Vr5Online Technology Blog

Christmas day is approaching and it is a perfect time for us to plan our own Christmas gift list. We can now get our nice coffee or tea, gather whatever catalogs we have handy and paper and pencil, and start making our list.

Creating a list ahead of time can avoid last minute shopping stress. With your already-finish shopping list, you don’t have to drive in heavy traffic and went to over-crowded stores. Try to finish your shopping task by the end of November so that you can greatly enjoy December events. Make your shopping trips enjoyable outings, and include some treat for yourself such as a nice lunch or good company. Take advantage of wrapping services or use gift bags to reduce your wrapping or the need of getting supplies.

Keep your list handy. It is fun to be an elf at Christmas time. Great stores offer wonderful gift suggestions and packaging. With a short list and a good department store, shopping center, or with online access, it is possible to shop and have your gifts wrapped in a day.

To make it simple and easy, your list doesn’t have to be very long, rather limit your gift giving list to about a dozen. You might ask on how you can make it possible, so try this: extended families can be given one nice gift per household for their family to share. Giving one holiday present can give you the opportunity to give something special. Colleagues and other associates can be put together as one on the list also because you are able to think one good holiday present that can be given to each. Example, you might give each of them a journal, mug, gift basket, or a ticket.

You can also give handmade gifts, so long as you enjoy making them. One possibility is to hand make the same gift again and again for the people on your list this year, and next year to choose a different gift. This makes it easier and predictable. Another option is to make one large batch of something that can be divided into gifts. One great example of this is a homemade soap. Do-it-yourself gifts can be challenging, so to avoid stress give yourself enough working time for it. Just make sure you always have a Plan B - an alternate plan – for handmade gifts so that you can leave a project without having much trouble.

However, choosing the right Christmas gifts for family and friends can be challenging sometimes.

Husbands or boyfriends would find it difficult in choosing what to give to their ladies. The only trick is that, know your special woman well. Consider you woman’s interest likes and dislikes. Or perhaps, think on of items or products women usually use. Consider choices of ladies accessories like bags for ladies, cosmetics, jewelry or jewelry boxes and other women’s stuff. Many women, however, do have some difficulties in choosing what to give for their special men. There are actually lots of variety of mens gifts. Make sure to choose unique ones because men can be very picky sometimes. For instance, you may give engraved cufflinks, monogrammed flasks and beer mugs, or any other barwares. Or if they love the outdoor, why not give a personalized cooler bag or chair? The endless options are yours. Just keep wise and smart when shopping!

Jnet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. If you’re looking for christmas gifts, visit the website Mybusinessgifts.com and browse their extensive collection. Get also christmas gifts for kidsonline!

Affiliate programs have many great advantages that make it one of the best business ideas for starting your own internet based business. I’m going to delve into 8 reasons why you may want to get started on this path.

1) Low If Any Costs to Produce

If you were to create your own product there could be major costs to develop it or if you went with information products there still are a lot of costs that are overlooked besides just coming up with content for an info product. Affiliate program solve this dilemma because there aren’t any cost to produce them. You are simply promoting a product that is already on the market and earning a commission on every sale.

2) Minimal Setup Costs

Starting an internet based business has very low setup costs compared to a traditional brick and mortar business. You most likely have some sort of office setup and a computer connected to the internet if you are reading this or better yet a laptop you can take anywhere. Those are the main tools you will need to get started with affiliate programs, everything else can be downloaded for free.

3) Business License Not Needed and No Start-up Fees

Being an affiliate is similar to having your own product line with out all the hassles of actually owning and operating the business. With someone that owns the business they usually have to have a business license and pay fees. Affiliate marketing avoids that, you simply promote the product and get your check.

4) You Can Sell Virtually Everything

These days you can find pretty much anything on the internet that is sold in the real world. This means that out of all those products there is most likely an affiliate program you can sign up for to sell those items. That gives you and almost unlimited potential for choosing a niche to become an affiliate in.

5) You Don’t Need To Be a Salesman

The majority of people that get started with affiliate marketing don’t have any sales experience. Most programs you signup to be an affiliate with will provide you with marketing material that is proven to work already. This means all you have to do is copy and paste the ads they give you.

6) You Don’t Have To Hire Anyone

One of the biggest expenses for companies is paying their employees. If sales don’t cover the cost to pay an employee than the business will fail. This doesn’t apply to your internet based business because you won’t need to hire anyone. If there ever is anything beyond your scope of knowledge than you can easily outsource a project out to someone and pay them a flat fee for their work completed.

7) You Don’t Have To Have a Merchant Account

Merchant accounts can be very stressful to setup and meet the requirements for. You usually have to show you won’t be a risk but without a prior business it becomes a catch-22. As an affiliate you don’t process payments so you won’t have to worry about payment fees, gateway fees, fraud, or dreaded refunds and charge backs.

Unlimited Earning Potential

When you have a regular job, you usually are paid by the hours you put in or you have a preset salary you are paid every month. You can work overtime every once in awhile to earn some extra money but you will become burnt out and there really is only so many hours in the day. This is not the case with affiliate marketing. There is no roof on the amount of money you can make besides the amount of effort and promotion you put in and they give you the ability to work wherever you want!

For a proven affiliate product with a high conversion rate consider Instant Income Plan, also visit my how to earn money online website for more tips.

The highest quality pregnancy nutrition today requires reliable nutrition facts from a doctor as well as other sources, including the Internet. While medical practitioners do indeed provide vital nutrition facts, expectant mothers do well when they learn more about including plenty of whole foods in a solid pregnancy nutrition plan.

Whether expecting a baby or not, basic nutrition facts include the need for a balanced diet that includes an abundance of vitamins and minerals from whole foods. This is especially important when pregnancy nutrition is involved. After all, you want to help your baby develop to its full potential, and sticking to a healthy diet that includes plenty of whole foods is a wonderful way to give your little one the best start in life.

The mom-to-be will need to balance her increasing needs for calories with choosing the proper sources for those calories. Just because the recommended caloric intake goes up does not mean that these should be empty calories. Understanding some basic nutrition facts about whole foods will afford the mother and the baby greater opportunities to gain the best pregnancy nutrition. This means that instead of simply eating more, a conscious effort should be made to consume more of the right kinds of foods.

Eating whole foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, is the surest way to get the pregnancy nutrition that is so vital. However, many expectant mothers can also benefit from additional supplements and whole food concentrates. For example, a pregnant woman may require extra calcium for the baby’s teeth and bones to develop without completely robbing her own body of vital nutrients. The nutrition facts show that by adding supplements with whole food ingredients, you can increase calcium intake along with other nutrients at the same time.

While supplements may play an important role in pregnancy nutrition, it’s equally important to pay attention to basic nutrition facts. For example, fruits and vegetables are a perfect source for the nutrients that both mother and baby need. Fresh produce will have the most impact on your nutritional needs, with frozen fruits and vegetables coming in second. By making whole foods a part of your pregnancy nutrition routine, you are protecting the health of your child and taking care of your own dietary requirements.

Just as nutrition facts point to the need for an expectant mother to boost her calcium intake, proper pregnancy nutrition calls for folic acid in the diet. Also referred to as “folate,” this nutrient is essential for fetal development. For pregnancy nutrition, a woman needs about 800 mcg of folic acid daily. Nursing mothers may safely reduce that down to about 500 mcg. Good, whole food sources of folate are leafy, green vegetables, fruit, beans, peas and nuts. Some enriched breads, cereals, and other grain products also contain folic acid.

Of course, weight gain is always a consideration for pregnancy nutrition. Often, women feel pressure regarding the excess weight they gain during pregnancy. While you should always consult with your doctor to know the anticipated amount of weight gain for your individual situation, one way to avoid problems is by adjusting your diet to make sure you are eating the healthiest foods available. Get all the nutrition facts you can and determine the best whole foods to fit your needs.

Gaining weight while adhering to some basic nutrition facts will benefit both the mother and the child. Maintaining a diet filled with plenty of whole foods from Mother Nature will no doubt fill the needs of anyone who is serious about proper pregnancy nutrition.

Cliff Smith is one of the owners of BestHealthFoodStore.net, an online health food store that provides nutrition facts as well as uniquely formulated pregnancy nutrition that is not available in retail stores.

4Kar?-Green

ZIGGY HEARD a small child’s laughter as he approached the next house on the river. A small boy was running through the yard, chasing a large blue butterfly that floated just out of his reach. The child ran dangerously near the bank of the river, which worried Ziggy, but then the youngster stopped short and amazingly, the butterfly stopped as well. The child turned and started running and this time, the butterfly followed. The chased became the chaser. The butterfly, as if teasing the boy, danced just barely in site overhead as the child ran as fast as he could.

“Leonardo, come, Mama wants to show you something.” The boy’s father stood at the back door beckoning to the child. Seeing the young man standing by the river’s edge, the father sent his greeting. “?wana.” Ziggy answered back likewise. The father walked towards the young man as his child rushed by. Holding out his hand, he said “Humberto Tasso” in a heavy Italian accent with a Mapuche twist. “You are headed to the Corral, yes?” asking as if he already knew the answer.

“Yes, Senor. I want to see if it’s as powerful as they say,” Ziggy responded.

“Come, I will show you a picture of it I just painted, and you will get an idea of how powerful it really is.”

The father turned and entered his house and the young man followed close behind. The mother had finished washing and slicing a variety of fruits and vegetables she must have picked them from the large garden between the cabin and the river, placing them on a deep green silk cloth in the sink, she began pouring honey over them. The child was staring at an apple his mother had placed on the table with the same expression Ziggy had seen on the child’s face as he chased the butterfly … a look of pure loving admiration for things created. “Created by God,” the young man thought, and somehow, standing in the presence of this family, he felt closer to God, closer to his faith, closer to his own newly found true love.

“This is Alexia, Leonardo’s mother and my wife.” Ziggy could see the small boy had inherited his angelic looks from this lovely lady. Alexia smiled and came forward to kiss the young man on the cheek. “I am Ziggy,” he said, as he thought how nice it was to no longer feel pain over not having a mother, himself.

“She is the inspiration for many of the ladies you see in the paintings hanging throughout the house.” The young man noticed a large one hanging on the wall just behind her shoulder. He laughed as he noticed that in the center of this very powerful, ancient Greek-inspired painting was a green Volkswagen bug. His father often said that driving a V.W. was flat-out admitting to being a “hippie.” He owned three.

“All of my paintings are done with a base made from crushed volcanic rock taken directly from pieces of the ruins of the Corral De Aqua.”

Ziggy thought being surrounded by the beautiful paintings throughout the house was like being in a museum of the masters.

“I started painting as a young man about your age here in Chile. I moved to Italy and there I studied under the greatest painters I could find…”

… To Continue Reading Healing Stories - #4 Green please visit www.Intent.com, your source and community for information on creating balance, yoga fitness, integrative medicine and much more.

Chapter 5 Turquoise (Turqos)

DOO-DOO-DOO-DOO, DOO-doo-doo-doo, DOO-doo-doo-doo” … it sounded to Ziggy like an old Indian chant as he came down the path. Then he saw its origin―beside the river sat an elderly Mapuche man playing something like a Jew’s-harp. He continued his music as he looked at the young man coming toward him. “DOO-doo-doo-doo, DOO-doo-doo-doo, DOO-doo-doo-doo.” A small sparrow hawk perched on a branch next to the Mapuche Elder was bobbing his head to the beat. When the music stopped, the bird let out a loud chirp and flew away.

“?wana, young man, how are you on this fine day?” the man inquired. “Feeling happy as that Kokori,” Ziggy declared, deciding to use the word meaning, “hawk,” one of the few Mapuche words he knew.

“You are speaking my native tongue, where did you learn it?”

“From Eloy. I am staying at his place on the river,” Ziggy said as he admired the turquoise the man was wearing around his neck and on his wrist and fingers, all matching his belt and buckle.

“Eloy is a good man, although when he first came to this valley we had our doubts. I am the Orator of the Mapuche, and as such, I was authorized to talk to him, tell him our truths, teach him about our beliefs, and make sure he did not disrupt our balance with nature. It is easy to see the effect nature has on us, just look around. It is also important that we understand the effect we have on nature. The Mapuche believe that all parts of creation, including humans, are alive and connected with both the supernatural and the natural. Thus, the mountains, woods, rivers, lakes and ocean are born, grow old and die. Sometimes they become sick of natural causes but many times the sickness is brought on by man.” He sighed, then went on: “We as a people are standing at a crossroads; the effects of our mistreatment of this earth are showing up everywhere. Tomorrow is February 15th, the middle of summer here in the South Americas. Look up at the volcano, you see the sombrero of clouds hanging over the top today? Tonight will grow very cold and for the first time in February, these foothills will receive a coat of snow. All across the planet the weather is warning us of this cause and effect.” Ziggy thought of another old man he and his father once encountered in Costa Rica as he sat among his cows and chickens, watching the sunset. The old man was friendly and told them he was having a wonderful vision of his childhood, growing up on this same land. “These hills you see around you, when I was young, were covered with large old trees, as was true of all this area from Nicaragua to our capital of San Jose. It was truly a rain forest and rain it did, all year round.” They had looked over the hills behind them and had seen no trees, only dry, dead brush. Even though it was the middle…

… To Continue Reading Healing Story #5 - Turquoise please visit www.Intent.com, your source and community for information on global peace, caring for the planet, spirituality and much more.

I’ve been half-teasing lately with my career services colleagues that the banks and GM aren’t the only ones in need of a bailout. Job seekers should ask for one too. Why not? It seems that in today’s environment the more corporate leaders mismanage their businesses, the more attractive they are for getting bailed out by the U.S. tax payer.

So why should job seekers be any different?

It is no secret that most job seekers are ill prepared for their job search. They spend money in the wrong places. They pin their hopes on the wrong things. They have very little idea of what to expect (although they think they know it all). They try all kinds of tricks and shenanigans to make things work for them.

And then they are upset when they don’t have positive results. Or when they don’t land the career of their dreams.

I spent a great deal of time the other day trying to work with this woman in Jackson, Mississippi. She’s been searching for a job for a little less than 30 days, and she is looking for a sales position with an earning potential of about ~$150,000.

She’s frustrated. She wants the resume “fixed,” she wants the economy “fixed,” she feels victimized by her last employer, and she wants this job search over within 45 days or else…..she doesn’t know what “else” is exactly, but she really means it. It better be over in 45 days, or she is going to do something!

After talking her down off the ledge, I spent some time 1) discovering how she has been conducting her search so far and 2) figuring out where these expectations came from. As I suspected, kind of like the housing market, when people aren’t making 150% profits from their homes, then they’re suffering…

So you tell me, is my client from Jackson a victim of the economy or of herself:

When I explained to her that as a full-time job seeker, she should be sending out somewhere between 35 and 50 resumes per week (because she is only sending out ~5/week now), she told me that there weren’t 35 to 50 jobs posted in her area in Jackson each week. Her exact words were “Recruiters are telling me to wait until after the new year.”

Like most job seekers, networking and cold calling are foreign concepts to her. Instead, she is just planning on waiting around for that job to open up (within 45 days or else, of course!).

When I asked her how she was spending her 40 hours/week since now she is unemployed, she confessed that she has no idea how much time she is really spending (remember she is only sending out ~5 resumes/week). But again, there was little for her to do because Jackson, MS, doesn’t have many job postings…

When I told her the average job search time for someone making $150,000/year is about 4 months for ~40 hours/week of time spent searching, she simply recited to me all her stellar credentials. And then blamed Bush and the economy. When I told her that those stats are nothing new, and have been around for a while, she still blamed Bush.

Basically, no matter what I said, in her mind, if she didn’t have a job offer within 45 days, either her resume service ripped her off or it was all Bush’s fault.

So what am I to conclude here? You think maybe she is a rare case?

I’m afraid not.

Listen…is this a tough job market? Sure it is. I don’t think that is in dispute. But tough does not mean impossible, and too many job seekers give up without hardly trying. And most of the time, they went into the search with poor expectations in the first place.

Perhaps the oddest thing about my friend in Jackson is that, of all things, she is a sales person. She can tell you all about the sales life cycle, all about branding and product positioning, all about selling in a tough market. But when it comes to her job search, she cannot apply those same principles.

It never ceases to amaze me just how emotional the job search process is. It challenges you to move outside of your comfort zone and put yourself out there. Most people go into it kicking and screaming, on a good day. So as soon as there is something out there to blame, to latch onto as the reason for all our problems, we so easily take the bait.

Then what are we left with? Demotivation? Looking for that genie in a bottle?

No worries. The government is into redemption these days.

My company is called No Stone Unturned, and I am an MBA and certified professional r?sum? writer (CPRW). I have been a career consultant since 2002 with an additional 8 years of corporate hiring experience. You can check out my website that offers tools such as the No Nonsense Job Search Strategy guide and other Job Search Tips.

3 Chod-Yellow

If you are joining this story for the first time please go to red and work yourself forward it will flow a lot better that way, God Bless you and good luck with discovering your color!

NOT ONLY WAS the straw of the hut yellow, but the rows of sunflowers and the large patches of herbs planted throughout the front yard all seemed to have yellow flowers. Florencia was on her knees in this garden and was talking to “someone” when he approached. Her yellow hair glistened in the sunlight. She stopped her conversation with the plants and turned to look over her shoulder, giving him a smile that made the young man feel as if she were very happy to see him again … as if she recognized him immediately. She did seem familiar but he was positive he had not met her before, at least not in this lifetime.

“My name is Ziggy. Armun sent me to pick up the herbs you prepared for her on my way to the Corral.”

She stood and reached out to him, he thought to shake his hand, but her grasp slipped past his as her hand settled on his arm and his muscles. She squeezed it tight.

“You just might be strong enough for the ‘Corral De Aqua’, however, its not physical strength you will need, your mental strength must be sharp.” Turning, she opened the door to her Ruka, stopped for a second to reach over and rub her hand on the well-worn notches of the Rewe that stood to the right of her door. Ziggy smiled, remembering that his father had never entered his cabin, either, until he rubbed the belly of the large Buddha that sat in the same location.

The sound of dance-trance music greeted them as she opened the door. She walked ahead and began to move as if dancing, only she seemed to be gliding slightly above the floor. Then she stopped and turned in a circle that reminded the boy of the Tibetan ladies he had seen perform when his father took him to see the Dalai Lama. Like his father, she was 100% hippie.

(Geronimo whispered, “Chod.”)

The day was not a cold, yet she had a large fire glowing in the fireplace. Ziggy stopped in the doorway, not sure if he should enter. He saw on a pedestal by the front door a large statue of the Angel Uriel, whose name was inscribed on the base. But it was already a familiar statue to him because he and his father had shared a book on angels his mother had left them. His father had said Uriel was his second favorite Angel, next to Gabriel. Florencia caught him staring at the statue. “Armun’s mom, Luz Clara, gave that to me when I took over as the Machi for her. She said that special angel was the Guardian of the Gates of Paradise.”

“Come in,” she prodded him. “I have Armun’s herbs here in a large bag so I suggest you pick it up on your way back from the Corral.” The back door to the house was open; the young man noticed the worn area in the center of the back yard and a large wooden statue standing in its center. “That is a likeness of my husband. He ‘passed over’ several years ago. This is where we hold our ceremonies…

… To Continue Reading Healing Story #3 - Yellow please visit www.Intent.com, your online source and community for information on spiritual metaphysics, religion news, personal development and much more.

Sometimes, we feel that we know just enough about a certain topic that is not as useful as latest information that is evolving everyday. Let us know how we could fill in some of the gaps with the new? facts or information by asking some experts who have suggestions about the modern trends of handbags. It will be great if such latest information will be learned before you are in the thick of things.

As your knowledge about handbags trends seem continues to update each day, you will start to realize that handbag trends are becoming more fit into the overall scheme of things. Knowing they too can relate to the rest of the world, which is important as well.

Many people would really keep an eye on modern trends of handbags, especially those who love to collect handbags, as well as those who always get excited when there are new trends that has emerged.

However, there are others who are not interested with the latest trends of handbags because they really think that there is not trend that could fit to everyone’s need. But in reality, it is all up to you on how to choose a handbag that suit you own taste.

In the past few years, handbag designers believe that it will be more convenient if you will have a smaller handbag. This is quite true, though, for most women in past have only few belongings to contain inside their purses, and they seem not bothered about the size of the accessory. Convenient was their major priority, so the smaller their handbag the better. But nowadays, that trend seems not to work anymore. Women today are becoming more busy and have more belongings to carry so they obviously need bigger handbag. You can see a lot of women today carrying a tote bag for totes are quite big and can contain numerous stuff. Tote bags are not only in style because of the way they look, but also because they are very practical where you can fit a large amount of stuff in one bag.

The color trend of handbags are also evolving. We used to have dark toned color of purses such as black and brown before. These two were practically the only colors deemed suitable for handbags. Modern trend of handbag color has evolved when more women are getting lucrative for new shiny colors to show off their taste and lifestyle to others. In fact, there are new trend of colors for leather handbags were launched to the market. Even though colored leather purses remain very expensive that many could not afford, but savvy consumers still look for other type of material other than leather, which is a lot cheaper. However, traditional leather colors like black and brown look still classic and very much acceptable.

Lastly, another modern trend today include customized handbags. Customization able you to put your own personal touch. You can find customized handbags which you can have your name or initial embroidered on them. Also, you can get a personalized evening bag to carry during more formal events. Other customized options include customized diaper bags, sports bags and even travel accessories and luggage.

Jnet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. If you’re looking for personalized gift bags, visit the website Bags-purses-totes.com and browse their extensive collection. Get also personalized cosmetic bags online!

We all know that this Christmas is going to be less joyous than years before. The economy has caused everyone to rethink the items they purchase. That’s why finding the best gift this Christmas is going to be harder than ever. A great addition to a vehicle might just be a truck rack. They are practical and easy to install. You’ll not only have the biggest gift under the Christmas tree, you’ll also be thanked profusely.

Many small business owners purchase trucks for practical reasons, to haul supplies and help maintain their business. Some people, however, don’t utilize the space in their vehicles. If you are hauling ladders in the bed of your truck then you should really rethink your optimization of space. Truck racks are perfect for carrying ladders, while at the same time securing them and allowing you to haul more important items.

An avid outdoorsman is generally in possession of varied kinds of equipment. Kayaks, skies, canoes, snowboards, bicycles, and snowshoes can be expensive equipment. That’s why it’s important to secure them during transport to the slopes, river, lake, or mountain path. A rack will allow you to keep them from knocking into your other gear, or even ruining the bed of your truck. They also allow for more space as you can customize yours to fit the full length of your vehicle giving you up to twelve feet of storage.

Many may not realize this, but some ATVs can also be stored safely. They are specifically made to withstand heavy weight, and most manufactures will include detailed instructions on transport of ATVs and four-wheel vehicles. For those outdoorsmen who have multiple ATVs, these additions can provide a cost savings because you don’t have to buy a trailer to haul them. Trailers can cause hazardous driving conditions on winter roads. While practical, you must evaluate whether or not they are right for you. Thankfully, there are other options.

Luggage is easily stored as well. Have your relatives in town but don’t have any room in the bed of your truck because of the gear you haul for work? Secure luggage in a safe and reliable spot without inconveniencing your passengers by having them keep it in the cab of your vehicle. It can be especially convenient when traveling long distances on vacation. Save room to put the tent and supplies in the bed of your truck. Racks can even fit on top of your camper.

They can also be handy for hunters during deer, elk, bear, antelope, and moose season. Rig your vehicle for easy transport of your treasured find. Guns, rope, scopes, bows, and tents can easily be transported on a rack as well. Being organized is extremely important when space is such a commodity.

Racks can also be very appealing to the eye. You might not need to use one everyday, and therefore it’s important to find one that looks visually appealing during nonuse. Finding the perfect fit to your vehicle is important in the overall aesthetic look. The last thing you want is an oversized, ugly colored monstrosity attached to your prized truck.

So, while out there shopping this gift giving season think about the practical uses for a truck rack. Give a gift that will be seen daily, remembered for years, and provides a service to that important person in your life. Don’t get stuck scratching your head pondering on what present to give this Christmas Season.

Andy West is a writer Buy Auto Truck Accessories, offering amazing deals on products such as tonneau covers or even a truck rack. For more information please visit BuyAutoTruckAccessories.com.

Show, Don’t Tell is not only the writer’s first commandment, it is also the first commandment that is broken the most often. Some things should tell!

· Newspaper articles – Ex. – The robber was last seen heading south on Main Street.

· Most magazine articles – Ex. – Joseph Hanson resigned his position with the GOP on March 26.

· Advertisements tell – Ex. – When you have a stain, Shout it out!

· Journals tell – Ex. – I had a lousy day today.

You will notice one common denominator in all of these statements. All of them are flat, descriptive statements or commands. That is telling. It’s very shallow. Very matter of fact.

Of necessity, stories must do a certain amount of telling, but it is your job to recognize when you can change the telling to showing.

A listed description is always telling. For example: She had coal black hair, dark brown eyes, long lashes, and the cutest rosebud lips you ever saw.

Always release descriptions a little at a time, in one or more scenes. For example:

Lisa’s coal black hair flew in the wind. Roberta and Eleanor stood watching.

“My boyfriend virtually drowns in her chocolaty eyes. I’ll bet she wears false eyelashes,” said Roberta.

“Nah. They’re hers, alright. I have brown eyes. That’s no biggie, but I’d give my arm to have rosebud lips like hers,” said Eleanor.

________

The first thing you will notice is that telling the facts took only 15 words, but showing the facts took 54 words. Keep in mind that showing is a higher law in writing than saving words. It will always take three to four times the words to show. Don’t fight it.

Let’s look at more examples:

Instead of writing this flat statement, “He works out at the gym and he has a great physique,” we could show his awesome form by having a girl say, “He came out of the gym wearing one of those tight muscle shirts. Wow!”

Another way to show something is by using internal dialog. Let’s say you have a scene in the kitchen where a woman is angry. Instead of spending too much time throwing pots and pans, let her express her feelings through her thoughts. Yes, this is a form of telling, but your reader will see it through the character’s eyes. (Btw, internal dialog is always expressed in italics.)

Or yet another way is by observing the woman like a fly on the wall. Example: She stood stock still, her right hand on her hip, and one foot patting the floor. Blood engorged the vessels in her neck and temples in coordination with the crimson red that flushed her face. We all knew it was time to get out of Dodge.

More ways to learn showing:

·Read literature and pick out telling sentences

·Review your own work and looking for telling sentences

·Observe people and make a telling statement about them, then change it to showing

Learning to show usually takes several months to learn. Be patient. It takes lots of practice. See the Christmas writing sale below!

Don’t read this! Christmas Sale on 8-wk. writing courses reduced to $185 until Jan. 1, 2009! Creative Writing Institute, the first fully mentored writing school on the Internet, http://www.creativewritinginstitute.com. ATTENTION: Submit your Christmas story or article and we’ll print it!