by: Richard Chapo
The benefits of journal writing are fairly well established due to the long history of journal writing. From Anne Frank to Di Vinci, journal writing has proven itself.
Benefits of Journal Writing
When considering the benefits of journal writing, it is important to set a few parameters. First, there is no age limit to using journals. There are distinct benefits for children of all ages, but journal writing is equally valuable to adults. The reason for this is journal writing is an act of personal reflection. Whether it is a teenager reflecting on the social nightmare of high school or an overworked parent taking twenty minutes a night to write is irrelevant. The point is, all age groups benefit from stepping back from their life for a few moments and reflecting on things.
Whether you recognize it or not, journal writing provides you with an anchor in your daily life. In the journal, you are free to write what you want without restrictions, to truly address the issues in your life without fear of criticism. Put another way, one of the benefits of journal writing is it acts as a self-help psychiatrist, but for MUCH cheaper!
As you write in your journal over time, you’ll also start to ascertain a second benefit to doing so. This benefit is one of self-criticism. Inevitably, you’ll read through past entries and review your life. Doing so will lead you to self-reflection as well as thoughts on how you might act differently should certain situations rise again.
Of equal importance, journal writing has health benefits. Before you click away from this article, consider a time in your life when you were extremely frustrated. Hopefully, you spoke to a friend to “get things off your chest.” Didn’t you feel a lot better afterwards? Getting things off your chest helps relieve stress, one of the biggest killers in our modern society. Journal writing acts in much the same way since you are able to write your thoughts without fear of criticism.
There are other benefits to journal writing, but all boil down to one simple fact. Writing in a journal allows you to express yourself without being judged. With the lack of privacy in our modern, digital world, that is hardly a small benefit.
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of writing journals.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Writer’s Web Resources
by: Janet K. Ilacqua
The Internet has truly revolutionized the careers of writers worldwide. Now you can work for publishers, corporations and a whole range of other clients on a truly global scale. Whether you are in the heart of a big city, or in a remote mountain village, all you need is an Internet connection to run your writing business.
The opportunity is fantastic, and so is the writer's life that you could enjoy. But where can you find the jobs you need to establish a full-time writing career?
One way to start is through working the Internet job boards. Here aAlso included and listed separately are resources for business and technical writers, editors, journalists, and translators.
Writers’ Resources--General
Absolute Write - freelance writing, screenwriting, playwriting, writing novels, nonfiction, comic book writing, greeting cards, poetry, songwriting. One stop shop
Emily's Writing for the Web Emily A. Vander Veer gives professional writers the tools needed to promote, publish, and sell work to the largest and fastest-growing market in the world: the Web.
e-Writer's Place For writing inspirations, motivations and prescriptions.
Freelance Writers is a searchable database of writers from all around the world.
Freelance Writing This is the ultimate job board for freelance writers.
Freelance Writing Organization - Int'l This site hosts one of the largest free writing resource links databases in the world! It offers education, daily news, a writer's store, creativity advice and forums, to name a few of the resources. Over 2,000 free writing resources in 40+ categories of writing
FundsForWriters - A plethora of sources where freelance writers can find paying jobs
Momwriters A community of professional and new writers ... who face the unique challenges of writing with children underfoot.
National Writer's Union 'The only U.S. trade union for freelance and contract writers.' We offer contract advice, grievance resolution, health & dental plans, member education, Job Hotline, and networking. See also: Writers Union Job Hotline
Published! Articles and resources...from Marcia Yudkin, author of eleven books and hundreds of magazine articles, syndicated columnist, public radio commentator, writing coach
Published - The Directory of Independent Writers & Artists. searchable directory of independent Writers & Artists
SharpWriter Grammar. Complete writing resources. Lot of good stuff here but not geared expressly for freelancers
Suite101 This is an online community for writers. Not only is this a great site for work-at-home resources. You can apply to become an editor for them and get paid for your work.
Sunoasis Jobs for Writers, Editors, and Copywriters Employment opportunities for writers, journalists, new-media types on-line off-line in reporting feature writing reviewing editing free-lancing editorial content providing etc. ... Recently submitted job offers: Copywriter, Freelance. Monarch Design, a design and advertising agency,
The Burry Man Writers Center freelance job links, resources for fiction and nonfiction writers, working professionals and beginners
with particular support for writing about Scotland
The New Writer - the monthly magazine with the best in fact, fiction and poetry. aimed at all writers: the short story writer, the novelist, the poet, feature writer, anyone with a serious intent to develop their writing to meet the expectations of today's editors.
The Writers Home A Web Site For Writers, Editors And Lovers Of The Written Word.
TrAce Online Writing Community trAce connects writers and readers around the world ... with the focus on creativity, collaboration and training. New media writing, web development
Worldwide Freelance Writer How to sell your writing overseas. Find out where to sell your freelance work. Detailed guidelines for paying writing markets all over the world.
WriteCraft Writers Resource Center Companion to the WriteCraft Critique Group - where writers learn the trade.
writejobs Job Title. Company. Location. Proofreader/editor. Bioedit Ltd. Freelance. Digital Photography Writers ...
Writers Unbound Writing resources, Internet resources related to writing, writers, publishing, epublishing, authors and more. Articles and resources related to creative writing.
Writer’s Software SuperCenter Writer's Software SuperCenter has software for writing books, articles, novels, and screenplays, including Writer's Blocks software, StyleWriter editing software, StoryCraft, and more!
Writing World - Moira Allen provides writing tips, markets, news, contests and more.
The Writer’s Gazette Writing resource site for writers on freelance and publishing, including articles, job board, contests . Nice, comprehensive list of writers’ job boards.
Business and Technical
Copywriter world Freelance writers bid for writing projects such as resume writing, documents in APA style or MLA style writing, poems, sonnets, research papers, business plans, your biography, free e-books, your business proposal, essays, marketing plans, web content, ghost writing, ad copy, catalogs... virtually any form of writing.
Freelance Online - a professional online service for freelancers in the publishing and advertising fields. Free for employers; freelancers pay $15.00/year for membership.
Freelance Success Freelance Success is a community of professional, nonfiction writers who subscribe to a newsletter that guides them toward well-paying markets and editors. There is not a job board located on this site.
Techwriters Employs technical writers on and off site. The pay is excellent, but you must have a lot of experience with the topics
writingassist.com Provides local freelance technical writers for projects such as manuals, policies, software documentation, and work flow integration.
Children’s Literature
Institute of Children's Literature offered the premiere writing course, books, and a newsletter to adults interested in learning how to write and be published for children and teens.
Editing
Manuscript Editing Fiction and Non-fiction; Serving writers, literary agents, and publishers since 1976.
Fiction
Fiction Factor - The Online Magazine for Fiction Writers. NEW!
International markets
Australian Writer's Marketplace The essential resource for getting published in Australia and New Zealand.
Author Network - resources for writers including links, articles, monthly columns and ePublishing services.
Canadian Writer's Journal Canada's Independent Writer's Magazine.
Freelance Spain - the online Spanish resource for editors and journalists.
FreelanceJournalist.co.uk Helping journalists build a presence on the web. The web directory for UK freelance journalists.
Freelancers.co.uk offers you the complete guide to freelancing for publishers as a copyeditor or proofreader.
New Zealand Writers Website Writing Resources for New Zealand writers
writelinkpro.co.uk WritelinkPRO is the content provider for top UK monthly newsletter and website. We pay on acceptance for writing articles, fiction, poetry, reviews. We offer free e-book workshops, free e-book on travel writing, exclusive Members Area.
Journalism
International Federation of Journalists - The world's largest organization of journalists, representing around 450,000 members in more than 100 countries.
News Jobs Network Journalisms resources and News jobs in US, Canada and Utah.
UK Links 4 Journalists the most useful sites on the web. This is the journalist's section.
Translation
ProZ: Freelance translators, translation services, agencies, jobs and directory ...
Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia Fostering creative writing and the profession of writing in Nova Scotia.
Writerfind New Zealand Linking New Zealand writers with local and global markets.
Playwriters
writernetwork. We provide dramatic writers with the tools they need to build better careers and redefine the
The Internet has truly revolutionized the careers of writers worldwide. Now you can work for publishers, corporations and a whole range of other clients on a truly global scale. Whether you are in the heart of a big city, or in a remote mountain village, all you need is an Internet connection to run your writing business.
The opportunity is fantastic, and so is the writer's life that you could enjoy. But where can you find the jobs you need to establish a full-time writing career?
One way to start is through working the Internet job boards. Here aAlso included and listed separately are resources for business and technical writers, editors, journalists, and translators.
Writers’ Resources--General
Absolute Write - freelance writing, screenwriting, playwriting, writing novels, nonfiction, comic book writing, greeting cards, poetry, songwriting. One stop shop
Emily's Writing for the Web Emily A. Vander Veer gives professional writers the tools needed to promote, publish, and sell work to the largest and fastest-growing market in the world: the Web.
e-Writer's Place For writing inspirations, motivations and prescriptions.
Freelance Writers is a searchable database of writers from all around the world.
Freelance Writing This is the ultimate job board for freelance writers.
Freelance Writing Organization - Int'l This site hosts one of the largest free writing resource links databases in the world! It offers education, daily news, a writer's store, creativity advice and forums, to name a few of the resources. Over 2,000 free writing resources in 40+ categories of writing
FundsForWriters - A plethora of sources where freelance writers can find paying jobs
Momwriters A community of professional and new writers ... who face the unique challenges of writing with children underfoot.
National Writer's Union 'The only U.S. trade union for freelance and contract writers.' We offer contract advice, grievance resolution, health & dental plans, member education, Job Hotline, and networking. See also: Writers Union Job Hotline
Published! Articles and resources...from Marcia Yudkin, author of eleven books and hundreds of magazine articles, syndicated columnist, public radio commentator, writing coach
Published - The Directory of Independent Writers & Artists. searchable directory of independent Writers & Artists
SharpWriter Grammar. Complete writing resources. Lot of good stuff here but not geared expressly for freelancers
Suite101 This is an online community for writers. Not only is this a great site for work-at-home resources. You can apply to become an editor for them and get paid for your work.
Sunoasis Jobs for Writers, Editors, and Copywriters Employment opportunities for writers, journalists, new-media types on-line off-line in reporting feature writing reviewing editing free-lancing editorial content providing etc. ... Recently submitted job offers: Copywriter, Freelance. Monarch Design, a design and advertising agency,
The Burry Man Writers Center freelance job links, resources for fiction and nonfiction writers, working professionals and beginners
with particular support for writing about Scotland
The New Writer - the monthly magazine with the best in fact, fiction and poetry. aimed at all writers: the short story writer, the novelist, the poet, feature writer, anyone with a serious intent to develop their writing to meet the expectations of today's editors.
The Writers Home A Web Site For Writers, Editors And Lovers Of The Written Word.
TrAce Online Writing Community trAce connects writers and readers around the world ... with the focus on creativity, collaboration and training. New media writing, web development
Worldwide Freelance Writer How to sell your writing overseas. Find out where to sell your freelance work. Detailed guidelines for paying writing markets all over the world.
WriteCraft Writers Resource Center Companion to the WriteCraft Critique Group - where writers learn the trade.
writejobs Job Title. Company. Location. Proofreader/editor. Bioedit Ltd. Freelance. Digital Photography Writers ...
Writers Unbound Writing resources, Internet resources related to writing, writers, publishing, epublishing, authors and more. Articles and resources related to creative writing.
Writer’s Software SuperCenter Writer's Software SuperCenter has software for writing books, articles, novels, and screenplays, including Writer's Blocks software, StyleWriter editing software, StoryCraft, and more!
Writing World - Moira Allen provides writing tips, markets, news, contests and more.
The Writer’s Gazette Writing resource site for writers on freelance and publishing, including articles, job board, contests . Nice, comprehensive list of writers’ job boards.
Business and Technical
Copywriter world Freelance writers bid for writing projects such as resume writing, documents in APA style or MLA style writing, poems, sonnets, research papers, business plans, your biography, free e-books, your business proposal, essays, marketing plans, web content, ghost writing, ad copy, catalogs... virtually any form of writing.
Freelance Online - a professional online service for freelancers in the publishing and advertising fields. Free for employers; freelancers pay $15.00/year for membership.
Freelance Success Freelance Success is a community of professional, nonfiction writers who subscribe to a newsletter that guides them toward well-paying markets and editors. There is not a job board located on this site.
Techwriters Employs technical writers on and off site. The pay is excellent, but you must have a lot of experience with the topics
writingassist.com Provides local freelance technical writers for projects such as manuals, policies, software documentation, and work flow integration.
Children’s Literature
Institute of Children's Literature offered the premiere writing course, books, and a newsletter to adults interested in learning how to write and be published for children and teens.
Editing
Manuscript Editing Fiction and Non-fiction; Serving writers, literary agents, and publishers since 1976.
Fiction
Fiction Factor - The Online Magazine for Fiction Writers. NEW!
International markets
Australian Writer's Marketplace The essential resource for getting published in Australia and New Zealand.
Author Network - resources for writers including links, articles, monthly columns and ePublishing services.
Canadian Writer's Journal Canada's Independent Writer's Magazine.
Freelance Spain - the online Spanish resource for editors and journalists.
FreelanceJournalist.co.uk Helping journalists build a presence on the web. The web directory for UK freelance journalists.
Freelancers.co.uk offers you the complete guide to freelancing for publishers as a copyeditor or proofreader.
New Zealand Writers Website Writing Resources for New Zealand writers
writelinkpro.co.uk WritelinkPRO is the content provider for top UK monthly newsletter and website. We pay on acceptance for writing articles, fiction, poetry, reviews. We offer free e-book workshops, free e-book on travel writing, exclusive Members Area.
Journalism
International Federation of Journalists - The world's largest organization of journalists, representing around 450,000 members in more than 100 countries.
News Jobs Network Journalisms resources and News jobs in US, Canada and Utah.
UK Links 4 Journalists the most useful sites on the web. This is the journalist's section.
Translation
ProZ: Freelance translators, translation services, agencies, jobs and directory ...
Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia Fostering creative writing and the profession of writing in Nova Scotia.
Writerfind New Zealand Linking New Zealand writers with local and global markets.
Playwriters
writernetwork. We provide dramatic writers with the tools they need to build better careers and redefine the
SEO Article Writing 101
by: Marsha Maung
SEO writing is very different from content writing, article writing, story writing and news writing. When I first realized my innate talent for writing stuff and putting thoughts into words, I was still reading Mills and Boons, and it was during this time that my romance storybooks were confiscated by my classroom teacher because I was reading in class.
Writing is a very personal thing, I discovered. Some people have the talent for writing creative stuff. Some people have the talent for writing ads. Some write excellent factual stuff. Well, I fall into the factual stuff category. The boring-writing-technical-mumbo-jumbo writing stuff. How I fit into this category, I don’t know.
Well, SEO article writing is very much like that. First, you decide what topic or keyword that you want. For instance, you’re selling decorative lamps, right? in the SEO article writing process, list down ‘decorative’ and ‘lamps’. Then think about other words that relates to ‘decorative’ and ‘lamps’…words that people use all the time to describe them. This is a very important part of SEO article writing because these are common words that your potential site visitors will use to find you.
How about ‘light’, ‘bright’, ‘pretty’, ‘lighting’?
Ok, now your SEO article writing keywords are:- decorative, lamps, light, bright, pretty and lighting, right? So, on to the SEO article writing process. First you write everything that you need to write down first. Beef up the article. As a general rule of thumb, SEO articles should be no less than 300 words and no more than 500 words. Any more than that, you’re wasting your writing a novel for your SEO article. Read through the SEO article now and replace words and reword sentences to fit in those keywords. Yes, you’ll have to restructure some the SEO keywords here and there, but do it anyway.
Make sure the sentences make sense, ok? Because although the search engines won’t know bad grammar from good grammar, your site visitors will. And most of them, site visitors who visit your website based on those SEO keywords DO mind the bad grammar. And once you turn them away, it’s almost impossible to bring them back!
The final step to SEO article writing is…..proofread your SEO article and make sure they flow. The problem with SEO writing is that your thoughts might come in buckets….a splash here and a splash there. So, during the SEO article proofreading process, you’ll have to make sure one paragraph flows on to the next.
Good luck!
SEO writing is very different from content writing, article writing, story writing and news writing. When I first realized my innate talent for writing stuff and putting thoughts into words, I was still reading Mills and Boons, and it was during this time that my romance storybooks were confiscated by my classroom teacher because I was reading in class.
Writing is a very personal thing, I discovered. Some people have the talent for writing creative stuff. Some people have the talent for writing ads. Some write excellent factual stuff. Well, I fall into the factual stuff category. The boring-writing-technical-mumbo-jumbo writing stuff. How I fit into this category, I don’t know.
Well, SEO article writing is very much like that. First, you decide what topic or keyword that you want. For instance, you’re selling decorative lamps, right? in the SEO article writing process, list down ‘decorative’ and ‘lamps’. Then think about other words that relates to ‘decorative’ and ‘lamps’…words that people use all the time to describe them. This is a very important part of SEO article writing because these are common words that your potential site visitors will use to find you.
How about ‘light’, ‘bright’, ‘pretty’, ‘lighting’?
Ok, now your SEO article writing keywords are:- decorative, lamps, light, bright, pretty and lighting, right? So, on to the SEO article writing process. First you write everything that you need to write down first. Beef up the article. As a general rule of thumb, SEO articles should be no less than 300 words and no more than 500 words. Any more than that, you’re wasting your writing a novel for your SEO article. Read through the SEO article now and replace words and reword sentences to fit in those keywords. Yes, you’ll have to restructure some the SEO keywords here and there, but do it anyway.
Make sure the sentences make sense, ok? Because although the search engines won’t know bad grammar from good grammar, your site visitors will. And most of them, site visitors who visit your website based on those SEO keywords DO mind the bad grammar. And once you turn them away, it’s almost impossible to bring them back!
The final step to SEO article writing is…..proofread your SEO article and make sure they flow. The problem with SEO writing is that your thoughts might come in buckets….a splash here and a splash there. So, during the SEO article proofreading process, you’ll have to make sure one paragraph flows on to the next.
Good luck!
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