Workshop: The 5 Life Stories You Need To Write NOW

I Will Remember You

By Aileen Santos

It was November 2005 when I met Leonard. I was conducting a story writing workshop for a group of call center agents, and he was one of the participants.

Leonard had that kind of "good boy look" that easily turned acquaintances into friends; in fact, he was the one who'd recruited the most number of friends to join the workshop with him.

"So you're a Protector." I told him, after the Discover Your Enneagram Type portion of the workshop. The activity helped them identify their unique "heroic" qualities, so they could give those qualities to the lead characters in their stories.

"That's true!" his best friend said. "He's very protective of his friends. And he adores his family. He's especially close to his mom."

Leonard just smiled, the slight hint of a dimple showing briefly on his right cheek.

One week later we returned to their office for the second & last session of the workshop – and met a hushed room of people. Leonard's best friend walked up to us, and in a breaking voice he said: "We just came from the wake. It's Leonard. He's gone."

Just like that.

Leonard had been killed the day right after our first session. He was about to visit a friend, got held up, and died from multiple stab wounds to his chest.

One Saturday he'd entered our workshop doors wanting to write down the stories of his life; the next day his life was over, and in his pain the last person he called out to was "Mommy."

"We decided to attend today…" his friend continued, "Because that's what Leonard would've wanted."

Who's going to write Leonard's stories now? I wanted to ask. But I didn't ask it out loud, because I knew everyone was thinking the same difficult question.

And we all knew that the answer would only make us feel worse.

Your Life Is The Sum Of All Your Stories
And The Only One Who Knows Your Stories Is You

Leonard taught us that day that we shouldn't wait for someday to tell our stories; most of us don't know enough about our future to know when it's too late.

My friend's mom, for example, has been suffering from a progressive form of memory loss for about a year now. While they take turns in caring for her, she says the hardest part is watching her dad quietly suffer, knowing that he no longer has anyone to talk to and remember his life's memories with.

Recently I discovered this book called I Love You, Ronnie, where Nancy Reagan shares the precious notes and letters her husband wrote her throughout the years of their marriage, before Alzheimer's took his memories of those same years away.

"One of the things life has taught me," writes Nancy, "Is how important it is to try to say 'I love you' in ways that can be preserved, looked at, and read when you are alone or when there is adversity or when circumstances bring separation.

"…(His) letters took me back in time, to the different moments of the life that Ronnie and I have shared for almost fifty years. And, once more, they brought Ronnie back to me, in his own words."

Maybe you're not the kind of letter writer that Ronald Reagan was. Maybe you're not even the type who's comfortable about baring your soul in such a direct form as a letter.

But what if you could pick five important stories from your life, and you could learn to write them down & share them in just a few weekends?

And what if you learned to write them in ways that would bring back all the memories & clearly communicate the essence of who you are – without the awkwardness of going into too much personal emotion or detail?

The 5 Life Stories You Need To Write Now

For five consecutive Friday nights this November and December, Pinoywriters & Powerbooks will conduct a 5-part workshop to help you celebrate these important stories of your life, and capture them permanently on the page in different story formats.

Called the 5 Life Stories You Need To Write, it's a creative writing & self discovery journey that will help you:

□ turn your Success Story into a fairy-tale-like Heroic Journey on November 14.

□ share the lessons you learned from Failure & Perseverance with the Parable on November 21

□ say what you know about Love through the Modern Short Story on November 28

□ celebrate insights from your experience of Pain through the Fable on December 5

□ and share your discovery of Who You Are with the Video Script on December 12.

All sessions are held on Fridays at Powerbooks Live! in Greenbelt, Makati from 6:30pm to 9:00pm (telephone numbers 631-2751 and 631-5939).

You can choose to enroll in individual sessions for P1,000 each, or register for all the 5 sessions for just P4,000 (can be paid in 2 installments, but you MUST reserve your slot on or before 6:00pm of November 14). Enrollments are accepted at all Metro Manila branches of Powerbooks; just inquire at Customer Service.

Both enrollment options include a complete writing & scrapbooking kit and light snacks.

By the end of the workshop you would've produced a creative compilation of your personal stories, ready to photocopy and give away as an inspiringly memorable Christmas gift: the gift of yourself.

Honor Your Stories. Celebrate Your Life.

So many things can happen in each person's life at any given time.

But majority of these "so many things" are eventually forgotten. And once you forget, no one else will be able to do the remembering for you. They're your memories, after all.

This workshop we're offering is our own way of celebrating the life of Leonard Montillano – 20 years old, a beloved friend to so many people, a much-missed youngest son and brother – who we met for one brief moment, and who we lost the day after.

We dedicate this workshop in his memory, because he was about to write down his life's stories... and one day later it was already too late.

Leonard, we do remember you. ©

--

Aileen Santos is a psychologist, creativity coach, and self discovery workshop facilitator. She also used to be a short story writer, magazine editor, and television scriptwriter. Her personal website is at www.aileensantos.com

5 Simple Keys to Writing Articles That Get Clicked

by Janet B Cole

If you are a newbie to article writing, you will probably find it difficult initially to create articles that get clicked time and time again, but it's not that difficult to learn the techniques required to create articles that others want to read.

Most surfers are looking for an answer to their queries. They type in a keyword or keyword phrase into the browser and hope that the results that come up will answer their important queries. So it is very important that you construct your articles in such a way that readers will want to click and digest the information within your article.

So what I suggest you do in your efforts to create articles that get clicked are the following:

1. Brainstorm an idea for your topic. This step could probably stop you right in your tracks because there's so much that you can talk about, especially related to your particular niche. But what you should do is write a title or a set of titles or write a topic or set of topics about which you can create a 400-word article. If the topic revolves around the query that a lot of surfers have in your particular niche, then that's all the better. To give you some breathing space, think of the one question that people in your particular niche ask the most, and that is a topic you should write about in your article.

2. Draft a compelling title. You do not have to draft a title that you will use now, just draft a title that will conjure up the content of your article. If you could use some numerical information, all the better, such as "The Best 3 Ways to..." or "The top Three ways to.."

Those type of titles are magical and work wonders. But don't forget when you begin to write your article, the content of your article must be reflected in the title.

3. The content. If you have indeed used the numerical example given above, then begin to write the keys now. For instance, the top three ways, write down the three ways to achieve your particular objectives. Content written in list form or bulleted point form is very popular. Make a list of the items you wish to discuss in your article. Now, don't get carried away. This is a short article, and you need to be aware of the word count.

4. After you've completed the content of your article, you need to write an introduction and a closing paragraph. The introduction need not be more than two or three sentences, and this can just introduce the reader to what you intend to write about. And similarly, the conclusion, again, can be one or two sentences, and all that need do is to summarize what you have just said in the main content of the article.

5. Now, what you need to do is take a break. Put aside your article for at least a couple of hours without reading or going over. After your break, come back and read your article with fresh eyes. This is the time to also edit and improve your article if necessary.

Do you want to learn more about article writing to build your list?

Download my free ebook here: Secrets to Article Promotion

Janet B Cole is a powerful coach and online mentor. She has over 400 articles in print and has published several ebooks.

How to Easily Find Freelance Writing Jobs in a Recession

by Yuwanda Black

Have you ever wondered, "Where are all the freelance writing jobs?" Have you ever sent off questions to successful freelance writers, asking something along the lines of:

"I just can't seem to land any gigs right now. What could I be doing wrong?" Or,

"I've sent out so many queries but I haven't heard anything. Am I doing something wrong?" Or,

"Do you have any advice on what I can do to get some work? I'm just not having any luck."

The list goes on.

Yes, the Economy Sucks! But, It Can Be to Your Advantage

We're probably in a recession right now, no matter what the official definition is. But, this can be to your advantage. One of the best things about being a freelance writer is that it is a career that thrives - no matter what he economy at large is doing.

Why is this? Basically because we live in the age of information. Every day, online searches are conducted. What are people searching for? Information. Luckily as a freelance writer, that's YOU! No matter what is happening in the world, it needs to be written about. So, how can you capitalize on the lean times right now? Following are two tips.

2 Ways to Capitalize on the Recession as a Freelance Writer

1. Change Your Mindset: Many freelance writers till think of themselves as, well, freelance writers. A better way to think of yourself is as an information provider. Why is this important?

Because information is where it all begins. Email campaigns, newsletters, web content, blog postings, social media marketing, etc. It is all information. Information that has to be written by someone - preferably you.

Once you start viewing yourself like this, you unclog that mental blog of a "freelance writer looking for work" to an "information provider that can help businesses compete."

In spite of these economic times, commerce goes on. And, luckily for freelance writers - especially those interested in online writing jobs - many companies are pouring more and more of their ad budgets into online marketing because traditional media is just too expensive. Proof?

A survey of 600 marketing professionals were asked how the current economy is affecting their marketing decisions. They responded in the article, Marketers Plan to Cut Budgets, Increase Online Spend. Their responses were summed up as follows:

"MarketingProfs has observed that online marketing is also turning into a venue where marketers can stretch their dollar while accurately targeting leads and customers. 60% of all marketers surveyed stressed that they would be increasing their online budgets while 85% would be reducing their use of traditional marketing vehicles." [Source: MarketingPilgrim, online at MarketingPilgrim dot com]

This presents a wealth of opportunities for freelance writers in the form of web content, SEO articles, blog posts, email marketing campaigns, etc.

When you change your mindset from freelance writer to mindset, there's one more thing you need to do - capitalize on hot trends.

2. Recognize and Capitalize on Trends: This is easy to do. Simply watch the news and read major newspapers (online or off). What are some hot topics in the news right now that you can think of?

Some right off the top of my head are foreclosures, bank failures, green (as in environmentally friendly) topics, etc. You can capitalize on all of these by offering content to websites, newsletter publishers, magazines and blogs that specialize in these niches.

For more "hot" freelance writing niches, get the 2008-2009 Freelance
Writing Jobs Report . It's an in-depth analysis of all the sectors that present a wealth of freelance writing opportunities - now and for the next couple of years.

It also offers advice on how to recession-proof your freelance writing career, as well as some ideas for creating your own information products to sell.

You don't have to look hard to find freelance writing jobs, you just have to "look smart!"

Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com : The Authority Site on How to Start a Successful Freelance Writing Career. Site features freelance success stories, e-courses, ebooks, marketing advice and more! Want to make money online today as a freelance writer? The e-report How to Make $100/Day or More as a Freelance Writer! tells you how.

How Can Writers Survive the Global Economic Crisis?

by Nick Daws

The world seems to be in a topsy-turvy state right now, with banks folding left, right and center, or else being propped up awkwardly by national governments.

The knock-on effects of the 'credit crunch' are hard to predict, but one thing that's for sure is that sadly many more jobs are going to be lost in the coming months.

I'm no economist, but I'd like to offer my two cents worth here on how writers can best survive and even prosper in these difficult times. In particular, I'd like to offer two pieces of practical advice...

The first is to diversify. In times of recession (which is where the world seems to be headed right now) no business is safe. And in the publishing world, many are already feeling the pinch as people cut back on 'luxuries' such as books.

So it must make sense to have a variety of sources of income. If books are your main writing interest, then, consider trying your hand at articles and short stories as well. Conversely, if you're mainly an article writer, why not look at other options as well, e.g. writing an e-book and selling it on the Internet?

In my view, every writer should have a broad portfolio of projects. This might, for example, include books, articles, short stories, Internet writing, comedy writing, TV scriptwriting, advertising copywriting, and so on. That way, if a particular market vanishes or a regular client goes to the wall, you still have plenty of other irons in the fire.

And, of course, there is no reason why you can't have some non-writing-related sidelines as well. When I started out as a full-time freelance writer, many moons ago, I also sold copyright-free artwork packs by mail order. That business eventually died as electronic clip-art became the norm, but in my early days I was very grateful for the extra income it generated. Nowadays, the Internet offers lots of potential sideline-earning opportunities -- just check out some of the 'home-based business' articles on EzineArticles.com, for example.

Moving on, my second piece of advice is to invest in the best and safest repository available -- yourself!

In uncertain times, you need to build up your palette of skills, to increase your employability (if you're seeking a job) or offer a wider range of services (if you work for yourself). Learning new skills can also provide a means for earning extra cash in its own right.

So it's important to invest some time -- and, yes, money as well -- in developing your skills. A writer seeking to diversify might want to build (or improve) their skills in other areas of writing, such as comedy writing, self-publishing, TV or movie scriptwriting, copywriting, travel writing, and so on.

It's also worth developing skills in related areas, e.g. HTML and website design. These days I do a lot of work writing content for company websites. While I'm never going to be an expert web designer, I know enough HTML to insert formatting codes, repair broken hyperlinks, and so on. Allying this with my writing skills has helped to generate a lot of extra work for me. There are courses you can take at many local colleges, or by distance learning, or online. One free resource for learning HTML I recommend is PageTutor at http://www.pagetutor.com

But whatever method you choose, the returns from this 'investing in yourself' can be far greater than any stock market investment, and far less risky. I believe the twin methods of diversifying and investing in yourself should be at the heart of every writer's strategy for surviving the current economic crisis.

Nick Daws is a full-time, UK-based freelance writer. As well as over 80 non-fiction books, he is the author of the top-selling courses Write Any Book in Under 28 Days and Quick Cash Writing. Visit his freelance writing blog at http://www.mywritingblog.com

Write Based on Your Passion, Not Obligation

by Dominic Tay

As article marketers, there is always a need for us to write fresh content. The trouble is that more than often, we 'run' out of steam. Have it ever happened to you?

Most article writers I know make the mistake of writing articles based on the market needs, not on their personal passion. This is what I term, writing on obligation. The problem with this approach is soon enough, you'll find yourself running out of steam and giving up writing altogether.

Of course with that said, it does not mean you should ignore the needs of the market and write what you want to write. You must also consider writing articles that people wants to read. Know what I mean?

The bottom line is to strike a balance between your passion and 'obligation'.

You see, when you are passionate about your topic, you can talk about it endlessly with your friends. Ideas come easily and quickly and in less than an hour, you'll probably churn out twice more articles than you usually can do in one sitting.

I've never heard of people becoming successful writing books, articles or magazines they do not have an interest in.

When you write an article based on obligation, your readers can tell the difference. You sound incongruent - that you're saying something that contradicts your previous points - you give merely sufficient examples just to stuff up your articles. All these subconscious signs you send out through writing your article by force keeps your readers away.

Research the 'hot' topics in your industry and write on those that interests you the most. The key is to enjoy what you write and write what you enjoy. Only then can you give your best in writing your articles and giving the most value to your readers.

In fact, this is one of my keys to writing articles. Promise yourself never to write another article unless you enjoy writing it. Only then will you last long enough to see the results from your article marketing journey.

Like what you read? Listen. I've compiled a report, Three-Step Article Marketing Secret Blueprint, specially for my valued visitors (You). You won't get this guide anywhere else. Download the Three-Step Article Marketing Secret Blueprint Report (it's free!) at http://www.autosubmitarticlemachine.com