http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for critique Copyright 2008 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:51:18 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/critique http://www.artwoo.com/article/poetry-critique-critique-the-poem-not-the-poet http://www.artwoo.com/article/poetry-critique-critique-the-poem-not-the-poet#comments Sun, 17 Sep 2006 04:27:05 +0000 poemwriting poetrypoetsfellow poetonline writing communityezboardboggle http://www.artwoo.com/article/poetry-critique-critique-the-poem-not-the-poet writing poetry is something that is very personal to us poets, and sharing it for the first time can be a very frightening experience. The first experience of having your work criticized can boggle your mind and set you back a step in your writing. However, critique is essential in any writer's career. Accepting criticism is something that we all must face, even if we don't like it.

When I received my first harsh critique, it was on an Ezboard workshop, and right then I wanted to give up writing. My critics were arrogant and, in my opinion, very mean. It was a most painful experience. After running an online writing community for the last four years, I have met a few arrogant and mean people, just like the one on Ezboard. I think that some of these poets have gone to workshops, and have been critiqued in this manner, so now they think this is how one critiques. Wrong!

How to give a critique:

Short reviews like: "good poem," "I like this," and "awesome," are not useful to any poet. When giving a critique, remember that poets are looking for an in-depth critique. As writers, we thrive on and grow as writers by getting both positive and negative comments on our work. At all times keep your responses respectful. You don't have to take a critical, lengthy review approach, when commenting on others' poetry. You might just want to comment on the way the poem struck you, what you liked about a poem, or what threw you off about a poem. Maybe you can quote part of the poem and tell why you liked that verse. You don't have to write a book; just a few comments can really help someone know what works and what doesn't. Remember to be tactful, and never disrespect the writer. Poets are sensitive souls, and they take their poetry to heart. There is a wrong way, and a right way to say everything. You can offer constructive criticism, where the poet is going to learn from it without being disrespectful; never mock your fellow poet.

Here is an example: You just read a poem and all you can find are reasons you disliked it. Maybe it had a number of spelling/grammar mistakes, and run on sentences. Instead of commenting on just the bad parts of the poem, start out by pointing out the good things. For instance, you could say," I think you've done a really fine job expressing your emotions. However, I believe that your poem could use some work on the structure to make it complete. I noticed a few spelling and grammar mistakes. I really think this is a good attempt and, if you are looking for a more in-depth critique, I would be happy to work with you to tighten up the poem."

How not to give a critique:

Never critique the author; critique the poem. Never change the poem, and put it in your own words. When you do this, it is no longer the poet's thoughts. Never think that you are an expert in your field. All poets have room for improvement. Never look at another poet as a failure. Instead, keep in mind, just as in movies, not every poem will appeal to you. Don't point out every line in the poem that needs work. You should save that for a more in-depth critique, if the poet desires it. Don't come off as an arrogant critic, which is not the way to help people, or win friends in the writing business.

Critique is important to all poets. However, if you feel that you are an expert on poetry with no room for improvement yourself, then maybe you should stay away from critique groups. Instead, turn your creative energy toward your own work to see how you might improve it." Rose DesRochers is the founder of Blogger Talk Blog Community http://www.bloggertalk.net, a friendly fast growing blogging portal, offering bloggers support, advice, tools, tips and information about blogs and blogging. She is also the administrator of Today's Woman Writing Community http://www.todays-woman.net, a supportive online writing community for men and women over 18. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/write-in-a-writers-group http://www.artwoo.com/article/write-in-a-writers-group#comments Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:43:28 +0000 latent talentsleaps and boundswriting contestssemi colonwriters groupswriting communitycreative writers http://www.artwoo.com/article/write-in-a-writers-group
Here are seven good reasons to join a creative writer's group:

Finding other writers is extremely encouraging. You can talk in forums, by email, or chat privately.

You will find a plethora of activities to engage your talents.

There will be lots of writing contests, and this is one of the best motivators there is.

You can get creative and make greeting ecards, banners for others who have a business, and unique graphic signatures.

You can strike out on your own by creating a business, or help someone else in theirs.

Being part of a writing community gives you awesome opportunities to search out latent talents and bring them to life. You can create contests (or help others who create them). If you like graphics, you will have a wonderful opportunity to sell them and gain exposure.

You can post your stories on the net. Other writers will critique your work, and you will critique theirs in return. The more detailed your critique, the more they will appreciate it. Tell them if they miss a comma, or should have used a semi-colon; tell them if their plot was thin or the scenery didn't convert to an image in your mind. This is what they need to know to improve their performance. By interacting in this way, you will soon learn what is good and bad writing, and what you want to emulate, and what you should avoid.

By this simple but effective method, you can improve your writing by leaps and bounds. When receiving critiques, remember that the person giving it is trying to help you. Don't get your feelings hurt by someone criticizing your favorite story. On the contrary -- use 95% of their suggestions for editing, and then put the story out again for more reviews.

The largest majority will thank you and invite you back for more reviews. Others will get their feelings hurt, so be tactful and gentle. If you don't know how to review stories, the site will have a guide for it.

I have visited many writing sites. The one I endorse is Writing.com, as it is one of the best established writing groups on the net. Membership is free. It won't take you long to settle in, as you will have lots of help.

The Bible says if a person would have friends, he must show himself friendly. Whether or not you believe the Bible, that's good advice, so don't wait for someone to reach out to you. You reach out to them.

See below.Receive a free writing evaluation by clicking here: http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com Send in stories for the newsletter! Cool things happen at CWI.]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/let-other-people-critique-your-college-admission-essay http://www.artwoo.com/article/let-other-people-critique-your-college-admission-essay#comments Fri, 18 Aug 2006 18:27:15 +0000 college admission essaycollege admission essayscollege application essaysreputable universitycreativestudent admissionsaspiring students http://www.artwoo.com/article/let-other-people-critique-your-college-admission-essay College Admission Essay. Before you can ever step on the pavements of the university, an aspiring student's acceptance letter may be largely dependent on the student's college admission essay. Admission essays and College Application Essays are very vital for one's entry to a good reputable university. The admission essay can be the determining factor, of whether or not one is to be admitted to a certain college or university. Many students never make it to their desired schools not because of their grades or lack of extracurricular activities. They fail because of the admission essay they submitted. An admission essay does not really have to be Nobel Prize for Literature-like essay. It just has to be creative and one of a kind.

Year after year, admissions officers read thousands of College Admission Essays from all over the country (and the world). The probability that they will remember everything a student has written is one to a thousand. The only way that a student could make a mark and imprint his words to the admissions officers' minds is to be unique. This means to say that the essay should be creatively woven to bring out the real persona behind the student. Admissions officers don't want to read essays that are written already in one's resume like achievements and personal particulars. They are interested in what's behind those achievements and grades. They are after the essence and soul of the particular student. Writing about one's experiences is a good material to start one's essay with. This will help bring out the spunk and creative genius in a person while baring his soul for the admissions officers to read.

There are ways in which the student can check if the College Admission Essay he has written can catch another person's attention and to see if the essay is grammatically correct. For one, he could let his family, friends and teachers to read the essay and have them critique it. In this way, the strong and weak points of the essay will be brought up and can be corrected. If more than three persons consulted say that the essay lacks color and life, or if the essay is not coherent and has no unity, then something must be very wrong with it. Don't be offended by the criticisms received for they are only constructive ones and it will also help improve the essay. There's a tendency that a person can't see errors in one's own writings. Therefore, it is important to let others read and critique one's work. In fact, their comments and criticisms may be the very same comments and things that the admission officers will take note of as well.

Preparation for college requires a lot of patience and great deal of imagination. College Admission Essays as well as College Application Essays are the necessary essentials that could make or break a student's future. Remember that one's future is at stake with these essays. Needless to say, when one is writing every word in the paper, he should think about the future. Accordingly, there are three parts of college admission essays: the introduction, body, and conclusion. It's always good to begin one's essay with a bang to hook the readers to continue perusing the essay until the very last period. Make use of humor and wit, but never forget to be honest and true to one's writing. For more valuable information on MBA Essay and College Admission Essay, please visit http://www.admissionsessays.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/let-other-people-critique-your-college-admission-essay http://www.artwoo.com/article/let-other-people-critique-your-college-admission-essay#comments Mon, 21 Aug 2006 18:27:17 +0000 college admission essaycollege admission essayscollege application essaysreputable universitycreativestudent admissionsaspiring students http://www.artwoo.com/article/let-other-people-critique-your-college-admission-essay College Admission Essay. Before you can ever step on the pavements of the university, an aspiring student's acceptance letter may be largely dependent on the student's college admission essay. Admission essays and College Application Essays are very vital for one's entry to a good reputable university. The admission essay can be the determining factor, of whether or not one is to be admitted to a certain college or university. Many students never make it to their desired schools not because of their grades or lack of extracurricular activities. They fail because of the admission essay they submitted. An admission essay does not really have to be Nobel Prize for Literature-like essay. It just has to be creative and one of a kind.

Year after year, admissions officers read thousands of College Admission Essays from all over the country (and the world). The probability that they will remember everything a student has written is one to a thousand. The only way that a student could make a mark and imprint his words to the admissions officers' minds is to be unique. This means to say that the essay should be creatively woven to bring out the real persona behind the student. Admissions officers don't want to read essays that are written already in one's resume like achievements and personal particulars. They are interested in what's behind those achievements and grades. They are after the essence and soul of the particular student. Writing about one's experiences is a good material to start one's essay with. This will help bring out the spunk and creative genius in a person while baring his soul for the admissions officers to read.

There are ways in which the student can check if the College Admission Essay he has written can catch another person's attention and to see if the essay is grammatically correct. For one, he could let his family, friends and teachers to read the essay and have them critique it. In this way, the strong and weak points of the essay will be brought up and can be corrected. If more than three persons consulted say that the essay lacks color and life, or if the essay is not coherent and has no unity, then something must be very wrong with it. Don't be offended by the criticisms received for they are only constructive ones and it will also help improve the essay. There's a tendency that a person can't see errors in one's own writings. Therefore, it is important to let others read and critique one's work. In fact, their comments and criticisms may be the very same comments and things that the admission officers will take note of as well.

Preparation for college requires a lot of patience and great deal of imagination. College Admission Essays as well as College Application Essays are the necessary essentials that could make or break a student's future. Remember that one's future is at stake with these essays. Needless to say, when one is writing every word in the paper, he should think about the future. Accordingly, there are three parts of college admission essays: the introduction, body, and conclusion. It's always good to begin one's essay with a bang to hook the readers to continue perusing the essay until the very last period. Make use of humor and wit, but never forget to be honest and true to one's writing. For more valuable information on MBA Essay and College Admission Essay, please visit http://www.admissionsessays.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/seven-levels-of-rejection-and-how-to-make-them-work-for-you http://www.artwoo.com/article/seven-levels-of-rejection-and-how-to-make-them-work-for-you#comments Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:34:59 +0000 manuscript formatrejectionsinvisible inkmissivefollow directionsbetter luckmail http://www.artwoo.com/article/seven-levels-of-rejection-and-how-to-make-them-work-for-you rejections before being published and about hundred after, I should know). Learning how to analyze rejection is a helpful skill for any writer because you'll learn what to ignore, what to consider, and what will put you on the right track or, as the case may be, off of it.

Here are the seven types of rejections that may find their way in your email or mailbox:

1) No response. The agent or editor doesn't send you anything. I find these ones most annoying. You wait in anticipation, hoping, praying for something either in the mail or online. Nothing. Six months past. Still nothing.

2) Form rejection. These are the ones that start Dear=85fill in the name. They tell you that your work isn't right for them and wish you better luck elsewhere. There's no feedback. You should toss these rejections immediately. But be warned, form rejections are easy to get if you don't follow directions: submitting to the wrong magazine or publisher, a wrong topic, wrong manuscript format, or writing in crayon or invisible ink. To avoid form rejections, study the magazine or publisher's criteria for submissions to make sure you're giving them something they'll want (i.e. a clean manuscript that addresses the needs of their readers) and not a missive of "Why I Should be Published by You."

3) Multiple choice. These agents or editors have gotten creative and made a list of reasons they're rejecting your work because a) they have something similar, b) the quality of your work doesn't meet their standards and/or, c) they think you're completely without talent and hope you'll never query them again. Sometimes they'll check one, sometimes they'll check all three. This is still a form rejection because it's too general to give you any real advice; however, you at least get an idea of what they're looking for. But then again, if number three is selected it is best ignored because it's just an opinion.

4) Personal note. These are nice, except when they're mean. A nice personal note can provide support like, "Good job, but needs work." A mean note on the other hand can be devastating like, "This is awful" written in blood red ink on the corner of your query. When an agent or editor takes the time to put "Not bad" on the corner of your query take it as the sign of encouragement that it is. Ignore the nasty ones. But even if they don't tell you why your work is being rejected, you're heading in the right direction. Getting a good or bad personal note indicates your style. It is my experience that it's better to get some kind of response rather than just a form rejection. Why? Because that's how readers will be. Some will hate your work. Some will love it. Receiving a response, especially a personal note, lets you know that you're hitting buttons and that's a good thing.

5) The critique. Most aspiring authors expect this type of rejection, but editors and agents don't owe you this. They get hundreds of queries and manuscripts a week and they can't critique all of them. If you do receive one consider yourself fortunate that someone has taken the time to tell you why they're rejecting your work. They may be wrong, but at least you know why. Remember, they are taking a risk by sending you bad news. The form rejection is popular because many editors and agents have suffered the wrath of rejected authors who will bombard their offices with letters arguing why they think they critique was wrong. Don't be one of those authors. Take what you can from the critique then move on.

6) Try again. This type of rejection is close to a personal note, but it's never mean. They are saying that what you submitted isn't right for them, but they're curious to see more. Make sure you follow up.

7) Rewrite request. This type of response can make most writers jump for joy. The editor is interested and is offering hints on how to gain their favor. This is good news, of course, only if you agree with the suggested changes. Unfortunately, this is still a rejection and there is no guarantee that making the changes will result in a sale. However, the most important lesson to learn from this type of rejection is that you have caught the interest of an editor and it's a relationship you should nurture.

No matter what type of response you get, 'close' is still 'no.' There is no gray area in publishing. You are either offered a contract or not. However, as I've outlined above, look at the type of rejection before you burn it. When you get varying rejections like: 'I hate the character, but love the plot' and 'I love the character, but hate the plot' you're on your way. Why? Because whoever is reading your work is stating personal preference instead of offering a common complaint. That will be what makes your style unique.

Most writers loathe rejections and for some their careers never survive the pain of getting them. You don't want this to happen to you. You now have the skills to sift through your rejections and never fear them again. Dara Girard is an award-winning author of romance and nonfiction who provides support and information for beginning and experienced writers, to help them keep going when things get tough, or when nothing seems to be happening. Visit http://www.daragirard.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-real-estate-addcom-made-web-pro-world http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-real-estate-addcom-made-web-pro-world#comments Sun, 16 Apr 2006 19:50:08 +0000 web mastersreal estateweb procomputer professionalscomputer industryaddinternet technology news http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-real-estate-addcom-made-web-pro-world Real Estate Add.com to Web Pro World 6 months earlier for a critique by web masters, and we had just completed a major update of the site. So then about 2 p.m. CST on March 21st I re-submitted the site to web masters there for another critique.

A couple of hours later I came back to Web Pro World to check to see how many posters had made comments. There I sat in my chair dazing into my computer screen in disbelief. Real Estate Add.com was Web Pro World's featured site of the day.

In my home office alone I was stunned. My amazement soon turned into shock!

Making the featured site of Web Pro World for any webmaster is a huge achievement. I had dreamed of this day, never believing it would happen to me.

What great news! After more than 20 years working on and around computers I sat quietly shocked! It was like winning an Academy Award to me!

Web Pro World is renown as the place web masters and wannabee web masters come to learn about the computer industry. It's a place for computer professionals and novices alike to share experiences and get the days Internet Technology news.

It's a site that I have frequented with millions of others and enjoyed over the years. It's a place where I feel at home.

It really shows me how just about anybody with enough drive, hard work and perseverance can make a go of a business on the internet. I had always dreamed of making a real hit on the net, and now with Web Pro World's selection we only hope we are on our way.

Real Estate Add.com is an information driven website dedicated to providing consumers good solid information about real estate news you can use in every state of the nation. There isn't anything quite like it any where else on the web. It's uniqueness in a maze of perhaps millions of real estate sites makes it stand out.

Real Estate Add was started nearly two years ago now out of a belief that website visitors wanted good solid information on real estate and not just salesy copy to get them to buy something. But rather an old concept that building a following in anything takes time and hard work.

The site was just launched this past September and has been gaining a growing following. It has taken thousands of hours of hard work and dedication by just a few of us to accomplish, which just goes to show how much can be done in this day and age by a few dedicated hard working small time operators on the internet highway.

I am exceptionally grateful to Web Pro World for Real Estate Add to be selected as the featured site of the day. It's an honor that I will always enjoy and remember.

Real Estate Add will grow over the coming years into a recognizable brandable service for consumers to visit. Information on real estate markets all over America is updated regularly. Like Web Pro World, it's a place where you can feel at home even when you are not considering buying or selling a new home or real estate. Mike Colpitts is the publisher of Real Estate Add, an information driven website which provides good solid information on real estate markets in all 50 States. Visit http://www.realestateadd.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/resume-writing-hot-tips http://www.artwoo.com/article/resume-writing-hot-tips#comments Tue, 11 Jul 2006 14:27:23 +0000 resume formatresume exampleprofessional resume writertarget jobwrite a resumejob seekersjob choice http://www.artwoo.com/article/resume-writing-hot-tips job seekers have the same problem when writing their resumes: they feel overwhelmed when it comes to presenting themselves in such a concise format. If you're suffering from this problem, you might want to work with a partner, a friend, a fellow job hunter, a counselor, or a professional resume writer, someone who can ask you probing questions and provide objectivity.

Gather and Check All Necessary Information - Learn to write a resume by writing down information under headings. Write your resume example that embraces your education; experience; honors; skills and activities and make a list of your training and education relating to your job choice.

Match Your Skills and Experience with an Employer's Needs - Choose a target job/title that works best and write a good resume by matching your wishes with positions that are actually available.

Highlight Details That Demonstrate Your Capabilities - Learn to write a good resume by selecting details of your information that best matches the employer's needs. Results need to benefit your employer and make you a viable candidate for the target job.

Organize the Resume Effectively - You write a resume by organizing your Personal information followed by a Summary of key points, Education, Experience, Honors and Activities. Write a good resume chronologically listing primary jobs held, including unpaid work that fills a gap or that shows you have the skills for the job. Write your resume example and compare with other like-positions resumes and create a draft based on the resume format you choose. References are a separate entity and may not be included, but always have solid reference available if requested.

Consider Word Choice Carefully - You write a resume that accurately describes you -- your skills, talents and expertise. Write a good resume by utilizing active verbs (in many forms) such as achieve, analyze, adapt. Learn to write a resume that describes you positively and accurately. Write a good resume using adjectives and nouns such as analytical, resourceful, capable.

Ask Other People to Comment on Your Resume - We at Houston Job Search will help you write resume and then we will critique it. Remain open-minded when you write a resume and with our constructive criticism, the final resume will achieve its objective. Ask your friends and trusted colleagues to review and critique your resume.

Make the Final Product Presentable - A resume should be printed on a high quality (24 lbs stock or more) paper using a laser printer. We at Houston Job Search can provide the resources.

Use dynamic action verbs such as: accomplished, collaborated, encouraged, established, facilitated, founded, managed, etc. Do NOT use the subject I, use tenses in the past. Sell Yourself with a Great Resume! More Information at http://Resume.eask.info ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-promote-your-books-in-online-world http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-promote-your-books-in-online-world#comments Sun, 09 Sep 2007 01:35:02 +0000 emailconvince them thatsignaturebloggooglecritiqueblogs http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-promote-your-books-in-online-world
1. Make use of your signature online. Make sure you put your link to where your book can be found or purchased in your signature. In your email, you can link to websites, blogs, or whatever you want. Don't make it too long, it'll annoy the readers. And another important point is to make a post to relevant groups or forums.

2. Google and Yahoo group are the best places to go. Join the groups that are for readers and post often. The other will see your site through your signature

3. Go to chat spot and start chatting, Offer them a gift or related promotional items to come to your sites ( That where the address of your book.) If the chat is somethings about writing, offer them a critique. That will make your book more interesting in their point of view, just remember, people always love critique.

4. Try finding a related websites or blogs that are in your genre, offer them to do a reviews or maybe a short interview on their site or blog. If the blog has a very high traffic, the more people will see your book. Follow the golden rules of selling online, "the more traffic, the more sales"

5. Put up your own website or blog. You will argue me with this. You might say that you don't want to afford the hosting or domain. I have to tell you that, your site or blog can be a huge different. Your book's site will add the book more value from the customers' eyes. What's more is that when you publish another book just simple put it there, where your promoted site is. That make your life a lot more easier because you have to promote once and for all.

6. Create a mailing list. That way you can interactive with your readers. You don't have to make a newsletter about your books or your goods. It'll scared the readers away. Try to make if fun and friendly, convince them that you are their's friend. The friend that introduces them a great books ( of yours, exactly) :)

7. In your blog (or your website, but I recommend you to setup it with Wordpress to use blog feature. It's very easy for you because you don't have to worry about on-page factor) try to write it as often as you can. If it possible, try to write it everyday, Visit other people blogs and don't forget to comment on their's blog. By doing this will keep him/her happy and the important thing is don't forget to link back to your blog for his/her comment.

8. After you have finished setup your site, try to exchange your link with your author friends or others. That will make your site more visible to a horde of internet users.

9. Every time you finish reading a book, try writing a review article of it. You can submit it else where. That will make you backlinks.

10. Join the internet contests. Usually, It's free. You don't worry about winning the first place. If you don't win, your title will be list anyway. So many more people are watching you!

Be friendly, Go everywhere and make friend. Be helpful to everybody. Giving your time. Pay respect to other and say them a congrats when they make a nice post or article. This is the most important thins I want to tell you above all. You will get help by many people, you'll be the inspiration of the other, they'll promote you without saying a word. Friendship rule the world :) Article about writing, write, wrote, written a novel, book, article. For everyone who want to improve their skill in writing :) http://writing-novel.blogspot.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/from-manuscript-to-novel-a-short-guide http://www.artwoo.com/article/from-manuscript-to-novel-a-short-guide#comments Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:27:08 +0000 manuscriptcritique grouppublishersplot twistword of advicequery letterthrown away http://www.artwoo.com/article/from-manuscript-to-novel-a-short-guide manuscript? Many believe you can simply start sending it out to agents or publishers sometimes even both. However this is simply not true, just because you have created this riveting tale, you cannot send it out and expect it to be published right then. No, there are many aspects to being published and even more frauds out there, where the only goal is to con you out of your money. Filling their pockets and leaving yours empty and your dream of being published unfulfilled.



So what to do, where to turn, who do you trust, who do you ask?

Well the first thing is take that perfect manuscript and reread each and every word and prepare to rewrite, if you are like many authors out there who have a hard time seeing their own mistakes then join a critique group. These groups are designed to help writers, and many have guidelines to follow so that your critique is accurate and fair. Once you have joined the group, redone your mistakes, repeatedly, finally believing you have the best Manuscript possible, here comes the hard part. Getting someone else to believe it as well.

You have to come up with a query letter that holds the readers attention using a strong hook. A hook if you don't know is that one scene, that one line, that grabs the readers attention making them want more, need more of what you have to say. Once you have that Query here comes the synopsis, a synopsis is summary of your story highlighting plot twist and turns along with giving, a detail setting your story takes place in, generally about two to three pages in length. A word of advice when you write your synopsis, know the ending even if not exact, at least how it will end. Publishers and Agents do not want to be still guessing at the end.



Ok you have your Query, your Synopsis, your sample Chapters leading into the story, now what?

Did you make sure everything is formatted properly; this makes a huge difference on acceptance to being read or thrown away before they look at the first line? So everything is properly formatted, you have researched the agents and publishers, you know who you are going to send out to, but there is one major problem who first? Well that depends on your list, first off if you want an agent then they are the first ones to contact. A good agent will walk you through the process from, professional editing to submitting to the publisher. Agents will have Publishers they want to send to first, but you can suggest your own as well. A good agent will not charge you; they make money off getting that contract with the publisher. A good agent will keep you informed at all changes, but most importantly, a good agent will be looking out for you.



Now that we know what an Agent does maybe, you are like hundreds of other authors and do not want an agent. Well that is ok too; many go straight to the publisher. Whether you self publish or have a publisher, you need to follow the company's guidelines and rules.

Also, remember that unless you are self-publishing then the Publisher pays you not the other way around. A publisher should also have a list of events and ideas they want to use to promote the book.



No matter what way you choose to move that manuscript into a novel be sure to check out each publisher, editor, and agent on your list. Make sure they are legit, that they do not have any hidden fees, and any questions you have are answered completely before you sign that dotted line. Remember you are in charge, it is your work, and you have a responsibility to yourself, your readers, and your publisher or agent, just because the hard parts are done, do not stop. Send it out for reviews, ask local books stores to carry it, promote, promote, promote. Dee Owens writes articles for http://www.articles3000.com. A free ezine articles site. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/10-tips-on-learning-to-lead http://www.artwoo.com/article/10-tips-on-learning-to-lead#comments Thu, 12 Oct 2006 12:27:10 +0000 good role modelsleadership situationsleadership challengespersonal leadershipapprentice programmentorsmentor http://www.artwoo.com/article/10-tips-on-learning-to-lead
Pick good role models. Pick out some great leaders to emulate. Then, when you're faced with a leadership problem, ask yourself how your role models would handle the situation.

Find a mentor or two or three. Mentors are people who provide wisdom and guidance. Mentors are the masters in your personal leadership apprentice program. A good mentor will enjoy helping you sort out your career and leadership challenges. You may have many mentors during your career.

Ask how you're doing. Good feedback is essential to efficient and effective growth. Ask your boss, your peers and the people who work for you how you're doing. Ask how you might do better. Critique your own performance. Every time you take a significant leadership action, make sure you also do an after-action critique. Ask yourself what you wanted to accomplish, what you did, and how things came out. Decide what you'll do the same and differently next time.

Talk to other leaders. People who have been bosses for a while have had to deal with many leadership situations. Talk over your problems with them. Adapt their advice to your situation and your personal style.

Seek development opportunities. Development opportunities are assignments where you get to stretch yourself, learn new skills, gain new perspective and increase your visibility.

Take classes. Classes can give you new ideas or help you develop specific skills. Pick classes that give you solid take-away value. Sometimes you'll find that the take-away value lies in the relationships you establish or build with other class participants.

Read books. There are a lot of good ones out there, but there are a lot more that don't have much to say. Consider reading history and the biographies of leaders to see how they did things. Read business books for content or because andquot;everybodyandquot; is reading it. If you're not getting value from a book, stop reading.

Have a plan. You don't need a super-detailed, step-by-step, three-binder-filling plan. But you do need an idea of the direction you want to go and what your development priorities are.

Review regularly. That means review your plan and review your development. I suggest taking a little time every week to review how you're doing and growing. Take a little time at least every month to check your plan make sure it's still want you need.

You are the person who will determine what kind of leader you become. You are the person who will set direction, gather feedback and make course corrections. You are the person who will choose books and courses that will help you grow, and try to line up assignments that will help improve your skills, perspective, relationships, and visibility. And, you are the person who will reap the rewards. Wally Bock helps organizations improve productivity and morale. He is the author of Performance Talk (http://www.performancetalk.com/). He writes the Three Star Leadership blog (http://blog.threestarleadership.com/), coaches individual managers, and is a popular speaker at meetings and conferences. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-tips-for-a-killer-resume http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-tips-for-a-killer-resume#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:44:28 +0000 lengthy paragraphscustomer service repsales positionmultinational corporationprospective employerpoor managementprospective employers http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-tips-for-a-killer-resume multinational corporation or trying to become WalMart's newest customer service rep, a great resume is essential. Here are some tips to make yours stand out.

1. Know what you want: Your resume should clearly state what type of job you are looking for and what you are hoping to achieve in your career. This is also known as an objective, and it is an essential entry on every resume.

2. Keep it concise: Your resume isn't a long, detailed document that tells potential employers your entire life story. Avoid using lengthy paragraphs and opt for bullets and short sentences instead. Your resume is simply a snapshot of your education and experience so there's no need to go into great detail. Your prospective employer can always ask you to elaborate during the interview.

3. Be positive: Your resume isn't the place to be negative. Don't say you quit your last job because of poor management or long hours. Keep it upbeat, and never trash a former employer on your resume or in an interview.

4. Know your strengths: Because many of us are taught as children to be modest, it can be hard to tell others what we're good at but that's exactly what you should do on a resume. Know your strengths and mention them. If you're good at communicating with the public, you're reliable, and you work well independently, let prospective employers know!

5. Make it action-packed: When you're describing your experience, use action words. Organized, arranged, supervised, and promoted are just a few examples.

6. Be what your potential employer needs: Make sure you are suitable for the position you are applying for. Otherwise, you're just wasting the employer's time, and your own as well. You should also tailor your resume to suit the position. If you're applying for a sales position, for example, highlight your experience in that area. If it's a customer service position, highlight your experience working with the public instead.

7. Draw the reader's attention with symbols: If you want your potential employer to know that you increased profits for a company, don't say you "increased profits by two hundred thousand dollars in 1998," or that you "increased profits by 200 thousand dollars in 1998." Use the symbol instead. Say you "increased profits by $200,000 in 1998." Using symbols is an effective way to draw attention to this information. Always use the symbol for percent (%), the dollar sign ($), and the number symbol (#) when you are preparing your resume.

8. Follow the crowd: You can make your resume unique to a point, but there are some accepted and unwritten rules you should follow. Limit your resume to a page or two, never make the font size smaller than 10, and resist the urge to use wacky font styles. Stick to the basic serif and sans serif choices.

9. Phone a friend: It's difficult to critique your own work so ask a friend, teacher, or (honest) family member to help out. In addition to general feedback about the overall look of your resume, they can point out spelling and grammatical errors as well. If you don't know anyone who would be up to the task, a professional resume critique service may be able to help.Jeff Tomlin has been an expert in producing sample resumes and cover letters that actually work for many years. Jeff Tomlin and his website have personally helped over 285,000 job seekers. Jeff has completed a library of resume template and sample cover letters to help those looking to make a career switch. To find out how Jeff can help you please visit http://www.landjob.com and find out today.]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-different-types-of-blogs http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-different-types-of-blogs#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:36:20 +0000 web logsmedia sourcebusiness entrepreneurscorporate businesscontroversiesserious discussionsbusiness processes http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-different-types-of-blogs web logs, depending on the kind of information, they provide.

Blog writing or blogging initially began in the form of diaries. These blog types provided personal information as in an autobiography of a person. This requires conscious writing and highlighted important aspects of a person's life, which most people would be keen in reading. This trend highly popularized the practice of blogging.

Blog Post Types:

1. Interviews: Writers often use interviews to learn more about a particular topic, they are working on. Thus, it may not include relevant information, but a general opinion of the public regarding a specific topic. Mostly, one or two questions are asked to get an overview of different responses.

2. Case Studies: It is one of the most popular types of blogs. Web sites include case studies, usually as review posts, where they add certain content information regarding their sites. Many web sites use case studies as a medium to generate income.

3. News Media: These are blogs which display illegal, incorrect, or inaccurate information. Sometimes, they take the content from a media source and make unintentional modifications and omissions.

4. Reviews: Usually, every online product or service has reviews along with it. They contain personal opinions or experiences regarding a particular product. This helps the readers to make a fair choice.

5. Corporate: Business entrepreneurs use corporate blogs to advertise their products and business processes. They update readers regarding recent projects, or services or any other modifications in business.

6. Rants: These are likely to trigger serious discussions and debates. Topics can range from political to ethical values and there are immense differences in opinions. Hence, they sometimes cause controversies, but are highly informative.

7. Spam or Splogs: Their basic purpose is to advertise commercial companies. They contain large number of links to enhance search engine results. Hence, they make use of repetitive text and keywords.

8. Critique Posts: Often mistaken as 'Attack Posts', they are aimed to criticize a particular aspect of a topic the site is advertising. However, critique blogs are mostly a result of criticism.

9. Personal: Teenagers usually, make use of personal web logs to post their anger or share some of their crucial moments and problems with distanced friends. Visitors have an access to such content and can post their opinions or suggestions on the tagboard.

10. Culture Blogs: A social organization designates bloggers to display content regarding the social aspects of a culture or cultural ethics. Here, the content is highly informal and a visitor can post an opinion, without offending any religion or culture.

Business organizations use branding, sales, relationship, collaboration and knowledge blogs, for different commercial reasons.

Inspirational, humorous, cultures, collation and problem posts are not so common types of web logs, but can bring a desirable change in thinking patterns, if used effectively.David O Connell: How to Start and Maintain Highly Successful Revenue pulling Blogs Blogging for Riches Complete video tutorial.]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/book-publishing-how-i-got-into-book-publishing http://www.artwoo.com/article/book-publishing-how-i-got-into-book-publishing#comments Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:34:59 +0000 critique groupregional booksupport and guidanceeditorial supportlife spanpublishing housesbook signings http://www.artwoo.com/article/book-publishing-how-i-got-into-book-publishing
Like many other writers, I have always wanted to write a book and started scribbling stories as a child. I have also always been an avid reader. When I started my first book I did not know what I was doing. It was a learning experience and I was not sure I could even write an entire book, but at last I did have a completed manuscript. I then began my search for a publisher.

As I knew no other authors or writers I started with the only place I knew. The Writers Market book. I came up with a list of publishers and started sending out queries. I had some interest from some of the big houses but as time went on I collected a pretty impressive list of rejections. I worked my way through all the major publishing houses and then started on the smaller houses. Then came the exciting day when I got the call that a small house was willing to publish my novel.

Now in hindsight I'm not so sure I should have leaped at the offer. Small publishing houses can offer opportunities that the bigger houses cannot. They are often more willing to take a risk on an unknown author or a manuscript that does not fit cleanly into a niche. But they are riskier ventures. Many small publishing houses do not have a long life span. My first publisher did print my first book and contracted with me for my second but went out of business before the second book even came out. Smaller publishers also have lower distribution. It was up to me to arrange distribution in my regional book stores as well as arrange my own book signings and promotion. However the biggest drawback for me was the lack of editorial support and guidance. Remember, this was my first book and I wasn't even working with a critique group. I could have used more editing than I received from that publisher. While getting my first book published was a confidence booster and an education, it was not a financial boon. I received only one royalty check before the publisher went under.

After that experience, I then became even more determined to learn about publishing. I sought out writing groups, attended writers conferences, and joined a critique group. As I gained more confidence in my writing I started entering writing contests and placed in the top three in several writing competitions. One of my first place prizes included being read by a senior editor at Kensington. The editor liked my manuscript and offered me a two-book contract.

This experience was dramatically different from my first. A major publishing house meant a standard contract, a standard advance, and regular royalty payments as well as good distribution. However I also lost a great deal of control over my book. Both covers are bodice rippers and the title of the first book was chosen by the marketing department and I was not even given the right to approve it. Even worse for my writing career though was the fact that the editor who bought me quickly passed me off to another editor and then when that editor left I was handed to yet a third editor. As an orphaned author my second book received little support and I was not offered a new contract.

I would be lax if I did not mention agents during this article. Many unpublished authors ask if agents are important. Obviously as my story points out you can get published without an agent. In fact, I might have gotten published sooner the second time around if I wasn't working with an agent who did not take advantage of some of my previous contest wins. The problem is that the type of agent who is willing to take on an unproven author is not likely to do you much good. If you can make a contact with an agent through a conference or contest or the like then definitely do so but I would not recommend spending a lot of time trying to get an agent before you are published. After I had my contract with Kensington I did work with a higher quality agent for a time but nothing came of that experience although the fault probably lies with me as well as with the agent.

I wish you luck in your pursuit of book publishing and hope me story is informative and helpful. Learn more about Renaissance Woman Deanna Mascle at her books at http://deannamascle.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-writing-groups-really-help http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-writing-groups-really-help#comments Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:27:07 +0000 free ezine articleswriting groupdee owensrough draftsheroineheronovel http://www.artwoo.com/article/do-writing-groups-really-help heroine" rel="tag">heroine driving you insane or the hero of her dreams, but how to start? I suggest writing groups; you will find them both on the Internet and off. In your town or out of another country, but nowhere you go or where you look you will find the group that is right for you. How do I know, how can I be sure? Well i personally Co-Own my own group and am the member of another. I can tell you that my second novel would have not made it to paper without my writing group helping me through the rewrites and rough drafts, the writers block, and getting the heroine and the hero finally get together. No without them, my second book would still be driving me insane to finish it.



I can also attest that without the help of the first writing group i joined i would not have ever gotten my first novel published. They kept me from going to the wrong people how to format the manuscript and what it really took to submit the book to the Publisher.



Yes, writing groups have helped my career immensely, however finding the right group for you is the key to getting the right help. Therefore, what to look for when picking out that perfect group.

First off, I suggest making sure; they offer both honest critiques and helpful feedback.

Secondly what type of critique submission ratio they have, many offer a 2 to 1 ratio, which means for every two critiques you do you can submit one chapter for help with. You also need to see how many critiques and submissions are required to remain active.

Another thing to consider is whether the moderator and owner are actively participants in the group, or just run by other people. How many members are in the group and whether or not chats are encouraged between members? In addition, do they accept multiple genres or just one?



Knowing each of these can help you find the perfect group for you. Dee Owens writes articles for http://www.articles3000.com. A free ezine articles site. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/who-else-wish-a-good-relationship-with-the-inlaws http://www.artwoo.com/article/who-else-wish-a-good-relationship-with-the-inlaws#comments Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:15:00 +0000 parentsinlawsdrive you crazybeloved onelittle respectt 95financial involvement http://www.artwoo.com/article/who-else-wish-a-good-relationship-with-the-inlaws parents, your inlaws. Suddenly they become the source of your problems.

However, they are the parents of your beloved one. They are also the grandparents of your kids. So, there is no way for you to get rid of them from your life. They will always be part of your family.

Does it mean you have to live the rest of your life being their enemy or consider them as enemies? That is beyond silly.

As long as you want it, you can make friend with them. How To?

=95 No critique

No matter how they drive you crazy with their behavior, never ever criticize them. Even if your spouse does it, it doesn't mean you can. Well, you can but it would be better if you don't.

=95 Be helpful

Try to help them with some stuff while you can. Yet, it doesn't mean that you have to be some kind of their slave.

=95 Stay away from any financial involvement

Either they to you or you to them. A little financial help once in a while is ok. Sometimes, new couples need support from the inlaws or parents. Yet, don't let them interfere too much with your household spending or income. If your spouse can support his/her parents, let him/her be and don't prevent him/her from doing it.

=95 Show a little respect

Basically, old people need to be respected. If you show just a little bit of disrespect, they would feel deeply disappointed. Try to avoid that. If your hurt them, how can you make friend with them?

=95 Visit them regularly

If you live nearby, an hour or two every one or two weeks can make them very happy. Let them have the chance to play with your children. If you make the first move to see them, they won't have the chance to ring you every single day and drive you crazy.

Having a good relationship with your inlaws will enhance your spouse's respect towards yourself. David W Richards is a happy husband and a joyful father of two kids. He loves sharing tips on family and parenting. He also writes about other stuff at his sites: http://ozsq.com, http://ozsv.com, and http://oztq.com. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-great-supervisors-do-differently http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-great-supervisors-do-differently#comments Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:27:09 +0000 frontline worknatural conversationscompany productivitypeerscompany successworking environmenttraining coaching http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-great-supervisors-do-differently frontline work of the company. They are the key to company productivity and morale.

There are all kinds of great supervisors. They're tall and short, fat and thin. Great supervisors come in a variety of styles. Some are loud and some are quiet. Some are volatile and some are calm.

Great supervisors are responsible for groups that out-perform their less effective peers on two key dimensions. Their groups are more productive, often by huge margins. And their groups have high moral.

Great supervisors get great results because they do things differently than their less effective peers. If you want to get the results that great supervisors get, just do the things that great supervisors do.

After more than a quarter century of training, coaching and research, I've got a pretty good idea of what those things are. Here's my list, in no particular order.

Great supervisors show up a lot.

This is such a simple thing, but it generates great results. When you show up a lot, good things start to happen.

You get to know your people by seeing them in action. That's the best way there is to learn what they do well and what needs improvement. Showing up a lot gives you many opportunities to help your people improve.

Your people also get to know you. You become a natural part of the working environment. That, in turn, leads to more natural conversations and better communication.

Great supervisors tell their people why their work is important.

People want to do important work. They want to be part of something that's bigger than they are, something that matters.

Great supervisors tell individuals how what they're doing contributes to team and company success. They tell the team how their work makes a difference to the company.

Great supervisors do things to keep work interesting.

People want to enjoy themselves at work. There are two key ways that great supervisors help them do that.

Great supervisors help individuals learn and grow. Learning is actually like play for most adults and the great supervisors help their people keep learning.

Great supervisors keep things interesting for the team by setting up competition. Sometimes individuals or parts of the team compete with each other. Sometimes the team competes with other teams. Sometimes the team competes with its own prior performance or goals.

Great supervisors rehearse mentally.

Great athletes prepare for competition by imagining a great performance. Great generals prepare for battle by imagining what might happen and how they'll respond. Great supervisors do the same thing.

Great supervisors practice encounters with subordinates or presentations or handling emergencies in their head. They determine what might happen, and then they figure out what they'll do if it does.

That mental rehearsal pays off when the real situations occur. By then, the great supervisors have already developed and considered alternatives and can easily choose the best course of action.

Great supervisors work hard to assure understanding.

Your people need to know what you expect of them. You need to understand the messages they send you.

Great supervisors know that understanding rarely happens naturally. That's why they use techniques like active listening to make sure they understand what others are saying. They check for understanding when they give instructions.

Great supervisors manage the consequences of performance.

Consequences are the natural outcome of performance. They should work this way. If someone does something good, something good happens to them. If they do something bad, something bad happens.

Great supervisors deliver the consequences of performance effectively. That means that they use positive consequences like praise, reward and recognition to get people to try something new or to continue a behavior. They use negative consequences like reprimand or punishment to get people to stop something.

Great supervisors take every opportunity to communicate and counsel.

Those moments when you contact a subordinate are precious. Great supervisors try to use every one to improve performance, stop unwanted behavior and help people grow.

Great supervisors help people grow.

Great supervisors strive to help and encourage everyone who works for them to become an ideal employee. That means helping them develop their skills and try new things.

Great supervisors get feedback on their supervisory performance.

You can't get better if you don't know how you're doing. That's why great supervisors seek critique from many areas. They ask their boss and their subordinates how they're doing. They ask their peers. And they critique their own supervisory performance.

Great supervisors ask for advice.

Supervision is a demanding art. It's also an apprentice trade, one that's learned mostly on the job. Great supervisors read and take courses, but they also seek advice from other supervisors.

It doesn't take magic or in-born skill to do these things. But it does take consistent and concentrated effort.

Now that you know what it takes, you can become a great supervisor. Just do what they do and you'll get the results they get. Wally Bock is an author, speaker, and coach who helps leaders improve the performance and morale of their teams. Wally is the author of Performance Talk: The One-on-One Part of Leadership (http://www.performancetalk.com/) and the Three Star Leadership Blog (http://blog.threestarleadership.com/). ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/getting-the-most-out-of-critiques-and-edits http://www.artwoo.com/article/getting-the-most-out-of-critiques-and-edits#comments Tue, 22 May 2007 10:14:56 +0000 poor qualityups and downsdesiresuggestionthrow in the towelprecious wordspersonal feelings http://www.artwoo.com/article/getting-the-most-out-of-critiques-and-edits precious words. In fact, it's probably one of the worst moments you can have as a writer. Self-doubt can fill you and make you wonder why you ever bothered to write such poor quality stuff. But don't fret. Just because there is a mass of red markings doesn't mean that your work is poor quality.

Other author's are not only your best resource; they arealso your best source of support. The life of a writer can be difficult at times, full of ups and downs and the desire to throw in the towel. Chances are if you talk to another author they would not only give you great tips and advice, they will offer you the support and encouragement we all need when we put ourselves out there as we do when we present our writing.

One way that authors support each other is to review each other's work. A second set of eyes and objective opinion are always worth having. Too many times when authors get their manuscripts back, they feel discouraged. The one sure way to avoid this is to realize three things:

First, it is one person's opinion.

Second, if you stand back and consider suggestions made you might see something that you didn't before.

Third, it's a learning experience. Every author should learn something from each critique offered.

As the author, you have complete control over whether you want to make a change in your story or you don't. When reading someone's assessment of your work, if you don't feel the same about a person's comments, just skip it and move on to the next suggestion. If several people make the same suggestion, then you may want to rethink your lack of desire to make a change.

Don't allow personal feelings to prevent you from getting the most out of critiques. It can be difficult when you have worked so hard to perfect a scene and others don't see the perfection that you do. In this case, it is best to take a step back. Don't make changes right away, or close your mind to suggestions made. Give yourself a day or two, keep working, see where your story is going and then go back and look at the critique once again.

There is a reason that authors write in drafts. First drafts are meant to be changed and torn apart. So are second, third and fourth drafts. A manuscript isn't complete until you as the author feel it is what is should be. In each draft, that you write you should learn something about your characters, your setting, your plot and ultimately your writing style. When you allow others to review your draft, allow yourself to learn. Store away ideas, techniques and phrases to use in your revisions.

Keep in mind your goal when reading through another's analysis of your work. You are preparing your manuscript for the biggest reviewers of all--a publisher. It is an authors job to give a publisher the cleanest manuscript possible. Remember when a publisher considers your piece for publication; they will take into account the amount of editing time necessary. If an author has presented a piece that will require an excessive amount of editing, there is a great possibility that the manuscript will be rejected.

Finally, goal achieved you have received a contract on your manuscript. You may think that the majority of your work is done. The reality is, you have only just begun. Once a manuscript is accepted by a publishing company, the next step is for an editor to be assigned. An editor will be nit-picky. They will analyze every word, every comma, sentence structure, phrases and writing style. Your editor's job to take what you have written and make it the best it can possibly be.

It's not uncommon for the niggling feelings of self-doubt to return when you receive your 'perfected' manuscript back from the editor, once again torn apart. Bear in mind that if your work was not good, it would not have been accepted. An editor is that final set of eyes that will read your work before it goes to publication. They want to make sure that you have a book that will sell.

Once again when reading an editors comments, look at it from an objective point of view. Talk to other authors who have supported you along the way, and think of an editor's suggestions as help rather than criticism. At this point, you still have the power to decide what changes you will and will not make, however, it is in your best interest to strongly consider advice an editor gives.

Writing is not a field for those without tough skin. Even those with tough skin can fall into the trap of self-criticism when they receive their work marked up beyond recognition. But if you take the time to learn from those red marks, the chances of your next edit being less "bloody" are good. Don't give up! Keep writing, it will keep you motivated despite the less than wonderful feedback you might sometimes receive. Jordana Ryan is the author of the new romance novel, No Matter What (Amira Press). Learn more about writing romance at http://jordanaryan.tripod.com/ ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-makes-art-valuable http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-makes-art-valuable#comments Mon, 10 Apr 2006 14:13:15 +0000 butterfly wingmonetary valueworld contextclass actsulkgraysonpoint of view http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-makes-art-valuable Grayson Perry entitled "How art appreciates - it's a class act". In a nutshell he reckoned that art finds its true monetary value from what the experts say. But I can see something more from what he says.

If a piece of art is to be labeled as having any "value" at all it is what is said about it that establishes it as a work worthy of an individuals attention.

In other words ... if you see a picture and it relates to you in some way (this can be either positively or negatively) - then you should say so ... and write it down.

So once one remark has been made then others will follow ... plus other people will look at the work and make their own minds up about it, and they will also read about what you have said ... and they will include your critique in their weighing up of the image.

I am not necessarily talking only about financial worth, no, here is a far greater opportunity which is all inclusive, wonderfully mutual, and offers the chance for anyone - and everyone ... to add to the worthiness of any piece of art - and eventually to the whole of society. What YOU have to say about a particular artwork is very important ... even vital not only to the work, or the artist, or that particular type of work, or to your locality, or to your region, or to your country ... but to the World! (I am referring here to the butterfly wing beat theory ... if you don't know about it then you must look it up .... it really puts value onto the individual within a world context ... fantastic - but I believe it's true).

Let's look at this in a bit more detail, first from the artist's point of view ...

If, when you exhibit your art, you value what people have to say about your work (and I don't mean if you want everyone to love everything you do otherwise you will sulk and withdraw into yourself), and are happy for observers to voice their opinion about it - make sure you have a visitors book easily available for any remarks to be made (remember ... even someone who only wants to deface the book is actually saying something about themselves - and their society ... and your work might be evoking a challenge to them so much that their only response can be a defensive one such as vandalism - therefore even this has a value in itself - and strangely actually places a value upon your work). These can have a use later on in publicity, and in some cases can be seen as endorsements for your style of work.

If you have a website then a well placed, easy to understand and use, guest-book or visitors book, or comments page are very useful reference points for you and your work. If visitors refer to a particular image then their critique might be worthy of adding to the page that the picture is on. That way other observers can get to read observations coming from different points of view. Of course, if a visitor does not want to be influenced - then they can just simply ignore anything that is written. However, others may well find such additional information from the "man-in-the-street" helpful to them as they try to assimilate what they see. What is written will be of far greater value to them - and to you the artist in may other areas too. And if you are trying to sell your work then a timely encouraging comment from a third party might persuade an otherwise hesitant buyer into making that sort after commitment.

Now from the visitors point of view ...

It is a truly wonderful thing to be "touched" by a piece of art in a gallery. When ever I have found myself slowly being drawn into a painting I immediately want to verbalize what I am receiving - I might want to shout or laugh loudly ... but more likely I would want to put down in writing a description of what I am seeing, what I am feeling, and what kind of inspiration I might begin to cultivate ... and what intention I might want to start getting in motion (which is why I always carry a notepad around with me).

So I would encourage, even exhort, the viewer not to just take a back step and move on to another picture. But rather I want them to commit their thoughts, frustrations, emotions, decisions, resolutions ... anything which has come directly from looking at a piece of art, commit these to paper - find the visitors book and, if necessary, fill it with your reactions to the work. By doing this the visitor is rightly placing themselves into the "experts" chair. So any thoughts and points of view are worthy of note. If you have a view on a piece of work then it should be heard.

It is the same - or should be - when visiting a website. In fact it can be easier to make an anonymous comment on the internet. A lot of sites give you the opportunity to make a comment without having to give your name, email address - or any information other than the words you want to type. So if you are that sort of person then don't be afraid but try to get into the habit of writing down your views. You might actually WANT to reveal who you are or put down your area of expertise .... be it the university professor or the "public highway hygiene technician" ... because what you say matters ... whoever you are.

What will happen here is that as comments are made and attached to a work others will read them and, having viewed the piece themselves, they will make their own point of view whether for or against other comments ... and the work will gain its own merit from what is said.

So while the top artists are busy vying for that hallowed multi-millionaire-and-totally-famous-artists kind of place - the rest of us can get on and work, and receive a much more valuable encouragement ... that of the humble, if not down-to-earth, endorsements from our fellow human beings.

Don't be afraid ... be truthful ... tell it like it is ... and watch what happens. About The Author: Tim Seaward is the author of "What makes art valuable?". He is also a practicing fine artist living and working in the UK. Visit his site to find out exactly what he paints. http://www.ablot.com or mailto:tim[at]ablot.com (replace [at] with @) ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/learning-about-photography-by-enrolling-in-a-class http://www.artwoo.com/article/learning-about-photography-by-enrolling-in-a-class#comments Sat, 27 Jan 2007 12:27:08 +0000 how to develop picturesphotographydigital camerasprofessional photographersproper storagethose who leftsubject in school http://www.artwoo.com/article/learning-about-photography-by-enrolling-in-a-class
The results of doing this are very different for each person when these have been developed. The individual might notice that the image was too bright, too dark or blurred.

These are the common mistakes when the individual does not know the proper way to use a camera. Professional photographers call it an art and the only way to be good is to take the proper lessons.

Students who are taking up journalism have this as one of the subjects as part of the curriculum. If the person is majoring in another subject in school, this can be taken as an elective. Those who left school years ago can also enroll in the class for a semester to learn everything about photography.

Most classes require the student to have a camera. The person doesn't have to get the model that costs a $1,000 because there are variations selling at half the price.

The first thing thought by the instructor will be to know each part of the camera. The individual should know this inside and out to be able to maximize the use of this device.

The next part will be teaching the students to shoot using the camera. Some instructors will tell the class to go out and take some shots first.

Everyone will have a chance to critique the pictures when these are developed. Some consider this the only way for people to learn what mistakes have been committed so it can be avoided in the future.

Some schools still teach the students how to develop pictures in a darkroom. Though many professionals have decided to have this done by someone else or switch to digital cameras, these are things that the person should know about photography.

The cleaning and proper storage of equipment is another matter that has to be discussed. This will ensure the equipment is in good condition each time it is brought out when shooting a subject.

Learning about photography in class is fun. This can be taken as a hobby or be used later on should the individual want to pursue this as a career.

It is never too early or late to learn how to use a camera. This takes some open mindedness on the part of the student to do this right. Low Jeremy maintains http://Digital-Photography.ArticlesForReprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/earning-from-online-surveys-are-they-legit http://www.artwoo.com/article/earning-from-online-surveys-are-they-legit#comments Fri, 27 Oct 2006 16:27:08 +0000 free paid surveysonline surveyspaid surveys onlinesurveys paidresearch surveysearn extra moneymoney money http://www.artwoo.com/article/earning-from-online-surveys-are-they-legit paid surveys online or for any other city or state in the US, the online surveys market is available to all who wishes to earn extra income from home. These research surveys are certainly not restricted by geography or your location.

There are many companies out there who are looking for the public to help give their opinions or comments (critique) on their latest products or services. AND they are willing to pay them either cash or give away free products as a reward.

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Paid surveys and trials have been made possible owing to the rise of the Internet as a real-time interaction medium. Corporations with new products about to be rolled out, can get the thoughts and opinions of people almost instantly via a digital questionnaire, thereby saving them a lot of advertising money... money that is now dispensed to their (eventually paying) customers.

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If you are sick of working for a boss and would like to work on your own time for yourself, then finding online surveys that pay is a great start. You can find free paid surveys, no fees involved, and you can be on your way to your own new business. There are many free good paid surveys that can be found, that you can fill out for either cash payments or free products from the companies involved. Read up on the latest in reviews, articles andamp; resources on http://www.articledirectoryzone.com/paid-surveys/florida-paid-surveys-online.html and learn the science that is http://www.articledirectoryzone.com/earn-extra-money.html ]]>