by: James Diaz
Have you ever been in the position where you felt blocked by something or someone? It’s amazing how almost everyone goes through it at least once in a lifetime if not over and over again. But that’s what life is all about, obstacles, goals, and succeeding in life and never failing. Well that’s what happens when you write. At one point you may be ready to write and express what you think but at another point, you may be unable to think. But the trick to it is to continue and keep pushing yourself way past your limit and when you finally can’t do it anymore, stop, rest, and continue the next day. Consistency is the the key to every goal you wish to accomplish. You must not ever give up on anything unless you truly believe it is not for you. However you can not possibly live a life with a mind set being so pessimistic on very idea there is. Some people grow up not knowing much about anything and live their entire life based on their own opinions and never the facts. I personally think that the key to life is balance. There has to be ups and downs about everything in order for you to enjoy the sweet victory in the end. Challenge yourself and be motivated to do something in your life. By the time you know it; you will be too old and too cold to move and get up and embrace every good thing around you. Explore everything there is in life. Everything I have just said about life can go for writing as well. EXPLORE when you write. Think about the endless possibilities when you do, about whatever it is that you are writing about and when you do, you will see that many more doors will open giving you a lot more for your eyes to see and explore as well. Knowledge is never ending but your writing will always be remembered.
About The Author
James Diaz is a New York based entrepreneur, Music Artist and Writer. He focuses in on the music industry as well as internet marketing. For more info visit: http://www.DatChul0x.edcgold.com
The Art of Persuasive Business Writing
by: Courtland Bovee
All good writing involves persuasion-getting the reader over to your side. You may be writing to persuade a colleague to take on a new project, writing a blog post trying to persuade people to accept a new idea, or writing persuasive advertising copy for a new product. In each situation, your goal is to persuade your readers that you have something to say and that it is in their best interest to take the action you have requested. Here are five elements to keep in mind when writing persuasive messages. 1. "You" attitude. Too much business writing has an "I" or "we" viewpoint, which causes the writer to sound selfish and not interested in the reader. If you want to get your point of view across, convey information, or persuade the reader, you have to talk in terms of the reader's interests, hopes, wishes, and preferences. Good writing psychology requires that you present your message in light of the reader's viewpoint rather than your own. "I" or "We" To help us process this order, we must ask for another copy of the requisition. We trust you will extend your service contract. "You" So that your order can be filled promptly, please send another copy of the requisition. By extending your service contract, you can continue to enjoy topnotch performance from your equipment. 2. Warmth. You can make all sorts of mistakes in your messages yet still leave your readers with a good feeling if you can convey the magic intangible of personal warmth. Warmth is more difficult in writing than it is in oral communications. Essentially, warmth is an aspect-possibly even the measure-of the "you" viewpoint. You should not only demonstrate concern for the audience's problems but interest in their attitudes and an appreciation of the ways in which handling the situation is going to be helpful to them. 3. Parallel experience. One way of touching the right spots with your reader is to draw on a parallel situation in your own experience. Build your writing around this experience, or use what you learned as a basis for your writing. By creating a sympathetic bond between you and your reader, you enhance the person-to-person connection and help your reader to become more open to what you are saying. 4. Good manners. If you want to persuade your reader, you must show impeccable manners. In other words, be nice. If you are rude or overly aggressive, your reader will shut down to your argument and turn elsewhere. When in doubt, put yourself on the other end of the writing and ask, "How would I feel if this was directed at me? Would I be offended, or would I be open to listening to more?" 5. Tone. The tone of your writing goes beyond the content of your words and offers the reader an overall feeling or indication of your meaning. The overall tone of your message will depend on the subject, but a general guideline is to stay positive. Suggest to your reader that you are interested in his or her problems and in solving them. A good tone is ruined by using harsh words or phrases. Some examples: Poor the alleged loss you claim that you neglected to send in which you assert if we were at fault we request that you send us Improved the loss you refer to we understand that you did not send you tell us please accept our apologies please send us Persuasion is an art, not a science-but that does not mean there is no winning formula. By incorporating these five elements into your business communication, you will have a greater chance of getting your reader to stop, listen, and take the action you want.
About The Author
Courtland L. Bovee, one of America's leading instructors in clear and effective communication, co-authors several leading college-level texts with John V. Thill, a prominent communications consultant and current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Communication Strategies. Their website, Business Communication Headline News, the #1 business communication site on the web, is at http://www.businesscommunicationheadlinenews.com
All good writing involves persuasion-getting the reader over to your side. You may be writing to persuade a colleague to take on a new project, writing a blog post trying to persuade people to accept a new idea, or writing persuasive advertising copy for a new product. In each situation, your goal is to persuade your readers that you have something to say and that it is in their best interest to take the action you have requested. Here are five elements to keep in mind when writing persuasive messages. 1. "You" attitude. Too much business writing has an "I" or "we" viewpoint, which causes the writer to sound selfish and not interested in the reader. If you want to get your point of view across, convey information, or persuade the reader, you have to talk in terms of the reader's interests, hopes, wishes, and preferences. Good writing psychology requires that you present your message in light of the reader's viewpoint rather than your own. "I" or "We" To help us process this order, we must ask for another copy of the requisition. We trust you will extend your service contract. "You" So that your order can be filled promptly, please send another copy of the requisition. By extending your service contract, you can continue to enjoy topnotch performance from your equipment. 2. Warmth. You can make all sorts of mistakes in your messages yet still leave your readers with a good feeling if you can convey the magic intangible of personal warmth. Warmth is more difficult in writing than it is in oral communications. Essentially, warmth is an aspect-possibly even the measure-of the "you" viewpoint. You should not only demonstrate concern for the audience's problems but interest in their attitudes and an appreciation of the ways in which handling the situation is going to be helpful to them. 3. Parallel experience. One way of touching the right spots with your reader is to draw on a parallel situation in your own experience. Build your writing around this experience, or use what you learned as a basis for your writing. By creating a sympathetic bond between you and your reader, you enhance the person-to-person connection and help your reader to become more open to what you are saying. 4. Good manners. If you want to persuade your reader, you must show impeccable manners. In other words, be nice. If you are rude or overly aggressive, your reader will shut down to your argument and turn elsewhere. When in doubt, put yourself on the other end of the writing and ask, "How would I feel if this was directed at me? Would I be offended, or would I be open to listening to more?" 5. Tone. The tone of your writing goes beyond the content of your words and offers the reader an overall feeling or indication of your meaning. The overall tone of your message will depend on the subject, but a general guideline is to stay positive. Suggest to your reader that you are interested in his or her problems and in solving them. A good tone is ruined by using harsh words or phrases. Some examples: Poor the alleged loss you claim that you neglected to send in which you assert if we were at fault we request that you send us Improved the loss you refer to we understand that you did not send you tell us please accept our apologies please send us Persuasion is an art, not a science-but that does not mean there is no winning formula. By incorporating these five elements into your business communication, you will have a greater chance of getting your reader to stop, listen, and take the action you want.
About The Author
Courtland L. Bovee, one of America's leading instructors in clear and effective communication, co-authors several leading college-level texts with John V. Thill, a prominent communications consultant and current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Communication Strategies. Their website, Business Communication Headline News, the #1 business communication site on the web, is at http://www.businesscommunicationheadlinenews.com
Ten Business Writing Blunders You Can Easily Avoid
by: Courtland Bovee
Most of us are too busy worrying about what we are writing to think much about how we are writing it. However, in business communication, having command of a clear, readable style is essential to getting your point across. Here are ten types of sentence blunders to avoid if you want your reader to get what you mean and not have to stumble through what you write. 1. Run-On Sentences. You know the ones: they drag on and on, packing a paragraph's worth of details into a single sentence. Short sentences are easier to understand than long ones; they provide information in bits and pieces instead of a flood. In most business writing, aim for an average sentence length of 20 or fewer words. Note that this is an average, not a ceiling-the best writing contains both long and short sentences to keep it interesting. 2. Pompous Sentences. Many business writers use a phrase or a whole clause when a well-chosen verb would be much clearer. They do so to try to make themselves appear more knowledgeable or articulate than they actually are. Do not fall prey to this error by using big words or trite expressions-keep your writing at the level of your reader. 3. Overloaded Sentences. Such sentences are bloated with excess words. The passive voice is a common culprit, adding unnecessarily to the word count. Redundancies are also to blame-verbose phrases can usually be replaced with one or two words, making your sentences concise and meaningful. 4. Undue Enthusiasm. An occasional intensifier lends emphasis, but using too many can ruin your writing and give the impression that you are not being genuine. Otherwise, you come across like the literary version of a game-show host-wear that grin too bright for too long, and it will lose its meaning. 5. Crowded-Together Sentences. Many writers tend to try to connect a series of related sentences with conjunctions such as "and" instead of ending each with a period. In many cases, these sentences can be improved and shortened by using only one subject. 6. Hedging Sentences. It is tempting to insert "it seems that" or "there appears to be" in your sentences in order to avoid stating a judgment as a fact. However, when you have too many such hedges, particularly in the same sentence, you are not really saying anything. More often than not, your reader will know what is fact and what is inference. 7. Slow Starters. Starting a sentence with "it is" or "there are" simply delays getting to your point. Compare: "It would be appreciated if you could send the files immediately," versus "Please send the files immediately." 8. Nonparallel Sentences. Two or more similar (parallel) ideas should be presented in the same pattern, whether within sentences or between sentences. Lack of parallelism creates an awkward style. For example, the clauses in this sentence are not parallel: "Mr. Reynolds dictated the letter and next he signed it, and left the office." Compare that to this: "Mr. Reynolds dictated the letter, signed it, and left the office." 9. Awkward Pointers. To save words, business writers will often point readers' attention backward with expressions like "as mentioned above," "the aforementioned," "the former," "the latter," and so on. Doing so is a distraction to the reader and is usually unnecessary. If a reference does need to be made, it is better to name or restate the specific thing to which you are referring. 10. Misassembled Sentences. A misassembled sentence is one in which an element is in the wrong place. The most common misplacement is at the beginning of the sentence, creating a "dangling modifier." Take this awkward example: "Walking to the office, a red sports car passed him." Moving the modifier is an easy solution here: "A red sports car passed him while he was walking to the office."
About The Author
Courtland L. Bovee, one of America's leading instructors in clear and effective communication, co-authors several leading college-level texts with John V. Thill, a prominent communications consultant and current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Communication Strategies. Their website, Business Communication Headline News, the #1 business communication site on the web, is at http://www.businesscommunicationheadlinenews.com
Most of us are too busy worrying about what we are writing to think much about how we are writing it. However, in business communication, having command of a clear, readable style is essential to getting your point across. Here are ten types of sentence blunders to avoid if you want your reader to get what you mean and not have to stumble through what you write. 1. Run-On Sentences. You know the ones: they drag on and on, packing a paragraph's worth of details into a single sentence. Short sentences are easier to understand than long ones; they provide information in bits and pieces instead of a flood. In most business writing, aim for an average sentence length of 20 or fewer words. Note that this is an average, not a ceiling-the best writing contains both long and short sentences to keep it interesting. 2. Pompous Sentences. Many business writers use a phrase or a whole clause when a well-chosen verb would be much clearer. They do so to try to make themselves appear more knowledgeable or articulate than they actually are. Do not fall prey to this error by using big words or trite expressions-keep your writing at the level of your reader. 3. Overloaded Sentences. Such sentences are bloated with excess words. The passive voice is a common culprit, adding unnecessarily to the word count. Redundancies are also to blame-verbose phrases can usually be replaced with one or two words, making your sentences concise and meaningful. 4. Undue Enthusiasm. An occasional intensifier lends emphasis, but using too many can ruin your writing and give the impression that you are not being genuine. Otherwise, you come across like the literary version of a game-show host-wear that grin too bright for too long, and it will lose its meaning. 5. Crowded-Together Sentences. Many writers tend to try to connect a series of related sentences with conjunctions such as "and" instead of ending each with a period. In many cases, these sentences can be improved and shortened by using only one subject. 6. Hedging Sentences. It is tempting to insert "it seems that" or "there appears to be" in your sentences in order to avoid stating a judgment as a fact. However, when you have too many such hedges, particularly in the same sentence, you are not really saying anything. More often than not, your reader will know what is fact and what is inference. 7. Slow Starters. Starting a sentence with "it is" or "there are" simply delays getting to your point. Compare: "It would be appreciated if you could send the files immediately," versus "Please send the files immediately." 8. Nonparallel Sentences. Two or more similar (parallel) ideas should be presented in the same pattern, whether within sentences or between sentences. Lack of parallelism creates an awkward style. For example, the clauses in this sentence are not parallel: "Mr. Reynolds dictated the letter and next he signed it, and left the office." Compare that to this: "Mr. Reynolds dictated the letter, signed it, and left the office." 9. Awkward Pointers. To save words, business writers will often point readers' attention backward with expressions like "as mentioned above," "the aforementioned," "the former," "the latter," and so on. Doing so is a distraction to the reader and is usually unnecessary. If a reference does need to be made, it is better to name or restate the specific thing to which you are referring. 10. Misassembled Sentences. A misassembled sentence is one in which an element is in the wrong place. The most common misplacement is at the beginning of the sentence, creating a "dangling modifier." Take this awkward example: "Walking to the office, a red sports car passed him." Moving the modifier is an easy solution here: "A red sports car passed him while he was walking to the office."
About The Author
Courtland L. Bovee, one of America's leading instructors in clear and effective communication, co-authors several leading college-level texts with John V. Thill, a prominent communications consultant and current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Communication Strategies. Their website, Business Communication Headline News, the #1 business communication site on the web, is at http://www.businesscommunicationheadlinenews.com
Six Types of Words That You Should Axe in Business Writing
by: Courtland Bovee
In business, we often compose messages in a hurry-e-mails, notes, urgent reports, or last-minute projects. Editing is, therefore, especially necessary to rid your writing of confusing, boring, and obsolete elements. This article helps you decide which words to cut and which words to put in their place. 1. Unfamiliar/Technical Words. You will communicate best if you use words that are familiar to your reader. (Clichés are an exception to this rule-words and phrases that people have heard too often tend to turn off their minds a little and propel their eyes on to the next thing.) To create effective business communications, assume your reader is a layperson with limited technical knowledge of the subject-do not write over your reader's head by using technical words or jargon. Unfamiliar ascertain consummate peruse Familiar find out, learn close, bring about read, study 2. Long Words. A paragraph full of long words can be yawn inducing. Make an effort to use short words; they tend to be more easily digestible. Long During the preceding year, the company was able to accelerate productive operations. The action was predicted on the assumption that the company was operating at a financial deficit. Short Last year the company was able to speed up operations. The action was based on the belief that the company was losing money. 3. Abstract Words. The line between abstract and concrete words is hard to define, since all words have something of the abstract in them. In general, abstract words have a greater number of meanings, most of them somewhat vague, so your reader has to try to interpret which meanings apply. Concrete words are those that give your reader a specific mental picture. Abstract sizable loss near future work saving machine Concrete 34 percent loss on Wednesday performs the work of five operators 4. Passive Words. Verbs are the strongest words, and they are at their strongest when they are active rather than passive. Active-voice verbs show their subjects in action; passive-voice verbs act on their subjects. While the passive is needed for variety and has definite uses (such as to avoid placing blame), the active voice strengthens and shortens sentences. Passive A sales increase of 32 percent occurred last month. The new procedure is thought to be superior by the president. The office will be cleaned by the janitor. Active Sales increased 32 percent last month. The president thinks the new procedure is superior. The janitor will clean the office. 5. Camouflaged Words. Watch for these endings in the words you use (check the polysyllable words): -ion, -tion, -ing, -ment, -ant, -ence, -ence, -ancy, -ency. Most of these endings are used to change verbs into nouns and adjectives. In effect, they are camouflaged verbs. Get rid of them and strengthen your writing. Poor The manager affected implementation of the new rules. Adaptation to the new office environment was made easily by the personnel. We make verifications of the shipments weekly. Improved The manager implemented the new rules. The personnel adapted easily to the new office environment. We verify shipments weekly. 6. Unnecessary Words. Most business writing could do with a pruning job. To reduce unnecessary words, start with a clear idea of what you want to say. After composing, go through your message and cut every word that is not essential to your meaning. Poor consensus of opinion first and foremost just recently ask the question basic fundamentals exactly identical very unique Improved consensus (either word, but not both) recently ask fundamentals identical unique So be your own editor, cut the poor and unnecessary words, and polish your writing to make your communication in business more effective than ever.
About The Author
Courtland L. Bovee, one of America's leading instructors in clear and effective communication, co-authors several leading college-level texts with John V. Thill, a prominent communications consultant and current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Communication Strategies. Their website, Business Communication Headline News, the #1 business communication site on the web, is at http://www.businesscommunicationheadlinenews.com
Ten Ways to Write Great Blog Posts That Get Attention
by: Courtland Bovee
Millions of blogs fight for readership online (over 75 million by some counts), with thousands more being created every day. Making yours stand above the rest may seem like a daunting task, but here are ten suggestions for making your blog posts stand out from the crowd. 1. Write each post title so it grabs the reader's attention. It is the first thing someone reads, and it should get your reader's attention right away. Your title should both pique the reader's interest and be informative. Do not write "Business Writing Advice"; instead, say "The Best-Kept Secret to Reducing Your Business Writing Worries." Longer titles have the advantage of describing in detail what your post is about; 8-12 words are a good range. 2. Keep sentences short and clear. A little goes a long way. Readers are busy people and they will not spend hours detangling complex syntax or sifting through blocks of text. Also, use strong language. Start a new paragraph every few sentences, and limit each post to 250 words, if possible. If you cannot write it in under 250 words, split it into two entries. 3. Break up the text. Use numbered lists, bullet points, and subheadings to make your posts easy to scan. Lots of white space on the page is a good thing-it allows your reader to take mental breaks and let the knowledge soak in. In addition, with the inevitable clutter of banner ads and side text, this technique puts some distance between your writing and all those distractions. 4. Keep current. No one wants to read old news. Your job is to stay up-to-date so your readers do not have to themselves. Read newspapers. Scour the web for references. For example, if you write a blog about business communication, subscribe to Google News Alerts using keywords related to the field, such as blogs, podcasting, instant messaging, business letters, memos, and business reports, so you will always be well informed. Posting items from last month or last year will lose your reader's interest faster than you can say "Enron." 5. Be bold. Timidity is an easy path to anonymity. Do not be afraid to create and state your opinions. Of course, there are some situations in which objectivity rules-but you have to give people a reason to read this blog by you and not by the person next door. 6. Be accurate. If you make a statement, be prepared to back it up. Know what your sources are and quote them accurately. Misinformation spreads like wildfire online; do not be the spark that sets it off or the wind that fans it. 7. Contribute to the conversation. Links are great-but then what? Do not just post links to the same tired sites, offer your reader something new. Contribute to the conversation. Your goal is to be the site to which everyone else is linking-so you had better have something worth writing about. 8. Stay focused. Once you have defined the theme of your blog, stick to it. A blog about piggy banks has no business posting about the latest innovation in alternative energy. Such a deviance will only confuse your reader and chip away at your virtual authority. 9. Use key words liberally. Keywords are, well, key. Harness your blog's search engine potential by dousing your title and post with effective keywords that will help interested parties find your page in the vast, muddled blogosphere. This is one of the most important elements of getting your blog read-go at it with gusto. 10. Be consistent. Keep a schedule and stick to it. Post frequently-at least several times per week if you want to increase your potential of attracting new readers. Let your blog languish for weeks without updates and your audience will move on to fresher ground. Maintaining an informative blog that people want to read takes hard work and good writing skills. Find what makes your writing unique-and flaunt it for all it is worth.
About The Author
Courtland L. Bovee, one of America's leading instructors in clear and effective communication, co-authors several leading college-level texts with John V. Thill, a prominent communications consultant and current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Communication Strategies. Their website, Business Communication Headline News, the #1 business communication site on the web, is at http://www.businesscommunicationheadlinenews.com
Andrew Jalbert’s novel, West Across the Board
by: Tracy Roberts
Andrew Jalbert’s novel, West Across the Board, chronicles one man’s journey back to the Florida Keys to see his dying friend. For both men, it is a journey of lifetime reflection and liberation. In 1934, at a saloon in the Florida Keys, Lazaro, a passionate and brilliant fisherman, meets Dominic, a civil engineer graduate. The two young men instantly bond over a game of chess. The game would become more than recreation. It would become the cement that binds the two through a lifetime of love, loss, forgiveness, and redemption. With such themes as the beauty and danger of nature entwining itself with the strength and frailties of human nature, a story of growth and survival unfolds. Drawing on Physicists research into the Chaos Theory, Dominic, a pragmatist, tries to find order from tragic events that affected the choices both he and Lazaro made. Lazaro, a man forever changed from the loss of his father during a storm at sea, reflects on his life in a more traditional sense. Dominic tries to find a logical pattern of events, while Lazaro buries his need to resolve issues that led to his choice to leave the Florida Keys for a life in Wisconsin. It is only when the two men come together that Lazaro is able to confront his past. As historical fiction, the author delivers a carefully crafted and detailed account of life on the Florida Keys. The story is rich in the sights, sounds, and description of life in the 1930’s. Drawing on real events from the past, the fictional story is well implemented within its historical context. The historical and nautical details illustrated within the story are well researched and accurately presented. West Across the Board delivers a well crafted tale of two men’s journey back together to find redemption and peace. The history and backdrop of the Florida Keys makes readers feel they are accompanying Lazaro on his journey. I highly recommend the book to readers who enjoy well written historical fiction that delves into the human condition. Tracy Roberts, Write Field Services Paperback: 190 pages Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (March 28, 2007) ISBN-10: 0595421946 ISBN-13: 978-0595421947
About The Author
Tracy Roberts is the Editorial Coordinator for Write For You Field Services. Tracy has a degree in English and over 15 years experience in the writing business. Her work has been published both independently and in numerous collected works with other published writers. website: http://writefieldservices.com
Book Review: The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights
by: C. M. Clifton
"The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights," by Faye Kellerman, is a collection of mostly crime fiction short stories, each having a brief introduction by the author. Published by Warner Books, ISBN: 978-0-446-53039-2, the book is likely to appeal to readers who enjoy mystery and suspense fiction. Known for her crime fiction novels featuring L. A. homicide detective Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, Decker's Orthodox Jewish wife, Kellerman includes two previously unpublished Decker/Lazarus short stories within her collection. The sleuthing pair is as interesting and complex in "The Garden of Eden" and "Open House" as they are in the novels. Kudos to Faye Kellerman for maintaining Decker and Lazarus's characterizations in the short stories. The story "Bull's-Eye" is another short story that features the Decker clan, only this time readers are also introduced to Cindy Decker as she and her father work to solve a case. Again, Kellerman succeeds in keeping Peter Decker true to his fictional self and to readers by maintaining his character of being a concerned, supportive father in "Bull's-Eye." My other favorites among the stories that comprise the collection are "The Stalker," "Mummy and Jack," "Bonding," "Mr. Barton's Head Case," and "Holy Water." While I actually enjoyed all of the crime fiction, these stories stood out for several reasons. The twist at the end of "The Stalker" is one of the best that I have recently read. I enjoyed "Mummy and Jack," a collaboration between Faye Kellerman and her son, Jesse, for its tone, voice, style, and dark humor. "Bonding" is one of my favorites because of its ending and its hard-boiled edge. "Mr. Barton's Head Case" entertained me with its cross genre appeal and its well done blend of crime fiction and speculative fiction. "Holy Water" is a favorite because I found it unique and imaginative. My least favorites of the collection are "Free Parking," "The Luck of the Draw," "Small Miracles," and "The Summer of My Womanhood." The reason I liked them less was because they were not crime fiction stories. They were all well-written, but they appeared out of place to me in this particular collection. However, the book's blurb did mention that the collection contained other writing that offered "readers glimpses into Kellerman's private life." Still, I would have enjoyed the collection even more if the book had only contained crime fiction short stories. Overall, I do not regret having bought the book. I like supporting good fiction, especially good short fiction as the short story can sometimes seem like it is becoming a vanishing literary art form. Despite my slight disappointment that the book did not contain a few more crime fiction stories, I think the collection was worth reading, and recommend that readers, particularly those who enjoy short crime fiction, read "The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights."
About The Author
C. M. Clifton is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.
"The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights," by Faye Kellerman, is a collection of mostly crime fiction short stories, each having a brief introduction by the author. Published by Warner Books, ISBN: 978-0-446-53039-2, the book is likely to appeal to readers who enjoy mystery and suspense fiction. Known for her crime fiction novels featuring L. A. homicide detective Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, Decker's Orthodox Jewish wife, Kellerman includes two previously unpublished Decker/Lazarus short stories within her collection. The sleuthing pair is as interesting and complex in "The Garden of Eden" and "Open House" as they are in the novels. Kudos to Faye Kellerman for maintaining Decker and Lazarus's characterizations in the short stories. The story "Bull's-Eye" is another short story that features the Decker clan, only this time readers are also introduced to Cindy Decker as she and her father work to solve a case. Again, Kellerman succeeds in keeping Peter Decker true to his fictional self and to readers by maintaining his character of being a concerned, supportive father in "Bull's-Eye." My other favorites among the stories that comprise the collection are "The Stalker," "Mummy and Jack," "Bonding," "Mr. Barton's Head Case," and "Holy Water." While I actually enjoyed all of the crime fiction, these stories stood out for several reasons. The twist at the end of "The Stalker" is one of the best that I have recently read. I enjoyed "Mummy and Jack," a collaboration between Faye Kellerman and her son, Jesse, for its tone, voice, style, and dark humor. "Bonding" is one of my favorites because of its ending and its hard-boiled edge. "Mr. Barton's Head Case" entertained me with its cross genre appeal and its well done blend of crime fiction and speculative fiction. "Holy Water" is a favorite because I found it unique and imaginative. My least favorites of the collection are "Free Parking," "The Luck of the Draw," "Small Miracles," and "The Summer of My Womanhood." The reason I liked them less was because they were not crime fiction stories. They were all well-written, but they appeared out of place to me in this particular collection. However, the book's blurb did mention that the collection contained other writing that offered "readers glimpses into Kellerman's private life." Still, I would have enjoyed the collection even more if the book had only contained crime fiction short stories. Overall, I do not regret having bought the book. I like supporting good fiction, especially good short fiction as the short story can sometimes seem like it is becoming a vanishing literary art form. Despite my slight disappointment that the book did not contain a few more crime fiction stories, I think the collection was worth reading, and recommend that readers, particularly those who enjoy short crime fiction, read "The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights."
About The Author
C. M. Clifton is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.
Book Review: Innocent in Death
by: C. M. Clifton
"Innocent in Death", by Nora Roberts writing as J. D. Robb, is the latest novel of the suspense series that takes place in a futuristic New York City. Amid a frigid, winter setting, Lieutenant Eve Dallas works to solve the murder of Craig Foster, a school teacher who appears to have been an all-around good guy. Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, ISBN: 978-0-399-15401-0, the book appeals to readers who enjoy mystery, police procedural, and romantic subplots. Roberts/Robb does a wonderful job at creating three dimensional characters in "Innocent in Death." Lieutenant Eve Dallas is a no-nonsense, smart cop who takes no prisoners once she believes she knows the culprit that is responsible for Craig Foster's murder. Beneath Dallas' cool posterior lies a slightly less chilly interior. Beyond the walls that Dallas has probably built as a defense mechanism is a witty, sarcastic woman who is fiercely in love with her husband, Roarke. While I enjoyed the entire book, I especially enjoyed how Roberts/Robb shows the intense passion that Dallas and Roarke share by weaving words in such a way that the novel's romantic subplot drew me deeper into the story. When someone from Roarke's past slinks into town, Roberts/Robb uses her word-weaving skills to show Dallas' more vulnerable side. "Innocent in Death" touches on several themes, in my opinion. The author shows that appearances can be deceiving, that past mistakes in life does not define one's present or future, and that love does conquer all, sometimes. Although Nora Roberts has written twenty-three previous suspense novels as J. D. Robb, "Innocent in Death" was the first book I had read of the series. Despite "Innocent in Death" having been the first I had read of Eve Dallas, the book was written in such a way that I understood the parts that touched on Dallas' past without needing to have read any of the previous books. Over all, I enjoyed "Innocent in Death" from its first page to its last. The novel has good pacing, well done suspense and characterizations, and a chilling culprit. I look forward to reading the next novel in the series and as many of the past novels as possible, and recommend that other mystery/suspense lovers read "Innocent in Death" also.
About The Author
C. M. Clifton is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Love Poetry.
Book Review: Innocent in Death
by: C. M. Clifton
"Innocent in Death", by Nora Roberts writing as J. D. Robb, is the latest novel of the suspense series that takes place in a futuristic New York City. Amid a frigid, winter setting, Lieutenant Eve Dallas works to solve the murder of Craig Foster, a school teacher who appears to have been an all-around good guy. Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, ISBN: 978-0-399-15401-0, the book appeals to readers who enjoy mystery, police procedural, and romantic subplots. Roberts/Robb does a wonderful job at creating three dimensional characters in "Innocent in Death." Lieutenant Eve Dallas is a no-nonsense, smart cop who takes no prisoners once she believes she knows the culprit that is responsible for Craig Foster's murder. Beneath Dallas' cool posterior lies a slightly less chilly interior. Beyond the walls that Dallas has probably built as a defense mechanism is a witty, sarcastic woman who is fiercely in love with her husband, Roarke. While I enjoyed the entire book, I especially enjoyed how Roberts/Robb shows the intense passion that Dallas and Roarke share by weaving words in such a way that the novel's romantic subplot drew me deeper into the story. When someone from Roarke's past slinks into town, Roberts/Robb uses her word-weaving skills to show Dallas' more vulnerable side. "Innocent in Death" touches on several themes, in my opinion. The author shows that appearances can be deceiving, that past mistakes in life does not define one's present or future, and that love does conquer all, sometimes. Although Nora Roberts has written twenty-three previous suspense novels as J. D. Robb, "Innocent in Death" was the first book I had read of the series. Despite "Innocent in Death" having been the first I had read of Eve Dallas, the book was written in such a way that I understood the parts that touched on Dallas' past without needing to have read any of the previous books. Over all, I enjoyed "Innocent in Death" from its first page to its last. The novel has good pacing, well done suspense and characterizations, and a chilling culprit. I look forward to reading the next novel in the series and as many of the past novels as possible, and recommend that other mystery/suspense lovers read "Innocent in Death" also.
About The Author
C. M. Clifton is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Love Poetry.
Book Review: Innocent in Death
by: C. M. Clifton
"Innocent in Death", by Nora Roberts writing as J. D. Robb, is the latest novel of the suspense series that takes place in a futuristic New York City. Amid a frigid, winter setting, Lieutenant Eve Dallas works to solve the murder of Craig Foster, a school teacher who appears to have been an all-around good guy. Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, ISBN: 978-0-399-15401-0, the book appeals to readers who enjoy mystery, police procedural, and romantic subplots. Roberts/Robb does a wonderful job at creating three dimensional characters in "Innocent in Death." Lieutenant Eve Dallas is a no-nonsense, smart cop who takes no prisoners once she believes she knows the culprit that is responsible for Craig Foster's murder. Beneath Dallas' cool posterior lies a slightly less chilly interior. Beyond the walls that Dallas has probably built as a defense mechanism is a witty, sarcastic woman who is fiercely in love with her husband, Roarke. While I enjoyed the entire book, I especially enjoyed how Roberts/Robb shows the intense passion that Dallas and Roarke share by weaving words in such a way that the novel's romantic subplot drew me deeper into the story. When someone from Roarke's past slinks into town, Roberts/Robb uses her word-weaving skills to show Dallas' more vulnerable side. "Innocent in Death" touches on several themes, in my opinion. The author shows that appearances can be deceiving, that past mistakes in life does not define one's present or future, and that love does conquer all, sometimes. Although Nora Roberts has written twenty-three previous suspense novels as J. D. Robb, "Innocent in Death" was the first book I had read of the series. Despite "Innocent in Death" having been the first I had read of Eve Dallas, the book was written in such a way that I understood the parts that touched on Dallas' past without needing to have read any of the previous books. Over all, I enjoyed "Innocent in Death" from its first page to its last. The novel has good pacing, well done suspense and characterizations, and a chilling culprit. I look forward to reading the next novel in the series and as many of the past novels as possible, and recommend that other mystery/suspense lovers read "Innocent in Death" also.
About The Author
C. M. Clifton is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Love Poetry.
Prose vs. Poetry
by: Terry J. Coyier
Prose - a simple word that confuses so many people. What is it exactly? According to dictionary.com: 1.the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, as distinguished from poetry or verse. 2.matter-of-fact, commonplace, or dull expression, quality, discourse, etc. Prose encompasses most of the writing and speaking we engage in today, including what I am writing here. It is everything from novels to blog entries to television/films and everything in between. Prose is simply a fancy literary term used to separate general writing from poetry or verse. (Though, just to confuse you, we do have prose poetry, the halibun and free verse which can muddy any clear distinction.) Prose is typically written in plain language, follows the standard rules of grammar and punctuation and is arranged in paragraphs. It often reflects ordinary speech patterns. In fiction, writers do develop different styles of writing and employ various techniques to add interest for readers, but the writing is still considered prose. Now that you understand a little about prose, let’s discuss poetry. Most people recognize poetry if they see a traditional poem. For instance, writing that has lines similar in length (each starting with a capital letter, of course), is arranged in stanzas, and has rhyme at the end of the lines. Most of us were taught about this type of poetry around the third or fourth grade. But poetry is so much more complex and varied than that simple example. In fact, those few things don’t necessarily define poetry at all. Poetry is much more than just a few basics such as the form in which it is written, some general meter and rhyme. Modern poetry often deviates from traditional poetic form and rules. Poetry presentation has, once again, become somewhat artistic for some poets who write in everything from couplets to verse paragraphs. These lines can also be arranged on a page to enhance the visual appeal of the poem (as in shape poems), to aid in the rhythm of the poem (adding space between words to create longer pauses while reading aloud, for instance) or to add to the meaning or irony of a poem by causing words to appear in specific places. Standard punctuation and capitalization practices are falling by the wayside, as well, for many contemporary poets. This still has little to do with poetry itself. So, how do we define poetry? I think Iowan, Paul Engle, had the right idea with is explanation: “Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words.” That, to me, is what poetry is, but I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t break it down somewhat. I am not providing definitions, they are easy enough to come by. Basic Poetic Devices Diction Meter Caesura Enjambment Rhyme Repetition Alliteration Assonance Consonance Onomatopoeia Personification Irony Imagery Symbol Metonymy Simile Hyperbole Metaphor Oxymoron A quick internet search will provide you with reading material on each of these devices. Some are easier to hone than others, but all are useful if you wish to write interesting poetry verses writing simple poems. Hopefully the lines between prose and poetry are now a bit clearer than before. Sometime in the future, I will have to address those other pesky fellows I mentioned that muddy the waters between the two. For now, whether you chose to write prose or poetry or both, I wish you the utmost success.
About The Author
Terry J. Coyier is a 37-year-old college student studying for an Associates of Applied Sciences degree. She is also a freelance writer who writes about a variety of topics. She lives with her son in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. Terry is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.
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