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: Your Nov. '08 Bright Ideas Blogzine
Sent Monday, November 10, 2008
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Bright Ideas Blogzine Issue #4 - November 2008 Publisher: http://heblogssheblogs.com/ ****************************************************************** IN THIS ISSUE ****************************************************************** Features: * He Said/She Said... Grumbled... Stammered... Hollered * To Blog, or Not to Blog: That is the Question * Should You Specialize? New Release: 'Blogophobia Conquered' Hot Posts on HeBlogsSheBlogs.com Upcoming Speaking Gigs Featured Services Share Bright Ideas Linky Love ****************************************************************** 1. He Said/She Said...Grumbled...Stammered... Hollered ****************************************************************** The woman currently teaching English to Laura's seventh grader won't let him use "said" when attributing quotes. She says "said" is boring and shows "lack of imagination." Problem. We understand where this teacher is coming from; she's teaching 12-year-olds to write with emotion. But any professional writer will tell you to drop the descriptive attributes if you don't want to telegraph that you're an amateur. Remember Tom Swifties? Here's a few to jog your memory: * "Fire!" yelled Tom alarmingly. * "This wind is awful," blustered Tom. * "The situation is grave," Tom said cryptically. * "Have you ever been whitewater rafting?" Tom asked rapidly. We chuckle because the attributions and resulting puns are silly. So are many other attributions: * Guffawed * Spewed * Chortled Can you really chortle a sentence? Try it; it's impossible! Even if the attribution isn't corny, it distracts from the power of the dialogue. If you feel you need to emphasize what's being said with a descriptive attribution, you probably need to rework your dialogue. Why "said"? "Said" is invisible. Your eyes glide right over it, allowing you to focus on the dialogue. In the journalistic and authorial world, "said" (or "says") is the word of choice when attributing quotes. Tell 'em we said so. ****************************************************************** 2. To Blog, or Not to Blog: That is the Question ****************************************************************** If you're trying to decide whether to begin blogging, our recent two-part series will help you work through the pros and cons. We're sharing the condensed version here; for the full version, visit these posts at HeBlogsSheBlogs.com: 8 Reasons NOT to Blog - http://heblogssheblogs.com/8-reasons-not-to-blog/ 10 Good Reasons to Blog - http://heblogssheblogs.com/10-good-reasons-to-blog/ 8 Reasons NOT to Blog 1. Not committed enough to keep it updated 2. Don't understand the point of blogging 3. Lack confidence to create quality content 4. Fear no one will read your blog 5. Not savvy about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or social networking 6. Fear of commenters 7. Wary of harming relationships 8. Fear of getting addicted 10 Good Reasons to Blog 1. To make new friends 2. To share thoughts, insights, memories, updates, information 3. To encourage and support others 4. To keep your brain oiled 5. To develop a writing voice 6. To relieve stress 7. To promote products and services 8. To establish an online presence 9. To learn to use a computer 10. Because it's fun ****************************************************************** 3. Should You Specialize? ****************************************************************** We live in an age of specialization. Yes, I know I've stated the obvious and it's easy to agree with the statement. But often it's tougher to live out. Remember the adage, "Jack of all trades, master of none"? Which are you? Which will lead to more success? Once upon a time in a land called America there was a renegade plumber. (No, it wasn't Joe.) Renegade because he decided he would no longer offer the wide range of plumbing services that every other plumber across the U.S. offered. "I'm going to stop being a do-everything plumber, and be a specialist." His plumbing buds said, "You're nuts. You'll never survive doing one and only one plumping service." He replied, "But I'll do it really, really well." They said, "Doesn't matter, you have to do more than one plumbing service, that's what people expect when they call a plumber." He disagreed and went out and started a little company we now know as Roto Rooter. Right now I'm consulting with two writers who have had success in both fiction and non-fiction. Can they continue to do both? One of them has chosen to focus her efforts on fiction. The other wants to continue to do both. Is it possible? Yes. But it's a much steeper climb. Essentially she's trying to get people to think of her as two different brands, or put another way, she's trying to extend one brand into another. For a deeper look at the issue take a peek at this article on the law of line extension marketing: http://tinyurl.com/5klt9f So the question is: What is the one thing you want to be known for? If you were forced to choose what would specialize in? Knowing this, and acting on it, could be the first step toward greater success. ****************************************************************** 4. New Release: 'Blogophobia Conquered' ****************************************************************** A must-have for every blogger, or wannabe blogger! Learn the secrets for: *Writing & formatting breakout blog articles *How to increase traffic exponentially & keep it coming back *Finding the perfect blog platform, photo sites, and stats-reporting sites *Handling snarky comments, burnout, discouragement ... even blog addiction Exclusive price for Bright Ideas Blogzine subscribers: $12.99 (retail price - $19.99) Send your check to: He Blogs, She Blogs PO Box 1254 Snohomish, WA 98291 OR Pay by credit card of PayPal using the following link: http://tinyurl.com/4zl86w We will e-mail you a PDF of your 88-page e-book as soon as your payment is processed! ****************************************************************** 5. Hot Posts on HeBlogsSheBlogs.com ****************************************************************** MARKETING Yellow Page Advertising: Waste? Or Essential Marketing? http://tinyurl.com/5n2m5a How to Prepare to Guest on a TV or Radio Talk Show http://tinyurl.com/6mzvwm BLOGGING 10 Commandments for Christian Bloggers http://tinyurl.com/6828oj How to Set Reasonable Goals on Twitter (guest post on best-selling author Brandilyn Collins' Forensics & Faith blog) http://tinyurl.com/6kh8hf WRITING Consumer Reports Features Funny Chinese-to-English Translations http://tinyurl.com/6hbkwd 'Alexandria Impolite': Spell Checker Mangles Names in High School Yearbook http://tinyurl.com/6medhr ****************************************************************** 6. Upcoming Speaking Gigs ****************************************************************** Florida Christian Writers' Conference 2009 Feb 26-Marcy 1, 2009 Jim & Laura will be teaching four workshops on marketing, blogging, and writing Northwest Christian Writers Renewal May 1-2, 2009 Jim & Laura will be teaching a workshop on branding: "Discovering Your Divine Design" ****************************************************************** 7. Featured Services ****************************************************************** SMALL BIZ BLOG PACKAGES Start up your blog with a bang! Ask about our affordable, customized packages for small business owners. Contact us for an estimate: info@HeBlogsSheBlogs.com ****************************************************************** 8. Share Bright Ideas ****************************************************************** Permission is granted to use any of the articles in Bright Ideas Blogzine in your own e-zine or web site, as long as you include the following blurb with it: Jim Rubart and Laura Christianson co-founded HeBlogsSheBlogs.com, a Seattle-based business that helps individuals and companies maximize their writing, marketing, and blogging skills. We encourage you to forward this e-zine to others who want to maximize their writing, marketing, and blogging skills. To start a new subscription, send a blank e-mail to HeBlogsSheBlogs@aWeber.com. We respect your privacy. We promise not to sell, rent, or distribute your contact information. ****************************************************************** 9. 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