Click Here to Learn How You Can Become an Online Freelance Writer

Request Free 7 Day Website Success Course by Email
Email
First Name:
Last Name

Sunday, September 27, 2009

 

Japanese Flowering Cherry Tree

By Elaine Friend

My timing was perfect, even if the place was not as I imagined. How could two cities be so different yet share something so distinct as to make them like sisters in a family? There was no doubt in my mind that it was the cherry blossoms that created the illusion before me - an illusion of something Japanese, in a place as American as New York City. Today was the annual Sakura Matsuri or cherry blossom festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden where more than 200 cherry trees were in full bloom. I remembered the Japanese because of the cherry trees.

In this shimmering spring day
Ah, with ever anxious heart
The blossoms are falling...
Ki no Tomonori
Japanese waka poet

What could be more joyful than this moment, when all the Japanese flowering cherry trees or Sakura were bursting with pale pink and white blossoms? I could see the delicate blossoms falling to the ground even before withering out, as if someone had shaken the cherry trees and thrown the petals in the air. The scent of cherries wafted the cool breeze in the garden, blending like a symphony with the laughter of the people who posed under, besides or in front of the cherry trees.

The radiance of cherry blossoms
Their scent, ever fresh with every passing year,
So man grows old, eternally.
Ki no Tomonori
Japanese waka poet

Like any tourist, I admired the cherry blossoms for its aesthetic value, not knowing the Sakura symbolized something more profound to the Japanese. The falling leaves or blossoms are a metaphor for death in Buddhism. That's because the Japanese compared the short life of a cherry blossom to the life of a samurai or warrior who was fully prepared to sacrifice his life in the cause of his master. I thought the samurai was rather like a Christian martyr who was fully prepared to sacrifice his life in the cause of his faith in Jesus.

Myriads of things past
Are brought to my mind -
These cherry blossoms!
Basho Matsuo
Japanese haiku poet

A few days ago, we were at the Senso-ji Temple, in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan where I noticed the cherry blossoms within the courtyard of the famous Buddhist Temple. Our good friend Yachiyo explained a little about the cherry and Buddhism.

"Those are not real anymore but made of plastic," she said. "They are there all year round so that people could hang their prayer petitions under the trees. We don't have a mass like you do. We don't worship a God like you do."

Yes, I did notice several sheets of paper (with characters on it) hanging under the shade of the cherry trees. It was something that even I could relate to. The scene reminded me of how the Jews inserted prayer petitions between the bricks of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Even Catholics have prayer petitions thru lighted candles or written paper that are burned after praying.

From a Buddhist's perspective, however, the cheery tree is a deity and each petal of cherry blossom is a person who sacrifices himself for a certain mission or ideal. It is as simple as the flower will wither, the warrior will die, and the world will fade away.

The rains poured down as I sat to eat our bento lunch underneath a large tent. Surrounded by cherry trees, I understood how people see the world from the perspective of their own faith but regardless of faith, I sensed the connection of mankind to nature and to a higher power above. Yes, immortality was never meant for man on earth but how beautiful it is to know that we have a purpose to strive for and like the Buddhists, we could live well at the moment with eternal spring in our heart.

This year on, forever,
It's all gravy to me now-
Spring arrives.
Issa
Japanese haiku poet http://friendelaine.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elaine_Friend http://EzineArticles.com/?Japanese-Flowering-Cherry-Tree&id=2870868

Labels: , , ,


Request Free 7 Day Website Success Course by Email
Email
First Name:
Last Name

Monday, September 07, 2009

 

3 Reasons It's Easy to Become a Web Content Writer

FACT: Writing web content is one of the easiest ways to make money online.

Why is this so?

1.) Writers are in high demand. If you know where to look, native English speakers who can follow simple instructions can easily start out at ten bucks an article. In six months or less, you should be able to raise your rate to fifteen dollars or more. And with just a little practice, you'll be able to write an article every 20 or 30 minutes--how does $30-$45 per hour sound?

The Internet marketing crowd is the core market that's looking for writing services. 99% of their business models require constant, fresh content for their web sites. And most of them have learned their lesson from outsourcing to India for five bucks an article.

You do need to be able to write like you talk (forget your English classes as they likely did more harm than good in this department!). Aside from that, all you'll need is a good attitude and the ability to set and meet deadlines.

(Clients will take a solid writer who is easy to work with over a difficult-but-brilliant writer any day. Keep a good attitude and don't get flowery with your writing, and you'll be good as gold.)

2.) Content writing is a sustainable business. Unless every English-speaking nation on the planet suddenly gives up capitalism, you are assured web-writing work for as long as you want it. Why?

The short answer is that the web isn't going away any time soon! The long answer is that more and more people are doing their shopping and socializing on the web as time goes on. And this trend isn't likely to reverse itself.

Simply put, more and more commerce is moving from the offline world to the online world. Even the present online economy can support more good writers than it currently has. What's even better is that it will only need more writers in the future!

3.) You don't even need to know how to make a website--or anything else technical. You don't need to be able to program a computer to advertise yourself online. In fact, you don't even need to know basic HTML! There are several FREE online services you can use to create an online web presence that shows your writing abilities.

Sites like Squidoo, Blogger, and Facebook offer no-cost, cut-and-past ways for you to network and advertise your services. You don't need any special skills to use them--if you can use Microsoft Word, you can build a page at any or all of these sites.

If you decide you want your own .com (and eventually, you will), you'll pay about nine bucks a year for the name and seven dollars a month for hosting.

Sites like Hostgator.com come complete with several different programs that let you easily build a templated website in an afternoon--without any technical knowledge at all. The only things you really need to learn are how to market yourself, and where to find clients.

Learn more about: The Content Chef - How to Make Money Online as A Content Writer

Labels: , , , ,


Request Free 7 Day Website Success Course by Email
Email
First Name:
Last Name

Sunday, July 26, 2009

 

Freelance Writing Tips - Suspense

Integrating Suspense Into Your Writing
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jane_Sumerset]Jane Sumerset

You don't need to be writing fiction to integrate suspense into your work. In fact, a dose of this tension might be exactly what your essay needs to nail that "A" in class (apart from clean writing, of course, courtesy of your English grammar software).

Of course, you don't need to craft a whole tale of dramatic anticipation to make your writing suspenseful. Unless you're writing a piece of fiction, you aren't likely to be that interested in concocting a whole tale that rivals the best on-edge novel from Stephen King. With regular writing, you accomplish the goal of integrating suspense by adding cliffhangers, short bursts of sentences that keep the reader wanting more.

Cliffhangers

You're probably familiar with cliffhangers from movies and TV shows. For instance, one of the main stars is about to reveal his secret identity when the scene is abruptly cut off, panning over instead to another time line. It makes you wonder what the secret identity is, how the other characters will react and so forth. Whatever thoughts spin around in your head isn't really the point - the important part is that it's got you involved.

Writing cliffhangers is pretty much the same way. You set up a possible scene in a paragraph, but leave its actual resolution in another, drawing your readers in to proceed. Peppered across your text, you'll end up creating drama all throughout your copy, getting your readers more and more involved.

When writing cliffhangers, the best way to integrate them is right at the boundary where you will introduce a new topic. In many ways, it can be used as a replacement for a regular paragraph transition, one that's more interesting and noteworthy.

Watch how innovative Grammar Software instantly can improve your writing on a daily basis and learn how advanced NLP technology can help you to write perfect emails, essays, letters or reports. Read more



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Sumerset
http://EzineArticles.com/?Integrating-Suspense-Into-Your-Writing&id=2658813


---------------------------
6 Figure Freelancer System

Labels: , , ,


Request Free 7 Day Website Success Course by Email
Email
First Name:
Last Name

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

 

About the Poet - Adrienne Rich

Miracle Ice Cream Meets the Milkman - An Ode to Adrienne Rich
By Gerald Marchewka

Entering the private world of a master poet
is indeed a gift from God.

In her lonely room ...

Nuance, alliteration,
heroism, mettle, valor
bravery
and heart;

Colon's, comma's, apostrophe's, periods
exclamation points, question marks
and words.

Red ink is on the ribbon plate

A small blister on her thumb.

During the twentieth century one of the most influential poets is no doubt, Adrienne Rich. As a writer of considerable breath and scope, Rich became a recognized poet at the tender age of twenty-two.

In her last year of college, her first collection of poetry, A Change of World was selected for the Yale Series of Younger Poets Award. Rich was selected by none other than W.H. Auden, the eminent poet who is often considered one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century.

Over the years Rich became noted for the exploration of topics related to gender roles and human sexuality. In 1976, Rich published Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution. This controversial collection of poetry which was hailed by some critics and harshly criticized by others was a declaration of her lesbian identity. A subsequent publication, Dream of a Common Language contained explicit references of sexual desire.

In addition to her poetry, Rich's work was combined with a spirited interest in the social and political issues of her day. She became actively involved in protesting the American War in Vietnam. And she was also a significant figure in the woman's liberation movement.

Rich was a contributing member of the Boston Woman's Fund, the National Writer's Union, Sisterhood in Support of Sister's in South Africa and the New Jewish Agenda.

Gerald Marchewka is an American freelance writer currently staying in Siem Reap, Cambodia. At the moment he is teaching language, literature, culture and social theory at the Cambodian University for the Specialties. He may be reached at geraldmarchewka@yahoo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Marchewka
http://EzineArticles.com/?Miracle-Ice-Cream-Meets-the-Milkman---An-Ode-to-Adrienne-Rich&id=2323817

Get your free copy of Online Freelancing Success at http://xtramoney4me.net/free_ebooks/Online_Freelancing_Success.pdf

Labels: , , ,


Request Free 7 Day Website Success Course by Email
Email
First Name:
Last Name

Saturday, May 09, 2009

 

Free eBook: Online Freelancing Success

Your Guide to Becoming a Successful Online Freelancer

Topics covered in this free 26 page ebook:

Freelancing – 21st Century Way of Making a Living

Freelancing Exposed! Discover the latest way of earning more bang for the buck for your talent, skill and expertise!

Cool Benefits & Drawbacks: The advantages and disadvantages, pros and cons of living the lifestyle of a freelancer!

How to Get Into The Freelancing Business: Want to convert your skills into cash? Strongly desire to be renowned for your expertise? Here’s how in a “step by step” fashion.

Where To Look For Customers In Masses Discover the “hiding places” and large pools of TARGETED prospects that are looking for expert services from you!

In Closing: Is Freelancing Really The Way To Go? Is freelancing really for you? Read on to learn why and how.

Get your free copy of Online Freelancing Success at http://xtramoney4me.net/free_ebooks/Online_Freelancing_Success.pdf

Labels: , ,


Request Free 7 Day Website Success Course by Email
Email
First Name:
Last Name

Thursday, April 02, 2009

 

Two New Poems of Mine

Actually, they are not "new" poems, as I scribbled them down in a notebook in 1999 and forgot about them. We were going through some old boxes and I came across them. Rather than put them here, I have posted them on a simple little poetry website of mine.

They are:

She was Only a Whore

AND

Get in the Game

Labels: , , ,


Request Free 7 Day Website Success Course by Email
Email
First Name:
Last Name

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

 

Freelance Writing Tips - What to Offer

Copywriting Beginner - Essential Service Offerings
By Angela Booth

Are you a beginning copywriter? If you're new to copywriting, you may be wondering which services you should offer. You can offer any service with which you're familiar, and which you can write with ease. Let's look at three very simple offerings any new copywriter can create for his clients.

Big tip: as a beginning copywriter, focus on just a few offerings. Displaying a laundry list of copywriting products, offering everything from brochures to product manuals, lacks credibility when you're a beginner.

1. Press Releases: Easy Fast Promotion for Your Clients

Press releases are very powerful. With the development of the web, these essential tools have metamorphosed into an entirely new product, the "web press release", which is aimed directly at the target audience, rather than at the media.

An online press release service is a simple and easy service you can offer to clients.

2. Blogging As a Promotional Tool

Strictly speaking, blogging is content creation rather than copywriting. However blogs can be used as promotional tools too, so promotional blogging is a great service you can offer your clients.

Start by creating your own blog to promote your copywriting services business.

3. Web Site Revamps: "What's in It for Me"?

As the web develops and more and more businesses find their customers online, it's harder for sites to get traffic. Any business website which was adequate several years ago no longer makes sales.

Website revamping is a great service you can offer; few businesses have any idea of how to sell on the Web. Revamp websites, so that they answer the vital question every customer wants to know: "what's in it for me?"

Beginning copywriters have never had greater opportunities than they have a right now. If you're wondering whether you should start copywriting services business, yes you should. Even as a beginner, you can make a great income.

If you're a beginner and want guidance to learn copywriting, top copywriter Angela Booth's "Copywriting Master Class - Ten Weeks to Copywriting Genius" at http://angelaswritingclasses.com/Class/copywriting.html helps you to start and run your own copywriting services business and/or write copy for your own business

For quick results, Angela's ebook "Seven Days To Easy Money: Copywriting Success" at http://abmagic.com/Copywriting/copywriting.html takes you from novice to pro copywriter in just seven days. This popular ebook has been turning writers into successful copywriters for five years. Packed with information, the ebook also includes exercises which become your copywriter's marketing processes and portfolio. You could be signing up your first clients within two days.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Booth
http://EzineArticles.com/?Copywriting-Beginner---Essential-Service-Offerings&id=2134645

Freelance Writing Online for Money

Labels: , , , ,


This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?