A few years ago, I didn't even know what a thesis was let alone have any clue as to how to write one. I've just finished writing one and boy, it has really stretched my knowledge and abilities, not to mention my patience. All those rules! Before I even began to write, I took a course on how to write a paper.
Rules! Rules! Rules! The margins have to be so wide, the title begins on line such-and-such, bibliography must be listed this way, footnotes written thus, et cetera. The list is long and involved. It's all there in "A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations" by Kate L. Turabian. I can't imagine writing anything as dry as that manual. But, it's a good thing Kate made it her business to record the rules so that all papers have uniformity and a professional appearance. She certainly had an eye for detail, and obviously way more patience and stamina than me.
As I wrote that paper and continue with assignments, I search for better words to explain and describe a topic. My old thesaurus which I've had for years is much heavier now with all the tape that is holding the pages together and the whole book is tightly bound with a rubber band. My paperback Oxford dictionary which is much lighter to handle than the huge hardcover Oxford has been used the most and therefore is showing signs of wear; pages are curled and creased and the spine is beginning to release its hold. My Bible is still hanging together although the pages look a little crumpled and my "Strong's Comprehensive Concordance" is looking a little tired, too.
Soon the courses will be over. Well, for a little while. And during the break I'll enjoy writing and living in my fantasy world again; writing down whatever thought or mini movie floats through my head. Maybe I'll get back to that romance novel or the murder mystery play. Ah...to dream again.
InScribe Writers Online Blog - Where members share their writings with each other and the world
March 09, 2012
March 08, 2012
The Shocking Truth About Jack Popjes: How To Read 52 Books A Year
We are pleased to have Jack Popjes join us on Guest Post Day.
I admit it. I’m a book junkie. Without a reading fix each day, I exhibit withdrawal symptoms.
Our two-bedroom apartment bears witness to my addiction with 25 metres (80 feet) of packed bookshelves. (The rest of the books are stacked on the floor.)
Marcus Cicero said it for people like me, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”
The shirt I’m wearing in the photo has a picture of Charles Dickens and the words, “Read as if your mind depended on it.”
When people discover my book habit they have questions that I try to answer as succinctly and helpfully as I can.
Q: How much do you read?
A: An average of about one book and periodical a week. A little less when I travel on speaking tours.
Q: How do you find time to read?
A: I don’t just read when I find time. I make time. I deliberately sit down to do nothing but read. I read with my first cup of coffee in the morning. I read humorous material to Jo in bed every night. Sometimes I read to her while she is making supper. I always have three or more books on the go at any one time and I keep at least one within reach just in case I find some time. Jo and I like to watch some TV together but we are mindful of Groucho Marx’s opinion, “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
Q: What do you read?
A: A variety of books and periodicals. A balanced literary diet. That’s the succinct part. Here is the more detailed and helpful part:
Spiritual Development: I have read through the Bible annually for many years. I read it early in the morning, with my first cup of coffee. My wife and I also read through the Psalms together once a month. I also keep a small book of short, daily meditations handy to dip into during the day. And I usually have books on spiritual development, Christian issues, or theology going throughout the year.
Personal Development: Books that help me be a better father, husband, grandpa. Some that help me get organized, do financial planning, and in general those that help me focus on how to live.
Professional Development: Books on cross-cultural missions, writing, speaking, publishing, marketing, blogging, language, leadership, organization, technology.
Biography: Reading memoirs and life stories sometimes inspires me, sometimes it fills me with longing, but I always learn something—either great examples to follow or horrible ones to avoid.
Information: Material on history, current issues, science philosophy, and psychology.
Entertainment: Novels of all sorts, science fiction, mystery, classics, and for bedtime reading some humor. Reading poetry tends to give me unique insight into common situations. By the way, a book is often informative and entertaining at the same time.
Q: What do you plan to read?
A: More! I plan to read more, way more! To help me do this, I’m buying an ebook reader and plan to read a dozen books at once, all there in the same pocket. I occasionally pick a book to read that I know I won’t agree with, just to keep my mind sharp and thinking on all sides of the issue.
One question no one has ever asked me but which I’ll answer anyway is:
Q: What books do you not read?
A: Anything that would arouse my desires in humanity’s basic problem areas: Money, Sex, and Power. I don’t read material that inflames my desire to get rich. I don’t read pornographic stories, and I don’t read about gaining power over other people, and I especially avoid reading about practicing the occult that promises demonic powers.
I’m not only a book addict, I’m a book pusher. My goal is to get you addicted too.
Originally posted at Jack's INsights & OUTbursts
I admit it. I’m a book junkie. Without a reading fix each day, I exhibit withdrawal symptoms.Our two-bedroom apartment bears witness to my addiction with 25 metres (80 feet) of packed bookshelves. (The rest of the books are stacked on the floor.)
Marcus Cicero said it for people like me, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”
The shirt I’m wearing in the photo has a picture of Charles Dickens and the words, “Read as if your mind depended on it.”
When people discover my book habit they have questions that I try to answer as succinctly and helpfully as I can.
Q: How much do you read?
A: An average of about one book and periodical a week. A little less when I travel on speaking tours.
Q: How do you find time to read?
A: I don’t just read when I find time. I make time. I deliberately sit down to do nothing but read. I read with my first cup of coffee in the morning. I read humorous material to Jo in bed every night. Sometimes I read to her while she is making supper. I always have three or more books on the go at any one time and I keep at least one within reach just in case I find some time. Jo and I like to watch some TV together but we are mindful of Groucho Marx’s opinion, “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
Q: What do you read?
A: A variety of books and periodicals. A balanced literary diet. That’s the succinct part. Here is the more detailed and helpful part:
Spiritual Development: I have read through the Bible annually for many years. I read it early in the morning, with my first cup of coffee. My wife and I also read through the Psalms together once a month. I also keep a small book of short, daily meditations handy to dip into during the day. And I usually have books on spiritual development, Christian issues, or theology going throughout the year.
Personal Development: Books that help me be a better father, husband, grandpa. Some that help me get organized, do financial planning, and in general those that help me focus on how to live.
Professional Development: Books on cross-cultural missions, writing, speaking, publishing, marketing, blogging, language, leadership, organization, technology.
Biography: Reading memoirs and life stories sometimes inspires me, sometimes it fills me with longing, but I always learn something—either great examples to follow or horrible ones to avoid.
Information: Material on history, current issues, science philosophy, and psychology.
Entertainment: Novels of all sorts, science fiction, mystery, classics, and for bedtime reading some humor. Reading poetry tends to give me unique insight into common situations. By the way, a book is often informative and entertaining at the same time.
Q: What do you plan to read?
A: More! I plan to read more, way more! To help me do this, I’m buying an ebook reader and plan to read a dozen books at once, all there in the same pocket. I occasionally pick a book to read that I know I won’t agree with, just to keep my mind sharp and thinking on all sides of the issue.
One question no one has ever asked me but which I’ll answer anyway is:
Q: What books do you not read?
A: Anything that would arouse my desires in humanity’s basic problem areas: Money, Sex, and Power. I don’t read material that inflames my desire to get rich. I don’t read pornographic stories, and I don’t read about gaining power over other people, and I especially avoid reading about practicing the occult that promises demonic powers.
I’m not only a book addict, I’m a book pusher. My goal is to get you addicted too.
Originally posted at Jack's INsights & OUTbursts
March 07, 2012
Writer, Promote Thyself - Ramona Heikel
For a long time I’ve been reading that writers should have a website and/or blog, in order to present their writing credits and updates on current projects. Check. One website, one blog. No problem.
Build a portfolio, even if you need to contribute your writing to non-paying markets. Check. Read writer’s guidelines. Check. This all fits well with my behind-the-scenes personality.
Submit your manuscript with one-inch margins and a maximum of 50,000 words, along with a plan to market your book.
Whoa! Just a minute there. What?
Back up. Did you say market? Promote myself? Brag? Annoy people, try to twist their arm? Sorry, not me!
There is a reason I avoided learning anything about marketing, and it’s because it’s dangerously close to advertising, which brings up repulsive visions of slick used-car salesmen and tree-killing flyers packed into mailboxes. When I was considering a career as an artist, the idea that only a “commercial artist” could make a living (designing advertising) settled that decision once and for all.
Secondly, I am mostly an introvert and don’t like drawing attention to myself unless there is a good reason (like a book). Luckily, I don’t have a book to market (yet), so I don’t have to worry about marketing for a while. Phew!
NOT! We writers apparently need to start marketing, building a platform, creating a following, before we have a published book. Aargh!
Oh, come on, do I have to?
I guess so, but listen here: I refuse to start using my dear Facebook friends and family to increase my blog traffic. That’s like leaving unwanted flyers in their mailboxes. I feel the same way about that as I did when networking first came about, telling us to use our friends and family to help get a job.
Oh, and here’s another suggestion we writers get: browse other people’s websites and blogs and follow our favorites. What, and feel even more like a failure when I see all their gorgeous graphics and read about all their amazing success stories? Now that sounds like a smart idea.
And yet, much as we sometimes do something unusual or uncomfortable for the sake of our kids (being open-minded to some of the inspirational lyrics of Metallica comes to mind), I now find myself willing to do what’s best for my writing vocation. Oh, all right. I guess I can at least learn about these things. It wouldn’t be so bad to add my weblink to my email signature, would it?
So, if there is anyone else left who is dragging their feet like me, here are a few resources that are starting me off in the right direction and even inspiring me with enthusiasm:
Times change. The used-car staff at Your New Car Calgary last fall turned out to be more like kind family and helpful friends than salesmen. So, wading into the unfamiliar territory of marketing my writing is probably not as bad as I think.
Posted by Ramona
www.happilywriting.com
Build a portfolio, even if you need to contribute your writing to non-paying markets. Check. Read writer’s guidelines. Check. This all fits well with my behind-the-scenes personality.
Submit your manuscript with one-inch margins and a maximum of 50,000 words, along with a plan to market your book.
Whoa! Just a minute there. What?
Back up. Did you say market? Promote myself? Brag? Annoy people, try to twist their arm? Sorry, not me!
There is a reason I avoided learning anything about marketing, and it’s because it’s dangerously close to advertising, which brings up repulsive visions of slick used-car salesmen and tree-killing flyers packed into mailboxes. When I was considering a career as an artist, the idea that only a “commercial artist” could make a living (designing advertising) settled that decision once and for all.
Secondly, I am mostly an introvert and don’t like drawing attention to myself unless there is a good reason (like a book). Luckily, I don’t have a book to market (yet), so I don’t have to worry about marketing for a while. Phew!
NOT! We writers apparently need to start marketing, building a platform, creating a following, before we have a published book. Aargh!
Oh, come on, do I have to?
I guess so, but listen here: I refuse to start using my dear Facebook friends and family to increase my blog traffic. That’s like leaving unwanted flyers in their mailboxes. I feel the same way about that as I did when networking first came about, telling us to use our friends and family to help get a job.
Oh, and here’s another suggestion we writers get: browse other people’s websites and blogs and follow our favorites. What, and feel even more like a failure when I see all their gorgeous graphics and read about all their amazing success stories? Now that sounds like a smart idea.
And yet, much as we sometimes do something unusual or uncomfortable for the sake of our kids (being open-minded to some of the inspirational lyrics of Metallica comes to mind), I now find myself willing to do what’s best for my writing vocation. Oh, all right. I guess I can at least learn about these things. It wouldn’t be so bad to add my weblink to my email signature, would it?
So, if there is anyone else left who is dragging their feet like me, here are a few resources that are starting me off in the right direction and even inspiring me with enthusiasm:
Get Known Before the Book Deal: Use your Personal Strengths to Grow an Author Platform by Christina Katz (who originally wrote at WriterMama.com, now at ChristinaKatz.com) (delightful—and a very thorough and useful review on Amazon)
“50 Simple Ways to Build Your Platform”, Writer’s Digest, March/April 2011 (I only just found this issue at the library, and it is also by Christina Katz)
Susan Toy of Alberta Books Canada spoke at the recent Calgary Public Library Writer’s Weekend, and "specializes in promotion and sales of books that are written by Albertans, published by Alberta companies, or on topics of interest to readers in Alberta". Her website is here: http://www.susanmtoy.com/home/alberta-books-canada
Times change. The used-car staff at Your New Car Calgary last fall turned out to be more like kind family and helpful friends than salesmen. So, wading into the unfamiliar territory of marketing my writing is probably not as bad as I think.
Posted by Ramona
www.happilywriting.com
March 03, 2012
A Writer? - Janis Cox
You would not have called me a prolific writer. Until 2000 when I became a Jesus believer I had only written lists, plans and letters even though I held a BA in English.
From that time on I started to write poems, as I read the Bible and studied His Word. I believe these poems helped to clarify God's Word for me.
Wondering what to do with these poems, God led me to a writers' conference. From there a whole new world opened - a world of believers and those who had a passion to write. I now have a bond with writers across Canada. I belong to both Inscribe and The Word Guild - great groups for people who love God and enjoy writing.
I am still not a prolific writer. There are too many other pursuits that I love to allow me to solely focus on writing. But I have had a few articles published. And that felt wonderful.
I can't start my day without praying, reading and studying His Word. My journaling about what I read and about my life is very precious to me.
When I journal I use a pen - yes a P-E-N and a notebook. I love the feel of a pen in my hand.
In the past two years I have combined my love of writing with my love of watercolour. I started to work on combining these loves into children's books, both as author and illustrator. Neither of my two books are ready to publish but I enjoy the "work".
I have two blogs A Better Way. and Under the Cover of Prayer. As I write for these blogs I believe my writing improves and God inspires me as well.
I could not think of a time when I don't want to write - or paint. So I continue to create.
I also have a burden to pray for other writers and to give God glory in all He does through my feeble writing efforts. I thank God for the writing groups to which I belong as it has strengthened my writing and my faith.
Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan is working on a couple children’s books in which she is also the watercolour illustrator. To connect - email Jan.
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