsequent editions of the newspaper. Do not be surprised if letters begin arriving in your home or place of business too. Expect phone calls from people who may want to discuss your point of view further, or invite you to speak in front of their group, etc.

2. If you are rejected, consider modifying and resubmitting your piece or forwarding it to another publication. Accept criticism about your writing style, if offered.

3. Op ed pieces are sometimes picked up by syndicators such as Reuters or Google News; your piece can have a life well beyond the local newspaper. If you hit the national press, you can count on your article having widespread coverage. Do a search on Google a few days after publication and you may discover how wide a net your piece has cast. If that is the case, good for you!

Above all, op-ed article can help shape local or national opinion, so think of the greater good you can do as well as the publicity you just may receive when crafting your article. Although newspaper circulation continues to drop, online versions of these same newspapers continue to grow, thereby giving you exposure far beyond the intended market.

Matt runs his own article business at www.thearticlewriter.com ; visit The Article Writer for all of your writing needs.

The other day I was late for something. Not very late. In fact, I was actually on time but an angry voice berated me anyway, saying, “You are late! There will be no seats left. You wouldn’t run late if you were more organized!” It was a terrible feeling, especially because the voice was partially right.

Who was this voice yelling at me? It was my nemesis - the Shrew who lives in my head.

We all get annoyed at ourselves from time to time; it is only natural. But for some of us, it can become an unrelenting bother. There can be no contentment when the Shrew is on the scene!

Some call it a gremlin, others an inner critic, others negative self-talk. I call her the Shrew. No matter what you call yours, you know who I mean. She’s fierce, she’s damning and she’s quick to pounce on every mistake you make, turning them into capital offenses. The Shrew exaggerates our flaws, smashes our self-esteem, ruins our confidence, distracts us from what we are doing and makes us miserable.

I am choosing not to live with it anymore! I invite you to do the same. There is a force which can tame the Shrew: The Buddha in Your Back Pocket*.

Think of a time when you witnessed a stranger being scolded and felt badly for them. Perhaps it was a worker being accused by an angry boss of “screwing things up” for something you knew wasn’t their fault. Did you wish you could go up to that worker and say, “Don’t pay any attention to them. I saw what happened and I know you are a doing a good job!”

This softer side of you is the anti-Shrew. It is empathy and compassion. The Shrew is afraid of it because she fears you might offer it to yourself. It is a skill to learn to apply this loving, tender, supportive side of ourselves to ourselves. Many of us, me included, are not in the habit of it.

The morning I was late, Ms. Shrew was in full force. But, before she could ruin my day, I was able to ward her off by pulling out the Buddha in My Back Pocket. It felt a bit like Luke Skywalker yielding a light saber against Darth Vader. “Luke, use the force!”

I let the powerful voice of the Buddha in My Back Pocket counter the accusations of the Shrew. He asked, “What were your reasons for making the choices you did this morning?” and “Would you make these same choices again?” Then he reminded me of two universal truths: “You are doing the best you can” and “Growth involves observing one’s actions and then learning from them.” Under this influence of love and a genuine intention to seek understanding, I was able to temporarily silence the Shrew, objectively analyze my “lateness” and gain valuable personal insight. Within a few minutes, I felt relieved, re-engaged in life and able to peacefully continue with the rest of my day.

Unfortunately, we can’t eradicate the Shrew completely. But we can learn to access this equalizing force: the pursuit of empathetic understanding - a loving friend that takes your side and helps you learn about yourself in a safe and protected way. The Buddha in your Back Pocket is always with you to calm your mind, forgive your errs, and remind you of the growth in your life. As you cultivate your relationship with the Buddha in your Back Pocket, you will experience more self-love, confidence and peace.

Life is too short to spend time unnecessarily berating ourselves with critical self-talk! Go forth into your day and bring the Buddha in Your Back Pocket with you. You never know when you might need it!

*I do not wish to offend anyone by using the title Buddha. I have the utmost respect for the Buddhist tradition. In this article, I refer to Buddha as a representation of an enlightened teacher offering guidance to those who chose to listen.

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A over riding benefit of Chamonix town is its short distance to the airport in Geneva. You is able to depart from the United Kingdom in the a.m. and be skiing by the p.m.. The achievement of Ryan Air and cheap flights has meant much lower flights furthermore with merely a one hour journey time from Chamonix and Geneva a weekend’s skiing is today within the price range of all skiers; furthermore all our luxury catered chalets are available from Weds/Thurs to Sunday to enable you to take advantage of cheaper airfares and empty mountains. On disembarking the plane at Geneva international airport unitl receiving the skiing passes waiting for you on arrival at the chalet; every last detail is arranged to make sure that the group has the least time travelling and the maximum of the weekend on the slopes.

A weekend skiing in Chamonix Mont Blanc France can be an exhilarating weekend that is if the group arrange the finer details right so the group can take pleasure in your precious trip. However this entails arranging the flights ski transfer and ski chalet bang on and transferring the group to the pistes as effortlessly as humanly possible. The task is to provide you the most period of time and the min. hassle including the usual high standards of cosines in your Chamonix luxury chalet and concierge service. Bearing this in mind we provide swift ski transfers great catered chalets great dining and will recommend and reserve mountain guides and ski instructors.

Obtaining the correct fishing supplies is a very critical thing to keep in mind when your are mulling over your forthcoming fishing outing. You need to let yourself the correct tools to get into the “state of mind” and receive the optimal benefits of fishing. Procuring the best equipment will support you in several ways. As you may be familiar with, the more fishing items you get the more fun the fishing will become. One of the fundamental questions you ought to ask yourself is, do you have all that you require previous to you heading out on your fishing journey? To be triumphant you would be prudent to guarantee that your fishing excursion begins with procuring the finest fishing items. There are numerous different brands of fishing tools & it mainly depends on sort of place that you will be fishing in, what kind of fish you are hunting for & the form of fishing that you long for. Find great offers on field hockey masks online today.

There are lots of different variety & styles of fishing reels that comprise of a range of fees. If you are wanting to throw yourself into commercial fishing you would be recommended to make certain that your fishing items is intended for that sort of use. Professional fishing calls for lots more tougher supplies. Since commercial fishing tools demands twice to three times the use they wear out much more rapidly. This makes it much more shrewd to pay put the extra money at the beginning. There are an array of goods so that you can make a decision based on desires on top of what you can genuinely afford.

The type of fishing rod is another essential part of the tackle that you will want. You might want to think what manufacture of rod that you will need for your fishing outing. Just as there are many different reels there is a range of fishing rods to acquire. It is recommended to make your choice on the kind of fish that you are preparing to catch.

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During the past few months I have received many questions as
to how I have gone from an unknown writer to over coming
society’s adversarial thoughts on what writing should be and
become a well known writer. So, today, I was inspired to
write on this. Let me present a gist of my story. And like
all stories there’s always more depth.

When it comes to being judged by society’s belief of what
good writing is, I thoroughly understand the pressure. Been
through that. For years I was a closet writer because the
feedback I received from writing instructors (from various
levels) was, “your writing is…is…is different and I’m
not really qualified to comment.” I took this to mean, “I
was a lousy writer.” So daily, I quietly wrote, read it,
agreed, and tossed it into a growing set of boxes.

Years and 72 boxes later, my insides were screaming. The
screaming displayed itself in anger everything I did and
everyone I touched. After my father died, I was fed up with
life, society, and all the shoulds in my life. I knew I was
angry at something but had no idea what at that time. With
a full level of frustration and disgust, I decided to give
up everything, take off a year, and travel to every writing
conference, study anywhere I could, with anyone I could, and
“really” learn to write. I had no idea what I was looking
for at the time. Now I realize that I was looking for my
personal voice and my writing voice.

After traveling I returned home to Virginia not feeling that
much better about my writing than when I started. I did
notice that my skin was a little tougher but I was still
angry, still embarrassed about my call to write. And as far
as my skill level, I didn’t feel there was much improvement.
The feedback I received was similar to what I received
before. One teacher, at a workshop at Puget Sound Writing
Conference, Washington state, told me, “If I kept working at
it maybe (with a big voice emphasis at maybe) some day in 10
years or so I will be good enough to release my writing.”

Occasionally a light appeared in my tunnel. One time was
when I was attending the International Writer’s Guild (IWG)
yearly retreat in Syracuse, New York. Hundreds of women
writers, all supportive, all different in so many ways. The
positive energy was empowering. I took away from this that
there wasn’t any exact science to writing. Learning to
trust my own womanhood at 52 was a completely new eye
opening experience for me. There was a shift in my writing
voice.

A few weeks after my year, I woke up crying. Not a gentle
sob but a whaling one. I was pissed. I was angry. At the
world, at myself, at the lamp shade, it didn’t matter. I
kicked shoes, took walks, and wrote pages in my journal
trying to understand what was happening. There was a rage,
an internal fight between what feedback and their
suggestions and my internal dialogue. Later I realized the
writer inside was fighting to get out.

Afterwards, my pissed let to, “screw everyone.” I apologize
for the language ladies and gents but I’m sharing my truth.
I decide to just put it out there and let it land where it
may. Grammar mistakes, imperfections, whatever emerged.
Let the commas be too many or too few.

The first time I had to let go it took me a week of internal
dialoguing, and more edits than I’m willing to admit to, in
order to let go. (Actually my first experience with over
editing.) My emotions changed by the hour. My family ran
for the hills and didn’t know what to do with me. I didn’t
even know what to do with me.

The first time an English specialist sent me their
suggestion that I might want to improve on my grammar first,
mind you they never were specific of where or even what they
were reading, I would cry again. This would cause me to
stop writing for the remainder of the day. The next day I
was back to a “what the he__” again (thank goodness).

Next I wanted to tackle adding discipline to my writing.
Boy ‘o boy that was easy to say yet hard to implement. I
soon learned that I preferred cleaning out the refrigerator,
even visit the dentist rather than sitting down at a
specific time to write. Since then and over time, I learned
how this same avoidance rippled its way into other places in
my life.

At no given time did I ever suffer from writer’s block. I
always felt comfortable writing on almost anything (a
blessing and a curse). The curse being I was spreading my
focus too thinly. Yet, I was happy and having a ball and
that’s why I kept on doing it that way. Looking back, now I
can see how badly I needed to release all my bottled up
emotions at that time.

Success at focusing in didn’t come easy. But eventually the
excuses ran out and the emotions balanced it started to come
naturally. When I learn to place my needs first, which also
meant writing, anger never emerged. In fact, I was down
right pleasant to be around the rest of the day. My
discipline started with one hour of writing every morning
and has evolved into a 5 to 8 morning experience and an hour
in the evening reviewing my days notes.

The more I wrote, the more outlet opportunities knocked on
my door. I began three ezines, including a daily. Then I
began writing for other professionals and Internet and
magazine articles.

When I began to allow my writings to go public, even one
email from about my English skills set me to tears and I
couldn’t write the rest of the day. Thank goodness it
didn’t last and the next morning I was writing again. At
that moment I realized the importance of a disciplined
writing time.

Eventually, I began to receive feedback on how people loved
what I wrote, liked my ideas, and by passed the occasional
grammar error. My name even found its place in a few local
newspapers including the Washington Post. The positive
feedback was far bigger than the “you’ve need to do better”
messages. They began with three pats to one scolding. Then
moved to six pats to one. Then 30 pats to 1.

And the most amazing part — I was happier than ever. You
could find me starting my weekend day writing at McDonalds
(the only place open at 6 am), by 10 at the bookstore, by 3
the library, by 6 returning home and satisfied. There were
bum times on park benches especially in the spring, museums
and shopping malls when the weather was nasty. At my
frequent stops employees or regulars stopped and asked what
I was working on and willingly shared their thoughts and
ideas on the topic. Some agreed, some didn’t, but the magic
was my writing was richer because of them, because of the
environmental switches.

My writing kept improving and what I produced tripled.
Occasionally I would read something I previous wrote and sat
numb, not believing, “I wrote, that!” My inner critic even
stopped punching.

Now my pat to grammar email ratio doesn’t matter. I know
there’s more to learn yet I’m so glad my writing is out in
the public eye. I write every chance I can and make the
space for it in my life. Topics don’t matter nor does first
quality matter. Just as long as it’s on a page somewhere
and safe.

A little while back I began outlining (Mind Maps) before
writing. Previously outlining wasn’t my thing. I’ve also
learned that if there I don’t have a certain number of
points don’t begin to write. Yet even I don’t have enough
to begin writing, my mind is still tumbling and building and
something better always appears. Something that couldn’t
appear without the tossing first.

Over the years, my penmanship has gone from good to worse.
What I have also realized is that my first draft is
sometimes just me jumping and trying to find my way around
on the topic. Almost like a maze. Afterwards, I highlight
the good and usually find there is more than one topic to go
with.

My advice to people who desire to write — follow your
heart. Trust that it will lead you down the right path.
Trust today’s writing will always look different tomorrow
and your writing will always improve and evolve the more you
write. Not any book you read, writing conference you
attend, the best lessons are learned by writing regularly.

One of my favorite quotes is, “Big things come from the
smallest actions.” The light will come after you complete
many small actions. The same as I did and many who preceded
me, there is light available in the tunnel and you will see
changes within yourself that will transfer onto the pages.
Writing will always be an evolving process, even after the
Pulitzer.

Worry about the grammar until its time, not before. If you
learn one writing tip a week and work it into your writing
all week, it can’t help but improve because that’s 52
improvements a year.

You don’t need a lot, one word can do. For one year I wrote
394 articles from one word — honor. Every time I completed
one article the word was complete, another appeared. If I
had thought I could write this many articles from one word
before this experience I would laugh at you. Eventually I
called a truce. It was amazing watch my bar as it kept
getting higher. An experience that fuels my beliefs today.
Whenever I began to write another honor story I was
transitioned to age seven watching my Dad pitch the ball
against the steel milk bottles, feeling like I just won the
1st prize teddy bear. Yes, the biggest one on the top
shelf, the one that looks twice my size.

At times the thoughts were firing so rapidly it forced me to
stop what I was doing and write what I could. Many times I
had to pull off the road and get it down.

Even today there are times when my writing doesn’t make
sense but I know now that I can’t get to the next point
until I get rid of this stuff first. Like many writers, we
all have a few boxes or stacks of these.

For everyone who feels a pull to write but hasn’t. Let me
quote Nike, “just do it.” Let all the inhibitions go, they
are nonsense until after all the editing. Let the commas
fall where they may. Write without any attachment to the
outcome. That comes later.

It took time for my writing to turn into a hundred thousand
dollar business. Even a year ago I wouldn’t have thought it
possible and would have just laughed at the though. I am
happier than ever. No crying, just writing. No kicking the
shoes. No more doubt of my possibilities (okay, some but
very small). Be free, write and let it lead you wherever it
needs to go.

Nothing you or I write will ever be lost. Fight for your
writer’s life, it’s worth the battle. Especially don’t let
anyone should all over you.

(c) Copyright Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.

Catherine Franz, writer, speaker, marketing master,
specializes in infoproduct development. More at:
http://www.MarketingStrategiesToGo.com and
http://www.AbundanceCenter.com. Including articles
and ezines.

Did you know, that television — the persistent purveyor of pop culture here in America — shapes a LOT of your prospects behavior patterns?

Here, listen to this:

1. The average US home has the TV on for 7 hours and 40 munites a day.

In case you’re wondering, that means by the time a child is 18 years old, they’ve already been exposed to 50,367.6 hours of television!

Sheesh!

2. The average amount of television the average American watches, is over 4 hours a day. (that’s 17% of your life, by-the-way)

Likewise, this means the average American has actually watched over 26,280 hours of TV by the time they’re already 18 years old.

3. 50% of all US households have 3 or more TV’s in their house.

4. (And this one was amazing) 45% of all parents say if they have something important to do, they’ll use the TV to occupy their children! (Whatever happened to books, or arts and crafts?)

5. 54% of children between ages 4 and 6 said they’d rather watch TV than spend time with their fathers! (Gosh, I hope my daughter wasn’t participating in that survey…)

6. 40% of all Americans watch TV while they’re eating dinner.

7. And lastly, on average, sadly… parents only spend 38.5 minutes a week having a meaningful conversation with their children.

No doubt then, television is a HUGE part of American life. In some cases, it’s even more important than having a relationship with your children, for goodness sakes.

You’d have to assume from reading through these statistics, that people are planning meal times around what’s on TV… they’re spending a good amount of brain-power trying to make sure “this” show gets taped or recorded at “that” particular time… and they’re probably spending more energy watching David Letterman than making love.

Which is very VERY tragic of course.

One thing TV doesn’t do, is… it doesn’t tax your attention span.

You get entertained a little… and then you get some relief in the form of commercials.

You hear a little bit about your topic… and then you go and grab some ice cream.

Because of this, if your sales pitch isn’t giving your prospect the same sense of “relief” — either in your story or in your presentation — then your prospect is going to do the same thing you do, when what you’re watching, no longer interests you:

They’re going to grab their remote and click to another channel, which in this case means…

They’re going to toss your sales pitch straight into the garbage can!

And above all else, you certainly DON’T want them to do this, now do you?

So next week, to make sure this doesn’t happen to you, I’m going to tell you “5 Ways To Give Your Prospect A Much-Needed Break In Your Sales Copy!”

Now go sell something,

Craig Garber http://www.KingOfCopy.com

P.S. Check out all the prior archives you’ve been missing, right here at: http://www.kingofcopy.com/tips/tiparchives.html

P.P.S. If you know someone who could benefit from this tip, then do the right thing and forward this tip on to them, right NOW!