Writing Tip—Active Voice
Today’s writing tip is about making a vast improvement to your writing with one simple tip. Use active voice when writing.
Active voice is more powerful. It creates clearer images in your reader’s mind, helping to visualize the action of your writing.
Subconsciously perhaps, we gravitate to more active people. We may shy away from those passive individuals. We prefer to watch action rather than inaction. Thus, active voice is simply more interesting.
Of course, that is not to say that there is not a place for passive writing. However, its meaning is so much more dramatic if it is enveloped by active voice writing. The stark contrast interest us, draws us in to the plot. We are naturally more curious about what someone will do rather than what will happen to someone.
You’ll find that the more you are conscious of using active voice, the easier it will become. As you learn to recognize and correct it, your writing will improve dramatically.
Review: Blackberry Curve 8530
It’s been about a month since I purchased my new Blackberry Curve 8530. My faithful Curve 8330 bit the dust when it stopped taking a charge. The micro USB port with the 8530 is more stable, I’m told.
The difference using a phone that was 3G-network enabled was noticeable right away. Nothing like a fast network connection. My Pocket Express news loaded quickly.
The phone has a nice feel to it. Rather than the trackball, it has an optical trackpad. I admit that it took some getting used to, but I really like it now. The phone is both wireless and GPS-enabled, which is another plus if you have poor phone coverage. You can still get all of those work emails, don’t worry.
It comes with a 2 megapixel camera, with surprisingly no flash. That may be a major drawback if you’re taking a lot of pictures inside.
Now the drawbacks. Unbeknownst to me, the Curve 8530 uses the v5.0 operating system. That’s good for the all around upgrades, including OTA wireless updates. On the downside, several of my installed programs ceased to work. Incompatible with the new OS.
The most annoying of the OS issue was with Aerize Card Loader. I used to be able to download programs to my memory card. No more. The program is incompatible and the developer does not appear quick to solve the issue.
Another annoying OS problem was with glitch with the pre-installed version of the OS. The phone had this irksome habit of switching from the home screen to the Media app every few seconds. It tapped the battery quickly. Fortunately, an update fixed that particular issue. However, there still are issues with my AutoStandby program.
Overall, it’s a great phone. I like its slick design, even though I’ll have to sell my Otterbox that no longer fits. The hardware is much improved, the sound quality much better. I feel a bit miffed that I wasn’t alerted to potential software issues by the otherwise very knowledgeable salesperson with whom I dealt.
Despite the hassles, I believe it was a good purchase. Recommended!
Writers Must Embrace Online Retail
Today’s writers are in a very different place than writers of the past. We are more involved—and expected—to be involved with marketing. A web presence isn’t a luxury. It is an essential.
Since we will rely more and more on the web, it makes sense that we embrace the Internet. One key way to do so is to simply shop the Internet. It doesn’t matter what you buy from sporting goods to gourmet food.
The point is that you have to show your trust for buying online. Buy flowers for your spouse or golf clubs. Show that you have trust in online retailers. After all, that’s one source of your sales.
ShopWiki is a good place to start, especially if you are not quite sure what your favorite sports fan may want. It is also a good site to get you exposed to the variety of e-commerce out there.
As writers, we are expected to find ways to sell ourselves. What better way to know how we can make the sell than indulging in a little online shopping ourselves?
Give Me Some Gold
Writing mysteries gives you great insight into people. You must delve into a character to discover their motivations, what makes them tick. One of the best ways to do this is to study how they use money.
Of course, you’ll have those types that spend money as soon as they get it. Spending is a foreign word. Then there are those that are truly fascinating. They will take the opportunity to better their situation. They will invest, buy gold. Those characters will be the ones that know all about firms like Goldline International. They will know what to do with their money.
You have to appreciate these characters and their attention to their financial health. I enjoy reading about characters who are intelligent and plan well. The careless characters are just careless. The ones that succeed are the interesting ones.
As you write, think about your character and his concern for the future. Does he live day by day or is he always on the lookout for a way to achieve security?
Get It In Gear—National Time Management Month
Just perhaps when we need it most, when commitments to New Year’s resolutions are beginning to wane, welcome to February, National Time Management Month.
The best way I’ve found to manage my time is to lay out what I need to do. I can’t plan my day unless I can see my deadlines and timed tasks. For organizing, I use ToodleDo.
ToodleDo helps me lay out my short-term and long-term goals in a series of next-action steps. Major goals are more obtainable when broken down into baby steps. This has been the single best step I’ve ever taken to help me reach my goals.
There’s another side of time management that maybe we all need a reminder—setting boundaries.
Your time is invaluable. Don’t let anyone waste your time. Take your off time and use it. Do not take work calls when you’re off. Your boss does not have claim on time that is yours. Likewise, the friend that taps you for endless favors has to see the line in the sand. Reclaim your time. That is the best gift you can give yourself.
Know Your Rights–American Residential Law Group
It’s inevitable if you write mysteries. Law and law enforcement become topics of interest. After all, you’re writing about the most serious of crimes.
A topic that often comes up is a discussion. It is important to know what your rights are in any case, whether it be criminal or not. It’s often an area that writers spend a great deal of time researching.
We all like to know that the everyday man, the average Joe will prevail over injustice. It’s good to know that attorneys like Joel S. Jacobi, founder of the American Residential Law Group are seeing the our rights are not violated. This is especially important as American Residential Law Group Says Foreclosures Could Hit 3 Million in 2010. American Residential Law Group was recently featured in Yahoo News.
Perhaps that’s the greatest joy that we can find in writing that we may not always find in our real lives. The good guy wins, and there is justice.
February 4—USO Day
Today is the day to celebrate an unsung hero, the United Service Organizations (USO). These men and women have entertained and comforted our soldiers since 1941.
The people in our military deserve our support. Regardless of where you stand on any of the issues, the people fighting for our freedom are doing their job, just you and I do every day. Only they face challenges and risks that many of us may never know.
My father was a World War II vet. He was stationed overseas during the last months of the war. I cannot imagine the atrocities he may have witnessed. I can only be grateful that organizations like the USO supported him and other troops as they struggled through the war.
As luck would have it, my car which had previously belonged to my mother, was reaching its time. Rather than sell it, I donated it—to the USO. I hope in some small way that I too may be able to help the brave men and women serving our country. God bless you all.
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