Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Five tips for getting over writer’s block
Got an essay? If you’re stuck, feeling helpless, don’t have any ideas… you are not alone. Thousands of high school and college students all over the world are probably having the same experience you are right now. When I wrote my first history paper in high school I was stuck for hours and I remember it as one of the most miserable times in my school career.
Later I learned how to unlock my writing potential. You can too. Yes, you.
Here are a few insights/tips I’ve come up with for getting through the difficulties of the writing process.
1. Before you get started, do two things. One is to create an environment for yourself where you can work. Put yourself into a setting where you will be productive. This is perhaps the most important tip, since your environment can influence how you think and feel profoundly. I personally work well in a room alone without distractions or even music. Other people are really productive when others are around and there’s background noise, like at a café or a bookstore. Those people are usually good at multi-tasking too. The point is, you can control your productivity and unlock your writing mind by putting yourself in the optimal situation.
2. The second thing to do before you actually write anything down is to make a writing schedule. Budget for yourself a certain amount of time that you’ll be focused exclusively on your task, with nothing else going on but writing. Give yourself a realistic amount of time in which you can get something substantial done without driving yourself crazy (if you drive yourself crazy, you won’t be able to write anyway!). I like to work in 90-minute stints, with breaks in the middle.
3. When you sit down to write and you’ve got nothing, you’re totally stuck… Two things. The first is, take a deep breath, look at your topic, look at your clean sheet of paper/screen in front of you, put your pen/pencil/fingers-to-the-keyboard and just go for it. Just write whatever comes to mind about the topic. Keep on going and going until you realize that you just jotted some valuable information. Of course, some of that information won’t be so valuable, but that’s not the point. Don’t worry about organizing the information or using the right words – that comes later. For now, just get it all out onto the paper/screen.
4. If you get stuck again, do the second stuck-tip: take a five-minute break to clear your head – make scrambled eggs, do pushups, wash the dishes, listen to your favorite song… just don’t watch TV or go on the internet, because you might get sucked in and procrastinate, which could screw up your essay writing and your self-confidence as a writer. Do something that you will feel refreshed afterwards. Then go back to your writing pad/screen and spill out some more about your topic.
5. The final tip I’ll leave you with is to organize your thoughts with an outline. You’ve jotted down a lot of info – it’s worth investing 45 minutes or so and putting together a plan for how you will present it all. An outline is like a map of your essay – it will guide you through the rest of the writing process, and will save you at the times when you feel stuck and lost. My website (mentioned below) has a free tutorial for doing an outline and a bunch of other free writing-process tutorials and tips and stuff.
Good luck!
Ami
http://helpwithyouressay.com
Later I learned how to unlock my writing potential. You can too. Yes, you.
Here are a few insights/tips I’ve come up with for getting through the difficulties of the writing process.
1. Before you get started, do two things. One is to create an environment for yourself where you can work. Put yourself into a setting where you will be productive. This is perhaps the most important tip, since your environment can influence how you think and feel profoundly. I personally work well in a room alone without distractions or even music. Other people are really productive when others are around and there’s background noise, like at a café or a bookstore. Those people are usually good at multi-tasking too. The point is, you can control your productivity and unlock your writing mind by putting yourself in the optimal situation.
2. The second thing to do before you actually write anything down is to make a writing schedule. Budget for yourself a certain amount of time that you’ll be focused exclusively on your task, with nothing else going on but writing. Give yourself a realistic amount of time in which you can get something substantial done without driving yourself crazy (if you drive yourself crazy, you won’t be able to write anyway!). I like to work in 90-minute stints, with breaks in the middle.
3. When you sit down to write and you’ve got nothing, you’re totally stuck… Two things. The first is, take a deep breath, look at your topic, look at your clean sheet of paper/screen in front of you, put your pen/pencil/fingers-to-the-keyboard and just go for it. Just write whatever comes to mind about the topic. Keep on going and going until you realize that you just jotted some valuable information. Of course, some of that information won’t be so valuable, but that’s not the point. Don’t worry about organizing the information or using the right words – that comes later. For now, just get it all out onto the paper/screen.
4. If you get stuck again, do the second stuck-tip: take a five-minute break to clear your head – make scrambled eggs, do pushups, wash the dishes, listen to your favorite song… just don’t watch TV or go on the internet, because you might get sucked in and procrastinate, which could screw up your essay writing and your self-confidence as a writer. Do something that you will feel refreshed afterwards. Then go back to your writing pad/screen and spill out some more about your topic.
5. The final tip I’ll leave you with is to organize your thoughts with an outline. You’ve jotted down a lot of info – it’s worth investing 45 minutes or so and putting together a plan for how you will present it all. An outline is like a map of your essay – it will guide you through the rest of the writing process, and will save you at the times when you feel stuck and lost. My website (mentioned below) has a free tutorial for doing an outline and a bunch of other free writing-process tutorials and tips and stuff.
Good luck!
Ami
http://helpwithyouressay.com
A Complimentary College-Essay Fix
As the year closes, tens of thousands of high-school seniors are scrambling to put together viable college-application packets, hoping to ensure their academic, professional and social future. The most pressurizing element of that packet is the essay: whereas GPA, resume of activities and SAT scores are statistics to put down on paper, the essay demands something more daunting of students, of these budding young adults. The essay calls for a statement of who they are.
What teen knows how to answer that question? Of course, they've been thinking about it for the past several years. They've been moving in and out of social groups, establishing personal boundaries, trying to fit in, trying to discover their identity. Now they are asked to express this identity in a clear statement – they get stuck.
They turn to their college advisors for help, to their teachers, to the adults in their life. Some spend lots of money on tutors who specialize in college-essay writing. They get advice about being original, about using the right words – they are instructed to omit a key aspect of their personality because Tufts or UC Davis might not like it.
At HelpWithYourEssay.com, we offer students a simple formula for composing the college essay, for formulating their life's vision and self-concept. We provide students with a blank text box in which to respond to the prompt:
"What is it that makes you great? What do you have deep inside of you that can do wonderful things? Spill it out in this box…"
After they've done so, we challenge them: "Done so fast? Go back and write some more."
We then email the students the piece of gold they have just written about themselves, directing them to take it and organize it in a structured, readable essay. We invite them to use our free premier automated essay-writing tutorials to facilitate that process. We wish them success in their endeavors, encouraging them to exploit their own greatness in whatever path they choose.
We at HelpWithYourEssay.com wish the same for you in this holiday season.
Ami Steinberger, MA, has been facilitating the growth of many student writers through private tutoring and other educational encounters over the past ten years. He has now begun to do so en masse with his new online writing facility, http://HelpWithYourEssay.com. Ami is 27 years old and lives in Jerusalem, Israel.
What teen knows how to answer that question? Of course, they've been thinking about it for the past several years. They've been moving in and out of social groups, establishing personal boundaries, trying to fit in, trying to discover their identity. Now they are asked to express this identity in a clear statement – they get stuck.
They turn to their college advisors for help, to their teachers, to the adults in their life. Some spend lots of money on tutors who specialize in college-essay writing. They get advice about being original, about using the right words – they are instructed to omit a key aspect of their personality because Tufts or UC Davis might not like it.
At HelpWithYourEssay.com, we offer students a simple formula for composing the college essay, for formulating their life's vision and self-concept. We provide students with a blank text box in which to respond to the prompt:
"What is it that makes you great? What do you have deep inside of you that can do wonderful things? Spill it out in this box…"
After they've done so, we challenge them: "Done so fast? Go back and write some more."
We then email the students the piece of gold they have just written about themselves, directing them to take it and organize it in a structured, readable essay. We invite them to use our free premier automated essay-writing tutorials to facilitate that process. We wish them success in their endeavors, encouraging them to exploit their own greatness in whatever path they choose.
We at HelpWithYourEssay.com wish the same for you in this holiday season.
Ami Steinberger, MA, has been facilitating the growth of many student writers through private tutoring and other educational encounters over the past ten years. He has now begun to do so en masse with his new online writing facility, http://HelpWithYourEssay.com. Ami is 27 years old and lives in Jerusalem, Israel.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Business Ideas for Teenagers
“Don’t Get a Job – Make a Job”Technorati Profile
A wise man once said that the reason why many people become rich is that they know what to do with their spare time. Think about it, how much time do you spend in front of the television? Wouldn’t it be nice to have your own money, to have your own bank account? Wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry every week about asking your parents for money?
We say, “Don’t get a job – make a job,” because we believe that everyone has the potential to create their own little or huge enterprise. Some of the top companies were started in a basement or a garage. Think Cliff Bars. Think Microsoft.
Have an idea? Learn from these tips to launch it:
(if you don’t have an idea yet, scroll to the bottom and find one)
1] Getting your head right, this is critical. What does this mean? This means that from when you wake up in the morning till you go to sleep you say to yourself, “I know that I am destined for greatness and I will do everything I can to achieve it”. Getting your head right means that you will do everything it takes to get your business off the ground, it means that you will get rid of any fears you have that are holding you back from going for your dreams.
2] Create a proper business plan – don’t just jump in the water! You need a plan. How many hours a day will you work? What days? What’s your method of operation? How much will it cost to start? A business plan is like a map – it will guide you and help you along the way.
3] Find a partner! A good friend and someone who you trust! Remember, it’s never good to run things on your own – with a friend you can give each other strength when the going gets rough, and its great when you can share your ideas together.
4] Market your business! Don’t just create a business and wait for someone to call you! This will never happen unless you are a very lucky person.
Hang up flyers wherever it is permitted, send out emails to everyone on your email list, start a blog about your business sharing with everyone information about it. When you send out the emails, sign them with your blog address as well! Ask you parents to email their friends about your business. Always be creative (you are creative) and think of creative ways to promote your business. Remember don’t give up on this - sometimes it may even take a week till someone finally calls you! Create business cards to hand out to everyone. What ever it is you do – Don’t give up!
If you really want your business to grow, it’s important to understand that the advertising is an ongoing process. Remember that if you are good at what you do, your name will get around very fast.
5] Be positive and have fun with it!
-
These are just some of the basics that we wanted to share with you.
Here are some ideas to run with!
Make a t-shirt with an inspiring message and super-cool graphics to sell to everyone at your school and community.
If you’re a good writer, start your own paper-editing service at school.
Have your peers consult you on how to make funny videos and promote them on YouTube. Take 10 bucks for a half-hour consultation.
Bake cookies daily and sell them at school.
Start your own advertising agency! Promote products or services for local businesses.
Start your own tutoring business – get a few kids, and you are on your way! This can be very a profitable business.
Start a dog-sitting service for neighbors or family friends who are going on vacation.
Like to write? Set up a blog writing ideas for local stores and businesses.
Play music? Start your own band – and get some gigs going at your local church or temple, Sunday school, etc. Initiate your own event like in your back yard or at your local youth group.
Are you good at sports? Become a sports mentor for kids who are not so good in sports.
Running errands - many people are busy and don’t have time to start running around going food shopping – set up your own little errands-running business.
Sell your homemade jewelry! If you have a passion for making nice jewelry then why not set up a little business making and selling jewelry? Or start a little group teaching younger kids how to make jewelry.
Bicycle repair business – who doesn’t need their bike fixed?
Gift Basket making
Invitation card making, if you are artistic and can design beautiful things – maybe
Start an invitation card business.
Photo album designing business – so many people have photo albums that are with old or falling apart, or they have a photo album with just pictures in the book that don’t look too exciting. Start a photo album design business! Take their photo albums and design them so they will be enjoyable to look through!
If you have computer skills, why not start your own web design or typing business?
Lawn care – sometimes it’s worth investing in a lawn mower. Just from your block you can make some nice money!
Start an online business – We recommend that you have someone older and experience guide you through this process.
A wise man once said that the reason why many people become rich is that they know what to do with their spare time. Think about it, how much time do you spend in front of the television? Wouldn’t it be nice to have your own money, to have your own bank account? Wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry every week about asking your parents for money?
We say, “Don’t get a job – make a job,” because we believe that everyone has the potential to create their own little or huge enterprise. Some of the top companies were started in a basement or a garage. Think Cliff Bars. Think Microsoft.
Have an idea? Learn from these tips to launch it:
(if you don’t have an idea yet, scroll to the bottom and find one)
1] Getting your head right, this is critical. What does this mean? This means that from when you wake up in the morning till you go to sleep you say to yourself, “I know that I am destined for greatness and I will do everything I can to achieve it”. Getting your head right means that you will do everything it takes to get your business off the ground, it means that you will get rid of any fears you have that are holding you back from going for your dreams.
2] Create a proper business plan – don’t just jump in the water! You need a plan. How many hours a day will you work? What days? What’s your method of operation? How much will it cost to start? A business plan is like a map – it will guide you and help you along the way.
3] Find a partner! A good friend and someone who you trust! Remember, it’s never good to run things on your own – with a friend you can give each other strength when the going gets rough, and its great when you can share your ideas together.
4] Market your business! Don’t just create a business and wait for someone to call you! This will never happen unless you are a very lucky person.
Hang up flyers wherever it is permitted, send out emails to everyone on your email list, start a blog about your business sharing with everyone information about it. When you send out the emails, sign them with your blog address as well! Ask you parents to email their friends about your business. Always be creative (you are creative) and think of creative ways to promote your business. Remember don’t give up on this - sometimes it may even take a week till someone finally calls you! Create business cards to hand out to everyone. What ever it is you do – Don’t give up!
If you really want your business to grow, it’s important to understand that the advertising is an ongoing process. Remember that if you are good at what you do, your name will get around very fast.
5] Be positive and have fun with it!
-
These are just some of the basics that we wanted to share with you.
Here are some ideas to run with!
Make a t-shirt with an inspiring message and super-cool graphics to sell to everyone at your school and community.
If you’re a good writer, start your own paper-editing service at school.
Have your peers consult you on how to make funny videos and promote them on YouTube. Take 10 bucks for a half-hour consultation.
Bake cookies daily and sell them at school.
Start your own advertising agency! Promote products or services for local businesses.
Start your own tutoring business – get a few kids, and you are on your way! This can be very a profitable business.
Start a dog-sitting service for neighbors or family friends who are going on vacation.
Like to write? Set up a blog writing ideas for local stores and businesses.
Play music? Start your own band – and get some gigs going at your local church or temple, Sunday school, etc. Initiate your own event like in your back yard or at your local youth group.
Are you good at sports? Become a sports mentor for kids who are not so good in sports.
Running errands - many people are busy and don’t have time to start running around going food shopping – set up your own little errands-running business.
Sell your homemade jewelry! If you have a passion for making nice jewelry then why not set up a little business making and selling jewelry? Or start a little group teaching younger kids how to make jewelry.
Bicycle repair business – who doesn’t need their bike fixed?
Gift Basket making
Invitation card making, if you are artistic and can design beautiful things – maybe
Start an invitation card business.
Photo album designing business – so many people have photo albums that are with old or falling apart, or they have a photo album with just pictures in the book that don’t look too exciting. Start a photo album design business! Take their photo albums and design them so they will be enjoyable to look through!
If you have computer skills, why not start your own web design or typing business?
Lawn care – sometimes it’s worth investing in a lawn mower. Just from your block you can make some nice money!
Start an online business – We recommend that you have someone older and experience guide you through this process.
Funny, Strange & Crazy Dating Stories
This actually happened to a friend of mine. He was on a date, and while they were waiting for the food to be served, he had to go to the bathroom…. When he was done he forgot to close his zipper…. He came back to the table and she didn’t realize anything. As they were sitting by the table and talking, suddenly he realized that his zipper was wide open! With the table cloth covering him he carefully closed his zipper without her noticing. When they got up to leave, he took the whole table cloth with him.
Jeff, Cleveland
On my first date [22 years old] I was in total shock. We were heading towards a restaurant with huge glass windows and to me it seemed like a sliding glass door, so I kept on walking ….boom. Although I didn’t break the window – I had a huge bump on my forehead – it was very unpleasant.
M., Israel
I smashed the car on the first date.
Hi my name is Sarah from LA – on my first date I was with this guy who didn’t want to eat anything. All we did was walk around the mall for what seem like forever – I was SO hungry! Finally after about three hours I said to him – aren’t you hungry? He goes – “I sure am, follow me! So there I was getting all excited. We started heading out of the mall – I didn’t ask any questions, I was thinking, maybe he’s taking me to some special restaurant… We get to his car, he opens the trunk and pulls out tuna sandwiches! He said, “Oh I figured that this would be cheaper then going to a restaurant.”
I didn’t tell my parents that I was going on a date – you know I didn’t want the whole pressure thing…. Well guess who shows up in the same restaurant?
Deborah, Kansas
We were sitting in a restaurant by the beach. The sun was slowly setting and the conversation was flowing and everything was going great. Then for those of you who have been on dates know that sometimes on the first date there are moments of awkward silence. In the worst cases it lasts for about 2-4 minutes until someone breaks the ice, or until the guys asks the question “would you like desert? “…. Well here the silence was killing me… I could not think of anything to talk about and he was focusing on the sunset as a cover up for this awkward silence. Suddenly he says “ok I know what!” - And then he pulls out his flute from his bag and starts playing! Forget about the fact that he was just a beginner – but the whole place was staring at us and I could not get him to shut up! I said to him at some point “dude I think you should take dancing.” – that was our first and last date.
Rachel, LA
When I was 15 my father drove me to my first date, he told me that he would pick me up at 8:00pm. We went to Starbucks. 7:45pm comes around I am looking out the window and who do I see? Yup it was him alright. But he doesn’t stay in the car – he comes in.
Meanwhile the guy I’m with has no clue what’s going on. I am turning colors not listening to a word he is saying. First my father orders a coffee [oh crap he’s getting ready to sit down] Then he takes a spot right near me behind the guy, Giving me the one eye blink and the thumbs up. I was ready to die. Its 8:00pm and I am prepare, I know what going to happen next…. Sure enough he walks over – “You guys having a good time? I’ll be waiting in the car honey when ever you’re ready” ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Katie, NY
When I was dating I sent a love letter by email to my girlfriend Stephanie. Now, my grandmother’s name is also Stephanie… and the next days she called me saying, “oh dear that was so sweet of you! I love you to!”
Rob, NY
This is probably the craziest story – I was on a blind date in a really nice restaurant and the guy tells me, “I bet that I can get this meal for free! I said “um …ok..” , so the date when smooth – he was a guy – kind of full of himself but a good guy, until it came time to pay. A waiter was walking by with a platter of food and this guy purposely bumps into him and the food goes all over him! Then he starts a whole riot – “This cant be! This is how you treat your customers? Shame on you!” Then he demands to speak with the manager, who comes over and this guy tells him “I demand a free meal for the way you treated me and my girlfriend!”
Jenny, NH
I went on a date with a divorced woman – she was great, however the only thing she forgot to tell me was that she was bringing her two little kids along with her.
Jay, Omaha
The worst is when you are on a date and the guy has a terrible stomach ache and jumps into the first bush he finds right near the parking lot, and he starts yelling “ Sarah – could you go get me a newspaper or some toilet paper “
Sarah, NJ
Does the guy have to say “ I have been wearing the same pants for three days straight!”
I was dating this guy and we would call each other every night. One night I called him and I said “Hi my love guess who” – so he goes “who is this?” and then I said “oh sweetie are you playing games with me again?” he answers “ oh, hold on this Jacks father I’ll call him downstairs”
Jeff, Cleveland
On my first date [22 years old] I was in total shock. We were heading towards a restaurant with huge glass windows and to me it seemed like a sliding glass door, so I kept on walking ….boom. Although I didn’t break the window – I had a huge bump on my forehead – it was very unpleasant.
M., Israel
I smashed the car on the first date.
Hi my name is Sarah from LA – on my first date I was with this guy who didn’t want to eat anything. All we did was walk around the mall for what seem like forever – I was SO hungry! Finally after about three hours I said to him – aren’t you hungry? He goes – “I sure am, follow me! So there I was getting all excited. We started heading out of the mall – I didn’t ask any questions, I was thinking, maybe he’s taking me to some special restaurant… We get to his car, he opens the trunk and pulls out tuna sandwiches! He said, “Oh I figured that this would be cheaper then going to a restaurant.”
I didn’t tell my parents that I was going on a date – you know I didn’t want the whole pressure thing…. Well guess who shows up in the same restaurant?
Deborah, Kansas
We were sitting in a restaurant by the beach. The sun was slowly setting and the conversation was flowing and everything was going great. Then for those of you who have been on dates know that sometimes on the first date there are moments of awkward silence. In the worst cases it lasts for about 2-4 minutes until someone breaks the ice, or until the guys asks the question “would you like desert? “…. Well here the silence was killing me… I could not think of anything to talk about and he was focusing on the sunset as a cover up for this awkward silence. Suddenly he says “ok I know what!” - And then he pulls out his flute from his bag and starts playing! Forget about the fact that he was just a beginner – but the whole place was staring at us and I could not get him to shut up! I said to him at some point “dude I think you should take dancing.” – that was our first and last date.
Rachel, LA
When I was 15 my father drove me to my first date, he told me that he would pick me up at 8:00pm. We went to Starbucks. 7:45pm comes around I am looking out the window and who do I see? Yup it was him alright. But he doesn’t stay in the car – he comes in.
Meanwhile the guy I’m with has no clue what’s going on. I am turning colors not listening to a word he is saying. First my father orders a coffee [oh crap he’s getting ready to sit down] Then he takes a spot right near me behind the guy, Giving me the one eye blink and the thumbs up. I was ready to die. Its 8:00pm and I am prepare, I know what going to happen next…. Sure enough he walks over – “You guys having a good time? I’ll be waiting in the car honey when ever you’re ready” ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Katie, NY
When I was dating I sent a love letter by email to my girlfriend Stephanie. Now, my grandmother’s name is also Stephanie… and the next days she called me saying, “oh dear that was so sweet of you! I love you to!”
Rob, NY
This is probably the craziest story – I was on a blind date in a really nice restaurant and the guy tells me, “I bet that I can get this meal for free! I said “um …ok..” , so the date when smooth – he was a guy – kind of full of himself but a good guy, until it came time to pay. A waiter was walking by with a platter of food and this guy purposely bumps into him and the food goes all over him! Then he starts a whole riot – “This cant be! This is how you treat your customers? Shame on you!” Then he demands to speak with the manager, who comes over and this guy tells him “I demand a free meal for the way you treated me and my girlfriend!”
Jenny, NH
I went on a date with a divorced woman – she was great, however the only thing she forgot to tell me was that she was bringing her two little kids along with her.
Jay, Omaha
The worst is when you are on a date and the guy has a terrible stomach ache and jumps into the first bush he finds right near the parking lot, and he starts yelling “ Sarah – could you go get me a newspaper or some toilet paper “
Sarah, NJ
Does the guy have to say “ I have been wearing the same pants for three days straight!”
I was dating this guy and we would call each other every night. One night I called him and I said “Hi my love guess who” – so he goes “who is this?” and then I said “oh sweetie are you playing games with me again?” he answers “ oh, hold on this Jacks father I’ll call him downstairs”
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
HelpWithYourEssay.com