Fiction Writing Lessons from Shakespeare
December 27, 2008
Fiction Writing Lessons from Shakespeare
by: Wendy Woudstra
Common advice in all fields of study is for the student to take lessons from a master. Unfortunately for those who wish to write fiction — either in plays or stories — the most renowned and highest authority in the art of fiction-making is long dead.
Few would argue William Shakespeare’s supremacy in the art of creating a compelling story. And since he never wrote, “Will Shakespeare’s Guide to Writing Great Stories,” if we are to learn from this master, we must draw lessons from his works.
The following would seem to be the cardinal elements the Bard would likely include in his guide for writers:
1) You must have a story to tell.
2) Your story must introduce us to extraordinary people; not impossible people, but characters whose circumstances and lives are able to engender powerful interest.
3) Your story must be thoroughly developed and told with consumate skill.
4) The amosphere of actual human life must be so artfully hung over all the scenes that we feel it, breathe it, and live in it while we read.
Natural Algae Fighters That Work
December 26, 2008
Natural Algae Fighters That Work
by: Mark Washburn
When the warm weather of summer finally arrives most pond owners are faced with a very common problem called pond algae. Pond algae can strike any size pond at any time, but usually a few very specific things have to be present for it to spread rapidly.
Knowing what allows algae to prosper is the first step to treating it naturally. First though, let’s make one thing clear. Algae, or it’s presence in a pond is not always bad. A little bit of it here or there is actually a positive sign that the pond is healthy and balanced. When algae takes over the pond entirely however, things are not very balanced at all.
Algae is very dependent on excessive nutrients in the water to grow. Therefore this should be your first priority…to reduce or eliminate excess nutrients in the pond. These can come from decomposing organic matter like leaves or grass clippings.
Choosing Your REALTOR ®
December 26, 2008
Choosing Your REALTOR ®
by: Gerald Meyer
With so many realtors competing for your business, how do you know which one to choose? Here are a few things to consider when choosing a realtor.
The most important decision you will make in the sale of your home is the Realtor you choose.
Some points to consider:
Find someone you feel comfortable with. If you don’t feel you can ask questions or go to your Realtor, you have the wrong Realtor.
Your Realtor should show you research to back up any recommendations. This includes information about recent sales, current listings and recent expired listings in your neighborhood.
Choose a local Realtor. He or she will know your area better than an outsider, will be seen as a source for people looking to relocate in your neighborhood, and will get better co-operation from other agents. It is likely that any amount you might save by having a friend or relative from outside the area serve as your Realtor, will be lost in their lack of knowledge about the very specific local market. Ask for references from the Realtor. He or she should be willing to give you names of previous clients.
Getting Rid of Standing Water in Your Yard
December 25, 2008
Getting Rid of Standing Water in Your Yard
by: Michael McGroarty
You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, http://www.freeplants.com/resellers.htm
HOW TO GET RID OF STANDING WATER IN YOUR YARD
Do you have one or more areas in your yard that hold water after a rainfall? This is a common problem, and sometimes difficult to solve. Over the years I’ve talked with dozens of people trying to battle this problem, and on several occasions I have been hired to solve the problem. So what can be done?
Too often people come to me asking what kind of a tree, or what kind of shrubs can be planted in a wet area to dry it up. This is the wrong approach. Most plants, and I mean almost all plants are not going to survive in an area where the soil is soggy for extended periods of time. The roots need to breath, and planting a tree or shrub in a water area will kill it.
Enhance Your Home
December 25, 2008
Enhance Your Home
by: Batsheva Vaknin
Home furnishing can be difficult without the help of an expensive interior designer. Choosing a style is hard enough, but knowing how to create that style can be even harder! Use these tips to create whichever look you want, furnishing your home in the style that best suits you.
Step #1: Choose a Style
Here are some ideas of different styles you can use to decorate your whole house or just one room.
Shower Curtains Can Give Your Bathroom A Quick And Easy Makeover!
December 24, 2008
Shower Curtains Can Give Your Bathroom A Quick And Easy Makeover!
by: Caroline Smith
Bathroom shower curtains offer an affordable way to instantly freshen up a dull looking bathroom. As well as looking nice, shower curtains have the practical function of preventing water spraying out of the tub and soaking the surrounding bathroom fixtures. Installing a curtain is very easy, using rings or hooks to suspend it from a rod. Spring loaded rods can be held in place between two walls without the need for drilling holes in your tiles. This is particularly good if your shower curtain is just a temporary solution until you fit a shower enclosure.
Shower curtains are made from several different sorts of washable fabrics, including cotton, polyester and plastic. Most are water resistant, but if not a waterproofed liner can easily be attached. Some come with weighted hems to help hold them in position. Although not as sturdy as glass shower enclosures, curtains can be very effective with electric showers, though the force of water spray from power showers may be too strong for a fabric curtain to prevent leaks. In that case you may want to look at folding or sliding shower doors to ensure your bathroom cabinets and vanity unit don’t get soaked.
How To Generate Ideas For Your Bedroom Design?
December 24, 2008
How To Generate Ideas For Your Bedroom Design?
by: Shrinivas Vaidya
Dear friends,
So, you want to design your bedroom. Hmm… looks like you are serious about it.
Lets’ get started quickly. whenever I hear someone say he/she wants to design/decorate a bedroom a lot of things come to my mind.
But, let me clear one thing, design and decorating are two different aspects. When I say design, I mean a whole lot bigger perspective. Design includes a lot more maturity in terms of how you perceive a space from within.
Of course I will cover more about design in some other article. Decoration is more close to everyday actions that can be taken in order to change or alter a space. Decoration deals with accessories used in a space. Very small things, such as curtain rods, their color, lampshades, small statues, table cloths, light fittings, are all parts of the detailing.
It is not that design does not deal with these aspects, but decoration is more do-able easily than the whole design process.
Choosing The Right Flowers For Mom
December 23, 2008
Choosing The Right Flowers For Mom
by: Bob Hett
If you are one of those people that are always left wondering what to get dear old mom for her birthday, Mother’s Day, or any other holiday or occasion, the answer is flowers. Flowers for mom are the gift that is always the right size and color, and will never have to be returned. Flowers are always considered tasteful and thoughtful. They are also relatively affordable, and mom will never fail to be delighted that you remembered. They can be ordered over the phone or the Internet, so they are incredibly convenient for the giver. Nearly every woman enjoys getting flowers and they are a constant, beautiful reminder that someone cares about them. The final added bonus of giving flowers as a gift is that they are always a nice surprise that was completely unexpected. Everyone likes those kinds of surprises.
Planning For a New Deck
December 23, 2008
Planning For a New Deck
by: Dean Novosat
Part of the fun of a new deck is the planning! When you plan your deck, you can let your imagination run wild and add all kinds of fun features. As your planning process moves forward, you can whittle down your design to a more practical (and buildable) plan. Planning a new deck can be as simple as a few sketches, or as complete as a blueprint. You can have an architect or designer create plans for you, or you can do it yourself. Also, there are many new software programs available to make planning easier.
Before you start planning your deck, you may want to browse through some magazines for ideas. You can also search the Internet for photos of existing decks to give you some better ideas. There are also entire books written specifically for decks and deck building. They usually have hundreds of full-color photos to help you decide what features you want to add to your deck.
Choosing The Right Furniture
December 22, 2008
Choosing The Right Furniture
by: Jeff Lakie
The furniture in a person’s home says a lot about personal style and taste. In effect, most of us spend endless hours searching for the perfect piece of furniture before we actually make a purchase. With the availability of furniture from so many different time periods and schools of design, the choice can sometimes be daunting.
Furniture can reflect many personality characteristics, from fun and flirty to classy and sophisticated to modern and edgy. How do you choose the right piece?
Showrooms generally sort furniture by room, and within these rooms the pieces are further distinguished by style. If you are looking for a Chippendale sofa, for example, you will certainly find it with living room furniture, but it probably won’t be placed next to the black suede chaise. Sometimes it can take a lot of patience to browse through furniture showrooms. Because your furniture will brand you, though, it will be worth your while to take your time and wait until you find what’s right for you.
