Archive for February, 2008
Here’s another useful website — fashion handbags and accessories
Winter weather got you in the mood for shopping but the ice and snow keep you at home? Here’s a useful website if you’re in the market for some fine, internationally renowned fashion accessories, particularly luxury fashion handbags from Bolzano.
Bolzano are authentic Italian designer handbags which, according to the website, have taken the European, Asian, [...]
What’s in a nickname? Do you use a pen name or have a nickname?
This seems to be a day all about words for me. I was just sitting here looking at some papers and realized what an important role “nicknames” play in our writing.
A pseudonym can be thought of as a type of nickname — the pen name you choose or that is given to you by a [...]
Another fun thing on a cold winter day — what Super Hero are you?
Here’s another “Useful Website” offering. Well, okay, maybe “useful” is stretching things a bit. But it’s fun anyway. Take a look around and take the quiz:
What SuperHero Are You?
More Fun Quizzes at StructuredSettlement-Quotes.com
Did you take the quiz? What Super Hero are you? Tell us, please.Technorati Tags: word games, fun websites, useful websites, [...]
One of my ‘pet peeves’ — words that have been ruined for us
All right, I’ve admitted to day that it’s a slow, chilly day here in the midst of our ice storm. So now I’ll take the opportunity to grump and grumble a bit. One of my language “pet peeves” has to do with word usage. I hate the way perfectly good, useful words have been and [...]
Word play, now pictures — here’s a good website for digital cameras
The old adage is that a picture’s worth a thousand words. I’m not sure, as a writer, that I buy into that, but if you do photography with your writing, especially if you live in or near New York, here’s a useful website to find digital camers in New York — “42ndStPhoto.com.”
The website says the [...]
It’s a cold, slow day here — how about some fun with words and word play?
We’re in the midst of recovering from an ice storm today. It was terrible yesterday and it isn’t thawing much, so we’re still in danger of power outages. Not the sort of day to bring out the best and most thoughtful side of me. (I worry too much, as my good wife, St. Shirl, would [...]
Then there are REAL shaggy dog stories, as in stories about dogs
Have you ever published a dog book? How about a short story about a dog? Or any pet for that matter?
We had mostly dogs for pets when I was a kid. I can remember the not-really-creative names of several of my faithful pet dogs: Jiggs was the first pet I remember. He was a small [...]
Tips for writing humor: Aw, go ahead and write a ‘Shaggy Dog Story’ if you wish
Ever heard the expression “Shaggy Dog Story”? Know what it means? Go ahead and “Google” it if you want and I’ll wait here until you get back.
Got it? A shaggy dog story is typically a joke, adventure tale, or otherwise engrossing story that leads up to a punch line or story climax that has nothing [...]
Here’s a useful website with an electronic gadget you’ll really appreciate
If you’ve never been to Vat19 and looked at all their fun and really useful electronic gadgets and gifts, you’re in for a treat. I was particularly attracted to their electronics charger station, which lets you charge up to three rechargeable devices at a time.
I’ll bet most of us have more than three rechargeable devices, [...]
Writing for the Internet is indeed a fragile proposition
Two things happened over the weekend that illustrate the ups and downs of freelance fortunes — especially if your freelance writing involves doing much business on the Internet.
First, I got “Google slapped” as it’s become known: The Google Page Ranking of one of my blogs dropped to zero. That’s a big “0″ — as in [...]
Here’s a useful website for self-defense products and information
It’s no secret that we’re living in a dangerous world filled with risks and downright dangerous people. You’ve undoubtedly read or heard this last week about some horrific shootings on campuses and at a city council meeting.
I’m not one to shout “the sky is falling” every time we hear of such bad news. But I [...]
Tips for writing humor: Focus on elements of absurdity
True story: My wife and I were coming out of a restaurant yesterday and there was a small booth in the lobby with someone selling deeply discounted vacation packages to some Branson hotels and resorts. “Hi folks,” the guy said, “only $99 for two days and three nights in Branson.” I muttered something like, “Uh, [...]
Keeping up with the news — do you read favorite newspaper websites?
It’s good once in awhile to remember that now classic name tag applied to the Internet by Al Gore — I think it was Gore who popularized it anyway? — the “information super highway.” Because on most days, you can easily forget the “information” aspect of the Internet. It seems everywhere a person turns, you [...]
Are all you writers up for another adventure? How about wakeboarding
A couple of days ago I posted a “Useful Website” for the more adventuresome among you — it had to do with whitewater rafting and other outdoor fun.
Today I’m offering you another website for some serious sun and fun — “buywake.com.” It’s a great resource for wakeboards and wakeboarding supplies. If you don’t have a [...]
How do you come up with titles for your writing?
I would love you to give us some feedback on the title question in my, uh, title.
For just over seven years, I worked as a newspaper copy editor. Any of you out there who are copy editors, particularly at a newspaper or magazine? If so, you know that the number one activity filling your deadlines [...]
